Michal Djordjevič in Moscow. (source: Archive of M. D.)
In late January, independent Košice city councillor Michal Djordjevič visited Moscow and the city of Voronezh in southwestern Russia. He was accompanied by businessman Róbert Juraj Paulinský. Both are known for their pro-Russian opinions, reports Korzár daily.
According to Russian newswire Ria Voronezh which informed about their visit in a story titled 'International experts from Slovakia meet with Ria Voronezh workers'. The councillor confirmed the visit to Korzár daily. Both men also visited the local state university and talked to its students.
Djordjevič told Korzár that he decided not to mention the visit on his social media.
"Not in this tense social situation, when everyone is polarising such things. It was just a vacation, a simple trip. I didn't want to post it on Facebook or Instagram at all, and I didn't tell anyone. Society will immediately paint you as an agent," he told the daily, adding that he was interested in what life is like in the country.
Inaccurate translation?
According to the story, the councillor was supposed to say that "most Slovak media are influenced by American media. There is no true news about Russia, those who want to know the truth are looking for information from alternative sources." In addition, Djordjevič was also to say that there are "problems with teachers in schools and universities as many have pro-Western attitudes, which influences children. They misinterpret history and deny traditional values and culture", and that Russian language and literature are banned in many education institutions.
Speaking to Korzár, Djordjevič said that the Russian outlet presented what he said "a little bit differently". He was speaking Slovak and some of his answers may have been translated inaccurately.
When asked about the problems with teachers, the councillor said that he doesn't like when some teachers present their political views to students, which can influence them. In his opinion, he is in favour of political neutrality in schools.
As for misinterpretation of history, Djordjevič opines that many people, for example, connect the liberation of Košice in 1945 with event in 1968, during which Warsaw Pact armies invaded Czechoslovakia.
When it comes to banning Russian language and literature, the councillor referred to changes of names of certain foodstuff such as Russian ice-cream and Russian eggs in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. "I think that in some European cities, theatre plays from Russian authors were banned," he said.
Getting involved in politics
According to Korzár, businessman Róbert Juraj Paulinský is known for driving a luxury car with the MOCKBAZ licence plate, which stands for Moscow in the transcription of the Russian alphabet with the letter z added to the end. The letter has been used by Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
"The trip was private. We wanted to see and know if life in the Russian Federation is the way it is described by the censored European media," the businessman told the daily.
Political scientist Tomáš Koziak told Korzár that municipalities are trying to get involved in high politics, mentioning recent events in Spišská Nová Ves in which the Belarusian flag was hoisted, as well as Bardejov, both in eastern Slovakia.
He criticised Djordjevič's statements regarding pro-Western orientation or misinterpretation of history, saying that Slovak textbooks regard the Soviet Union as a liberator, which is debatable in his opinion.
