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Russia's Seliger 2011: Fueling Fascism?
Russia's Seliger 2011: Fueling Fascism?
An event targeted at Russian youth attempts to garner patriotism, but critics question if the forum really promotes an evolved message of fascism due to its ties to the Nashi movement.-
Russian blogger Kevin Rothrock and postdocotral fellow Sean Guillory discuss #Nashi on The Stream.
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Thousands of young people gathered near Lake Seliger in the Tver region of Russia for a convention geared towards fostering Russian patriotism. Boasting international support and backed by high government officials, the event showcased a welcome message from Russian astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
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The event was first started in 2005 as a meeting for supporters of Russia's nationalist youth movement known as Nashi. Some netizens have linked Nashi's involvement in the summer camp and the event's politicalisation of sex with corporations rescinding their sponsorships.
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Nashi's annual camp, 200 miles outside Moscow, is attended by 10,000 uniformed youngsters and involves two weeks of lectures and physical fitness. Attendance is monitored via compulsory electronic badges and anyone who misses three events is expelled. So are drinkers; alcohol is banned. But sex is encouraged, and condoms are nowhere on sale.
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Bizarrely, young women are encouraged to hand in thongs and other skimpy underwear - supposedly a cause of sterility - and given more wholesome and substantial undergarments. Twenty-five couples marry at the start of the camp's first week and ten more at the start of the second. These mass weddings, the ultimate expression of devotion to the motherland, are legal and conducted by a civil official.
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After exchanging vows, the newlyweds went off to conceive Russia's next generation at a "love oasis" where red tents are decorated with heart-shaped balloons.
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In a 2008 article, The Sun spoke to a female Nashi activist who described her motivation for participating in the procreation tents at the Seliger.
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In tight-fitting black shorts and military-style khaki fatigues, 18-year-old Katya says: "I want to make Russia great again and we need more babies. It's very important. "I want two or three babies to help solve the population problem. My boyfriend is a Nashi member as well."
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Despite several businesses fearing an association with the Nashi-sponsored event, bloggers claim the group has waning power within Russia. The government, however, continues to fund the youth movement.
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In addition to dolling out mountains of cash for what is essentially a lavish teen orgy, a good amount of government funds are being funneled into Nashi’s various initiative groups.
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A recent poll by the Levada Center suggests while Nashi is becoming more of a household name, actual interest in its activities has plummeted. Only 14% of respondents show any interest in the organization, compared to 26% in 2007. More telling, 45% are disinclined toward Nashi’s activities, 66% are simply indifferent, and a mere 3% have affinity to their purpose and goals at all.
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In an ironic way, I think Nashi’s real base of interest is among the bloggers (myself included) and journalists who periodically lambaste them. Beside that, Nashi is nothing but a rash that swells and pulsates when it is scratched, but fades away when ignored.
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Do you think the Nashi is making an impact on Russian politics? If not, then why do government officials continue to fund the group's initiatives? Tell The Stream your opinion on Facebook and Twitter.
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