At the EISI stand they assessed the sociological effect of the exhibition-forum “Russia” at VDNKh

The exhibition-forum “Russia” at VDNKh has become a significant event in the life of the country, and a visit there in the overwhelming majority of cases brings all sorts of positive feelings. The corresponding results of sociological research were presented on Tuesday at the stand of the Expert Institute of Social Research (EISR), which opened on the same day. Analysts are convinced that a walk through the fields of “Russia” awakens a sense of pride in citizens and forms a sustainable image of a bright future.

Feedback from citizens who viewed the exhibition was collected by sociologists from the Higher School of Economics (HSE) and the Institute of Social Marketing (INSOMAR). HSE experts surveyed over 1.6 thousand visitors and were convinced that the vast majority of them were delighted with the exhibition, said Ivan Gruzdev, director of the Center for Sociology of Higher Education at the Higher School of Economics: “There were few refusals, people were so delighted that with great pleasure shared their impressions.”

Thus, 85% of respondents noted that “they really liked the content of the exhibition,” and for more than half of those surveyed, “the real impressions exceeded expectations.” Russians prefer to visit the exhibition in a company (only 9% came alone) and after that they are almost guaranteed to recommend it to their acquaintances and friends. “The report is coming out, of course, complimentary, but according to first observations – the exhibition has been running for a little over a month – everything looks very good,” Mr. Gruzdev supported the figures with his own feelings.

A detailed transcript of the delight was presented by Victor Poturemsky, director of political analysis at INSOMAR: his colleagues recorded the feelings of visitors using focus groups. The emotional perception of the exhibition among respondents was characterized by “joy, delight and pride,” simultaneously awakening a sense of cohesion and unity. “Finally, work with young people has begun, raising patriotism. When children say that Russia is backward, I will say: are you crazy? Come on, go to VDNKh! – Mr. Poturemsky quoted one of the respondents. “This is without cuts, as it is, the direct speech of the respondents.”

Summarizing the results of the study, sociologists came to the conclusion that the exhibition has already settled “at the level of everyday language and everyday practices” (that is, it has become a noticeable event), its visit awakens patriotic feelings and gives “answers about the image of the future” of the country. “It’s a difficult, turbulent time: sanctions, they didn’t allow me to go to the Olympics, my wings seem to be drooping. And you come here and think: Pushkin is behind you, Gagarin is behind you, everything is fine, everything will work out,” Viktor Poturemsky cited another statement from the respondent.

Visitors “associate the demonstrated successes with the activities and results of the president,” added EISI executive director Anna Fedulkina: “They are proud, they understand that there is development in the economy and, in principle, it is very dignified to live in our country, and all plans, given the difficult situation, one way or another are achieved.”

The importance of such a demonstration and at the same time the continuity of the method tested in the USSR was emphasized by political scientist Gleb Kuznetsov: “The exhibition took from the old Soviet model the role of such an “online in real time”, a “summary” of what we have on the territory of the country.” The exposition gives “society, regions and industries” the opportunity to “stop and look at themselves” from the outside, as a result they see that the country is firmly on its feet, the expert reasoned: “It turns out that when we look at ourselves from the outside, we It’s something to be proud of.”

Such reflection, Mr. Kuznetsov believes, is comparable to that which arises when becoming acquainted with works of art. The exhibition, as it were, “turns out to be a giant book, a film, a space where objects of art unfold,” the political scientist concluded: “Later we will truly understand what an important story we were able to participate in and what exactly we did to find ourselves as an integral society and for the future, which will be built on the foundation of this self-discovery.”

Grigory Leiba