RN Documentary: Pagans and Patriarchs
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Series: RN Documentaries
Length: 29:30
Since the fall of communist Russia has seen a rebirth of religious worship, especially in the once so powerful Russian Orthodox Church. But the Russian Federation is home to a vast diversity of cultures, with their own languages and religions. Some of these are now being revived after centuries of repression. While younger generations tend to see these ancient traditions as folklore, the older generations see them as religious rites. As part of the Saint Petrovo?s Day rite among the Finnic-speaking people of Mari-El on the middle Volga, for example, bearded men in embroidered cloaks and women in traditional attire gather in the forest to sacrifice a sheep and bring offering before a tall birch tree. The Russian Orthodox Church denounces these practices, but some of these local groups are hoping for more understanding and support from the authorities, perhaps even official recognition of their so-called ?pagan? and shamanist beliefs. Bill Gasperini plumbs the depths of the situation in Pagans and Patriarchs.
Also in the RN Documentaries series
An Angel-headed Hipster's Howl
(29:30)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Fifty year's after the publication of Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl" and its subsequent obscenity trial, poets and friends look back at its origins, impact and relevance today.
RN Documentary: Raising Cain(e) with Mahler
(29:31)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
American jazz pianist and composer Uri Caine talks about his interpretations of work by Austrian composer Gustav Mahler.
RN Documentary: The Music of Love (Valentine's Day special)
(30:59)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Seated at his Bechstein grand, concert pianist and astrologer Gary Goldschneider talks to Dheera Sujan about the music inspired by and written about love - illustrating with ...
RN Documentary: Cavalry, Caravans and Christians: Genghis Khan and Europe's first global age
(29:30)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
The lasting impact of the Mongol invasions on Europe, 800 years after Genghis Khan united the Mongols into one nation.
RN Documentary: Driving out the Filth in Zimbabwe
(31:00)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
A year and a half ago, the Zimbabwean government destroyed the livelihoods of 2.5 million Zimbabweans and made 700,000 people homeless. Nothing has been done to help the victims.
RN Documentary: Modern Day Mongolia
(29:30)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Mongolia in the 21st century must choose which aspects of modernity and tradition will shape its identity in the 21st century.
RN Documentary: Seamus Heaney: Bogging In Again
(29:30)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Poet and Nobel laureate revisits dark past in response to recent wars and violence
RN Documentary: Taming the Salt Monster
(29:29)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
The great swathes of the Western Australian wheatbelt were created a century ago when 1000 acres of bush were burned a day and the land became the nation?s breadbasket. ...
RN Documentary: A Christmas Edition of The Stars of Music with Gary Goldschneider and Dheera Sujan
(29:59)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Concert pianist and astrologer Gary Goldschneider talks to Dheera Sujan about the origins of Christmas music.
RN Documentary: Law and Peace Part I
(29:30)
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Why has The Hague become the centre for International peace and justice.
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Since the fall of communist Russia has seen a rebirth of religious worship, especially in the once so powerful Russian Orthodox Church. But the Russian Federation is home to a vast diversity of cultures, with their own languages and religions. Some of these are now being revived after centuries of repression. While younger generations tend to see these ancient traditions as folklore, the older generations see them as religious rites. As part of the Saint Petrovo?s Day rite among the Finnic-speaking people of Mari-El on the middle Volga, for example, bearded men in embroidered cloaks and women in traditional attire gather in the forest to sacrifice a sheep and bring offering before a tall birch tree. The Russian Orthodox Church denounces these practices, but some of these local groups are hoping for more understanding and support from the authorities, perhaps even official recognition of their so-called ?pagan? and shamanist beliefs. Bill Gasperini plumbs the depths of the situation in Pagans and Patriarchs.
Transcript
PAGANS AND PATRIARCHS: NATIVE RELIGIONS of the VOLGA DOCUMENTARY
BROADCAST DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2006
PRODUCTION NUMBER: 1007065 DURATION: 29'30"
Note: "SD:" = Soundbite . Continuity narrative is in one script, recorded actualities from
other speakers is in another.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
SOUND OF WOMEN SINGING
Radio Netherlands presents: "Pagans and Patriarch", the revival of pre-Christian religions in Russia today.
INTRO:
TRK01A: As the world's largest country, Russia is actually a vast federation consisting of 88 separate regions, most of which are home to ethnic groups speaking their own languages and practicing distinct cultural traditions. These include religious beliefs that were repressed under the atheistic Soviet state, and that even toda...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
All music recorded on the scene.
Related Website
Taki Telonidis
Posted on December 19, 2006 at 06:39 PM | Permalink
Review of RN Documentary: Pagans and Patriarchs
This documentary succeeds in transporting me to the other side of the world, and into the vast forests of Russia where ancient pagan rites are being performed for the first time in centuries. The reporter builds scenes with sound, music, and actualities spoken in unfamiliar and exotic languages. The rituals are examined from within?with voices of participants and religious leaders, and from the outside?by folklorists and historians. The reporter?s narration is straightforward and informational, and it does get overly ?ethnographic? at times. He attends three different rites, and sets each of them up in a similar fashion; for variety it would have been nice to try a different approach with each example. The return of these pagan rites is controversial, and the reporter handles the controversy well?although fairly late in the piece. Despite this, and the occasional uninspired voice-over translation, this piece is an enjoyable and worthwhile journey.