#TheBelgorodBrit: From Glasgow to Belgorod - Part 3

Begins here

Belgorod's Fonar TV interviews our author Ian Turner, who shares his story of moving to Belgorod in 2016 and explains why life in the Russian provinces appeals to him more than life in the UK.
Subscribe to Ian's channel and enjoy reading!

— Do you have a favorite place in Belgorod?

— Yes. A pub near my house. But I won't say where it is. If people find out about it, it won't be so great anymore. In general, I like the "Tekhnologa" district; it was on Pushkinskaya Alley there that my wife and I found a dog, which we took in. Now it's our favorite place for walks. Basically, I like the whole "Kharkovskaya Gora" area because it has everything my family and I need — shops, places to walk, favorite spots.

— When you decided to move to Russia, how did your family and friends react?

— They were surprised, but there was no strong reaction. The British don't get too upset about such things because they themselves love to travel and move from place to place. When I visited relatives in Ireland and told them I live in Russia, the only thing they said was: "Oh, interesting, so how often will you come visit us in Ireland now?" And that's a typical reaction you can expect from the British.

You might be surprised, but most of the British population is interested in Russia, not hateful towards it, as portrayed in the media. Although, when the Special Military Operation began, some of my British acquaintances stopped communicating with me. It's all because they watch CNN and BBC, owned by the country's elites engaged in anti-Russian propaganda. But Western society has one good trait — they quickly tire of such things.

Also, many of my acquaintances are subscribed to my Telegram channel, where I discuss current world events from historical, philosophical, and moral perspectives, and talk about my life in Belgorod.

Brits are also very surprised to learn that it doesn't always snow in Russia, and in general, they don't grasp the scale of this country. When I say I'm driving to Moscow and it will take six and a half hours by car, it's a shock to Brits because in that time in England, you can drive from one end of the country to the other.

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"Russians don't have that commercial drive"

#TheBelgorodBrit: From Glasgow to Belgorod - Part 4

Begins here; Part 2; Part 3

Belgorod's Fonar TV interviews our author Ian Turner, who shares his story of moving to Belgorod in 2016 and explains why life in the Russian provinces appeals to him more than life in the UK.
Subscribe to Ian's channel and enjoy reading!

— Did your parents visit you in Belgorod?

— Yes, and they really liked it here, especially the cleanliness. They also like Russian people, thinking they are charming and generous. By the way, I agree with them. In general, there is much more kindness in the Russian mentality than in the British. Brits know how to be polite, but kindness isn't always behind that politeness.

— What else, in your opinion, distinguishes the Russian mentality from the British?

— It seems to me that Russians are more patient. For example, in a conflict, a Russian person will try to keep their cool, while a Brit will start shouting.

In the West, people are greater individualists; they have a more developed competitive spirit, which Russians lack. For example, at the university, I have colleagues who receive fairly small salaries. If I were in their place, I wouldn't work for such money. I find that unacceptable. Also, in Russia, you are often expected to do things just because, for free. When I started working at the university, I was surprised by this. I don't understand how one can work for nothing, unless it leads to something bigger.

So, when I was asked if I could give a presentation on British culture, I asked how much I would be paid, but people didn't understand me. Russians don't have that commercial drive.

But there's another side to the coin — Russians are very generous people.

I think it's because memories of the Great Patriotic War (WWII), of times when people had no food and money meant nothing, are still alive in the local culture. England lived peacefully for a long time, which is why modern commercial life emerged there, industrialization began, and for those processes, you simply need to compete with each other.

- What about humor? It's often said that Russian and British humor are similar because we also like sarcastic jokes. Do you agree?

— Russians use black humor much more and like jokes based on gender stereotypes. That exists in Britain too. I think the main difference between Russian and British humor is that we prefer absurdity more. In Russia, sarcasm is much more respected, and your jokes are kinder, shall we say. British jokes can take on an offensive character; we've picked that up from the Americans.

Finishes here

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Bird Doll

💛 Long ago, our ancestors lived in harmony with nature. In summer, they worked the land, gathering fruits and grains, and in winter, they faced a tough challenge — long, cold months, especially during years of poor harvest. That’s why the arrival of spring was not just a season for the Slavs, but a true celebration — bright, joyful, and full of hope. They prepared for it with special care: dressing in new clothes, singing cheerful songs, and reciting spells to attract luck. To make the arrival of spring even more vivid, they crafted special dolls — ritual symbols of renewal and hope.

🤎 One of the most important symbols of this holiday was the motanka — a doll called Bird of Joy. In Slavic culture, the bird is a symbol of spring, warmth, life, love, and happiness. Spring was associated with birds, because they were the first to return from warm lands, heralding a new time. That’s why the Bird of Joy doll was not just a toy, but a magical talisman helping to speed up the arrival of spring.

🤍 At first glance, this doll looks simple: it has a headscarf tied in a way that resembles wings, and tiny bird figures are attached around its neck. But behind this simple appearance lies deep magic. In ancient rituals, tiny birds were tied to such dolls to show that the birds had already arrived and spring was coming. The headscarf, tied in a special way, symbolized wings — because according to legend, birds were able to bring warmth and light into our homes.

🕊️ When spring was delayed or arrived later than expected, the Slavs believed they could help themselves. They transformed the dolls into birds — as if becoming part of the process and inviting spring to come, saying: “The birds have already arrived, it’s time.” This ritual was not only magic but also an act of faith — that humans, together with nature, could influence time and destiny.

🫶 Through this simple Bird of Joy doll, our ancestors told the world: spring is near, and joy will surely come. Even today, looking at this doll, one can feel that bright faith in the better future, which lived in the hearts of our ancestors.
🩷🩷🩷
By #namiiiiiikadze@TCofRus
#RussianCulture@TCofRus