The Moscow Patriarchate is unhappy with an advert showing the Kazan Cathedral with bears on its roof

05 March 2008, 12:58

Moscow, March 5, Interfax – The Russian Orthodox Church considers an advert with bears on the roof of St. Petersburg Kazan Cathedral “tasteless.”

“I don’t think an advert with animals walking in a sacred place will create a positive image of Russia in foreigners’ eyes. And the fact that computer graphics was applied to make bears jumps doesn’t improve the situation,” a representative of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations Priest Mikhail Prokopenko said as quoted by the Izvestia daily on Wednesday.

Director of the Human Rights Center of the World Russian People’s Council Roman Silantyev reminded that last year St. Petersburg had faced a scandal with TV advert of holidays in Turkey broadcasted on the local channel. Christian feelings were insulted by dervishes dancing on the image of Christ. Tricks were also used as it is physically impossible to dance on it, but it didn’t prevent the court from acknowledging this advert unethical and charging respondents 10,000 rubles.

“It’s strange they didn’t place pigs on the roof of a synagogue or a mosque. No doubt such an advert will have a great effect. It isn’t hard to image what exactly,” Silantyev said.

According to Izvestia, the advert was ordered by St. Petersburg administration and is due to continue the series of posters already demonstrated in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Prague. Its designers claim this is “an ironic interpretation of a common stereotype of Russia as a country of bears walking along the streets.” Its slogan is - "No bears, just beauties."

“Russia still associates with snow, vodka, balalaika and bears. The advert campaign is to illustrate its absurdity and show that Saint Petersburg is a most beautiful European city with unique architectural and art sites,” a representative of St. Petersburg administration investment committee said.

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