KZBlog

How to Paint the Enemy is a fascinating article and video report from TOL.org about a competition in Georgia sponsored by the Ministry of Education entitled “Russian Aggression Through My Eyes”. Students were asked to paint pictures or write essays about the August 2008 war with Russia.

The video is very interesting as it highlights some of the issues one might have with such a competition. One boy says that his mother gave him the idea for his painting of a vicious bear trying to swallow a white pigeon which is holding the Georgian flag. When asked what he thought about Russian aggression himself, the boy says, “Nothing.” Another teacher seems to be speaking more for the camera, holding off criticism, when she says to the students, “No one forced you to enter this contest nor did your elders give you any ideas on how to write your [essays].” Critics point out that the contest politicizes the schools and the title of the contest itself leads children to a certain point of view: Russia (and Russians) are bad. On the other hand, a young girl poignantly says that she hopes Russia will realize how cruel it is to kill people, a message one wishes all armies and soldiers would hear. And perhaps in some sick way, the contest highlights important issues in Georgian society, that a lot of work needs to be done in integrating Russians and Abhazians and South Ossetians into society.

The video report:

How to Paint an Enemy from Transitions Online on Vimeo.