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I recently watched a concert video of one of my favorite
Russian singers in St. Petersburg. To my surprise, the atmosphere was not
like the typical raucous concerts that we see on TV, with frenzied fans
pushing towards the stage and almost losing control. Instead, it felt more
like a refined classical music performance.
The camera panned across the audience, and I noticed that the concert hall
was completely filled, yet there was only one security guard who also
happened to be the singer's bodyguard. I wondered how the situation would
have been if it were in a different place; would the crowd have gone out of
control?
As the concert began and the singer appeared, the audience enthusiastically
applauded, cheered, and whistled. But as soon as the music started, the
entire hall fell into silence so quickly that it seemed like someone had
turned off the sound. I couldn't help but admire the Russian audience's
sense of decorum and respect.
The concert was fantastic, and when the singer started singing an old song
called "Komarovo," the whole audience, young and old, sang along loudly. The
singer was so excited that he came down from the stage to join the audience.
His bodyguard followed him closely, fearing that the audience might become
too enthusiastic. But his worry was unnecessary as only the person to whom
the singer handed the microphone stood up to sing along. Everyone else
smiled and applauded, and no one left their seats. The orderliness of the
audience surprised me.
I wondered if there were any fans who wanted autographs. The camera soon
answered my question. After the concert ended, the audience queued up
outside the theater to get autographs, and there was no quarrel. The snow
was quietly falling outside the Winter Palace Theatre, and everything was
peaceful.
I was moved by the high level of civility of the Russian audience. Rushing
forward and following rules is a battle between reason and emotion. However,
such a noble culture teaches us various virtues: consideration for others,
civilized behavior, gentleness... Even if it takes a little longer to get
the desired autograph, if everyone has a high level of civility,
self-awareness, and self-discipline, then the goal will undoubtedly be
achieved, and it will be well-deserved.
I recall a quote by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who also came from Russia, "The
simple act of an ordinary brave man is not to take part, not to support
lies! Let that come into the world and even reign over it, but not through
me or you." The highest, most beautiful, and most ordinary flower in the
human soul garden is human civility. |
