In Kirov, winners and prize-winners of the All-Russian Academic Olympics for Schoolchildren were awarded memorable ketchup and mayonnaise.

Alexei Chumakov’s blog post, 7.06.2021

Photo from the official web-site of the Kirov administration

In Kirov, winners and prize-winners of the All-Russian Academic Olympics for Schoolchildren were awarded memorable ketchup and mayonnaise. The head of the Kirov administration Dmitry Osipov admonished talented children in the following way: “Not everyone succeeds in achieving high results, but you did it. I would like so that each of you stayed in this city and applied your knowledge for its development”.

Apparently, a growing body needs calories – so here comes a gift for children to grow up big and enjoy the taste of life (that is, a Provencal mayonnaise). But speaking seriously, this strange incident is another example of the irrationality of the authorities’ priorities. Later, the Kirov administration admitted that it was not they who bought the sauces, but a charitable foundation and sponsors. And [pro-government] United Russia [party] were also involved here.

The photos with the gifts that the parents have posted show the brand of mayonnaise. This is Zdrava from a local manufacturer. The director of the sponsoring company is Vladimir Savinykh, member of the United Russia party, deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Kirov Region of the 3rd and 4th convocations and a laureate of the honorary badge “For Mercy and Charity”.

The authorities and United Russia go hand in hand. The head of the city administration rewards talented schoolchildren with diplomas, United Russia businessmen endow them with bags of mayonnaise, for which they will probably receive another honorary badge for mercy from the hands of the governor.

Why did this news excite people so much? Every day the authorities spend millions from the budget on unnecessary forums, expensive cars and furniture, forgetting about supporting young people and socially vulnerable groups.