Burevestnik (Petrograd, 1917)

Burevestnik was a short-lived but influential journal published in Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg) during the revolutionary year of 1917. Its title, "Burevestnik," translates to "Stormy Petrel" in English, a bird often associated with impending storms and revolution, a fitting metaphor for the tumultuous period in Russian history.

The journal was primarily associated with anarchist and individualist writers and thinkers. It provided a platform for diverse perspectives within the anarchist movement, including those advocating for individual liberation, direct action, and the abolition of the state. While its lifespan was brief, Burevestnik played a role in disseminating anarchist ideas and contributing to the intellectual ferment of the revolution.

Contributors included figures associated with Russian individualist anarchism. The journal’s content often focused on theoretical debates within anarchism, critiques of authoritarianism (both Tsarist and Bolshevik), and explorations of individual autonomy.

The journal's publication ceased relatively quickly after the Bolsheviks consolidated power. The increasingly repressive environment under the new regime made the open expression of anarchist views, especially those critical of state power, increasingly difficult. As such, Burevestnik serves as a historical record of the anarchist presence and intellectual contributions during the pivotal year of 1917 in Russia. Its limited run makes it a valuable, though rare, source for understanding the nuances of revolutionary thought beyond the dominant Bolshevik narrative.