Petrozavodsk



Petrozavodsk

Ice Fishing on Lake Onega

Igor Podgorny

Name: Igor Podgorny

Age: 38

Profession: Geology teacher. Right now doing freelance photography.

City: Petrozavodsk

How long have you been doing photography? What style or genre most interests you? 
Over 10 years. I am particularly interested in photographing wildlife. 

Can you give us a short description of your city? Where is it located? What is it famous for?

Karelia is the land of forests and lakes. Wildlife, which I love to photograph most of all, begins at the very edge of the cities. Occasionally, within these same cities, you might encounter various types of animals and birds. Of course we have many tourist attractions in close proximity to Petrozavodsk, such as the Kizhi Architectural Preserve and Kivach Falls. 

What is something about your city that only locals would know?

Petrozavodsk is not a very large city. The city's main street begins at Vokzal Square and descends down to Lake Onega. Lake Onega is the second largest lake in Europe.

Arrive at the train station, and you can take a leisurely stroll down to the lake in 20 minutes.

The history of Petrozavodsk is widely accepted to have begun in 1703. It was founded by Russian tsar Peter the First.

Recently on the internet, the following "hashtag"  appeared:

#ялюблюэтотвашпетрозаводск

Basically, "I love Petrozavodsk"

In the local dialect, we have some unique words. For example : "lambushka – a local word for a forest-edged lake and "rebushi" – dirty, torn clothing.

There are still signs written in Finnish in some markets, stores and various establishments. There is also the locally renowned "Secret of the Third Column" music theatre. 

Which places or sites are a must for someone to see if they visit your city?

Kizhi Island, Kivach Falls and Ruskeala Mountain Park. 

Anything else you would like to add?

I returned to Petrozavodsk after living in Moscow for 18 years. I was not sorry in the least. For me, Karelia is difficult not to love. This is the place that I feel most in touch with my soul.

There are ancient wooden churches and Karelian villages, hunting and fishing, trips along the wildlife forests, or negotiating the river's rapids.

A trip to Karelia is worth taking at least once in a lifetime. Here, everything is at hand. You are able to take in quite a bit in a relatively short trip. 

Igor's website. 

Translation by Jim Hess.



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

Some of our Books

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

White Magic
June 01, 2021

White Magic

The thirteen tales in this volume – all written by Russian émigrés, writers who fled their native country in the early twentieth century – contain a fair dose of magic and mysticism, of terror and the supernatural. There are Petersburg revenants, grief-stricken avengers, Lithuanian vampires, flying skeletons, murders and duels, and even a ghostly Edgar Allen Poe.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

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.

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.

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