Vologda Official Uses English Rap to Highlight Openness to Global Culture
Georgy Filimonov, the deputy governor of the Vologda Region, used his address during Youth Day to demonstrate a readiness to embrace new ideas. He spoke in a lively English rap style, a choice that drew attention to his willingness to explore diverse cultural expressions. The event was described as improvised by Filimonov, underscoring his preference for spontaneity when engaging with the audience. He explained this approach to socialbites.ca, emphasizing that the moment was not planned but chosen to convey a broader message about openness and collaboration across cultures.
Filimonov articulated a clear philosophy: a genuine patriot of Russia is someone who does not isolate themselves within a single cultural frame but rather stays connected to the wider global cultural context, including subcultures from different parts of the world. He and his team are actively working to break stereotypes and invite participation from a wide range of sports and artistic disciplines. The plan is to broaden the Vologda street sports festival, known as Breath of the Streets, so it can continue to support young people in these areas. The core idea he wanted to convey with his narration was simple yet powerful: no cultural movement should be closed off to new influences. The door must stay open to fresh ideas, new movements, and creative collaborations across borders and traditions.
During the festival, Filimonov demonstrated several elements of capoeira, a martial art that blends dance, music, and fighting techniques. This choice reflected his long-term interest in capoeira, a discipline he has studied and practiced over an extended period. His participation highlighted the festival’s aim to showcase interdisciplinary forms of expression and to encourage youth to explore activities that blend physical fitness with cultural storytelling. Capoeira’s dynamic movements provided spectators with a vivid example of how culture and sport can intersect in entertaining and educational ways.
Beyond his performances, Filimonov spoke about his personal discipline and daily routine. He noted that he continues to train regularly, starting mornings with a run and followed by push-ups, push-ups, and other conditioning exercises. He attributed the habit of maintaining an active lifestyle to his father, who instilled the value of consistent training from a young age. This routine, he explained, helps him maintain endurance, tone, and presence, enabling him to sustain a high level of performance in public appearances and leadership duties. The emphasis on routine and physical fitness resonated with audiences who value consistency and perseverance as part of public service and personal development.
The event occurred in the lead-up to a broader exchange of cultural expressions in the region. On June 29, Filimonov greeted residents and once again drew upon music from the Run-DMC group as part of the programming. Following these remarks, he and other participants took the stage to demonstrate additional capoeira elements. The choice to feature rap and capoeira in succession reflected a deliberate strategy to present a tapestry of urban and global art forms, illustrating how diverse influences can coexist in a regional cultural scene. The overall message remained consistent: openness to new styles fosters dialogue, creativity, and a sense of shared youth identity that transcends traditional boundaries. The festival’s organizers later documented similar performances by mayors from other cities in Bashkiria, illustrating a wider regional interest in blending contemporary music with traditional and street-level athletic expressions.