Grimdark Russia Meme Finally Dispelled: World Sees a Different Country Thanks to World Cup
The World Cup has pleasantly surprised foreign leaders and soccer fans from all over the world. Before, the majority of foreign media agencies had broadcasted negative stereotypes about Russia, advising their audience not to go to the World Cup.
Yulia Shustraya reports on how they've changed their tune.
It seems that foreign media will have to divide their articles into "expectations" and "reality." Everything the US and the UK media tried to scare the fans with before the World Cup turned out to be false. The fans have already proven that with their posts and videos on social networks.
The first and biggest myth was that Russians were unfriendly. These worries got dispelled on the first day of the World Cup. The politicians' statements about our country's racism and intolerance were challenged by the ecstatic crowds of fans in the squares of the hosting cities, along with group selfies with people from all over the world.
Kevin Miles, the FSE Committee member: "Our media publish lies. Don't buy our newspapers; the reality isn't what they write in there".
The second myth was about the dangers that allegedly awaited fans everywhere. UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson was especially focused on this, reminding everyone about the Skripals case. However, his recommendations not to attend certain official events were ignored by the British fans and even by the officials. They laid floral tributes by the Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd. The UK Deputy Ambassador in Russia, Lindsay Skoll, and the FA Chairman, Greg Clarke, participated in the ceremony. They no longer have any concerns about safety, remembering their solid bond with Russia after they visited the memorial.
Lindsay Skoll, the UK Deputy Ambassador in Russia: "As you know, Volgograd and the UK have a solid bond. During WWII, we had survived years of loss and destruction together. We'd performed a feat together. We're very pleased with the well-organized event and the local hospitality. Volgograd is the perfect place for us".
The third myth about poor performance by the Russian police was first debunked by the fans, whom the policemen always help. Some Chinese fans were late for the game, so police turned the siren on and rushed them to the stadium. Later, our policemen were assisted by their UK colleagues. A foreigner who got into an accident in Volgograd had a lot of good things to say about the good work of the hospital he was taken to. He received exceptional assistance from the locals and from the medical staff.
Taylor Christian Spencer, a soccer fan: "The Volgograd hospital took care of me very well. Before the ambulance arrived, the locals helped me to get out of the car; they were very kind. They supported me, and once I came here, I realized that the conditions and the diagnostics here are just as great as in Europe".
Foreign media agencies had to change their story about the World Cup in Russia in order not to contradict the fans' opinions. The UK's The Guardian and Germany's Der Spiegel were the first to write that things weren't as bad in Russia as they had thought.
The Guardian: "Russia is putting on its best, brightest smile for the month: people are excited to welcome the tournament and the fans, and so far, at least, it is leading to overwhelmingly positive vibes".
Unlike the newspapers, the politicians haven't changed their opinions yet. More so than anyone, the Brits and the Americans are showing remorse and sympathy, but also some skepticism. After some countries' leaders' talked about boycotting the World Cup, the Chairwoman of the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, advised them to be more far-sighted.
Valentina Matviyenko: "I want to look at the leaders of the UK, Germany, and France. If their teams make it to the finals, will they dare not to show up? They will be misunderstood at home. Obviously, they'll be here, as Macron has already stated. Thus, only shortsighted politicians can make statements about boycotting the World Cup".
Not without irony, Russia's MFA has already reacted to the foreign politicians' announcements.
Maria Zakharova, Russia's MFA Spokeswoman: “The US State Department didn't have the nerve to think beyond the Cold War logic. I hope that American fans who are here right now will tell US officials the truth when they get home. Perhaps it will be a great reason to challenge the mirror-world of American politics.”
Will American fans be able to talk their politicians out of the mirror-world? We'll find out after the World Cup. Either way, what matters is that everyone who's visited Russia will see it differently from how Hollywood action movies show it.
Yulia Shustraya, Vesti.