Red : Finding your place
A few days ago Elena told me “Today is a public holiday in Russia.” My impression is that Russia has quite a few national holidays so I asked what this holiday was for. She told me it was Dyen Zashitnika Otechestva - translated as “Defender of the Motherland” - basically for all those who are or have been in the armed forces. This sparked something inside me. It reminded me of the way the Russians like to make toasts, everything is honoured, everything is celebrated, everything has its place. In Russia it is as if there is a day for everyone. This strikes me as a very red aspect of Russia. Red is to do with blood, the family and the tribe, in which everyone has their place.
I remember watching a TV documentary a few years ago about children who, for one reason or another, had been neglected by their parents to the extent that these children started living with dogs rather than human beings. Yes incredible but true. (If you want know more, or even understand exactly what i am saying here, follow the link at the end of this post).
Though the subject was sensationalist the documentary itself was made with sensitively. One of the strongest impressions for me came towards the end of the programme. One of the girls they had been following – now back in human society was staying in a small farm community. She had a job. Her job was to collect the milk each morning. As she told the camera this fact, she smiled. It was a real smile. This simple fact that she had a place seemed the most healing of all, she belonged. It seemed as important as any psychological therapy looking back at the past.
Perhaps orange and coral are the feeling of togetherness, but red is even more basic. In red we have our place.
If you would like to see the girl in question here is a link
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/the-girl-who-ran-with-the-pack/2006/07/18/1153166383022.html
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