Who are we? Intelligentsia reflections in perestroika period

The article is devoted to the reflections of intelligentsia in Russia on perestroika. The author describes the wave of enthusiasm as euphoria of the first years of perestroika and characterizes the attempts to search a new identity. There is an analysis of the struggle between supporters and opponents of perestroika. Opponents' front included both CPSU supporters, e.g., Nina Andreeva, and «pochvenniki», the group of writers, e.g., Valentin Rasputin and Victor Astafiev. At the same time the first nationalist issues of Alexander Prokhanov appeared. The article characterizes not only famous intellectuals' activities, but also the thought and activity of intelligentsia in the regions of Russia. The emphasis of the article is made on the struggle for identity among intellectuals of different political views. The author studies evolution of state policy from socialism with human face to neoliberalism and estimates the reflections of intelligentsia on the evolution. The article includes also some reminiscences of the author on the events of the period, especially those, which are connected with a Professor Lev Kertman.