Patriotism has played a crucial role in forming our unique identity. Some may argue that it is a strong political tool in uniting people around the country. Putting the political inclination apart, I just want to draw a picture of how it works here.
Throughout the history patriotism has served to be leverage during war times. It was a sort of propaganda witty and creatively painted. Thus demonizing or mocking an enemy or just cheering up the people, it strived to build a sense of community in its own country. Everybody did it.
Patriotic posters from different epochs and countries. On the left – the USSR, in the middle and on the right – the USA.
Obviously, there are different connotations of this term. Some attach to it only a component of “love to a country”, while others add a scent of “civic devotion to their homeland”. Whatsoever, if you feel to be a patriot to a country, you share some values of its society and admire its past.
There is a strong sense of appreciation of the Russian past among its citizens. On the 9th of May there was a national festival, commemorating and celebrating the end of the Great Patriotic War (the war on the Nazi regime). Here, in St.Petersburg, we particularly commemorate the Siege of Leningrad (Leningrad – the Soviet name of the city) lasted about 900 days. Such historic moments are hard to forget and they bear a particular appeal to the current generation.
The day of festival was filled with elation, proud and honor. It is the period when all the Russians share a clear and candid sense of community.
The day of May, 9th. The central street of St.Petersburg (Nevsky Prospect) is occupied by the people holding photographs of those who served in the army during the Great Patriotic War.
Apart from the nation-wide festival, there happen some local initiatives in rising pride for the past of the country and uniting a set of various ethnic groups, older and younger generations, the people of different prosperity and wealth statuses. For instance, in June a unique historical festival will take place in the village Koporye located in the Leningrad region. Inspired by the heroic and far famed past of Russia the festival was named as “Koporye amusement” designed to encourage the patriotism feelings and promotion of the Russian folk art. The main figure of the festival is the hero of our history – the image of the Defender of Fatherland that appeared throughout the Russian history. The atmosphere of the festival perfectly matches the landscape of the region and the old Koporye fortress – a unique landmark of culture and age-old history. “Koporye amusement” is a truly popular festival where you can find a mixture of amusements: humor, jokes, folk sayings, chastushkas, dances and songs. But the most spectacular part of the festival is costumed battles and costumed performances, based on authentic and historic events related to the village Koporye.
The festival near the Koporye fortress, Leningrad Region (in a 2-hours distance from St.Petersburg).
There are other historical festivals being celebrated here annually. They range from literature meetings up to medieval and costumed performances.
All this proves that patriotism does not necessary deal with politics. It may in some cases be simple local initiatives. Here one more interesting local project is worth mentioning. These days a patriotic expedition of a Russian philosopher on a bike (previously, he has been an entrepreneur and politician) – Alexander Norco - is carrying out. The aim of the project is to bind the Russian spirit, unite the citizens with different ethnic roots, as well as promote the image of St.Petersburg as a cultural capital and place of good deeds. Mr. Norco plans to go through the whole country (starting with the Baltic Sea up to the Pacific Ocean) on a bike with some stops designed to be lectures on patriotic education. Thus emerging as a private initiative it will unite different regions and raise awareness of all the country.
Alexander Norco. A traveler and philosopher from St.Petersburg.
Patriotism adds up a particular character to the Russian nation and mentality. Having been developed throughout the history, it continues to be present in our culture, politics and way of thinking.
Photos made by Viola Serdyukova and Ruslan Shamukov.