Fontanka Readers Nostalgic for 2016

The trend of nostalgia for 2016, which gradually moved from Western platforms, is gaining popularity on social media. The editors of Fontanka invited their readers to remember what St. Petersburg was like ten years ago, which sparked a lively discussion in the comments.

«What»s the deal with 2016?« one of the subscribers in the publication»s Telegram channel asked. It is worth noting that the main initiators of this trend are often the younger members of Generation Z, who know about that time mainly from the stories of their elders.

For readers from St. Petersburg, the greatest response was not so much cultural memes as the comparison of everyday realities. A separate genre of memories became the prices from ten years ago.

«The trend of nostalgia for 2016 prices is what captivates people the most nowadays... It»s been ONLY ten years, but in terms of prices, it«s as if a whole century has passed,» an anonymous user noted.

The discussions actively compared exchange rates, salaries, and the cost of products. «In January 2016, the ruble exchange rate was EXACTLY THE SAME AS TODAY. Only prices have increased 3-5 times,» another commenter stated. Many also lamented the product brands that have disappeared over the decade.

Heated debates also flared up around the resonant city events of 2016, such as the naming of a bridge after Akhmat Kadyrov and the installation of a memorial plaque to Carl Gustaf Mannerheim. Emotions on these issues have not subsided even years later.

Readers also noted how the appearance of St. Petersburg has changed. «Public transport fare was around 30 rubles (about $0.33 at current rates). And now…,» wrote Kirill. «We also had minibuses. And there were no massive apartment complexes in Murino and Kudrovo yet,» added an anonymous user.

Over the decade, the life of the city residents themselves has also changed. Many fondly remember affordable travel.

• «Round-trip tickets to Thailand for 20,000 rubles (about $222 at current rates), and no anxiety at all about not having enough money,» shared ItKis.
• «In 2016, I went to Finland every weekend as if it were my own home,» wrote an unregistered user.
• «2016 — Baltic cruises, minibuses to Finland, IKEA…,» recalled Lyudmila.

Some recalled personal joys: «We had a harvest of apples, all I remembered),» wrote «cynical AnnA». Others drifted into nostalgia for later events, such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Many named the main changes as events in their families — the birth of children and grandchildren. Summing up the general mood, reader Mikhail noted: «It was like a different time, even though there were many problems, but there was nothing like the present.»

User Sergey, whose spelling was preserved, expressed the common thought precisely: «No one will return 2016.» A return to the past is impossible, but perhaps in years, similar nostalgia will catch up with us for the present time as well.