Vatnik (slang)

Activists using the image of "Vatnik" in the action of "Boycott Russian Films" campaign

Vatnik (Russian: ватник, "cotton-padded jacket") or vatnyk (Ukrainian: ватник), both a derivative of and often shortened to vata (Russian: вата, Ukrainian: вата, "batting", usually used in plural) are derogatory social slang neologisms in Russian and Ukrainian languages, and an internet meme used in reference to individuals with pro-Russian jingoist and chauvinist views.

In the original meaning, vatnik (also telogreika) is a cheap cotton-padded jacket.

A man in vatnik

Internet meme

The meme was created by Russian Anton Chadskiy under the pseudonym Jedem das Seine.^[1][2][3] His associated picture of an anthropomorphic square-shaped quilted jacket similar to Spongebob was posted on VK for the first time on September 9, 2011. In 2012, the meme became widely popular on the Internet.^[4] Chadskiy created the group for the character on VK called "РАШКА - КВАДРАТНЫЙ ВАТНИК"^[5] in Russian.^[6][7]

The meme became much more widespread in society after the Russian military intervention in Ukraine started in 2014.^[4] In the beginning of 2015, Anton Chadskiy reported that he was forced to leave Russia in November 2014 because he feared political persecution by the government.^[8] He was living in Kiev and planning to move to Berlin at the time.^[7]

Examples of use

• Autumn 2014 – "Podrobnosti" ("Inter" TV channel) in association with Irena Karpa started production of animated series, several episodes were devoted to the "vatnik" phenomenon.^{[9][10][11][12][13]}
• Orest Liutyi wrote a song about "vatniks", asa remake of the Russian famous song "Landyshy" (Russian: Ландыши).^[14]
• "Will not let vata in our homes"^[15] – the name of the "Boycott Russian Films" campaign;^[16]
• "Inter is a "vata" channel of "kremlyad"^[17] Firtash"^[18] – a critical comment in social networks;^[19]
• "Proud name – "vatnik"^[20] – one of the topics at essays and scientific works competition in the Altai State Pedagogical University, that was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union victory in the German-Soviet War (Second World War).^[21]
• During New Year 2015 celebration the author of the meme Anton Chadskiy held a humorous action – "Vatnik of the year" award. This action angered Russian Internet.^[22]
• During the end of 2014 the multiserial comedy program "VATA TV" (in origin: ВАТА TV) is shown in Ukraine. It is devoted to the "vata" phenomena. It is hosted by popular host of 5 Kanal Viktor Lytovchenko. He speaks mainly Surzhyk during programs.^[23][24]
• Jim Kovpak, author of the blog Russia Without BS, wrote an article for Russia! Magazine in an attempt to explain the phenomenon of vatniks and "vatnost" to Western audiences.^[25]

Alternative usages

Although the words "vatnik" and "vata" are widely used by Ukrainians and people sympathizing with them to offend Russians, they are sometimes used by Russians themselves. The word "vatnik" can be used by Russians both in negative manner – to describe those of Russians who show too jingoistic or foolish forms of patriotism,^[26] and sometimes in positive manner – to express speaker's support for some aspects of Russian culture/values/politics.^[21]

Similar term "vyshyvatnik"/"vyshyvatnyk" (junction of words vyshyvanka – national Ukrainian wearing, and "vatnik") appeared in Russian and Ukrainian languages to describe individuals with pro-Ukrainian jingoist views. As with "vatnik", the word can be used both by opponents of Ukrainians, and by Ukrainians themselves (e.g. to describe jingoism, laziness or other negative traits of some of Ukrainian patriots).^[27][28]

See also

• Fifth column
• Homo Sovieticus
• Little green men (GRU)
• Trolls from Olgino

References

External links

• Article on Vatnik meme Lurkmore.to
• Brief history of "vatnik" term (video)