Kathrine Frich
They say that today’s kids are being taught to root for the morally ambiguous, or just plain ugly.
They say that today’s kids are being taught to root for the morally ambiguous, or just plain ugly.
Russia Declares Cultural War on Shrek and the Grinch
Yes, really. Russian lawmakers have taken aim at beloved Western cartoon characters, claiming they pose a “destructive influence” on the nation’s children.
Shrek, the Grinch, and even characters from Monsters Inc. have officially made the Kremlin’s naughty list.
Lawmaker Slams Shrek’s Morals
According to Duma deputy Yana Lantratova, characters like Shrek might seem lovable, but they embody both physical and moral flaws.
In a presentation to parliament, she warned that these characters erode traditional values by turning antiheroes into icons.
From Soviet Heroes to Swamp Dwellers
Lantratova even showed slides comparing “good” Soviet-era toys and cartoons to “bad” Western imports.
The message? Today’s kids are being taught to root for the morally ambiguous, or just plain ugly.
Monsters Inc. and Grinch Join Shrek on Russia’s Hit List
Characters from Pixar’s Monsters Inc. and Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch were also singled out as problematic examples.
The roundtable warned that such characters blur the line between right and wrong, subtly corrupting Russian youth.
Russia’s New Cultural Doctrine
Serghei Mironov, head of the opposition party A Just Russia, accused Western countries of conducting a “hybrid war” by indoctrinating children through cartoons.
He invoked the chilling phrase: “If you want to defeat a nation, educate its children.”
Russia’s Lawmakers Want Legal Tools to Block “Toxic” Characters
Lantratova says Russia currently lacks the legal framework to ban this kind of content outright. But that could soon change.
She plans to submit proposals that would strengthen laws promoting “traditional spiritual values”, and potentially censor foreign media for kids.
Is Shrek a Threat to National Security?
To some in the Kremlin, Shrek isn’t just a fairytale ogre, he’s cultural sabotage.
The bizarre rhetoric has sparked international ridicule, but for Russian lawmakers, it’s part of a broader campaign to purify children’s entertainment from Western influence.
Online Reactions: “So What’s Next, Banning Toy Story?”
Social media users mocked the move, joking that Donkey must be next on Russia’s banned list.
Others wondered if this signals a push to resurrect Soviet-era animation, where even the villains were ideologically vetted.