Russian actor Svyatoslav Rogozhan has stated that people who move to Moscow from Russia's other regions are hungrier for success and more motivated than native residents of the capital city.
The artist shared his perspective during an interview with the regional lifestyle publication Moskvich Mag, answering a question regarding how newcomers differ from people born in Moscow.
Rogozhan said that a person from a region travels to the capital specifically in search of achievement after realising they want more from life. He explained that regional arrivals make the decision to stand up, leave everything and everyone behind, and enter the intense competition for happiness in Moscow.
According to the actor, the underlying motivation of regional migrants is fundamentally different from native residents, describing people who move to the capital as highly charged and energetic individuals.
Rogozhan is widely known for his starring role in the Russian television drama series Trudnye Podrostki, which translates to Troubled Teens. Moscow, the capital of Russia, is the country's primary economic and cultural centre, attracting hundreds of thousands of internal migrants from across the federation every year in search of career advancement.
Initial struggles with the scale of the capital
Reflecting on his own relocation to the city, Rogozhan acknowledged that prior to moving he completely underestimated the scale of Moscow. He admitted having no prior understanding of the geographic size of the territory, the vast population, the rapid pace of daily life, or the high concentration of talent present in the city.
He recalled arriving in Moscow by train with his bicycle, fully confident that he would be able to travel around the entire metropolis using only his bike.
However, his expectations were quickly challenged when he attempted to ride his bicycle from the Izmaylovo metro station to Kamergersky Lane. Rogozhan confessed that during the trek across the urban expanse he began to think he would never reach his destination.
The Izmaylovo metro station is located in eastern Moscow, while Kamergersky Lane is a historic pedestrian avenue situated in the central district near major cultural landmarks. The route requires traversing miles of busy urban infrastructure, highlighting the vast distances that separate residential outskirts from the historic city centre.
Character growth and living in Moscow
Rogozhan explained that once he began to feel the rhythm of the capital and recognized the broad prospects it offers, he came to a firm realization that he belonged in Moscow. He noted that living in the metropolis hardened his character, but added that he maintains excellent relations with the city today and feels like a complete resident.
His remarks come shortly after television presenter and writer Igor Obolensky commented on the mindset of capital dwellers, speaking about a blurred vision and a general blindness toward local beauty that frequently develops among long-term Muscovites.
