Serhiy Mokrycki’s memoirs among literary testimonies of totalitarianism

Abstract

The memoirs of Jehovah’s Witnesses who were repressed by the totalitarian regimes of the 20th
century, are researched. Particular attention is paid to the memoirs of Serhiy Mokrytskyi (coming from
Ukraine) and three other authors who faced the communist system. The first published autobiography
was “Personal encounter with Siberia: memorial book about the deportation of 1951” (“Sinasilmitsi
Siberiga. Mälestusteraamat 1951. aastaküüditamisest”) written by Silver Silliksaar. However, more
widespread texts include the memoirs edited and concluded by Oleh Golko: “Jehovah’s Witnesses –
The Siberian Route” (“Свідки Єгови – сибірський маршрут”) and “Hardened in Siberia. Reference

stories and archival documents collected by the archivist, a living witness of many of the described
events” (“Загартовані в Сибіру. Довідка розповідей та архівних документів, зібраних вченим-
архівістом, живим свідком багатьох описаних подій”). Pavloł Rurak’s autobiography titled “Three
arrests for the truth” (“Три ареста за истину”) is also analyzed.
“The path of a Christian” (‘Путь Христианина”), written by Serhiy Mokrytskyi, was published
in Moscow in 2012 and, as it was proved, was the original document of his era: border neighbourly
relations, the moment of conversion, severe persecutions related to, among other things, the stays in
the camps. Autobiography is also a testimony of a great faith. Analysis of the author’s fate emphasises
the significant role of hope in the life of an individual in an extreme situation, when people were
forced to make choices that were associated with high costs, including emotional ones.
In addition, the content and issues of other autobiographies are investigated. They have the
characteristics of a document, which is why the term “literary certificate” suits them. Examining the
value of these texts, it has been proved that regardless of their aesthetic values, they are an important
element of cultural practice. They support the strengthening of the cultural identity of the group and
promote the construction of the collective memory.
Keywords: autobiography, memoirs, collective memory, Jehovah’s Witnesses, totalitarianism.