Officials will arrange “speed dating” for Russians to increase the birth rate

Tatarstan authorities are organizing places for Russians to meet face-to-face in order to improve demographics

In Tatarstan, specially designated spaces for face-to-face dating of young people may soon appear. The initial initiative was made by the head of the Kazan civil registry office, Elena Studenikina, who proposed holding “speed dating evenings” in libraries, cafes and parks. According to the author of the idea, today young people prefer to meet people online, and this is “not entirely correct,” because, in her opinion, this increases the average age of marriage and delays the birth of children.

The regional Ministry of Youth Affairs supported the initiative. Head of the department Rinat Sadykov stated “Rise” knows many stories of dating on the Internet, after which, when meeting in person, people are disappointed and time is wasted. Dating “eye to eye” is more effective, the official believes. He also noted that psychologists can work in places for face-to-face dating and provide advice “on issues of creating a family.”

Commissioner for Children’s Rights in Tatarstan Irina Volynets, who previously called the participants of Anastasia Ivleeva’s “naked party” “a bunch of complete scumbags,” stated “Kommersant” about the need to create a “friendly atmosphere” on such dates.

“The same dances. And not so that they come, look at each other and choose,” the ombudsman explained.