Culture Ministry says it’s OK to make anniversary of anti-West embargo “Patriotism Day”

The Ministry of Culture has responded affirmatively to a proposal to introduce a new national holiday called Patriotism Day in Russia. The holiday would be celebrated on August 6th – the anniversary of Russia’s foodstuff embargo against the West.

According to Deputy Culture Minister Vladimir Aristarkhov, the initiative deserves attention, but should be decided by way of a “wide public debate and a [historical] examination [by] the Russian Academy of Sciences.” Aristarkhov also said that the holiday would need to be economically feasible, as it would require the allocation of budgetary funds.

The proposal to introduce Patriotism Day was made by Rahman Yansukov, the head of Avanti, an association of entrepreneurs involved in developing patriotism in the realm of business. A corresponding bill has been prepared, but is yet to be submitted to the Duma.

On August 6, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree banning the import of foodstuffs from the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and Norway. One year later, the decree was updated and Russia began to destroy sanctioned goods discovered at the border.

As of the end of January 2017, Russia’s agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor had discovered and destroyed nearly 9,000 tons of vegetables and fruits and more than 300 tons of meat, milk, and cheese.