Current Moscow Time: 16:20:0321 May 2013
The world’s biggest country, in a magazine. Since 1956.
Russian Life: Jul/Aug 2006
17: The Celebration of Summer
Ivan Kupala is the annual celebration of Summer Solstice. It has deep roots in Russia's pagan past, and is making a comeback.
:: Translation by Nora Favorov
Russian Calendar
19: Ivan Kruzenshtern
Russia's first (actually, technically its second) circumnavigator was an fearless explorer who often put up with some difficult diplomats, like Nikolai Rezanov.
:: Translation by Nora Favorov
Russian Calendar
20: The First Public Library
The founding of the first public library on the campus of Moscow State University was a momentus event for lovers of books and knowledge. The library's history echoes that of the nation.
:: Translation by Nora Favorov
Russian Calendar
23: The Babushka Factor
Every foreigner knows the word "babushka" before they even start studying Russian. But it takes some study (or this column) to plumb the depths of meaning hidden in this word.
:: Illustrations/Images by Victor Bogorad
Survival Russian
24: Knights of the Don
For centuries, the Don Cossacks guarded Russia’s borders, fought its enemies, explored its nether reaches. Fiercely independent and the source of much historical controversy, these warriors are an inalienable part of Rus.
Features
38: A Hetman Builds a Nation
To the West, another Cossack, Bogdan Khmelnytsky, forged the nation that became Ukraine, in the process binding it to its larger, eastern neighbor.
Features
42: The Wonders of Kamchatka
In the first of a two-part series, we explore the villages, geysers, volcanoes, flora and fauna of Russia’s wildest peninsula.
:: Illustrations/Images by Igor Shpilenok
Features
50: The Spies Who Loved
They betrayed their country and helped the Soviet Union get the bomb. But this couple never became famous, like the Rosenbergs. Perhaps that is because they got away, almost...
Features
56: Village Injustice
This modern tale of two hapless village drunks and their run-in with the Russian justice system could be taken out of Chekhov. But, sadly, it is non-fiction.
Notes from a Russian Village
58: The Stuff of Folk Songs
Ryabina is the stuff of Russian song and folklore. Here, it is the focus for this issue's snowball berry red recipe...
Cuisine
60: Writers at War, Putin and a River Adventure
A review of Ivan's War, A Writer at War, Putin's Russia, and River of No Reprieve. Follow this link for a quick link to purchase any of these titles.
Under Review
64: A History of the Ruble in Three Acts
As we note in our Notebook lead this issue, the Russian government is on a fast track to making the ruble fully convertible. For our PostScript, we review the history of the ruble's decline and fall, with attractive graphs!
Post Script