January 30, 2012

Election Journal: Moscow's White Ring


Election Journal: Moscow's White Ring

The greatest pleasure in recent weeks was yesterday’s “White Ring” auto rally, when cars drove around Moscow’s Garden Ring festooned with white ribbons. The white ribbon has become the symbol of people’s disagreement with the results of the December Duma elections.

On a Sunday at two o’clock, Moscow’s Garden Ring usually has very few cars. But yesterday, when the cars “closed the ring,” the traffic was estimated at 6 points on our side [on the ten-point traffic rating scale], and just 1 in the opposite direction.

At first, I thought I might tie white towels to my car, but then hesitated, thinking that would be too much, so I simply applied small white ribbons. Arriving at the Ring, I immediately understood I had made a mistake. Cars parading along the ring had been transformed into works of art: some were completely wrapped in toilet paper, others were covered with fake snow, and still others had white sheets tied to their door handles.

Several times I was passed by a huge black Jeep on which was written, in big white letters, “StateDept.” I caught up to it and tried to ask for the allowance which, if one is to believe our prime minister, Hilary Clinton was giving out to all protesters. They didn’t give me any money – Hilary, where is our money?

In two hours, I circumnavigated the Ring twice. It’s been a long time since I experienced so many positive emotions.

[Photo: m-a-r-g-0.livejournal.com]

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955