Way to Russia Talk Lounge

cyndy22 · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:05 pm Post subject: Russian Super Heros

What/Who are some of the present day super heros that youth in Russia aspire toward? Are they predominantly sports champions, rock stars, what ever? In US I would say that sports champions are put on a pedestal and youth admire them as super heros. Of course my kid, has not yet found too much interest in sports and I am afraid that his idea of super heroes are characters in his video games. It is a good question though. I am trying to think back when I was a kid and who I most admired and wanted to be like. Girls are undoubtably different than boys. I recall wanting to be a great dancer when I was 8-14 or so. I took ballet and just loved to dance. As I got into my teens, I probably admired rock stars more than anyone else in terms of super heros. In college, and yes, adults can also admire others almost in the same sense of super heroes, I remember being in awe of various writers, painters, poets, philosophers and travelers who have destined to unique places and challenges. At this time in my life, interestingly I find myself admiring my parents most of all. They were/are extremely dedicated to us, hard working, compassionate, intelligent and forgiving individuals. I would not be who I am today without their steadfast support and love.

OK that's my essay of the day!

Walking Contradiction · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:30 pm Post subject:

I remember myself watching Teenage Ninja Turtles, Biker Mice From Mars
and that kind of stuff when i was in primary school. They were my and most of my friends' heroes. I got loads of toy-ninja turtles and other superheroes, robots, aliens and so on... I was born in 1987, so I was americanized enough then. No it is not russian rockstars, that's for sure, we got not too many of them.
Maybe american ones, that could be. It could be sports champions, we got plenty of them. But speaking for myself, nope I don't have an idol, and person i want to be like is myself. Not that I don't have people i admire. I love a whole bunch of people all over the world, and among the Americans are Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day Band) and Neale Donald Walsh (thank you God for this guy). Abraham Lincoln is also in the list. I admire Jesus, Sidthartha Gautama,
Kung Fu Tsi, Nikolai Rerih, Leo Tolstoi, Lao Tsi... Isn't it nice to realize that a lot of people
deserve to be admired (or admired at? should i add 'at'? i forgot =))?
Well to summarize, all I want to be is myself, and I love to find a lot of people
worth admiring.

Camrade · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:48 pm Post subject:

russian super heroes are ganstas and mafia guys Wink

vorteks · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:55 pm Post subject:

I heard Anatoly Chubai was a post soviet era russian hero Wink

Each time you show ostentory signs of wealth in Russia, you take the risk to be called "chubai!" Shocked

Camrade · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:06 am Post subject:

2vorteks
chubais is an anti-hero Smile

Walking Contradiction · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:24 am Post subject:

Oi, i fail to recongize the correlation between any kinda hero and Chubais.
Thanks to him the entire country got proper fucked in early 90's.
And, by the way, children hardly know who is Chubais. He is red, and he runs Gazprom.

Walking Contradiction · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:27 am Post subject:

Correcting myself. He is in charge in Мосэнерго, not the Газпром.

cyndy22 · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:56 am Post subject:

Welcome to WTR Walking Contradiction,
Interesting name BTW!
I agree it's nice to admire many people for their unique qualities and contributions. And I agree with you that everyone should strive to be themselves first and foremost. It's sad that there are many people who seem to try and be somebody other than themselves. For example and I apologize if I offend anyone who is a serious cyclist here- I have to laugh however when I see so many people on their bicycles dressed in super expensive, flashy cyclists attire, even their socks are aerodynamic! Then they act like they own the road or even bike path. I think they think they are Lance Armstrong competing in the French Grand Prix! LOL

Babuschka · Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 28

Dear Cyndy,

first of all congrats on adopting a little prince from Russia!
Secondly, I?d like to come back to your question in this thread:

My constant hero is, believe it or not, while I am reddening: Rhasputin!

As a matter of fact, I don?t even know much of a story about him. Our geography professor always recommended Rhasputin for better understanding Russian esoteric culture. He used to say that Rhasputin misused astral travel and exerted power in magical ways.

Eventually, Rhasputin is an anti-hero but either way, I?d love to know more about his story and hope to find a book about him.

Stupid enough, a year or so ago, I found - probably one of the few still available - original copies of a book that tells the story of Rhasputin.
It was a semi-expensive, historic edition and I didn?t buy it on the spot.... regrettable, now I can look for it as much as I may and don?t find it!

So, that?s my answer to your question.

Cheers,
Babuschka

cyndy22 · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 8:30 pm Post subject:

Babuschha,
What country are you in? There has to be alot of books written about Rasputin. You make me want to visit the Montague Book Mill which is a fantastic used book store in an old mill buiding that sits right over a river. It's a beautiful place to go and escape. I bet they would have books on Rasputin. Next time I visit, I'll check!

vorteks · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 8:49 pm Post subject:

If a sex maniac addicted to power can qualify to be a hero, Rasputin can then be a russian hero like Clinton could be an american hero Very Happy

Contradiction, true, there was irony there, Chubais is certainly not a hero but he is as famous as if he was, so famous that his name became a common insult.

I guess Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, could be regarded as a hero by all generations of russians, a bit like Neil Armstrong for yanks, since he represents an major achievement of the russian society, something all russians can be proud of. He died young (34), this tragic destiny can also enhance his image of hero, since people cant witness him ageing.

Dr Fauste · Site Admin Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 654

It is sad that people usually remember the bad men more than the good ones.

What about cartoons and comic books? What are the characteris in these books?

What about major characterrs in movie or TV that have become part of culture?

You know the ones that you remember talking about as a child..

For instance everyone knew who Mork from Ork was in my generation. Flintstones are legendary. You know an image or icon that separates your generation from another by media or event. We define ourselves as Generation X.

Paul

Babuschka · Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 28

Oh, dear Cindy,

don?t do it for me. I have a special requirement with books and that is that I need to fall in love with them, the texture, print, the whole feel... especially with old books. So I just need to be lucky when I look around again here in Prague. One of these days this maniac will come back to me in form of the right book...

hey, good point that people do remember bad people just as well but I don?t think more than the good people.

Best to all,
Babuschka

"The great blessing of life is the existence of tomorrows - and having dreams to realize."
http://www.warriorofthelight.com
http://www.paulocoelho.com

Camrade · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:53 am Post subject:

russian superheroes, desk of fame Wink

Zach10791 · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 816

I personally look up to my parents; they are my greatest influences. They taught me how to act. They encourage me to aim for the top and they try to give me what they didn’t have as kids. And still they manage to take care of me and my baby brother and have a loving, caring relationship unlike most couples today. Divorce is running ramped! I also look up to the singer Shakira. Being a writer I admire her creativity and I hope one day to be as successful as her. Good topic to think of Cyndy.