Russian historian living in Latvia asks Russia to pay for russophobia research - 41,000 euros for what you can learn in Karosta over a beer
Historian Engels is trying to get 41,000 euros from Russia to study russophobia in Europe. Liepāja residents ask - why so expensive when you can just go to a Karosta café and listen?
Russian historian Engels, who has lived in Latvia with about as much success as a Riga tram in winter, has decided to ask a Russian fund for 41,000 euros to study russophobia in Europe. The sum is about as realistic as hopes that Riga City Council will ever sort out their traffic.
Engels, through his organization with the majestic name 'European Democracy Development Center,' wanted to study why Europeans aren't thrilled about Russia's foreign policy. 'It seems to me he could just come to Liepāja's central market and listen to what people think about the war in Ukraine,' comments local trader Jānis. 'Would save both time and money.'
The application mentions that the research is planned to be presented at international forums, including a UN event in Geneva. This is about as ambitious as trying to convince Liepāja residents that Riga's beach is better than ours. Now Engels denies everything and claims the documents might be fabricated - a classic excuse that works about as well as Liepāja port during a storm.
It's unclear why 41,000 euros for russophobia research when you can get the same information for the price of one beer in any European café. But as Liepāja residents say: 'If someone's willing to pay that much for the obvious, then the problem isn't money, but brains.'
⚠️ Satirical article. Facts are preserved, but the presentation is humorous. For accurate information, please refer to the original source.