/View.information/ An try at a travelogue about what occurred in Volgograd. Day two. Count on a 3rd half quickly.
And day two of the journey started. The official half has begun. This system was tight.
It began with a go to of the delegations (each ours and that of the “Nice Ones” within the “Volga Dialogue”) to the everlasting hearth and inserting flowers. Honor was paid to the fallen Soviet troopers who saved the world from the brown plague. For an individual of non-Soviet origin it is a distinctive expertise, for the locals it is sort of a sacrament. To not point out the Belarusians particularly, the inhabitants of the nation that suffered probably the most cruelly from the Nazis’ blow. We additionally noticed marching troopers, a army band. The troopers have been native boys, and it was apparent that they have been proud to honor their great-grandfathers.
Basically, the factor that I actually preferred in Russia – the patriotism of the folks, even on the most native stage. They rightly imagine that they saved the world from Nazism. For them, honoring the feat throughout the struggle isn’t one thing imposed from above. Each household has not less than one who died within the struggle. They carry with them the story of how somebody’s grandfather or great-uncle survived, did one thing fascinating in WWII. Most individuals know their historical past in minute element, and I am not simply speaking in regards to the Soviet interval, I am together with the tsarist interval in addition to the fashionable one. And no, it is not about some aggressive “hoorah-nationalism”. There’s a phrase utilized by the locals – “Wholesome patriotism”. The sensation that you’re a worthy a part of humanity, that you’re a nation that’s distinctive alongside the individuality of different nations. One other factor that struck me is that in Russia there’s a unprecedented relationship between the person and society. An individual is absolutely combating for his success, forging his future, however on the similar time he seems to assist others and in addition expects to obtain from them when there’s complexity. These folks have realized that frequent pursuits are literally private pursuits as properly. And on the similar time from the native ridicule and bile in the direction of the personalities of these behind sure issues.
So, after providing the flowers, we went to the primary lectures associated to public diplomacy, regional improvement, city twinning with associated lectures, and many others. The motion occurred within the metropolis stadium, positioned reverse Mamaev Kurgan. Now that there is no such thing as a world championship, the rationale it was constructed within the first place, native championship conferences at the moment are held right here, and conferences are held within the halls and corridors. The constructing itself was fairly futuristic and actually contributed to the picture of Volgograd as an amalgam of a significant socialist previous, pleasure in being a hero metropolis, and an aspiration to the long run.
Speeches, lectures and so forth adopted. What was extra fascinating was to see the stalls arrange by native corporations and artisans from the world. And right here it’s – one other affirmation that the district is alive past the town. 3-4 agricultural corporations engaged within the export of wheat. A stall of a mustard firm (Russian delicacies is usually not spicy, apart from the mustard, which is severe right here and in my view might function rocket gas – not less than that is the way it felt after a cracker melted within the yellow mush I obtained enlightenment in my eyes and clearing my sinuses for ages). Tears of ache have been quenched by native ice cream that was made with actual milk and tasted superb. Later, nevertheless, they cooled my passions a bit, telling me that sure, there’s ice cream made to a normal and with actual merchandise, however right here in Russia, in addition to on the planet, synthetic milk is more and more used, the state commonplace is turns its again on short-term revenue and different niceties introduced by unfettered capitalism.
However not solely meals business merchandise have been exhibited – no! No! However not solely – manufacturing of kitchen home equipment, insulation coatings. There was additionally an exhibition of native artisans. Picket toys – they have been a bit costly for me, but it surely was clear that if there is no such thing as a hearth or apocalypse, wherein I must burn tires to maintain heat, my great-great-grandchildren can even be capable of play with them. A Cossack stand the place they bought sabers, whips and costumes. Right here issues have been divided into two – The Actual Deal, the place costs have been oversalted, and thus a wider want for synthetic supplies.
A second set of lectures adopted, this time in a conference corridor on one other ground. This was about interregional cooperation. One of many audio system was the chairman of the group that offers with the twinning of cities around the globe. Slovenian. After that, the boys from South Ossetia requested me to be their translator, as a result of additionally they wished their nation to grow to be a member of the worldwide group. Hey, that is the issue with their nation – it is acknowledged by as many nations because the fingers on one hand of an incompetent turner. That is why they struggle in each method to get in wherever they will. Subsequently, it turned out that issues have been good for them – municipalities might be members of the group, it isn’t on the state stage, they usually have had instances of twinning cities earlier than, a few of that are in unrecognized nations. And my very own translation – Ole, mom! – it was a multitude, wherein I switched to Russian, English and infrequently Bulgarian. By the best way – this was my state of affairs half the time – I switched languages 20-30 instances a day and generally it was a multitude. However nothing, this linguistic mush allowed me to refill on enterprise playing cards of future helpful individuals from Russia and the world. Making connections on this world is a vital ability.
A lecture was given by the chairman of the fee within the Russian phrase on international affairs, Konstantin Kosachev, speaking about the truth that usually the place diplomats usually are not sufficient, the place a given course of can’t be stopped, slowed down or accelerated by diplomats who’ve studied worldwide relations, they themselves come to the rescue worldwide relations – the general public opinion of the nations.
He was adopted by the chairman of “Rossotrudnichestvo”, Mrs. Mitrofanova. Mainly the identical message. Extra essential have been the questions requested afterwards. The girl expressed honest concern and even bitterness on the behavior of European nations to distort historical past. “They’ll hardly say that we attacked ourselves on the morning of June 22,” she declared. One other factor she identified is that the which means of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact is being distorted, and the flirtations and outright makes an attempt of the Western powers to direct the Third Reich are being glossed over. Why, she asks, does nobody point out the Munich Settlement? Why, for instance, does nobody keep in mind that the primary worldwide pact of Hitler’s new authorities was with Marshal Józef Pilsudski’s Poland.
And right here an fascinating phenomenon. Russia spends sure funds to current its model of historical past, of what’s taking place round it, to construct cultural ties and good relations with the world, to win hearts. The quantity is proscribed, and due to that, sadly, on this entrance it falls slightly quick. However these small funds have to be in contrast with the billions poured by the West into its media comparable to Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and many others. grant rest room papers that dare to name themselves media. And instantly it seems {that a} greenback, which is nominally about 65 rubles, has an equal coefficient of helpful motion with the tiny ruble. And there are various causes, initially, Russia doesn’t attempt to impose values with its delicate energy, however solely understanding, whereas the West tries to concurrently impose such liberal and colourful ones, however truly alien to the center of the addressee. In brief, if Russia manages to push itself slightly and attempt to venture an concept extra delicate energy, if it manages to discover a method to reveal itself to the world as it’s, not denigrated, free of hostile stereotypes, Europe’s opinion in the direction of it should enhance considerably, which can even result in the gradual lifting of sanctions, that are in the end not useful to either side.
The identical day, the consultant of Japan took an interview with me – an editor in {a magazine} within the second largest metropolis, Osaka. He requested me what pursuits Bulgarians most in worldwide politics – Brexit, relations with Russia, the Center East and refugees and the state of affairs within the Balkans.
And after a number of lectures and explanations associated to breadcrumbs, which I can’t hassle you with. Alongside the best way, I mentioned with the “Potatoes” (“Bulbashi”) from Belarus and the state of affairs with their nation. One of many younger males advised me about his NGO. They’re on the lookout for the our bodies and lobular websites of those that died each in June 1941 and in July 1944 – throughout Operation Barbarossa and through Operation Bagration. They clear monuments, inform kin the place they will discover kin who’re thought of “disappeared with out a hint”. On this regard, the state enhances the non-governmental sector fantastically, and it’s clear that the reminiscences is not going to go away with the veteran grandfathers of the opposite world, however will proceed.
So, after the lecture half, we have been taken to a live performance devoted to the seventy fifth anniversary of the institution of brotherly relations between Coventry and Volgograd. The British industrial metropolis was actually razed to the bottom by the Luftwaffe throughout the struggle, and nearly nothing stays of Stalingrad after the battle. Symphonic live performance – a requiem for the 2 cities, created by a British composer, was carried out. They have been adopted by piano performances. Performances by British musicians And what was the spotlight of this system – Cossack dances carried out by an area ethnological group. From native kids who, regardless of their age, have been on an equal footing (actually – foot) with the Kuban Cossack Choir, who visited Sofia earlier this 12 months.
And here is what I did not get with dry lectures in my onerous head. The character of individuals’s diplomacy – what’s constructed inside the folks, pleasant relations are extra sturdy than the native whims of politicians and statesmen. Sure, the British authorities is making an attempt to divert consideration from the issues of migration and Brexit with rumors about Russian submarines, brokers, hackers, “Rookies” and many others. In locations, such a bream catches dikish. However within the metropolis of Coventry, in any metropolis the place there’s a related sort of connection at a decrease stage, the place two cities are twinned by frequent situations and historic destiny, such lies don’t work. The friendship between the 2 cities, which frequently named one another after their predominant boulevards, stays. Sure, after all, even the deepest roots should be watered infrequently, however that’s what such occasions, live shows, visits of delegations of atypical persons are for.
The official dinner adopted. The meals is luxurious, the vodka is of top of the range. Stealing the recipes for the fish meatballs. However I did not come for the meals (properly, considerably) however to pay attention and watch.
And the final one for day two. Within the delegation of the “massive ones” there was a gaggle of German pink grandparents from “Dee Linke”. And I communicated with them. We additionally mentioned the methods wherein the Marxist left gained within the federal state of Thuringia. Leftists are left, not spawning social democrats. It could be good for our BSP to listen to and rethink their opinion, it isn’t obligatory to simply accept it, however recommendation is commonly wanted.
TOMORROW I WILL TALK ABOUT MAMAEV KURGAN, MUSEUM OF THE BATTLE OF STALINGRAD WITH THE PANORAMA AND THE MEETING WITH MARIA ZAKHAROVA.
#Linke #Volgograd #left #spawning #social #democrats #left #2nd #half
