The article discusses the main features of the Russian revolution of 1917 as a reflection of the crisis of the Russian culture. The author believes that the spiritual and cultural causes that led Russia into the revolution of 1917 were unique and purely Russian, and they, in the final analysis, provoked the revolution. The Russian revolution became possible only because the everyday life of people lacked traditional life foundations, as they had been shattered by nihilism. Nihilistic outlook first captured the intelligentsia and then the whole nation. The article substantiates the conclusion that the tragic experience of the Russian revolution of 1917 has shown it is necessary to make all political, social and cultural forces of the country be aware of the lessons of those historic events. And the most important of those lessons is: to cherish national historical memory, to value the spiritual culture of the people, to strengthen the moral foundations of the society without allowing religious schisms and disasters.

Russian revolution, historical memory, spiritual culture, spiritual split, moral foundations of society.

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