A broad segment of Russians remembers past rally concerts as significant moments tied to participants and their families. These perceptions align with findings from the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion, commonly known as VTsIOM.
The survey centered on evaluating the impression of a rally concert held to mark the Day of Defenders of the Fatherland on February 22, 2023, at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. The results show that a large share of the population – 78% – recalled the event from the past. Among those who were aware of the rally concert, the majority reported positive feelings, with 65% expressing favorable emotions. In contrast, 12% described negative emotions and 11% reported neutral reactions.
When participants were asked to explain the impression created by the rally concert, the majority leaned toward positive interpretations. About two thirds, 67%, selected positive explanations, while 21% found the question challenging to answer and 12% viewed the concert negatively.
The VTsIOM data also highlight how Russians view the broader significance of such events for those involved in the military operation and for their families. Among those who knew about the past concert, 79% believed the event carried importance for the participants in the operation, and 76% indicated that a rally concert should be organized again. Conversely, 14% judged the concert unimportant to the participants and their families, and 16% felt that the concert should be abandoned.
The research was conducted at the request of the Expert Social Research Institute, and included 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. The results provide a snapshot of public sentiment regarding cultural events connected to national defense performances and their perceived value for the military community and the broader public.
Looking at the broader implications, observers note that such gatherings tend to shape public discourse about national service and collective memory. The response pattern suggests a general tendency to associate these events with positive national sentiment among those who recall them, while a smaller portion of the population remains uncertain or critical about their long term significance. The role of media coverage and official messaging in framing these concerts may contribute to the overall impression and attitudes expressed by respondents.
From a methodological perspective, the study illustrates how opinion polling can capture both remembered experiences and attitude trends across diverse demographic groups. The 1,600-participant sample size provides a reasonable cross-section of adults, enabling a careful look at how different segments perceive cultural events connected to national holidays and military themes. The findings, while reflective of a specific event, offer a window into how cultural moments related to national defense are received by the public and how such moments may influence opinions about ongoing operations and the families connected to them.
In summary, the survey results indicate a strong recollection of the February 2023 rally concert among Russians and a prevailing sense of positive sentiment among those recollecting the event. The majority view the concert as meaningful for participants and as a suitable form of public commemoration, while a notable minority harbors reservations about its ongoing role or its importance to the broader public. These attitudes shed light on the relationship between cultural events, national identity, and the social fabric surrounding military service and its supporters, as observed by researchers and analyzed for public understanding and policy discussions alike.