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"Do We Need 'The DaVinci Code' in the Udmurt Language? |
“What We Really Need is “The Da Vinci Code” in the Udmurt Language.”
A conversation with Fenno-Ugria, magazine 2007
 Fenno-Ugria Asutus (www.fennougria.ee) and Horisont have put together an excellent resource for information on the situation of Finno-Ugric peoples in the Russian Federation. Spreading information, raising awareness and encouraging involvement in the lives of our hõimurahvast is so very important. But I was struck by this quote in Üve Maloverjan’s article. Is the Da Vinci Code what is needed? Of course it would be great if pop literature was available to encourage the Udmurts to read in their own language. But at the same time, we need to think, what are we offering them? Western trash? Or something that can actually help them? In Andres Heinapuu’s opening article, “Hõimusolidaarsus aitab jääda iseendaks,“ the point is made that we can not be content with gathering knowledge about the Finno-Ugric peoples. Yes, we need hõimusolidaarsus in order to strengthen our own culture. But we must also look to our brother nations and ask what are their needs, and how can we help? With due respect to Tõnu Seilenthal (quoted in Heinapuu’s article), work with the Finno-Ugric peoples should not be compared with Odysseus. One is an epic myth which allows intellectuals to sit back and admire the beauty of a remote and seemingly ideal society. The other is the real life tragedy of men, women and children. The Finno-Ugric peoples are plagued with alcoholism, despair, suicide and cultural marginalization. How do we respond? The point is that we can not even be content to work towards the mere survival of the Finno-Ugric languages and culture. Survival is the essential first step, but our goal must be the practical strengthening of their culture and societies to allow them to overcome the obstacles that threaten to destroy them.
Is the DaVinci Code what the Udmurts really need? Perhaps we must ask ourselves, how does what we offer strengthen their culture and society in such a way that allows them to rise above the difficulties they face?
Mark Nelson
Sitting in Tallinn, I felt that maybe I was the only person here who was not Finno-Ugric and I wondered, what is my role? By the end of the conference, travelling home by train I heard God speaking, telling me my role. We Slavs have oppressed and attacked the Finno-Ugric peoples for so long and this is the reason for the problems and even hatred that exists. I know now that my role is to work to fix these problems between Slavic and Finno-Ugric peoples, that we can work together for the future.
Gennadi,
an ethnic Russian Pastor serving a church
with both Mari and Russian members
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Hõimurahvaste Aeg 
