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Reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup went beyond the wildest dreams of the most Russians
Since the fall of communism, young Russians have grown to consider Moscow as a cosmopolitan capital.
But nothing prepared them for the vibrant, multicultural and multicultural experience of organizing the World Cup
There is no passport and the effect supporters from the 11 cities that hosted the tournament were extraordinary.
The number of foreign visitors to Russia has exploded.
Moscow felt like a different city, while the smaller host city of Saransk had a staggering increase of 200.
When I saw a huge Argentine flag on my university building in Moscow, I was surprised to see how excited I was
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The Russian authorities turned a blind eye to the public holiday and the people responded
Normally in Russia, if you want to hold a public meeting, you have to request it in advance.
If it is an opposition gathering that you are trying to organize, then the answer will probably be no. 19659007] But for the World Cup that changed
Although demonstrations in tournament cities were banned, the police turned a blind eye to drinking and public holidays, the kind of behavior that normally stops you.
] EPA
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During the tournament, part of the Red Square became a football park
There was a refugee football match on Red Square in a country that is not famous for hosting refugees.
The Russians themselves act differently.
Rossiya dlya grustnykh ).
But from the start of the World Cup, the Russians suddenly gave up their grumpy side and discovered a new sense of joy, an eagerness to help and a taste for the world tour. afternoon party.
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Media legend World Cup viewed by young Russia
The fact that the national football team has overtaken expectations only made the national feeling worse. 19659030] "Dream is over but hope is restored for Russia"
World Cup fails to repress Russians
A teacher in her late forties, met near the Red Square, tells me that she is still in the midst of her life. she came to the center of Moscow every day because the colorful atmosphere gave her an ambiance and energy that she had never known before.
Copyright of the author Sarah Rainsford
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Fans of England in Samara? No, these young Russians were following England "because we love English football"
And it's not just the Russians who have noticed
It's a paradox that the most multicultural moment in modern Russian history coincided with a period when we isolated ourselves the most politically
. years Russia had a bad press. The conflicts in eastern Ukraine and Syria, accusations of interference in the US elections and the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the UK have all sparked headlines.
That affected us all.
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Nina Nazarova watches the fans of England parade through the center of Moscow
Before the tournament, one of my photographer friends saw a project fail with British artists worried about working with someone from Russia.
"I really hope the World Cup will help us reconnect with the world," I remember telling her.
And among the dozens of foreign football fans I met last month, almost everyone thought the Russians to be "gray", "serious" and "cold".
On the contrary, they were surprised to find a people that is cool, kind, open and fun.
As the World Cup draws to a close, it almost looks like Russia has been rehumanized as a nation.
