In St. Petersburg, a window at the bookstore All is free was struck by a pistol, bearing the message Peace to the world. A major Russian daily covered the incident, noting the surprising breach in a shop known for progressive literature and cultural discussions. Social media posts showed a glass pane with a noticeable impact crater, and the surrounding area held the quiet, unsettled mood typical of an unexpected act in the city center.
From the store’s official communications came a practical promise: the glass would be replaced, and the team would carry on with the work of keeping a public space for ideas. The fundraising effort that had been underway to restore the storefront was subsequently suspended, leaving readers and supporters awaiting the next steps for the project and the restoration of a space that had become a landmark for its catalog and community programs.
Lyubov Belyatskaya, who helped establish All is free, stated that the window was damaged by a pistol shot, a claim that aligns with the visible damage and the account of witnesses. The incident drew attention not only for the physical injury to the storefront but also for its broader implications about public safety and the tension that can surface around centers of dissent and counterculture in urban life.
All is free opened its doors in the city over a decade ago, earning a reputation as a venue that champions humanitarian non-fiction, science popularization, underground presses, and countercultural perspectives. The shop’s catalog and events have often presented a mix of scholarly materials and lively conversations, inviting readers to explore ideas that lie outside mainstream discourse and to engage with authors, critics, and thinkers who push boundaries.
Witnesses reported that another incident had occurred nearby in the city’s central district, when an intoxicated resident allegedly fired a traumatic pistol in a location along Rubinshtein Street. The event led to injuries for two pedestrians and contributed to a broader sense of concern about street safety and the responsibilities of locals and authorities to protect people and cultural spaces in busy neighborhoods. The city administration and police responded with statements emphasizing investigation and public safety, while communities around cultural centers reiterated the importance of maintaining open forums for dialogue and learning.
As discussions followed, the community around All is free reflected on what a public event like this says about the intersection of art, culture, and everyday vulnerability. Supporters stressed that bookstores and other cultural hubs should remain accessible as anchors for debate, education, and solidarity, even when they become the sites of troubling acts. The store’s leadership conveyed a commitment to resilience, promising continuity in programming and a continued invitation for readers to participate in forthcoming events, readings, and exchanges that characterize the space’s mission.
In the broader context, the incident underscores the fragile nature of independent cultural venues in large cities. While the immediate response focuses on repair and safety, the longer-term conversation centers on how communities preserve spaces for critical discussion and dissent—places where difficult questions can be asked and complex ideas debated without fear. The balance between freedom of expression and public security remains a live issue, one that local institutions and residents continue to navigate with care and diligent planning, ensuring that such spaces can endure and evolve while staying welcoming to newcomers and longtime supporters alike. [Kommersant] [source attribution withheld].