Evgeny Kolesov spoke about how Russians live in China: interview 2016

1/4Photo: personal archive of Evgeny KolesovPhoto:personal archive of Evgeniy KolesovPhoto: personal archive of Evgeniy KolesovPhoto: personal archive of Evgeniy Kolesov“I first came to China in 1994, and two years later I settled here,” says Evgeniy. “I met my future wife Ira in Guangzhou, almost 10 years ago. At that time, I was doing business, and she came to China, getting a job here. In general, there is nothing romantic in the story of our acquaintance. But my wife says that our meeting was fate.”“Of course, fate,” Irina joins the conversation. “Just imagine: two Russians met in the multi-million Guangzhou! On the first day of my arrival in this country, I saw Evgeniy and immediately fell in love with him.“When our family goes somewhere to the city, the Chinese always react violently to us,” says Evgeniy. “Until recently, due to the overpopulation of the country, the policy of ‘One family – one child’ was in effect here.” The little ones are spoiled, and children are called "little emperors" here. As a result, they grow up capricious, twisting their parents around their fingernails. Now they are allowed to have two children, and we have a completely un-Chinese case - four: Gordey is seven, Milana is five, Agatha is four, and Yesenia is one and a half years old. We plan our family's leisure time together. We play some games for weeks. Now, for example, we are into war games. The children have been rollerblading since they were little. A year and a half ago, they were taught to skate. It is very hot in Guangzhou, so when they see ice, they squeal with delight. - Our children are all different, - says Irina. - Last year, Gordey won the "Talent Show" on Chinese TV. In February, he achieved the standard of a candidate for master of sports in chess. This is one of the best results in the world! He is also one of the youngest speedcubers on the planet (he solves the Rubik's cube for speed). Agatha is most like her dad. She is just as stubborn, I would even say, obstinate. She doesn't like to lose. Yesenia, by the way, is growing up just like that. Gordey and Milana are very kind. The eldest daughter takes care of Yesenia. I remember how a year ago she picked up six-month-old Yesya, carried her across the room to the kitchen, when she almost burst into tears, losing sight of me.1/5Photo: personal archive of Evgeny KolesovPhoto:Personal archive of Evgeniy KolesovPhoto: Personal archive of Evgeniy KolesovPhoto: Personal archive of Evgeniy KolesovPhoto: Personal archive of Evgeniy Kolesov — Let's get back to our leisure time. So, when we go out to have fun, I turn off my phone, — says Evgeniy. — I think if you go somewhere with children, have fun, and don't stand on the sidelines and read something on your phone. Today we went to the local Liuhua Park. It is a 15-minute drive from our house. Here we play tag, hide-and-seek, ride the rides, and blow soap bubbles. — It seems to me that Zhenya is a big child himself, — Irina smiles. — Esya has drawn all over the walls of the house, and her dad indulges her! I once saw them sitting together, drawing on the wall. I said: "What are you doing?" Esya threw down the markers, ran away and hid under the bed. That would have been nothing, but dad ran after her! He didn’t fit under the bed, but he hid his head. — I didn’t fit because it was a children’s bed, low! Well, I stuck my head through! The rest doesn’t count! The basis of raising children, as we understand it, is play. For example, they assemble a construction set and talk, but in English or Spanish. There is only one difficulty in raising a child in China – there are few Russian peers. And I decided to return to Russia. Perhaps this walk is one of the last in China. The children are eager to get home. And no business can allow me not to fulfill their desire.