Now he does not fly with the Siberia

Why did the cult of Vladimir Putin arise and how?

Professor of universities in Pittsburgh and Ohio Elena Zhezhil is known as the author of many books about Russian and Soviet cinema, modern literature and gender problems. There are in the sphere of her interests and politics. In 2012, the book “Putin as a celebrity and a cultural icon” was published by Elena ZHOSHLO.

In the article "GDP as Object d'Art", which was translated into Russian and published in 2008 in the magazine "Unachable reserve" , Elena the Zhille explores the origins of the people's cult of Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin’s reaction to attempts to glorify the leader. How did this nondescript man become a "source of enthusiasm for men and by no means a vague object of desire for women", where did the "aura that envelops the aura of love and erotic fantasies" came from?

This article is very interesting to re -read today, since many of the remarkable curioses collected by Elena have forgotten. For 8 years, Vladimir Putin has changed, the tactics of his image makers have changed, the cult of the President of Russia has changed. We talked about the essence of these changes with Elena Zhel .

- Why are you interested in this topic? What is most striking in the researcher who studies the reflection of Putin's image in mass culture?

-In the first decade of the 21st century, it was practically impossible to open an American or British magazine or news site and not find mentions of Putin. He appeared everywhere. This ubiquity (reflected in the satirical drawings of Alexei Merinov, Sergey Yolkin and "blue noses") distinguished him from other world leaders and partly made him similar to the Hollywood star, which also enjoys fleeting glory.

Collection "Putin as a celebrity and cultural icon" edited

I was struck by the fact that (especially towards the end of Putin’s first presidential term) there was a noticeable scatter in the interpretation of his views and motives of his policy. Most of the reports and comments accompanied the refrain of Who Is Putin? Putin constantly appeared on the screens, which suggested that he realized everything better, as the media could construct a personality and strengthen the idea of the significance of the role that she plays in a public (that is, international) sphere.

Of course, extraordinary support from the Russians, which Putin received and receives even now, when economic sanctions act, I also interested me, although I do not trust the well -known sociological data on the percentage of citizens who support Putin.

- Your work was written when the second term of Putin ended, and you correctly predicted that Medvedev would be only a nominal president. The third term of Putin brought a new wave of adoration of the "national leader". Is it possible to say that it is fundamentally different from what we observed in the early years of his reign?

He does not feel remorse when he is publicly lying

- Yes. During his first term, Putin became more careful and removed a lesson from the criticism that fell upon him after he reacted too slowly to the Kursk tragedy in August 2000. At that time, his mysterious manner of behavior was terrible, laconicism and restraint. But gradually he began to commit actions that attracted the attention of journalists, and during his second period these bright, picturesque tricks - which advertised his physical health or amazed the audience with brave unpredictability - kept him in the spotlight. At the same time, he became more verbose and demanding, constantly repeated that Russia was an outstanding country, and this caused popular approval, just as Donald Trump's fans were attracted by his frequent statements about America's greatness. Putin's carefully prepared conversations with the population - the annual “direct lines” - supported the image that he cultivated - the image of a strong, well -informed, enthusiastic work of the leader, devoted to the country and people. In addition, Putin is very eloquent and can quote various statistics from memory.

Portrait of Vladimir Putin, sent to the contest "I am Patriot of Russia", 2016

When the second term ended, Putin prepared his return to the presidential chair after Dmitry Medvedev’s decorative rule for six years. He continued to exercise in attracting mass attention (sometimes completely ridiculous ways: recall the episode with amphoras and a flight with sters) to strengthen the same type of popular worship that he needed. In other words, during the nominal presidency of Medvedev, Putin did not allow the public to forget about himself - his “direct line” broadcast on all channels was renamed, but not canceled. When Putin returned to the presidential chair in 2012, he abandoned the previous strategies to attract cameras and was carried away by the ruthless criticism of the West (especially the United States), and in 2014 he began military aggression against Ukraine. He no longer needed to seek the location of the population at the expense of comical, but spectacular exits, in order to strengthen his image of a leader-machu, power and energetic, and the annexation of Crimea strengthened his power in the eyes of those Russians who hoped at least a partial restoration of the Soviet empire.

"Gori, Gori, my candle", collage of the group "Blue noses"

The Russians played a large role in the formation of Putin’s cult, but what country does not want it to have a strong, charismatic leader? In the end, Forbes magazine for three consecutive years called Putin the most influential person in the world. The Russians, especially those who painfully perceived the collapse of the empire and the disappearance of the status of superpower, were proud that they had a world -famous, influential and decisive president who could challenge the United States and strengthen Russia's position in the world arena. A significant advantage was that Putin was so different from Yeltsin, because foreigners could not like Putin, but they had no reason to treat him down or make fun of his behavior. During the second period of Putin, Western journalists with irony responded to some of his antics, but when the third term went, not one of them tried to ridicule him, since Putin stopped attracting attention to the media with unusual tricks, but went into a political attack that causes not laughter, but anxiety.

- You have collected a lot of comic evidence of popular adoration - a chocolate cake with Putin, an attempt to name in his honor a frost -resistant tomato, an embroidery with a cross, which depicts a president with a naked torso, carpets and towels with Putin, etc. Did the addition of such curioses in your collection have appeared over the past 8 years?

Portrait of Vladimir Putin, sent to the contest "I am Patriot of Russia", 2016

- Yes, these are T -shirts, mugs and glasses, office equipment with its images and even toilet paper (although you will not suspect sympathy for Putin here), but they have become much less. “Blue noses” - a duet with a rich imagination and a tendency to absurd humor - made a series of ironic collages, and a very talented cartoonist Sergey Yolkin continues to sit satirically - mainly in The Moscow Times. But I must say that since Putin himself stopped playing heroic dramas designed to attract the attention of reporters, the stream of his images has significantly dried up.

By the way, at our university I oversaw an exhibition at which about 50 images of Putin were presented, the exhibition took place for three months, there were many visitors and a lot of responses. It is curious that Putin caused laughter along with admiration.

- We observe changes in Putin’s appearance, which are easiest to explain to his appeal to plastic surgeons. It seems that his image makers are most afraid that he may seem an old man. This is a completely new story for the Kremlin, whose inhabitants have never tried to look younger than they really are?

Putin would like to look like the hero of the action movie, as well as the wise leader. But this movie hero has significant drawbacks: it is low growth and bald

-It is natural that when the notorious iron curtain disappeared after the collapse of the USSR and Russia became part of Europe to some extent, globalization demanded that the head of the Russian state does not look comical, like an elderly party leader or a drunk pensioner. In the modern world, where bodily plays such a significant role, Putin was very important to demonstrate not only political power, but also masculinity. I believe that these cosmetic procedures were not intended to please his mistress, who is about twice as younger (although many consider the birth of her child by proof of Putin’s masculinity). In general, Putin would like to look like the hero of the action movie, as well as the wise leader. But this movie hero has significant drawbacks: it is low growth and bald. At least, he has the opportunity to reduce the number of wrinkles that give out his age. This is also important because his political opponents, such as Boris Nemtsov (now eliminated) and Alexei Navalny (who has no power and doomed to remain in the opposition), is much younger. Putin understands how public opinion is created, and cosmetic procedures are a key factor in supporting the image, so his decision to resort to them naturally in the world where the appearance plays such a role.

- The most popular publication on our website this year was the story of how Putin took bribes 20 years ago. In general, everything related to his past and personal life immediately attracts attention. What is the reason that the image of Putin does not bother the masses?

-Putin-the president who was a KGB officer in the past, they say that mediocre, but still an employee of some special services. Some of the past of the head of state, others (brought up on books and films about James Bond or the series about the Stirlitz) are horrified by some, find something glamorous in his previous classes. In other words, in the eyes of the public, Putin adds to his image either horror or glamor, but even that and the other gives rise to interest in his youth. (Incidentally, pay attention to the fact that in America they just shot a film about Obama's first date with his wife ( SouthSide with You ).

Portrait of Vladimir Putin, sent to the contest "I am Patriot of Russia", 2016

In addition, the question of Putin's honesty and his devotion to Russia is very controversial. The magnificent book of Putin's Kleptocracy (2014) , which refers to how he became a billionaire and helped his friends from the KGB-FSB enrich himself at the expense of the people, made a great impression in the West, because the author, Karen Davisha, collected a lot of evidence in favor of her point of view. But there are authors such as the British historian Richard Sakva, who are trying to prove that Putin is an effective, sincerely working leader. I believe that supporters of this point of view do not take into account the vanity, dishonesty of Putin and his thirst for power. One of the advantages that Putin has over world leaders is that he does not experience remorse when he is publicly lying: remember, for example, his confident statements that there were no Russian troops in Ukraine.

- You wrote that a short, nondescript, middle -aged former KGB officer looks strange in the role of a universal idol. It was not possible to become popular by any person from his environment, including Dmitry Medvedev, and there was also no similar figure among his opponents. What is the secret of Putin's charm?

Putin defeats Obama. Picture sent to the contest "I am Patriot of Russia", 2016

- This is a wonderful question, and in search of an answer we should recall death and arrests during Putin’s stay in power. Medvedev is so obviously passive and submissive that he cannot be taken into account - or rather, these qualities are ideally suited for Putin to choose him as a president in 2008. But there was a charismatic, intelligent, possessing power (and younger!) A person who could compete with Putin - Mikhail Khodorkovsky! But, as we know, Putin, with the help of his accomplices from the FSB and the corrupt legal system, easily dealt with him. The fate of Boris Nemtsov was even more terrible. It is not an accident that during Putin’s stay in power 40 journalists were killed, including such known as Baburov, Khlebnikov, Politkovskaya and Schekochikhin, who wrote about the crimes of the Kremlin. Considering that Putin enjoys the support of the army and the FSB, who dares to challenge Putin without risking life? It is necessary to mention support from the media, because the authorities controls most of the television channels, and the press does not play a great role now.

But I would like to note that there are few charismatic applicants for leadership. Does it not seem remarkable to you that the most influential and durable European leader (in addition to Putin) is the indomitable angel Merkel? What did Teresa May become the Prime Minister of Great Britain, and Hillary Clinton became one of the two candidates for the president of the United States? Can you imagine a woman as president of Russia? Irina Khakamad’s attempt to participate in the 2014 elections ended in failure, she received less than 4% of the vote, without enlisting the support of even her party. One conclusion can be drawn: Russians want them to be controlled by an "iron hand".

Caricature of Sergey Elkin

- You compared the cult of Putin's personality with the cult of the personality of Stalin. In recent years, this parallel has become more obvious?

- In the political sense, yes, although I do not want to draw a unambiguous parallel, because they do not refer to Siberia for freedom, and the wives of apparatchiks are not shot. Putin is a softened version, but goals and methods are similar.

-You wrote that Putin is a person without properties, "his outstanding qualities consist of stylistically soothing balance and" voids ". Is this remark true just today, after Crimea and the war in Ukraine?

Elena ZHOSHLO

- As follows from my previous answers, no. Putin demonstrated his "genuine" (and repulsive) essence at the third period of reign, when he felt confident enough to do what he would like, and realized that the Russians would support him anyway. And this is very regrettable. Ethics and civilized behavior do not care about him, and, according to the statistics of the Levada Center, they are also of little interest to most Russians. In particular, for this reason, some time ago, I decided not to come to Russia anymore, although before for several decades I came once or twice a year. I cannot be in the country so indifferent to human values.

- You pay special attention to the reflection of Putin in the visual arts - from the flattering portraits of the work of Nikas Safronov to mocking cartoons. Are there interesting additions to this series of images lately?

- First of all, Sergey Yolkin, this stream of skeptical, and sometimes very funny images, come to mind. They appear on the Internet and were collected in the book by Yolkina "Two -headed Russia: History in Pictures" (2014). But I stopped following everything related to Putin. Surely there are other images with which I simply are not familiar. Putin played a significant role in my research, but the matter has been done, and now I write about art, painting, cinema - these are in many respects more exciting topics!