CULTURAL AWARENESSFOCUS: RUSSIAN CULTURE

Prepared By St John of Kronstadt Russian Welfare Society on the funds received as a Community Partners Program

grant from the Department of Health and Ageing.

Russians are a special and diverse cultural group who have effectively survived in the past century

alone

2 revolutions 2 World Wars civil war and political upheaval

To understand Russian people we must first gain an appreciation for Russia’s history, as it is history that influences who and what we are today.

1. Introduction

2. HistoryRussia is the largest country in the world. First Russian dynasty in Kiev in 862 by Rurik Unification of country by religion

Orthodox Christians in 988AD in time of Prince Vladimir1240AD => the Mongol-Tartar invasion The Tatars defeated in the 15th Century by

Grand Prince Dimitry Donskoy.Russia enters imperial period until 1918.Period of upheavals from late 1890’s-1914.

Russia suffers through WWI –Revolution – Tsar Nicholas the II and his family executed by communists

Russia endures civil war followed by arrests and extermination of intelligentsia on a grand scale, famine and forced labour camps – GULAG’s

Tsar Nicholas and family

2. History

People have limited freedomPress censored and controlled by

the stateVoting for one party - one man only

People live in fearStalin’s campaign to eliminate and

imprison his opponents and anyone associated with them “to kill a man is a tragedy to kill a million is a statistic”

From 1922 Russia is known as USSR and is an official communist state until

1991.Communist rule:

2. History

FamineLoss of life

Migration out of Russia Purges in the military forces

result in massive losses when Second World War breaks out in June 1941

19301930’sThe Great Purges

Conducted by the communists and results in millions of deaths

2. History

1989 1989 Perestroika – People are tired of dictatorship - New generation of Soviet leaders

Greater personal freedomMikhail Gorbachev is accepted

by the world leaders as a president with whom dialog is possible – end of nuclear arms race.

1945 Onwards – Many 5 year industrial plans designed to rebuild the nation after the carnage of the war.

2. History1991

Collapse of USSR1991

Collapse of USSR

Formation of Commonwealth of Independent States

15 independent nations of which Russia is the largest

Share economic and military ties

Consist of countries from some of the former USSR

3. Population ≈144 millions

(reduced from 250 million)

As the influence of Moscow progressed throughout the

centuries towards the East and the South, many different small nations and tribes have been

taken over and intergraded with the Russian language,

customs and religion.Now many seceded from the

union.

4. Language

Russian is the official language 3 accents: Northern, Southern, Central

Modern literary dialect based on Central

Interesting facts:153 million people world wide speak

Russian as first tongue3rd most spoken European languageMore Science material is printed in

Russian than any other language except English

5. Religion

Others:Muslim 5.5%Catholic 1.8%

Protestant 0.7%Buddhist 0.6%Jewish 0.3%Other 0.9%

No affiliation 18.9%

Predominantly Russian Orthodox 72%

6. Culture

Russian culture is firmly based in its religious traditionsIn 17th Century the Russian tsar, Peter the

Great “opened doors to the west” and hence greater influence of west on the Russian culture 19th century is regarded as the Golden Century

of Russian arts, music and literature.Theodore Dostoevsky and Lev Tolstoy the

world famous novelistsFamous composers Petr Tchaikovsky,

Alexander Borodin and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and many others20th century and on the eve of Russian

revolution the world tour of Ballet Russ with Sergei Diagolev as a balletmaster and Vatslav Nijinsky and Anna Pavlov the famous ballet dancers

A. Pushkin

P Tchaikovsky

Bolshoy Ballet

T Dostoyevsk

L Tolstoy

A Borodin

6. Culture

Soviet time :

Nobel Prize for literature by Boris Pasternak (Doctor Jivago) and Alexander Solzhenitsyn( Archipilag Gulag) both were imprisoned;

Religion, art and literature were under strict control even so Soviet artist made noteworthy achievements in film editing, music composition and culture;

Anti communist sentiment was met with imprisonment into Gulags and forced labour camps where many perished

A Solzhenitsyn

B Pasternak

7. Flag

Current flag dates back to 1699Imperial Russia used this flag between

1699-1918Readopted since 1991 by people of

Russia with fall of USSR

Communist flag 1918 to 1991(symbol of oppression and death to millions of people throughout the USSR)

8. Impact of Migration and CultureRussian migration into Australia dates back to 19th century;1893: 3000 Russians noted as living in Melbourne in Russian

Consul Dimitri Poutiata (Register) (mainly: sailors, merchants, adventurers, traders);

Bolshevik Revolution saw further migration of people out of Russia to Western Europe, China and Australia. However -many people who migrated to China returned to Russia;

Post WWII there was an unprecedented period of migration to North and South America, Australia, Europe, Canada;

From 1950’s to early 1960’s Russians migrate from China

1970’s and 1980’s migration was open to minority nationalities from former USSR, eg. Jews, Volga Germans and Pontic Greeks.

1992 New migrants – skilled migrants: academics/professionals

8. Impact of Migration and Culture

The time of migration out of Russia impacts on culture:

As if various people took different stages in Russia’s history and bottled it in themselves

like walking time machines. It is visible in their dress, in their level of

education and in their mentality.

8. Impact of Migration and CultureAll share common thread:

languagebasic cuisinereligion

There is a saying that: you can take a Russian out of Russia, but you can’t take Russia out of the Russian

Culture and Attitude to Ageing

Culture and traditions are strongly linked to religion particularly for the more mature and elderly.The younger are generally more educated and somewhat less traditional. They are more open to outside influences. Many of the new generation have little or no knowledge of the oral and written language but, generally do appreciate and participate in traditional festive days like Easter and Christmas celebrations and other cultural events.The Eastern Church calendar (Julian) runs some thirteen days after the Western (Gregorian) calendar. i.e. Christmas is celebrated on the 7 January.The younger generation is very respectful towards the older adults and appreciate learning history, culture and traditions of theirancestors. They understand and appreciate the sacrifices their parents or grandparents had to make in order that they and their children can have an education and normal life in Australia.

9. FamilyRussians heavily influenced by religion.

Many of the family values and community ideals are based on

religious beliefs.

Reflects support networkDefinition of “Family” runs to extended family.The Family name is derived from the male’s side. However people are not often called by their family name when they are addressed.There is a formal familiarity through the use of first name and patronymic.

Example: Often one is asked: “What is your patronymic (father’s) name?”

9. FAMILY (cont)

When greeting strangers, Russian generally shake hands and engage in polite conversation before attending to business

Greetings with family or close friends usually follows a kiss ( three kisses during Easter)

When greeting a priest Russians generally ask for a blessing and kiss his hand

One is often offered something to eat or drink but polite excuse will suffice.

10. Russian Identity

Depends on time of migration/route of migration:

RuralCityPre –revolution: Bolshevik/PerestoykaPost WW1/WW2

Identity crisis:

Born in ChinaOn census and Government statistics recorded as Chinese Some with other old émigrécommunities e.g. Berlin, Paris,Belgrade and Prague

11. Response to HACC serviceDepends on origin of client

Clients mainly from rural China or smaller cities in Russiarural lifestyle (eg: keeps chickens and vegi gardens,

large families simple dress with women wearing scarfs), more resistant to help – little or no English language.

Family support network -typically look after their ownConvince to help

Clients from former USSR, Western Europe, or from large cities in China

location mainly closer to City, usually better educated and have knowledge of English language, more open to assistance

Origin of client usually reflects level of education, expectations from family and government.

12. Cultural Awareness during Assessment

Many Russian clients are uncomfortable with answering personal and intrusive questions, particularly to a non Russian speaking worker.Before conducting assessment, it is very important to explain that some questions could be intrusive and you need to explain to the client why it is important to ask this question, how this information will be used and who will have access to this information.As senior members of our community Russian elderly are used to respect and self determination. It is important that despite a loss of independence, that they feel empowered to make their own decisions regarding their care and future as much as possible.

12. Cultural Awareness during Assessment (cont)

Elderly Russian speakers are usually dependent on their children to interpret for them at appointments. During the assessment, if present their children or carers may answer question for them, despite the presence of an interpreter. The client may feel disempowered and not included in the decision making. In this situation they may not have the opportunity to express their view.

There are benefits to having a carer or family member contribute to an assessment but it is important that the client have some time alone with an assessor and interpreter in order to express their wishes.

13. Attitudes towards professional care and services

Non English speaking Russian people are usually only partially aware of the mainstream services available to them and or they have difficulty accessing these services because of the language barrier.The elderly Russian have a strong preference for ethno-specific services.The elderly in Victoria usually find out about services through Russian Welfare Society and its community services such as CPP and HACC grants.Russian elderly who are dissatisfied with service delivery will often spread negative comments about mainstream services and this will influence future clients to not seek or accept services.

13. Attitudes towards professional care and services

Majority of Russians are very house proud and are pedantic about their cleanliness. This can lead to dissatisfaction and criticism of those providing home care services, when not to their standard.Independence is valued very highly and there is generally a fear of losing one’s independence.HACC and CPP services are usually used as a last resort, when there are no other support available. The elderly usually have an expectation that family will and should provide care when needed, as was in their own home country for many generations.

13. Attitudes towards professional care and services

Meals on wheels are usually at best tolerated only by the Russian elderly as it does not cater to their palate.Russian elderly may also be wary of signing documents due to mistrust and fear that they will be: committed into care, signing over their assets or loss of independence etc.Most will want to stay in their home and not move to residential care for as long as possible. If they are informed of how they can avoid going into an age care facility e.g. CACPS program. They will be more cooperative and willing to accept services.

14. FOOD (One day’s menu copied at random from the kitchen of the Russian Welfare Society’s Age Care Facility in Dandenong)

BREAKFASTVarious meats and cheeses yogurt and sausages. Pick from: cereals, porridges, coffee, tea fresh bread and toast.MORNING TEA:Buns with raisins,Coffee tea milkLUNCH:Soup; Meat with vegetables:Mains: Fish with vegetablesSweets: Apple puddingAFTERNOON TEA:Fresh Fruit Banana cakeCoffee tea milkDINNER:Shellsoup and vegetablesMain Dish: Cheese pan cakesDesert: Yogurt and seasonal fruitEVENING TEA:Coffee tea milksandwiches