Entertainments

How do young people spend their spare time? What leisure activities or what kinds of entertainments do they prefer? These and other questions are often asked in a sociological surveys. The results of the opinion poll conducted among young people living in big cities and in the country add up to the following hierarchy of pastimes (with minor variations from place to place): music in combination with such forms of group activities as discos, concerts, and café-cum-club come first, followed by the theatre and reading. Then come films, museums, amateur arts and engineering, listening to records, radio, going out to dances; and finally, TV and classical music. The questionnaire, circulated among students, pupils and young workers, show that the arts are regarded second only to contacts with friends (or a girl/boy friend).

Most young people admit they do not know how to plan their leisure time. To use sociological terminology, their leisure qualifications are inadequate. This is causing anxiety among some Russian scholars: has the TV really superseded reading? However, close scrutiny shows that there is little ground for worry. In 1964, when television was establishing itself in this country, 22 per cent of young people were interested more in reading. In 1970, when there was a TV set in every household, 49 per cent were for reading, and today, the figure is 45 per cent. Today’s young people could be called the tele-reading generation. In contrast to previous generations, they draw from various ‘channels’ of culture, which complement each other. What we are witnessing is an integration process involving TV-viewing, reading, and other sources of information.

As for me within the general framework of my lifestyle (including study, leisure and earning money – in summer I tried to work as a news-vendor) reading leads the way as a cultural activity, leaving both television and music behind. I can read late into the night. At a time when all are asleep it seems so quiet that I indulge in reading. I’m not a lover of poetry to my regret. Sometimes I devour book after book and I skip as I read.

Russia has a long and rich literary tradition. It leads the world for the number of titles (doth Russian and foreign) published yearly, and a number of readers. Of course the young people like to be entertained (by watching TV shows, reading detective stories, etc.). But they certainly know how to find their way amid the great variety of cultural values, and they know how to tell genuine art from imitation. A few more words about music, which play a very important part in young people’s lives. Rock is certainly more popular than classical music. Russian pop groups who play original music and meaningful texts have an especially large following.

Actually the young people know how to find antidotes to stereotyped tastes and temptations. They are getting increasingly interested in the leisure activities which encourage self-expression and personal growth.

Sport, travel, collecting, amateur arts and folk crafts are most popular in this country. The popularity of hobby clubs is growing steadily. There is a wide range of clubs all over the country. They specialize in tourism, books, health promotion, environmental protection, history, movies, drama, etc. There are also clubs where young people can simply get acquainted.

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