Residents of London about Russia and Russians

We have already interviewed Turks, Dutch, citizens of Spain, India, Italy, Vietnam, Denmark and Greenland. This time, My Planet asked Londoners to name three associations that come to mind when it comes to Russia and Russians. Cultures, people, history are mixed in the capital of Great Britain. In this survey, only two are British, the rest are representatives of Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Eastern countries, and Latin America. Some have already forgotten where they came from and why, some remember their homeland and spread their traditions. But everyone is united by love for the city and interest in the cultures that fill it. If you want to immerse yourself in world culture, learn about other countries, the easiest way is to come here and start meeting people. How? Very simple - with the words "Hello, how are you today?". It's accepted here.

(Total 15 photos)

1. - Girl. Car. Cold. My girlfriend was from Russia, this is the first association. What beauties you have there, tall, slender, fair-haired. Everything above me! I do not know why the car, but immediately comes to mind. By the way, in a year I will go to visit Moscow for Christmas, I can’t wait, it’s very interesting. I will get a visa at the border, but I am a Turk, we have no problems with that. (Zaza, owner and chef of a Turkish cafe)

2. - Yogurt. Snow. Matryoshka. Yoghurt - because for the first time I tried yogurt in Moscow in my childhood, I was very impressed then. Snow is also a memory from childhood, I remember an incredible snowfall, I have never seen anything like it in my life. Matryoshka is my favorite thing, I have a collection in my room (I bought it in London at a flea market). (Maria Chambers, director)

3. - Taiga. Matryoshka. Hello. Taiga is a quite deserted area, like the spirit of Russia, a kind of image from nature. Matryoshka is a designer doll, a typical thing for Russia, as I understand it. Well, "hello!" - I say this to all Russian friends, they smile in response. (Quentin Uber, stylist)

4. - Gay. Snowstorm. Red. I know that in Russia the topic of homosexuality is discussed from different angles. There is news on this topic all the time. Snow and blizzard come to mind as it is cold in Russia. Although in Samara it seems to be not so cold, but in Siberia it is very, very cold. Red is the symbol of Russia, the color of the national costume, the color of the cheeks of Russian beauties, the color of communism. (Dino Bonacic, producer)

5. - Powerful, huge and cold. I have never been to Russia, it is very far from here, but it seems to me that this country is really influential, powerful, and what a huge one! Of course, the cold is a direct association. I would like to go to Russia, drink vodka for real. (Mike Bouton, owner of a diner in East London)

6. - Kremlin. Communism. Moscow. When I think about Russia, this picture immediately comes to mind: the Kremlin, red bricks, colored domes. Communism is also an increasingly large part of Russian history. And of course, the main city is Moscow. I have never been there, but my girlfriend is Russian. By the way, it still seems to snow, a lot of snow. And vodka. (Imran Kan, musician)

7. - Cold. Communism. Force. Do you know American Will Smith? So here I am - the British version. Came to London from Jamaica 20 years ago. Now I drive a cab, it's an honor, I'm an accredited black cab driver. When it gets warmer in Russia, I will definitely come. It seems to me that America, China and Russia rule the world, and they do. (Will Smith, black cab driver)

8. - Kremlin. Vodka. Trotsky. The Kremlin is colorful, very, very beautiful and oriental, and the rest of Russia is white. You really need vodka in Russia because of the cold. I love vodka very much. And Trotsky... This is a very interesting part of Russian history. Poor Trotsky is dead. I studied it and was shocked how everything happened there at the beginning of the twentieth century. (Tony Singh, Shepherd's Market Owner)

9. - Rudeness. Winter. Rich people. The first thing that comes to mind when I think about Russia is the lack of articles when Russians speak English. Previously, at work, I often corresponded with people from Moscow and noticed this. A completely different culture of speech, which is why Russians often seem rude. Rather, it is a matter of language. There are also many rich Russians around, they are everywhere. Well, the cold ... it's really cold there! (Helen Woltering, producer)

10. - Triumph. Power. Beauty. All the Russians that I meet on my way are connected by the fact that they are very strong, charismatic, powerful, active. And how many beauties from Russia, I am always amazed at how beautiful Russian people are! How many beautiful Russian models, much more beautiful than English women. (Savannah Setten, model)

11. - Soul. Poverty. Nature. I was in Russia, for me it is really a generous soul, something very dear, poor people, old houses, but a lot of beauty. Estonia is not that far, I even speak Russian. I'm terribly jealous of those who can live there. For example, in St. Petersburg. I was very inspired by this city, people, amazing nature. There are very few Russians in London. (Nadezhda Simonovich, dancer)

12. - Huge. Vodka. Madness. I was in Russia, I remember my feelings very well, it feels like this is a huge country. And they really drink vodka! And then they get absolutely crazy. I am from Finland, we are very close to each other. Both countries have something in common: for example, the symbol is a birch. (Emmy Huuppa, photographer)

13. - Intensity. Force. Eccentricity. I know several Russian people, and these words are not only about the country, but about them. I find Russians very energetic, strong. One of my Russian acquaintances has a photo of her grandparents, they are sitting beautifully dressed in white and yellow clothes. I was so impressed by their looks that for five years every day I have been wearing something white and gold or white and yellow. Russia influenced me too. (Sam Phoenix, head of design at the fashion house)

14. - Ballet. Putin. Caviar. I love Russian ballet, for me it is the main symbol of Russia, although in general the dance itself is from France. My dream is to get into a ballet school in Moscow. Putin, because the media constantly write about him, is a very influential person, and this whole story with Ukraine will not stop in any way. Caviar is one of the most exquisite delicacies in the world, and the best is produced in Russia. (Shinzhi Hu, manager)

15. - White snow. Architecture. Accent. I don't think it gets warm there very often. Since I am an architect, Russian architecture immediately comes to mind, of course, the Kremlin. An accent is a hallmark of all Russian people, no matter what foreign language they speak. This is probably because Russian is a very special language, so it’s not so easy to readjust after it. (Tanya Franko Klein, architect and photographer)