Who is the person you admire the most?

For me,  there are two answers to this question depending on whether we are talking about the long-term or short-term. By this I am referring to the difference between someone I have come to know and admire over time and someone who suddenly does something so incredible I can only gasp with amazement and admiration.

Perhaps the violinist I admire the most of all modern players is called Hadelich.  In the music world, violinists tend to say that early 20c players were more interesting than today’s players who ‘all sound the same,’ and ‘value technique over expressiveness.’ There may be just a little truth in this, but not so much! When we watch Hadelich play we can be treated to virtually perfect technique, but also understand his deepest inner feelings. I don’t think there is any better player living, to be honest.

When we come to someone I truly respect ‘right now’ then I think of Marina Ovsyannikova.  It is quite possible that you won’t immediately recognize the name. However, when I say that she is the woman who risked her life, freedom and family to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine on an official Russian news broadcast I am sure you will know who I mean.  The news blackout and disinformation currently being experienced in Russia is of Orwellian proportions (‘Orwellian’ is a real adjective! See reference to Orwell at end of blog) to the extent that a law has been passed ensuring anyone telling the truth about the invasion can be sentenced to 15 years in prison. Thankfully, this courageous woman’s act was so surprising to the government they did not know how to react and in the end she was only fined the equivalent of 30 000 Japanese yen. However, I am afraid her life is at risk which is why President Macron of France offered her political asylum.  Let’s hope things turn out okay for her.

(George Orwell wrote the book ‘1984’ which is a brilliant novel predicting how our world would look in terms of brainwashing and propaganda.  It is actually not that difficult so why don’t you try it in English or read the Japanese translation.  Actually, if you read the Japanese, watch the movie and then read the English it may be the most useful approach)

Warmest Regards,

Buri