Patriotism is not the way

Artist's Words:

I took this photo in 2016 when an aggressive campaign anti-dissent movement was already underway in the Russian media. Nevertheless, I always believed and still believe this could become a problem in any state, the absence of free speech.

I intentionally used the colours of the Russian tricolour, and I arranged them in random order in purpose; and purposely took one girl for the role of all the characters, showing the moment people stop one another from free speech, they are doing it to themselves at the same time.

Aleksey Maltsev

Photographer, Filmmaker

Murmansk, Russia

The Contradiction Between Past and Future

Patriotism, once defined as the quality of being patriotic and used to rally a specific group of people toward a common cause, whether national or international, has evolved significantly. Today, its meaning has shifted, offering communities a new and different interpretation.

We are now grappling with a paradox between modern societal values and traditional patriotism. This imbalance in contemporary values has led to widespread confusion among people from diverse backgrounds.

In the context of modern values adapted to contemporary societies, the concept of the global village emerges. This idea, aiming to reduce differences and strengthen connections between various communities, inherently contradicts traditional notions of patriotism.

As we move closer to an era where boundaries become increasingly blurred, we must learn to navigate the line between old and new values. Understanding this balance is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and connected world.

Parsa McJacob

Yerevan, Armenia