Mixed vibes in MOSCOW

The Enthusiasm Of The Travelling Fans Is Making Up E Relative Disinterest Among Russians.

- Reuben Joe Joseph

My first impression of Moscow was one of denial. Barring a few banners and signs, the city seemed to be unaware that it was hosting a tournament of the World Cup’s magnitude. Stony-faced commuters seemed to be avoiding tourists, almost as if the Russian public were inconvenienced by this sudden influx of foreigners. In fact, some locals are going on month-long holidays to avoid the expected one-million plus tourists. The festive mood is restricted to certain areas like the metro, Fan Fests (free public screenings by FIFA) and the Red Square.

Yet, for a country that has a love-hate relationship with the English language, local authorities have done their best to make the city tourist-friendly. Moscow’s metro system now has directions in both English and the Cyrllic alphabet. English lessons were arranged for a host of locals who come into direct contact with the fans, like doctors, taxi drivers, metro workers and bartenders.

With Russia at the receiving end of much criticism for the lack of law and order during sporting events, there was heightened security around the Russia Day celebrations two days before kick-off. The Russian Football Union (RFS) had also blacklisted scores of “ultras” and hooligans to prevent them from creating trouble during World Cup games, though some of them, reportedly, still got tickets. However, it would be a different matter altogether to cause trouble at the stadiums. A local fan in Moscow said that the Russians normally would not be afraid of causing trouble at World Cup games, but since the Federal Security Service (FSB) has been brought into the matter, they are scared out of their wits. About 1,300 cameras have been installed in the Luzhniki Stadium alone. Even the slightest act of trouble could be picked up and, this, said the fan, would be noted by the FSB, who would take strict action and bring the persons in for interrogation. Horror stories of state-related abductions are common here.