Let me lead you through the streets of Moscow

by Brit Muscovite

We find it very important to know what do other people think about us. Do you agree? With this purpose I’d like to start today a new theme in this blog - attitude of russian people to different countries and nations. Before you go to Moscow, let you inform about.

Article by Petrova A. www.fom.ru

"Bulgaria Is a Beautiful Country"

Regarded in Soviet times as an "informal member of the Soviet Union", Bulgaria is a country most Russians know little about these days. Yet 67% are sure it is friendly towards Russia, with the opposite opinion held by as few as 10%.
Only 46% of respondents were able to recall the name of the Bulgarian capital, and 43% honestly admitted they didn't know it. The capital cities of other former socialist countries, especially Budapest, were given by 11% of those surveyed.
When asked : "What do you think of first when you hear the word `BULGARIA'?", 45% of those surveyed failed to answer.
Thirteen percent associated Bulgaria with vacations and resorts ("golden sands", «a country of resorts", "seaside vacations"). 12% thought of goods traditionally imported into Russia from Bulgaria ("Bulgarian corn"; "Bulgarian paprika"; "compote"; "grapes, tomatoes"; "»brandy"; "dry wine"; "roses and rose oil").
Nine percent had geographic associations, sometimes vague or even odd ("East Europe"; "the Black Sea shore"; "the Balkan peninsula"; "an island").
People inhabiting Bulgaria were mentioned by 3% of those surveyed: "the Gypsies", "jolly people", "Bulgarians are nice guys".
The friendship between Russia and Bulgaria was also mentioned (6%), along with Slavic brotherhood (4%), and the common socialist past (2%).
Bulgarians who are prominent in very different spheres came to the minds of 2% of those surveyed: "Georgy Dimitrov", "Тоdor Zhivkov", "Biser Kirov"; "Bedros Krikorov".
Only 1% had negative associations, mostly unspecific ones ("the betrayers of the Slavic people").
The Public Opinion Foundation. Russia-wide poll of urban and rural populations. February 15, 2003. 1500 respondents.

WHAT IS THE CAPITAL OF BULGARIA?

IS BULGARIA FRIENDLY OR UNFRIENDLY TO RUSSIA?

OPEN-ENDED QUESTION: WHAT COMES INTO YOUR MIND FIRST WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD "BULGARIA"?

Article by Petrova A. www.fom.ru

Stumbe it!