Journey of Discovery: Insights and Reflections from St. Petersburg

Let me share with you a special adventure in the city of St. Petersburg, which opened my eyes and heart to new possibilities and offered invaluable experiences.

Upon arriving in this amazing city, a captivating sight unfolded before my eyes - magnificent buildings and water canals, literally piercing through the city. Architecture and culture blended into this beautiful ensemble, making the entire city life seem like a work of art.

The streets of St. Petersburg were filled with proud buildings adorned with beautiful carvings and statues. Each house had its own significance and history. I admired churches with golden domes, glowing in various sizes and color tones. All these created a somewhat fairytale-like atmosphere in the city.

Families with children were strolling around, kids were playing joyfully, without teasing or screaming. I found myself wondering why they behave differently than, for example, children living in Estonia. Could it be that violent cartoons might cause a bad influence? While in Russia, I personally did not notice such television channels.

Next, I decided to visit as many churches as possible and observe what was happening inside them. To my surprise, the churches were full of life - people of all ages were praying, lighting candles, and looking at icons. This spiritual atmosphere touched me deeply and gave me the feeling that every person was here for themselves, not for others.

Orthodoxy has been firmly rooted in Russia since the 10th century, and its ceremonies, rituals, and services have been a part of daily life over the centuries. Parents pass on the tradition to their children, taking them to church at an early age. For many Russian families, religion is deeply intertwined with their daily life and family values. Church-going may be part of family bonding and strengthening community ties. The Orthodox Church has many important holidays and traditional ceremonies, such as Christmas and Easter, which are special events for children, hence they come to the church with their family to celebrate them.

Next, I decided to head to various major museums, and the enchanting beauty continued. The Hermitage Museum was powerful and grand, filled with wonderful works of art and decorations. But what struck me even more was that there too were many parents with children, looking at art, and in the children's eyes, I saw new ideas and the flight of fantasy.

All this made me think about our children's future and their growing environment. How can we provide them the opportunity to draw inspiration and positivity, instead of violent and indifferent role models? The St. Petersburg experience showed that a balanced living environment and culture can shape an open and tolerant society. Therefore, I suggest we all watch less propagandist news and focus more on interpersonal communication.

We are all humans - regardless of origin or culture. Good relations with neighboring countries are the key to a good future. Be open to new ideas, pay attention to your children's needs, and stop feeding society with violent poison. This will help us create a richer and more harmonious world.

I will add some pictures along with a video for you to see this beautiful city with your own eyes. A neighbor is like a second family. Instead of making the situation worse, let's create a strong support system for each other, so we can together solve all the challenges that may come our way.

Author: Lauri Laprik

16/7/2023