Bears, blue jeans and Lenin!

[peacetraveler22]

During the last winter journey through Russia, I was haunted by this cute little bear while driving through the Kostroma and Vologda regions. He suddenly appeared at the most unexpected spots - on an abandoned and decaying bus stop in the middle of a deserted village, on old billboards, and in some small shops along the way. I didn't recognize the symbolism of the Olympic rings on the bear's belt, but later learned "Мишка" was the mascot of the 1980's Olympic Games in Moscow.

I too am an 80's child. Being born in 1973, I experienced the 80's in full force, at the height of my teenage years. However, it's difficult to find a common thread when comparing American cultural symbols from the 80's and prior decades with the treasured symbols from the same Soviet periods. This is not surprising given that our nations were seen as political and strategic enemies at that point in history, and sadly even now to a certain extent. The bear played an integral role in the last place I visited during the journey, the "Museum of the Socialist Way of Life", located in Kazan. Let's take a look inside...

1. I can remember the end of the Cold War, but the Cuban missile crisis came before my time, and is something more closely aligned with my parent's generation. Now we can see with recent developments that the dynamics between Russia, Cuba and America have all shifted quite dramatically, and very soon Americans will be able to roam Cuba freely. Hooray! :)



2. I don't know the gender of the bear, but I think there were both male and female versions so all children could experience delight in the cute creation. Btw, it's interesting to me that Russians constantly complain how foreigners stereotype the nation under three words - "bears, balalaika, vodka", yet when they have the chance to shine and display their culture on the world stage it is exactly the first symbol they chose - a bear! :)) It was the same during the Sochi Olympics, when a bear was one of the official mascots. I think it's time to push for more symbolic creativity the next time Russia is on the world stage, which I think will be during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. If you didn't read my reports and impressions from the Sochi Olympics, you can find them all here. What do you suggest as an adequate mascot or symbol for Russia during these global sporting events?



3. Blue jeans - this is the most common clothing in America, and we wear them almost everywhere. In the past, many people have commented that I always look like a slob in my travel photos, and readers question why in my holiday posts from Thanksgiving and Christmas no one is dressed up!! The answer is quite simple - in my family, and in American culture in general, we don't feel the need to impress each other, and wish to be comfortable instead. :) So, me and most Americans wear jeans to almost any event, even work sometimes. I don't recognize Daniel Kramer, or the other Russian names associated with the jeans, but I assume they wore them and the hand-written messages were composed by each of them.



4. The bear again - sewn on a pair of jeans. In my Montana posts, a reader told me "Montana" was a popular brand of jeans during the Soviet era, and I see here a brand called "Super Perry's." As a trademark lawyer, I pay close attention to brand names and marketing strategies, but I know very little about brands from the Soviet period.



5. Jeans soap! Doesn't sound very soothing or refreshing. :)) I think this soap was actually produced in Finland, if I recall.



6. Perhaps this brings you back to childhood? Standard display of children's books from the Soviet era, and I assume the woman portrayed in the mannequin is supposed to symbolize some type of Soviet teacher or instructor? Not sure. Unfortunately, there was no English language information available in the museum. All of the historical information and fact sheets were written only in Russian, and my companion in Kazan didn't speak English very well. So, there are many things I couldn't understand.



7. The best museums are those where you can touch and play with things! They are the only type of museums I like, where there's an interactive component and you can immerse yourself into something tangible. See, feel, touch...it's important. :) Here we have a future Russian Romeo - ready to play guitar and sing tunes, even for me. He was very cute, and could speak a few words of English.



8. I don't know the significance of these books and posters, but I'm certain some of you will.



9. "Everyone Must Know This". Is it a popular book or pamphlet from Soviet times?



10. I don't know what to say about the ongoing obsession with Lenin in so many towns, but he is still EVERYWHERE in Russia, especially in provincial areas, pointing the way to the future, while the town remains buried in the past. I didn't feel the need to take tons of photos of his portraits, but there are a lot of them in this museum.



11. Sorry for the blurry image, but I'm not sure what this is? The booklet resembles a passport, but I don't see the word "passport" written anywhere on it.



12. Rugs, banners, and other Soviet symbols which I frequently saw hanging from the walls of pensioner's homes.



13. My favorite! :)) I love this little furry creature, and once wrote a post about Чебура́шка.



14. My experience with Soviet life is mostly tied to the military prison I visited in Latvia. A Russian and American walking together in gas masks, a brutal Soviet guard, military uniform and hats, and severe words like "bitch" written all over the dark, gloomy walls...only for the hardcore. :))



15. For me personally, the most touching part of the museum is this bunny. When I returned to the USA, my Russian friend translated the note as follows: "This rabbit is 10 years old. He was brought from abroad but the child felt sorry for him and didn't eat him. And then the child grew up and brought him to the museum. Live eternally, brother!"

Once I understood the text of the note, I began to ask questions, as a lawyer always does. :) Why was the rabbit brought to the "Museum of the Socialist Way of Life" and from what country did he originate? My friend laughed and told me the country of origin didn't matter. To the child, it represented much more than a sweet treat. Something entirely new and different, another world! In his words "as Soviet children, we didn't see such cute looking candies and the choice of toys was very scarce. The kid was so impressed by the rabbit that destroying him by the way of eating was too cruel for him."



16. I couldn't relate to the sentiment about the candy, yet this doesn't mean I can't understand how something simple can touch or alter someone's life, because I too have my own version of this lollipop, and it's pictured here:



A simple leaf, handed to me by the most innocent, smiling and beautiful little Mexican girl I've ever encountered. She gave it to me in a small village in Ixtapa, where my family traveled over ten years ago. While they sat relaxing in fancy resort, I was itching to get away and see how the locals live. So, I found a driver who knew a family, living in a poor village close by.  At the sound of car wheels spinning down the dirt road, the young children and father ran out of the house, excited to see a visitor. They didn't speak English, but the dark-skinned girl's smile glowed in the reflection of the bright sun when she handed me something from the ground. This leaf, as a welcome gift to her modest home. About a year later, I placed the leaf on a postcard I found, which is emblazoned with John Lennon's meaningful lyrics "Imagine all the people...sharing all the world." Yes, I am a sentimental fool. :))

Despite the frailty and tendency of brittle leaves to break apart, this one has remained solid through plane rides, and several office moves. The postcard and leaf have sat on the cork board by my desk at three different law firms. A reminder of humility, of what's most important to me in life, and that the simplest actions or words can dramatically alter someone's life. For either good or bad, but hopefully the former...

I hope you find something in this post that brings back bright memories from Soviet or childhood times. It's always fun to walk down memory lane, but a country can't remain stuck in past, and should always being moving toward some type of progress for the future...