A mysterious ‘Russian soul’ is a stereotype from Russian literature about the noble and proud Russian spirit that is incomparable with the soulless rest of the world (usually the money-grabbing West). For centuries, a myth about the uniquely moral, tough and profound Russian soul has been taken for granted in the West. The inhumane Russia-Ukraine war shows that the Russian culture is tainted with blood. As a result, the world is boycotting the Russian art domain. However, some opinion leaders still promote the myth that art is away from politics and are not convinced that Russian culture is the source of atrocities. For instance, PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel recently told The Wall Street Journal that boycotting Russian culture would not help Ukraine. She believes that ignoring and stigmatising the entire Russian culture is a clear reaction to armed aggression and a way of solidarity with colleagues who have found themselves in such a difficult situation. However, according to her, the mass boycott of artists and art in general risks only deepening authoritarianism and dehumanisation.
For Ukrainian cultural diplomacy, it is important to debunk myths about ‘the great Russian culture’. Culture is a space of freedom, inspiration, true witness and deep understanding, not the propaganda of self-aggrandizement, cruelty and humiliation of others. Russia usually uses art as a hybrid weapon against its enemies, including Ukrainians. Russians have humiliated Ukrainians and violated their right to self-determination for centuries. In Russian literature, Ukrainians are usually written about as “Little Russians”, and the Ukrainian language as a dialect, which is derogatory and contemptuous. Russian popular art is often full of xenophobia towards non-Russians and the grandeur of the Russian nation. The Russian media and education are laced with derogatory catchwords about Ukrainian politics, ex. “Bandera” or “little brothers”. So what’s wrong with the Russian soul and how has Russian culture become an integral part of the hybrid war against Ukraine?
Speakers:
- Vakhtang Kebuladze, philosopher, writer and translator
- Akhtem Seitablayev, Ukrainian actor of Crimean Tatar origin
- Volodymyr Yermolenko, philosopher and writer, editor in chief of the Ukraine World project;
- Ivan Lenyo, vocalist of the KOZAK SYSTEM band
- Maria Burmaka, Ukrainian singer and songwriter, Merited Artist of Ukraine
- Nika Naboka, Ukrainian actress
- Pola Ostałowska, Member of International Secretary of “Młodzi Demokraci” association, Poland
- Yevhen Nyshchuk, Minister for Culture (2014 – 2019), Merited Artist of Ukraine
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center, Ukrainian Catholic University’s analitical center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.