Russians Interviewed

The three Russian students, Otari Cherkeziya, Elvira Astrafeva and Aleksandr Lebedev. struck me as being singularly charming, well dressed, and brilliant. Elvira and Alex spoke English without a flaw. Yet they seemed equally versed in the "social graces." Among the three both Lenin and Moscow Universities were represented. Elvira and Alex are Art students majoring in Philology and History respectively. Otari is a graduate Engineer. Both sexes are represented—Elvira is married with a baby boy. Otari is a member of the Communist Party, the other two are not.

The Press Conference held on Wednesday, August 2, was my main opportunity for finding out something of the University system in Russia.

In order to attain a Certificate of Higher Education, which seems to be approximately the equivalent of our B.A. a minimum of five years full time study is required. Lectures and Tutorials take five to six hours a day, each lecture lasting for two hours. Private study is additional. Lectures continue six days a week. Examinations are held twice a year.

Elvira is in her final year. During the past few years she has studied all aspects of English, I.e., the language (much use is made of tape recorders), English and American literature, History including Modern History; Geography, German, French, Latin, Philosophy, History of the Communist Party.

Alex, History Specialist, has taken World History, History of Russia, Pre-Marxist, Marxist, and Contemporary Philosophy as well as Western and little Oriental Philosophy; Political Economy including Pre-Marxist and Contemporary Economic Theories. He has also studied the History of the Communist Party and a Foreign language.

The subjects in the above courses are all compulsory, but the choice of course is completely open to the individual. There is an active Vocational Guidance system publishing information on all the Higher Institutions.

There are 740 Specialised Institutions, as they are called, specialised but on an equal footing with the Universities. As far as the Delegation knew, no University has a Psychology Department. However in Leningrad there is one such specialised institution devoted to Psychology.

Alex and Otari are members of the Presidium of the U.S.S.R.S Students' Council, which is equivalent to our N.Z.U.S.A. I asked them how they came to be on it. The Higher Institutions elect a representative for their own area. These representatives meet for a conference at which they elect President, Vice-President, Secretary, and about 40 members for the Presidium.

I learned a little more of student life at the short talk they gave that Saturday at the United Nations Association. They were asked about their extra-curricular activities.

At every University there are many active organisations, notably Student Trade Unions, Comsomol, Art, Music, Drama, Literature, Sports Clubs. Within each of these there is free debating, but there are no Debating Clubs per se.

There are some 15,000 Foreign Students in Russia coming from Asia and Africa but also from Britain and America.

During the Press Conference I also managed to ask Elvira what the position of women was in Russia. Her answer, that they are completely emancipated. There are actually more women than men attending University (by one per cent. Alex chimed in). The same opportunities are open to all, with equal pay.

But what about the children? You have your mother looking after your child, but what about those without such relatives?

Even if there are no relatives, a mother may have two months* paid leave to have a child, plus a year off with job guaranteed by the State, plus two hours off a day to feed the baby. Apart from that there is a nation-wide system of nurseries and kindergartens.

The school aged child stays at school till 5 p.m. during which time he plays sport and does his home work. The parents collect the child on the way home from work and then can spend a family evening.

After a quick morning tea the three Russians went to a meeting with the Student Body in the Little Theatre. Otari began with a speech I was fated to hear several times thereafter. It boiled down to a request for Peace—a hope that Friendship between Russia and New Zealand may grow. The meeting was then thrown open to questions from our Students.

Q. What is the function of Comsomol?

A. Politically Comsomol is an organisation for young Communists. However it also functions outside the political sphere. There are 18 million members. The majority of them being Students and young Collective Farmers. In the past Comsomol has built factories, 15 furnaces. It participates in every sphere of life. Members are elected by secret vote.

Q. Is it compulsory to study Lenin?

A. All subjects are compulsory including a History of the Communist Party, Political Economy (not only Marxist), General Philosophy from ancient to the present.

Lest the term "compulsory" be misleading, remember each Student may choose his own field though not the specific subjects within this field.

Q. Must each student do compulsory factory work?

A. Yes, by New Law passed in 1958, each Student must spend two to three years getting office or labour experience. There are several reasons for this. On the scene experience helps a young person choose his profession. Later he will know something of the work itself without having merely academic knowledge. The personal Philosophy of the young Russians does not tend to be as unrealistic, or non-existent, as the academic Philosopher's is apt to be. Practically speaking, this method ensures a balance between the working and thinking population. And finally "Our State Is one of the working people"—this method ensures the improvement of work relations., i.e., the Intelligentia are less likely to draw apart as a class by themselves.

Q. Does the Delegation support our march for Nuclear Disarmament?

A. Naturally. Marches are regularly arranged by U.S.S.R. students.

Q. If Russia is peace-loving, why did she send troops to Hungary?

A. Troops weren't sent, they were already there. These only interferred when groups of Fascist officers penetrated into Hungary against the will of the people. It was not a "Revolution" but a "Counter Revolution.

Q. Fashions. Elvira, were your clothes made in Russia?

A. Yes. (Elvira later confessed to me that she had to get a new pair of stockings in New Zealand).

Q. I may note now that I saw Elvira on five occasions, each time she wore an equally smart modern outfit, including straight skirt and sweater, smartly-cut suit, and broad-collared full dress—with "witchy" shoes as my father calls them.

By way of reply to those who found her appearance surprising, Elvira said that she believed fashions come from Paris—"We are closer than you are."

On Friday the 4th I met the Delegates in a more Informal setting, at a farewell party being held for Julian Watts. My main Impressions of that party were: Of Otari apparently enjoying himself, but saying little. Elvira seemed tired and chatted quietly to small groups. But Alex, he was different. He was never accompanied by less than a dozen people and he was always arguing. Talk about enthusiasm! That Is probably what impressed us most about the students. They obviously were not "mouthing." The three were extremely sincere in their beliefs and willing to talk about them to any one.

Saturday night, the group paid a short visit to the United Nations Association. Slides and commentary on the Maori were in progress and I was astounded to see the close attention the three paid. They asked a number of questions. This, after two months of tour.

However, we soon proceeded to another party—their last in New Zealand. This time it was Otari who outlasted us all. Alex spent the evening (when he wasn't arguing) learning some New Zealand songs. I spent the evening trying to learn "Thank you" and "You're welcome" in Russian.

A farewell luncheon followed on Sunday at Victoria. That was a very pleasant affair with relevant toasts. Mr Mitchell briefly thanked the visitors and wished them luck. Otari returned his thanks, reiterating his plea for peace. He presented Vic. with a set of Russian pamphlets including a song book.

From thence we drove to the airport to see them off. Elvira was given a toy Kiwi for her baby boy. Finally, just as Otari, Elvira and Alex were going through the door, we stopped everything to sing them "Now is the Hour." A fitting end.

In the few days they were here we felt that they had become our personal friends. I, for one, have no desire to find them among my enemies.

Otari, Elvira, Alex, if ever you read this "Good Luck" to you and remember Alex.

i.e. Sabasiba

i.e. Thank you!

The writer of this article has neither been bribed nor is she communist or strongly socialist.—J.A.L.