MOSCOW, November 29, 2018. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to the Russian cultural life.
Russian views of the situation in culture have not changed much over a year: 34% still view it positively. At the same time, the share of negative assessments has considerably increased (from 13% in 2017 to 22% in 2018). Today 36% are confident that the situation has not changed (vs 42% in 2017). However, one-quarter of Russians (25%) regard the current situation in culture as good; they are opposed by 15%. Half of respondents (53%) tend to have moderate views.
The level of cultural engagement of Russians has increased from 71% to 88% (only 12% of respondents say that they have not visited any cultural event in 2018). The most popular cultural activities are to visit a local event (an increase from 37% in 2017 to 48% in 2018) and to go to the cinema (41%). This is followed by visits to theatres (27%) and museums (an increase from 18% in 2017 to 24% in 2018). Zoos and libraries are also in the top five favorite places to go to (18% each).
An overwhelming majority of Russians (82%) have friends who are interested in the cultural events and actively attend them (they visit theatres, festivals, exhibitions, etc.). This share is 87% among young Russians aged 18-24 and 78% among those aged 55 and over.
The level of public awareness of the Digital Concert Hall program has increased over the recent year; however it is still very low: only 6% are well aware and 29% heard something about the program. Simultaneously, the number of those who would like to watch live broadcasts via the Digital Concert Hall has increased by 8 p.p. (69%).
VCIOM survey was conducted on November 14, 2018, for the Russian Ministry of Culture. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
In your opinion, how has the situation in the Russian culture changed over a year? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
It has improved/definitely improved | 34 | 37 | 36 | 34 |
It has worsened/definitely worsened | 14 | 9 | 13 | 22 |
No changes | 39 | 44 | 42 | 36 |
Don’t know | 13 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
How would you assess the current situation in culture in Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Very good, good | 19 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 25 |
Bad, very bad | 19 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 15 |
Average | 56 | 49 | 52 | 54 | 53 |
Don’t know | 6 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
Do you remember which of the following you have visited at least once over the recent year? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents) | ||||
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
Local holiday (Town Day, etc.) | 39 | 38 | 37 | 48 |
Cinema | 40 | 45 | 48 | 41 |
Theatre | 20 | 21 | 27 | 27 |
Concert | 22 | 24 | 23 | - |
Museum | 14 | 13 | 18 | 24 |
Zoo | - | - | - | 18 |
Library | - | - | - | 18 |
Concert hall, modern music | - | - | - | 17 |
Exhibition | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
Circus | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 |
Concert hall, classical music | - | - | - | 11 |
Festival, show | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
Oceanarium | - | - | - | 9 |
Philharmonic | - | - | - | 8 |
Websites of theatres, museums; virtual performances, exhibitions | 7 | 6 | 6 | - |
Other | - | - | - | 6 |
None of the above-mentioned | 28 | 23 | 19 | 12 |
Don’t know | 1 | 1 | - | - |
Imagine you won two tickets in a lottery and can go to any cultural institution in your country? Where would you go to? (closed-ended question, not more than 2 answers, % of total respondents) | |||||
Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-39 | Aged 40-54 | Aged 55 and over | |
Theatre | 38 | 24 | 37 | 43 | 39 |
Oceanarium | 21 | 21 | 28 | 23 | 13 |
Concert hall, modern music | 18 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 19 |
Museum | 17 | 10 | 17 | 19 | 17 |
Circus | 15 | 25 | 15 | 13 | 14 |
Concert hall, classical music | 13 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 16 |
Cinema | 12 | 23 | 13 | 10 | 9 |
Philharmonic | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 |
Exhibition | 9 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
Zoo | 8 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 7 |
Festival, show | 7 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 4 |
None of the above-mentioned | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Other | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Tell us do your friends interested in the cultural events go frequently to different theatre performances, festivals, exhibitions and other similar events? How many of them? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||
Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-39 | Aged 40-54 | Aged 55 and over | |
Yes, quite many of them | 30 | 34 | 27 | 34 | 29 |
Yes, one or two of them | 52 | 53 | 58 | 49 | 49 |
No, I do not have such friends | 16 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 19 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
Do you know that theatre, music and other performances broadcast live from the leading Russian theatres, cinemas and concert halls are available in many Russian towns/under the Digital Concert Hall program? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) |
| ||
2017 | 2018 | ||
I am well aware | 4 | 6 | |
I heard something | 23 | 29 | |
This is the first time I have heard of it | 71 | 65 | |
Don’t know | 2 | 0 | |
If your town/city/settlement organizes similar video translation of performances from the leading Russian theatres or concert halls, will you likely…? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||
2017 | 2018 | |
To visit such video broadcasts | 61 | 69 |
To refuse | 25 | 26 |
Don’t know | 14 | 5 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!