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It’s harder than decommunization. What do we have to do with the russian culture

It’s harder than decommunization. What do we have to do with the russian culture

Russian culture is not unique. Moreover, it is insipid, poor, limited by its own «mysterious soul». And we have already unravelled this soul. It was seen in Bucha.

PHOTO: ZAKARPATPOST.NET

If we do not separate the entire Muscovite culture, we will never completely break away from the source of the «uniqueness of the Russian man.» And we vitally need this gap. This is necessary for future generations, so that there is no memory of «fraternal peoples». This is the opinion of Maksym Kolyba, Doctor of Philosophy, Deputy Director of the International Institute of Ethics and Contemporary Problems, Senior Lecturer at the UCU School of Law.

We are constantly approaching de-Russification. And it will not be as easy as decommunization (it was also difficult, but here is a different level), because de-Russification is primarily about «Russian culture». Surprises await us here.

Culture does not exist apart from society. it forms the latter, is a certain guide that shows the direction of development. And society – whether it wants it or not (whether guys from Ufa read Chekhov, or not) carries this culture. Just like with religion or morality. It does not matter whether a particular person is religious or supports the ideas of certain teachings. Religion and culture that prevail in society leave their mark on people’s traditions and opinions. So, if you want to see the state of culture, look at some members of society. One way or another, you will see common traits and behaviours. This is culture. Buryat soldiers in the Kyiv region and people on the streets of Moscow interviewed by journalists are the result of one upbringing. One culture.

It’s the society which is absolutely at ease in favour of killing innocent women and children, which does not neglect the use of nuclear weapons. This is the result of the «mysterious Russian soul» of Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and Bunin. «Russian civilization» grew out of the theosophy of Blavatska and Berdyaev.

You know, I used to admire some representatives of «Russian rock». Yes, I used to buy cassettes, and as a result, I had all the Nautilus Pompilius and Agatha Christie albums. I think I still know all their songs by heart.

Once, my favourite book was «The Master and Margarita», I enjoyed reading Ilf and Petrov, Arkady Averchenko, and Viktor Pelevin.

As a result – what should I do about these figures, how to perceive them?

«Russian rock», which was supposed to call for protest, be a fighter for freedom, easily surrendered to the mercy of the tsar-father. Butusov, who forty years ago sang «Shackled One Chain», bit his tongue and reflected on peace. The author of the lyrics for this song, Kormiltsev, died a long time ago, and before his death he had managed to become the admirer of an empire. One of the Samoilov brothers became Putin’s representative or adviser, and now he sings «For Dambass!», another one is somewhere in a state of drug intoxication.

Bulgakov, for whom Garik Korogodsky suffers so much, was a Ukrainophobic imperial admirer in general, there are no questions here.

But as for the following, questions arise. Well, that is, as if there are no imperial exaltations in Ilf and Petrov. The truly remarkable Averchenko was a Ukrainian in general, and ridiculed both tsarist Russia and Soviet Russia.

But … If we start making exceptions to Russian culture, we will never carry out de-Russification. Are you sure that you can say 100% about a cultural figure who is Ukrainian? Like Gogol or Repin.

But if we do not separate the entire Muscovite culture, we will never completely break away from the source of the «uniqueness of the Russian man.» And we vitally need this gap. This is necessary for future generations, so that no memory of «fraternal peoples» is left.

You can learn to hate your neighbours, and there are reasons for that. But if it is possible to worship Russian culture, then this tumour can again lead to «the people can not be blamed, the government is at war.»

Therefore, let’s forget everything. Reject music, literature, art. For either, they teach something high, or they guard against the horrors of primitive thinking, or they produce it. As can be seen from our war, the first and second are definitely missing. Russian culture is an ineffective and even harmful tool of society.

And finally. If you are sad that you have to take away from raising your children, forget Tsvetaeva’s poems, Vysotskyi’s songs or Mironov’s acting, then just think of Soviet ice cream or sausage for 2.20. Because the essence is the same. It is not the beauty of works or performances that you miss, but the greener grass. These are just your feelings and feelings that anchored when you «used» the products of these figures.

If you calm down your memories a little, and just try to remotely remember the works of Dostoevsky or someone else, you will realize that there is nothing «big». And you can always find much better works by Ukrainian or Western (or Eastern) artists. Esenin and the Bloc? Read Hrytsko Chubai and Vasyl Stus. The role of Smoktunovsky? Watch movies with Jack Nicholson. Victor Pelevin (he doesn’t really exist at all) – remember at least Jen Banks or Tarantino’s work.

Russian culture is not unique. Moreover, it is insipid, poor, limited by its own «mysterious soul». And we have already unravelled this soul. It was seen in Bucha.

The time of tectonic changes requires tectonic effort. We need to decide to cut this connection forever. Well, or to the time your great-grandchildren find the book «War and Peace» somewhere in an abandoned attic and ask what it is. And you will tell them that once there was a huge country, where there are now many small ones, to the north and east of Ukraine. And they wrote something so bizarre there that it’s better not to move that thing. I’m kidding. There will be no books.

In the photo: dismantling of Pushkin’s bust in Uzhgorod

By Maksym Kolyba, translated by Vitalii Holich

The author’s column is a reflection of the author’s subjective position. The editors of Lviv Now do not always share the views expressed in the columns, and are ready to give dissenters the opportunity for a reasoned answer.

Source: Tvoe Misto («Your City») 

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