“Putin is crazy! Marat Akaev shakes his head. The manager of Délices de la Caspienne, an Eastern European grocery store in the Garibaldi district (Lyon 3), hates politics. “I am very far from that. Even when I was in Russia, I did not vote because the leaders do not have a heart. »
Marat Akaev was born in Makhachkala, Russia, near the Caspian Sea. In 2005, the Putin regime persuaded him to join his family, who have already taken refuge in Lyon, a city he “loves.” He opened Caspian Delights in 2009 to collect food products from Eastern Europe, whether Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Hungarian or even Armenian. Diversity and a mixture that is found in his clientele, Russian-speaking and very supportive of a common geographical area.
Against threats, evidence of support
“We are all friends in my shop! says Marat Akaev. “During the recent conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, many citizens of the two countries came here to show their friendship. And now, when there is a war in Ukraine, I have Russian and Ukrainian clients who gather on purpose. He has Ukrainians among his staff, “and we get along very well,” he said in a probative tone.
Earlier this week, two Russian restaurants in Lyon, King Alexander and Volga, received death threats. King Alexander’s managers filed a complaint Thursday; contacted, they indicated that they no longer wished to comment on the topic. Marat Akaev received mostly support. “Every day people come to tell us that they are with us, they know we have nothing to do with this war,” he said. “Threats, I don’t care, they don’t scare me. If the unfortunate people have the courage, let them come and see me and tell me things in their eyes. Let them come and tell me what they are accusing me of! »
For the joys of the Caspian Sea. – DAYS / 20 MINUTES
In the small grocery store, customers fill their baskets with smoked sprats, low-salt pickles and an impressive amount of pastries. “My French customers come mainly for beers, vodka and salmon eggs,” laughs the manager. Pallets arrived on time in front of the store: “I ordered goods worth 70,000 euros from Russia and Ukraine to have in stock for at least 6 months. »
The Russians in Lyon are fiercely opposed to Putin
Julia, a retired dance teacher, often comes to Délices de la Caspienne. A Muscovite living in Lyon since 1996, she was devastated by the war in Ukraine. “I can’t say I’m surprised, Putin has been planning this for a long time, we couldn’t expect anything good,” she said. “I know it’s not fashionable to be Russian these days,” she smiles sadly, “but I’m not ashamed of where I come from. I am ashamed of Putin. “
Tugan, a 30-year-old driver, set off with paprika sausages. Initially skeptical, he confided that he was a Russian by his father, a Belarusian by his mother, “and we all came to France when Putin arrived because this was the country my great-grandparents dreamed of,” he explains. “Right now they are looking at me a little askance, but I will never go back there, this is no longer my country. I have nothing to do with it, I just want to live in peace, but obviously we do not decide, “he concluded bitterly.