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Russian Life: Nov/Dec 2010

Cover: Sandra Reddin

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7: End of an Era Maria Antonova
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 Tamara Eidelman
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...
Russian Calendar
:: Translation by Nora Favorov

21: Itinerant Exhibition Tamara Eidelman
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.
Russian Calendar
:: Translation by Nora Favorov

23: The Death of Alexander I Tamara Eidelman
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.
Russian Calendar
:: Translation by Nora Favorov

28: Russia on the March Stella Rock
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.
Features
:: Illustrations/Images by Sandra Reddin

30: Kvas v. Cola Mikhail Ivanov
A consideration of patriotism and language.
Survival Russian

36: Tolstoy's Flight Maya Kucherskaya
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.
Literature
:: Translation by Paul E. Richardson

38: An Unfortunate Misunderstanding Natasha Beskhlebnaya
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.
Features
:: Translation by Nina Shevchuk-Murray

44: Problem Solving Lennart Dahlgren
An extract from the book by a former IKEA manager, about the trials and tribulations of doing business in Russia.
Memoir
:: Translation by Paul E. Richardson :: Illustrations/Images by Katya Korobkina

46: The Napoleon Code Anna Dymkovets
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.
History
:: Translation by Brendan Kiernan

54: Apocalypse Nyet Mark Nuckols
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 Darra Goldstein
Konstantin Makovsky's Boyarina Bearing a Tray serves as an introduction to an ancient Russian custom of hospitality.
Cuisine

62: Spies, Androids and Napoleon Paul E. Richardson
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 Susanna Nazarova and Evgeny Dengub
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