In Russia, there is a growing debate over the celebration of Halloween, with some politicians calling for a ban on the holiday in schools and universities. Natalia Kosikhina, a senator from the ruling United Russia party, expressed her concerns about Halloween being a “Western” cultural import and called for measures to ensure that the holiday is forgotten by the public. She argued that the celebration of Halloween promotes the worship of “dark forces” and should be restricted in educational institutions to prevent its influence on young people.
State Duma lawmaker Andrei Svintsov, a member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, suggested that Halloween should be “repackaged” and turned into a more traditional holiday to instill positive emotions in citizens. He criticized the government for banning too many things and believed that it was important to find a way to celebrate Halloween in a manner that aligns with Russian values. The debate over Halloween reflects a broader trend of rejecting Western cultural influences in Russia and emphasizing the importance of preserving national traditions and values.
Halloween is not widely celebrated in Russia, but it has been the subject of scrutiny and criticism from politicians and government officials who view it as a symbol of Western culture. Last year, authorities in the Far East republic of Sakha (Yakutia) banned Halloween celebrations in schools and replaced them with activities that promote spiritual and moral values, patriotism, and historical heritage. The decision to ban Halloween reflects a broader effort to promote traditional Russian values and resist foreign influences in the country.
The debate over Halloween in Russia highlights the tension between embracing global cultural trends and preserving traditional values. While some politicians argue for a ban on Halloween to prevent the influence of “dark forces” on young people, others suggest finding a way to celebrate the holiday in a manner that aligns with Russian traditions. The controversy over Halloween also reflects the broader political landscape in Russia, where the government is cracking down on perceived foreign influences and promoting a sense of national identity based on traditional values.
As Russia faces challenges related to maintaining its cultural identity in a globalized world, the debate over Halloween serves as a microcosm of the larger struggle between embracing Western cultural influences and preserving traditional values. The push to ban Halloween in schools and universities reflects concerns about the impact of foreign holidays on Russian youth, while calls to repackage the holiday as a more traditional celebration underscore the desire to maintain a sense of national identity. Ultimately, the debate over Halloween in Russia reflects the complex relationship between globalization, cultural exchange, and national identity in an increasingly interconnected world.
