Most Russian citizens do not know the origin of National Unity Day. The Feedback survey, the results of which were studied by socialbites.ca, correctly stated that only 28% of respondents correctly stated that the holiday was associated with the unification of the people in 1612 to expel the Polish invaders from the Moscow Kremlin.
Another 42% believe that National Unity Day is not associated with any historical event, but is instead aimed at increasing the level of unity and harmony of the population. The proportion of those who associate the holiday with the events of the Great Patriotic War is also large (17%).
The question regarding the symbolism of National Unity Day caused difficulty among the participants. Only 20% of respondents associate the holiday with the monument to Minin and Pozharsky (the main participants in the events of 1612). It can be said that the main association is the unification of peoples. This option was chosen by 38% of participants.
“Society has a certain demand for the reformation of the values associated with public holidays. In such difficult times, everyone adds their own meaning to the ideology of national unity. Such decisions have not yet been taken at the highest state level, society retreats into folklore and independently glorifies the events of our time. Therefore, it is important to create the perception of a holiday that is in demand among every citizen of the country. The same goes for new symbols of the holiday, which must be relevant and understandable in terms of perception,” commented Dmitry Fisun, general director of the Feedback center.
At the same time, citizens consider National Unity Day as one of the most important public holidays. 78% of respondents said that the holiday is important for the country and is also among the top 3 important state dates according to respondents, after Russia Day and Flag Day.
According to feedback analysts, low awareness of the events and the lack of unique features of the holiday are among the main reasons for the low popularity of National Unity Day among Russians.
50% of respondents stated that awareness of the history and traditions of the holiday should be increased. This shows that citizens are not aware of the details of the holiday and therefore do not have a clear understanding of why and what they will celebrate.
It is noteworthy that raising awareness of holiday events received fewer responses (11%). It is much more important for the society to understand the essence of the holiday than to participate in the events.
10% of those surveyed believe that there is nothing to improve and are satisfied with the current level of celebration of National Unity Day. 9% of respondents would like to take another official day off. The same number of participants (9%) had difficulty answering. Only 8% of citizens do not have enough festive activities on this day. Creating and augmenting unique holiday symbols emerged as the least significant change for participants; this option was chosen by 3% of respondents.
The majority (54%) believe that socio-political events are worth celebrating, no matter what. But there is a clear need for rebranding and a more unified system of symbols, closer to Russians, for a clear understanding of the meaning and origins of National Unity Day among citizens.
Previously in the Kremlin said About Putin’s National Unity Day program.