"The Russian culture, and the Russian soul, is inclusive. [...] I would say it is more of a theme of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it is a peculiarity of the Russian soul, of Russian culture. One of these key definitions that Russian literature, namely Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky gave to the Russian soul of Russian culture, is his famous speech about our poet Alexander Pushkin. When he said, 'What distinguishes Russian culture, the Russian soul, it is universal responsiveness'", explains Kurennoy.
"The Russian soul is such a literary poetic image because the Russian [people] in the city and Russians in the hinterland are different people. Traditional people are oriented to the inevitability and eternity of their life, they master innovations now, something new comes to them today," states Yakovenko.
"There are traditional Russian values, and the core beliefs are shared on every level of society, including love of children, respect for the elderly, a sense of humor, the importance of friendship, generosity, pride, patriotism, a love of the arts, etc... These are some of the major and common characters of the Russians that could be considered as national values and heritage," says the diplomat.
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