Introduction
The human cost of totalitarian governments is brought home poignantly and powerfully in Anna Akhmatova’s poem Requiem. The latter, written in Soviet Russia under Stalin’s rule, deals with loss, mourning, and survival against political repression. The impacts of authoritarianism and other types of political tyranny are still felt today, making the piece’s timeless message relevant even though it was composed decades ago.
Anna Akhmatova’s Requiem in Relation to Global Forced Migration
The current plight of refugees is a worldwide tragedy that resonates deeply with the ideas of Requiem. More than 103 million people have been displaced from their homes as a result of political unrest, war, or persecution, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2023). In their pursuit of a better life, these people must overcome incredible obstacles and bear unfathomable misery.
Akhmatova (1963) says, “Not under foreign skies / Nor under foreign wings protected -/ I shared all this with my own people / There, where misfortune had abandoned us” (lines 1–4). Here, the author emphasizes the fact that she and her compatriots are forced to be foreigners in their motherland due to the Soviets’ repressions. This is the main prerequisite of leaving a country and gaining the status of a refugee in another one.
It should be stressed that refugees, like Akhmatova’s poem’s protagonists, are often the victims of systematic oppression and persecution at the hands of the powerful. Their mental and physical states are expressed here vividly: “I know how dark or ash-blond strands of hair / Can suddenly turn white. I’ve learned to recognize / The fading smiles upon submissive lips, / The trembling fear inside a hollow laugh” (Akhmatova, 1963, lines 169–172). Overcrowding and dangerous living conditions are only two of the many problems they may encounter. Healthcare, education, and career opportunities are only some of the other fundamental human rights that are usually deprived of.
Conclusion
Thus, Requiem can be viewed as a compelling call to action to practice empathy and compassion in the face of injustice. Modern society can create a fairer and equitable culture by honoring the humanity and strength of people displaced by the refugee crisis. To do this, people should address the need to prioritize the concerns of refugees, actively seek out their perspectives, and collaborate to develop programs and legislation to protect them.
References
Akhmatova, A. (1963). Requiem. Pine Valley Central School. Web.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2023). Refugee data finder. Web.