“Khazanov was not recognized”: what happens to Russian stars in Jurmala

For many years, Jurmala was considered one of the most popular resorts for Russians. Now getting to Latvia is problematic. That is why Jurmala is no longer so attractive to compatriots. How the summer season goes in the Baltic Sea resort, which of our stars still come there and why Latvians leave the country – in the material “MK”.

Maxim has been living in Latvia for more than 10 years. A couple of years ago I moved from Riga to Jurmala. This year, the man thought about moving to another country: “Latvia is insane, I can’t pull it, it has become unrealistically expensive.”

– I’m not the only one so smart, the Latvians themselves are knocking out of their country, – Maxim began. – With such prices it makes no sense to stay. According to my feelings, Latvia has become the most expensive country in the European Union. In addition to the fact that the communal apartment was raised – I give at least $ 1,000 for water and electricity, the prices for food have skyrocketed. You are considered a beggar if you spend 20 euros a day. It takes me at least 50-70 euros for a family of four. I don’t understand how pensioners survive here. One of my acquaintances left here for Bulgaria, got a job there as a plumber and exhaled. Prices are twice as low. Wealthy Latvians are considering moving to Spain, at least there is an adequate price tag. Judge for yourself: we went to the beach, took an alcoholic cocktail in a cafe for 8 euros (820 rubles), a glass of cola 2.5 euros (255 rubles), fried sausages – 30 euros (3000 rubles). Average Latvians cannot afford such a feast. Previously, all summer beach cafes were packed, there was a queue, now there is nothing like that. The most popular place in Jurmala is now an ordinary canteen, where you can dine for 10-13 euros. And in a cafe, the cost of dishes is from 25 euros and more. Estimate, I recently bought a watermelon for 21 euros. Next time I will take not a whole, but a half. My neighbor is a police officer. The salary is not enough, rents out rooms to tourists.

– Who do the Latvians blame?

– They have two versions: the conflict in Ukraine and “the idiots themselves.” But America is not blamed, this version is not in their heads at all.

– Are there many tourists in Jurmala?

There were almost no one in July. And in August people came in large numbers. Now almost the entire resort is filled with Lithuanians. It surprises me to know how economical they are. In addition, everything is twice as cheap in their country.

Estonians also came to Jurmala, a little less than the British, Spaniards, there are Russians, Jews and Poles. Recently there were cars with Moscow numbers. At the beginning of the summer, I met Gennady Khazanov. Crossed paths in the same coffee. He came alone. He sat on the street veranda, no one recognized him. He seemed to be uncomfortable with this. Then he disappeared. I don’t even have enough of it. I’m used to it.

I saw Yarmolnik from time to time, but he is a frequent visitor here. But I haven’t met Pugacheva.

I noticed that Russians with money are in no hurry to part with real estate in Jurmala. For example, an employee of a large Russian bank feels great here. I constantly see his car with Moscow numbers near the elite market. By the way, Jurmala is the only place where there are cars with Russian numbers in the parking lot. There are no cars outside the resort. If you leave here, they will definitely slow you down, they will issue a fine, they will find something to complain about. But in Jurmala, no one cares. But just in case, I put my car in a guarded parking lot.

– Did the poor Russians stay in Jurmala?

– Left, where to go. They live in proletarian areas, on the outskirts of Jurmala. By the way, there is the cheapest shabby market, where I just bought a watermelon for 21 euros. But in another market, I would give at least 30 euros. The atmosphere in the market is terrible: Russian bastards and gypsies. Latvians don’t go there. Many of us work there. Moreover, they trade on the street under a canopy, in a covered room it is expensive to pay for rent. They sell fruits, vegetables, watermelons. Grandmothers sell mushrooms.

By the way, about grandmothers. Russian pensioners were afraid of deportation if they failed the Latvian language exam. Has anyone been expelled from Jurmala?

– In Jurmala, this topic is not discussed. As a rule, the Russians living here at the very least know Latvian. Like Latvians, they know Russian, especially those who work in the field of trade. In Jurmala, everyone really speaks Russian, and Latvians in communication with ours still switch to Russian.

I think that the citizens of Latvia themselves are to blame for having practically lost their language. My friend told me when he came here, learned the language, received a passport. Once I called a taxi, started speaking Latvian, and in response to him: hare to scoff, come on in Russian. It is really easier for a Latvian to switch to Russian than to visitors to Latvian. In Calgary, one Latvian had to go to a Russian school because there were no others nearby. Recently I recalled my unhappy childhood, complained: when I answered classmates in Latvian, I got it on the scoreboard. And there are many such stories. As a result, the Latvians have accumulated grievances through the roof, because in fact they were forced to speak a foreign language in their own country. Now they took advantage of the situation and settle scores. Of course, the fry went too far. In the same Jurmala, there are no Russian schools left. But in general, I don’t see anything shocking in this story with the study of the language.