It has not recovered, perhaps, because there is still an air of oppression and fear that lingers in many of the former Soviet states?...in Russia, especially?

I'm certain the magnificent talent is still at the same levels that it always existed at. But as for being able to express onesself---I'm not convinced it is possible, yet, in the former USSR.

Brave people will always come to the fore, will always be the pioneers in any art form, in any medium. Let's hope they keep chipping away at the true reform part of the process.

Artists, writers, and musicians are generally at the forefront of progressive thinking and change, historically.