Russia has unveiled a state-produced 2026 calendar that presents a carefully curated image of its long-standing leader, Vladimir Putin. The 12-month publication is filled with flattering photographs and inspirational quotes designed to project an aura of strength and vitality.
A Year of Curated Machismo
The calendar features the 73-year-old Russian president engaged in a variety of activities intended to showcase his rugged masculinity. One image captures him flipping a man during a judo demonstration, a martial art in which he holds a black belt. Another shows him playing the piano, highlighting a more cultured side. Further pictures depict him looking rugged while walking through mountainous terrain, posing on ski slopes, astride an automobile in a parka, lighting candles, taking telephone calls, and delivering speeches.
Each month is accompanied by a quote from Putin himself. His advice for August reads: "My recipe for energy: Sleep little, work a lot and don’t whine." The quote for January, which states "Russia’s border never ends," is seen by many observers as a potential allusion to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Symbolism and Strategic Messaging
The calendar's content appears to contain several pointed messages. The February image, which shows the leader executing a judo throw, is paired with the statement: "I am a dove, but I have very powerful iron wings." This juxtaposition of peace and overwhelming force is a recurring theme in Kremlin propaganda.
Another quote reinforces the narrative of national resilience, with Putin claiming, "I think Russia has become much stronger in the last two or three years because we are becoming a truly sovereign country." This comes amidst the backdrop of the invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has reportedly led to over one million casualties since it began in February 2022, though the calendar makes no direct mention of it.
The Cult of Personality in Practice
These calendars are sold for $3.50 (£2.65) and are displayed in government facilities, homes, schools, post offices, and other public buildings across Russia. This widespread distribution is part of a long-running effort to maintain Putin's image within the country, where his health and vigour are often celebrated as extensions of his powerful leadership.
Putin has been the dominant leader of Russia for over 26 years and has been accused of war crimes by international bodies. Maxim Trudolyubov, commenting to the New York Times, described the calendar as its own genre of art. "It’s an empire with this ancient emperor who’s been around for decades, so it is supposed to be boring; it is supposed to signal stability, predictability, even if the reality is nothing of the kind," he said.
The release of this calendar continues a tradition of using such items as a soft power tool, projecting an image of unwavering strength and control to both a domestic and international audience.
