20 billion rubles were spent on preparing for the BRICS summit in Kazan.
Photo: REUTERS.
The BRICS summit in Kazan has concluded. The flags are being taken down. It’s time to tally the costs.
A total of 20 billion rubles was spent on its preparation. Of this amount, 7.9 billion was allocated for the "enhancement of Kazan" — expanding roads, including the famous Millennium Bridge, developing 18 parks and squares, and renovating the facades of 38 beautiful historic buildings. Lighting was installed for 300 houses. On the Bulak Canal, 56 new floating 15-meter fountains were added.
157 buses and 38 trolleybuses were purchased.
1 billion rubles were used to update hotels.
Impressive. The summit may be over, but all these improvements and beauty will remain for the citizens of Kazan.
As for Russia, it will reap political dividends from the triumph of the summit involving 35 countries, demonstrating that we cannot be isolated — there aren’t enough isolation tapes, as more than half of the world stands with us.
Some people were not pleased. One forgotten publication labeled as a "foreign agent," which relocated to the West, called out on social media: Kazan residents, tell us how you are being mistreated! Are you not allowed to walk in the city center? Have they dug up the roads? Are there traffic jams? Are your documents being checked? Well?
They forgot, naïvely, that "in this country," people cannot stand rudeness and stupidity. And the residents of Kazan quickly responded on the internet with witty yet sharp replies:
- I’m a resident of Kazan. We were given paint and forced to color the air in joyful hues!
- Kazan resident here. Reporting. The air has been turned off in the center.
- From Kazan. They say the FSB has sent summer to jail. We are surviving under the weight of October as best we can. Until when?!
- I don’t know if this message will get through since the internet is down. I’m writing through a matchbox with a thread. Those scoundrels moved us from a dormitory to a three-room apartment with a bathroom. They took away my old car and gave me three new ones. It’s unclear how much longer we can hold out.
And the treat for the summit guests, chak-chak, has become a local Kazan meme.
- All chak-chak was confiscated. They issued vouchers for echpochmak and gray bread. They said it was necessary for the summit.
High-ranking guests at the summit were greeted at the airport with chak-chak.
Photo: REUTERS.
In general, the foreign agents forgot that our people do not shy away from speaking their mind.
And then Putin completely astonished everyone. He stated:
- I want to apologize to the residents of Kazan for the inconveniences they faced—due to the movement of convoys and the closure of highways. But I want to assure you that these trials were not in vain. And I thank you for creating such favorable conditions for work.
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