About this list

The Union of Russian Writers, 100 Books

"100 books of classical and modern foreign literature" according to the Union of Writers of Russia, published on January 23, 2013.

The creators of the list are confident that Russian literature is a universal cultural heritage, but its significance can only be understood in unity with world literature, and that this list, presented to the public within the framework of the presidential project, will help strengthen spirituality and morality among Russian youth, and will also help revive traditions family reading and will become a notable event in the cultural life of modern Russia.

The Union of Russian Writers is a non-governmental organization uniting Russian and writers (novelists, poets, essayists, etc.). It was established in 1991, when on the basis of the Union of Soviet Writers three independent associations were formed: the Writers' Union of Russia (the "patriotic" orientation), the Writers' Union of Moscow, and the Union of Russian Writers ("democratic" union). The Union of Russian Writers includes more than 3,500 writers from Russia and former USSR, in 58 regional organizations.

Who voted and how many people voted?
At that moment the Union’s affairs were run by its elected Правление (Board/Presidium), ca. 40-45 writers (roster published after the XIV Congress in Oct 2013). In the Union’s statute this Board takes such decisions by simple majority. There is no indication that a wider membership vote (≈ 3500 writers) or an external public poll was held. I am going to go with 40 writers helped make the list

This list was originally published in 2013 and was added to this site about 2 years ago.