Olga Peshekhonova ,
Vyborg, Leningrad Oblast,
Age: 17

It seems to me that in order to understand and love those around your, first of all, you must know and understand yourself and realize your place in the world. Thus, I wrote my competition essay on the topic of “The Self-Identity of Russians.” Throughout its history, in Russia there have been several such ideas. At present, I believe it can be expressed in three words: “self-understanding, patriotism, and tolerance,” specifically in this order.