What is your perception of Russia?
I am curious...
How do you view Russia? What do you know about my country?
How do you view Russia? What do you know about my country?
22-25, F
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ArishMell · 70-79, M
I have never been to Russia and the nearest I ever was to a Russian was someone I once knew, of Russian parentage (mother at least) - he did have a good singing voice and knew one or two Russian folk-songs she had taught him!
Nevertheless I always try to look beyond what makes the News - such as despotic rulers and their machinations - and to try to know at least something about the country and its people.
So I see Russia as a vast, so very varied, place with a lot of beautiful scenery, huge mineral resources and presumably a range of cultures. Cultures that have given the world great art, too. Nor am I alone in this: we in the "West" condemn Putin's invasion of Ukraine but we still look beyond him and his clique, to still enjoy performances of Russian music, for example.
Yes, Russia has its dark sides, such as a Church with too much political influence, and a widely reported, widespread problem of domestic abuse that has almost been turned into a legal right, partly under Church pressure. Though what country is free from these, or other, social taints? "Let him without sin..." and all that: though what counts is how any country views such sins and moves to stamp them out. Not all do try to end them, but not just the Russian Federation.
.
As for its physical geography and scenery, I have occasionally turned on Google Earth (using a proper monitor, not a portable 'phone, helps!) and taken virtual flights over parts of the country. I have also seen many photographs taken in various parts of the country. Although some towns, particularly along the Northern coast, are still scarred by the derelict ruins of Cold War military installations or old factories (as very likely in other countries too); the land itself has many beautiful areas.
Intriguing ones too: why for example is there still a small town on the Southern island of Novaya Zemlya? There is nothing else there, no roads to anywhere else, no signs of mining or other industry, nor agriculture (maybe some fishing); and apparently the main occupation is looking after the airfield that links them to the mainland.
...
So all in all, a huge, varied and fascinating country if we raise our eyes above bleak headlines about politics and social problems - of which both, the world at large has plenty.
Nevertheless I always try to look beyond what makes the News - such as despotic rulers and their machinations - and to try to know at least something about the country and its people.
So I see Russia as a vast, so very varied, place with a lot of beautiful scenery, huge mineral resources and presumably a range of cultures. Cultures that have given the world great art, too. Nor am I alone in this: we in the "West" condemn Putin's invasion of Ukraine but we still look beyond him and his clique, to still enjoy performances of Russian music, for example.
Yes, Russia has its dark sides, such as a Church with too much political influence, and a widely reported, widespread problem of domestic abuse that has almost been turned into a legal right, partly under Church pressure. Though what country is free from these, or other, social taints? "Let him without sin..." and all that: though what counts is how any country views such sins and moves to stamp them out. Not all do try to end them, but not just the Russian Federation.
.
As for its physical geography and scenery, I have occasionally turned on Google Earth (using a proper monitor, not a portable 'phone, helps!) and taken virtual flights over parts of the country. I have also seen many photographs taken in various parts of the country. Although some towns, particularly along the Northern coast, are still scarred by the derelict ruins of Cold War military installations or old factories (as very likely in other countries too); the land itself has many beautiful areas.
Intriguing ones too: why for example is there still a small town on the Southern island of Novaya Zemlya? There is nothing else there, no roads to anywhere else, no signs of mining or other industry, nor agriculture (maybe some fishing); and apparently the main occupation is looking after the airfield that links them to the mainland.
...
So all in all, a huge, varied and fascinating country if we raise our eyes above bleak headlines about politics and social problems - of which both, the world at large has plenty.