Thoughts about National Character., a photo from Moscow, Center

Photographer's Note

Portrait on TE? It's not a portrait! It's a strong (about 12-fold) zoom on the Guard of Honor, ceremonial character!
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Here's a photo of the soldier of the guard near the Tomb of Unknown Soldier at the wall of the Kremlin, under the heavy snowfall and with crouds of onlookers and photographers around.
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Russian nation as a nation, is very unmilitaristic. But inside all cynicism and irony, and disbelief, which is quite characteristic for the national character, hides love towards ceremonies. That's why parades on the Red Square, that's why the online TV translations of unbeleivably beautiful, long and complex Easter Mass gathers millions of watchers. That's why Day of the Navy in St-Petersburg gathers half of the city; people likes to WATCH the show.
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So, here it is, one of the parts of the ceremonies, It's not militaristic, it's kind of sad and dignified, to stand like this, without any moving, for hours, near the Eternal Flame at the steps of the Kremlin, looking at the tourists all around the world who are taking photos of you as if you're the statue or something like that.

robjol, Shoot_Score ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

serp2000 (47063) 2009-02-16 3:08

Ýòî èõ ùàñ ñòàëè ïîä êîçûð¸ê ñòàâèòü, êóðîðò. À ðàíüøå - íå âîëíóåò. Ïîïàë ñþäà - óæå ãîðäîñòü. Íó ïîäóìàåøü 2 ÷àñà ïîä äîæäèêîì. ß â ×èòå âèäåë êàê ðîòà ïî÷åòíîãî êàðàóëà ñëóæèò... Ëó÷øå îòñèäåòü 2 ãîäà :))) Êëàññíûé ñíèìîê. Îöåíÿò. Äàæå íå ñîðåâíóþñü. ß ñâîé ãðîõíó. Íå íðàâèòñÿ

Buin (42580) 2009-02-16 3:55

Hallo from Germany!
There's a lot to say concerning your thoughts about Russian soul and state ceremonies in general - but I have a very special opinion about this - which doesn't belong here ... ;-)
Well, the photo of this human "statue" in snowfall somehow is a bit impressive and a bit touching and provokes - to me - the quaestion "Why, what for!?"
An interesting and thought-provoking contribution!
Frank

robjol (2399) 2009-02-16 4:44

Hello Uhu,
I like this photo,with strong colours, not militaristic as you say, traditional, yes as in many countries, in the U.K. also. I like your note of the above. I do not think it is sad to stand like that, that is the tradition, so be proud of it.
Best regards
Robert

zmey (7335) 2009-02-16 7:29

privet uhu
one might argue about the character of the russian nation not being 'militaristic' (after all, Tzar's created one of the greatest (territory wise) if not the greatest empire the world had known.
but it's true the portrait (or the zoom as you put it) is not militaristic; i would not even say it's ceremonial. to me it looks more touching and heartfelt. i almost feel sorry for the fellow being forced to stand there in the winter snow.

regards,
kristaps

fritzi007 (14698) 2009-02-17 9:07

Hallo Uhu!
So hart ist strammstehen fürs Vaterland, wirklich hart, gute Aufnahme!
Viele Grüsse
Wolfgang

Shoot_Score (650) 2009-02-20 4:43

Privet Uhu,

This youngster in uniform, a mere lad, conveyes a sadness that I associate with the Russian soul. The uniform is mere "window dressing"... I would like to sit down with him and teach him how to drink vodka, when he becomes man enough to split a bottle.

Great portrait!

Spaciba!

Disabled_A (0) 2009-02-25 16:22

Уважаемая Сова!
внесу свои "два цента", как говорят англичане... и скажу, что мир познается и через людей тоже - то есть, и через портреты, один из коих я и вижу в данный момент :) - это я тут пишу как реакцию на ваш комментарий к фото Сергея... фото с выставки.
Хорошее фото, очень даже. Хороший момент.
Не соглашусь насчет того, что в примечании написано насчет русского характера... но какая разница, если мне фото нравится?
yours truly,
Elena
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Very good portrait, very good moment captured! I especially like it that it was taken through the snow.

edcone (0) 2009-04-10 23:12 [Comment]