26Likes
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacksYes, there is a bit of truth to this, sadly. I read how Finland *really* needs more people to learn Russian in school because it's very sought after by business due to the proximity to Russia. But kids don't choose Russian because they believe Russians are "bad" etc... There is even a campaign about studying Russian in school, but it has not been very successful and they have a shortage of people with Russian skills. Reading about this situation in both Finland and Sweden too, was one of the reasons I decided to pick up Russian in 2009. Still, the Finns know more about Russia, Russian culture and history than most European nations. The national interest is very much to have a good relationship with Russia - they've had that priority for a long time, with varying success....Originally Posted by mishau_
In Helsinki you can watch Russian terrestrial TV with perfect reception and catch the train to St Petersburg that takes only a few hours. But instead of looking at the reality of their neighbouring country, they learn about Russia from American films that are so prejudiced that I'd call it "propaganda". To be honest there was quite a lot of criminality and vice by Russians in Helsinki in the 90s (I went to university for a term in Helsinki back then, and all the people who sold illegal alcohol and drugs were Russian, enough said....) but I think that has stopped a long time ago and everyone knows that the situation in Russia was terrible at the time - many people were driven into crime who would not have taken it up under normal circumstances.
Today - the only Russians in Stockholm where I live are normal, respectable tourists. Apparently the 3rd largest tourist group nowadays.
Reply With Quote
