Deputy Prime Minister criticises "emotional" writing on Mari Republic

Mikhail Vasyutin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Republic of Mari, said during a seminar in Helsinki on Thursday that it is an eternal mystery to him why the Finnish press deals with the area in such a negative manner.
      Mari lies along the Volga River in Central Russia, and is the home to the Mari people, who are a Finno-Ugric nation.
      According to Vasyutin, Mari culture is alive and doing well. The capital of the Mari Republic, Joshkar Ola, has five national theatres - more than in any other Finno-Ugric area.
      He also said that the Mari government promotes cultural life. The minister says that the state granted about EUR 40,000 to culture last year, and that this has been raised to about EUR 57,000 for 2006.
      He also reiterated that students can study in their native language, and that teachers and journalists are being trained in Mari.
     
In the field of culture, Vasyutin said that everything is in order.
      He added that local officials cannot acquire all articles that have been published in Finnish newspapers.
      "These articles nevertheless contain many personal opinions that are guided by the emotions of the journalists. There are few articles that break down issues, or engage in analysis."
      He mentioned as one example the reports on the closing down of Mari-language schools in rural villages. Western newspapers and human rights organisations have criticised the actions, warning that the closures could lead to a deterioration of Mari-language culture.
      The Deputy Prime Minister attributed the closures simply to the fact that the number of people in the areas was declining, making it more efficient to transport pupils from smaller villages to larger schools, where more options are available.
      He said that the small run-down wood-heated schools in rural villages are a fire hazard.
     
The seminar was organised by the Russian Embassy in Finland, and the Russia-friendship group in the Finnish Parliament. There was no discussion about human rights violations of the Mari opposition.
      Many journalists and activists of opposition forces in the Mari Republic have been beaten in recent years. In the most serious cases, the victims have been killed. No perpetrators have been arrested or convicted.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki Federation concerned about the rights of the Mari people (2.2.2006)
  COMMENTARY: The Economist predicts doom for Russia´s Finno-Ugrics (17.1.2006)
  Mari people face more oppression in Russia (4.10.2005)
  Finno-Ugric youth leader beaten in Russia’s Mari Republic (30.8.2005)
  Russia denies allegations of oppression of Finno-Ugric Mari people (30.5.2005)
  European Parliament raps Russia for treatment of Mari people (13.5.2005)
  Election result brings wave of political reprisals against indigenous intelligentsia of Mari Republic (8.3.2005)