Translated material
The United States of Smolensk
American mass culture in the Russian province
The gates of the industrial warehouse in Smolensk. The author of graffiti is unknown. June 2014
These people are unlikely to hear about the intermediate elections to the American Congress on November 4, it is unlikely that any of them had ever been in America or was going to go there, and most likely, most of them (namely 79 %, according to the Levada Center) believe that the United States and other Western countries-“Opponents of Russia, who seek to solve its problems at its expense and are conveniently caused by its damage interests ”(formulation-from the same survey of the“ Levada Center ”). The Russian province is not used to using alternative sources of information, few speak foreign languages here, and even the Internet serves as a means of entertainment. Well, the mood rules the “His Majesty” TV. But, as it turns out, and here it does not do without American mass culture-as if in spite of the old Soviet saying: "Today you are dancing jazz, and tomorrow you will sell your homeland."
Smolensk children and their toys. June 2014
America is everywhere - even in clothes of watermelon merchants. June 2014
The Smolensk musician playing in the style of Rocabilly for many years. June 2014
A random girl in the store is preparing for the beach season. Smolensk, June 2014
Children bought this "mace" with an American flag in a city park. Smolensk, June 2014
Animator at a children's festival in a spider-man suit. Smolensk, July 2014
A pensioner who wears a T -shirt with Simpsons has never watched this cartoon. Smolensk, July 2014
The usual Smolensk hairdresser, decorated with comics and other attributes of American pop culture. August 2014