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Russian Life: May/June 2009

Cover: Katya Korobkina

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7: Olympian Drama Maria Antonova
The mayoral election in Sochi sets the stage for the 2014 Winter Olympics, and for municipal democracy.
Note Book

19: The Deportation of Peoples Tamara Eidelman
This is the 55th anniversary of the peak period of Soviet deportation of national groups.
Russian Calendar
:: Translation by Nora Favorov

20: Singing in the Rain Mikhail Ivanov
Forecasting the weather in Russia is a national sport. And a fertile ground for linguistic growth.
Survival Russian
:: Illustrations/Images by Victor Bogorad

24: Sergius of Radonezh Tamara Eidelman
What do we really know about Sergius of Radonezh, Russia's patron saint? What is he venerated for, and why?
Russian Calendar
:: Translation by Nora Favorov

26: Poltava Tamara Eidelman
Russia's victory over Sweden at the Battle of Poltava was geopolitically very significant, while the feast that took place amid the carnage was obscene...
Russian Calendar
:: Translation by Nora Favorov

29: 100 Things Everyone Should Know About Russia Paul E. Richardson
In honor of this, our 100th issue since July 1995, we went in search of 100 Things Everyone Should Know About Russia. We returned with over 300 and packed them into this colorful, browsable feature. Time to test yourself! The 16-page feature includes contributions from Stanislav Shvabrin, John Freedman, Maria Antonova, Darra Goldstein, Jeanmarie Rouhier-Willoughby, Tamara Eidelman, Marcus Levitt and Laura Williams, with wonderful original illustrations by Katya Korobkina.
Features
:: Illustrations/Images by Katya Korobkina

45: Zaryade: Moscow Quiet Nook Alexander Mozhayev
A cobblestone’s throw from the Kremlin walls, there was once a rabbit-warren of crooked streets and tall buildings called Zaryade. For a time, it was the capital's Old Town and considered a prestigious place of residence. Neglected, the area deteriorated in the 20th century and most of it was torn down. But the memories remain.
Features
:: Translation by Peter Morley

52: Cultural Clones Anna Dymkovets
Be it in films, literature, television, music or art, Russia has a long tradition of cloning western (and eastern) cultural icons and making them its own. We survey several of the more interesting and recent instances, from Alice in Wonderland and Winnie the Pooh, to The Wheel of Fortune and Big Brother.
Features
:: Translation by Deborah Hoffman

58: Faith in Progress Laura Williams
One fine spring day, a new telephone appeared in the village of Chukhrai. A beautiful thing. But it connected to no one or no thing.
Notes from a Russian Village

60: Meals from the Heart Darra Goldstein
Sometimes the simplest foods offer the most sublime and satisfying of gustatory experiences.
Cuisine

62: Into the Screening Room Paul E. Richardson
Where we review four recent films from or about Russia and a new television series appearing on PBS.
Under Review

64: Completing the Circle Nikolai Gernet
We check back in with Nikolai Gernet, on how the economic crisis is affecting Arkhangelsk oblast.
Post Script
:: Translation by Paul E. Richardson

65: Uchites 03 Susanna Nazarova and Evgeny Dengub
The third edition of our Uchites language insert, sponsored by Russkiy Mir Foundation, uses the theme of plagiarism to explore grammar, build vocabulary and facility in reading Russian.
Language