Potter-craze penetrated into Russia

The world seems to have gone mad after Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling was issued. Millions of editions are being instantly sold out, while shops are full of round glasses and magic wands. Children are disappointed to know they have good vision and cannot wear round glasses. Even university girls prefer the book about the young wizard to Bulgakov. Cinema participates in this great campaign as well. The film about Harry Potter has already established a record of good box-office returns. Potter-craze captivated Russia, too. Of course, there are not queues in book shops, though here posters advertizing Harry Potter books could be seen, while almost every schoolboy has one or two books about the young wizard, however not always being J.K.Rowling’s adorer. Already three books about the young wizard, the orphan humiliated by everybody, who enters the wizard school, have been edited, while the fourth is being prepared. Thanks to KARO-Premier company, on December 27, Russian premier of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was carried out – screen version of the first book. Though Harry’s popularity is accompanied with numerous scandals. He is being accused of Satanism, the books about Harry are being publicly burned, while the film is not recommended to watch to children before 16, for they could become occultists. In the meantime, numerous fans sing odes about Harry and dream about his real coming to Russia…

Nadezhda Gusinskaya, Student of Journalist School by Lomonosov University

Translated by Vera Solovieva

Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/main/2002/02/21/37421.html