Russians named family the main value the Motherland begins with
Family is the main value Russians believe the Motherland begins with. This was announced at a press conference dedicated to the all-Russian project "What Does the Motherland Begin With", which includes a survey by the National Centre RUSSIA. The project is aimed at strengthening people’s sense of unity with their country, preserving cultural diversity and shared values through dialogue between people of different generations and regions, regardless of their nationality. The National Centre RUSSIA is implementing the project with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation.
"2026 has been declared the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia by President Vladimir Putin. More than 190 ethnic groups live in our country. We may speak different languages and follow different customs, but we all share one Motherland. The project 'What Does the Motherland Begin With?' will be held in several stages, and the first has already been launched. A survey has opened on the National Centre RUSSIA website, where anyone can share what the Motherland means to them. There are no restrictions on the format of the answer: everyone can freely express their thoughts in writing or by recording a video message. More than 700 people from 71 Russian regions and foreign countries have already taken part in the survey. Most respondents associate the Motherland with family: this theme appears in 64.2% of all answers. Traditional values came second, mentioned by 58% of respondents," said Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova.
Other common themes included comfortable housing with 204 answers, or 26.6%; young people and children with 180 answers, or 23.5%; well-being with 158 answers, or 20.6%; and defending the Fatherland with 48 answers, or 6.3%. People aged from 6 to 78 took part in the survey. Women accounted for 76% of respondents, while men accounted for 24%.
Statespeople, opinion leaders and Russian artists have already taken part in the survey.
"The Motherland undoubtedly begins with family. It is where spiritual and moral values, respect for family traditions and values, patriotism and love for the Fatherland first take shape. This means that it is in the family that the foundations of the future of our Russia are laid," noted Governor of the Tula Region Dmitry Milyaev.
People’s Artist of the RSFSR Nadezhda Babkina shared her reflections on where love for the Fatherland begins: "For me, the Motherland is where we were friends with children of completely different nationalities. We played games, went to nursery schools and then to schools together. We respected our parents and valued their experience, love and kindness. And when you grow up, this little homeland becomes a great one, and with it comes a greater sense of responsibility."
The fact that family remains the main value for Russians was also confirmed by Director General of the VCIOM Analytical Centre Valery Fedorov. He presented the study "The Image of the Motherland in the Eyes of Russians" and explained how the concept of the Motherland changes over time, and how answers to this simple yet profound question are becoming broader. According to him, the associations voiced by 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over form a multifaceted yet fairly coherent image of Russia. It is based on three semantic blocks: a sense of belonging, pride and greatness.
"The Motherland is perceived as a space to which a person is connected through their life, family and family history. For many, it is one of life’s core values, associated with love, respect, a sense of protection and inner peace, as well as a sense of personal responsibility for its fate. Across all generations, the image of Russia is built on three components: the Motherland, national pride and greatness, but their balance changes with age. Younger generations more often describe Russia through specific and tangible features, such as home, space, nature and state symbols, while for older generations the value dimension, including pride and patriotism, becomes increasingly important. A similar trend can also be seen in perceptions of the Motherland," added Valery Fedorov.
As part of the next stage of the project "What Does the Motherland Begin With", a series of themed meetings titled "The Motherland Is People" will be held from July to September. Representatives of federal government bodies, opinion leaders and participants from the regions will discuss the role of the individual in the country’s achievements. The first participant will be Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Tatyana Golikova.
From September to October, a series of motivational meetings with outstanding representatives of various professions titled "The Motherland Is Service" will be held, followed from November to December by events with heads of Russian regions under the motto "The Motherland Is Home". They will focus on regional development, the preservation of traditions and the unity of the peoples of our country.
The National Centre RUSSIA invites everyone to take part in the all-Russian survey "What Does the Motherland Begin With". Comments or videos with personal reflections can be submitted on russia.ru.
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