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IMR to Launch Interactive Website on Russian Patriotism in New York

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On July 10, the Institute of Modern Russia will host the launch of a new interactive website titled “Patriotism,” which will feature the work of photographer Misha Friedman on the meaning of patriotism in today’s Russia.

 

 

Thursday, July 10 at 7 pm
Fridman Gallery
287 Spring Street
New York City

 

The topic of patriotism has become increasingly popular in Russia, especially given the country’s sensitive political environment, in which the Russian authorities actively exploit and propagate patriotic themes in fulfilling the goals of the regime. While the Kremlin tries to “monopolize” the concept of “true patriotism,” the actual views of the Russian public on what constitutes patriotism remain unclear.

To examine how Russians understand patriotism today, IMR commissioned New York photographer Misha Friedman to conduct a visual exploration and cultural study of this concept. Over several months, Friedman traveled throughout Russia, where he photographed and interviewed over one hundred people from all walks of life—from pensioners and paratroopers to students and businessmen. All of the collected material, including photographs, interview transcripts, and audio excerpts, will be presented on this interactive website, providing an intimate look at the concept of patriotism in contemporary Russia.

 

Russian Patriotism (photography by Misha Friedman)

Click through the slideshow to see a few examples of over one hundred photographs presented at the Patriotism interactive website.

 

Dmitri, theater directing student; lives in Volgograd

“Love of the motherland and of the government are two absolutely different things. The government is supposed to serve the people. One of the lyrics by the Lumen rock band are, “I love my country so much, but I hate the state!” I cannot say that I hate the state, because I understand that sometimes the government has to resort to drastic measures with regard to the people. There is, however, nothing to love the government for.”

Dmitri, theater directing student; lives in Volgograd. “Love of the motherland and of the government are two absolutely different things. The government is supposed to serve the people. One of the lyrics by the Lumen rock band are, “I love my country so much, but I hate the state!” I cannot say that I hate the state, because I understand that sometimes the government has to resort to drastic measures with regard to the people. There is, however, nothing to love the government for.”
Oksana, age 33, lawyer from Samara. “Sometimes, when I feel scared, I think of emigrating. For example, when I see someone persecuted for his civil position. What if it gets to be like it was during Stalin’s times? But the fact that my relatives are here stops me. For that reason I wish to stay in Russia, to make this country better. I believe that Russia is a country of opportunities, and if each person had even the slightest wish to make it better, then we could live here no worse off than in Europe.”
Anatoly Yevgenievich, doctor from Saint Petersburg. “I have a good attitude toward all people, regardless of nationality. I don’t care much about it. But if newcomers behave rudely, force natives out, or gather together to beat up others, then I’ve got due cause to care about them. All in all, if you are a guest, we’ll accept you with love and peace; but if you’re an enemy, you’d better go away.”
Ksenia, age 16, high-school student from Saint Petersburg. “A real Russian is a person who cares about his country, supports its ecology, and just loves his country.”
Sergei, fisherman from Vladivostok. “A patriot can disagree with the government. In fact, this has recently been the case.”
Nadezhda Grigorievna: pensioner; Tolyatti. “I have done something patriotic. I was no longer a young woman, but when I saw that a man was being beaten with bottles, I stood up for him and saved him. I’m a patriot in everything: I do my work well; I help people. I can help with growing flowers, with road repair.”

 

This website is a part of IMR’s project titled “Faces of Russian Patriotism,” dedicated to analyzing this phenomenon in various contexts. It also complements a recent IMR research paper titled “What’s in a Name? Understanding Russian Patriotism” that draws upon data collected in collaboration with the Levada Center, Russia’s leading polling organization.

Please join the Institute of Modern Russia and photographer Misha Friedman for the launch of the website titled “Patriotism” on Thursday, July 10 at 7 pm at Fridman Gallery, located at 287 Spring Street in New York City.

 

Refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP to imrrsvp@gmail.com

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