Журнал Flash любезно попросил me as a Frenchman living in Russia, to tell about the causes which impel my countrymen to settle in Russia. Here is the interview verbatim.
In his book "Godfather of the Kremlin, dedicated to Russia of the nineties, journalist Paul Klebnikov describes his encounter with one of the first Europeans moved to live in Russia after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Dazed inhabitant of Europe told the author about his first impressions of Moscow and Russia at that time: "Around girls, girls, and incredible salaries. Venue of this episode - a nightclub on the Arbat, a famous street in the heart of Moscow, among the Slavic beauties, wobbly hips on the dance floor, her eyes red from drugs. That's what was represented in the nineties a new "liberal" and "free" Russia: a giant brothel, a country whose energy, financial and genetic resources are being looted, become prey to various mafia structures and the giant multinational corporations. With this history is more or less familiar: many of Russia associated with the "weapon", "mafia", "girls (Prostitutes), "" environmental pollution "and" vodka ".
This is a description of past eras, today's Russia has nothing to do with Russia of the nineties. Although prostitution since then has not disappeared and is still there (as elsewhere), but the young girl is no longer so invitingly smiling just for foreigners: salary Europeans settled in Russia plummeted, and the level of life of Russian citizens has increased considerably, and in the cities he often exceeds quality of life of foreigners. A recent survey showed that the husband-foreigner remains a cherished dream for only a very few Russian women. And what is especially importantly, today the Russian people (both women and men) can be proud of their country, which is developing at light speed. This development is supported by a sharp rising prices for raw materials, but a big role here belongs to a very effective political power, which can take advantage of economic recovery. As a direct consequence of this situation, thousands of French people now live in Russia, mainly in Moscow and St. Petersburg but also in the Siberian
cities, too, and not uncommon to see a Franco-Russian couples or purely French families who make a conscious decision to leave the West and settle in Russia. Of course, the basis of this solution is love, work, a real interest in the country, but that's not all. Many Frenchmen living in Russia, consider now to live "with Putin" - well.
Moreover, it is - their conscious choice.
On a good reason. In the 2000's Russia, of course, varies with the incredible speed, but the country can be preserved while its soul. Today Russia has innumerable benefits. Are just a few: In Russia, for example, No problems with security, and even on the most distant suburbs of big cities women can safely ride the subway or walking in mini-skirts at any time - They are not at the same risk. In large Russian cities there are no regular strikes disrupt the normal flow of life. Everywhere shops, bars, restaurants open round the clock, which greatly increases the degree of freedom. A Russian village, unlike cities, managed to keep the traditional, timeless atmosphere. Russia today represents a fine blend of modernity and tradition, you can simultaneously search for signs of the XIX, XX and XXI centuries. It's really multicultural and multi-confessional country, but, unlike in Western society, the voltage on ethnicity and religion are virtually not felt. I should add that the locals are very friendly to foreigners trying to learn Russian. Finally, Russia - a country where you can find a variety of living conditions, the color of East and West, there is a hot Caucasus and icy Arctic region, Europe and Asia. Such diversity reflects, in particular, the size of the country, located in eleven time zones. The feeling that you are in a strong country that knows where he goes, situation in which improved greatly differs, for example, the situation in France and from everywhere there is a sense of decline. Finally, let us say, feel solidarity with a huge number of decisions taken by the political elite of the country - this is a very powerful feeling.
Of course, you can always find foreigners who were in some sense forced, strictly for professional reasons and who are critical of Russia. Their criticism of all known and can be reduced largely to the condemnation of the so-called "dictatorship of Putin." Arrived in this country with the internal yardstick of "Made in France", with the neo-colonial moods and feelings of superiority often retain their critical attitude during the entire stay in Russia (contracts with foreigners typically negotiate for a period of 2 to 4 years). But for someone living in Russia makes to keep pace with the times, encourage recognize another reality, to estimate life under controlled democracy, ensuring stability and freedom.
If fifteen years ago, Russians, especially women, have fled from Russia in search of better life, because if their home country was in a state of total collapse. Today, many Russians, who lived abroad before, have already returned in Russia, there are tens of thousands of citizens in OECD countries (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). And, apparently, in the next decade this number will grow, given the favorable economic outlook for Eurasia (Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, member of the new customs union) and a relatively poor prognosis for the Western States (America and Western Europe). Already, Russia is facing France and Germany immediately after the list IMF in terms of GDP, at purchasing power parity. I did their part, as a Frenchman who lives in Eurasia, declare: "Yes, I am very well," Putin " No way on earth I'm not going to return to the West!
Translation: New York Times
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