MOSCOW, 23 November 2023. As part of the Russian Creative Week in Krasnoyarsk Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey on values through the prism of musical preferences.
Music outside of politics?
The majority of respondents (43%) tend to think that everything is situation-specific; the remainder opinions are equally split: some think that performers should express their views on political events (27%), whereas others say they should not (26%).
When the special military operation started, certain Russian performers and artists left Russia as a sign of protest. And six out of ten respondents disapprove of this move (63%), including every second respondent who completely disapproves (51%), and every tenth respondent who is likely to disapprove (12%). Thirteen percent of respondents support the decision taken by the performers; they are often young Russians aged 18-25 (22-24%). Thirteen percent of respondents have no opinion (21% among those aged 18-24); 8% have ambiguous perceptions (they partially support, partially don’t).
Every second Russian considers that the influence of the western culture should be restricted (50%); four out of ten respondents are confident that restrictions are pointless (41%).
Living with songs
Patriotic music holds a special place in the Russian culture; it helps to bring people together, inspire and unite them. In Russian views, patriotic song is a song about “a small motherland”, the place where you were born and raised (49%), about the Russian nature and culture (40%), people’s achievements and great people of Russia (34%), and ordinary people (29%). About a third of respondents associate patriotic music with military songs (32%), Russia’s history (28%); every 7th, with the SMO (15%).
Certain singers performing today can also be considered as patriots: Yaroslav Dronov (SHAMAN) (28%). Every fifth respondent considers Oleg Gazmanov to be a patriotic musician (22%); every tenth mentions Nikolay Rastorguev (Lyube group). Other patriotic singers mentioned by the respondents are Yulia Chicherina (8%), Grigory Leps (6%), Aleksandr Marshal (6%), Yury Shevchuk (DDT), Nikolay Baskov (4%). Thirty seven percent of Russians failed to provide an answer.
Who are we proud of?
The list of musicians Russians are proud of is headed by Yaroslav Dronov (SHAMAN) (22%). He is followed by Oleg Gazmanov (13%); the third place is held by Yury Shevchuk (DDT). A further 6% point out Nikolay Rastorguev (Lyube); 5%, Yulia Checherina.
The list of performers who trigger shame is headed by Alla Pugacheva (25%). The top three also includes Andrey Makarevich* (Mashina Vremeni) and Philipp Kirkorov (13%). Almost every tenth respondent (9%, each) points out Morgenshtern* and Yaroslav Dronov (SHAMAN). Maksim Galkin* and Olga Buzova gained 6% (each); Instasamka and Boris Grebenshchikov, 5% (each).
“VCIOM Online” online nationwide survey was conducted October 17-18, 2023. A total of 1,708 Russians aged 18+ were surveyed. Methodology: online probability panel survey, stratified random sample. Panel participants were recruited through all-Russia daily CATI surveys via random digit dial (RDD) from a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted for socio-demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
In your opinion, should artists and performers publicly show their political position, or not, or does it depend on the situation? (close-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
They should | 27 | 30 | 24 | 26 | 29 | 17 | 28 | 33 |
They shouldn’t | 26 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 31 | 37 | 22 | 20 |
It depends on the situation | 43 | 40 | 45 | 44 | 34 | 43 | 45 | 45 |
Don’t know | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Since the onset of the SMO certain Russian artists and performers left Russia as a sign of protest against the decision of the Russian government. Are you more likely to approve or disapprove of the decision taken by the performers? (close-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60+ |
Definitely disapprove | 51 | 51 | 52 | 27 | 34 | 50 | 60 | 63 |
Likely disapprove | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
Likely approve | 4 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Definitely approve | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 19 | 9 | 5 | 7 |
Partially approve, partially disapprove | 8 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 3 |
No attitude | 13 | 12 | 14 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 9 |
Don’t know | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
In your opinion, should the influence of the western culture on the Russian youth be restricted, or not? (close-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60+ |
Yes, it should be restricted | 50 | 48 | 51 | 25 | 34 | 52 | 57 | 58 |
No | 41 | 44 | 39 | 66 | 60 | 38 | 33 | 33 |
Don’t know | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
What answer options suit your views of the patriotic music the best? (close-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents) | |
Music, songs about love for small motherland, place where you were born | 49 |
Music, songs about Russian nature, culture | 40 |
Music, songs about ordinary people’s achievements, great Russian people | 34 |
Music, songs about the wars of the past, war heroes | 32 |
Music, songs about ordinary people | 29 |
Music, songs about the Russian history | 28 |
Any music, songs about the SMO | 15 |
Any music, songs commissioned by the state | 3 |
Other | 3 |
Don t know | 6 |
In your opinion, what contemporary Russian performer is a patriot of Russia? If any, name them please. (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents; responses that gained > 2%) | |
Shaman/ Yaroslav Dronov | 28 |
Oleg Gazmanov | 22 |
Rastorguev/ Lyube | 10 |
Chicherina | 8 |
Leps | 6 |
Marshal | 6 |
Shevchuk/ DDT | 5 |
Baskov | 4 |
Maydanov | 3 |
Leshchenko | 2 |
Rozenbaum | 2 |
Makarevich*/ Mashina Vremeni | 2 |
Gagarina | 2 |
Noize MC/ Alekseev Ivan* | 2 |
Grebenshchikov* | 2 |
Pugacheva | 2 |
None | 8 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 37 |
Are there any Russian performers, musicians who you are proud of? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents, responses that gained > 2%) | |
Shaman/ Yaroslav Dronov | 22 |
Gazmanov | 13 |
Shevchuk/ DDT | 7 |
Rastorguev/ Lyube | 6 |
Chicherina | 5 |
Marshal | 4 |
Leps | 4 |
Polina Gagarina | 3 |
Pugacheva | 2 |
Kipelov | 2 |
Pelageya | 2 |
Leshchenko | 2 |
Baskov | 2 |
Tsoy Viktor/ Kino | 2 |
Dolina | 2 |
Pakhmutova | 2 |
None | 15 |
Other (less than 2%) | 14 |
Don’t know | 22 |
On the contrary who evokes shame? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents, responses that gained > 2%) | |
Pugacheva | 25 |
Kirkorov | 13 |
Shaman/ Yaroslav Dronov | 9 |
Buzova | 6 |
Instasamka/ Zoteeva Daria | 5 |
Baskov | 4 |
Gazmanov | 4 |
Laima Vaikule | 3 |
Meladze | 3 |
Milokhin | 3 |
Arbenina | 2 |
Shevchuk/ DDT | 2 |
Bi-2 | 2 |
Everyone who left their home country/ relocants | 2 |
They are numerous | 2 |
None | 6 |
Other | 6 |
Don’t know | 28 |
Are there any Russian performers, musicians who you are proud of? (among performers recognized as a “foreign agent”) | |
Makarevich*/ Mashina Vremeni | 3 |
Zemfira* | 2 |
Monetochka/ Elizaveta Gyrdymova* | 2 |
Noize MC*/ Alekseev Ivan | 2 |
Grebenshchikov* | 2 |
On the contrary who evokes shame? (among performers recognized as a “foreign agent”) | |
Makarevich*/ Mashina Vremeni | 18 |
Morgenshtern* | 9 |
Galkin* | 6 |
Grebenshchikov * | 5 |
Zemfira* | 3 |
Slepakov* | 3 |
Pokrovsky/ "Nogu svelo"* | 2 |
*Признан(а) Минюстом иностранным агентом