December 26, 2001 Newsletter

Author: Linda DeLaine
Website: RL Online
Department:
Page: 0   ( 0) pages

Summary: A look back at former president Yeltsin's surprise New Year's Eve resignation, Russian supersonic flight and the folkart, Golden Khokhloma.

RUSSIAN LIFE'S
RUSSIAN CULTURE GUIDE NEWSLETTER

By Linda DeLaine, Editor
December 26, 2001

WHAT'S NEW

After 10 years of economic and political upheaval, Russia is entering 2002 as a growth nation. It's economy is on a steady upward trend. The closer ties with the West cultivated by President Putin have and will continue to be to Russia's benefit. New relations with NATO, the EU and hopeful admission into the WTO would not have seemed possible just a few years ago.

Russia still must deal with its unpopular war in Chechnya and allegations of human rights violations. However, Putin's immediate response to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001, and Russia's assistance in the war in Afghanistan have won the pragmatic leader and his nation much favor in Western eyes.

Russia's forecasted economic growth for 2002 is ca. 4 percent. This is less than the expected 2001 growth of 5.5 percent and impressive 8.3 percent growth in 2000. However, it is well above the 1 percent growth estimated for the U.S. and European Union.

Russia's economy has a long ways to go. Currently, its per capita GDP is around $2,000 as compared to $30,000 in the U.S.

One landmark piece of legislature was recently passed which is intended to help the Russian economy and making doing business easier. Russian citizens may now buy and sell land, something that has not been allowed since the 1917 revolution. "The president will be able to prove the correctness of the new course only if the West really moves toward Russia and Russian citizens really feel the impact of this. If this does not happen, the present pro-Western turn could easily be replaced with an opposite one." - Nezavisimaya Voyennoye Obozrenie newspaper

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Supersonic Flight
Meet the TU-144, Russia's achievement, albeit short lived, in supersonic flight. On Dec. 31, 1968, Russia's TU-144 supersonic airliner made its first flight, several months ahead of the Anglo-French Concorde.

Anton Chekhov
A brief look at the life and works of Russia's famous writer and dramatist.

Yeltsin's Surprise Resignation
On New Year's Eve, 1999, while many braced for a possible Y2K disaster, Boris Yeltsin resigned as president of the Russian Federation leaving a little known prime minister in charge.

Steeped in Tradition
Some may think that vodka is Russia's national drink, but the truth is that Russians can live without vodka, but they cannot survive without tea. In fact, there are few places on earth where more tea is consumed per capita than Russia. We take a look at the origins of this obsession, from samovars to tea with jam to torts and pryaniki. You'll be brewing a cup yourself before you finish.

Origins of the Slavic Cross
The Cross is the universal symbol of Christianity, thanks to Constantine. The Slavic Cross is unique in that it has three, not one, crossbars. Learn the rich symbology of this symbol.

Alexandra and the Romanovs
The last Tsarina of Russia and her role in the fall of the dynasty. On December 30, 1916, Grigory Rasputin, Siberian peasant, mystic, and favorite of Alexandra was shot, poisoned and eventually drowned at the house of Prince Feliks Yusupov.

Golden Khokhloma
Unique and enchanting folk art from the region of Transvolga.

And much more . . .

REGULAR FEATURES

Russian Culture Update
Your Update page includes special on-line features such Time Photo Essays, Russia Journal Lifestyle reports, current ruble rate and more. As always, this page is your source for daily headlines, OP/ED, sports and business news.

Today in Russia's History - December
Key events in Russian history from the debut of The Nutcracker, Stalin's birth and Yeltsin's surprise resignation.

PARTING THOUGHTS

Wishing each and everyone a happy and safe New Year's. The Russian Culture Guide site is only 3 months old and I would like to thank everyone for your support and abiding interest in all things Russian.

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"The personal life of every individual is based on secrecy, and perhaps it is partly for that reason that civilised man is so nervously anxious that personal privacy should be respected."
Anton Pavlovic Chekhov