Current Moscow Time: 18:12:3723 May 2013
The world’s biggest country, in a magazine. Since 1956.
Russian Life: Nov/Dec 2010
Cover: Sandra Reddin
7: End of an Era
The sudden dismissal of longtime Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov marks a break from the quiet politics of the Putin Vertical of Power...
Note Book
19: Mongols Sack Kiev
The fall of Kiev in 1240 proceeded very differently from the fall of other Slavic cities to the Mongols, and it set in motion the eventual split between Ukraine and Russia...
:: Translation by Nora Favorov
Russian Calendar
21: Itinerant Exhibition
The bold artists who broke with the prevailing powers of the Russian Academy set in motion a revolution in Russian art that paralleled that of the French Impressionists.
:: Translation by Nora Favorov
Russian Calendar
23: The Death of Alexander I
The time of Alexander I is often looked back on with nostalgia, as the pinnacle of Russia's Imperial Age. And Alexander's mysterious and sudden death has led to innumerable conspiracy theories.
:: Translation by Nora Favorov
Russian Calendar
28: Russia on the March
In recent years, a resurgent interest in religious pilgrimages has swept through Russia. Stella Rock joined 20,000 Russians on a 150-kilometer journey through Kirov region and brought back this story.
:: Illustrations/Images by Sandra Reddin
Features
30: Kvas v. Cola
A consideration of patriotism and language.
Survival Russian
36: Tolstoy's Flight
Author Pavel Basinsky has penned a new book about Tolstoy’s last days in Yasnaya Polyana and it has become a Russian bestseller, proving that the classic author is still widely popular in his homeland.
:: Translation by Paul E. Richardson
Literature
38: An Unfortunate Misunderstanding
If the boyars of Serpukhov had not been so intransigent, history would have been much different for the town of Podolsk. As it turned out, the little town was forever transformed by a chance visit by American entrepreneurs.
:: Translation by Nina Shevchuk-Murray
Features
44: Problem Solving
An extract from the book by a former IKEA manager, about the trials and tribulations of doing business in Russia.
:: Translation by Paul E. Richardson
:: Illustrations/Images by Katya Korobkina
Memoir
46: The Napoleon Code
There have been rumors of, and searches for, Napoleon’s Treasure since the mid- nineteenth century. Anna Dymkovets tagged along with some modern-day treasure seekers to find out what they are looking for.
:: Translation by Brendan Kiernan
History
54: Apocalypse Nyet
Russian church officials were so sure that the year 7000, counting from the purported beginning of time (1492 in modern calendar time), would herald in the Apocalypse, that they did not bother making Easter calendars beyond that year.
History
60: Vodka with a Kiss
Konstantin Makovsky's Boyarina Bearing a Tray serves as an introduction to an ancient Russian custom of hospitality.
Cuisine
62: Spies, Androids and Napoleon
Reviews of Stalin's Romeo Spy, Lost and Found in Russia, Russia Against Napoleon, Android Karenina, The New Nobility, and Russian Music for Cello and Piano.
Under Review
65: Uchites 09
The ninth edition of our Uchites language insert, sponsored by Russkiy Mir Foundation, uses the Itinerants art movement to explore the language of art. A recording is also available online.
Language