The Russian Ambassador to Malta H.E. Mr Valentin Vlasov, was born in 1946, a year after the Second World War came to an end. Growing up in post war Archangelsk, a Northern port of Russia on the White Sea, like many children of his generation, he was brought up without a father. “My mother worked in a hospital, nursing wounded soldiers. That terrible war was no longer being fought on the battle fields. However, it lingered on in the hearts and minds of the people especially those who were disabled. It was still affecting their lives.”
The ambassador’s childhood was not easy. “When I was twelve years old I started working. In summer, when there was no school, I used to raft timber down the river and earn money for my family: we were three – my mother, my elder brother and I. At the age of sixteen I became qualified as a metal turner and worked in a ship-repairing yard. Then for two years I served in the Army and was later employed by the Northern Sea Steamship Line. Eventually I pursued studies in law and economics. Life has taught me that nothing comes easily. Having been born in a seaport in Northern Russia, the best memories of my childhood are beautiful ships in port, the port itself, which had a life of its own, the incredible bright colours of the sea, the bright and sunny blue sky and the seagulls. That’s why Malta is so close for me. I understand the lifestyle, the character and the everyday life of a nation that lives near the sea.”
Entering into diplomacy was brought about by an unexpected turn of events. “At that time I was Vice Chairman of the Central Election Committee of the Russian Federation. I think the decision to appoint me Ambassador to Malta was based on my previous record and experience: I worked as Mayor of Archangelsk (a city with a population of over half a million), as the Head of the Government of the Archangelsk region (with a population of about 1,5 million), as Vice Prime Minister of the Government of the Fergana Region of Uzbekistan (a region in Central Asia with a population of 2,2 million), and as a Special Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation to the republics of the Northern Caucasus, including Chechnya in 1996-99.
Before accepting my appointment as Ambassador to the Republic of Malta, I had to undergo a special Course at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Soon after, I presented my Letters of Credence to the President of Malta.”
How had living in Malta changed his life? “I have learnt that home for my family and me is any place where I happen to be working. My wife Helen has been making it possible during the 34 years of our marriage. She makes every home that we have had over the years ‘a real warm and dear place’ for us.
From time to time our two daughters, who now work in Moscow, come over to Malta to visit us and bring along with them our most precious treasure – our three grandchildren – Valentina, Egor and Dasha”. He goes on to tell me about Russia and Malta: “Russians and Maltese have very much in common. I think that family values are the most important trait of both our nations. The Russians do their utmost to keep their grown up children within the family circle. An average family consists of two or three generations getting together to celebrate or discuss whatever problems need a solution. Should any member of the big family be in trouble, relatives are eager to give a helping hand. And we do it in a selfless and disinterested way.”
We move to the kitchen/informal dining room and he explains that for Russians the kitchen is the heart of the home and they always invite guests in for tea, a shared meal or vodka! “This is where the family has meals together around a big table, where the wood crackles in the fireplace. It is difficult to name just one favourite Russian meal, but if I need to name a few these would be bliny (Russian pancakes) with caviar; pelmeny, which are quite similar to ravioli, but are always made with meat, pirozhki, pasty with different fillings: meat, cabbage, or jam; and various Russian soups.” Talk turns to the rest of the residence which from the outside looks huge. However it also incorporates within its grounds the Russian embassy. “The residence of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation is in Kappara, a most beautiful village, built of Maltese limestone. That is why we chose the natural colours of Malta – beige and golden – for our interior decoration. As this is the official residence, Helen and I tried to make it comfortable to meet in and hold negotiations with our friends and partners. Of course, we have brought with us to Malta some photos to remind us of our relatives and friends in Moscow.” He proudly shows me photos of his three grandchildren and tells me that for him an ideal home is a place where one is loved and respected, where people share joys and sorrows, where one is listened to and understood. Helen and I tried to turn our flat in Moscow and our ‘dacha’ into a real home. Our dacha, which as you know, is the name for ‘a countryside house’, is our favourite home. It is the place where the family gets together: my daughters come there with their husbands and our three grandchildren. In winter we play snowballs and go skiing many kilometers away from our house, in summer we swim in the river and take long walks in the forest. We love going to our sauna, and as in Malta, we often have barbeques, which the Russians usually call shashlyki.”
By way of reflection, as we parted, His Excellency comments: “The Maltese are very open-hearted; you are very kind and are always ready to help those in dire straits, even if your help is needed many thousands of kilometers away from your country.”