Do not cant!

Russian airports will not be called the names of "alien" philosophers and rock musicians. Why asked?

For almost two months, residents of Russia chose the names of people for airports in their cities suitable for perpetuating in the name of the air harbor. True, in fact, it turns out that they chose only formally. According to the decree that Vladimir Putin signed on the eve of the last day of voting, at first the Public Chamber will transmit information about the folk choice to the government, and then the president will have to be approved.

Attempts to cross the format of the show and plebiscite have met in our practice before. I must say, not too successful.

In 2008, the Name Russia project was held: viewers by voting chose significant people in the history of the country. Their names were not invited to call anything, the idea was simply in a symbolic vote. The host of the project, journalist Alexander Lyubimov, in a conversation with the “New” recalls that no one set the goal of “choosing a good or bad”, as it is now: “It is obvious that such a story will be considered by people as an invasion of their lives, in their idea of ​​good and bad. In our three, Alexander Nevsky, Peter the Great and Joseph Stalin, were generally leaded. The story is full of bitterness and victories. And with a rather objective choice that could like in other circumstances, they will really vote against him. During the vote, a denial of the imposed character may happen. ”

Now the authorities, obviously, are going to choose only good: voting for new names for airports have passed in 47 cities.

The project of the Ministry of Culture “Great Names of Russia” during the vote was actively advertised on federal television channels, but information did not reach the viewers about where the choice of the population categorically did not suit representatives of the authorities.

Loud was the story in Omsk. The leader of the Civil Defense group Yegor Letov was the first at the voting stage in social networks, but the organizers refused to include his name in a short list for voting. Vladimir Medinsky said that Letov’s leadership is the result of the activity of the “marginal audience representing fans of the Civil Defense group, the minister also added that it was just“ stupid hype ”on their part.

The reaction of the fans followed immediately: activists posted banners with Letov on the anniversary bridge Omsk, as well as on the bridge on the way to the Moscow Airport Sheremetyevo.

They even launched a petition demanding to add the name of the idol to the short list-it was signed by more than 27 thousand people. Aviasales airline booking service on its website renamed the Omsk-Central Airport in honor of Letov. And finally, on the last day when the vote closed, the owner of the private airport Popovka, 15 kilometers from Omsk, Alexander Anisimov renamed him by the name of the musician. “No matter how anyone treats Yegor Letov, this is a musical legend, and it is impossible to delete from our annals,” Anisimov said.

The second history of civil resistance to the “great names” occurred in Kaliningrad, where Immanuel Kant was the leader in almost the entire time of the final stage of voting - and this is not surprising, given how the German philosopher born here is appreciated in the city - even the Baltic Federal University is named after him.

Vice Admiral Baltflot spoke to the sailors with a story about the "traitor of the Motherland" Kant, who "wrote some incomprehensible books" ...

Kant noticeably overtook Empress Elizabeth Petrovna and Marshal Alexander Vasilevsky in the vote until the State Duma deputy from Tatarstan Unicorn Marat Bariev spoke. Bariyev said that veterans from the Ivanovo region came to him and demanded that the airport be called the name of the German, because it is "nonpatriotic, and this is a scandal." The deputy advised the Kaliningrad organizations "to work with people in the field."

From this moment, the separation from Kant began to decrease significantly. And a few days later, unknown people doused the monument to the philosopher with a pink paint, which is installed opposite the Baltic University. Kant. Around the leaflets were scattered with the text “You learn in the walls bearing the name of the enemy”, “Tear off the signs, and beg the alien name from your documents.” At the same time, someone doused the grave of the philosopher at the Cathedral Cathedral with a blue paint.

A group of students from the Faculty of Philosophy in response to the actions of the vandals decided to organize a picket in defense of the named after Kant. Mikhail Shipilov, who submitted an application to the administration, the next day received an invitation to the Center for Combating Extremism. There he was asked why he decided to organize a picket and how "he thought of contacting the administration." The picket was not agreed.

A repeated application is now submitted by another student of the Faculty of Philosophy Matvey Soshnikov. “We all understand that Kant does not need anyone’s protection, but such actions should not go unnoticed and remain unanswered,” said Soshnikov “New”. “I talked with students of the Institute of Living Systems, the Faculty of Engineering, the Physics and Technology and the Infocom, they are also ready to support.”

He added that the purpose of the picket now, even after the victory of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in voting, is “to prevent the next possible step in discrediting the name of the philosopher.” Soshnikov says that teachers support students: “One of the teachers believes that the action was aimed at diverting the attention of society from more serious problems. Another, like us, thinks that such actions should not remain unanswered. ” Rector Andrei Klemeshev said that the discussion takes completely “wild forms”, but refuses to comment on the picket of students.

- Kant has nothing to do with it. In general, the whole story with airports and disagreement with the chosen candidates is a very convenient way to switch attention, conflict potential and discontent of people from some problems that are directly important for the authorities to others, ”said political scientist Nikolai Petrov.

- Let the supporters of Letov argue with the opponents. The main thing is that people do not go out to demand raising pensions.