Summer at P1 2022: This was Gudrun Persson’s show

Chernobyl disaster, tsunami, COVID-19 pandemic and most recently Russia’s attack on Ukraine. When the fabric of society strains to the breaking point, we call in experts who can provide context.

But new sofa connoisseurs probably can’t handle the sudden interest. Their person becomes more important than the knowledge they must impart.

On the other hand, Gudrun Pearson, the Russian scholar who entered our living rooms after Russian abominations in Ukraine, maintained the style.

She appears to be driven by a genuine desire to explain events in an easy-to-understand manner and appears uninterested in polishing her ego. In short, she is very trustworthy in her expert role.

So, it was with great anticipation that I started listening to her summer talk. I was happy and disappointed.

When Gudrun Pearson Report In order to see the outside world of Russia – and vice versa – and serve us short stories from the country’s history, then it has weight and power.

Like When I Crush It, Churchill cited “Russia is a ribose wrapped in a riddle within an enigma.” No, Gudrun brazenly tells us radio listeners: “Russia is no more difficult to understand than other countries (…) to hide behind vague and pointless concepts, and this does not explain anything.”

If only Gudrun Pearson had the same self-confidence and ingenuity when she spoke for herself! Instead, it often becomes fuzzy and a bit flat, and stops when approaching. We’re told she gains strength in young life, but she doesn’t spin on that thread.

And her years in the collapsed Soviet Union and in the new Russia – here she did not hurt with more color, aroma and passion in production.

Until now. It is an honor to be able to listen to an explosively competent person(s) who does not teach or play for women.

Music is not unexpectedly aligned with such great Russians as Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. In addition to a heartbreaking clip of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader sings to his late wife Raisa. And then I was able to squeeze in both Pink Floyd and Sonya Heidenbrat.

Read more about This year’s summer hosts And more texts Eric Olson.