World Cup

RUSSIA HAS HER DAY ! RUSSIANS JUBILANTLY CELEBRATE

VICTORY OVER SPAIN

By Stephen Wilson

 

Moscow exploded in a frenzied uproar. Just after finishing a lesson last

Sunday I was walking along the main road near the French Embassy to be

greeted by a chorus of car hooting, fans chanting "Russia, Russia ....",

and two young fans draped in a Russian flag who took it off and waved

it at drivers going past . Strangers went to each other ,embraced and

kissed each other. A man was standing in his car drinking a bottle of

wine and waving at pedestrians. The nearby metro station was

invaded by swarms of fans dawning Russian football strips or flags

making a din. Never had I seen so many beaming faces carried away

by a gusto of euphoria. Russia had beaten Spain in the World cup and

practically every Russian I had asked anticipated a defeat. They had

won the game with penalties 4 -3. Against all odds , Russia has beaten

three teams and entered the quarter final. This represents an unprecedented

feat. Many of the fans seem suspended in a state of disbelief. Is this a just

dream and have I really woken up ? But if it is a dream , few would want to

be woken from it !

A young student Alexandra , 24, stated jokingly, "I'm a true patriot . I

have watched all the games . When I saw Russia win I was tempted to

buy a big Russian flag for sale. Everyone was buying one from this

seller. I was going to buy one but since it was a 1000 rubles and I

would only wave it around for five minutes my husband was against it".

Russia is not only winning at football. They seem to be winning the

public relations war as many football fans don't feel threatened or

intimidated by their hosts. On the contrary, they are enjoying the hospitality ,

warmth and assistance of local people. An army of volunteers is at the

ready to guide any lost foreigners . Free excursions and entertainment

is being made available for fans. Even the law against drinking in the

streets has been relaxed as well as demonstrations, However,there are limits !

When Mexican fans attempted to stage a 'Day of the Dead' march on

Red Square as a treat for local Russians, the authorities stopped it.

They were afraid of offending hard line supporters of Lenin.

Much debate has been going on about how Russian girls are 'flirting'

with so many foreign fans. Is it a surprise? Many local women might

be bored out of their minds and simply seeking an adventure . While

some might be meeting fans for romance, others are seeking to

learn something about different cultures and to hone their linguistic

skills . Is there anything shameless in this ?

"How do Mexican fans with such huge hats get on and off the plane?"

pondered one Russian called Vitali asked me . I don't have a clue .

The English fans who stayed at home must be very disappointed ,pointed

out one fan to a Russian journalist." We are having a great time ! They

must be killing themselves. My friends told me I was mad to go to Russia.

They said I would never come back ."

Concerning all the hype about how dangerous it is for English fans to come

to Russia , the musician , Frank McGuire bluntly declared the Newspaper

warnings were : "First degree bullshit ..... Don't hesitate if you are thinking of

coming because I can assure you you will receive the warmest welcome

where ever you go. You are shown nothing but hospitality and friendship

even from the cops. "

Of course , the face of Moscow has dramatically changed over the past

three months. Pavements have widened, brand new benched have

mushroomed in the nearest park I walk in. Table tennis facilities suddenly

sprung up in the park.

However, critics claim that all this represents a convenient distraction

from increasingly repressive measures by the state. A proposal to

increase the retirement for men from 60 to 65 and Women, from 55 to

63 has provoked mass waves of protest in many cities throughout Russia.

One estimate claims that 40% of men, and 20% of women won't live long

enough to receive their pensions. This indicates an escalation in the

program of austerity against the poor ! It is surely reckless by any

standards and will dent the already waning popularity of Putin.

There is also an increased crack down on dissidents with new charges being brouht against Yuri Dmitriev and the continued persecution of film and theater directors as well as many

other people who nobody has heard of because they lack good P. R.

or support networks. The rights of women to be protected from abuse,

violence and unfair pay has been put back for years ! But even the

euphoria of the recent World cup victories , if it really represents a

distraction then it is a crudely ineffective cover up. It is more likely an

attempt to reassure the World that Russians don't have horns potruding

from their ears.