How a former Swiss race car driver fell in love with life in Russia

“If someone had told me at my 20 [years of age] that I would move to Russia upon retirement, I would never have believed it! But, over the years, the world has turned upside down,” Martin admits.

Now, with his Russian wife Galina, he lives on the outskirts of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, in a cozy private house drowning in greenery.

Russian life & Russian wife

Martin with his wife Galina.

Martin met his future wife online eight years ago. She was 49, he was 63. Both were firmly on their feet: Martin lived alone, working as a shopping mall director. Galina, a design engineer by profession, was running a company in Stavropol.

“Galina is a wonderful woman! Actually, Russian women are very different from European women; they lack selfishness, they are caring, intelligent and educated,” Martin states.

Newlyweds Martin and Galina in Switzerland.

With Galina, he felt loved for the first time. He was amazed when his wife effortlessly packed his suitcase for vacation. He wasn't used to such care.

But, Martin also managed to surprise Galina: from the very first day until now, he makes breakfast and willingly does housework, even when he comes home tired from work.

Initially, the couple lived in Switzerland, but, later, moved to Russia – to Galina's hometown of Stavropol.

When & why he decided to move to Russia

Martin is a member of the Swiss People's Party (SVP), which aims to preserve traditional Switzerland. In 1992, they were the only opponents of Switzerland joining the European Union. Today, the SVP holds the same views, but the world around is changing and all trends are penetrating the country.

How a Swiss man ended up driving tourists around Siberia in his own KAMAZ

“We moved in 2022. The situation in Switzerland was changing for the worse and very quickly. I realized I didn't want to see it anymore; it was time to leave.”

Martin's party advocates for improved relations with Russia and the lifting of sanctions. Martin continues to participate in all this; he now considers himself to be an expert on Russia.

He has a TikTok channel, which, however, gets periodically blocked – accused of “Russian propaganda” – but Martin stubbornly continues to run it. He holds live streams and answers questions about life: the cost of petrol, a doctor's visit, how holidays are celebrated, etc.

“In Europe, there are many myths about us. The main ones are that we are starving and freezing!”

“I always speak honestly – both the pros and the cons. I chose Russia, because, for me, the pros outweigh the cons here!”

At the ‘Day of the Don Harvest’ in Rostov-on-Don.

He really liked Stavropol – it's warm, green and the people are very responsive. He felt at home.

Later, Galina's daughter from her first marriage got married in Rostov-on-Don (Martin also has adult children who live in Switzerland). So, they decided to move closer to her. Over three years, Martin has now settled into Rostov, as well. He has familiar shopkeepers, “his” barbershop, “his” farmers at the market.

A retired race car driver

In his youth, Martin had his own band. And music still holds a significant place in his life.

"Most of all, I love the Russian anthem. It's amazing, solemn, gives an internal vibration, I get goosebumps from it! The anthem is the main musical symbol of Russia. It reflects the Russian character."

Performance of the ‘Black Cat’ band. 1970s. Martin Schönenberger is second from the left with a trumpet.

Nevertheless, at his father's insistence, Martin didn’t tie his life to music. Instead, he trained as an auto mechanic, worked in a garage and, eventually, found his way into motorsport. In 1977, when he was 22, he took 1st place in ‘Formula Renault’.

But, soon after, Martin had a serious car accident and was confined to a wheelchair for three years with only being able to move his head. At the time, doctors said there was no chance, but, little by little, he made a full recovery.

Martin with his Yorkshire Terrier nicknamed Filya and his photo portrait from almost half a century ago.

“Martin always achieves his goals,” Galina says proudly about her husband. She admits that, on the roads of Rostov, filled with reckless drivers, pensioner Martin sometimes turns back into a racer…

What he liked & found surprising in Russia

Before meeting Galina, Martin knew little about Russia: he had seen a couple of movies and a ‘Formula 1’ race in Sochi.

“And I knew about Putin, as well. Who doesn't know him? The only real man in modern politics. And we were told about Russian people that they are as cold as the Russian winter. But, that's not true!”

What truly surprised Martin in Russia was the healthcare: “Nowhere in Europe can you get a tooth extracted for a thousand rubles (approx. $12).” Later, he had a surgery done for 50,000 rubles (~$630), which would have cost 20 times more in Switzerland.

In Starocherkasskaya stanitsa, the ancient Cossack capital

“I also like that in Russia there is no tax on pets. Utility bills are low, petrol is much cheaper. There's a wide selection of farm products. Lots of free places for recreation, for fishing. There are free kindergartens and free higher education. In Switzerland, you even have to pay to visit a municipal beach.”

Of Russian cuisine, Martin came to love borsch soup the most. However, he admits it was difficult to get used to the long Russian table gatherings with endless dishes.

“In Russia, I have become more open and uninhibited. If I happen to break some rules, I say: well, I'm already 10% Russian. And I've also started joking a lot. Russians, when they hear a good joke, they get so happy!”

The full version of the interview is available (in Russian) on the ‘Nation’ magazine’s website.