Kathrine Frich
“I don’t get paid to be optimistic”. are among the sarcastic selections attendees can sport.
“I don’t get paid to be optimistic”. are among the sarcastic selections attendees can sport.
Forum Fashion Takes a Political Turn
Attendees at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum are walking away with more than just business cards this year.
They’re also scoring custom-made T-shirts emblazoned with quotes from Vladimir Putin, Sergey Lavrov, and regional leaders, a quirky nod to the event’s national pride and political theatrics.
Putin’s Proverbs Go Viral in Fabric Form
One standout quote from President Putin, “We work all day, and luck belongs to fools,” is now making its way across the chests of delegates and guests alike.
It’s part of a curated list of Kremlin catchphrases available at the Bashkiria pavilion, where T-shirts are printed on demand in whatever size or color the wearer desires.
Lavrov’s Deadpan Makes the Cut Too
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov isn’t missing out on the merchandise spotlight.
His signature lines, like the cryptic “If I knew, I wouldn’t have come,” and the sharply cynical “I don’t get paid to be optimistic”. are among the sarcastic selections attendees can sport.
Bashkir Governor Gets in on the Swag
Radi Khabirov, governor of Russia’s Bashkiria region, is also featured with no-nonsense lines like “Fire everyone who doesn’t work!” and “Get your act together, or I’ll get it for you.”
His brash managerial style is now part of the SPIEF souvenir set, turning heads among the more corporate-minded crowd.
Bahrain Heads the Foreign Delegations
This year’s edition of the SPIEF, themed “Shared Values Are the Reason for Growth in a Multipolar World,” has attracted around 50 foreign delegations.
Bahrain is in the spotlight as the guest of honor, amid an international turnout that continues despite Western tensions and sanctions.
T-Shirts as Soft Power or Satire?
Critics see the T-shirts as either a propaganda play or a satirical masterstroke, depending on who’s wearing them.
With Russia increasingly isolated on the world stage, the quirky merchandise might serve as an icebreaker, or a bold political statement, in ongoing efforts to charm international investors.