- July 31, 2025
- 3:22 pm
- Israel
Quote
“Alongside the big world, where big people and big things exist, there is a small world with small people and small things.
In the big world, the diesel engine was invented, “Dead Souls” was written, the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station (blown up by Russian forces – editor’s note) was built, and a flight around the world was completed.
In the small world, a shouting bubble “go away-go away” was invented, the song “Bricks” was written, and trousers of the “plenipotentiary” cut were made.
In the big world, people are driven by the desire to benefit humanity.
The small world is far from such lofty matters.
Its inhabitants have only one desire – to somehow survive without feeling hunger. Small people hurry after the big ones. They understand that they must be in tune with the era, and only then will their little goods find demand. … when ideological fortresses are created in the big world, there is a revival in the small world.
All small inventions of the ant world are given a granite foundation … of ideology,” – Ilya Ilf, Yevgeny Petrov, “The Little Golden Calf”.
Introduction
From July 20 to July 29, 2025, Russian actor and director Daniil Spivakovsky plans to visit Israel with his touring play “Attention on Me”. The performance is scheduled in the largest cities of the country — Haifa, Netanya, Ashdod, Rishon LeZion, Tel Aviv, Be’er Sheva, and Petah Tikva.
However, these tours have already sparked “controversy.” The reason is Spivakovsky’s public statements.
By the way, we will not discuss Spivakovsky as an artist in this article — all information is available in open sources, for example, in Wikipedia.
Two worlds of Russian propaganda and historical responsibility
Russian propaganda also has two worlds — “big” and “small”, just like in Ilf and Petrov’s works. These are not just people — they are public, well-known, and talented figures with powerful influence on public opinion. They do not run around with rifles or drop bombs on Ukraine, but their words, fame, and stage become weapons. They incite crowds, justify aggression, and encourage others to go to war.
Both of these worlds share responsibility for millions of people being misled by propaganda, for the destruction of Ukrainian cities, and for the deaths of civilians. They fuel the bloody Putin regime — both from outside and inside the country, dragging Russia back into a feudal Middle Ages.
The “big world” of propaganda — loud, bloody, and ruthless
This world includes “famous personalities” such as Margarita Simonyan, Vladimir Solovyov, Olga Skabeeva, Nikita Mikhalkov, Oleg Gazmanov, Yulia Chicherina, Dmitry Pevtsov, Ivan Okhlobystin, and others like them. These are public figures, known across the entire country. Their talent and popularity serve as a cover for toxic propaganda.
They glorify the myth of the “Russian nation of victors,” justify the seizure of foreign territories, the destruction of Ukrainian cities, and the killing of civilians. These people do not go to the front themselves — they send others there, stoking hatred and the thirst for “victories” with words from their screens and stages.
They threaten Europe, the USA, and the entire democratic world, turning propaganda into a weapon of mass destruction.
After the fall of Putin’s regime, they will be judged not only by international tribunals but also by the people they deceived, and by history, which will not forget their speeches full of blood and hatred.
The “small world” of propaganda — quiet but equally complicit in justifying war and its consequences
If the “big world” shouts slogans, the “small world” acts quietly. Its representatives are famous actors, directors, and musicians who do not make open threats but support the system with their agreement. Their words are softer: “saving Ukraine,” “the need to stay in step with the country,” “the greatness of the Russian soldier.” But this is also propaganda.
Daniil Spivakovsky — judging by his public statements, belongs to the circle of “cultural figures” who voice positions aligned with the “official line” of the Russian government. He does not go to the front, does not throw grenades, but his quotes about “trusting Putin,” “supporting the army,” and the “special operation” shape, for part of the audience, the image of the “rightness” of these actions.
Yes, legally the “small world” may escape courts, but people and history will judge it just as they will the big world of propaganda. Their guilt lies in the fact that they are public, talented figures who, instead of telling the truth, have become a screen for war and hatred.
Persecution of dissenters — a joint effort of both “worlds”
Both worlds — big and small — unite when it comes to persecuting dissenters. Public figures who dare to speak the truth or oppose the war are humiliated, deprived of work, and effectively forced to leave Russia. These attacks on dissenters are another side of their guilt: they destroy any sprouts of free speech and ensure that only the voice of propaganda is heard in the country.
What Daniil Spivakovsky Said: Quotes and Context
Public figures bear a special responsibility for their words. When a well-known actor speaks about politics and war, it influences their audience and shapes public opinion.
Here is an interesting interview:
Below are key quotes from Daniil Spivakovsky with explanations.
On his “patriotic stance”
“… emphasized his commitment to supporting the special operation and the Russian armed forces. Despite the absence of loud public statements, the actor considers his position to be obvious to everyone in the creative community and underlines that patriotism is part of his upbringing and worldview.”
Source: URA.RU
Direct support of the so-called “special operation” (in fact, the attack on a neighboring country and war crimes committed there) is an endorsement of war, which is perceived as justification of violence and destruction.
On punishing “critics of the authorities”
“If an actor makes statements that verge on insulting our soldier, our army, and its symbols — this is unacceptable, this is a crime. One should not only be deprived of roles for this. This is a crime for which a person must be punished… I don’t want to name any names, but if you said something out loud, allowed yourself a certain statement, then be ready to take responsibility for it. Don’t dodge, buddy…”
Source: AIF.ru
Such words support the idea of repressions against dissenters. A public person is essentially saying that expressing criticism of the authorities’ actions is a “crime.”
On “marching in step with your country”
“We are public people, we go on stage, we act in films. We must be aware of everything happening, keep in step with the times, with our country, with our audience. Although every person, regardless of their occupation, should march in step with their country.”
Source: 5TV
These words sound like a call for unconditional obedience to the state in all matters and a rejection of personal opinion.
On “saving Ukraine”
“We need to save each other, we need to save people, we need to save Ukraine. … We have one circulatory system, we have one faith, we breathe the same air and speak the same language. We will always be together. They are trying to divide us, but it is impossible.”
Source: Kino.Rambler.ru
This phrase is presented as humanitarian, but in reality, it aligns with rhetoric that justifies aggression under the guise of “saving.”
On the “great nation of victors”
“We need one Victory! We talk about the Russian soldier, about the great nation of victors…”
Source: YouTube (speech)
The historical “victory” is being used as a tool to justify current aggression, which, for example, provokes rejection from us.
Conclusion
According to the editorial team of NAnews – Israel News, the story of Daniil Spivakovsky’s tour in Israel is not just a matter of theater. It is an example of how public figures, with their fame, can broadcast ideas that are perceived in very different ways. Spivakovsky is not the one holding a weapon, but his words about “supporting the Russian army,” “trust in Putin,” and the “special operation” sound to some audiences like support for policies associated with war.
It is particularly important to note that Spivakovsky publicly spoke in favor of punishing artists who criticize the Russian authorities or the army. This stance, in the editorial’s view, is perceived as support for repressive measures against colleagues whose views do not align with the official line.
The editorial believes that when artists who have publicly supported such a war come to perform in democratic countries, their presence often becomes a cause for debate and division within society. For many, this is not just a cultural event but a symbolic endorsement of actions that have caused suffering for millions.
For the Jewish audience in Israel, especially those who support Ukraine, it is important to understand that such tours provoke strong emotions. For some viewers, this is “just a play,” but for others — it is an act that can be perceived as indirect approval of aggression.
History will judge everyone: both those who openly supported military actions and those who remained silent, not daring to take a stand.
Spivakovsky, with his talent and fame, in our opinion, is associated with a world that justifies the official line of the Russian government…
And what about the audience?
