‘Pathetic’ for adults to read comic books, says Russia culture minister

“I think it’s pathetic for adults to read comic books,” says Russia’s culture minister.  Image: INQUIRER.net Stock Photo

Russia’s head of the Ministry of Culture insists that comic books are for children and that it is “pathetic” when adults read them.

Culture minister Vladimir Medinsky was at a Moscow book fair when he was asked about telling history through comic books. “I think it’s pathetic for adults to read comic books,” he told Moskva News Agency via The Moscow Times on Sept. 10.

“This is for those who can read poorly,” he said. “It’s like chewing gum, it’s not food. Comic books are aimed at children who are only learning to read.”

The Moscow book fair, held from Sept. 4 to 8, happened to feature for the first time a large section dedicated to Russian comics, according to comic book store owner Ivan Chernyavsky.

Dmitry Yakovlev, head of a comic book publishing house, was surprised at the statement, as per an interview with BBC Russia on Sept. 4. He noted that spaces for comic books are sometimes found in government offices and in libraries, meaning that government funds help in the spread of comic books.

The first version of a report from Moskva News Agency cited that Medinsky called comic book readers “morons.” Though the quote has been corrected in the report, comic book fans in Russia shared the hashtag #ядебил (#I’mAMoron) on social media in light of his remarks.  Niña V. Guno /ra

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