Medium read: The Russian revolutionaries’ London stamping grounds. Ranging from the places where Vladimir Lenin met Stalin and Trotsky to where they lived to where they drew inspiration to where they plotted to where they caroused (the pub Lenin frequented).
Background read: “For nearly a century – 1826-1905 – the doors of the United Kingdom were wide open to foreigners. The country had no means of stopping them for most of this period, and almost none of expelling them if they misbehaved. (The only exception was extradition.)
“At first glance he looked more like a provincial grocer than a leader of men.”
Most migrants were economic – attracted by the work and opportunities for enterprise Britain offered. Others came not because they liked the country, and certainly not because of the work (they had the reputation of being disinclined to work at all), but because of the absolute and indiscriminate right of asylum Britain offered them. They were safe here.
Lenin, who lived in London in the early 20th century, was rescued by a London policeman once, when a meeting turned ugly against him, after Russian police spies sowed a rumour that he was a spy.
Political refugees could not even be extradited if they could show that the crimes they were accused of abroad – however terrible – were politically motivated. Looking back on this now, after a century, it seems extraordinary.
‘The British tolerated the political refugees out of principle. They gained little from having them here. Britons did not support their being here because they knew and liked them; still less because they (or most of them) shared their political views.
It was a matter of principle. It was the policy of asylum for refugees the British were defending, not the refugees themselves.’
“Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners.” Vladimir Lenin
“The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them in parliament.” Vladimir Lenin
“Fascism is capitalism in decay.” Vladimir Lenin
“A lie told often enough becomes the truth” Vladimir Lenin
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Chasing the Ghost of Communist Past: Russian Revolution in London it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Chasing the Ghost of Communist Past: Russian Revolution in London walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
12 reviews for Chasing the Ghost of Communist Past: Russian Revolution in London
Rated 5 out of 5
Daisy –
Such a great tour! So interesting and Margarita is an excellent guide ❤️
Rated 5 out of 5
John Snelling –
This is an excellent and highly informative walk. Margarita certainly knows her stuff and presents it in a clear and engaging fashion. Other walks cover the stories of revolutionaries in the East of London but if you have been on one of them, this walk is essential to complete the picture as important parts of the story happened in Camden and Islington. Thoroughly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Dan –
Margarita’s walk was excellent. Thoroughly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ben –
Margarita is a treasure of knowledge, insight, and fun that made our very wintry evening a superb one.
She guided us around a corner of London that is slowly revealed to have played a prominent role of this pivotal parts of world history. Jostling among Saturday night drinkers is also effectively what the revolutionaries did in forming their plans in crowded pubs and cramped flats.
Rated 5 out of 5
Clive Ellis –
This really was a fantastic walk. Margarita was an excellent tour guide who was very knowledgeable and I learnt so much. Thank you. You will not be disappointed.😀
Rated 5 out of 5
Mr Nicholas Warner –
One of best things I’ve done. As a young communist here in England in my youth and with a Marxist as a dad I and as someone who has actually visited the Soviet Union And whose grandfather was a supporter like so many idealists of all nations of the “worker’s state” thought I had “seen it all”, had nothing to learn about The Russian Revolution in London until I met Margarita. Spaceba.
Rated 5 out of 5
Scott –
We loved this walk! Margarita was amazing – she put so much of herself into bringing to life early 20th century Russian revolutionary shenanigans! …. She was Incredibly knowledgeable, really engaging with a brilliant sense of humour.
A perfect morning which ended in a very relevant pub!
Rated 5 out of 5
Elena –
What a fantastic tour! Margarita knows so much, is incredibly engaging, and makes the walk an absolute delight! The walk is full of surprises, humour, and thought-provoking philosophical questions. As well as going myself, I later gifted tickets to friends, who loved their present. Wholeheartedly recommended!
Rated 5 out of 5
Michael M. –
Great walk, full of surprising historical facts! At the end of the walk, in the very pub where Lenin met Stalin, Margarita and I sang a few verses of the old Russian folk song “кабачок” – in Russian, of course – to the great amusement (and amazement) of our fellow walkers
Rated 5 out of 5
Kumar –
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour and learnt so much! Who knew how important London was to the Russian Revolution?! Margarita is an incredibly knowledgeable and charming guide through this fascinating part of history and if you’re at all interested I would highly recommend! 🙂
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Daisy –
Such a great tour! So interesting and Margarita is an excellent guide ❤️
John Snelling –
This is an excellent and highly informative walk. Margarita certainly knows her stuff and presents it in a clear and engaging fashion. Other walks cover the stories of revolutionaries in the East of London but if you have been on one of them, this walk is essential to complete the picture as important parts of the story happened in Camden and Islington. Thoroughly recommended.
Dan –
Margarita’s walk was excellent. Thoroughly recommended.
Ben –
Margarita is a treasure of knowledge, insight, and fun that made our very wintry evening a superb one.
She guided us around a corner of London that is slowly revealed to have played a prominent role of this pivotal parts of world history. Jostling among Saturday night drinkers is also effectively what the revolutionaries did in forming their plans in crowded pubs and cramped flats.
Clive Ellis –
This really was a fantastic walk. Margarita was an excellent tour guide who was very knowledgeable and I learnt so much. Thank you. You will not be disappointed.😀
Mr Nicholas Warner –
One of best things I’ve done. As a young communist here in England in my youth and with a Marxist as a dad I and as someone who has actually visited the Soviet Union And whose grandfather was a supporter like so many idealists of all nations of the “worker’s state” thought I had “seen it all”, had nothing to learn about The Russian Revolution in London until I met Margarita. Spaceba.
Scott –
We loved this walk! Margarita was amazing – she put so much of herself into bringing to life early 20th century Russian revolutionary shenanigans! …. She was Incredibly knowledgeable, really engaging with a brilliant sense of humour.
A perfect morning which ended in a very relevant pub!
Elena –
What a fantastic tour! Margarita knows so much, is incredibly engaging, and makes the walk an absolute delight! The walk is full of surprises, humour, and thought-provoking philosophical questions. As well as going myself, I later gifted tickets to friends, who loved their present. Wholeheartedly recommended!
Michael M. –
Great walk, full of surprising historical facts! At the end of the walk, in the very pub where Lenin met Stalin, Margarita and I sang a few verses of the old Russian folk song “кабачок” – in Russian, of course – to the great amusement (and amazement) of our fellow walkers
Kumar –
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour and learnt so much! Who knew how important London was to the Russian Revolution?! Margarita is an incredibly knowledgeable and charming guide through this fascinating part of history and if you’re at all interested I would highly recommend! 🙂