Dmitry Kharatyan: love for the Motherland is a fundamental feeling for every Russian

People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kharatyan took part in the All-Russian campaign "What Does the Motherland Begin With?". Answering this deeply personal question at the National Centre RUSSIA, the stage and screen actor recalled the song of the same name, written in the late 1960s by composer Veniamin Basner, with lyrics by Mikhail Matusovsky.

"Just like in the famous song: the Motherland begins with a picture in my primer and friends in the courtyard. It is remarkable that the power of art, and this song in particular, lies in how accurately it reflects the fact that everyone has certain very important fundamental values that genuinely take root in us from early childhood. And this matters enormously. The first letter, the first teacher, the first friends. And, of course, everything begins with love: for mum and dad, grandmothers and grandfathers. Love for your courtyard and your school. All of this later grows into love for your Motherland — the most fundamental feeling for every Russian," Dmitry Kharatyan is convinced.

The All-Russian project "What Does the Motherland Begin With?", aimed at strengthening people’s sense of unity with their country, is run by the National Centre RUSSIA with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation. The first stage of the project was a survey that has already attracted more than 700 participants from 71 Russian regions and other countries. Everyone can share what first inspired their love for the Motherland by posting their thoughts as a comment or video on the russia.ru website.