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

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

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...

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

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.

 
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.

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.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

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