Will Michelle Obama Charm The Russians?
Catrina Stewart, of the Associated Press, expressed concern about the first lady’s upcoming trip to Moscow. Although Mrs. Obama was a hit in Western Europe, she will likely face challenges in Russia, a nation not known for its fondness for women with political influence.
In a country where a presidential candidate once quipped he’d sooner pack his wife off to a convent than allow her to dabble in politics, Russia still has trouble with the concept of an empowered woman behind the throne.
“The institution of first lady in Russia is still quite young,” said Alyona Doletskaya, editor of Russian Vogue and doyenne of the Moscow fashion scene. “So there are no huge expectations on the part of Russian public.”
Stewart used the experience of former Russian first lady Raisa Gorbachev as an example. She was loved and admired throughout the west but did not enjoy similar warmth in the Soviet Union.
Russia has known one iconic first lady in modern times: Raisa Gorbachev, wife of the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who was much loved around the world for breaking with tradition by appearing regularly in public with her husband, embracing high fashion and firing off wisecracks during official foreign trips.
But she earned little affection for her boldness in Russia, where she was seen as strong-willed and ambitious.
Russian first ladies generally keep a low profile due to norms within their society. The sharp contrast with American first ladies may be a challenge for both Michelle Obama and Russian society.
Posted by LorMarie
Catrina Stewart, of the Associated Press, expressed concern about the first lady’s upcoming trip to Moscow. Although Mrs. Obama was a hit in Western Europe, she will likely face challenges in Russia, a nation not known for its fondness for women with political influence.
In a country where a presidential candidate once quipped he’d sooner pack his wife off to a convent than allow her to dabble in politics, Russia still has trouble with the concept of an empowered woman behind the throne.
“The institution of first lady in Russia is still quite young,” said Alyona Doletskaya, editor of Russian Vogue and doyenne of the Moscow fashion scene. “So there are no huge expectations on the part of Russian public.”
Stewart used the experience of former Russian first lady Raisa Gorbachev as an example. She was loved and admired throughout the west but did not enjoy similar warmth in the Soviet Union.
Russia has known one iconic first lady in modern times: Raisa Gorbachev, wife of the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who was much loved around the world for breaking with tradition by appearing regularly in public with her husband, embracing high fashion and firing off wisecracks during official foreign trips.
But she earned little affection for her boldness in Russia, where she was seen as strong-willed and ambitious.
Russian first ladies generally keep a low profile due to norms within their society. The sharp contrast with American first ladies may be a challenge for both Michelle Obama and Russian society.
Posted by LorMarie