“Mobilization and cranberries are incompatible things”: the disappearance of men was explained in a Karelian village

There is a commotion in the Karelian village of Sheltozero. Not a single mobilization summons was handed out, because all the men went into the forest to pick cranberries. The village administration said it was impossible to determine the whereabouts of the conscripts. We talked to local residents, who say with all responsibility: subpoenas and cranberries are things of a different order. And they asked not to lump two different stories into one pile.

On Friday, the telephone in the administration of the Sheltozero Vepsian rural settlement was silent. According to local residents, employees are offended by the media, which mock the current situation. One of the women, who occupies a responsible position in the village, told why the incident happened. The interlocutor agreed to answer our questions, but asked not to give her name.

“We are offended when the cranberry story is turned into a farce,” the woman says. “We need to know the truth, not mock our traditions. Those who are aware of the history of our region are not at all surprised that the men went into the forest. Now, indeed, the time of the cranberry harvest has begun. This is a common occurrence in our area.

– That is, mobilization has nothing to do with it?

– To me, as a representative of this nationality (Vepsians – “MK”), it is unpleasant to hear that our men are allegedly hiding from mobilization. I don’t understand what’s going on with the Russians. There are tragic events in the country, and we are trying to smile.

Today it is necessary to separate the issues of traditions and events. As a local resident, I declare with all responsibility: in Karelia, now is the time to collect the precious berry – cranberries, for us this is a natural process. But the collection process is in no way connected with mobilization.

How long does it take to pick berries?

— Depending on the weather. Even at the first frost, you can pick cranberries. This is a useful berry, it contains many vitamins that help a person live. And how can we skip her collection?

Those who live in the north understand the need for cranberries as a medicine and energy product. Someone collects it for sale, many freeze it, make fruit drinks, bake pies or eat pureed cranberries with sugar. Here you go for mushrooms, and we go for cranberries. It’s good that this tradition lives on. By the way, Muscovites, who understand the value of cranberries, specially come to Karelia and buy berries.

– Can people pick cranberries before winter?

– Yes, and the collection may last until winter. Cranberries are also harvested under the snow. But I repeat, this can in no way be associated with mobilization, this is the traditional way of life of the indigenous population. I understand that we are very different, but I wonder why you have such thoughts.

– Berry pickers can not leave the forest for weeks?

– Of course. There are such lovers who go to remote places, to the dense forest, where the berries are better, they are considered more valuable. You don’t go there several times, you don’t stay, so people stay there. In the forest there are temporary shelters, hunting lodges where you can hide in bad weather. Some stop in “sleeping villages”.

Do people have phones?

– In the forest, there may be interruptions in communication, I will not be surprised if the people are not aware of the mobilization.

Are there many men in the village?

– Our village is not small, 1200 people. Sheltozero is considered an administrative center, there are general education and music schools, a cultural and leisure center, and a museum. There are enough men.

– Only men go for berries?

– Both men and women.

– In the village of Rybrek, a similar situation has developed. Several people managed to mobilize there, the rest also went for cranberries.

Rybrek is a neighboring village. We all know each other. There, too, everyone traditionally goes for cranberries. In fact, I am glad that the world opens up in this way, Russians learn the culture of different regions. That’s when we treat each other with respect, then everything will fall into place.

– As far as I understand, there was no scandal about this.

— Scandal and could not be. Mobilization and cranberries are incompatible things.