MOSCOW, November 3. /TASS/. Over 90% of Russians believe that the Russian language helps unite peoples and create a common cultural space, based on a study by the Analytical Center of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) released on Tuesday.
"The vast majority believe that the Russian language unites the peoples of Russia, creating a common cultural space (91%)," the center said in a statement on its website.
According to analysts, Russians view Russia as the foundation of unity, namely the common area for living (25%), supported by historical memory (9%) and love for the homeland (8%).
The overwhelming majority (91%) regard the use of the Russian language as a key tool that provides the basis for a common cultural space, rather than as a potential threat to their self-identity.
Moreover, 62% of respondents are confident that it is relatively easy for the peoples of Russia to preserve their traditions today, while 61% of those surveyed expressed sincere interest in learning more about the history and culture of the country’s various peoples.
According to the pollster, most Russians maintain regular contact with representatives of other peoples in the country. More than half of them communicate with people of other ethnic backgrounds almost daily, while many (78%) have friends of a different ethnicity.
Experts point out that the high level of openness also extends to family relationships, with the proportion of those approving of an interethnic marriage involving a close relative rising from 21% in 2020 to 31% today. At the same time, 52% expressed a neutral attitude towards this issue, and only 12% of respondents expressed disapproval.
The poll was conducted on October 11-29, among up to 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older.