Pro-Putin weekly launched in Finland for Russian expats
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A weekly publication openly supportive of Russia’s current government has begun appearing in Finland.
The recent launch of Russkaya Mysl, or "Russian Thought" in Finland was celebrated at the Centre of Russian Science and Culture in Helsinki on Thursday. The third issue comes out today, Friday.
The cosy relationship that Russkaya Mysl has with the Kremlin was reflected in an interview given by President Vladimir Putin that appeared in the publication’s first issue to come out in Finland.
In the interview, published in late November, Putin said that it is important that Russians living abroad have the possibility to defend their rights.
Putin said that Russkaya Mysl is part of the Russian government’s special programme aimed at improving the position of Russians abroad.
Russkaya Mysl was first founded in 1880, but it was shut down for decades after the October Revolution. In 1947 it was re-established in Paris as a publication of Russian emigrants. Now editions appear in Finland, France, Britain, and Greece.
New editions are also planned for Italy, Spain, Germany, and the Baltic States.
"In a few years this magazine will become an irreplaceable communicator of information for Russian-speakers living abroad", said
Maria Kondrashova director of strategy for the Finnish edition.
Also speaking at Thursday’s event was Russia’s Ambassador to Finland, Alexandr Rumyanchev, who sees the publication as an example of Russian integration into Europe. On the other hand, it helps maintain Russian culture abroad.
"Nearly 40,000 Russians live in Finland. Each of them has the right to his or her own opinion. My opinion of the paper is that it practices free expression", the Ambassador said.
Kondrashova says that Russkaya Mysl has 50,000 readers in Europe. The print run for Finland is 5,000 copies. Each issue costs two euros, and is available at kiosks and other retail outlets. Two out of three readers are reported to be men between the ages of 30 and 65 with a good education and a high income. Many of them work in banking.
Russkaya Mysl was introduced to Finland in an edition identical to those in other countries. A separate Helsinki supplement is also planned for later.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 8.12.2006 - TODAY |
 Pro-Putin weekly launched in Finland for Russian expats
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