Cultural figures reacted to the statement directed by Bogomolov

On February 10, Novaya Gazeta published a manifesto by theater director Konstantin Bogomolov called “The Hijacking of Europe 2.0”. He reflects on the moral crisis in the West, where people no longer have the right to express their true thoughts and emotions. The director also urged Russians not to focus on European values. The statement sparked intense controversy on social media. We tell you what is the essence of Bogomolov’s work, as well as how the Russian cultural community reacted to it.

The New Moral Reich

Photo: Moscow 24 / Nikita Simonov

In his manifesto, Bogomolov reflects on the new values ​​of the twenty-first century, not only in Europe, but in the whole West. At the heart of everything there is a “complex person” who can love and hate at the same time, and be “high and low, believer and skeptic” at the same time. Therefore, according to Bogomolov, Western culture is trying to exterminate such a person and bring him to certain moral standards.

Thus, Bogomolov calls the cultural processes occurring in the West the formation of the “Moral Reich”, in which universal tolerance no longer allows a person to speak frankly about his feelings.

“You can no longer say: ‘I don’t like … ‘, ‘I don’t like … ‘, ‘I’m afraid … ‘You have to connect your emotions with public opinion and public values,'” notes the director. Otherwise, according to Bogomolov, a person will become “a victim of a powerful repressive machine – the same public opinion” that can haunt and complicate the life of the opposition.

Bogomolov compares such a West with the “abandoned cherry orchard” and calls it “the Europe we lost”, because this culture, in his opinion, lost the most important thing – the value of human individuality. In this sense, Russia is still ahead of the West.

Therefore, the director proposes to stop focusing on modern Western values, and to build their “own world”, on the basis of which it will be possible to rebuild the good old Europe, “which they have lost”.

Invitation to discuss

Photo: Moscow 24 / Nikita Simonov

As described in Novaya Gazeta, the publication of the statement is a kind of invitation to discussion.

On his personal page on Instagram, Bogomolov also indicated that he is ready to polarize opinions about his work. “I know what is said there will cause hate and love alike,” the director wrote. “That’s what the script is about. About the right to love and hate.”

Reaction to the statement was already mixed. Under his position, Bogomolov received many positive feedback from his followers. Some commentators wrote: “Finally, someone at least on a serious and high level level of the show spoke about it.” Others note: “There are still sane, brave people in this ‘new’ hypocrisy.”

At the same time, there were those who strongly reacted to the director’s statements. “The years have passed, but the deteriorating record of the West will not beat in any way,” the subscribers share their opinion in the comments. Some have accused Bogomolov of being too superficial in analyzing Western culture and all its processes.

“Bogomolov’s one-sided model”

Photo: Moscow 24 / Nikita Simonov

Director and playwright Ivan Verebayev responded decisively to the statement. First of all, he expressed the opinion that Bogomolov does not understand very well the depth of those cultural processes occurring in the West.

“Konstantin Bogomolov, who does not live in Europe and the United States, as it turned out, does not have a very good idea of ​​​​the processes that are actually taking place there. And this is not surprising … visiting the Western world as a tourist, it is clearly difficult to see the situation in society and culture as it is ‘” Verebayev notes.

In turn, film critic Anton Dolen said on his Facebook page that Bogomolov’s script annoyed him. In particular, he scolded Bogomolov for borrowing it. According to the film critic, other public figures mentioned similar ideas and assumptions earlier.

At the same time, Dolin was outraged by the harsh and sometimes inappropriate criticism of the director’s opponents, which rained down on him not only from social networks, but from the lips of the media. “Is it possible not to make personal decisions? Is it possible not to touch the family? In the 21st century, huh?” Film critic writes.

“Moreover, the program of this manifesto of the“ New Right ”is not at all new. In the United States it is shared by Trumpists (half the country), in Russia, one way or another, by the majority, in Europe, in a very large proportion, ”

Bogomolov has a right to his opinion.

Photo: Moskva Agency / Sergei Fedeshkin

Bogomolov also found like-minded people among cultural figures. The Golden Mask award-winning writer and playwright Dmitry Danilov endorsed Bogomolov’s statement.

“Because, as the former President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev correctly noted, freedom is better than lack of freedom. We add that complexity, alone, is better than simplicity,” Wrote Danilov on Twitter.

The Russian journalist, head of Rossotrudnichestvo Evgeny Primakov, also spoke positively. He described the publication of the statement as an amazing and unexpected event.

Writer Alexander Tsypkin on Instagram invited his fans to the discussion. As for his own opinion, he expressed it as follows: “There are a lot of controversial theses, but, unfortunately, you agree with a lot. The dictatorship of political correctness already exists. It swings, and soon everything settles down. “

The director’s statement was commented on by the media and press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov. Peskov replied to reporters: “A person who admires many for his work and has many fans, has the right to see his point of view,” adding that this issue is not on the Kremlin’s agenda.

Bogomolov’s wife Ksenia Sobchak on her Instagram page called the director “the bravest, most courageous and most psychic in the world.” However, the TV presenter did not officially express her opinion on the published statement.