Any Russian mayor worth his salt knows that the best way to attract investment (and perhaps divert a few million roubles into a Swiss bank account) is to commission a jazzy new logo for his city. The success of this policy is evident in the global fame of cities like Yaroslavl and Ulyanovsk.
But these brand-conscious bureaucrats are missing a trick by overlooking the riches under their noses — and on their flagpoles. For, already fluttering above Russia’s provincial towns are a parade of bizarre banners and strange symbols that put the focus-group faffing of modern-day logo-mongers to shame.
To celebrate Russia’s off-beat heraldic heritage, we’ve put together a little quiz: can you tell which of these 14 flags is genuine, and which we’ve cobbled together on Photoshop?
Let’s have fun with flags!