23:07, 8 February 2007

Moscow: public representatives discussed growth of Russian nationalism

A conference on the topic "Language of Enmity and Xenophobia" was held today at the House of Journalists. In the cause of discussion, the audience has touched the issue of growing nationalistic spirits in Russia.

Anna Sharogradskaya from the Saint Petersburg Institute of Regional Press has defined patriotism as a defence concept, and nationalism - as an aggressive one. According to the Levada-Centre, about 70 percent of the population think that Russia is surrounded by enemies, while 66 percent assert that the slogan "Russia for Russians" is acceptable, but they do not find this slogan to be a fascist one.

Boris Dubin from the Levada-Centre has noted that 60 percent of the population support nationalism: "But I don't see nationalism, I see xenophobia." More than half of the Russian population experience enmity to immigrants.

Natalya Ivanchenko, CK correspondent