The hatred parade

[fridi]

Back in 2004 a new holiday was introduced in Russia. Unity Day. November 4 was chosen for that great occasion, and the idea was to celebrate the victory of the Russian resistance against the Polish occupation of Moscow in 1612. Well, turns out most Russians remain completely indifferent to this holiday. What's more, for many Russians the introduction of this new holiday might be interpreted as an attempt to remove some emphasis away from the Day of the October Revolution, November 7 (the most revered holiday in Soviet times).

So it's no surprise that the far-right extremists in Russia have now usurped Unity Day for their own purposes. Granted, the authorities have had no clear concept about this holiday since day one, and the nationalists have eagerly seized that opportunity and practically appropriated the occasion.

Enter the Russian parades...