Being accused of excessive seriousness is not something Russians expect or covet. We pride ourselves on a sense of irreverent humour, irony and ability to exist in often self-destructive fantasy worlds. In fact, part of what saved the country's 'soul’ during Communism was the widespread popular subversion of that ideology's central tenants of seriousness and hard work into a drink fuelled daily theatre of the absurd. From Oblomov to the surrealist poetry of Daniil Kharms to the magical-realist vignettes of everyday Soviet life in the 1970s and 80s by Tokareva, to the current writings of Nina Khrushcheva or editions of the Exile, learning about Russian culture is a lesson in playful, often exasperating, dissent.

So what is noted social theorist and activist Boris Kagalitsky talking about in today's Op-Ed in the Moscow Times when he cries that “Russians Take Themselves Too Seriously”?

Kagarlitsky is worried that Russians are losing their sense of anti-establishment sarcasm amidst a new wave of nationalism directed at the neighbouring states. He notes that Ukrainians, who have better retained the pinch of salt cynicism regarding their leaders, are less susceptible to anti-Russian propaganda than Russians are to Kremlin-fomented anti-Ukrainianism, and urges us to get back to our anarchical ways.

A welcome reality check!