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... Literature Fiction
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. Bilingual Books Fiction
February 01, 2010 Fish This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration. Literature Fiction
December 01, 2011 Faith & Humor A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life. Religion Fiction
November 01, 2012 A Taste of Russia The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use. Culture Nonfiction
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. Fiction
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. History Literature Fiction
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. Bilingual Books Fiction Language Learning
August 17, 2018 Resilience ~ The Russian Version (Переживем) Call it resilience, grit, or just perseverance – it takes a special sort of person to have survived the last 100 years of Russian and Soviet history. Nonfiction
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. Nonfiction
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. Nonfiction
May 01, 2011 Marooned in Moscow This gripping autobiography plays out against the backdrop of Russia's bloody Civil War, and was one of the first Western eyewitness accounts of life in post-revolutionary Russia. Marooned in Moscow provides a fascinating account of one woman's entry into war-torn Russia in early 1920, first-person impressions of many in the top Soviet leadership, and accounts of the author's increasingly dangerous work as a journalist and spy, to say nothing of her work on behalf of prisoners, her two arrests, and her eventual ten-month-long imprisonment, including in the infamous Lubyanka prison. It is a veritable encyclopedia of life in Russia in the early 1920s. History Nonfiction
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.
The Parade Must Go On Amid regional parade cancelations, St. Petersburg offered a subdued Victory Day march.
Language Learning Learning Russian is not a sprint, it's a marathon. We don't publish standard language learning books, but books that supplement your learnings on grammar and vocabulary.
MAXophone ~ Word of the Month History is repeating itself as the Russian state murders civilians for resisting its ruthless will.
Extras Included A review of Alexander Voloshin's Sidetracked: Exile in Hollywood, translated by Boris Dralyuk.
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"You Will Live Here Forever" The little-known story of a Russian academic who held his ground and made a difference.
"I Still Can't Stand the Smell of Bay Leaves"... Memories of Serafima Korolyova, a St. Petersburg woman who lived with her family in the Mariinsky Palace during the Leningrad Blockade
Tamara's Millions The mysterious case of a seemingly destitute pensioner who left a large bequest to a fund for children.
The Living and the Dead How red tape, politics, and state indifference combined to kill 82-year-old Svetlana Mitina.
Lady With A Puck In the Russian North, hockey is more than just a sport. And for these retired women, it is a lifeline.
Reliving the Glory Days A massive reenactment festival just before Victory Day reveals a great deal about modern Russian discourse.
Attacked for "Speaking Buryat" on the Bus A Buryat woman was attacked on a Moscow bus for speaking "her language." According to the victim, she was speaking Russian.
Targeting Russia's Antiwar Party Fines, raids, and arrests hit Yabloko, the only legal party in Russia openly against the war in Ukraine, ahead of upcoming elections.
Teaching Russian DNA In January 2027, war propaganda in schools will be expanded by adding another ''patriotic" lesson to the curriculum.
The Little Golden Calf Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
Black Rain of War An environmental catastrophe hits Tuapse following an attack by Ukrainian drones on a local oil refinery.
Pushkin Is Out A new federal law introduced on March 1 might change the way books, including classic Russian titles, are distributed.
Starlink's Shadow Network An investigation finds that the Russian army is still using Starlink in Ukraine despite restrictions, but connectivity remains fragile, worsened by Russia's own messaging limits.
Twitch Says No to Russian Drones Twitch banned Russian streamers for retransmitting a recruitment event for drone building by a Russian university.
Introducing Russia's Newest Minesweeper Russia is expanding its fleet of advanced minesweepers, aiming to secure strategic waterways.
Dostoyevsky Bilingual Bilingual series of short, lesser known, but highly significant works that show the traditional view of Dostoyevsky as a dour, intense, philosophical writer to be unnecessarily one-sided.
I Won't Grow Up! A review of A Hundred Years of Childhood: An Anthology of Russian Writing for Children, 1917-2017, by Olga Bukhina & Kelly Herold & Andrea Lanoux
Where We First Touched Outer Space The world's largest and most active space port is situated in the middle of the Kazakh desert. Largely off-limits to outsiders, it is an unusual mix of hi-tech and low-key. And it was from here, just over 50 years ago, that humankind first reached out to touch the stars.
Testing Victory More than 70,000 Muscovites participated in this year's "Victory Dictation," testing their knowledge of WW2.
From Poisoning to Firewalls The same FSB unit tied to Navalny's poisoning is now leading Russia's push to restrict Telegram, WhatsApp, and VPNs, according to industry sources.
"We Shouldn't Feel Fear" A blogger uploaded a video message to Putin, saying people were afraid of him. Two days later, she thanked him.
A New Festive Tradition Two criminal cases are active for “insulting” images of the Russian Easter cake on social media.
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.
Young Voices Under Pressure Young Russian journalists navigate fear, censorship, and an uncertain future in a shrinking space for independent reporting.
Tolstoy Would Be Proud Alexei Tolstoy's grandson, along with four people and a Tatar advocacy group, was declared a foreign agent on the same day.
A Rough Patch for Putin? The Russian president is seeing some of his lowest approval ratings in decades, and that's according to state media.
Historical Events in November and December Dates and anniversaries that coincide with this winter's issue.
100 Young Russians to Watch This is the sixth article in our series: 100 Young Russians to Watch. In this issue we present seven notable individuals—from an alpinist turned preservationist to an editor to an outstanding oboist ... All personify the sort of excellence and hope which embody a positive Russian future.
Russian Lacquer Miniatures: A Mythic Art Russian lacquered miniatures came to fruition in the Soviet era--skilled icon painters' adaptation of a centuries-old art to new, secular reality. Collector and expert Cherry Gilchrist offers a fascinating look at the history of this art form, plus offers useful tips on how to buy top-quality miniatures.
19: Horse Power JUST 1 LEFT IN STOCK! Our theme is "Horse Power," in which every tale and memoir has to do with that noble friend. There are tales of work horses, race horses, war horses and little humpbacked horses. And always it is their interaction with and affect on us humans that makes the tale so poignant, powerful and classic.
33: Military Tales JUST 1 LEFT IN STOCK! This issue of Chtenia collects stories of war and combat from some of the earliest days of Russian history to the current day.
34: Treasure Hunting Only 1 issue left! This issue takes you on a multi-century romp through Russian literature in search of treasure. From bells hidden on a dilapidated estate, the long lost library of Ivan the Terrible, a son's coveting of his father's treasure (a la Pushkin) to the little treasures held close to a girl's heart...
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.
Reading Between Black Lines In Russia, censored pages are sparking underground libraries, secret book clubs, and quiet acts of literary resistance.
Convicted for Crypto A Bryansk man was convicted of financing terrorism for transferring cryptocurrency to a banned Russian political organization.
An Oasis for Russian Jokes There's a surprising space where Russians find safe space for topical humor and how they comment on what's happening in the country.
Kazakhstan: Stop Fighting for Russia, Please Kazakhstan has been arresting citizens who are fighting for Russia in its War on Ukraine.
Sexual Anarchy, Too Much for the FSB A court fined a bookstore chain for novels that contained "sexual anarchism."
Navalny's "Concentration Camp" Closed A prison that once held opposition leader Alexey Navalny has been closed. He referred to it as a "concentration camp."
Avoiding Expulsion Through the Draft A prestigious Russian university is offering military contracts to fight in Ukraine to students at risk of expulsion.
Now Queen is LGBT Propaganda A Moscow man was fined for "LGBT propaganda" after posting pictures from Queen's 1984 music video, "I Want to Break Free."
Fight for an Apartment Russian orphans have to fight in the war to access apartments they are legally entitled to.
Groceries for International Women's Day United Russia gifted groceries to elderly women, female volunteers, and widows of soldiers who died in Ukraine to celebrate International Women's Day.
Man Murders "English Spy" Girlfriend In St. Petersburg, a man killed his friend thinking she was an English Spy.
"Mehh": Fined For Reposting Government Video A man in Moscow Oblast was fined for reposting a video of sheep with the letter "Z" on their wool.
Lawyer Convicted for Bucha Massacre Comments A lawyer who represented dissidents and Ukrainian servicemen was convicted in absentia over comments about the Bucha massacre.
Roskomnadzor Protestors Arrested Three activists blocked the doors of Roskomnadzor to protest internet surveillance and were arrested.
Dual Nationals Are Traitors, Again Russian authorities plan to crack down on dual citizens, adding penalties for those who fail to disclose a second passport.
Cracking Down on Drunk Driving In response to persistently high rates of drunk driving in Russia, stricter punishments are being enacted.
Cheburashka's Nationality Debated Debates over the nationality of the popular Soviet cartoon character Cheburashka erupt.
Volodya the Robot's New Job A humanoid robot named Volodya helps flight attendants at Pobeda Airlines.
Russia's Top Car is a Soviet Staple Russian consumers say the best new car in Russia is from an (in)famous Soviet company.
Sinking Hopes for Russia's Last Aircraft Carrier Long out of service for repairs, the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov faces an uncertain future.
How Did Putin Celebrate Orthodox Christmas? Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated Christmas at a military church near Moscow.
Crossing the Border is Part of the Job Finnish workers cross the Russian border for jobs on the Saimaa Canal.
Music Worth the Fine A Russian citizen was fined R50,000 for listening to a song by Ukrainian artist Verka Serduchka.
Estonia Parries Visas for Russian Fencing Team The European Fencing Championship was moved from Estonia after Russian athletes’ visas were denied.
Russia's Streaming Content Crackdown Starting March 1, anyone can report films and TV shows streamed on social media and video services that discredit traditional Russian values.
Toiletries Instead of Tech Russian officials were quick to criticize the meager gifts given to Russian athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Children Celebrate the Defender of the Fatherland Day This year, Russian children had ample opportunity to join in on Defender of the Fatherland Day festivities.
More Undesirables Two American academic organizations have been designated as "undesirable" in Russia, stifling scholastic collaboration.
Sore Spot over Scythian Gold The Investigative Committee of Russia is launching a criminal investigation into the alleged theft of cultural property.
Pro-War Babushkas Evicted An unexpected series of setbacks has halted a Russian volunteer organization’s efforts in support of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On Journalism's End in Russia A powerful, anxiety-filled documentary captures the final breaths of independent Russian journalism.
Putin's Internet Offensive The Kremlin's "spring offensive" to shutdown the mobile internet, VPN services and Telegram, has revealed a dysfunctional regime.
Never Drink and Sign At least three Russian men have been nabbed by police while intoxicated, only to realize after sobering up that they'd been enlisted.
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.
Events Calendar The Russian Life Events Calendar is your first stop for finding Russophile-related events in the US and around the world. Have an event to share? Use our submission form to give us all the details of your event and we will add it to our database.
The Most Dangerous Russian Skill A pro-war patriotic blogger suddenly spoke out against Putin and ended up in a psychiatric hospital.
Memory On Trial: Relitigating the Finnish Occupation of Soviet Karelia Finland’s occupation of Karelia during WWII is being recast as a genocide.
From Blitzcringe to Gasogeddon An exploration of how Russia's War on Ukraine has altered the Russian language.
Russia's War on Metal Raids, fear, and censorship: Russia's metal scene faces pressure as authorities target concerts, fans, and artists.
Defender of the Grill A Russian woman sued for the illegal distribution of her dacha recipes, and won.
Are You With Us? A subscription to Russian Life is far more than the bound magazine you pull from your mailbox or the articles you read on our website.
The Film about Putin That Won an Oscar How Russia reacts to the success of the documentary movie that shows the world Russian propaganda in schools.
Pay or Die Russian commanders in Ukraine are extorting money from their own soldiers under threat of death, according to independent outlet Verstka.
Weird Flex, but Ok Putin says Russia's defense products have a great price-to-quality ratio. We're not so sure.
The Moscow Eccentric Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.
Mikhail Lomonosov: The Misremembered Hero An online lecture with Dr. Susan Smith-Peter The lecture will discuss how Mikhail Lomonosov, the 18th century polymath and poet, turned into a culture hero. A culture hero personifies the transition from one era to another, in this case from old Russia to new Petrine Russia. While this made Lomonosov a central figure in Russian culture, his importance to Russian history has not always been clear. Making things more difficult is Lomonosov’s connection to Peter III, the unlucky and deposed spouse of Catherine the Great. While Catherine dismissed Peter as disloyal to Russia and lazy, new work shows that he was highly involved in governance and had a tight-knit circle around him. Lomonosov was part of that circle. Already in the 18th century, former members of that circle reshaped Lomonosov’s memory after his death so that it became apolitical and linked to poetry and physics. This has meant that Lomonosov’s work on geography has not been seen as central to his life and legacy, even though his influence on the provinces was considerable. Lomonosov did reshape Russia’s approach to geography by introducing the idea of economic geography. By moving beyond the tropes of the culture hero, we can begin to see the outlines of an important figure in mid-eighteenth century Russia who has not yet been fully appreciated.
Welcome to the Russian Nursery: Toys and Games in Nineteenth-Century Russia An online lecture with Liliya Dashevski What did children play with in nineteenth-century Russia? Many of us might immediately think of the matreshka—the iconic Russian nesting doll. But surprisingly, matreshkas were not actually traditional folk toys at all. They were invented at the very end of the nineteenth century to look traditional. So if Russian children were not playing with matreshkas, what were they playing with? This talk examines the rich and often underexplored world of children’s toys and games from both peasant and elite households, from handmade wooden figures to imported European dolls, board games, and paper theatres. It shows that Russian play culture was not simply “traditional” or “European,” but a blend of both. Russian childhood was shaped by a vernacular craft tradition shared across social classes and by a Europeanized model adapted to elite educational goals. Looking at toys allows us to rethink how Russians imagined childhood, culture, and identity in a period of profound social change.
Origins of the War: A Conversation with Serhii Plokhy A conversation with Serhii Plokhy, renowned historian at Harvard University and author of several books on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This conversation will explore Professor Plokhy's new book, David and Goliath: Commentaries on the Russo-Ukrainian War, and the historiographical questions in involved in understanding the origins of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Cats and Dogs in Soviet Art: Workers, Teachers, Friends The Museum of Russian Art presents an exhibition of forty paintings featuring cats and dogs, on loan from The Raymond and Susan Johnson Collection of 20th Century Russian art and other private American collections. Thirteen of these have never been shown before and will be displayed in an American museum for the first time. Painted by both renowned and lesser recognized artists of the Soviet era, these masterful works depict domesticated animals and their various interactions with humans. In world art, portrayals of pets have historically been endowed with rich symbolism: dogs could be symbols of loyalty, status, or vigilance, while cats are often associated with domesticity, but, on some occasions, the otherworldly, the ominous, and the mystical. Soviet art metabolizes age-old traditions and brings new and additional meanings into the mix. As behooves Soviet cats and dogs in a Proletarian State, these amiable creatures are portrayed contributing to the communal life of a socialist collective. We see dogs resting by a dog sled, pulling ice from a frozen river, or tending cattle. Children’s pets teach their little masters to be caregivers, and cats become friends of retired collective farmers giving them consolation in their advanced age. Also included in this exhibition are Soviet-era porcelain figurines from TMORA collection. These rare sculptural pieces were produced at various Soviet porcelain factories, including the famed Lomonosov (formerly Imperial) Porcelain Factory in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). The Museum gives its thanks to the outstanding collectors with a keen eye for quality who generously share their art through gifts and loans. We are especially grateful to those whose contributions made this exhibition possible: Susan and Ray Johnson, Rose Brady, Duane Engstrom, and Loren Bough.
Russian Language Program Learn Russian with The Museum of Russian Art! Spring session classes begin Monday, March 23, and run for 10 consecutive weeks. Classes for all adult learners take place on Zoom, taught by experienced teachers who are native speakers of Russian. Language learning boosts memory retention, supports cognitive function, and improves concentration and listening skills. Nourish your mind and join us in class!
Ivan Kupala Festival The Russian Cultural Garden is excited to invite you to its first-ever Ivan Kupala celebration — a vibrant summer festival of Slavic traditions, sun, and nature. The program includes a market and traditional cuisine, contests for children and adults, a folklore performance, and special surprises.
Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.
Moscow Doesn't Believe in Internet Recent internet outages in Moscow have had some 90s-esque consequences.
Russia's Shrinking Health Budgets In 2026, a record number of Russian regions reduced healthcare spending amid the war in Ukraine.
Turgenev Bilingual A sampling of Ivan Turgenev's masterful short stories, plays, novellas and novels. Bilingual, with English and accented Russian texts running side by side on adjoining pages.
Transfers Taxed behind Bars Russia has introduced rules allowing prison authorities to withhold up to 75% of the money transfers to inmates from relatives.
Putin and the Apartment Bombings A new BBC podcast delves into Putin's connection to the 1999 apartment building bombings.
A Pretty Penny for the Best Seat in the House A tourist was fined R850,000 (almost $11,000) for sitting on a historic throne in the Hermitage.
13: Luck What is luck (udacha) in Russian culture? That which you constantly expect, but which does not always arrive.
Fish: A History of One Migration This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
Concordia Language Villages' Russian Camp Hundreds of thousands of satisfied language learners have experienced the wonder of speaking a new language through our fun and natural immersion environment.
Maslenitsa 2026: Russians Burned Their Heart Many Russians have turned Maslenitsa celebrations into political statements.
War, Outsourced An investigation reveals a Russian private center recruiting foreigners for the war in Ukraine, funded by state organizations and private businesses paying to keep their workers home.
Skiing Unfriendly Slopes Don't help your kids on Russian ski slopes; you could lose your lift ticket.
Kholodomor ~ Word of the Month History is repeating itself as the Russian state murders civilians for resisting its ruthless will.
How Russians Hunt in Winter Leonid Arkadyevich Zemsky, a literary scholar, dreamed of visiting the countryside in winter and going on a real Russian hunt.
War is Hell Statistics from the four years of Russia's horrific War on Ukraine that deserve to be better known.
Past Reframed, Narrative Reset A Moscow museum dedicated to victims of Soviet repression will be replaced by a new institution focused on what officials call "genocide of the Soviet people" during World War II.
Putin Wants His Childhood Back Russian schools are returning to the Soviet system of evaluating children's behavior.
No Butterfingers Here A 19-year-old St. Petersburg student has set a new record for the number of blini cooked in an hour.
One War Volunteer's Story Ukrainian author Andriy Lyubka chronicles his work supporting the fight against Russian aggression.
Elite Children Profit from War In over three years of full-scale invasion, the children of Russia's political elite amassed billions of rubles thanks to the country’s high-interest key rate.
Slowing Down, Heating Up Russian authorities may be moving to block Telegram. But could the decision backfire?
A Spike for Spiritual Services The Russian Orthodox Church has seen a sharp increase in prices for things like baptisms, weddings, and funerals over the last few years.
Kids with Knives, Guns, and Fire Authorities are concerned about the rising incidence of violence in Russian schools, where children attack classmates, teachers, security staff, and even janitors.
Topographies of Dissent: Armenian Art from the Dodge Collection A selection of over 60 works by Armenian artists from the Norton and Nancy Dodge Collection of Nonconformist Art from the Soviet Union
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.
Far & Away ~ Tales from Rural Russia 33 original stories about modern (and not so modern) life in rural Russia.
Russia's War Falls on the Poor Data show Russia's war deaths are concentrated in regions with higher poverty rates.
Youth Victimized Twice Residents of one town are taking to the streets and writing letters to Putin, trying to keep pregnant women from having to travel to big cities to give birth.
Birthing Protest Residents of one town are taking to the streets and writing letters to Putin, trying to keep pregnant women from having to travel to big cities to give birth.
Cheburlandia ~ Word of the Month The story of how a Soviet-era icon for friendship has been twisted into an icon of militarism.
Veterans Struggle for Jobs Many former soldiers say stigma and disability keep them from getting the jobs they need to carry on.
Vandalism at a Murder Site The memorial on the building where journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered is constantly being destroyed and replaced.
Don't Worry, the City's Got It In Russia's latest efforts to boost birthrates, St. Petersburg students who have children will be paid R200,000.
More Chekhov to Enjoy Reviewing a new volume of Chekhov's earliest work, on the writer's 166th birthday.
A Taste of Russia The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.
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.
From the Baltics with Love An investigation revealed how a Russian intelligence network across the Baltics recruits informants and feeds data to Moscow.
World's Coldest Place Gets Its Time in the Sun A survival YouTuber has brought unusual internet attention to Yakutia.
Turbulence (and Cannibalization) for Russian Airlines Russian airlines are bringing old aircraft back into service due to a shortage of more modern options.
The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (bilingual) This edition of 62 of Krylov’s tales presents them side-by-side in English and Russian. The wonderfully lyrical translations are accompanied by original, whimsical color illustrations by Katya Korobkina.
Cargo Business Breaks Down Thousands of Russian freight transport companies are facing liquidation or bankruptcy amid rising costs, falling demand, and tightening financial conditions.
To Avoid Infanticide Russian churches are holding anti-abortion services, which will now become an annual event.
Bad Economic Indicators Behind its Potemkin façade of stability, the Russian economy faces some real threats in 2026.
Not Great, Maybe Patriotic, Definitely a War As of January 2026, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has dragged on longer than the USSR's involvement in the Second World War.
Our History In March of 1990, a bizarre confluence of events – involving two gung-ho Norwegians, one Vermonter tangling with Young Communists, and a Californian with ink in his blood – led to the founding of a small publishing company in Vermont.
Russians Turned to Diet Drugs and Antidepressants Sales of weight-loss drugs and antidepressants surged last year, while abortion pills fell in response to tighter controls.
The Story of Ivan and Anna from Popovka How a simple act of individual protest turned a family's entire life upside down.
Steppe / Степь (bilingual) 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.
A Thumbs Down, If You Could Russian authorities have been pushing a "national messenger" app on citizens for a year. Now that it's out, many are avoiding it.
Taxing Foreign Agents As of the new year, registered foreign agents are liable for a high income tax rate.
39: Turgenev Bilingual We have re-worked this issue into book form, which can be found HERE The author of masterful short stories, plays, novellas and novels, Ivan Turgenev seemed to have a particular gift for writing about nature and about social iniquities. He also seemed to have a unique ability for attracting controversy.
31: Okudzhava Bilingual We have re-worked this issue into book form, which can be found HERE Bulat Okudzhava was the king of the Russian bards. Now 19 of his poems/songs and 9 autobiographical sketches are presented in our popular bilingual format, with English and Russian on facing pages.
24: Dostoyevsky Bilingual We have re-worked this issue into book form, which can be found HERE Including a series of short, lesser known, but highly significant works that show the traditional view of Dostoyevsky as a dour, intense, philosophical writer to be uneccesarily one-sided.
12: Chekhov BILINGUAL We have re-worked this issue into book form, which can be found HERE Some of Chekhov's most beloved stories, including "the little trilogy"; an extract from "The Seagull"; Chekhov's own favorite story; plus the earliest version of Bunin's memoir about Chekhov, full of wonderful first person reportage on the writer's habits and manner.
20: Tolstoy Bilingual We have re-worked this issue into book form, which can be found HERE Meet the Tolstoy you never knew! This compact, yet surprisingly broad look at the life and work of Tolstoy spans from one of his earliest stories to one of his last, looking at works that made him famous and others that made him notorious.
16: Wisdom and Wit JUST 3 LEFT IN STOCK! We didn't have to go far to find plenty of selections about Wisdom and Wit in the rich body of Russian literature. The challenge was selecting just the right combination.
26: Springtime in Paris A look back at the life and work of Russian emigre writers, poets, artists and non-artistic types in Paris after the Bolshevik Revolution. It is a colorful, fascinating look at the nature and effects of exile.
02: Three Russian Springs Spring is the season of rebirth, of love and, sometimes, of political change. This issue celebrates spring's arrival with a rich collection of stories, poetry, photos and nonfiction that explores the eternal mysteries of renewal and hope.
Moscow and Muscovites Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin.
An Author by Any Other Name... One of Russia's largest publishers uses ghostwriters to churn out books. But high quantity has led to low quality.
Musical Ministerial Chairs After President Putin was reelected there was a government reshuffling. But very little new blood.
Crimea River On Prime Minister Medvedev's gaffe and ensuing viral internet video... and on unconventional protest methods.
Vanishing Act Under the guise of restoration, many of Moscow’s long-treasured historical buildings are being razed to make way for parking garages and office buildings or condos for the wealthy.
Tending the Goals Many consider Vladislav Tretyak to be the best hockey player of the 20th century. We chat with Tretyak about his second act – in an arena where things can get tougher than on the ice: politics.
Who Guards Russia's Nuclear Button? Behind the Russian nuclear briefcase: secret duties, modest lives, and strict control.
If You Fight in the War, We'll Forgive You A soldier's sentence for murder was attenuated by his participation in Russia's war in Ukraine.
In Loo of Drones Russia's new head of drone warfare has no military background, but lots of experience in plumbing.
Nörüön Nörgüy (Welcome) In Sakha Republic, many towns are finding they like being alcohol free. We visit to find out why.
"Careful What You Say At School" How mothers raise children under censorship and propaganda -- and what it does to the minds of parents and kids.
Snowy Bunnies Vasiliya and Yevdokia have long nursed a secret sorrow. But you have to be careful what you wish for...
Fall 2025 End of an Era * Ethical Language * Hooked on Hockey * Village Children * A Crime in Kurgan * Language Careful What You Say * Dry Siberia * Two Books Worth Reading
Notes at the Front Items of note, including a Last Word by a teacher who was in the wrong place at the wrong time; reversing the course of a river; book sales; statistics; and more.
440 Years Ago in Russia EXCERPT: The Fall of the House of Rurik: Russia’s “Time of Troubles,” 1584-1613
Imprisoned for a Playlist A Moscow professor was sentenced to three years in prison for adding Ukrainian songs to his Vkontakte playlist.
"Slavs Only": Discriminatory Rental Ads Persist An analysis of rental ads across 30 major Russian cities finds ethnic discrimination is still shaping who gets housing.
The Terminology of Wartime Morality and Ethics Surviving the testy waters of morality and ethics, with some tips on language and idioms.
Party Like It's 1945 Moscow's Museum of Victory has created a temporary exhibition highlighting how the Russians of the Second World War celebrated New Year.
Back in the CCCP The Russian government is obsessed with restoring the former greatness of the Soviet Union. It is well reflected in the language.
Okudzhava Bilingual Poems, songs and autobiographical sketches by Bulat Okudzhava, the king of the Russian bards.
When Granny Olya Decided to Die Granny Olya Shumakova had taken to her bed to die. But life, and death, are generally not simple.
Dacha: A Love Story A rumination on the cultural touchstone that only Russians are said to be able to understand and truly appreciate.
Summer 2025 Dacha Life * Recruiters Selling Out Fellow Russians * Blind & Deaf Parenting * Hostages to Tigers * Language Going Back to the CCCP * Granny Olya Decided to Die * A Last Word * Four Books Worth Reading
Killing Exposes Hunt for War Deserters In Zabaikalsky Krai, a serviceman who tracked down deserters has been killed.
36: Bulgakov This issue showcases the abilities of one of the twentieth century's finest writers, Mikhail Bulgakov, a literary chameleon able to work in an impressive variety of genres against a rapidly changing political background.
28: Superfluous Men Superfluous men do not fit into society, they battle against fate and often try to impose foreign ideals onto their community. And they have been with Russia from the beginning of its modern existence.
01: The Hearts of Dogs Where else do we find so many instances of dogs invested with human-like powers of thought and feeling and in Russian literature? Dogs which are not simply house pets, but friends, relatives and confidantes.
Convicted for Automatic Payments Two retirees from occupied Zaporizhzhia were convicted of treason by Russian courts for making donations to the Ukrainian Army.
Defiance through Artistic Recreation Ukrainian soldiers recreated a famous classical painting to playfully showcase their resistance to Russian invasion.
How Russia Got That Way A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.
Game Over for Roblox? Russia has banned Roblox, one of the most popular video games in the world. In turn, Russians protested on social media.
Research under Surveillance Starting next year, Russian scientists must request FSB approval before working with foreign colleagues.
Dial-a-Putin Russian citizens are invited to submit questions for 2025's "Direct Line with Vladimir Putin" television program.
Pigeon-Drones are Here A Russian company introduced biodrones: pigeons with chip implants in their brains and surveillance cameras.
Property Lost, Entry Denied Thousands of Ukrainians are having their homes in Mariupol stolen from them by the Russian state.
A Pretty Penny to Park Across Russia, the prices of parking spots are rising faster than the prices of housing.
Newspeak: Authoritarianism Is Good A new state dictionary has changed definitions, praising authoritarianism and promoting "traditional values."
Cars for the Front The Russian state reports that more than 5,000 vehicles confiscated from criminals have been sent to serve in the war in Ukraine.
Griffin Edwards Griffin Edwards is Russian Life's managing digital editor, and is based in Eugene, OR. He holds an MA from Indiana University's Russian and East European Institute, where he received the Daniel Armstrong Prize for his thesis essay on neomedievalism in the ideology of Putinism (It's more interesting than it sounds). His adventures in Russia include witnessing modern theater in Moscow for St. Olaf College's undergraduate research program; experiencing the joys of an all-male winter banya in Valdai; and having the honor of collecting fares for a Peterhof-bound marshrutka. He has written in the past for the Independent Voter Network in San Diego, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and D.C.'s Lugar Center.
Referencing Putin Data show a long-term upward trend in academic mentions of Vladimir Putin in Russia.
A Russian AIDOL Falls Russia’s first artificial intelligence robot faceplanted after its first steps on a Moscow stage.
Putin's Office a Potemkin Village Investigative journalists have discovered that Putin's office is actually three near-identical rooms scattered throughout Russia.
Shop We got our start in 1990, publishing books on Russian business and travel. Over our 25-year history, we have ventured into maps, periodicals, ebooks, ejournals and online publishing. But books are still a core part of our publishing business. In just the past few years, we have published nearly two dozen titles, and two of them have won a prestigious national award for the best translation of the year.
Watch Only Half an Episode A Russian TV channel cut half an episode of a popular sitcom for jokes that implied a character might be gay.
Fear and Decline in Military Academies How Russia's War on Ukraine has shattered its military education system.
Tolstoy Discovered in an Unlikely Place Russian customs officials confiscated a lost artwork by one of Tolstoy's descendants.
The Samovar Murders The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.
Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography This astonishingly gripping autobiography by the founder of the Russian Women’s Death Battallion in World War I is an eye-opening documentary of life before, during and after the Bolshevik Revolution.
Vologda Honors Ivan the Terrible Vologda's governor installed a statue of Ivan "the Terrible" to save... himself?
Inside Russia's State-Run Volunteer Movement Across Russia, state-backed programs are drawing millions of teenagers into volunteer work.
Russian-Styled Wrapping Paper We searched high and low for Russian-themed wrapping paper, but couldn't find any, so we decided to make our own. Which means that now you can wrap your Russophile's gifts in Russian style!
Notecards by Moscow Orphans A beautiful set of 8, 4x6 inch notecards with designs created by children in Moscow orphanages.
Tamara Eidelman Arrested in Absentia Tamara Eidelman, Russian Life's history editor for 18 years (2003-2021) has been arrested in absentia.
Russia's Growing "Terrorist List" Hundreds of Russians, including minors, are added each month to the country's "terrorists and extremists" list.
Visa-Free Paradise Lost? Montenegro is considering introducing a visa requirement for Russian citizens.
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.
03: On the Road The road is a favorite subject in Russian literature, spanning all eras and genres. This should not be surprising in a country where huge expanses are paired with such miserable byways, where any journey can turn into a major event with unexpected consequences.
Singing Can Get You Jailtime A group of street performers was arrested for performing songs by "foreign agents" in central St. Petersburg.
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.
Why I Wrote a Book about Russia ... And Why You Should Read It (it's a history, btw, and it's important)
37: The Year 1917 A look at the world 100 years ago, through memoirs, poetry and fiction that recapture what artists, politicians, soldiers, and citizens were thinking and experiencing as events unfolded – all written or published as close to 1917 as possible.
30: Science Fictions An eclectic sampler of some of the best scifi produced during the Soviet and post-Soviet eras. From scientific experiments gone wrong, to space travel, utopianism and social experimentation, this collection has it all.
29: Leningrad Under Seige Mainly memoirs, this issue looks at what it meant to be a conscientious writer in the Soviet Union, and Leningrad in particular. The pieces are full of poignant memories, insightful humor and powerful emotions. Almost all of the works in this issue are translated into English for the first time, and many of the authors have never before been translated into English.
27: The War to End All A poignant collection of poems, stories and memoirs from World War I, often called Russia's "forgotten war."
Russia's War on Books: A Censored Translation A Russian publishing house censored a part of an American author's book that advocated for trans rights.
Discover Russian Life Russian Life is more than just a magazine. It is also a massive website with articles and resources galore. And it is also a book publishing house. But more than all that, it is an international community of Russophiles like yourself.
Immortalizing a Modern Hero? The governor of the Kursk Region has announced plans for a new monument to honor a "hero" of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Held Hostage by the Tigers In a strange turn of events, Russians living near the Amur Tiger are being prosecuted for killing the animals that nearly killed them.
93 Untranslatable Russian Words Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.
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.
Russia to Ban Hijabs and Niqabs in Schools? Two Russian regions have banned headcoverings in schools. Is a nationwide ban approaching?
Inside Russia's Teenage Drug Epidemic A new BBC investigation exposed how mephedrone is fueling a teenage drug epidemic across Russia.
Rubles to Rebuild The Russian Prime Minister will allocate over R 4 billion to foster businesses in regions that border Ukraine.
My Son Smells Like Caramel In the summer of 2024, blogger Alyona Kapustyan, who is fully deaf-blind, and sightless massage therapist Islomiddin Barotov had a son – who can see and hear. Here’s how she, a poet, and he, an athlete, are building a family and undermining stereotypes about relationships and parenthood among people with disabilities
"Bring A Friend" All sorts of recruiters, from “local authorities” to women on maternity leave – not all of them in Russia – are convincing people to sign contracts to fight in Russia’s War on Ukraine. Russians are making money by sending other Russians off to war.
Notes At The Front Last Word, teachers' salaries, discrimination, recording Russian casualties, and Sosnowsky’s hogweed.
War Experience, Few Seats Despite Kremlin support, veterans of Russia's war on Ukraine were elected to few posts during the September elections.
Is Russia Closing the Tab? Vodka and cognac sales have fallen significantly due to restrictions on alcohol purchases across Russia.
How Russia Got That Way A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.
No Politics for a Politician Putin notes that Stalin was a key figure of Russia's victory in World War II, but says his image should be "depoliticized."
Red Star Tales: A Century of Russian and Soviet Science Fiction For over 100 years, most of the science fiction produced by the world’s largest country has been beyond the reach of Western readers. This new collection changes that, bringing a large body of influential works into the English orbit.
Tolstoy Bilingual This compact, yet surprisingly broad look at the life and work of Tolstoy spans from one of his earliest stories to one of his last, looking at works that made him famous and others that made him notorious.
Three Years Gone Inside the quiet toll of Russia's mobilization in Tomsk: a quarter dead, missing, or injured, few veterans recognized.
No Open Relationship Movies A U.S. movie set to premiere in Russia on September 25 could not get distribution.
Women Looking at War Two female Ukrainian authors have been honored in Germany’s Hotlist literary awards for 2025.
A Modern Fairy Tale The Ukrainian journalist Anastasiia Marsiz’s first novel, set in modern Italy, reads in the literary tradition of skazki, Eugene Onegin and Tolstoy’s folk tales.
An Essential Discount The Russian State Duma is considering a bill that would limit the markup on some "essential" foods.
Intervision: Russia's Eurovision Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022. This year they will revive the Intervision contest in response.
Murderer Released or No? Conflicting accounts emerge whether a notorious convicted murder has been released.
FSB's New Treason Trap Russia has opened over 100 "light treason" cases in under two years, many born from FSB operations.
A Civic Duty? A local Russian leader opened a new kindergarten by calling on citizens to be fruitful and multiply.
The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual) 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 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.
Looking for a Few Good Interns Love The Russia File? If you are an advanced student of Russian with excellent writing skills, we should talk...
38: Happiness A great deal of Russian literature is chiefly about the pursuit of happiness. What Raskolnikov, Karenina, Pechorin, Chichikov, and many other prominent characters in Russian literature share is a longing for something better, for a contented, full life. But, like most great creations of literature, they are also deeply flawed...
Guns from Front Flood Courts Weapons cases against servicemen have tripled since the Russian war in Ukraine began.
Navalny Volunteer Arrested at Kazakhstan Airport A former Navalny volunteer was arrested during a layover in Kazakhstan. She is fighting extradition to Russia.
Manga Library Fined as "Destructive" Online manga library Mangalib has been fined R14 million by a Moscow court for “LGBT propaganda.”
Hourly Taskmaster Rise Russians looking to get a little extra cash on the side can become "specific assistants." And the marketplace is booming.
Mysteries and Odysseys An exhibit featuring remarkable stories told by the artifacts in the Russian History Museum’s collection.
Where to Study Russian What we like to think is a fairly comprehensive listing of high schools and universities in the US that teach Russian. With links to the programs if we have them.
32: Musical Writing Any author who chooses to write about music faces an immense task. The most abstract of all arts, music forces the writer to put into words and descriptions – much more concrete things by comparison – its ephemeral nature.
Marriage War Scams Grow Russian lawmakers push for tougher rules amid reports of women marrying deployed soldiers to collect benefits.
Racial Attack Goes Viral An Uzbek taxi driver suffered a racist attack near Moscow. Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry responded.
Prima Donna Elicits Protest A prominent Russian singer has caused a backlash with her return to European opera houses.
A Bit of a Boost? Russia's minimum wage is to increase by 20% at the start of 2026. But how significant is that bump, really?
Marooned in Moscow This gripping autobiography plays out against the backdrop of Russia's bloody Civil War, and was one of the first Western eyewitness accounts of life in post-revolutionary Russia. Marooned in Moscow provides a fascinating account of one woman's entry into war-torn Russia in early 1920, first-person impressions of many in the top Soviet leadership, and accounts of the author's increasingly dangerous work as a journalist and spy, to say nothing of her work on behalf of prisoners, her two arrests, and her eventual ten-month-long imprisonment, including in the infamous Lubyanka prison. It is a veritable encyclopedia of life in Russia in the early 1920s.
The Cost of Insulting Putin Since 2019, hundreds of Russians have faced trial for showing "disrespect" to Putin.
More War, Fewer Books Ukrainian book sales are decreasing, but demand for English-language literature is on the rise.
Anthem of a Disputed Land The government of Russia-occupied has adopted a new national anthem that highlights it ties to Moscow.
Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.
40: Fall Our final issue of Chtenia looks at the season of transition into winter, and how it has made its appearance in Russian literature and memoirs.
The Vanishing Books of Dmitry Bykov Author Dmitry Bykov's books are disappearing from shelves after Russia placed the writer on its international wanted list.
WhatsApp and Telegram Blocked Russia has blocked phone calls on WhatsApp and Telegram. Novaya Gazeta Evropa gave tips on how to stay connected.
Running Out of Doctors and Nurses Russia's health care system is running out of doctors, nurses, and hospitals. Some regions have no oncologists or cardiologists.
Indicted War Criminal Plays Convicted Felon Like Fiddle Presidents Putin and Trump spent 6 hours in Alaska and agreed they like spending time together.
Spring 2025 Putin on the Brain * Why Russians Like Traveling to North Korea * Siberian One-Student Schoolhouse * The Karelian Occupation * Power of the Press (Village Story) * Coping in Arkhangelsk * Books We Liked
Vanishing Numbers in Russia Russia pulls hundreds of key statistics and shuts down most demographic data.
Authoritarianism Is a Disease The antiwar collective Artists Against the Kremlin will exhibit in Amsterdam for a second time.
Alleged Daughter of Putin Speaks Out Vladimir Putin's alleged illegitimate daughter speaks out against him and Russia's War on Ukraine.
Historical Accuracy, Enforced Three books by a former Soviet soldier have been banned for challenging the dominant narrative of World War II.
From Arizona to Trenches A 46-year-old American who moved his family to Russia in search of “traditional values” is now serving on the front lines in Ukraine.
14: Provincial Life This collection of stories, poems and photos offers an offbeat, intimate view of provincial town life in Russia. Featuring contributions by classic and modern writers, including recent award winners.
11: Dacha Life For well over a century, Russian city dwellers have been attracted to dacha life for the autonomy, solitude and peace it has to offer. So it is no accident that so many works of Russian literature take place in dachas – this is where people feel freer, where they open up more quickly.
10: Hope Dies Last Russian literature has so many lonely, despairing heroes whose lives have been ruined, that it seems like one cannot even begin to speak of things like hope... But of course things are not so simple...
08: Love a la Russe There are many types of love, and sometimes they assume a form that is not immediately recognizable...
07: To the Caucasus To Russian literature, the Caucasus is a place of adventure... a wild, untamed region where those spoiled by civilization collide with virginal nature, with people who live simple, self-reliant lives... it is a territory of freedom, meaning free will... a place where poets and writers have found shelter...
05: Winter Holidays Oh, how Russian Literature loves winter... it is a time when wishes come true, when families gather together, when everything in the home is transformed because, in one room, there is an evergreen, full of shimmering decorations, filling the home with its glorious aroma.
04: Childhood "Childhood, along with two or three years of youth, is the fullest, most exquisite part of life, the part that is most our own, and, indeed, almost the most important, for it imperceptibly shapes our future." – Alexander Herzen
Fled to the U.S., Jailed in Russia A Russian businessman and opposition supporter was arrested on terrorism charges after being denied political asylum in the U.S.
"There Was No Thought of Leaving the Operating Room" A group of surgeons in Kamchatka went viral for a video in which they protected a patient during a recent 8.8 magnitude earthquake.
Neither Master Nor Margarita Russia bans the "International Satanism Movement," demonstrating the modern interpretation of Mikhail Bulgakov's classic "The Master and Margarita."
Even Nonagenarians Can Be Propaganda A 98-year-old veteran who moved to Russia from Latvia is the Kremlin's latest propaganda spotlight.
Ukrainian Artist Honored Serhiy Zhadan is the first Ukrainian to win the Austrian State Prize in European Literature.
Street Sweepers under Surveillance A new initiative will closely monitor Petersburg city employees to ensure that they do their jobs right.
The "Eternal" Draft is Coming The Duma is considering a bill to hold conscription year-round, making it harder for Russians to avoid the draft.
War Memorials, Harsh Justice Russia is increasingly using its “rehabilitation of Nazism” law to punish for minor acts near war memorials.
Juvie for Bullies The General Prosecutor's office proposed sending school bullies to temporary detention centers.
Medvedev Compares Ukraine to Nazi Germany Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev claims "denazification" as a motive for the invasion of Ukraine.
Putin's Popularity Perpetuates The Russian president maintains a high approval rating despite challenges.
No More Summers in Turkey? Pro-war bloggers are calling for a boycott of vacations in Turkey after it joined a drone coalition to aid Ukraine.
Law, Order, and War Contracts Russian police offered bonuses for recruiting criminal suspects to fight in Ukraine.
The "No" Exhibition Russian journalists in exile collaborated with international artists on an exhibition celebrating resistance.
The Chkalov Flight: Almost Lost to Time An easily-overlooked monument and museum outside Portland, Oregon, marks the site where three Soviet aviators completed the world's first transpolar flight.
Hired to Fight, Jailed Back Home Central Asian migrants recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine may face prison at home.
Welcome to Moscow, Taliban! Russia has become the first country to recognize Afghanistan's Taliban government.
Fiction Stranger Than Life Modern Russian literature is leveraging a science fiction trope to rewrite history.
The Persecution Doesn't Stay at Home A LGBT rights activist asserts that homophobic groups from Russia are still persecuting her in exile in Lithuania.
Does Russian Literature Need Support? Author Maria Galina declined to accept the 2025 Dar Literary Prize, sparking debate over engagement with Russian-language literature in wartime.
Budget Money, Party Power Party finance data from 2024 suggests Russian political parties heavily rely on public funding and opaque regional channels.
Tightening Trade Ties Russia and Belarus celebrate a record year for trade between them in 2024. No surprise there.
"Let's Get Me into Prison" Russian soldiers seek prison to avoid combat, say lawyers and rights defenders.
Russky Letters Only! Russia has passed a law prohibiting inscriptions in foreign languages in signs and billboards.
Russia's Forgotten Female Poet Karolina Pavlova struggled to find literary acclaim as a woman in the 19th century, but her work endures.
Summer 2024 Russia's Time of Troubles (440 years ago) * Re-emigration: Those Who Have Returned * Survival Russian in Wartime * Women Who Have Found Peace through Fishing * A Wealth of Cucumbers * Coming Together After a Disaster * Expatriate Tales * Places Named for the Fallen
Environmentalism, Kremlin Style State-backed NGOs replace independent environmental voices in the Arctic.
iState: A Russian Government Messenger? The Duma has approved the creation of a national messenger app to digitize the government and collect data on its citizens' chats.
Vladimir Mayakovsky: A Century of Censorship Vladimir Mayakovsky sports a complicated legacy a nearly a century after Joseph Stalin immortalized him as the defining poet of the Soviet epoch.
Cultural Calendar Codified Russian leadership has approved a new plan for cultural policy through 2027.
Tilting Toward Hope The trend worldwide over the last two decades has been clear: democracy is slipping.
Notes At The Front Foreign workers, vodka decline, what Russians think of perestroika, and, of course, a Last Word.
ГОПНИК, ЦАРЬ, КАРЛИК A President by any Other Name ... The various ways Russians euphemize the aging denizen of the Kremlin.
"We'd Be Nothing Without You" In a remote Siberian village, a single student keeps the school from closing.
Why Russians Like Traveling to the 'Hermit Kingdom' Why Russians like traveling to Totalitarian North Korea so much.
All Of Our Buildings Together Would Cost The Same As A Few Days Of War A region's housing woes could be solved at the cost of a few days of Russia's War on Ukraine.
Fearful Majesty This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.
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.
Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors 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.
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.
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...
East of the Sun: The Epic Conquest and Tragic History of Siberia The very word Siberia evokes a history and reputation as awesome as it is enthralling. In this acclaimed book on Russia’s conquest of its eastern realms, Benson Bobrick offers a story that is both rich and subtle, broad and deep.
At the Circus (bilingual) 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.
Remembering James Lloydovich Patterson A look at the extraordinary life and legacy of James L. Patterson, who recently passed away at 91.
Teenagers Hired Online, Jailed for Arson Russian teens face terrorism charges after allegedly being paid to commit acts of sabotage.
Sanctions after the Bra Storm? American rapper Tyga performed in Moscow after Russia's three-year Hollywood drought.
Pleading for Help, Punished Instead Russians face fines and prosecution for public video appeals to Putin over environmental and social issues.
Pills and Poisons Tuva has Russia's highest birth and abortion rate. Women are buying counterfeit abortion pills online — at a high cost.
Game against Ukraine A new video game published by the son of a Russian diplomat lets players test their mettle on Ukraine's battlefields.
Dry Flights? Russia may ban alcohol on flights and use breathalyzers to prevent drunk passengers from boarding.
Job Ads Lead to the Front Line Russians are being misled into signing military contracts under the guise of civilian jobs.
A Patriarch by Any Other Name The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has another legal name that's useful for filing taxes, avoiding sanctions, and more.
Russia's War on Books Police in arrested 10 current and former employees of Russia's largest publishing house on charges of "LGBT propaganda."
Drones for War, Not for Pizza Delivery Russia’s drone boom hides military aims behind civilian promises and depends heavily on Chinese imports.
Clownworld Comes to Russia A court in Novgorod fined a man for LGBT-linked extremist propaganda for using an absurdist meme.
Victory Day: Or Parades, Sausages, and Distorted Footage Russia commemorated the eightieth anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat with Ukraine war-themed parades and exhibits. And German sausages.
Silent Casualties of the War Dozens of residents in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast have been injured or killed in military-related traffic accidents and are struggling to find justice.
Russian Soldiers Want Peace Independent outlet Verstka interviewed Russian soldiers about a potential ceasefire and the objectives of the war.
Victory Day: Not Just for Russia Anymore Trump has proposed new names for Veterans Day and VE Day – but Russia has already called dibs.
A Posthumous Conviction Mikhail Khachaturian, murdered by his daughters, was posthumously convicted of sexual violence.
With Prayers and Drones Dozens of Orthodox military-patriotic clubs across Russia prepare children for war.
Belarusian Repression Hits a New Low At least 33 Belarusian dissidents have received forced psychological treatment since 2020.
"Come Work in Ta... Tatarstan?" Two Argentinian influencers were accused of promoting a human trafficking scheme in Tatarstan.
Tali-unbanned The Russian government has removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations.
Finn-ancial Crisis? The Finnish parliament has passed a law forbidding Russians from owning real estate in the country.
From Bashkortostan to the Global Charts A band from Bashkortostan has gone viral for an electro-folk song about a Bashkir epic poem.
Chekhov Bilingual Some of Chekhov's most beloved stories, with English and accented Russian on facing pages throughout.
Fined Pacifist Bishop: "Thou Shalt Not Kill" A Russian Orthodox priest was forced to pay a fine for posting a video calling for peace.
They Draw Swastikas, Set Fires, and Break Crosses Incidents involving desecration of monuments honoring soldiers who fought in Russia's War on Ukraine are increasing.
Log Your Blog, or Else Russian influencers could face consequences if they fail to register with the state.
Putin's Daughter: A Battlefield Hero or a Myth? Putin's daughter was allegedly injured while saving soldiers in the war. An independent outlet questions the story.
Neo-Nazis Return to Russian Streets Experts report a significant increase in hate crimes in Russia, many committed by teenagers.
A Deserter's Dilemma A Ukrainian man who had served with Russian forces in the Donetsk People's Republic and was discharged has been sentenced for desertion.
09: Beyond the Urals Russian literature only truly noticed Siberia in the nineteenth century, and primarily as a place of exile... Gradually, however, Russian writers began to recognize a different Siberia: a richly forested Siberia where hunters roamed, a Siberia filled with villages tended by Russian settlers...
Regions Face Medication Shortages Patients struggle with finding insulin and essential drugs; residents rely on group chats and online exchanges to survive.
Artists in Custody Russia currently has 42 "cultural" figures who are political prisoners and another 176 on their way to becoming the same.
Flying on Russian Fuel? State edia claims Latvian-state airline is purchasing fuel from Russia. The company denies it.
301 Things Everyone Should Know About Russia How do you begin to get a handle on the world's largest country? This colorful, illustrated guide will get you started...
Necropolis for Putin's Elite Replaces Forest A billion-ruble church complex linked to Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov is being built outside Moscow.
"How Are You, Still Haven´t Given Birth Yet?" A pink sign reading "How are you, still haven't given birth yet?" is the latest government effort to push women to give birth.
Thank You for the Occupation The Russian government invests in pro-Kremlin bloggers in occupied Ukrainian territories.
Dog No. 39 We may hate war, but we understand what is going on. But what about the animals? Who will help them?
Winter 2025 Saving a Church and Memories * The Difficulty of Being a Trans Soldier in Russia * * Saving Dissenters from Psych Prisons * Saving the Pets from Warzones * The Perils of Dating Military Men * Books on Tolstoy * Word of the Year for 2024 * Books We Liked
The Man Situation Some women try to find love with soldiers. Generally speaking, it does not end well.
Hospitals of No Return Psychiatric imprisonment did not end with the Soviet Union. It has a new lien on Russian lives.
Maxine's Journey What if you loved your country, agreed with its policies, but it didn't quite love you back?
Flooded History You can get a lot of meaning out of life by trying to save something others sought to destroy.
Words of the Year What was the word of the year for 2024? And what should have been the word of the year?
Words STILL Matter Those with a careful eye will note that we have a very specific way of referring to the conflict in Ukraine: Russia’s War on Ukraine.
Women's Rights in Wartime Women's rights activists face increased pressure and reduced domestic violence resources in Russia.
Putin's Culture Guru, Now Head of Writer's Union Vladimir Medinsky, a writer in Putin's inner circle, is now the head of the Union of Russian Writers.
On Russian Casualties Radio Liberty has published a database containing details on 166,000 Russian casualties of war.
Three Years, 95,000 Dead Three years after the start of Russia's War on Ukraine, more than 95,000 Russian troops have died.
Words from Jail: "Optimism Is My Diagnosis" A trans man was sentenced to 12 years in a women's jail. Despite bullying and threats, he remains resilient.
Fines for Navalny Nods More than 150 Russians have been fined or arrested for using symbols associated with Alexei Navalny.
Hell Behind Bars for a Teenager A 14-year-old Russian girl accused of terrorism spent almost a year in a pretrial detention center, where she was beaten and subjected to sexual violence.
Full Immersion in the War Russian schools now include VR exhibits that immerse kids in Russia's War on Ukraine.
Frontline Sex, Moscow Prices Russian sex workers have flocked to the frontlines of Ukraine to satisfy soldiers' growing demand.
Russia Comes for Norwegians The independent Norwegian news site The Barents Observer has been declared "undesirable" by the Russian government.
Losing Weight on Russia´s "Ozempics" Semaglutides have landed in Russia as the country struggles with an obesity epidemic.
A Hidden Ecological Threat Russia uses river tankers to evade sanctions, raising environmental concerns.
State and Business (and Moral) Corruption Russia's Anti-Corruption Foundation has published an eyebrow-raising investigation into one of Putin's closest allies – and his girlfriends.
Fall 2024 Navalny's Effect on the Language * Teaching Lit in the New (Old) Russia * Two Villages in the North * Divorced but Not Separate * A Gulag Town Remembers * A Tale of One Family Persecuted * Social Influencer Wives of Priests * Books We Liked
Vets Face Prosthetic Delays, Uncertainty The independent publication Verstka reported on a Moscow rehab center for Russian military personnel.
Making a List The Ministry of Internal Affairs may be creating a database of LGBT persons to make future prosecutions easier.
Russians Unaffected by War Verstka uncovered a survey that showed Russians are both exhausted and accustomed to the war in Ukraine.
More Drones in Russian Schools Educational institutions spend millions on drones and military simulators.
The Politics of the Class of 2025 A student reflects on politics and Russia's future as high school graduation nears.
A Shortened Flight, a Shortened Sentence A Russian air defense officer will serve almost three years in a penal colony for a friendly fire incident.
"Rot Here for the Rest of Your Lives" Mediazona takes readers inside one of Russia's most-feared torture camps for Ukrainian captives.
Orthodox Church Rising The power of the ROC is growing in the government, according to independent publication Verstka.
Piter's Retro Photo Salon A St. Petersburg entrepreneur takes a shot at capturing images with an antiquated technology.
Twin Christmases In February 1582, the Catholic Church, in the person of Pope Gregory the thirteenth, decreed a new, more accurate calendar to replace the Julian calendar, which had been in use since 45 BC. The revision meant dropping 10 days off the year...
Paint the Coast Black Krasnodar Krai and Sevastopol declared a state of emergency after a Kerch Strait oil spill.
Belarus Bans Emigrant Connections The Belarusian government has listed a handful of Telegram chats used by Belarusian emigrants living in Warsaw as "extremist materials."
Global Warming Changing Russian Winters Researchers report Russia's winters are changing due to global warming.
An Argentine Christmas Present On Christmas morning, two Russian diplomats were stopped at a DUI control in Argentina.
Pensioners Recruited for Arsons, Again A new arsonist wave in Russian cities is traced to threats from online scammers.
Trauma or Personal Growth? Some Russian psychologists and ex-combatants claim war has had a positive effect on people's lives.
Power for Abkhazia Russian-occupied Abkhazia faces an energy crisis that Russia seems reluctant to solve.
His Yacht, America's Problem A Russian oligarch's yacht has become a costly problem for U.S. authorities.
Cleaning up Kerch Strait Oil Spill A massive oil spill in the Kerch Strait has polluted miles of shoreline in Russia’s Krasnodar Oblast, killing birds and dolphins.
White Nights Resurges One hundred and sixty-seven years on, a Dostoyevsky novella is seeing a resurgence in popularity.
A Memory Battle, Won A statue to the founder of the Soviet secret police has been erected in Khabarovsk.
Paris-Zheleznogorsk Relations Worsen The mayor of a small city has called for a local landmark to be dismantled.
Where Are All the Planes? Russia has built just seven passenger planes out of a planned 108 in two years.
"Too Pro-War" Library Closes A pro-war bookshop in St. Petersburg closes, saying, "the end of the world is near."
Ghost of Economy Future Russian analysts give their forecasts for what the economy might look like in early 2025.
Fewer Russians Willing to Join the Front As losses mount, the influx of new contract soldiers into the Russian army has sharply decreased.
An Agent for All, an Agent for None? A Russian woman has been arrested in New York after working with both FBI and FSB agents.
Leave Georgia or Be Sent to Russia A Belarussian man fled Georgia after being arrested in recent anti-government protests.
What's Up with the Ruble? Over the past week, the Russian ruble has collapsed. Why is this happening?
Pyrates Beware! Russian internet users are switching to legal means for streaming media — a consequence of the war in Ukraine.
Crackdowns on Queer Nightlife Continue In Voronezh, police raided a bar that featured drag performers.
Trans Russians: "How Long Can We Last?" Trans people in Russia are more vulnerable than ever. How are they surviving?
35: Gypsies In Russia, Gypsies were admired precisely because they lived by their own code of honor, their own customs and traditions, and were always ready to give in to their natural passions. They were a great contrast to the Russians – or, rather, they exemplified what the Russians secretly wanted to be.
25: Storied Moscow We devote our pages to Moscow, with stories, memoirs, poetry and song that focus on the city itself. From lyrical tributes to some of the oldest traveler's memoirs, to stories of murder, childhood, NEP and thievery, this is one of our most eclectic, exciting issues ever.
23: Women Writing Sampling the diverse styles and subjects of modern Russian women writers, underscoring their supreme relevance to American readers.
22: Spies and Imposters History is filled with tales of spies, infiltrators, informers and imposters. We mine Russian and Soviet literature to present a collection that is must-reading for devotees of the genre and lovers of all things Russian.
21: Dark and Scary Everyone loves a good scary story told in the dark... So we have collected some of the great ones from Russian literature past and present, including some that purport to be true (let's hope not!).
15: Summer A look at Russian summer featuring an eclectic collection of stories by writers both classic and modern, including two Fyodors, one Afanasy and one Maximilian, as well as one Irina, one Marina, and a Tamara and a Nikolai thrown in for good measure...
06: Gogol Mogul This collection focuses on heirs to Nikolai Gogol, an agonizing and painful love for Russia, from which there is no deliverance... Gogol formed us, educated us, made us, and we can now read and view Gogol with pleasure... and laugh...
Neformatushki*: The Wives of Russian Priests have an Instagram Side Hustle Posts on Alina Babkina’s Tik-Tok account (alinababkina.family) can generate up to a million views. Priests' wives take to the socials to proselytize and develop a side hustle.
The Road to Nowhere It was a "dumping ground" for kulaks and other "undersirables," but many stayed on. This is their story.
Groundhog Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich: The perils of teaching Russian literature in today's Russia How the New Authoritarianism is impacting literature and education.
The Beautiful Russia of the Future: Survival Russian in Wartime A look back at what Alexei Navalny bequeathed to the Russian Language.
Watch Your Mother Tongue Students chanting in Azerbaijani inside a Russian university are being investigated for terrorism.
Aid in the Wake of a Counterattack Four billion rubles have been allocated for those who have lost property from the Ukrainian counterattack in Kursk Oblast.
Data Leaks Reach Record High in Russia Personal data of about 90% of adult Russians is now publicly available due to data leaks.
Your Baby, Your Lottery Ticket With your precious new bundle could come a set of household appliances, or more.
Punk in Russia, Prisoner in Kazakhstan A punk musician fled persecution in Russia. Then he was detained in Kazakhstan.
What Does the Kremlin Think of Donald Trump? Members of Russia's administration react to Trump's reelection.
From immigrant to emigrant Russian immigration authorities recently deported some 20,000 immigrants, part of an ongoing immigration crackdown.
Prison Time for a Charitable Donation A Rostov-on-Don resident was sentenced to 12 years in prison over a $71 donation.
Russian Life Takes a Pause As the world reels from the horrific, criminal events being perpetrated in Ukraine by Vladimir Putin, the Russian state, and the Russian military, all of us who nurture a love for Russian people, their culture and history, have been heartbroken. It is not easy to remain a Russophile when suddenly, all across the globe, the adjective “Russian” has become toxic.
You Call That Inflation? Russians are enduring huge inflation – just how much, however, is unclear...
A Swiped Sword Returns Moscow police solved the case of a missing antique German dagger, stolen from an antique store.
A Pro-War Childhood? Russian children are being instilled with militant patriotism through plays, stories, cartoons, and toys.
An Old Tape Comes Back to Haunt Meduza resurfaced a 2004 tape in which President Vladimir Putin recognized Kyiv's sovereignty.
Digital Fingerprint, a New ID Soon, foreigners in Moscow will bear electronic passports that use biometric data.
Stranger on a Train In June 1996, a woman woke up on an overnight train arriving in St. Petersburg with no memory of who she was or why she was there...
Russian Roads Become More Treacherous The number of accidents in Russia has increased, with roads becoming more congested and cars less safe.
Population Problems According to a UN report, Russian population numbers may have already passed their peak.
The Patriarch's Abortion Prevention Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill will send letters to pregnant women in 16 regions to dissuade them from receiving abortion care.
Even More Reason to Move to Rural Russia A program paying mortgages in small towns has been unexpectedly successful.
A Singer Diversifies The notoriously pr-Kremlin rock star Shaman has filed trademarks for alcoholic beverages, household goods, and sex toys.
The Fate of Having the Same Last Name A woman with the same last name as Alexey Navalny was arrested in Mariupol for "terrorism."
Cryptocrime and Punishment A Moscow investigator has been sentenced for receiving the largest bribe in modern Russian history.
Member of State Media Poses as BBC Journalist A journalist for a pro-Kremlin news site attempted to pose as a BBC journalist in Germany.
No Kids? You'll Pay for That The Russian State Duma is proposing extra taxes for people without children.
More Money for Penal Colonies Russian authorities have sharply increased the budget for the Federal Penitentiary Service, despite previous plans to cut it.
Military Budget Soars in 2025 A draft budget revealed a dramatic increase planned for Russian military spending.
Give Your Daughter Away, Defend the Motherland A teenager's single father is fighting to stop his draft after his wife was murdered.
Another Year, No Signs of Their Husbands Wives of men mobilized in September 2022 protested for their loved ones in front of the Ministry of Defense.
Bringing Russian Literature to a Higher Standard? A State Duma member is proposing a professional standard for writers.
From the Ukrainian Front Back to India Forty-five Indian citizens who were deceived into enrolling in the Russian army have been returned to India.
Rubles for Rubble? The Russian state has given more than five billion rubles, or $56 million, to some 35,000 residents in Kursk who have lost property due to Ukraine's counterattack on Russian soil.
From Catcher in the Rye to Harvesting Rye Russian school curricula this year is less international and more militaristic.
A Record Not Worth Bragging About 2024 set a record for most people listed as "terrorists and extremists."
Fewer Want to Be Russians In 2023, persons seeking Russian citizenship is at its lowest rate in 10 years.
Gluten-full An investigation by Russian regulators finds that nearly a quarter of all "gluten-free" foods contain gluten.
A "Veteran" Killer and a Father's Tears Another ex-con who fought in Ukraine to get out of jail brought his criminal behavior home.
Where the Russians Are (Going) A recent article showed that Germany, Spain, and Cyprus lead the EU in issuing residency permits for Russians.
Americans in Tampa Tried for Treason Four American activists face charges of acting as Russian agents.
Curtain Call for the Ticket Mafia An organized crime ring specializing in ticket fraud was convicted in Moscow.
Your Thumbprint for a Visa? Russian airports will begin collecting biometric data from foreign visitors.
Another Russian Teenager Sentenced A 15-year-old with tuberculosis has received a 4.5-year sentence for terrorism.
Fabricating a Terrorist A Ukrainian refugee in Russia received threatening messages from a Telegram account. Then she was arrested for terrorism.
Russian Anxiety on the Rise Russian anxieties about the war are increasing in response to Ukraine's offensive into the Kursk region.
A Gift from Elon? The Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, claims Elon Muck gifted him a Tesla Cybertruck.
Russian Teenagers Head to the Front Lines More Russian teenagers are going to fight in Ukraine as soon as they turn 18.
Putinites for Putin The village of Putino always turns out to vote for Putin. But now even this town has started to call for an end to war.
Immortal or No? Russia's Immortal Regiment demonstrations have petered out, reflecting a distaste for grassroots patriotism.
"We're all neighbors now. No, not neighbors. FAMILY." How a disastrous flood is helping to knit a community back together and taking leader to task.
Bury Me With My Rod And Reel Teach a woman to fish, and, it is said, she will feed the whole community, not just herself.
OPERATION RE-EMIGRATION: Why Russians Who Fled The War Are Returning Home What it is like for those who left Russia after the 2022 mobilization, but who have now chosen to return.
No Anti-Wagner Words on the Bus An 87-year-old was attacked on a bus after saying "killers of women and children" while the bus passed by a monument to the Wagner Group.
Prison for a $51 Donation A Russian-American citizen faces 15 years in prison for treason over a donation to a Ukrainian charity two years ago.
Fine Then, We'll Host Our Own Olympics Russia hosted the BRICs games back in June, and they didn't hold a candle to the Paris games.
Atlas of the Invisible They died in the War on Ukraine, and now they are being remembered with a street or plaza.
Time is Fleeting We are now (2024) as distant in time from Russians' last serious demonstrations (2011-2012) against Kremlin autocracy as those demonstrations were from when Vladimir Putin took power (1999).
Is "Putin's Architect" Back? The Italian architect behind "Putin's Palace," brought to light by Alexey Navalny, is resuming business ties with Russia.
And a Cat For Good Luck: Sasha Skochilenko is Free Sasha Skochilenko shared details of her life in detention.
Resilience: Life Stories of Centenarians Born in the Year of Revolution Call it resilience, grit, or just perseverance – it takes a special sort of person to have survived the last 100 years of Russian and Soviet history.
A Turn to the East, at Least in Name The renaming of a Moscow square is the latest sign of Russia's break with the West.
Just Two Buddies, Hanging Out Putin's recent trip to North Korea signifies a continued, but not surprising, turn from the West.
(Not) Russian Olympians Arrive in Paris Russian flags are nowhere to be seen in the Paris Olympics, but its athletes are competing. How is that possible?
A New Russian Culture? The Russian presidential administration is trying to align culture with the war effort.
At Camp "Country of Heroes," Kids Learn War Kids learn military tactics at the summer camp "Country of Heroes."
Paddleboarding Down to Russia A Latvian pro-Kremlin activist and his five-year-old illegally crossed the border with Russia on a small recreational watercraft.
Lord of War's Fandom Russian teenagers continue to idolize PMC Wagner’s Yevgeny Prigozhin, even after his death.
U.S. Journalist Sentenced American journalist Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced to 16 years in a penal colony.
A Fairytale Trip around Russia Intrepid travelers can now visit the fabled sites of Russian folklore.
Adopting the Enemy's Tactic Ukraine has now begun recruiting from prisons — a practice which, until now, has been uniquely Russian.
A Regional Disparity Authorities spent ten times more money on barrage shelters in Moscow and the Moscow Oblast than in regions bordering Ukraine.
Roskomnadzor Casts Vanishing Spell on Fanfics Roskomnadzor has blocked the largest Russian-language fanfiction site.
Playwright and Director Sentenced The theater director and playwright have been in pre-trial detention for over a year on charges of "justifying terrorism." Now they've been sentenced.
Out of Time(s)? The Moscow Times has been declared an "undesirable" organization, throttling its distribution in Russia.
Sewing Images Over the past few years, Petersburgers have been noticing small pieces of fabric with skillfully made embroidery on the streets of the city.
Baikal, not Bali The State Duma has banned Russian deputies and senators from traveling abroad without permission.
Have Children, or Else Russian authorities are preparing bills to ban the "extremist ideology" about being child-free.
Roskmomnadzor Strikes At VPNs, Again Roskomnadzor ordered the App Store to ban four VPN services. So how will Russians evade internet restrictions?
Letters vs. the Hydra Russia is locking up political prisoners at an astonishing rate. Mail is helping them survive.
Is the Grass Always Greener Abroad? Posts by Russian emigres are used in state media to show the downsides of life outside of Russia.
Small-Town Russia and the War Sociologists spent a month living in small-town Russia to understand how Russians feel about the war in Ukraine.
The Roof Will Be Yellow and Blue Again A man painted "No to War" on his car and his roof in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, but was investigated for "terrorism."
Schoolchildren in Pro-War Volunteering Russian teenagers become military volunteers for an idea, and to enter universities.
Brothers by Blood, if Nothing Else The Independent journal People of Baikal profiled the Batrakov brothers: one who's stateside, the other on the front lines of Ukraine.
Russia Readies for More War Russian president Vladimir Putin says that the armed forces need to shore up in case of some explosive international developments.
An Everyday Emergency Sirens and warnings of shelling are daily occurrences in regions that border Ukraine.
Emigré Diaries We inaugurate a series in which we ask those who fled Russia in the wake of Russia’s War on Ukraine to offer telling short stories or vignettes about their new life abroad.
Fulbright Foreign Agents? Now that Fulbright has been declared an "undesirable organization," what will happen with its current and former Russian researchers?
A New Record of Complaints Russians affected by “natural changes” wrote a record number of complaints to the president.
Ten Years of Russian Crimea Russian state media outlet Izvestia is celebrating ten years since the Crimean annexation with a special feature that's pure propaganda.
Checkmate for the Russian Chess Federation The Russian Chess Federation has been banned from international competition until 2026.
Where Did The Blankets Go? Nearly 200 tons of old blankets were sent to Ukraine via the Russian Post. But many have disappeared, and their recipient is elusive.
All Hail the Centenarians of Moscow The deputy mayor of Moscow claims that Moscow is home to over 1000 centenarians.
Good Riddance, McDonald's The head of a Russian consumer protections ministry expressed glee at the exit of McDonald's from Russia.
Forced to Go Back to War Hundreds of Russian soldiers who left their service without permission are being held in military units, beaten, and then forcibly sent back to the front.
Around the USSR in 1,109 Days Nearly 100 years ago, an impassioned adventurer undertook a seemingly impossible trek.
Make Fairy Tales, not War Russian authorities are spending more on the production of fantasy films than on war films, according to a recent study.
The Post that Angered a City The wife of a Novosibirsk legislator mocked the city on Instagram, leading to questions about her lifestyle.
63-Year-Old Political Prisoner Rejects Putin's Pardon Faced with three years in prison or accepting a pardon from Putin, an elderly Siberian political protester chose prison.
Deportations Double The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported dramatic increases in deportations and entry refusals.
Steppe, by Anton Chekhov What could be more appropriate than to take a trip with Chekhov across the Ukrainian steppe?
Novels and Soviet Children A few books we’ve been reading lately, and that we felt we should review and share.
The Story of a Friendship Tender and natural bonds can develop between strangers brought together by misfortune.
Great, Powerful, Truthful, and Free Where we explore the very particular relationship that Russians have with their language.
With Mouths Sewn Shut Art is a powerful realm for protest. The Ukraine War has inspired a new wave of brave works.
The Tankman and the Sailor A tank driver and a navy man are united in their feelings about war, but perhaps not as you think.
Fighting for the Light Russians are again informing on one another. Tatyana Savinkina, a retiree in Karelia, is one victim. This is her story.
Patching the Holes Russian lawmakers have been vigorously adding new laws in response to political and cultural developments and public protests, rather than due to pressure from the public or practical necessity.
Why They Stayed In the wake of Russia’s launching of its Ukraine War, an estimated 150,000+ young Russians have fled the country. We talked to a few who have stayed.
Moscow-Kharkiv: Russia On An Express Train to Hell As a famous Russian writer recounts, many Russians are pretending that nothing is happening. They’re trying not to discuss what’s going on just a four-hour train ride to Hell away.
Injustice The outcomes of political trials in Russia are mostly preordained, but activists have learned to use them as a way to speak out.
The Horror We are resuming publication of Russian Life, aiming to once again tell stories about Russia that are not being told elsewhere, but now with a new sense of purpose.
Spring 2024 Alexei Navalny * Writing Letters to Political Prisoners * Siberians Protecting Prehistoric Art * Wives Trying to Bring their Men Home * Teachers Trying to Teach * The Orwellian Russian Language of War * Emigré Diaries
"I Don't Want To Be A Mouthpiece" One teacher's case offers a look at how education is being altered by propaganda and fear.
Alexei Navalny A historian and activist puts the death of Alexei Navalny in personal and historical perspective.
Notes at the Front A journalist is convicted for telling the truth, and emigrés offer some poignant vignettes.
The Path to Foreign Agenthood A grassroots organization fighting for the rights of mobilized soldiers has been declared a foreign agent.
Victory (Kinda) on Display Russian diplomats recently perused a display of captured Western equipment brought from Ukraine to Moscow.
Support Journalists Help us build a fund to support Russian journalists' reporting in this very difficult times.
The Foreign Agents List The popular NPR podcast This American Life offers an excellent piece by Masha Gessen on what it feels like to be added to the Foreign Agents list.
Playing With Fire Maria Yudina was a profoundly gifted pianist and teacher. And there is a certain lingering myth about her...
Sign of Spring A villager, shod in felt boots, carries an oil portrait of Communist leader Vladimir Lenin.
"Limonov" Biopic Premieres at Cannes Kirill Serebrennikov has brought It's Me, Eddie to the silver screen.
Disability Numbers Soar Disability numbers have seen a drastic increase since the beginning of the war.
A Psychiatric Punishment Individuals involved in political cases are now five times more likely to be sent to psychiatric hospitals for compulsory treatment.
The End of the Bachelor's Degree Russian universities are restructuring higher education, creating more distance between Russian and international academia.
New Leonardos at the Hermitage? An exhibit backed by a close associate of the Kremlin claims, erroneously, to show paintings newly attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.
Cutting the Commute A major study finds that more than 80% of Russians want to work from home this summer.
Fall 2022 A visit to Odesa * The animals that would not be left behind * A village woman grapples with a history of war * The Russian economy * Pianist Marina Yudina * Grappling with one's Russian ancestry * The Dissilusioned * Tatar roots of Russian * Anti-war poems [SOLD OUT] We no longer sell back issues older than 1 year. You can order a digital subscription which allows you to read ALL issues dating back to July 1995. To order, click HERE.
One Flower For Every Month In Prison Kevin Lik, an outstanding high schooler from Adygea, was convicted of espionage. His mother tells his story.
Everyone Understands What's Going On Speaking Russian in this time of war is as much about the words you cannot say as those you can.
93 Untranslatable Russian Words Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.
The Pigeons Are Coming Too Anya, a Russian influencer, took her more than 10 pets, including multiple pigeons, from Russia to Montenegro.
Theater Directors Face More Detention The trial of Zhenya Berkovich and Svetlana Petriychuk has been postponed yet again.
The Power of the Zine Artist Anna Dial uses updated samizdat methods to publish her "zines" and avoid censorship.
A New Wave of Emigration to Europe Almost 19,000 Russians sought asylum in EU countries in 2023, marking a record high for the past seven years.
Russia Goes After Kharkiv, Again Russia attempted to break the Ukrainian line of defense in Kharkiv. Five villages were captured and over 1,700 were evacuated.
Vlad the Long-Lived? "God forbid that the end of the century means the end of your stay in power," said Patriarch Kirill during Putin's May 7 inauguration.
Snowing on Your Parade A few things were notably absent (and present) from this year's Victory Day parade.
A Village Teacher Under Fire A teacher of high-school language and literature has resigned after being denounced by a colleague.
Teach Not Fear, But Self-Esteem A trans woman from St. Petersburg was forced to pull her child from school because of her gender.
Small Things Can Fix Everything From looking for a lost cat to gathering signatures for Boris Nadezhdin, Russians find hope in their communities.
How War Has Affected Chernobyl Zone Russian occupation of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has set back the progress of the last few decades in the area.
Russians Forced to Become Arsonists Dozens of Russian pensioners have ignited fires at military offices and banks due to telephone scams.
Bankruptcies Hit Record High Bankruptcies skyrocket in Russia, with pensioners making up half the filings.
Returning Home to Kill More than 100 persons have been killed by returning Russian soldiers since the beginning of Russia's War on Ukraine.
If You Prick Kadyrov, Does He Not Bleed? Reports reveal that Chechnya's president has a terminal pancreatic condition. Or does he?
Espionage Convictions Soar The rate of convictions for treason in Russia has more than doubled in the past two years.
"Texas" Killed in Donbas The American pro-war blogger known by the alias "Texas" was killed by Russian soldiers in occupied territory.
The Registration Lady Can't be Stopped Despite fines and threats, a Kaluga activist continues to help migrants access benefits in Russia.
No Victory for Russian Regions The leaders of a handful of Russian regions have canceled Victory Day parades, citing security concerns.
A Brick in AWOL In March 2024, Russian military courts began handing down about 34 sentences a day for unauthorized abandonment of military service.
From the Club to Ukraine? A Tatarstan deputy proposed drafting nightclub attendees throughout Russia every Friday.
Putting the "Coup" in "Cool Statue" A surprising statue immortalizes two unlikely figures: the erstwhile Wagner Group's cofounders.
Black Market for Weapons Growing Russian military courts saw a surge in weapons trafficking cases in 2023, marking the highest level in a decade.
A Team of "Foreign Agents" at the Paris Olympics The President of the Russian Olympic Committee has labeled Russian athletes competing at the Paris games as "foreign agents."
The Mural Stronger than Buenos Aires Police Russian artists painting a Navalny mural in Buenos Aires were interrupted by police after multiple complaints.
A Life of Protest: Soviet Dissident Arrested in St. Petersburg Lifelong dissident Alexander Skobov was arrested in St. Petersburg, again.
Cross with Care, without Bluetooth Student researchers in Russia are working to create technology that would disrupt Bluetooth devices at train crossings.
Children with Child From pressuring teens to abort to denying requested abortions, orphanages in Russia often mishandle pregnancy cases.
A Year in the Life of Evan Gershkovich A year after his arrest, American journalist Evan Gershkovich is no closer to trial, or freedom.
Russian Prosperity is Good News for Putin A ranking of Russian regions by prosperity could reveal why Putin's support remains high.
Russian Artists Crash the Pompidou Russian artists brought unauthorized performance art to Paris's biggest contemporary art museum.
A Theater Director's Letter from Prison While Zhenya Berkovich's trial keeps getting postponed, her two adopted daughters wait for her at home.
After Elections, Is It Time For Mobilizations? The Ministry of Defense plans to draft 300,000 soldiers to encircle Kharkiv, Ukraine, according to independent news outlet Vyorstka.
Chekhov Goes Solar In honor of the full solar eclipse visiting us in 2 weeks, we offer a few things Anton Chekhov had to say about eclipses that passed through his life.
Facing Up "Faces of the Russian Resistance" is a traveling art project that humanizes dissent in Russia.
Moscow Hit by Deadly Terrorist Attack On Friday evening, four gunmen opened fire in a Moscow concert hall, killing over 115 people and injuring many others.
Progress and Regression How have Russian women's lives changed in the two years since the beginning of Russia's War on Ukraine?
Election Rebellion: Paint It Green! Russia's 2024 presidential elections kicked off with voters pouring green dye and ink into ballot boxes.
"Bandit Greetings" to the Oppositionist In Lithuania, an unidentified assailant attacked Alexei Navalny's ally with a hammer.
"I Breathed a Sigh of Relief" The war has increased cases of domestic abuse, yet in one instance things went in an entirely different direction.
The War on Environmentalists Even those fighting to save Russia's environment and ecology are being harassed and arrested.
An Open Letter to Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Her pen pal was purportedly the daughter of the Last Tsarevich, who of course lived in Queens.
Nationalize It Over the past two years, 180 private companies have been taken over by the Russian state.
Centennial Celebration of Avant-Garde Art A century after it first opened, the Jewish Museum in Moscow recreated an exhibit of Jewish avant-garde artists from Chagall to Shterenberg.
Lessons Unlearned from Russian Literature A primary school literature teacher was forced to resign after using Russian classics to teach students about war.
Russia Tricks Foreigners into Fighting in Ukraine, Again Indian authorities uncovered a human trafficking network that tricked its citizens into fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
Higher than the Angels “Roofing”?in St. Petersburg has become a mass phenomenon. Join us on an exploration of the Northern Capital from above.
A Rooftop Renegade A St. Petersburg tour guide has been punished for breaking locks on rooftop excursions.
Former Prisoner, War Participant Commits Murder, Again An ex-convict who fought in Ukraine and received a pardon for his participation in the war murdered two, including a woman who had won the "Best Teacher of Russia" competition
"Healer" Clairvoyant Arrested for Fraud A psychic from Kotelnikovo defrauded a client out of R67 million.
Thousands Turn Out for Navalny's Funeral Thousands of Russians took to the streets for the funeral services of Alexei Navalny.
Words from Behind the Glass Box A playwright and a theater director were arrested for a play criticizing ISIS. After months in jail, they spoke from their defendants' glass box.
A Mathematician in Prison. Again Political prisoner Azat Miftakhov was arrested on charges of "justifying terrorism" immediately after being freed.
Migrant Flow Slows to Trickle Immigration into Russia from Central Asian countries has slowed since the start of Russia's War on Ukraine.
"Small" Acts of Protest Keep Anti-War Effort Alive One website showcases the creativity anti-war protesters are using to express dissent while avoiding arrest.
Fighting for the Matriarchy, in Name Women discuss their decisions to adopt a "matronymic," honoring their mothers, rather than the traditional Russian patronymic.
Dostoyevsky, The New LGBT Propaganda An online retailer removed books by Dostoyevsky, Murakami, Wilde, Sorokin, and others under the "LGBT Propaganda" law.
Flowers and Handcuffs for Navalny As Russia and the world laid flowers to commemorate Alexey Navalny, mourners were arrested at home and abroad.
A Photographer's Empathy Documentary photographer Dmitry Markov, renowned for his heartfelt portrayal of authentic Russia, has passed away.
Russia Faces Banana Deficit A pro-Ukrainian arms exchange between Ecuador and the United States has led to a steep decrease in banana imports to Russia.
Win Big Voting in the Presidential Election Russian voters are eligible to win prizes for voting in the upcoming presidential election.
Vetting Russians in Georgia Georgians welcome Russians fleeing their country, but only if they don't support the war in Ukraine.
Drones in the Classroom, in the Name of the Motherland Russian schoolchildren will learn to operate drones in courses designed to teach "life-safety."
Putin's Agents in Sheep's Clothing Russian intelligence officers reportedly masquerade as human rights activists and filmmakers.
Congress of "Foreign Agents" Held in Berlin Journalists and activists labeled "foreign agents" by the Kremlin gathered in Berlin.
A Criminal Doll An artist was arrested while fleeing to Kazakhstan for the use of prison tattoos in his artwork.
Winter 2024 Miltaristic camp for youth * Survival Russian * War on Environmentalists * The Legacy of Panel Buildings * Unlikely Pen Pals * Teaching for Russia * Socks for Troops * War Widows * New Books Worth Reading
In Violation of Several HR Policies A pair of Muscovites were caught trying to sell a fake government job.
Bi-2 Members Released from Thai Detention The anti-war music group Bi-2 was held in Thailand, and Russian officials were not too hasty to bail them out.
Arrested for Rainbow Earrings A young woman in Nizhny Novgorod faces extremism charges for wearing rainbow earrings.
"I'm Alive" a Harrowing Escape A gay Chechen man forced to out himself on camera vanished after the video went viral in 2022. Now, he tells his story.
What Russians Want Independent sociologists have sussed out what Russians really want from their government.
Aiding Vegan Detainees A nonprofit is assisting vegan political detainees by offering animal-product-free provisions.
Schoolchildren Forced into Youth Movement Teachers are compelling schoolchildren across Russia to join a state-sanctioned youth movement.
Radioactive Capsule Lost and Found A capsule of the radioactive isotope cesium-137 was found on January 19 after having been lost for nearly a week in the countryside of Irkutsk district.
Bashkiris Protest Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Republic of Bashkortostan to support a convicted activist.
Tinder Breaks Up with Belarus Tinder and other dating apps will exit the Belarussian market after Valentine's Day. How will Belarus find love?
Hoping to Find a Furry Friend Kirov locals hope to recover a cat erroneously thrown off a train to St. Petersburg.
Under the All-Seeing Eye The extent of Russia's surveillance may surprise you — and it's only getting more invasive.
Buryat Strays Hit the Road Local volunteers are sending dogs to other Russian cities to avoid a new euthanasia law in Buryatia.
Fishermen on Thin Ice Fishermen near Kaliningrad were marooned on an ice floe and rescued by emergency services.
Wildberries: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire A mysterious fire erupted at one of Wildberries's largest warehouses, costing billions of rubles in damages.
They Are Listening to You The Moscow Health Department is putting listening devices in doctors' offices.
New Year, New Trips The data say that, unsurprisingly, many Russians flock to warmer climes to celebrate the New Year.
The Women with the White Scarves Family members of drafted soldiers picketed solo in Moscow demanding the return of their loved ones from the war in Ukraine.
Hitting the Spot, Sponsored by Moscow Visitors to many Moscow parks can now enjoy free hot drinks as they enjoy the frosty outdoors.
Eat. Bake. Protest. How a woman from Moscow turned a cake business into an anti-war protest and helped charities.
Object Lessons How students and teachers are reacting to new patriotism injections in school curricula.
Born in 2005, Killed At The Front The BBC recorded the name of the first Russian soldier born in 2005 to be killed in Ukraine.
Student Sentenced for Spying For the first time, Russia has sentenced a student for spying. The 18-year-old was a high-achieving student.
My Fair Snow Maiden A school's New Years party causes a stir when a male teacher dresses up as Snow Maiden.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Reclusive, frank, astoundingly industrious and uncompromising, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was the most influential writer of his age, and he did more to topple the Soviet Union than any other individual in the 20th century. We spoke with his wife just a few months before his death.
A Prophet and His Country Thirty-five years ago this month, a little book was published that changed Russia forever. On the anniversary of the publication of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, we asked two esteemed observers to offer their views on the great writer's legacy.
Closing Curtains for a Cancelled Show A theater canceled a show after the playwright was convicted for "spreading fake news about the Russian army."
Put On Some Clothes, The Party Is Over An almost-naked party drew backlash from conservative groups, prompting an investigation and the arrest of three attendees.
A Very Famous Terrorist Popular writer Boris Akunin has been added to the Kremlin's list of terrorists and extremists.
See Siberia by Train, Virtually A new video game takes players across Siberia amidst the Russian Civil War.
A Snowy Protest After a week of heavy snow, Voronezh locals painted snowdrifts with calls for the local government to finally remove them.
Pacifist Violist: Life with an Ankle Bracelet A viola player and music teacher's life changed forever after posting anti-war messages on social media.
An Anti-War Art Awakening Anonymous artist Zless creates anti-war art that juxtaposes traditional Russian symbols and the horrors of the invasion of Ukraine.
Piter's People – Natalia Kapiturova A project in which readers meet regular St. Petersburgers, to learn about their lives and their favorite places in the Northern Palmyra. First up: coffee!
Christopher Plummer's Last Station In memory of actor Christopher Plummer, who died last week at age 91, we look back at his role as a dying Leo Tolstoy in the 2009 film, The Last Station.
How a Village Dies Are people leaving villages because of their embarrassing names, or because there are no services?
School Shooting Shakes Bryansk A 14-year-old girl from Bryansk entered her biology class and shot at her classmates, killing one and injuring 5.
An Unexpected Expected Announcement President Putin announced he would seek a fifth term in office in a way that surprised some.
What Russians Actually Think 1420 by Daniil Orain is a YouTube channel that puts everyday Russians on the spot.
Emerging HIV Epidemic? One-fourth of Russian regions are experiencing a critical HIV situation alongside a shortage of medicine.
Digital Editor Interns Sought Russian Life seeks Digital Editor Interns to contribute to its online publication, The Russia File.
Another One Bites the Dust Yeliseyevsky Food Emporium in Moscow closes its doors after 120 years selling groceries in a completely incongruent physical space.
The Last Romantic Widely hailed ast the greatest Russian poet of the 20th century, Alexander Blok was more than an enigma--his life and work are a reflection of the Russian soul.
Moskvarium: Making a Splash at VDNKh One of the newest VDNKh pavilions is Russia's most dramatic oceanarium, embracing captive orcas even as other countries begin to abandon the practice.
I Know Why Dostoyevsky Is Emotionally Overwhelming Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novels may be so psychologically complex for a reason you might not expect.
The Best Dostoyevsky Artwork at the Russian Museum For one month only, the Russian Museum is celebrating the life of Fyodor Dostoyevsky with a 200th birthday exhibit.
Faster Than a Speeding Sapsan The journey between Moscow and St. Petersburg is about to get a lot faster.
Worthy of Aivazovsky's Brush If you love the sea, Ivan Aivazovsky is your man. Everyone should know about this Armenian-Russian painter.
Four Russian Treasures in North America Remnants of the Imperial Russian past are all over Alaska – and California, too.
New Life Breathed into the Museum of Hockey Moscow's stunning Museum of Hockey and Hockey Hall of Fame is a hidden gem with new investors ready to keep it going – hopefully for a long time to come.
Don't Know Russian Jack? One of the earliest residents of Anchorage, Alaska, was a Russian guy with a larger-than-life personality.
The One Where "Friends" Is Big in Russia Russian fans of Friends can have the ultimate immersive experience at four themed cafes.
Sleigh Revival The brisk December wind whistles past your ears as you glide across the freshly fallen snow. Step back in time and see how sleighs are making a comeback in Russia.
Olympic Dreams The Sydney Olympics held both happy surprises and amazing upsets for Russia's athletes. Here are some of the best stories.
A Tsar is Born Twenty-year-old Marat Safin is taking the tennis world by storm, not only because of the strength of his game, but also because of the strength of his character.
Looking After the Treasure Last year's controversial exhibitions at St. Petersburg's Hermitage museum gave attendance a new boost, and fueld hope for expansion and upgrade plans. Lisa Dickey takes a look at what's in store for Russia's greatest art museum.
A Nation of Plotters Dachas (summer houses) are a concept held dear by most Russians--80% of the population has a dacha, and Russians put them third on their list of material priorities, behind apartments and cars. Yelena Utenkova takes a detailed look at the history and role of the dacha in Russian society.
Estonia's Security Threat Estonia's Prime Minister warned residents seeking Russian citizenship that they could face deportation as a security risk.
$10,000 for a Fake Injury Russian soldiers use bribes to buy vacations and the opportunity not to participate in assaults.
No Pictures with Lukashenko, Please The presidents of Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland refused to be photographed with Alexander Lukashenko at the COP28 in Dubai.
Occupation Is Expensive An independent Russian news outlet reported that Russia is worse off economically because of its actions in Ukraine since 2013.
The King of Easter Cuisine Kulich is more than just a tradition at Eastertime, it is the king of the feast. Here is a recipe and some discussion of the dish's history.
An Ear of Dough: The dish that tamed Siberia Russian pelmeni have a storied history and are most often associated with Siberia. Here's our recipe.
Beware the Wives and Mothers Russian regional officials have been called upon to cope with the discontent of the wives and mothers of the mobilized.
Shaman in Prison, Evil Spirit at Large Alexander Gabyshev, a shaman who intended to walk 8,000 kilometers to exorcise Putin, celebrated his birthday behind bars once again.
Russia's Unrealistic Peace Offer A new report revealed that, in 2022, Russia proposed ending its attack on Ukraine, under one important condition...
From Prime Minister to Foreign Agent A former Russian prime minister has been declared a foreign agent.
Wide Horizons for Russian Students Russian schools have begun a new nationwide career guidance program for grades 6-11.
Russian Doctors: Let Sasha Go Russian doctors signed an open letter to President Putin demanding Sasha Skochilenko's release for reasons of health.
Seven Years for Five Slips of Paper Today in St. Petersburg, Sasha Skochilenko became Russia's newest political prisoner, for a silent protest against war.
Ministry of Justice: LGBT Russians Are Next Russia's Ministry of Justice has filed a lawsuit to label LGBT Russians and their advocacy groups "extremists."
What's in a Fame? An internet metric names the most famous historical person from Russia. They aren't Russian.
Do Not Talk to Foreigners The Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education is collecting personal data of students and teachers who have been in contact with foreigners.
Evacuations of Russians from Gaza The Ministry of Emergency Situations announced that Russian nationals have begun evacuating Gaza through Egypt.
"Undesirable" Books, Undesired Problems Police drew up protocols at the European University at St. Petersburg after finding books from "undesirable organizations."
He Was Sentenced to 17 Years. Now He Is Free. Vladimir Putin pardons a convicted killer involved in the Russian war in Ukraine.
Polar Youth Work in the mines, play on the slopes. This is the life of some sun-starved youth in the Arctic. Oh, and they also ski/snowboard off buildings.
Fall 2023 Men who fled the draft * New Russian language memes * How school is changing * A bike ride around the Soviet Union * A newspaper that struggles to remain free * An old man and his dog * Books we liked * Monuments being taken down
Free Press A community-created and local-focused newspaper that takes the notion of a free press very seriously.
Domestic Disputes of a Different Kind A recent study finds that 56% of Russian apartment-renters have had a conflict with their landlord.
A New Farewell to a Million Scarlet Roses Alla Pugacheva briefly returned to Russia after evacuating from Israel, only to leave again for Latvia.
The George Orwell Library A library in Ivanovo promotes intellectual growth and independent thought, offering literature from "foreign agents."
"Accursed" Questions of Russia's New Reality Memes generated by Russia's stark new reality are affecting language and usage.
Books We Liked Some books our reviewer liked, and their significance for lovers of all things Russian.
An Old Man and his Dog When everyone wants you to focus on the now, but you are still reckoning with what is missing
Peace Signs: The Troubled State of Russian Education How are teachers and students coping with the new Russian reality of war and dictatorship?
Notes from the Front Navalny's last word, history's continued revision, and a foreign correspondent's perspective
Snow Penises Everywhere Yekaterinburg students are decorating the city with giant phallic snow sculptures, angering authorities and residents alike.
Readers Respond: What We Miss about Russia We asked, "What do you miss about traveling in Russia?" We got pure poetry.
No Telegram Today Telegram users across Russia reported outages following an attack in Dagestan on a flight from Israel.
The Disillusioned Consideration of five recent books that help us grapple with Russia, Ukraine, and history.
An Unwelcome Arrival Protesters in Russia's Dagestan surrounded and attempted to storm a flight arriving from Tel Aviv, Israel.
Want to Buy a Boulevard? Russian classifieds website Avito listed a St. Petersburg green space for sale.
A Killer Gets Promoted? The man suspected of organizing the murder of Russian oppositionist Boris Nemtsov has become the commander of a new Chechen battalion.
US Reroutes Aid Thousands of artillery shells meant for Ukraine will be sent to Israel to replenish depleted U.S. stocks.
Tell Us What You Miss about Visiting Russia We want to hear from you: What do you miss about visiting Russia?
From Saboteurs to Bureaucrats Russian saboteurs who organized explosions in Europe have reportedly transitioned into official roles within Russian regions.
Mosque Raid Leads to Star's Enlistment The Russian National Guard raided a mosque, forcing worshipers to enlist in the army. A finalist in a musical reality show was among the draftees.
Escaping the Draft – in Israel Russian-Israelis want to return to Russia to avoid being drafted into Israel's military. But Russia is also conscripting.
VDNKh Gets More Russified VDNKh is set to open a "Russia" exhibition-forum inside its seventieth pavilion.
Not My Cab of Tea The Netherlands is investigating whether Yandex's ride-sharing app is sharing data with Russia's FSB.
NATO and Ukraine Grow Closer NATO and Ukraine are planning to launch an analytical center to revise soldier training based on the Russian invasion.
Armenia Joins ICC against Putin's Wishes Armenia joined the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh offensive, straining its relationship with Russia.
Russia Reacts to Gaza War 400 Russians asked to be evacuated from Gaza as Israel ordered the evacuation of 1.1 million people.
Repression Impacts Lawyers A court in Moscow has ordered the arrest of lawyers representing Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, charging them with participation in an "extremist community."
Unlike My Father, Putin is a Coward Alexei Navalny's daughter Daria gives a TED Talk on the occasion of her father's 1000th day in prison.
Birth Rate Lowest in Century The Russian government has predicted that the country's birth rate will collapse to levels not seen since the early nineteenth century
Russia Remembers Anna Politovskaya on Putin's Birthday On Vladimir Putin's birthday, citizens across Russia commemorated the seventeenth anniversary of independent journalist Anna Politkovskaya's murder.
A Quantum Leap A Russian and American contingent was unveiled as this year's Nobel chemistry laureates.
The Cost of Being Foreign Agent An "extremist" Russian rapper is fined for not reporting on his activities as a "foreign agent."
Kadyrov: A Medal for My Son The Head of the Chechen State awarded his son a medal after he extrajudicially beat a prisoner accused of burning a Qu'ran.
"Our Men Are Not Slaves; Bring Them Home" Relatives of mobilized Russians are demanding the return of loved ones who have been at war for an extended period. Russian authorities are censoring their messages.
Integration through Education? Russian President Putin stressed the importance of education in regions newly annexed from Ukraine. But is there a more sinister motive at play?
Beware the Partisans Russia has witnessed nearly 310 cases of arson, explosions, and sabotage in the past 19 months.
Where Is Polina Gagarina? A pro-war concert promised great stars on the stage, but instead had only ultranationalist poets.
Prisoner Returns from War With Fatal Consequences A murder convict sent to Ukraine in exchange for a pardon committed a gruesome crime after returning from the war.
Another Reason to Cover Your Mouth When You Cough Russia is suffering through an especially bad flu and respiratory infection season.
There Is Only Death There New statistics reveal that one in five mobilized Russians did not survive even two months in the Russian war in Ukraine.
Descending from Roskosmos, Crashing in Zaporizhzhia The former head of Roskosmos, Russia's state space corporation, was appointed senator for the illegally annexed Zaporizhzhia oblast.
March/April 2022 Russia's Mother Theresa * An Unusual Street Musician * A Siberian Hermit * A Trip to the Edge of Russia * Peter the Great vs. Foppishness * How Not to Step in It * Finlandization of Russian * A Forgotten Food Classic * Animals in Opposition
Spring 2023 The Evolving Language of War * A Defiant Teacher * A Hopeful Priest * A Village Stand-Off * A Trip to Ukraine * Books We Liked * Last Words of Convicted Dissenters
Masking Required Here As COVID-19 cases rise, the Russian White House is implementing a mask mandate.
Pilgrimage Under Shelling: "Shana Tova" From Uman Despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 35,000 Hassidic Jews went on a pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine, for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Stop My Flight If You Can Despite sanctions, Russia imported Boeing and Airbus spare parts worth at least R18 billion in 2022.
President Bush and Putin's Chef Former President George W. Bush reveals that he met the infamous mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin two decades ago.
From Trenches to Schools Russian soldiers returned from the war in Ukraine will give new practical courses on security and defense for schoolchildren.
Cubans Trafficked To Fight in Ukraine Seventeen people were arrested in Cuba for tricking and trafficking men into fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
Thumbs Up! A Russian court acknowledged that a thumbs-up emoji carries the same legal weight as a signature.
Not Even Russia Is Immune from "Barbenheimer" "Barbenheimer" fever has arrived in Russia. Cinemas are ready to bypass the government's restrictions and Hollywood copyright in creative ways.
Setting a Course for "Statehood" Russian education authorities are working on a new course for students on the "fundamentals of Russian statehood." But what does that mean?
Protection From Propaganda: a Back-to-School Essential On September 1, children returned to school in Russia. How are parents dealing with propaganda in schools' curricula?
Roskomnadzor: No More Evading Internet Restrictions Roskomnadzor will begin blocking websites that explain how to skirt government restrictions on the internet.
Navalny, Lexiconvict The Russian Supreme Court upholds a Kafkaesque ban on Navalny using prison slang.
They Took His Cross and Icons A former priest of the Russian Orthodox Church was sentenced to three years in prison for "fakes" about the Russian army.
Nobel Flip Flop The Nobel Foundation canceled Russia’s invitation to the annual awards ceremony in Stockholm.
Laying Low The tale of René Coignard, who changed his name and spent six months hiding in a wooden hut to escape the draft.
Poisoned Russian Journalist: "I Want To Live" German authorities are investigating the poisoning of former Novaya Gazeta journalist Elena Kostyuchenko.
Putin's Palace Saved from Wildfire A wildfire outside the resort town of Gelendzhik, home to Putin's infamous seaside getaway, has been extinguished by Russia's emergency services.
Of War and Yachts Despite Russia's War on Ukraine and ongoing sanctions, the Russian state spent $32 million on a yacht linked to Vladimir Putin.
The FSB Takes a "Journalistic" Approach An undercover FSB agent, disguised as Meduza journalist, interrogated an activist.
It's (Maybe) the Economy, Stupid According to the Russian state, produce prices are currently at "normal" levels.
No Entry to the Cemetery Pro-Kremlin activists blocked the entrance of Polish diplomats to a cemetery in St. Petersburg.
"The Killers" Kill the Mood in Georgia "The Killers" was booed at a concert in Georgia for inviting a Russian fan onstage and implying that Russians and Georgians were brothers.
A Shortage of Drugs Nearly 200 medications could vanish from the Russian market due to sanctions and isolation.
Get Another Search Engine Google has been fined by Russia; now, Russians report issues when using the site.
From Battle to Business Thousands of businesses have opened in Russia's "southwestern region": land that was, until recently, part of Ukraine.
Street Musicians Killed by Missile Two musicians were performing on the streets of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. An hour later, a Russian missile strike killed them.
A Video Song-Apology Three waterpark employees in Crimea were fined and forced to sing "Vladimir Putin is Great" after dancing to a Ukrainian song.
A Crackdown of Another Kind The State Historical Museum is getting stricter about the use of Russia's most iconic building.
One Podcast to Rule Them All Economist journalist Arkady Ostrovsky has created what is easily the most compelling and valuable podcast on Russia.
Summer 2023 More Last Words * Escaping from Russia to Avoid the Draft * Wartime Linguistic Touchpoints * Russia's War on LGBTQ+ * Talking with Russians on the Train * Life in a Remote Siberian City * The Ukrainian Student Who Became a Symbol of Emancipation for Her Generation * Books We Liked * Telling Statistics
Kremlin Rewrites History A new Russian school textbook rewrites history from the 1970s to the present.
Message in the Guestbook: Arina's Story One Russian exile left her story — and a cry for help — in a museum guestbook.
Lords of War New report details how Russian oligarchs are recruiting "volunteers" for Russia's War on Ukraine.
Young Chechens Face Passport Hurdle Chechnya restricts passports for under 30s for “Russia's interests.”
Apple Removes Meduza Podcast Apple Podcasts has removed Meduza's signature news show after pressure from Russian courts.
Cruel and Unusual The regime is hell-bent on silencing and slowly murdering Alexei Navalny. Here is his Last Word after his trumped up conviction last week.
To Stay and Survive A filmmaker Elizaveta spent months riding Russia’s rails and discussing the war with fellow travelers.
Russia's Anti LGBT+ War Taking stock, ten years on from Russia's passage of its first post-Soviet anti-gay law.
Leave or Die In which we visit a "typical" Siberian town and dig into the issues and people who live there.
Notes at the Front More poignant and brave “last words” of dissenters, and a look at one popular place (again) of exile.
Final Thoughts Considering some telling facts and figures from Russia, the war, and where things are now.
A Flood. And Support. Expressing our thanks and optimism amid war, floods, and publishing challenges.
Alexei Shishkin [INVALID] Alexei Shishkin is a journalist and historian who lives and works in St. Petersburg.
Sem na Sem (7x7) An independent online journal focused on social issues and society as it plays out in Russia's regions. It's a network of anonymous bloggers and contributors who are working hard to protect, educate, and inspire change for the better, through the work of volunteers, social entrepreneurs, NGO workers, activists and other concerned citizens. They believe that the future of Russia lies in the decentralization of places of power, in true federalization.
The Lady with the Tote Bag A woman was fined for "tarnishing the Russian army” through anti-war imagery and a "provocative" tattoo.
Antidepressants on the Rise Antidepressant use in Russia has skyrocketed over the last year, especially in St. Petersburg.
Street Artist Detained at Moscow Airport Street artist Philippenzo, known for his anti-war murals, was detained at a Moscow airport when reentering Russia.
Retiree Tortured for Anti-War Comments A retiree took to social media after hearing about his daughter's experience in Kyiv. Authorities harassed and tortured him.
Forced to Work for the War Industry A new report reveals that Russian students are being forced to assemble Iranian combat drones.
Shielded from Soviet Symbols Work is underway to replace a Soviet symbol on a Kyiv monument with something more Ukrainian.
What's in a Name? Stalin. Every September 3, and on nine other days of the year, the city of Volgograd will change its name back to Stalingrad.
Repression Targets Pro-War "Patriots" Igor Strelkov, former defense minister of the Russian-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, was arrested in Moscow.
A Woman's Choice, or a Vicious Practice? Russia's Minister of Health advocates teaching children to prioritize childbirth before a career.
Taken from Home to Belarus Children from Russian-annexed Ukraine are being sent to camps in Belarus. Many don't return.
Russian Life Flood Update Montpelier, Vermont, where Russian Life has its offices, was inundated with a 100-year flood.
No to a Preventive Nuclear Strike Russian Council on Foreign and Defense Policy opposes a preventative nuclear strike.
War Criminal's Event Interrupted by Police Police evacuated a library where Igor Strelkov, a war criminal and Kremlin Ukraine War strategy critic, was to speak.
Russian Fake Syrians Five Russian athletes with altered identities have been announced as part of the Syrian team in the Arab Games.
The Palace and Its Thousand Prigozhins The FSB raided Yevgeny Prigozhin's St.Petersburg mansion, finding gold, guns, and wigs, triggering a meme machine of his disguises.
Strangers on a Train A Russian journalist recounts a very telling encounter in a train from Tula to Moscow.
Rolling in Rubles St. Petersburg introduces a resort fee for tourists, with penalties for non-payment.
Sought to Visit Sick Father, Arrested as Spy A Ukrainian woman was on her way to visit her dying father in Crimea. Russian authorities detained her and accused her of espionage.
Rockstar Declared Foreign Agent The Ministry of Justice released a list of new "foreign agents." Among them is Boris Grebenshchikov, a respected founder of Russian Rock.
Scared and Suspicious Nearly half of Russians distrust official information regarding the war in Ukraine.
Prigozhin's Uprising Russia's home-grown mercenaries have taken over Rostov-on-Don and threaten to march on the capital.
Undesirable News The Russian Prosecutor General's has declared Novaya Gazeta Europe "undesirable" due to its independent reporting.
iPhones Banned Members of the government have been forbidden from bringing iPhones to cabinet meetings.
Wagner Group Still Allowed After Wagner Group's uprising, the State Duma announced new regulations, but did not ban the organization.
A Day To Remember in Rostov-on-Don The Wagner Group occupied Rostov-on-Don on June 24. What was it like in the city?
Navalny Launches Antiwar Campaign Politician and political prisoner Alexei Navaly is launching a "big propaganda machine" to counter Putin and pro-war propaganda.
"Sieva," The Boy Who Lived, Dead at 97 Esteban "Sieva" Volkov, Trotsky's grandson and last surviving witness of his murder, died at age 97.
He Warned Police Would Kill Him. He is Dead A dissident in Rostov-on-Don reported torture and death threats while in prison. He was found dead a day before his trial.
Military Against War The Russian military has created a secret anti-Putin organization that is fighting against the dictatorship and opposes the war with Ukraine.
Mother of All Denunciations The mother of a Russian conscript who died as a result of shelling in the Belgorod Oblast has been charged with “discrediting” the army.
Ecocide, Russia's Latest Weapon of War Ukraine's Kakhovka Dam exploded, killing at least 13 people and thousands of animals and causing irreparable damage.
ROC: Pacifism is Heresy A Russian Orthodox priest called for peace. In response, the church said pacifism is "incompatible" with Orthodox teachings.
"Go Defend Your Homeland" In Chechnya, law enforcement uses threats and blackmail to send LGBT persons, drug users, and "disloyal" citizens to war.
Medieval Musings A medieval guide to life and ethics may be integrated into the Russian education system.
Shooting up Deeres Russian military claims anti-tank successes, but pro-Kremlin analysts beg to differ.
Sanctioning Iran Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for sanctioning Iran for 50 years for supplying Russia with drones.
Unwelcome Guests Students at two universities in Belgorod were being evicted from their dormitories to make space for refugees.
Blowing Out Candles for Navalny On June 4, Alexei Navalny's birthday, demonstrators took to the streets to demand his release.
No One is Going Anywhere The Kremlin has banned high-ranking officials from resigning during the war.
Russia To Ban Gender Reassignment? A bill was introduced to the State Duma that would ban gender-affirming surgery and gender changes in official documents.
Handshake Havoc A Ukrainian tennis player's handshake snub sparks controversy at the 2023 French Open.
A Very Scary 77-year-old The regime feels threatened by the work of a 77-year-old St. Petersburg artist.
Georgians: "Stop The Wedding!" Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's daughter was at a wedding in Georgia. Protesters interrupted the event.
FSB To Seize Passports The State Duma is going to give the FSB the right to take away passports at the border.
Greenpeace Declared "Undesirable" The Russian General Procurator announced Greenpeace has been declared an "undesirable organization," banning it in Russia.
Evading Sanctions Western sanctions are not preventing Russia from supplying its military from abroad.
We're In Charge. Now Leave. The puppets overseeing Russia's occupation of Kharkiv Oblast have urged residents to evacuate.
No More Golden Passports? Malta and Cyprus revoked "golden passports" for dozens of EU-sanctioned Russians and their families.
Where's the Ammunition? The Ministry of Defense has said Wagner will get all the ammunition it needs.
Imagine Dragons Shows Reality in Ukraine The band Imagine Dragons released a short film shot in Ukraine, telling the story of a teenager who survived Russian shelling.
DNA Doesn't Lie. Wagner Does. Wagner said it was her son, killed in battle. She forced DNA testing and proved they were lying.
Russia is Officially "Ruscist" The Ukrainian Parliament has adopted a resolution that describes Russia’s current regime as "ruscism."
Pro-war Journalist Targeted, Again Pro-war journalist and politician Zakhar Prilepin's car exploded near Nizhny Novgorod.
Detained for Criticising ISIS A director and a playwright were arrested for "promoting terrorism," for a play that criticizes how the Islamic State recruited Russian women.
Snapshots from Small-Town Russia A courageous teacher, fired for anti-war views, shares the words that many are thinking but few dare say.
The VIP Tour of Ukraine In which our correspondent visits Irpin and Bucha, offering thoughts on publicity and redemption.
To Serve is to Struggle What does it take to rebuild a church and a community, in the back of nowhere?
Komar and Melamid A new exhibit in New Jersey plumbs the ability of humor and art to fracture a totaliitarian society.
Taking Names and Telling Tales As Faulkner put it, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” A truth experienced in this remote village.
Endless February One year on, the Russian language is changing, imbued with Newspeak and Aesopian diversions.
Last Words Some poignant and brave “last words” of dissenters, and some notes about the resurgence of denunciations.
While Ukraine Slept, Russia Bombed Russian forces bombed a residential building in Uman, Ukraine. Back in Russia, police told mourners to "blame Ukraine."
The Jokes That Flew Under The Radar A comedy competition on the most influential state propaganda channel aired sketches criticizing Russia.
EU and Japan Say "Nyet" to the US The EU and Japan reject a US proposal for a total export ban to Russia.
The Risk of Treason The Russian State Duma has approved Criminal Code amendments that introduce life imprisonment for treason. And not just spies are at risk.
Low Batteries, High Hidden Imports The battery company Duracell has announced its withdrawal from Russia, but it may not be able to meaningfully leave.
Violence Comes Home, Too A man from Nizhny Novgorod fought in Ukraine. When he returned to Russia, he killed his wife.
Not Your Mother's Herring Three professional recipes to spice up the traditional dish, herring under a fur coat.
A Dead Man Is Sending Bones The French embassy in Moscow received a package from Crimea with bones inside. The sender was a dead Italian producer.
More War, More Debts, More Money The microfinance company tied to President Vladimir Putin’s ex-wife increased its profits by 66% in 2022.
Kara-Murza Sentenced to 25 Years Journalist and democratic activist Vladimir Kara-Murza has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for telling the truth.
Financial Paradise Lost? The second-largest bank in the UAE will block investment accounts from Russians, citing pressure from EU depositories.
This Musk Smells Hateful Elon Musk responds to criticism regarding recent changes in Twitter policies.
Screws are Tightening March has seen a serious tightening of the screws of repression by the Russian regime.
Goodbye, Pushkin! The Ukrainian city of Poltava will remove statues of Pushkin and two Soviet generals following residents' protests.
A Sanctioned Flight Journalists discovered a scheme in which a Russian entrepreneur bought planes in the EU, bypassing sanctions.
Is Wikipedia Next? The Russian government ordered Wikipedia to delete 133 pages about its war on Ukraine. Now the online encyclopedia may be banned in Russia altogether.
Wimbledon Opens Its Doors Wimbledon lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian tennis players in time for its 2023 tournament.
Defector Reveals Kremlin Paranoia A defector offers insights into the daily life and paranoia of Russia's president.
Wanted for a Lullaby Moscow police have threatened a known comedian with arrest after he released an anti-war song about murdered Russian soldiers.
Too Free for Russia The Russian Prosecutor General's office has declared the Free University "undesirable."
Anything to Stop The Show Moscow police attempted to interrupt an anti-war pianist's concert, going so far as to call in a bomb threat.
No Money, Only War Russian authorities blame the "special military operation" for the disruption of infrastructural and social projects.
The Hygiene Hindrance As a strange form of punishment, Alexei Navalny was reportedly placed in a cell with a prisoner who has bad hygiene.
Moldova Speaks Romanian Moldova has passed a law labeling Romanian its national language amid suspected Moscow-fueled protests.
All's Not Fair in Advertisement Ukraine's legislative body is considering banning war-themed products after companies began naming foods and drinks after wartime events and massacres.
Most Unstudious Sanctions Estonia has placed limitations on Russians seeking residency permits for education.
Don't Wear a White Coat An art group in St. Petersburg put up a sculpture criticizing Russian society's blind-sightedness on the war.
The Moscow-City Laundromat Crypto exchanges in the main commercial district of Moscow transfer money to the UK anonymously.
Masha, The War Criminal The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova. Who is she?
20 Years for Rehearsing a Play? A young playwright in Tolyatti is threatened with 20 years in jail for rehearsing a play with his students.
Russia Wrapped: A Year of Music in Review 2021 is drawing to a close, which means that we have fascinating data on popular streaming trends in Russian-language music.
A Victory for Navalny The Navalny film won the Oscar for Best Documentary at the 95th Academy Awards.
En Garde, Russia and Belarus The International Fencing Federation greenlit the return of Russian and Belarussian fencers to tournaments — and the Olympics.
Airwaves Hacked, Again A new hack into Russian radio and television stations reveals a vulnerable spot in the nation's airwaves.
"Transparency" Is Undesirable The Russian Prosecutor General’s office declared the anti-corruption NGO Transparency International an "undesirable" organization.
A Painter's Protest A Crimean artist who painted a political message was beaten and forced to publicly apologize to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
War, Made Nuclear Russia is developing a new type of military strategy to account for the use of nuclear weapons.
The Wizard and His Little Wagners The Wagner Group's new youth club sponsors pro-militaristic activities and suggests it undertakes recruitment by hypnosis.
Tourists from China Return To Russia Russia reactivates tourism from China for strategic reasons: to buy weapons from Beijing for the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians Hack the Airwaves Hackers intercepted radio stations in Crimea and played the Ukrainian national anthem, followed by the words, "Crimea will return home."
A Wall of Resistance A Russian shopkeeper's picture went viral after using the walls of his shop to express opposition to the invasion of Ukraine.
Not That Way Vladimir Putin revoked a 2012 decree aimed at economic integration with the EU and supporting Moldovan sovereignty.
Russia Invaded Ukraine Russia initiated an illegal War on Ukraine, leading to massive destruction and death, transforming Russia into a pariah state.
Russia's Year of Horror After a year of horrific war, why does a magazine like Russian Life continue? Why not simply wash our hands of it and walk away?
An Appalling, Illegal Act We are appalled by the Russian government’s illegal aggression against Ukraine.
Another Activist Goes M.I.A. Activist Rita Flores' whereabouts are unknown after Moscow police detained her.
Riding through Russia A female Russian motorcyclist has set a world record for riding from Magadan to Mirny across permafrost.
Bye-Bye, YouTube? The news outlet Meduza has suggested that it is likely the Russian government will block YouTube in the near future.
Another Political Prisoner A court in Barnaul sentenced an independent Russian journalist for "fake news" about the Russian army.
Cry for Me, Argentina Six pregnant Russians were detained while entering Argentina, prompting a criminal investigation into birth tourism agencies.
Russia's Predicted Gambit The Chess Federation of Russia is leaving the European Chess Union, seeking "higher" competition.
Russia Cuts Ties with a Rock Star The Ministry of Justice has declared Zemfira a foreign agent, due to her opposition to Russia's War on Ukraine.
AI Will Watch You Russian authorities plan to use artificial intelligence to scour the interwebs for undesirable political information.
Show Me Your Face Russia will install face-recognition systems at its borders, violating a law against the forced collection of biometric data.
The Wages of Conscience The editors of the religious website Holy Fire have called for the defrocking of 293 priests who last year signed a petition demanding an end to hostilities in Ukraine.
"Glory to Siberia," A Desecration to the Anthem? The Kontinental Hockey League told Team Siberia to stop fans from singing "Glory to Siberia" during Russia's national anthem.
Gérard Depardieu Bids Adieu French actor Gérard Depardieu has distanced himself from his previous anti-war statements.
Censorship, Hack Attacks, and Mass Emigration 2022 was a year of new anti-records for internet freedom in Russia.
What Is Fair in Love and War? The International Olympic Committee is advocating for Russian and Belarusian involvement in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Stalin Returns to Volgograd A new bust of Stalin has been erected in Volgograd, raising questions about the identity of the city.
Tolstoy and Pushkin, the New Foreign Agents A well-known Russian bookstore has listed classic national authors such as Alexander Pushkin, Lev Tolstoy, and Samuil Marshak as foreign agents.
Never the Twain Shall Meet? How, in the late nineteenth century Russia flipped from being a valued ally to a loathed regime.
Standing the Test of Time A conservative State Duma deputy called for the removal of The Gulag Archipelago from the Russian school curriculum.
In Search of "Cultural Sovereignty" By decree, Russia is no longer uniting "East and West" or modernizing, but protecting its "traditional values" and "cultural sovereignty."
Game Over The Russian government has asked the prosecutor's office to create a list of banned video games.
Keep Your Taxes to Yourself The Russian parliament passed a bill that allows legislators to not disclose their tax returns to the public.
Where Are the Actors? The Ministry of Culture began inspecting Moscow theaters after a famous actor made an obliquely anti-war statement in an interview.
Meduza Declared Undesirable On January 26, Russia’s Prosecutor General declared the popular publication Meduza an “undesirable” organization.
Winter 2023 Protest by cake * Healing through fish * Propaganda in schools * Sisters in sorrow * Memes of war * Chekhov Becomes Chekhov * Books we love of late * Music as protest * Yashin's last words * Resistance is Fertile
Memes For Our Times We explain ten recent memes that best capture the current sociopolitical mood across a large subset of Russian society.
Notes at the Front Musicians have not been spared from the criminalization of protest and expression. We also share Ilya Yashin's final words.
We Have Land Enough How the situation in Russia looks from a village in the very remote and very Far East.
Resistance is Fertile As Russia continues its criminal war on Ukraine, so too do some inside Russia refuse to be silenced. Against the odds, they resist.
No Money, No AI Russia has reduced its funding of AI technologies and IT professionals are fleeing the country in droves.
Flowers for Dnipro Russians across the country spontaneously mourned the victims of their country's January 14 missile attack on Dnipro, Ukraine, which crushed an apartment building.
Mobilization Lists Aren't on Telegram A massive phishing attack on Telegram targeted Russian users with links to check mobilization lists.
So Long to Kate The Ukrainian city of Odesa has taken down its statues of Catherine the Great, marking a break from its Russian past.
"Stop Bullying" Navalny Over 600 medical workers signed an open letter demanding to provide medical care to the opposition politician and stop sending him to punitive confinement.
Dubai is the New Vologda A United Russia legislator pretended to be in Vologda but was actually in Dubai. A picture with Ksenia Shoigu gave him away.
From Hero to Zero A Russian “hero” of the war in Ukraine was convicted for not showing up for military service.
It's My Church Now The Primate of Ukraine conducted Christmas Liturgy in a Kyivan cathedral formerly used by the Moscow Patriarchate.
Made in Russia, Born in Argentina Since the war in Ukraine began, Argentina has become a birth tourism hub for pregnant Russians.
Keep Calm and Be Polite The United Russia party has developed a code of conduct for deputies when they are interacting with media.
War or Celebration? Ukraine, parts of Russia, and cities in Latvia banned fireworks for New Year's celebrations over concerns about the war.
Why No 2023 Calendar? Customers keep asking if we are publishing a Russian Life calendar for 2023. We are not. This is why.
A Different Kind of UFO The Russian Air Defense system shot down an "unidentified object," likely from Ukraine, in Engels, far from the border.
A Year of Decline Russia’s War on Ukraine is exacting deep and enduring economic and social costs on the country.
Soviet Union Founded Treaty on the Creation of the USSR and the Declaration of the Creation of the USSR, were signed and confirmed by the first Congress of Soviets of the USSR, forming the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Let it Go, Let it Go Russian men mobilized to fight in Russia's War on Ukraine will be able to freeze and store their sperm for free.
Fields of Poison Thousands of endangered birds and other animals have been poisoned with an illegal pesticide in Stavropol Krai.
The Threat from Abroad Putin has issued a call to hunt down spies and saboteurs. The State Duma has prepared new “anti-sabotage” laws.
A Word is Not a Sparrow Russian graffiti artist Ffchw uses stenciled words to make his point. "No one has a right to be silent now," he says.
Mark My Words A St. Petersburg legislator initiated legal action against Putin for calling the war in Ukraine "war," violating his own laws.
Support Ukrainian Charities Some useful resources where you can easily, and safely, help those suffering from Russia's War on Ukraine.
Summer 2022 Russians informing on Russians * Amending the Law to Catch More Dissenters * Why Young Russians Stayed * Russia’s War is an Express Train to Hell * The Tankman and the Sailor * Artists Speaking Out * The Story of One Friendship * The Mightiness of the Russian Language * Chekhov’s Steppe (Bilingual) * Novels and Soviet Children
War, Not Fish A Tyumen resident at first convinced a court she was objecting to dried fish, not war. But the police were not having it...
Hold Your Tongue The State Duma began reviewing a new law that would restrict the use of foreign loan words in official Russian communications.
While Supplies Last Prices for Moscow real estate, usually a hot market, are down a record 35 percent.
Art and Punishment Unearthed archival documents show that Vladimir Putin investigated a dissident artist as a junior KGB agent in Leningrad.
10 Putinisms to Share Some 1392 journalists sat and listened to President Putin for 3 hours. It was filled with numerous Putinisms that threaten to become "winged phrases" (крылатые фразы). Here are some of the best, compiled by LifeNews and translated by Russian Life.
Spelling Reform: Who Gets the Credit? In Soviet times the Bolsheviks got all the credit for simplifying Russian spelling in 1918. Who really pushed that simplification through - and what did the Bolsheviks actually do to help?
Flagging Relations, Funny Money, and Floating Laundromats What goes up must come down: tales of flags, currencies, and seaworthy laundromats.
The Teas of Russia Russian tea isn't always what you might picture it to be... neither is it always really tea. Let's have a taste of some of the unique varieties of herbal tea found in Russia.
Which Russian Metropolis is Right for You? Are you a Moscow Maniac or a Petersburg Patrician? It's time to take a side!
The Water is Fine: Water Sports in Russia Russia isn't known for being a warm-water country, but during the summer months there are more than enough accessible rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans within and around the country to have a little fun.
First Love On the importance of coffee, academicians, a museum, a rooster, the harvesting of turf, and collectivization. Oh, and Novosibirsk.
Woe is a Good Thing! We are excited to announce the eighth book in our popular Bilingual series: Alexander Griboyedov's classic Woe from Wit.
Anne Applebaum The American journalist and historian with Belarusian roots learned Russian after being assigned to the region in the 1990s. She spent a semester in Leningrad during college, and has said that shaped her views significantly.
Reflecting on Russian: Tips from a Seven-Year Veteran A few insights to help you make it through Russian 101, from someone who's got a little experience.
Studying Russian Outside the Capitals Some reasons to consider studying Russian outside Moscow and St. Petersburg, with a listing of schools and their programs in provincial cities.
Publishing Green RIS Publications, the publisher of Russian Life magazine, was founded in 1990 on the principle that paying attention to international issues matters. While U.S.-Russian relations and the history and society of the world’s largest country are important, there is no larger international issue than the health of this planet.
Emancipation Edict of Alexander II English text of Tsar Alexander II's Emancipation Edict (March 3, 1861).
Why I Will Demonstrate Victor is a 21-year-old student in Moscow. In this guest post, he explains why he, and so many of his generation, is fed up with Russia's electoral system, and why he will be going out to protest on December 10.
Christmastide Tradition St. Nicholas, Babouschka, Christmas Eve festivities . . .Ded Moroz leading to Christmas on January 7th.
Butina, Babies, and Baby-making This week, depressing news about divisions and birth rates can only really be counteracted with a smile over the Orthodox church’s new take on sex.
Russian Genealogy If you have family roots in Russia, you are in good company. Between 1820 and 1992, according to INS data, some 3,512,332 individuals immigrated to the United States from Russia, most of them around the turn of the century (2.5 mn between 1897 and WWI).
Battle of Stalingrad One million Russia lives were lost, but, Hitler was turned back and Russia can be credited with changing the tide of WWII in Europe.
Russia's Military Today Today's Russian military and the status of the ABM and START II treaties. Written in October, 1999.
The Walls Came Tumbling Down! Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the beginning of Russia's transformation to democracy.
Digging up your Russian Roots An article on some of the most useful links for digging up your Russian roots on the web.
New Face at Russia's Helm This article was written in early January, 2000, about Russia's new acting president and a man not well know outside Russia.
All that Glitters . . . Or Something More? Why are we so fascinated with the lavish and expensive creations of the House of Faberge?
Who Killed Kirov? The circumstances and mystery surrounding the murder of revolutionary and Soviet leader, Sergei Kirov. On January 15, 1935, Grigori Zinoviev and 18 members of the "Moscow Centre" were tried in Leningrad for their part in the Dec. 1, 1934, assassination of Sergei Kirov.
Tea Time in Russia Tea was brought to Russia in the 1600s from China. Since then, the brew and its implements have become an enduring tradition of Russian society. The tea ceremony itself bonds families and communities
Shawls of Pavlovsky Posad From a land not known for high fashion and which many Westerners think is filled with gray clad babushkas, the Pavlovsky Posad shawls come as quite a surprise.
Yeltsin's Surprise Resignation On New Year's Eve, 1999, while many braced for a possible Y2K disaster, Boris Yeltsin resigned as president of the Russian Federation leaving a little known prime minister in charge.
Portraits of St. Petersburg Thirty years ago, Valentin Baranovsky began to take pictures of both everyday life and major events in his home town. This became a unique one-man artistic project to document three decades of St.Petersburg life. The photographs, to be presented in book form and through exhibitions, date from 1970 to 2000.
Maxim Gorky The turbulent life of this Russian author {1868-1936}, his experience with oppression and involvement in the Russian revolution make him one of his country's most loved and important writers. Gorky was born March 28, 1868.
String of Pearls Russia and Japan have yet to sign a WWII peace treaty. At the center of the dispute are four ancient volcanic islands, part of the Kuril Islands help by Russia and known to Japan as the Northern Territory.
Russia's Troubled Times Russia's turbulent Time of Trouble, period between the Rurik and Romanov Dynasties.
The Plight of Russia's Orphans The statistics regarding Russia's orphaned and/or abandoned children are quite disturbing with Americans making up the majority of foreign adoptive parents. Reforms have been implemented but do little to improve living conditions in Russia's orphanages. What does the future hold for these children?
St. Grand Duchess Elizabeth How did the grand-daughter of Queen Victoria and sister to the Tsarina end up a martyred nun?
Role of Women in Russian Cooking Today, the wonderful, hearty and traditional recipes and meals of the Russian table can be attributed to the efforts of Russian women to provide sustenance and nurturing to their families.
Women Combat Aviators of the Patriotic War Told that the Rodina was not in so bad a shape that she needed girls to protect her, these future heroes were sent home to their mothers. Soon, they were called back and became a crucial element in the protection of their homeland and victory over Nazi Germany.
Nina Novikova, St. Petersburg Artist The life and works of this thirty-eight year old, single mother and wonderful artist.
Shaman and Native Mysticism The term Shaman is both a noun and a verb. It is from the Tungus language and is seen as saman or haman. The actions of the Shaman are, what western explorers referred to as, Shamanism. It is the oldest known demonstration of human spirituality.
U.S. Withdrawal from the ABM Treaty Russia's stance on the issue of the ABM Treaty vs. the U.S. NMD program has well understood and consistant for some time. On December 13, 2001, President Bush officially announced his nation's withdrawal from the treaty. The short and long term consequences are heavily debated and yet to be seen.
Day of Accord and Reconciliation Celebrated on November 7, this Russian holiday used to be called Revolution Day and was the most important holiday during the Soviet Era.
Alexander Nevsky Controversial actions of the Russian leader during the Mongol domination of the 13th century.
Readings for Feast Day of St. Nicholas Scriptures and prayers for the Orthodox Feast Day of St. Nicholas of Myra.
The Real Santa Find out how a Bishop from Turkey became the patron saint of Moscow and Santa Claus to the world.
Russian Ladies of the Avant-garde Set against the backdrop of revolution and civil war the Avant-garde period in Russia was very dynamic. In honor of International Women's Day (March 8), we take a look at the lives and works of six very special Avant-garde artists.
Russian Ladies in Space Soviet cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova and Svetlana Svitskaya made history when they were the first woman in space and first woman to walk in space, respectfully. Elena V. Kondakova represents the new age of Russian Federation cosmonauts as a member of the US/Russian STS-84 crew.
Old Hymn, New Words The 'old' Soviet Hymn is now the official anthem of the Russian Federation, minus the original lyrics. New lyrics have been approved by Pres. Putin; read them and listen to the Anthem here.
Russian Pascha Easter is the most important celebration of the Russian Orthodox Church. Find out what constitutes a traditional Pascha meal and read the Patriarch's message.
Doukhobors of Russia The origins, persecution and emigration to Canada of the Russian religious sect known as the Doukhobors. A direct result of Nikon's reforms and resulting Church schism, learn about their beliefs and culture.
Emperor of all Russia The dramatic life and times of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia who reigned from 1826 to 1855. Nicholas I believed that he was accountable directly to God for all of his actions and answered to no man. This has become known as the <I>Nicholas System</I>.
ABM, NMD - Alphabet Soup of Defense Do you think the Cold War was over? Existing tensions between Russia and the U.S. regarding missile defense and NATO expansion are increasing. Is it possible for both to protect their interests against perceived threats without becoming a threat to each other?(originally published Feb. 2001)
End of an Era The presidency and life of former President Boris Yeltsin who resigned on December 31, 1999.
The Calendar Issue A brief look at the often time confusing issue of the 'old' and 'new' calendars used by Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church. This article contains links to indepth and more technical material on the subject.
Century of Rebellion; Years of Tsar Alexi After the Time of Troubles and the beginning of the Romanov Dynasty (1613), Russia saw a century characterized by rebellion and war.
Book Picks - Former Soviet States Editor's suggestions of books about the transition of the former Soviet States.
After Stalingrad By 1942, Stalin figured the strength of the Nazi army was beginning to wane and that he, finally, would have a strategic advantage. Stalin planned to liberate Leningrad and establish strongholds at Sevastopol and Kharkov.
Ancient Warrior Women Amazons, Sarmations, warrior princesses . . . just characters of Greek mythology or a reality of ancient Russian history?
Tunguska Event What fell from the sky ninety years ago in a remote region of Siberia? Was it the beginning of a pattern of events leading to the doomsday prediction of the future?
Amber Room This gift from Germany to Peter I, taken away by Nazi Germany and feared to be lost forever to history has been partially reconstructed.
Christ the Savior Cathedral & Romanov Canonization The Russian Orthodox Church Council of Bishops voted in favor of canonization of Tsar Nicholas II and family on August 14, 2000. The ceremony was held in the newly concecrated Christ the Savior Cathedral on Aug. 20. The cornerstone of the cathedral was placed on Christmas, January 7, 1995.
Music During the Soviet Regime Great composers of 20th century Russia. This feature includes four MIDI sound files of well-known works.
Soviet Foreign Policy A series of articles which deal with Soviet foreign policy. In Part One, we make our way through a series of treaties, pacts and secret alliances during the years leading up to WWII and Germany's attack on Russia.
Book Picks - Russian Orthodox Christianity Editor's choice of books about Russian Orthodox Christianity.
Origins of the Slavic Cross The Cross is the universal symbol of Christianity, thanks to Constantine. The Slavic Cross is unique in that it has three, not one, crossbars. Learn the rich symbology of this symbol.
Orthodox Christian Canonization Canonization, in the Orthodox Church, is different from sainthood in the Catholic Church. Learn how and why individuals are added to the canon and the role this plays in Orthodox spirituality.
Russian Imperial Easter Eggs Skilled craftsman, Carl Fabergé, and his unsurpassed eggs which were presented to the Tsar's family each Easter.
Creation of the Comintern In 1919, after two failed Socialist Internationals, Lenin decided that there was a need for a new organization to bring solidarity among the working class; the Communist International was born.
Fyodor Dostoevsky The tormented and, often, tragic life of Russia's great 19th century author of masterpieces such as The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment.
Political Trade Offs Russia deserves concessions from the US in return for its support regarding Afghanistan and other issues. Should Putin have secured this political payments up front? What, if anything, will he take home from the November summit?
Russia and the Olympics Russia and the politics of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Also, list of Russian 2002 Olympic hopefuls by sport.
Sino - Russian Relations Historic border accords signed between Russia and China on December 9, 1999. This one of the last major official acts of then President Boris Yeltsin prior to his surprise resignation on December 31.
Photo Favorites A gallery of my favorite photographs from St. Petersburg Times photographers Alexander Belenky and Sergey Grachev. These gentlemen have not published a picture I did not like. My favorites are those that I feel best showcase their talents and portray Russian life and culture.
Nazi-Soviet Pact and Barbarossa Germany's efforts to occupy the Soviet Union during WWII and executions of thousands of Jews on Russian soil.
Pres. Putin's Response to US ABM Withdrawal Complete English text of President Putin's official response to the December 13, 2001, announcement of the withdrawal from the ABM Treaty by the US.
Dagestan - Islamic Center and War Zone Dagestan Republic, the war with Chechyna and the battle for ancient Islamic homeland.
Russia and Belarus Background and current information regarding the Russia - Belarus merger and why the former Soviet state is of importance to Russia.
Russian Serfs and Nikolai Gogol The serf system in early 19th century Russia and writer, Nikolai Gogol.
Winner Take All From rather inauspicious origins in the Ural mountains, Konstantin Tszyu has gone on to become the world's greatest boxer in his weight class. But he has never lost his perspective.
Putinlovefest Russia's March presidential election was exciting for about 5 minutes, when there was talk amongst "opposition" candidates of boycotting elections, to deny Putin an electoral minimum, bringing a constitutionally mandated end to his presidency. But, by minute 6, a prominent democrat had defected and enough wacko candidates were popping up in the wings to guarantee the required 50% voter turnout. Now we are ensured a Putinlovefest of unprecedented proportions. Stay tuned...
Putin Boots Kasyanov The probable has become inexorable. March 14, the date of Russia's Presidential Reelection, will now assuredly cement in place the most significant depluralization of Russian politics since 1989. Putin is expected to get between 70 and 80% of the vote that day -- a number reminiscent of when Brezhnev teetered to the polls.Meanwhile, there are no checks on executive power. Russia no longer enjoys a Free Press. There is no independent judiciary. The recently elected Duma is a Rubber St
Book Picks - Literature The quantity of great Russian literature titles and translations is virtually endless. Here are a few favorites from the editor.
Where the Russians Are A color-coded map of the US, showing which states have the highest percentage of Russian immigrants.
Russian Email Habits Why is it that Russians don't answer email? We explore this conundrum, and whether it has some roots in Russian business or personal culture.
Taste of Summer Ok, it has been a long summer, and time we got back to ramping up this blogject. Taste of Russia is just over and we are coming down from a high because we didn't get walloped by a hurricane, the way we did last year. Ophelia gave us a pass and we had sun, fun and kvas.Meanwhile, we are entering the home stretch on our November/December 05 issue. Some great stories in this issue, including a fascinating look back at what really happened
Fradkov Looking for One Good Man Oh, the perils of leadership. As reported in the recent issue of Argumenti i Fakty, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov recently took a trip to the little town of Sharya, in Kostroma oblast. There, he visited a forestry enterprise set up and run by Swiss masters. Looking over the uncommonly clean and efficient operation, Fradkov exclaimed, “And why can’t we do this? After all, our specialists are the best in the world.” The quest
Khodortaystvo Last evening, the Khodorkovsky case was brought to a hurried close when the imprisoned oligarch's appeal was summarily rejected just as K's sentence (and that of his codefendant) were reduced to eight years. "I won't live that long," K commented on leaving the court. "What we are dealing with here is not the prosecutors or the judges, it is the full weight of the state machine. The political authorities are dictating what is going on here," the Moscow Times reported K's l
Anniversary This Sunday is the 20th anniversary of Gorbachev's creation of the Anti Alcohol League. Na zdorovye! As if in fitting tribute, it was revealed today that the French liquor giant, Pernod Ricard, may be in talks to purchase the Russian brand... drumroll please... Stolichnaya. Is nothing sacred?
What a difference a friend makes Today, Roman Abramovich is $13 billion richer, thanks to a lucrative sell-off of his oil company, Sibneft. The very fine linked Bloomberg article contrasts Abramovich's fate nicely with that of Mikhail Khodorokovsky, a similarly enriched oil magnate and oligarch, but one who did not play by "the rules." Moral of the story: it pays to have friends in high places in Russia. Well, only if, instead of sitting in a Moscow prison cell, you would rather be governor of a ma
Judgement Day Curioser and curiouser...Apparently President Bush, with his appointment of Harriet Miers, is striving to imitate President Putin. To whit, this was reported by Kommersant, reported by RFE/RL in early October:"The Federation Council confirmed on 5 October Yelena Valyavina for the post of first deputy chairman of the Higher Arbitration Court..."According to Kommersant, Valyavina graduated from President Putin's alma mater, the law school at Leningra
Alexander I In the summer of 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, and his army marched into Moscow. This resulted in one of the turning points in Tsar Alexander I's reign. Napoleon began his retreat from Moscow on November 12, 1812.
Jarkov Mammoth Finding the remains of the prehistoric giant mammoth in the far reaches of northern Siberia is not an unusual occurrence. Bones and tusks reveal themselves when the permafrost thaws. However, the discovery of an intact mammoth is something for scientists to get excited about.
What Price a Free Press? Three interesting, related, but separate news items came across the electronic transom today: #1: The Russian Duma's Information Policy Committee yesterday adopted a resolution that states, among other things: "The ideological slant of media has been replaced by a commercial one, while pornography and violence in media have become a national threat." On the whole, members of the committee said, the media is too negative, it is only out to "tease and entertain." The solution? Why, st
Byzantine Catholic Church in Russia Examination of the history of this Christian tradition, which is in full communion with the Church of Rome.
Cell Phone Mania A look at the astonishing rise in cell phone use in Russia. One report indicates that over 60% of Russians now have cell phones, versus just 25% two years ago.
White Ribbon Victory Do recent nationwide demonstrations in Russia signal a new faith in public action to foment political change?
Wine Embargo Russia puts a cork in wine imports from Georgia and Moldova. Are the reasons political or otherwise?
Space Race II? On the 45th anniversary of the first manned space flight, Russia lays out an ambitious space plan.
Easter Reborn Easter survived by stealth and cunning through the Soviet era. Now it is making a triumphant comeback in Russia as the country grasps religion anew.
The Saami's Story The Saami people (Russian population: 1,800) struggle to survive as a small national group in Russia.
Demographic Woes Russia's population is in steady decline. So you would think it natural that the country would welcome immigrant workers. You'd think...
Sex and the Future of Russian Society Abortion, HIV/AIDS and Russia's infant mortality rates are on the increase. At the same time, the nation's birthrate and population growth are dramatically decreasing with many children being adopted abroad.
St. Basil the Blessed St. Basil the Blessed is both a well known Moscow landmark and cherished saint. Learn about the ten pillars of the cathedral and what it means to be a 'fool for Christ.'
Matryoshka - Soul of Russia The history and traditions surrounding matryoshka; Russian nesting dolls; Russia's most sought after folkart souvenir.
Tiger by the tail In the November/December 2006 issue of Russian Life, we have an interesting article about recent events in Kondopoga, by Russian security expert Marina Latysheva. In the article, Latysheva asserts that certain persons of influence may have sought to exploit the events in Kondopoga. The conflict was not an ethnic backlash at all, Latysheva said, but all about local residents' battling against a t
Notes from Underground [Editor's Letter for the Nov/Dec 2006 issue. By Paul E. Richardson]The day after Russian reporter Anna Politkovskaya was assassinated (see page 9), I was editing this issueâ??s story on Dostoyevsky (page 50) and happened to read Vissarion Belinskyâ??s infamous 1847 letter to Nikolai Gogol. The public reading of this letter (to a handful of friends) was a main reason for Dostoyevskyâ??s conviction for subversion. This famous excerpt attracted my attention:
The Russians are Not Coming In re the theme of our post, Tiger by the Tail, Russia's rightist parties may be playing into present Powers That Be designs, seeking a showdown with local and federal authorities and giving them a pre-electoral rallying cry. This from RFE/RL report (citing Nezavisimaya Gazeta) of November 3, about a planned nationwide "Russia March" for November 4 ("People's Unity Day," the holiday which replaced November 7, th
Doctor Zhivago and Khrushchev Find out what this son of peasants turned Premier of the Soviet Union had to do with an upper class writer and his epic novel.
What exactly is going in on Russia? [WIGOR?] Is a new Evil Empire brewing? Are we on the verge of a New Cold War?Who is pulling the levers of power in Russia?What is the Kremlin engineering for a post-Putin Russia?There are plenty of questions circulating in the media about Russia these days. But often too little of what is published takes a long-term, balanced and critical view. Time for a reality check.Russia is not perched on the aby
The Beginning [WIGOR, part 1] Several million years ago (ask a geologist for an exact figure), the landmass that would one day become Russia was gifted huge oil, gas and mineral deposits. In fact, they were such rich and deep deposits that even 70 years of communist ineptitude could not entirely wipe them out. Some boring, but telling facts:OIL: By one estimate, 20% of the world's known oil reserves are in Russia. Russia currently supplies the US with 4% of its oil.
40 and Counting: Four Decades of Russian Life A look at the magazine's beginnings in 1956 (as USSR) and of its partner publication, Amerika Illustrated.
Supersonic Flight Meet the TU-144, Russia's achievement, albeit short lived, in supersonic flight. On Dec. 31, 1968, Russia's TU-144 supersonic airliner made its first flight, several months ahead of the Anglo-French Concorde.
Zero in Russia In the May/June 2007 issue of Russian Life, Mikhail Ivanov's column on the use of "zero," "null," etc. in Russian slang got us wondering: just when and how was the concept and notation of zero introduced into Russian. We could find nothing in our printed references or anywhere online. So we polled some experts. Below we reprint two excellent replies we received.
Going Green We are not a large publishing company. We don't influence how the USPS sets postal rates (apparently, that is left up to Time-Warner; witness the July periodical rate increase), and while we like to think we have some effect on how people perceive Russia, that is something you really cannot measure.But we know we have an impact on the environment. Every publisher does. And so it is our goal to continue doing the good we do (providing information an insights into the world's largest c
Leo Tolstoy Learn about the varied life of this Russian writer, born to nobility and author of "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina".
The Kremlin's Third Path Things had quieted down a bit in the Russian 2008 presidential race. And then, at the end of this week, there was this:"We have two active individuals who work as first deputy prime ministers with various responsibilities and who are rather liberal in their views," said Kremlin aide Igor Shuvalov at a June 14 political conference in Washington, DC. "People are talking about these two candidates, potential candidates, but my president could yet offer one more surprise and, perhaps lat
Green Update Sometimes, if you study something long enough, and get a little bit lucky, what seems hard is actually very easy.We have decided to change printers for Russian Life. Starting with our next issue (September 2007), we will be printing the magazine in Missouri instead of Ohio, at Ovid Bell Press (founded 1924). A number of factors came into play, but not the least of them was the fact that we are able to shift the pr
Ded Moroz Ded Moroz; Grandfather Frost; is the Russian counterpart to the Western Santa Claus and other Gift Givers worldwide. He and his assistant, Snegurochka, continue to delight children and adults alike. In 2000, Santa Claus traveled to Russia to meet Ded Moroz for the first time!
Two Films So last night I watched two films. The first was The Color of Pomegranates, by director Sergei Paradjanov. I picked it up from Netflix, intrigued by the blurb:Paradjanov's acclaimed poetic masterpiece was banned by Soviet censors who feared it was a nationalist parable.The story depicts the life and spiritual odyssey of the medieval Armenian poet and troubadour Sayat Nova, and his rise from carpet weaver to archbish
Russian Corporatism This ran in the Wall Street Journal yesterday and was circulated on the esteemed Johnson's List. It is so intriguing, I felt it deserved quoting in its entirety.The Board Members of Russia, Inc.By Garry KasparovIt has been both amusing and disturbing to watch the Western media chase its tail after the appointment of Viktor Zubkov to the post of Russian prime minister.Amusing because these are the same experts and pundits who wr
Ancient Peoples of the Russian Steppes Scythians, Sarmatians, Amazons; all ancient inhabitants of Russia's southern steppes. These Mesopotamic, nomadic tribes were feared warriors and accomplished horsemen who warded off the mightiest rulers including Darius and Alexander.
Putinâ??s Plan I saw this coming. Really, I did...For months, I have been privately sharing a prediction about Putin's succession plan. Unfortunately, I really cannot prove it, since I never committed the prediction to print. So you're going to have to trust me on this. Same thing happened back in the 1980s, when I correctly predicted the Andropov-Chernenko-Gorbachev succession before each slogging step. But of course I did not put that in print either. There were no blogs back then.
Avast, there be pirates! To quote Dave Barry, I am not making this up... Visit this top level site for a very proud and propagandistic video of Putin accepting the nomination to head the Unified Russia party in the upcoming Duma elections. Very nicely and professionally done, even if a bit, well, over the top. But the fun part is this. Listen very closely to the soundtrack (much easier if you don't understand Russian). The music which is playing just a
Women's Day? A look at the origins of International Womens Day (March 8), how it was celebrated in Soviet times, and how it is changing today.
Putin, Stalin and Teheran When news broke that Putin was traveling to Teheran despite death threats from terrorists, I was reminded that the last Russian leader who traveled to Teheran - Josef Stalin - also went there despite a death threat against him (and Roosevelt and Churchill, as the Big Three were traveling there in 1943 for the Teheran Conference). The plot against the Big Three was first uncovered by Soviet spy Nikolai Kuznetsov. Parachuted behind enemy lines at Rovno, Ukraine, Kuznetsov posed as Germa
Living Through the Cuban Missile Crisis [This aired as a Commentary on Vermont Public Radio on October 19, 2007. Streaming audio can be found here.]Forty five years ago, I had barely just arrived. I was trying to put a little weight on, getting used to the sights and smells. Then suddenly this new world I had fallen into was teetering on the brink of nuclear annihilation. It's hard not to be affected by that sort of thing.On
Prianiki for the Holidays Brief history of Russian prianiki (gingerbread) and a traditional recipe to enjoy during the holidays or anytime throughout the year; especially with a nice hot pot of tea!
Putin Lite or False Dmitry? And so the choice has been made.Dmitry Medvedev will be the next president of Russia, having gotten the nod from Putin, United Russia and all the other powers that matter.Now the chatter will begin discussing whether Medvedev is more liberal, how he is the "softer" choice than would have been the candidate of the siloviki, Sergei Ivanov.Don't believe a word of it.Medvedev and Putin have worked hand in glove for the past 17 years. Medvedev, in his m
Solzhenitsyn's Birthday For 18 years, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn - writer, Nobel laureate and political dissident - lived with his family in Cavendish, Vermont. Exiled from the Soviet Union in 1974 for cataloguing the crimes of the Gulag, he spent long days at the family's Vermont home, writing and researching...
Russian Orthodox Christmas The Church's celebration of the Nativity is on January 7th; information about the Feasts of Christ's coming into the world and Scripture readings for the services and Liturgies.
Putin Selected as Person of the Year In a previous post and VPR commentary, I related how my friend Boris in Moscow speculated that, after the December Duma election, Russia would hold a national referendum and appoint Putin Tsar. Apparently TIME magazine beat Russia to the punch.
Stalin: The Red Tsar Joseph Stalin was born December 21, 1879, in Gori, which is now in the Republic of Georgia. His birth name was Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili. Around 1910, he took on the name Stalin which means man of steel. Iosif is a common Eastern European and Russian spelling for Joseph. Stalin's parents were peasants who, hoping for a better life for their son, sent him to the Gori church run school {1888-1894}.
The Yeltsin Legacy As Russia readies for its first, post-Yeltsin presidential election, Yeltsin biographer Leon Aron offers thoughts on the Russian leader's legacy.
We're Just Crazy about Dima So what exactly do we know about Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, other than that he is a loyal Putinista going back nearly two decades?
The Case Against Brodsky The secret transcript (in Russian) of Joseph Brodsky's show trial in a St. Petersburg court, at which he was sentenced to 5 years (later reduced to 18 months) of hard labor in the North. Short portions of the transcript are often cited, but this full transcript offers a vivid look at the Kafkaesque Soviet system of justice.
Dima Talks On February 18, Dmitry Medvedev gave an extended interview with Itogi magazine. Here are some of the highlights,
Hillary-ous Hilary Clinton stumbles over the name of the next president of Russia, and a Ukrainian TV host offers a pronunciation lesson.
Medvedev Emerges from His Den In the 2002 film Oligarch, by Russian director Pavel Lungin, the main character predicts his own downfall, saying, "Russia is a bear. You think you are playing with it and it devours you."
Dima's recruitment This hilarious YouTube satire video by the Perm KVN group gives a bit of background on the recent Russian election, and how Medevedev was recruited for his role. The dubbing is superbly done. (All in Russian)...
Statistics and Damn Lies Robert Coalson (RFE/RL) has just published a superb summary of some of the brazen election abuses during last December's Duma elections in Russia. It would be funny if it were not so sad.
Voloshin Poems Translator Constantine Rusanov has crafted these wonderful English versions of 11 of Maximilian Voloshin's poems. They are reprinted here with permission. The copyright to the English versions remains with Mr. Rusanov. To see the English translations alongside the original Russian, download <a href="http://www.russianlife.net/pdf/voloshin.pdf">this PDF file</a>.
A Metaphorical Net Game Russia has truly regained its prowess as a sports superpower, and it may rise further yet. It will surely be giving the U.S. a run for its money in the overall medals race at the Beijing Olympics in August... this rise in sports achievement takes place against the backdrop of a Russia that, without putting too fine a point on it, has bumbled from failure to failure in foreign policy in recent months
Solzhenitsyn This morning, Vermont Public Radio called to interview me about Solzhenitsyn's legacy and his life in Vermont. I had just interviewed his wife, Natalya Dmitrievna, while in Moscow in May. We had planned to run that interview in our Nov/Dec issue, to coincide with what would have been the author's 90th birthday. But now we will push it up and run it in our Sep/Oct issue, which goes to press this week.
Caucasian Stalemate Last Thursday, after several days of skirmishes and confrontation in the breakaway region of Ossetia, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili announced a unilateral cessation of hostilities. Hours later, however, Saakashvili ordered his armed forces to undertake a full-scale assault on Ossetia...
080808 With time, we are finding out more and more about the events that led to the recent Russo-Georgian War in the Caucausus. Two very good recent accounts have been published...
Sarah Palin's Secret Past Revealed! Many have scoffed at Cindy McCain's defense of Alaska Governor (and GOP Veep candidate) Sarah Palin's foreign policy chops with the assertion that "Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia." Scoff not. The truth is so more startling still.
Marriage Customs A Modern Russian Wedding: The Art of Getting Married. A look at Russian wedding traditions, past and present.
Our Cartoonist on CNN! I just stumbled across this nice interview (July 07) of Victor Bogorad, who does the cartoons for our Survival Russian feature. Too bad the video is not archived online...
How to Fail at Business While Remaining Truly Russian Saw an entry from Stanislav Mishin's Mat Rodina Blog, when it was posted to Johnson's List. A superb and well-argued summary of several things Russian business people need to attent to if they want to do business with the West.
Found Email I get so much spam trash, that today I decided to harvest a line or two from each spam I got (well, the PG or less ones) and shuffle them together into a found poem. Trash into art? Not quite. But something...
Gas Tussle Sometimes it can be hard to get at the facts. And given that the western media went way down the wrong road on the recent Georgian crisis, one is inclined to be skeptical of coverage on the current Russia-Ukraine gas spat.
Independence Day In most countries, Independence Day conjures up images of grand celebration, fireworks, family get-togethers, parades and so on. These celebrations commemorate the declaration and establishment of sovereignty by a colony or nation occupied and governed by another nation. This is not exactly the case with Russia's Independence Day.
US News & World Report: Learn Russian! US News and World Report recommends: "Why not get ahead of the geopolitical curve and study Russian?"
Afghanistan: A Second Chance? Thirty years ago, in 1979, the Persian Gulf was a tinderbox. On January 16, following months of uprisings, the Shah of Iran was overthrown. One month later, it looked like Afghanistan’s turn. The Soviet-backed thugs running the country had imposed radical social reforms, sparking a civil war and threatening pro-Soviet rule...
Happy Birthday Nikosha Gogol! Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol is one of Russia's greatest and yet least appreciated writers. Fyodor Dostoyevsky, author of Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov and other classics, said that "we all came out of Gogol's Overcoat." What he meant is that Gogol was completely unlike any Russian writer who preceded him, and that all Russian literature that followed was indebted to him.
Must See Films, Must Read Fiction In our 100th issue, we have a long feature, "100 Things Everyone Should Know About Russia," with loads of factoids, notes, lists and essays. We figured our list of the "must read" fiction and "must see" movies would be a bit contentious (and certainly foreshortened). So we are posting the lists here for reader comment and supplementation...
Obama's Speech in Moscow President Obama gave a nice tribute to Russian culture in his speech to Moscow college students.
ICBM Launch Agreement Background information and text of the 1988 treaty between the U.S. and Soviet Union regarding ICBM and SLBM launches.
From Mikhail to Michael Four years ago, in August 2005, then Senator Barack Obama was detained for three hours at a Siberian airport. Obama, with Senator Dick Lugar, was on a US delegation touring nuclear warhead storage and disposal sites. Russian border guards insisted on searching the delegation's plane. The senators refused...
BAM Veteran Verbatim text of an online interview with Rashit Yahin. Mr. Yahin was born in 1936, was educated in Moscow as an engineer and worked from 1978 to 1990 on construction of BAM. From 1990 to 1994 he worked as head of the tourism department in the Severobaikalsk Railway Department of BAM. In December 1994, he suffered a stroke that paralyzed his right side. He now is largely confined to a wheelchair, but that has not stopped him working. He actively works to promote tourism to the Baikal region and arranges private and independent travel there (see end of article for contact info). The interview is presented in its entirely, without any redactions or corrections.
The Bogeyman When it comes to bogeymen, China, Cuba, even North Korea can't hold a candle to old Mother Russia. This week, as tempers flared and theatrical protests abounded around health care, a woman offered this irrational take on proposed reforms at a town hall meeting ...
Vermont Public Radio Interview Neil Charnoff of Vermont Public Radio just did a long interview with publisher Paul Richardson about Life Stories. You can listen to it here.
Freedom Fries I will forever associate the fall of the Berlin Wall with french fries. In 1989, my wife and I were living and working in Moscow. Our friend Bob was apartment-sitting in the American embassy complex; and on November 9 he invited us over for dinner...
Annual Holiday Gift Guide Our annual consideration of some great gift ideas for Russophiles. Now available online as well!
Translators Just Need to be Loved A response to another publisher's blog post about our comparative analysis of two competing translations of Ilf and Petrov's Zolotoy Telyonok...
A "very bouncy" translation of The Little Golden Calf The Louisville Courier-Journal has a nice feature this morning on Anne Fisher, the translator and driving force behind our new translation of The Little Golden Calf. It talks about how the book went in and out of favor with the Soviet regime, and how Anne was inspired to bring the work out in English because it had been so instrumental in forging her own understanding of all things Russian.
Putin and Medvedev as Na'Vi Avatar has become the largest grossing movie in Russian history. But, more interestingly, a spin-off photo morfing site (which seemed to be connected to McDonald's Finland) allowed visitors to turn pictures of famous people into the blue Na'Vi. A Russian newspaper tried it with Medvedev and Putin. Here are the tinted results. First Putin:
Keep Reading, Dima President Dmitry Medvedev says he likes the classics, but that,just recently he made a request for buying about 50 books authored by contemporary Russian writers over the past 5-7 years. "I have read some of them and I cannot say I have been excited," he said. "By and large I have to read all sorts of dull papers the presidents normally read. Draft documents, draft decrees, draft instructions, laws, reports...
Now THAT'S a Reset Button! Life is always stranger than fiction, or, in this case, it may have been imitating [bad] fiction. Or at least so it seems from the transcripts of the case against Anna Chapman.
Facts are Sticky Things A very nice blog posting by Anatoly Karlin on the facts versus the talking heads (including Obama advisor McFaul) when it comes to interpreting Russian politics and public opinion. The facts don't lie, right? Meanwhile, a film festival in San Francisco in August has a couple of nice documentaries on offer, one on growing up in Russia, another on
Notable New Film: The Concert A new movie opens July 30 starring Melanie Laurent and Alexei Guskov and it sounds like a fun summer diversion for Russophiles. We're waiting for our review copy to deliver a judgement, but here is a synopsis...
A Russian Under Every Bed Ok, I might be biased, given that at Russian Life we're focused 24/7 on things Russian. But lately it seems like Russians are popping up everywhere, even in the most unlikely of places.
The Kremlinologist Catechism There is a Catechism that dominates American discourse on Russia today. Just flip through The Washington Post’s editorials, peruse American political science journals or listen (cringe) to a Joe Biden interview. It goes something like this:
Fish Anyone? HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Our new novel, Fish: A History of One Migration, written by Peter Aleshkovsky and translated by Nina Shevchuk-Murray, has just arrived from the printer. They did a wonderful job and Fish will start shipping tomorrow morning.
Etcetera Russians are wearing less and will have to do with fewer mushrooms this year. President Medvedev is Russia's Internet President (while PM Putin apparently does not even have a cellphone)...
Thoroughbred Post-Horses Alexander Pushkin famously called translators "the post-horses of literature." Well, two thoroughbreds who have worked with us on Russian Life and Chtenia have just been awarded grants from the National Endowment of the Arts to bring some important works to English. First, Anne Fisher, translator of our book, The Little Golden Calf:
Flying Free... Too often the news we gather from the mainstream media about Russia is bad news, and the humor is rather acerbic and based on dark stereotypes. So it is refreshing when we receive a bit of unqualified good news, about average people doing the hard work it takes to keep a society, and our world, spinning on its axis.
Raise a Glass to Jerome This week I came across two excellent articles on the Art of Translation, one in the NY Times, the other in the National Post. The NY Times article, written by Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours, raises some fascinating ideas about how writing itself is an act of translation, from the writer's ideas and perception of what his perfect work might be...
Moscow, Winter of 1908 Now that winter has officially arrived, it is appropriate to send along this link to an AMAZING video of Moscow in 1908, over 100 years ago.
The Little Golden Calf Named Best Translation of 2010 We are EXCITED to announce that Anne O. Fisher's translation of Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov's classic novel, The Little Golden Calf, which we published in 2009, has received the 2010 AATSEEL Book Award for Best Translation into English.
Post WWII Years The Allied nations of WWII made for a tenuous union at best. The main thing that held Britain, the U.S. and the Soviet Union together was their common enemy, Hitler. Not long after the end of WWII, the Western allies parted company with the Soviet Union and its leader, Joseph Stalin.
Review: The Road & More This amazing collection of fiction and non-fiction by one of the 20th century's most talented and most overlooked writers re-demonstrates that Grossman was a meticulous documentarian of the Russian soul.
Review: The Trinity Six I love a good thriller, and so was excited to get this review copy in the mail last month. The premise is interesting, the characters mainly believable, and the well-layered plot drives you along, just not as intensely as I would have liked.
On PBS next week: Desert of Forbidden Art Igor Savitsky single-handedly saved over 40,000 works of avant-garde Soviet art by hiding them in plain sight. Well, in plain sight in a completely out of the way museum in Nukus, Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan).
On PBS this Month: The Great Famine Today, Herbert Hoover – the 31st president of the United States (1929-1933) – is probably most associated with the onset and deepening of the Great Depression. Few know that prior to his presidency he was a successful international mining engineer (and had some lucrative investments in Russia before the Revolution), and later headed up the ARA (American Relief Administration), designed to deliver needed foreign aid to Belgium in the aftermath of World War I.
Coming Russian Events For a Russophile, it can be frustrating to find out about an interesting event related to Russia after it has just happened. On the flip side, it can also be rather difficult to find out about new events far enough in advance before they happen, especially events in your area, so that one can attend.
Dima, Volodya and Alice What exactly is a Russian liberal? Has this species ever been seen in the wild (by which I mean the Kremlin)? In her spot-on analysis of Russia's ruling tandem in today's Washington Post, Liliya Shevtsova highlights this question brilliantly...
Summer Chtenia: Sneak peek at Voloshin The summer issue of Chtenia is about to go to print, and, yet again, it has shaped up into an eclectic and yet harmonious collection of excellent writing. One of the poets we're including in this issue is Maximilian Voloshin, the free spirit extraordinaire, a painter and a mythologue.
Russian Authors at Book Expo America Listen to the Book Expo America podcast episode with 4 Russian writers who were finalists for the Debut Prize, the prestigious independent literary award for authors under the age of 25 writing in Russian. I am very pleased to point out that Iryna Bogatyreva, one of the writers featured on this panel, is represented in the
Chtenia 15 and Summer Movies In her introduction to the next issue of Chtenia (coming in July to a mailbox near you!), Tamara Edelman writes several Russian films set in summer, including a Mosfilm classic I Step through Moscow. "Summer," she writes, "is a time for growing up, a time for educating the senses, for better understanding one's self. It is a time for transformation."
Review: Three World War Two Histories It is the great, cruel paradox of World War II in Russia that heinous, unanswered crimes coexisted with truly heroic, astonishing human achievement. That – be it out of fear or love of the Motherland or self-defense – Soviets fought so bravely to defend a system that treated them like cattle, confiscating from them the land, the bread and the peace that the Revolution had allegedly been all about, shipping them and their relatives off to Siberian labor camps, sentencing soldiers unfortunate enough to have been captured in war into “penal battalions.”
Review: New Fiction for Russophiles It should come as no surprise,” writes Vyacheslav Pyetsukh at the beginning of The New Moscow Philosophy, “that where literature goes life follows, that Russians not only write what they live but in part live what they write…”
Antiquities from Ukraine Starting October 1 and running through February 19 of next year, The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis will be hosting an exhibit devoted to gold and ceramic relics dating from the Neolithic age to the Byzantine era, and unearthed in present-day Ukraine.
Contest Anyone? To celebrate our 55th anniversary, we're holding a subscription contest. Appropriately, there will be 55 prizes, which means some pretty good odds of winning for everyone.
What Would Steve Do? How to explain the feeling of sadness and loss that overcame me, as it did many others at hearing the new of Steve Job's death? I think it is simply that we have lost a visionary, a modern prophet, someone who changed the way we see the world. And when the world loses someone like that, especially when they are so young, it feels like the world has lost a bit of its future...
Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and a Few Spies Reviews of some recent books on Tolstoy, Spying and the end of the USSR. And a new translation of an often overlooked work by Dostoyevsky. As published in the November/December 2011 issue of Russian Life.
Contest Winners Announced The results are in for our 55th Anniversary Subscriber Contest. One in 14 entries were winners, and over $1200 in prizes are mailing out to lucky subscribers this week!
Chtenia 17 preview The next issue of Chtenia, #17, is being laid out this weekend, and as always, there's a deep satisfaction in seeing the whole team's work come to fruition. The theme of the issue is Sport, which at the moment strikes me as a great counterpoint to the winter season, when holidays and cold weather compromise one's fitness routine with such gleeful impunity.
Moscow Spring? Quite often, Russian reality is best illuminated with a joke. A couple of journalists are quizzing a candidate: “Why do you want to get elected?” “Just look what is going on in the corridors of power: officials are awash in debauchery, theft, corruption!”
At the Demonstration "The crowds gathered from three different directions. Every route to the square was controlled by police and troops. I had never seen such numbers of armed forces before; it was like a movie about civil war." Victor is a 21-year-old student in Moscow. In this guest post, he gives us a participant's account of the December 10 demonstration.
6 Things Russian Babushkas Disapprove Of What comes to mind when you think of a Russian national icon? Vodka, matryoshkas, bears? Fyodor Dostoyevsky? Alla Pugacheva? Cheburashka? Surprisingly few people, including Russians themselves, mention babushkas, the omnipresent grandmothers in head scarves. Yet their influence is huge. Red Square huge. Katyusha rocket huge. So it pays to know how to please them...
Lyubov Orlova Lyubov Petrova Orlova was born January 29, 1902 and became the first Soviet movie star and sex symbol. She was also Stalin’s favorite film actress and a highly gifted singer. This is an extended biography of the artist (an abridged version ran in the JanFeb 2012 issue of Russian Life).
1972 ABM Treaty English text of the 1972 Antilballistic Missile Treaty between the U.S. and Soviet Union.
Interview with Author William Ryan William Ryan’s second book featuring MVD Detective Alexei Korolev, The Darkening Field, was released on January 3, 2012. Russian Life Publisher Paul E. Richardson interviewed Ryan about the genesis for his character and the challenges of situating a novel in Soviet Russia.
Election Journal: Moscow's White Ring The first installment in History Editor Tamara Eidelman's Election Journal, which she is writing for us in the buildup to the March 4 presidential election.
Putin's Counterattack It seems like those in power are starting to get very worried, and therefore have gone over onto the counterattack. All across the country, they are herding people to pro-Putin rallies, handing out stenciled posters, then declaring what huge support he has.
Bliny In honor of Maslenitsa, we offer this great story/essay by Chekhov on bliny: "Did you know that bliny have been around for over a thousand years, since what is known as the old Slavonic ab ovo...? They appeared on earth before Russian history began and have lived through it all from the beginning to the last page, without any doubt, invented, like the samovar, by Russian minds...."
Poor Chulpan Putin is doing everything in his power to guarantee his victory in the first round. Everyone everywhere is mumbling “stability, stability, this is what Putin has given us.”
Becoming Observers I have slept very little the past two weeks, and I have done very little to prepare for my classes. My students have tired of asking when I will correct their papers, and piles of their notebooks are gradually filling up my room. There is nothing to eat in the house; I have no had any time to get to the store. I am completely overcome by my work in “Citizen Observer"...
Alexander Ivanovich Herzen The Russian writer Alexander Ivanovich Herzen was born in Moscow on March 25, 1812 (April 6, New Style). Thanks to a famous phrase from Lenin’s “In Memory of Herzen” – “The Decembrists awakened Herzen. Herzen began the task of revolutionary agitation.” – everyone who grew up in the Soviet Union knew Herzen’s name, whether or not they had ever read a line of his work.
The White Ring Last Sunday morning I was ashamed of my children. We had sort of planned that we would all go together to take part in the Garden Ring demonstration, but one-by-one they deserted me...
Tsoy Lives! There is not a single other figure in Russian rock – living or dead – who has attained the same sort of cult status as Victor Tsoy, who would have been 50 on June 21. And while Tsoy’s biography is well-known, it hardly explains how it is that the person and legacy of Victor Tsoy continues to this day to play such an important role in Russian culture - even in Russian mass culture.
Publishing... Flipped! It is conventional wisdom that old-fashioned, ink and pulp publishing is in its death throes. But what if there were a way to "flip" the publishing model in a manner that preserves what is good, adopts what is new and useful, and filters out what is harmful and useless? I think we have found a way...
The New Dissidents The three women - Maria Alyokhina, Yekaterina Samutsevich & Nadezhda Tolokonnikova - on trial in Russia for "hooliganism" for their punk rock performance in Savior's Cathedral, made long closing statements last week. While people can debate the women's tactics, it is excruciatingly difficult after reading their statements to doubt that the women are serious, thoughtful and extremely articulate critics of authoritarianism in Russia. #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Aristocrats, Churches and Noir Reviews of five interesting new books for Russophiles: Former People, Nevsky, St. Petersburg Noir, Wooden Churches and Russian Film Posters. #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Romney = Russian for "Cold Warrior" By launching the flabby Cold War trope that Russia is our "geopolitical adversary," Mitt Romney has exhibited yet another symptom of foot-in-mouth disease on foreign policy... #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Moscow's Last Great Fire Moscow's last Great Fire was 200 years ago, on September 14, 1812, in the wake of the Russian army's abandonment of Moscow. Debate continues to rage if the fire was accidental or set intentionally by retreating troops. And a misunderstanding of the scope of the fire's destruction hampers preservation efforts to this day. #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Vodka: The Miracle Drug? Culled from vodkaphiles.com: a listing of 20 things you can do with vodka you may have never considered (and may or may not want to try).
The Nature of Dissent How should we understand current political dissent in Russia? Russian Life publisher Paul Richardson met with long-time Soviet/Russian political dissident Alexander Skobov to get his views on what is going on in Russia and where things are headed.
It Takes Guts A recent letter that the editors of Russian Life received from one of its respected readers was directed at Mikhail Ivanov and one of his “Survival Russian” columns. We felt it deserved a longer response than space in the magazine allowed.
Omens, Blacklists and Vampires, Oh My! While the U.S. was being battered by Superstorm Sandy and the Election of Nattering Negativity this week, a steady stream of odd stories out of Russia caught my eye. Worried they might otherwise get overlooked, I decided to corral them here.
Anna Karenina Every Day Lev Tolstoy's Anna Karenina has been called the greatest novel of all time. But can one really appreciate it as much in English translation versus the Russian original?
Anna Karenina The First Time In this, the second of two posts on Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, the author recounts his discovery of the greatest novel of all time: "I had never lived a book as I lived Anna Karenina."
Plagiarism, Perevody and Propaganda Two stories out of Russia this weekend reinforced the stereotype that Russian entities (a) don't respect copyrights, yet (b) do value propaganda.
Anna Karenina: The Puppet Version The movie is almost too silly to discuss, as if Saturday Night Live decided to do a parody, but nobody but the costume-director and scene-making crew were ready. A puppet resembling Keira Knightley plays Anna; although thin, even scrawny, the animators make her look almost human.
Masha Tattered Rags One hundred and fifty years ago, Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin offered a humorous critique of the state of Russian literature in the 1860s. He also wrote some parody "dreadful stories," one of which is translated and reproduced here.
1983: The Scariest Year Ambassador Jack Matlock had a front row seat for the final days of the US-Soviet Cold War and the collapse of the USSR. While working on his article, 1983: The Scariest Year (Mar/Apr 2013), Russian Life Publisher Paul Richardson conducted an email interview with Matlock, which is produced here in its entirety.
Russia to Purchase Cyprus In a move that has taken even seasoned Kremlin watchers by surprise, Russia today agreed to purchase Cyprus in a bold stroke to save the troubled archipelagic country and the Eurozone.
Snail's Pace Has your postmaster chased you down the street with a broom lately? Clearly you don't live in Russia... The Russian Post continues to stoke the fury of millions. But Russian videographers are striking back, documenting abuses by RP workers.
Spies Like Us The Americans, on FX, is a brilliant episodic drama that recreates the 1980s with only minimal anachronisms but plenty of tension, plot twists, double-dealing and moral relativism.
Dina from Parallel Russia In my capacity as a journalist, I usually tell unhappy stories about people’s lives that are almost inevitably destroyed by the government. Happy endings and happy people, on the contrary, are usually discovered by chance. The story I am about to tell you was brought to me by just one such chance.
Fiction Contest: Summer 2013 We're holding a fiction contest, asking for short stories based on the intriguing cover of our July/August issue. Click thru for full contest rules and instructions.
Vodka, Snowden and Boycotts Say what you will about the various gay bars in North America that are boycotting Stolichnaya vodka and (horror of horrors), pouring it into the gutter. But the fact is, as reported elsewhere, they didn't do their research. These days, Stolichnaya vodka is about as Russian as Edward Snowden...
Watch out for that bear! Today I stumbled across an interesting article online. At first I thought it should be filed in the "someone is trying to stir the Cold War pot again" but then I read on...
Useful Resources for Tourists Visiting Russia A compendium of 13 useful websites for persons interested in traveling to Russia, covering everything from the latest visa information to cruises, to what not to do when in Russia (etiquette).
Reset, Shmeeset It would be an understatement to say US-Russian relations have hit a low point. Not a Cuban Missile Crisis or even a 1980 Olympic Boycott sort of low point. More like a US bombing of Belgrade or Russian sleeper spies discovered in America sort of low point.
9 Ways to Brush up Your Russian It's back to school time! Has your college Russian gotten a bit rusty? Looking for some fun, useful, but most important effective ways to brush up on your Russian? The internet is here to help!
Russian Political Prisoners Ignored by Everyone Sergey Udaltsov, a leftist protest leader currently under house arrest pending investigation of his alleged planning of the May 6, 2012 Bolotnaya Square riots exemplifies the popular saying: “out of sight, out of mind.” Yet he is not alone in his plight...
The Politics of Moscow's Migrant Crime Statistics In addition to highlighting local issues, Moscow's mayoral race has generated lively discussions of various national topics. Front and center among these is Russia's immigration and migrant worker policy.
Why Did Soviet Houses All Look the Same? Ever wonder why Soviet houses looked so drab, colorless, and interchangeable? It all started with Nikita Khrushchev's battle against architectural excess, and continues to plague Russia to this day.
Patriotism: A USSR Story Being patriotic in the Soviet Union was a duty, a challenge, and a potential pitfall, all rolled into one. The story of one Soviet singer, Joseph Kobzon, shows how one cultural idol walked that dangerous line.
Why is This Cab Glowing? After a deadly tsunami hit Japan in 2011, followed by the nuclear tragedy in Fukushima, the port of Vladivostok received a number of radioactive cars. Two years later, radioactive car parts are still arriving in Russia. Outrageously, Russian customs authorities have had to detain and send back to Japan over 930 radioactive cars since 2011.
The Dangers of Cold War Air Travel Remember the days when a superpower could shoot down a plane full of civilians just for wandering into its airspace? We called those days the Cold War – and the plane was KAL Flight 007, shot down by a Soviet fighter pilot on September 1st, 1983.
Checking in with Russian Bloggers What has the Russian side of the internet been up to lately? Enjoying nature, getting a new angle on familiar things, and going at everything with a healthy sense of humor.
Trending on RuNet: Teleportation Russian cats, Russian dash cams, Russian flashmobs... get ready for the next big thing on RuNet: teleportation videos.
Bukharin: Rise and Fall Nikolai Bukharin, the Moscow revolutionary, was on the rise throughout the early twentieth century – but as we all know, what goes up must come down. Turns out you come down especially fast if you meet Stalin at the top.
Happy Translation Day In honor of International Translation Day (September 30), we demonstrate rather graphically the value of having a good, human translator.
The Middle East Crisis and Our New Novel This editorial, by author (of The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas) Dmitry Chen, appeared last month on Bloomberg.com, and considers how the current crisis in Syria has its roots 13 centuries ago.
Who “Discovered” Sakhalin? You think planting a flag on a piece of land makes you own it? Think again! With Sakhalin, it was just one step in the long back-and-forth between Russia and Japan.
Spelling Reform: Who Gets the Credit? Soviet sources praise the Bolsheviks for simplifying Russian spelling in 1918. Who was the real author of the spelling reform, and what was the Bolsheviks' actual role in making it work?
RuNet: The Silly and the Serious Scenery, stereotypes, satire, and politics – all in a day's work for RuNet! Join us to learn about Russians arrested for riding bears, all manner of vodka infractions, and a tiny bit of election talk.
Reds, Whites, Greens, and... Blacks? The Russian Civil War was a messy affair, as civil wars so often are. Think you can identify all the colors? (Hint: Black is the color of anarchism.)
Halloween Week: Get your Putin (and Brezhnev and Lenin) Masks here! We're all about public service. We just want to help you get through Halloween... You decide if the mask is scary or distinguished, awful or awesome.
Dmitry Pozharsky: Russian Hero It's 1612. There's no tsar on the throne and the Poles have entered Moscow. Some may have despaired – but one man took the opportunity to save the country and earn his place in history books.
It's Nutcracker Season! It's that time of year again: dancing toys, mice, and candy, waltzing flowers, presents coming to life... But was this time of year always so closely tied to the Nutcracker?
Perks and Perils of Being the Tsar's Favorite How do you get from pie-seller to tsar’s favorite? Mostly by being a brilliant strategist – but having a tsar willing to turn a blind eye to your corruption helps, too.
RuNet Tackles History What does the rating of RuNet’s most popular blogs have to do with history textbooks? Join us on an excursion into conspiracy theories, falsified history, and government ideology – RuNet’s standard fare!
Boris Grebenshikov, a Founding Father of Soviet Rock When the music you sing is banned, when the entire genre is identified with the enemy, how do you find the courage to keep singing? Just ask Boris Grebenshikov!
Constructing a Constitution Happy birthday, Russian Constitution! Let's take a quick look at where you came from: the political struggles, reform efforts, and occasional street fighting of a newborn country.
9 Crazy Things Russian Lawmakers Have Tried to Ban Some Russian legislators have an unwavering faith in the ability of laws to rid society of all its evils. Noise? Bad news? The stench of garlic? The end of the world? No problem - just ban 'em all!
Happy New Year! The New Year is Russia’s biggest holiday. But where does it come from – and why does it look so suspiciously like Western Christmas?
U.S.-Soviet Grain Trade: 5 Stages of Grief As the United States struggled with the trauma of seeing a fellow state succumb to Communism, a pattern of familiar stages started to emerge in - of all places - its agricultural exports.
The Many Homelands of Sergei Parajanov Start with an Armenian base, drop in some Tbilisi, some Moscow, some Kiev, stir in amazing cinematography and strong political convictions, season with a Siberian labor camp – and voila! You're getting close to the legendary filmmaker Sergei Parajanov.
Why Don't Russians Smile? It is a common trope that Russians never smile. Which of course is interpreted to mean they are unfriendly, gloomy, sullen – positively Dostoyevskian. This, of course, is a complete misreading of body language and cultural norms.
The One and Only Chapayev When battling the White Army in 1919, Vasily Ivanovich Chapayev had no idea he would one day become the hero of one of Soviet film's greatest works.
9 Myths About Travel to Russia Is Russia a dangerous, expensive, complicated place to travel to? Is it full of mafia, alcoholics, communists and poverty? Sounds like it's time to debunk some myths about travel to modern Russia.
7 Myths About Russian Cuisine There are many myths surrounding Russian food. Darra Goldstein, author of the cookbook, A Taste of Russia, addresses seven common ones.
7 Things We're Loving About the Sochi Olympics It’s now just 7 days until the start of the Sochi Olympics and here at Russian Life we are getting pretty excited. Sure, it’s our thing to get excited about all things Russian. But it’s more than that. Here are 7 reasons we’re particularly amped.
7 Russian Dishes for Olympic Viewing OK, so you are recovering from the Super Bowl and starting to look ahead to next weekend’s opening of the Sochi games. Which of course means a viewing party, which means food, which means Russian food!
Our Sports Editor Arrives in Sochi Sometimes the life of a sports editor is trying: back of the bus treatment, spotty food, rough accommodations. But Sochi, as Russian Life sports editor Mikhail Ivanov reports, is a breath of fresh air for this seasoned sports reporter.
A Baker's Dozen of Invaluable Translation (and Language Learning) Resources Whether you are a budding translator of Russian-English texts, are reading Russian literature in the original, or just want to improve your Russian, there are countless resources waiting for you on the internet. Here's our list of the best...
1980 Olympics: Songs and Cartoons With the Winter Olympics set to kick off in Sochi tomorrow, we take a look back at the rich cultural legacy of the last Games Russia hosted.
What the Bleep is Going on in Sochi? Why is it that the Twitter hashtag #sochiproblems has more followers than the Twitter feed for the games? How is it that all we hear from the Western press is negativism, while from the athletes and local observers there are only raves for the fantastic facilities? Why do pictures of double toilets and unfinished hotels continue to flood the inter-tubes? And what idiot gave the order to kill puppies in Sochi?
Take Plenty of Vitamin D to Sochi So you, dear readers, think that the Olympics is all about sports? Nay! It is of course all about the souvenirs! And about how a miserly correspondent is supposed to buy them in sufficient quantity for the many friends and family left behind on the "mainland" while he is "roughing it" in Sochi...
Because Curling is Not Funny Enough! #SochiFunny Life without humor is dull. And that is even true when it comes to sports. Here at the Olympics, one cannot be exclusively focused on “ochki, goly, sekundy” (points, goals,seconds). So, time to look at the lighter side of things in Sochi.
Parlez Sochi? Russian Life Sports Editor Mikhail Ivanov was interviewed by Radio Canada (in French) in the aftermath of the US-Russia hockey match on February 15. Listen to the audio here.
The Puck Stops Here There is nothing like a good old Russian ochered (line) to get close to the narod (people) and get some inside info. Standing in line, Russians tend to show solidarity, to open up and loosen their tongues. The perfect environment for a journalist...
Russian Genealogy A comprehensive listing of resources, online and off, for researching your Russian roots, courtesy of Ginny Audet.
No More Olympics… What Now? The Sochi Olympic Games are now officially over. Suffering withdrawals? Here are five ideas for how to fill up all your viewing time.
Kremlin Words Versus Deeds, A Gaping Chasm? Russia's occupation of Crimea, part of the sovereign nation of Ukraine, is wrong. It is wrong under international law, it is in violation of several treaties Russia has with Ukraine and the West, and it is even wrong according to Russia's own foreign policy "principles." So why did it happen?
7 Ways Not to Protest the Occupation of Crimea Russia’s occupation cum annexation of Crimea is a tragedy no matter how you slice the salami tactics. One just wants to protest, boycott, DO something. But what? Well, like President Obama and the EU, we’re coming up a bit short on the list of feasible and effective sanctions. But here are a few things we recommend NOT doing.
In Defense Our definition of a Russophile is not someone who blindly embraces all things Russian as superior, but someone who is innately fascinated by Russia because it is different, because it is interesting, because it is important.
The Solution to Crimea Lies Through Finland You have to hand it to History. She has a very well developed sense of irony. Exactly 160 years ago today the Crimean War began... While it is useful for the current crisis over Crimea and Ukraine to understand history, solving the crisis is more likely through analogy.
Subbotniks: Soviet "Days of Service" Once, a group of factory workers decided to work without pay for the war effort. Somehow their voluntary sacrifice became the entire Soviet Union's mandatory labor - all "for the greater good."
Nabokov: What to Read Today is Vladimir Nabokov's birthday, so we asked Russian Life contributor and Nabokov expert Diana Bruk where to start when reading the master. She offers with five annotated recommendations.
Peace, Land, Bread Peace! Land! Bread! This was the battle cry of the 1917 October Revolution (old calendar) that changed the history of Russia and indeed the entire world. Since the time of Ivan the Terrible, the tsars concentrated on centralization of their power and control. The most common way of doing this was to take power away from the nobility, appeasing them by giving them dominion over their land and workers. This soon developed into the oppressive, slave-style condition known as serfdom.
This Just in From Ukraine... Today is the 401st anniversary of the crowning of the first Romanov Tsar, Mikhail, in 1613, and the end of the "Time of Troubles." This of course has nothing to do with current events. Just thought I'd mention it in passing.
Measuring Like a Russian Ever wonder how many arshins tall you are? Or how many verst to the nearest grocery store? Get a sense from this list of old Slavic measurements.
Yuri Vizbor: Soviet Renaissance Man Think you know Yuri Vizbor? Think again! Sure, you may have heard his songs, but did you know he was also a teacher? An alpinist? A journalist? A radio operator?
Russia's World Cup Record Russia is not known as a soccer powerhouse. But it does have a devoted fan base and will host the 2018 World Cup. We look back at 1994, the first time Russia qualified for the World Cup and a Russian player made history.
The Great Moscow Fire June 21, 1547 is remembered as the day of the Great Moscow Fire. The wooden city was devastated, and the destruction was later taken as an omen portending the horrors of Ivan IV's reign.
Isaac Babel and Russian Jews Ever wonder why so many Russian Jews ended up in the US? Perhaps it was the educational quotas, or the restrictions on travel and residence, or maybe the rampant anti-Semitism and violence – and all the other miseries chronicled by Jewish writer Isaac Babel.
Stranger on a Train Sample Alexei Bayer's myster novel Murder at the Dacha with this gripping incident on board a Moscow commuter train.
The First Russian Automobile July 14, 1896, is celebrated as the birthday of the Russian automobile – on this day, the first Russian-built motorcar with an internal combustion engine was introduced to the public at the Arts Exhibition in Nizhni Novgorod.
Parley with a Gangster A second sample from Alexei Bayer's mystery novel Murder at the Dacha. Here, inspector Pavel Matushkin redeems a favor to get some information from a gangster.
Tsarevich Alexei and the Worst 10th Birthday Ever Late July and early August were busy times in 1914: not only was Russia's own heir apparent celebrating his 10th birthday, the world was devolving into the military chaos of World War I.
Enhanced Interrogation, Soviet Style A third excerpt from Alexei Bayer's mystery novel Murder at the Dacha. Inspector Matushkin visits a suburban police station and witnesses some "enhanced interrogation techniques" gone wrong.
The Many Days of September 1 Did you know September 1 is more than just Labor Day? Read on to find out how Russians celebrate September 1, the Day of Knowledge, the first day of school.
For Better or Worse What with downed passenger airlines, war in Ukraine, trade embargos and rapidly worsening US-Russian relations, why in the world is there a picture of a giraffe on the cover of Russian Life magazine?
A Soviet Leader in the US? Preposterous! When you're a Soviet dictator, it's rare that you get the chance to tour the US, visiting movie sets, meat freezers, and steel mills, being featured on TV, and laughing at angry farmers. Nikita Khrushchev got that chance 55 years ago. And he made the most of it.
Returning to Putorana We asked Ivan Kobilyakov, whose story on filming wild wolves in Putorana appeared in the Sep/Oct 2014 issue of Russian Life, to give us an update on the project and how filming has gone this summer. He also supplied new photos.
Cookbook Contest So, one thing about publishing is that not all the books come out perfect. So, rather than toss a few "seconds" in the recycle bin, we decided to hold a contest. Winners got free, slightly irregular books. We had fun reading the responses.
Pasternak: A Great Translator Reflects on Translation In honor of the International Day of the Translator, a few words from Boris Pasternak, the Russian voice of Shakespeare, on translating and the power of English.
Russian Exceptionalism According to Boris Dubin A social state, a sense of community and shared decision making, an oddly distant government, home-grown values, and being split between Europe and Asia – according to Russians, this is what makes Russia special. But Boris Dubin's findings show that what really makes Russia special is Russia's ability to pretend no one else exists.
Idols and Anniversaries Twenty-five years ago, when the Berlin Wall came tumbling down, it was a time of hope and relief. Since the 1940s we had held our breath, limping from crisis to crisis, hoping that Dr. Strangelove was not hiding in a dark corner, waiting to make his play.
Unity Day: Whose Unity? November 4 is now the Day of People's Unity in Russia. But what unity? What people? A look at the holiday's history brings up more questions and confusion than it does answers – but Russians don't let that spoil their long weekend.
Grandfather Frost: More than Just Santa Claus Don't be fooled: the old man with a white beard and red coat is not Santa Claus. It's Grandfather Frost! Learn how to tell the two apart with this handy list.
The Mystery of the Kirov Assassination The assassination of Sergei Kirov on December 1, 1934, set off one of the bloodiest periods in Russian history. Was it a conspiracy involving the highest ranks of leadership? Or was it all planned and carried out by one "lone gunman"? We may never know.
The Winter War: More than a Prelude The Soviet war with Finland in 1939-1940 tends to get overshadowed by its notable neighbor, World War II. But in fact, the Winter War was a disaster all its own.
Ruble Rabble: The Kremlin's Grand Strategy World oil prices are plummeting, the ruble is in free fall, the Russian economy is on the brink of a recession, inflation is climbing, and the Russian Central Bank’s benchmark interest rate has jumped to 17 percent. Meanwhile, President Putin still has popularity ratings in the 80 percent range and there is, seemingly, no panic in the streets of Moscow. What is going on? What is Putin’s game?
Yolka As a special gift, we share a somewhat untypical holiday story, reprinted from the pages of Chtenia, by the master humorist and short story writer Mikhail Zoshchenko.
Our First Cold War When the Editors at Russian Life asked me to write about how my friends and I (“the younger generation”) view the current state of Russian-American relations, given the events of 2014, I honestly had to pause and think about it.
Ivan the Terrible, Tsar of All Russias Tsar Ivan IV had a bit of a temper. When you look at his record of dramatic self-exile, tyrannical persecution, domestic abuse, and abrupt changes of heart, you realize that the current meaning of "Terrible" fits him quite well.
Trotsky on Trotskyites How can you be accused of wanting to restore the bourgeoisie when all you've said is that the current policy isn't anti-bourgeoisie enough? Leon Trotsky responds to the nonsense dominating Soviet courtrooms in the 1930's.
An Amazing Ride! We have just finished our 45-day Kickstarter project for the book Red Star Tales, and we are speechless. Almost.
Who's Out to Get Russia? As oil prices drop, the Russian economy finds itself facing an ever bleaker future. Is someone targeting Russia? Russian bloggers weigh in.
The Sino-Soviet Love-Hate Relationship On Valentine's Day 65 years ago, the USSR and China signed their Treaty of Friendship. But their budding romance was not to last: just six years later the relationship went south, and nothing has been as rosy since.
Decoding Leviathan Leviathan is not, as virtually every mainstream critic has presumed, “anti-Russian.” I watched the movie resolutely prepared to intensely dislike it. I fully believed it would shamelessly pander to an American public eager to see a film that demonized Putin and made the country seem like a hellish landscape of unsalvageable bleakness. But that was not at all the case.
Boris Nemtsov On Friday night, just steps from St. Basil's Cathedral, one of the bravest and most vocal opponents of the Kremlin was gunned down by unknown assailants. How are Russians reacting?
Dizzy with "Success": The Horrors of Collectivization Collectivization in the Soviet Union was a time of hunger, suffering, and massive death tolls – even as the papers proclaimed phenomenal success. One former peasant's memoirs give us a window on that terrible time.
Celebrating Women on Women's Day International Womens' Day; Russia honors the role of all women in Russian culture.
Smoktunovsky: Portrait of an Actor A generation of Soviets grew up seeing the face of actor Innokenty Smoktunovsky in his varied roles, both on screen and on stage. But what was his actual life like? In this snippet, he gives a taste of the trials he underwent as a soldier fighting the Nazis.
How Well Do You Know Russian Fairy Tale Characters? Sure, everyone knows the name Baba Yaga. But do you know where she lives? Do you know Koschey the Immortal, or Zmey Gorynych? How well do you know the spirits of the forest? Read up on these key characters of Russian fairy tales!
The Most Useful Russian Inventions What do radio, television, the periodic table, and helicopters have in common? Russians were involved in developing all of them – and more!
The Controversial Composer The personal and professional have become increasingly intertwined in considerations of the life and work of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Music historian Richard Taruskin shows that this is nothing new – it all began shortly after the master composer's death.
70 Years After Victory, the Battle for Stalingrad Rages On The Battle for Stalingrad turned the tide of WWII in the Allies’ favor. Marked by the loss of nearly 2 million lives, it is one of the most devastating battles of human history. Yet it also continues to be embroiled in controversy, given the complex relationship Russians have toward Josef Stalin.
Faberge Documentary is a Jewel It is nice to come across a documentary about Russia that is not all Sturm and Drang, Stalin and Purges, mafia and Putin. The story of Peter Carl Fabergé and the jewelry empire he built is a truly remarkable story, and it is the focus of this new documentary from Arts Alliance.
What a Difference a Decade Makes We will send two photojournalists – one American, one Russian – on a month-long road trip down “The Spine of Russia,” to gather the story of modern Russia, to talk to Russians about what they think about America and Americans...
War and Peace: 7 Fun Facts How many characters are in Tolstoy's War and Peace? Could it have been any shorter? Did Tolstoy himself love it or hate it? Find out the answers to these – and more! – questions in this quick list of little-known War and Peace facts.
Join Us. Get a Book. Why can’t we get along with Russia long term, nor can Russia seem to long enjoy our company? Our Spine of Russia project aims to find out.
I'm Vysotsky: The Legend of Russian Songwriting Everyone in the Soviet Union knew his songs, despite constant censorship and troubles with the Soviet regime. To this day, any Russian will recognize his raspy singing voice and silly falsetto. But what was the great Vladimir Vysotsky like in person?
Caught in the Crossfire: The Annexation of Estonia After just 22 years of independence, in 1940 Estonia was overrun by Soviet troops. The Estonian Socialist Republic was set up in the wake of th Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, in violation of nearly all existing legislation. And Stalinism's evils had the Estonians, just a year later, greeting German invaders with open arms. But trading one totalitarian dictator for another didn't solve the problem.
Why Stalin Called Andrei Platonov "Scum" – with 8 Quirky Quotes Andrei Platonov spawned many an incongruous image and incomprehensible sentence. Compared by some scholars to James Joyce, he was critiqued by Stalin himself, yet he avoided prosecution. We dig into his challenging literary style.
Did Stakhanov Act Alone? Alexei Stakhanov mined 102 tons of coal in under 6 hours, sparking the Stakhanovite movement. But did he really do it all by himself, by his own initiative? The son of a miner from Blagoveshchensk recalls evidence of unnamed assistants and fishy bureaucratic orders.
City Under Siege The Siege of Leningrad started 74 years ago, September 8, 1941. Over 70 years after the defeat of the Axis powers, we look back at the deadliest siege in human history.
Translator's Note: Bulat Okudzhava It's one thing to become famous as a writer or poet in your own country. But what does it take to earn yourself a spot in world literature? By describing the promise of Soviet poet, songwriter, and classic Bulat Okudzhava, translators offer us some insight.
The Other Russian Revolution What do you know about the Russian Revolution of 1905? Are you surprised to hear that there was one in 1905, not just in 1917? Then this article is for you!
Venedikt Erofeev's Art of Alcoholism (and how to say nyet) Vodka gets its fair share of PR as far as Russia is concerned. But is it always for the right reasons? October 24 marks the birth of Venedikt Erofeev, at least as well known for his drinking and vagrancy as for his writing.
Stars and Purges Eighty years ago, the Kremlin towers acquired their first stars, gleaming with gold and diamonds. But meticulously collected records show that on those same days, people were being arrested and sentenced across the country. On this Day of Memory for Victims of Political Repression, we recall a few of their names.
Ten Years of Napoleon In 1805 Napoleon was crushing the Russian army. In 1815 victorious Russian troops were stationed in the French capital under the just-signed treaty of Paris. And in between there was a peace treaty and yet another war. How did they have time for all of that?
Poetry, The Russian Riddle, and What Both Have to Do with International Politics What can we learn about Russia, now and throughout history, from its poetry? This month we try to find out, with help from The Penguin Book of Russian Poetry, to be released later this month, as reviewed in the Nov/Dec issue of Russian Life.
The Course of Revolution Is Not Smooth With the temporary triumph of Russian workers in the 1905 revolution, every opposition party expects a piece of the pie. But not if it's the anarchist party! Just ten years after his own politically-motivated arrest and exile, Vladimir Lenin wrote a scathing critique of the anarchists' attempt to join the revolution and work toward a better society.
A Survey of Russian Humor (and it rhymes!) There's plenty of talk about how Russia is dark and dismal, its writers pathologically depressed, and the general mood among the populace about as cheery as a Siberian winter. These stereotypes give short shrift to Russian humor...
5 Reasons Silver is as Precious Poetically as Metallically As a metal, Silver means second place; as a period of poetic production in Russia, the Silver Age is unparalleled. The years 1890-1925 (give or take) stand out for the explosion of poetic voices, forms, and innovations. With help from the recently published Russian Silver Age Poetry, we explore what sets that period apart.
How to Celebrate the New Year Are you sure you know how to appease the Fire Monkey and get your New Year off to a good start? We have tips! Learn how to decorate your house, what food to serve, and what to wear to ensure good luck in 2016.
More Dangerous Than Gunpowder Under Stalin, a poem could mean life or death. For many poets, it was a one-way ticket to the Gulag. Today, poems can be a means to face cultural memories of arrests in the night, forced labor, and the silence demanded of people fearing those fates.
13 Crazes Proving Putinmania Is Here to Stay Join with us in a celebration of 13 inspired displays of Putinalia (not as nasty as it sounds) that Russia has gifted to the world.
Russian Life Book Receives National Award The classic work of Russian journalism, Moscow and Muscovites, by journalist Vladimir Gilyarovsky (translated by Brendan Kiernan), received the prestigious 2015 AATSEEL Award for Best Scholarly Translation into English.
War, Peace and Cable On Monday, January 18, a new BBC six-part miniseries of Lev Tolstoy's War and Peace comes to American television. Here's your crib sheet.
Krasnoyarsk Krai Elena Chernyshova, 34, lives in Norilsk. She sends us pictures of this mining town, as well as the Siberian city of Kodinsk.
On This Day Quite often, I am intrigued by the juxtaposition of events that show up in our "On This Day" listings. It is almost as if there were a thin thread across time, linking things together that one might never expect.
Blagoveshchensk Igor Ageyenko, 29, lives in Blagoveshchensk. This week he offers us a tour of his city, plus a few other places in the Amur oblast.
Salt and Loathing in St. Petersburg Why are St. Petersburg residents cheering the city's new approach to snow removal?
Best Destinations of 2015 The leading travel company shares with us their nine best Instagram photos from their fascinating destinations.
Happy Chekhov Day! Today is Chekhov's birthday (he's 156). We celebrate by kicking of several months of Daily Chekhov quotes, and share a few other things...
8 Sci-Fi Futures That Explain Russia Today In honor of Evgeny Zamyatin's birthday, here are eight Russian sci-fi novels that reveal something about Russia and the world beyond.
Petrozavodsk Igor Podgorny is a geology teacher in Petrozavodsk, but he is also an expert wildlife and landscape photographer.
Russophile's Bookshelf A few books we have received recently that we thought Russophiles should know about.
The Long Kiosk Goodbye The destruction of 97 kiosks around Moscow opens up the controversies of architectural preservation, the plight of small businesses, and the rebuilding of history itself.
Orthodox-Catholic Summit This week, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill met in Havana. Why was this such a big deal?
When Peace Came to Earth Thirty years ago tomorrow, the Mir Space Station was launched. It was a technological wonder of its time.
Irkutsk Oblast Elena Anosova takes us on a tour of Irkutsk and Irkutsk Oblast. Lake Baikal is only a part of it!
Nikita S. Khrushchev On February 24, 1956, Khrushchev delivered his now infamous secret speech. It would change everything... sort of...
The Force is Strong There There are some fascinating hidden connections between Star Wars (the movie) and Russia. Let's explore them, shall we?
Bridge of Contention It has been a year since Boris Nemtsov was shot as he walked along a bridge near the Kremlin, yet Russians continue to gather at his assassination site.
Gorbachev Turns 85 A look back at the heady Gorbachev era, a time of rationing and glasnost, perestroika and cooperatives, when everything seemed possible.
Modigliani and Akhmatova in Paris We know comparatively little about the relationship between Akhmatova and Modigliani, but sometimes a few pictures can speak volumes. In honor of Anna Akhmatova's birthday (June 11, old style; June 23 new style), we reprint this essay, originally published in Russian Life, Jan/Feb 2011.
Great Lent The Great Lent is forty days when the Church is involved in repentance, fasting, prayer and almsgiving.
Leningrad Region Alexander Solo is documenting "monotowns" in Russia. He shows us a couple in Leningrad Region, where he lives.
Socialist Realism and Potatoes: The Dmitry Furmanov Story Writer and commissar Dmitry Furmanov died 90 years ago. If you don’t recognize his name, it may be because he’s better known for his character Vasily Ivanovich Chapayev, a Red Army commander who achieved victory via potatoes.
Happy Birthday, Gogol and Olesha! Two writers, two different centuries, one number in common. Actually, Yuri Olesha and Nikolai Gogol have more in common than you think!
Chuvashia Ivan Mikhailov takes us deep into the heart of Chuvashia and its capital city of Cheboksary.
Architecture and unexquisite corpses A church’s domes caving into the altar. A transgender couple finagles a wedding. A hospital patient shares a room with a corpse. Just another TWERF.
5 St. Petersburg Bands You Should Know St. Petersburg (or Leningrad) has always occupied a special place in the world of Russian music. Famous for its rich classical traditions, especially at the Mariinsky Theater, in the second part of the twentieth century St. Petersburg became the epicenter of underground and experimental music.
Moscow Ekaterina Klyueva takes us to the capital, the center of empire, a city everyone knows but no one every sees in full: Moscow!
A Tour to Nowhere (in pictures) What does it look like when a whole town empties out and there’s nothing but a few decaying buildings to prove anyone lived there at all?
Chess, Traffic and Briefcases In The Weekly Russia File for March 31: some terrible chess puns, and how to stop traffic.
Crimea Crisis Solved? In a surprising move that has shocked international pundits, Secretary of State John Kerry today announced he has arranged the de-annexation of Crimea by Russia.
Katya Everdeenova? No. YA Fiction Set in Russia? Yes. We're seeing a growth spurt in literature for kids and teens set in Russia. That means magic, time travel, and Stalinism all rolled up in one.
Salekhard Photographer Yevgenia Zhulanova takes us to Salekhard and the distant Nenets Autonomous Okrug during one of its most important holidays.
What the Panama Papers Mean for Russia The Panama Papers shocked the world this week with tales of corruption among the cream of the world's political crop. Here's what the allegations mean for Russian politics, economics, and society.
8 Perfect Pitstops Along the Trans-Siberian Railway In 1891, Russian Tsar Alexander III signed a document initiating the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. And not only is it the longest railway in the world; it's got some interesting stops along the line, too.
A kick in the face of public taste This week in Russia saw a whole lot of beatdowns: on international corruption, candy stores, and even Buddha.
Gagarin Lives! Yury Gagarin’s 108-minute space flight on April 12, 1961, propelled him to a level of celebrity never before known to any Soviet. His smiling face graced postal stamps, Palekh souvenir boxes, and fine porcelain, as he mingled with the beau monde of planet Earth.
Russia's Favorite Rebel and His Bloody Capture Turn 345 On April 14, 1671, Cossacks captured rebel leader Stenka Razin and ended his rebellion against the tsar. Here’s some background on Razin’s uprising, and what it meant for the fate of Russia.
Icebergs and tigers and starships, oh my! Which would you rather: be trapped in the Arctic or accused of treason? Okay, not a fun game. But a worthwhile read about the latest in Russian news.
A Photo Guide to Russia's Lesser-Known WWII Sites 2015 marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Revisit the history on this tour of St. Petersburg and Moscow's war sites – the ones you may not find in the guidebook.
Alexander Nevsky: Russia's Hero Who is Russia's greatest hero? According to Russians, it's Alexander Nevsky, a military commander and ruler from the thirteenth century. And what did Alexander do that made him worthy of that honor? He took part in Russians' favorite historical activity: repelling German invaders.
Chukotka Do you know what a karakurt is? Ever been to a Smelt Holiday? Know why some reindeer horns are trimmed? This week, travel with Timur Akhmetov to Chukotka, to find out this and more...
Piter's Five Must-Stroll Streets (that are not Nevsky) After you finish strolling St. Petersburg's Nevsky Prospect, you'll want to visit these five must-stroll streets in the Northern Palmyra, to get a feel for the rest of the city.
Prizes, spies, and kasha for all This week was full of wins for Russia: a famous photographer, everyone who watched Putin's call-in, and lawmakers making it harder to get foreign aid. So, a loss for Russians getting foreign aid.
New Foreign Agent Bill Hits Close to Home Russia’s law on foreign agents may be getting increasingly draconian. In its latest iteration, any charity could be deemed a political tool of international forces.
Chernobyl: The State Secret 30 years ago today, the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant had a meltdown: "Flames, sparks, and chunks of burning material went flying... These were red-hot pieces of nuclear fuel and graphite..."
Veliky Ustyug Yuli Lyubeznikov and Alexandra Ivanova show off their town, one of the oldest in the Russian North: Veliky Ustyug
A Very Russki Cinco de Mayo Or, whatever the Russian version of margaritas, mariachis, and misunderstood military history might involve.
Not to Be Forgotten For 45 years, the Cold War made it politically incorrect to recognize Soviet sacrifices and victories in defeating Hitler in World War II. This essay from 2010 is still relevant today.
Nizhny Novgorod Mikhail Solunin, 28, takes us on a tour of Nizhny Novgorod, at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers.
Questions of Life and Death On Victory Day, Russian photographers Mikhail Mordasov and Ignat Kozlov captured images of World War II veterans and young Russians who are the same age as the veterans were when they went off to fight in the war. They asked each of their subjects two questions: "What should one live for?" and "What should one be willing to die for?"
Baby bears, cats in debt, and other fuzzy victories Victory Day, marking the 71st anniversary of the end of WWII, was celebrated this Monday. Here are the ups, downs, and nonsequiturs of the occasion.
The Most Beautiful Village in Russia Last week tiny Kinerma was named as this year's "most beautiful Russian village." As it turns out, Kinerma was a stop on The Spine of Russia project...
Tver Olga Titova takes us to Tver, a main city located between Moscow and St. Petersburg, a land of candles and goats, bridges and rivers.
Catchy beats and milk-soaked scuffles Russia's physics-defying display at Eurovision. Bullying via dairy products. Plus some saucy presidential pecking – on the lips.
Mariy El Nikolai Gontar leads us on a trip to the Republic of Mariy El, home to layered pancakes and some very unusual architecture.
Two Miracles of Russian Love Poetry On the occasion of Pushkin's birthday, we offer a post on the challenge of translating his most famous love lyrics, "Я вас любил," with a bonus look at Innokenty Annensky's "Среди миров."
Dancing diplomats and dictators' cats Politicians are people just like us. They get millions of Instagram responses for a lost pet and do folkdances in front of world leaders. Just a day in the life.
Khakassia Constantine Gulyaev takes us on a tour of Khakassia, "warm Siberia," home to shamans, powerful mountains, petroglyphs and Russia's largest hydroelectric dam.
Elton John Crocodile Rocks the Kremlin Sir Elton John's much-vaunted visit with Putin, Eurovision for kids, setting doors on fire, and other great performances – all in one little week.
Quotable Pushkin for Six Everyday Occasions In honor of Alexander Pushkin's 217th birthday, here's a small sample of his poems to show that his writing isn't just pretty and witty – it can help you through almost any situation.
Rostov-on-Don Sveta Balashova-Kuzmina gives us a tour of her hometown, Rostov-on-Don, at the apex of five seas.
Russians don't need principles. Just submarines The British are out to get Russian values and Russian naval vessels alike this week. Scroll down enough and there's also a cat pic.
The Corpse of Lenin and the Rebirth of St. Petersburg St. Petersburg is now 25: citizens voted to rename Leningrad as St. Petersburg on June 12, 1991. Lenin’s legacy was at the center of the change, and remains a hot topic 25 years later.
Kursk Region Anastasiya Tsayder takes us inside village living rooms and kitchens, showing a rarely scene slice of Russian rural life.
Rudolf Nureyev's Great Leap to Freedom Ballet great Rudolf Nureyev leapt out of Soviet jurisdiction and into the wider world of Western ballet on June 16, 1961. His leap was as much a political move as a dance move.
Births: Modern Russia, baby LSDUZ, and lots of leopards Russia Day marks the birth of the post-Soviet Russian nation. This week saw some other births too, from literal leopard cubs to figurative names and games.
WWII in Russian Cultural Memory June 22nd, as any student of Soviet history knows, is the day remembered in the official histories as the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. Recent TV productions have sought to keep the state sanctioned view of the war alive in popular memory.
Scandals, lies, sci-fi, and other sporting events Fictional sportscasters, the all-too-real Olympic ban, and the possible reality of teleportation in Russia's future. And don't forget about mind control.
What Brexit means for Russian economic and territorial expansion Britain has voted to leave the European Union. Does that mean a boom for Russia? Or is that title a ploy to get you to read about how Russians go about sunbathing?
Astrakhan Let's go south with Liailia Gimadeeva, who acquaints us with the beauty and wonders of Astrakhan!
Get undressed and read the news till you sweat Presidential speeches urge disrobing, but it's not what you think. All while laws get passed, politicians play judo, and – wait, is that Leonardo diCaprio?
Fevronia's Day On July 8, Russia celebrates the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity, a holiday aimed at promoting traditional family values, more commonly known as Fevronia's Day. What's it all about?
Happy Russian Mail Day In honor of the Day of Russian Mail (July 10 this year), we offer a crash course in the history of Russian mail delivery, from the yam stations of the Golden Horde to the Russian Post of modern Russia.
St. Petersburg Mikhail Mokryshin gives us a short trip around Russia's northern capital and some unusual photos.
Ballooning of strict laws, and ballooning of a hot air balloon Adventure takes many forms. There's regular travel, round-the-world travel, and navigating the Russian legal system. Also beards.
Sakhalin Alexander Gayvoron is a teacher and photographer who lives on Sakhalin. He gives us a quick tour.
Ivan the Terrible and Pokémon the Great Pokémon goes to Russia – and so do memories of fallen tsars, athletes, street cleaners, and of course, a kitty cat.
The First Canine Cosmonauts The Soviet Union’s first pair of pups launched into space on July 22, 1951, and their suborbital flight was a big pawprint in the Cold War Space Race.
Vasnetsov, Painter and Planet: An Art Gallery July 25 is the 155th birthday of Apollinary Vasnetsov, who is both a renowned painter of medieval Russia and a fixture in the night sky.
That's not cheese. It's a cyborg. A joke-telling Pushkin robot, an unimpressed Putin, and cheese that's as virtual a reality as Pokémon.
Pyatigorsk Anton Podgayko left Moscow for Pyatigorsk in order to shoot in the Caucusus. He takes us along.
5 Pearls of Wisdom from Fazil Iskander Fazil Iskander, a missile in the world of Soviet literature, passed away on July 31. Here are five of his pearls of wisdom on humor, science, politics, Stalin, and the Russian soul.
Fake elections, real Cossacks, and how to do yoga in prison Why some Russians would rather vote for a fictional candidate, the importance of a Cossack education, and some artsy graffiti along the way.
Michael Phelps, Russia's swimming champ The opening of the Kremlin, the mysterious ways of the nooscope, Hare Krishnas, and why Michael Phelps decided to defect to the Russian Olympic team.
Kolomna Tatiana Solovyova lives in Kolomna, in the southern part of Moscow Oblast. She invites us along for a visit.
August 1991 Coup Attempt Twenty-five years later, we take a look back at the August 19 coup attempt in Russia. Led by the Gang of Eight, men who owed their political careers to Mikhail Gorbachev, the coup plotters were attempting to restore dictatorship in the ailing Soviet Union.
Olympians, Titans, and cats dressed up as sailors The Olympics are under way! With them, new moves in Turkish-Russian relations, a Putin-voiced documentary, and the dangerous force of Russiaphobia. Also cats.
43 Russian Patriots On the Spine of Russia project, journalists Richardson and Mordasov asked over 40 Russians if they were patriots, and why. Here are some of their responses...
Kostroma Irina Yemets takes us north on the Golden Ring to visit the colorful town of Kostroma, hometown of the Romanovs and Snegurochka.
Magical Kefir Kefir is the most popular fermented milk in Russia. But it did not get there overnight. Kefir and Russia have a long history...
Faded Memories of 1991 It's been over two decades since the coup of August 1991, and only half of Russians remember it. But that's not all...
Kabardino-Balkaria Natalia Airiyan leads us on a short visit to Kabardino-Balkaria, in the Caucasus mountains, an area rich in ethnic diversity.
Tractors, smugglers, and the matryoshka from hell It's a tough week for transport in Russia, with a tractor parade, a smugglers' road, a bear on the loose, and an unwieldy matryoshka to top it all off.
Yes, We're a Sexagenarian Sixty years ago, bureaucrats and journalists on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain came to a remarkable agreement that led to the founding of Russian Life...
Corruption, Kalashnikovs, and cultured meats Performance art turned into meaty meals and politicians turned criminals or corpses. Oh, and Vladimir Putin gets arrested.
Krasnodar Olya Virich takes us to the Kuban, more specifically Krasnodar, the capital of Russia's breadbasket.
Nomads, salad stampedes, and serious swamp business Olympics featuring dead goats, world records with feta cheese, blood-red rivers, and how to set up your business in a pit of slime.
Kamchatka Alexander Gaivoron and his wife Anastasia took their pre-wedding honeymoon on Kamchatka, land of bears and volcanoes. And they invite us along!
Siberia's natural wonders meet the Duma elections This week brings you not just news, but also striking images of the latest discoveries in natural rock formations and mammoth hunting in Siberia. Also, election season.
Solvychegodsk Anton Unitsyn takes us to Solvychegodsk, where the Stroganovs got their start (thanks to salt) and where today sulfurous mud reigns supreme.
Bears, boycotts, and busting rhymes Election aftermath, polar bear attacks, why drivers are against Russia's version of Uber, and maybe even a state secret or two.
Listen and Learn: Shostakovich Turns 110 Dmitry Shostakovich created classical music that spoke to modern times. Read up on his life story and listen along to some of finest works along the way.
Voronezh Kristina Brazhnikova acquaints us with the southern city of Voronezh, which straddles its reservoir (once a river).
Tanker, toddler, marketer, spy Spy gadgets get culinary, Putin parks a tank, and a tyke takes on the wilderness. All that, and the spirit of adventure.
The Babi Yar Tragedy, Remembered in Poetry On September 29-30, 1941, Nazi troops shot over 33,000 Jews at the edge of the Babi Yar ravine near Kiev. Yevgeny Yevtushenko's poem memorializing the tragedy ensures it will never be forgotten.
Uglich Kristina Brazhnikova, who last week took us around her home city of Voronezh, this week takes us to Uglich.
Liquor machines and lullaby missiles Patriotic tectonic plates, the threat of airborne Internet, a possible return to the Gulag, and some problems without solutions.
Ufa Ramil Sitdikov gives us a tour of his home: Ufa, where the sky meets the water and surprising works of art were found in ancient caves.
Fall, Tolstoy, Mushrooms In honor of fall, and Russians' favorite autumnal pastime – mushroom picking – we offer these two short stories by Lev Tolstoy – in both English and Russian!
Solzhenitsyn, Alf, and raccoons all around A disturbing attack on a renowned author, and a lighthearted nod to an unlikely TV hero. Plus Russian military expansion, raccoons' domestic expansion, and more unlikely art.
Five Wild Facts about St. Basil's Cathedral On October 14, 1991, St. Basil’s Cathedral was reopened after six decades. Here are five fun facts in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Cathedral’s rebirth.
Bryansk Ekaterina Razina is a wedding photographer in Bryansk. She tells us how the g is pronounced there, and why you want to visit a certain church.
Can a Martian invasion fix Russia-Europe relations? It's a busy week for technology, what with a Mars lander, more secure Internet, electric cars (in unlikely places), and enough counterfeit money to fill an ATM.
How to name your baby (and not get arrested) Baby BOCh rVF 260602 may have to change his name. Plus, Russia's protest potential, the shrinking middle class, and dabbling with Shamanism.
Why Stalin's Corpse Was Exhumed on Halloween The body of Joseph Stalin was removed from the mausoleum on Red Square on October 31, 1961. It may not be as spooky as Halloween, but the former leader still haunts Russia today.
False history and forensic literature Fighting falsified Russian history, righting incorrect Bulgakovian history, and piecing together just what – and how unified – is the Russian nation.
Smolensk Irina Novikova explains the resilience of Smolensk, its legends, ghosts, churches and fortress. Oh, and why people stop by a city park to stroke the genitals of a bronze deer.
A new direction for US-Russia relations? The news in the U.S. is news for Russia, too. Here's how Russians are thinking about a Trump presidency – and it involves cats and burgers, as well as political ponderings.
Volgograd Sergei Karpov was born and raised in Volgograd, which he calls "the most depressing of Russia's million-resident cities."
Clowns, corruption, and overdue library books A group of humanitarian clowns is set to conquer sadness in Russia. Whether they can also combat corruption, questionable legal cases, and adorable baby foxes is another matter.
Famous Americans with Russian Roots America is a land built by immigrants. We researched famous Americans with Russian roots and offer this compilation.
Kaluga Photographer Svetlana Tarasova takes us to the heart of Russia: Kaluga. Here, along the Oka River, the Russian space program began.
Giving thanks: Russian beauty, culture, and cats We thank our readers for another year of living, loving, and learning about Russian life. With some extra pictures and cultural exploration to keep you grateful.
Beslan Photographer Oksana Yushko offers us a poignant look at Beslan, 12 years after the horrific tragedy there.
Art and politics on thin ice Should ice dancing with a Holocaust theme be totally taboo, or can it be done with respect? That and Fidel Castro, Siberian cats, and a few fish puns.
Peter Aleshkovsky: 2016 Russian Booker Laureate We were excited to learn that one of our authors, Peter Aleshkovsky, was awarded the 2016 Russian Booker Prize, arguably Russia's most prestigous literary prize.
Abstraction Turns 150: A Vasily Kandinsky Art Gallery Vasily Kandinsky was a renowned abstract artist whose shapes and colors revolutionized twentieth-century modernist art. Here are 11 of his paintings in honor of his 150th.
"We invented and changed the world": A Rodchenko Art Gallery Photographer, painter, designer, and more, Alexander Rodchenko (born December 5, 1891) worked at the intersection of innovative art and radical politics. Here are 14 of his works.
Cartoons, reality TV, and other art forms Masha and the Bear tops the charts, Ramzan Kadyrov picks Chechnya's next top admin, and the arts in general are a big bowl of kasha.
Tyumen Yulia Sulzhenko takes us to her hometown, Tyumen, Siberia's western capital, and the oil and gas capital of Russia.
Of mutts and men With puppies and provinces on the line, Russia-Japan relations are a bit ruff. Plus bobsledding bedlam, diplomatic dirt, and more holiday dogs.
Ra-ra-Rasputin Who was Rasputin? Why has his name become synonymous with the idea that the Russian monarchy was doomed? That is a mystery worth exploring today, on the 100th anniversary of his murder.
10 Things (And 5 Jokes) You Didn't Know About Brezhnev Soviet leader Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev would have been 110 on December 19. There are plenty of fun facts and surprising jokes behind the eyebrows.
We Fish You A Merry Christmas (and Hanukkah) Just in time for the holidays, Russians unearth (unsea?) some fish that look out of this world. Plus, anticipating the New Year, the U.S. view on Russia, and political jokes.
The End of the USSR Where we take you back in time to the collapse of the Soviet Union, through press and reportage as it unfolded at the time.
Yekaterinburg Photographer Daria Kozinova takes us on a tour of the capital of the Urals: Yekaterinburg.
The Good, the Bad, and the Middling A tour of ten distinctive Moscow monuments that goes a long way to summarizing the state of the art in Russia today.
Chelyabinsk Artist Anastasia Bogomolova takes us on a tour of Chelyabinsk, famous for its meteorite, tanks, and a very special forest.
Exercise! Frozen bikes, illegal yoga, and sturdy stolen statues The year's coldest ride, hottest statue, most scandalous yoga teacher, and best way to learn the names of all of Russia's federal subjects. And it's just the first TWERF of the year.
Samara Photographer Kristina Syrchikova explains what a goose has to do with Samara and the Volga River.
The spy who stayed out in the cold Some people see spies everywhere. Other people just see dumpsters, birds, snow, dogs, boars, or artists seeking political asylum. (That's at least 4 separate stories).
Tchaikovsky Maria Plotnikova acquaints us with Tchaikovsky. No, not the composer, the town named for him in Siberia's Perm Krai.
Titan of the Russian Forest: An Ivan Shishkin Art Gallery Today marks the 185th birthday of the artist Ivan Shishkin, whose paintings evoke Russia's beauty and vastness. With a nickname like "Forest Tsar," his trees must be good.
Bacon, comics, and fairy tales on ice Adapting to life in Russia? Comic books. Craving cuteness? Piglets getting saved from a fire. Not Russian enough for you? Ice swimming. And for good measure, zombies.
Novosibirsk Photographer Anton Karliner explains why trains, a metro bridge, and World War II have a place in Novosibirsk history.
Happy Birthday, Vodka! 10 Shots of Trivia In 1865, vodka joined bears and matryoshkas as an eternal symbol of Russia. Here's how it happened, plus nine trivia tidbits on Russia's most beloved, harmful, and historical libation.
Blogging Bears, Ivan the Terrible Rapper, and a Blob A polar bear travels the world, a historian serves up the Rhyme of Troubles, the Kremlin gets a new alien, and Presidents Putin and Trump get along by the skin of their teeth.
Buddha in a blizzard, tsar in the tropics A Buddhist monastery in the mountains fights one millionaire, and Kiribati's islands welcome another one. There's also exorcism, the Facebook of 1917, and general happiness.
Veliky Novgorod Journalist Irina Mordasova and photographer Konstantin Chalabov give us a tour of Veliky Novgorod, a history lover's paradise.
Kandalaksha Teacher Ilona Isayeva shares with us some of the charms of Kandalaksha, a small industrial town on the White Sea.
Spies Like Them As the FBI investigation deepens into Trump-Kremlin ties, we thought it would be useful – a public service, really – to provide some handy tips on spotting Russian spies.
The Kremlin on Ice Convicts carve up the Kremlin, an assassin wins a prize, and governors drop like flies. Actually, that all sounds a lot worse than what happened. Find out for yourself.
Our Next Big Thing We are excited to announce our next big project: Time Travel! And we'll document it with a book and a movie!
Revolution! On February 23, 1917 the Revolution came to Petrograd. The Tsar abdicated and a long year of turmoil and political upheaval lie ahead...
100 Years Ago, In a Monarchy Far, Far Away... Exactly 100 years ago, on February 23, 1917, the Russian Revolution began. And once you've learned about that, there's space, WWII reenactments, and a portal back to medieval times.
Cats, droids, and acrobatic rock & roll A friendly robot graces the metro and a politically charged (and financed) dance studio gets footloose thanks to the youngest Putin. Also, happy World Cat Day!
Who are you in 1917 Russia? Take the Political Compass of the Revolution test and find out who you would have been 100 years ago – an Anarchist, a Cadet, a Right SR, a Bolshevik or a member of the Black Hundreds.
Better Russia Bob Blaisdell reviews Other Russias, an album of images and impressions of ordinary, unconnected Russian citizens who have unexpectedly found themselves activists.
Saratov Elena Kotova takes us to the streets, beaches, yoga studios and parks of Saratov, a city on the Volga.
Say no to discrimination, ducks, and hugs International Women's Day was celebrated by marches, flowers, and flash mobs. In other news, Russia and China are BFFs, and Prime Minister Medvedev likes ducks.
Six Great Songs About St. Petersburg Many Russian cities have songs about about them. Here are six of the best ones about Russia's Northern Capital – three by American artists, three by Russians.
Who Invented the Ancient Slavic Gods, and Why? How it was that in the eighteenth century Russian mythology was trumped-up in the Western manner? Who wanted it? And where did we get Lel, Yarilo and Zimtserla? We explain everything you'd want to know about Russian fakelore.
Medical tourism, space tourism, imaginary tourism A Moon landing is on the horizon. Eurovision, with its typical set of scandals, is on an even closer horizon. And on your way, why not stop by Red Square for some dental work?
Meet Four Russian Centenarians One hundred years ago, in 1917, Russia was wracked by revolution, famine, foreign war, and domestic unrest. And yet, throughout 1917, babies were born, lives were started.
Grab a Guinness for Orthodoxy Does Russian St. Patrick's Day have leprechauns? After you ponder that, there's a reindeer herder fighting big oil, humans-turned-Twitter bots, and a mysterious murder.
March {Translation} Madness A random query led us down a rabbit hole to see how online translation engines are humming these days. Won't you join us?
1741: The Year Russia Discovered America You probably know that Alaska was bought from Russia well over 100 years ago. But do you know why Russia claimed the territory in the first place? Hint: who doesn't love a fur coat?
#Russiagate, Demos & Alaska Continuing scandal, new demonstrations, a sesquicentenial and a linguistic smackdown. Just another week here at TWERF.
Russia's Greatest Crime Novel When you set out to write a murder mystery in Russian – or even in another language, but set in Russia – you should be mindful that you are following in the footsteps the greatest Russian crime fiction writer of all times, Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
The bad, the sad, and the ice laser It's been a rough week in Russia, with the metro bombing in St. Petersburg, the disappearance of gay men, and the death of Yevgeny Yevtushenko. Luckily, lasers are kinda neat.
Revolution for Tiny Tots “It was a lot of fun during the Rivolushun. And I won’t never forget the Russian Rivolushun.” In which we look at the 1917 revolution through the eyes of schoolchildren at the time.
Cosmonautics Day and Fruit in Disguise Investigations: the state of Russian cosmonautics, what happens to prohibited fruit, and when mourners aren't really mourning. Plus, sneaking pickles into space.
Counterfeit TP and Commuting By Ball Some folks form an Arctic military base or withdraw from mayoral elections. Others counterfeit toilet paper and roll through traffic in a giant ball.
Floods of water, juice, and trendy ostrich photos A juice flood. A mud flood. A human rights drought. And for good measure, portraits with wild animals and haircuts with an axe.
Vegans, Frogs, and the Grandmas of Mortal Kombat Pop-star grandmas advertise action films, May Day doesn't go great for vegans, and a Russian frog smuggler's story gets even more unlikely.
Victory Day and cheeky chess pieces Victory Day meant full streets but empty skies. A hollow chess piece hides more than its next move. And a day in the life of an Arctic doctor.
The Other Catherine: 7 Facts About Russia's First Empress Catherine I held the title of Empress 40 years before her more famous, “Great” namesake. As the first woman to rule Russia, she had great qualities of her own.
Pop music, Pythons, and Kindergarten on the Run An anti-politics pop song, the drive against Hollywood, and education for deer herders. Plus, Putin, pianos, and pythons.
Teffi: The Best Russian Writer You May Not Have Heard Of Known as a female Chekhov and skilled at painting the human condition as hilarious and hideous in one stroke, Teffi is a little-known author you should get to know.
Saints Cyril and Methodius A few words about two brothers who rejected their family's wealth and became known as the Apostles of the Slavs. They never visited Russia, but they translated the Gospel into Slavonic.
Russian Youth, Then and Now We celebrate the anniversary of the Pioneers, explore Russia’s Generation Z, and for fun, admire a baby bear helping out in the garden.
How to Properly Accept Bribes This is a short extract from a satirical book published in 1837, from which we learn: what sorts of bribes there are; why it is better to take a bribe during lunch; why gaudy is better than a bullfinch; the language in which one should speak of bribes; and how to avoid punishment for receiving bribes.
Countdown to Departure So, what exactly have we been doing in the two months since the successful closure of our crowdfunding for this project?
Final Diary Entries Before Arrest In cooperation with the “Lived” Project, Arzamas selected personal diary entries written immediately before their authors were arrested during the Great Terror. Almost all of these diaries were kept in the FSB Archive – the principal source of information for historians working on the events of 1937 – 1938.
Bananas, Ballerinas, and Bubble Bath Blackface and bananas raise racist concerns ahead of soccer match, a linguist links Siberian Ket and Navajo languages, and video bloggers bring bubbles and pets to parliament.
7 Banned Films from the 1960s Where we discuss seven outstanding Soviet movies from the 1960s dealing with rural Russia, humaneness, and the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution that, instead of contributing to the revolution’s legacy, gathered dust for decades.
Reading Russian, Distractedly Reading is communication from writer to reader, and yet in Anna Karenina, whenever a character reads, he or she is often only somebody holding a prop, not reading at all.
Celebrating Russian Language Day with Poets, Filmmakers, Journalists, & Robots Celebrate the wealth of Russian culture with Pushkin's birthday, Russian Language Day, Sokurov's film award, Russian museums, and, um, Megyn Kelly's weird interview with Putin. Well, at least those first four.
"Tear Down This Wall!" Thirty years ago today, US President Ronald Reagan challenged Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. Two years later, the wall came down after a German bureaucrat misspoke.
The First Pancake is Always Lumpy The Children of 1917 Expedition is underway. We began in the most logical place: in St. Petersburg...
The Wooly Mammoth of the Past Is the Hotel of the Future Mammoth skulls, ancient lizards, intangible money, train-jumping, and the great knights of Slavic history. Russia Day really does bring out the best.
Contact With a Mystery Born on this day in 1882, Igor Stravinsky, one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century, in many ways defined the music of his era. We look back at his Rite of Spring.
Meet the Team Since we will be asking lots of questions of our interview subjects, we thought it only fair to answering some questions about ourselves, so that readers can get to know us all a bit better.
Soccer, Sci-Fi, Snipers, and Tsoy Russia hosts the Confederations Cup, Strugatsky sci-fi gets a reboot (or just gets booted), and we honor the memories of WWII's female snipers and of the rock legend Viktor Tsoy.
The Full 100 On the eve of our visit, the ambulance came for Maria Nikolayevna Ryabtsova: there was something wrong with her neck. The doctor examined her, but found nothing serious. He did an EKG and was surprised: “if only everyone had a heart like yours,” he said.
Catherine Seizes Power On June 28, 1762, Catherine (born Sofia Frederika Augusta), the German wife of a weakened tsar, seized Russian throne. She soon earned the appellation "the Great."
On the Tragedy of One Family... and an Entire People As told in two letters, two certificates and the autobiography of one centenarian, who turned 100 on June 16 and is the oldest person in her village of 100.
Baller Ballerinas, Flying Taxis, & Gardens in the Sky Celebrate soccer with metro-station ballet, explore the galaxy with Yandex, and take a stroll through Moscow's rooftop gardens. Plus the Beatles, Stephen Colbert, and 29 Russian writers.
Toxic Waste, Putin Farms, & Crazy Seals Tractors for Putin, toxic waste for Kaliningrad, and Reagan and Gorbachev for their modern-day counterparts. Also sweet wine, state secrets, and salt.
Two Riverbanks* Our producer, Misha, wanted us to row across the Volga River to visit 100-year-old Tatyana Semyonovna. He felt it would be epic and symbolic. We disagreed...
Risqué Ballet and Putin's Grannies The scandal around the Bolshoi's latest ballet, remembering an Internet icon, and pro-Putin pensioners, with a dash of PhotoShop of daredevilry.
Know Your Country! The Children of 1917 expedition is far from over, yet we have uncovered the secret to long life and pinpointed the source of the Volga River.
Royal(ish) Weddings and Toys for the Opposition Getting flak for getting hitched, how fidget spinners foster political dissidence, and a new set of wheels around Russia. Plus dandy pigeons and the best totalitarian tourism.
Live Long and Prosper In which we accompany one of our heroines for her annual check up at the hospital.
Parties with Putin and the Ruins of Literature President Putin visits human rights activists and curious kids, and a famous author falls to pieces. Plus Ivan the Terrible, a terrible auction purchase, and 10 fantastic bridges.
Old Fears It was with mixed feelings of bitter guilt and disgust, overcome with shameful and cowardly thoughts, that I joined the Children of 1917 project.
Paratroopers, Pig Manure, & Plant Killers Pranksters solve energy security with pig manure, paratroopers get rowdy, and presidential grants yield surprise winners. Plus, Russia's deadliest plants and getting stuck in an elevator.
Stage 2: Siberia or Bust A second, more intensive phase of the Children of 1917 project has begun. Seatbelts fastened? Poyekhali!
Music Defeats War When Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony was performed from besieged Leningrad on August 9, 1942, music suspended the horrors of war.
A One Act Play in Nine Scenes Any good expedition has its lighter moments. We have collected nine such scenes from recent days into a one-act play for your enjoyment.
Taking Care Meet two more of our heroes whose long lives have surely been made possible by the care of their family and community.
Zenly Down the Road For all the romanticism commonly associated with world travel, the brutal reality is that it is often a very un-romantic undertaking to move the meat that is our bodies around in the world.
Zombies, a Swampy Lake, and a New Shirtless Challenge A not-quite lake makes a splash, zombies on public transit, and problems memorializing history's tragedies. But on the bright side, shirtless men and hippos.
The Orphan Given the historical and personal realities she faced, Maria Konyayeva was very unlikely to live to 100 when she was born in 1917. And yet here she is.
Scenes from the Road Photographic proof that all we have done on this trip is work, work, work... and nap.
Rap battles, Moscow's move, and mixing dating and politics Elections are the new dinner and a movie. Plus, Moscow's heading east, rap battles get a bad rap, and pickles and melons galore.
Two Samara Stories In which we move east to Samara, on the Volga River, and meet two centenarians living alone in very different ways.
The Last Hero A train ride, a war hero, sunflower fields, and the Loch Ness monster - just another day on the road for the Children of 1917 team.
Burger Bucks, Dyeing of Shame, and Flying Ballerinas Burger King makes money (its own), broke taxi passengers turn green, and summertime snow. Plus, a ballerina with a backup plan, Borodino, and the Museum of Death.
First Love On the importance of coffee, academicians, a museum, a rooster, the harvesting of turf, and collectivization.
Marfa's Three Lives Krasnoyarsk: knocking down stereotypes about Siberia and meeting a centenarian who will not be stopped.
Fake Countries, Sausages, and Mystery Highways How to be patriotic to a nonexistent country, get a proper education, and deal with a highway through your house. Plus buildings, bridges, and bratwursts to die for.
Of Rivers, Mines, and a Lake Two days in Irkutsk and one on Baikal, where we meet a soft-spoken mechanic and visit two very different tourist destinations.
Evil Clowns, Ballerinas, and Other Movie Monsters Clown horror is horrid for clowns, a ballet scandal on the silver screen, and a pack of protesting porkers.
What a Difference a Border Makes On borders, learning Polish, the influence of culture, and the importance of a sense of humor.
A Good Butcher In which a retired Polish butcher explains how to live to be 100 and serenades us on his trumpet.
Guns, Gents, and Stalin Heroes who caused deaths, heroes who saved lives, questionable movie heroes, and the heroes who make art and cheese. Which is your favorite?
Minsk – City for Giants Minsk is a city built for giants. And it is where we met a great soul, Maria Fyodorovna Rylik, who dedicated her life to teaching and her family.
The Biggest Cheesecake, The Artsiest Robot, and The Spaciest Station A record-breaking cake, a robot breaking (conceptions of) art, and a space station breaking international boundaries. Plus, flying cars and how to live on Mars.
A Finnish Finish Our last stop on the Children of 1917 expedition was Finland, namely Tampere, the country's second largest city, where we met our final two heroes.
Spying for Russia and Flying for Russia The glorious deeds of a famous spy, the smaller deeds of everyday spies, and a whole new horizon for female fighter pilots.
Putin in Birthdayland and Alice in Wonderland For Putin's birthday, a fake burger, a real burger, and a puppy. Plus, St. Petersburg rooftops, frogmen, and how to bathe in crude oil.
Bread and Circuses. And Tetris. Arcade cars, patriotic circuses, and administrative festivities. Also, some crazy murals, Moscow's transformation, and the secrets of Peter the Great.
Rocks, Raps, and Cats in Charge Trouble in the tombstone industry, booming blockchain, and mercenary music hits. Plus, cats at work and a use of paper you've never seen.
Slavic-Style Spooks Halloween or Hallowon't? The holiday is more trick than treat in Russia, so dive into the details and creep yourself out with some frightful tales while you're at it.
The Big 100 This year marks the centennial of the Bolshevik Revolution. Here's what that looks like, plus gas, cats, and seals (state seals, that is).
Lions and Lawyers and Baba Yaga, Oh My! Ice Age lions thaw out, fairytale heroes meet social media, and foreign news needs a new passport. Plus, all about Russian art in less than 30 minutes.
Photography, Kachka & Spies Photography, food and spies comprise this week's Three Best Reads. We travel to Vilnius, Brooklyn, and Washington, DC, to consider wagging tongues, boiled tongues, and an overlooked photographer.
Santa Claus, Space Aliens, & Robot Cars Father Frost gets iced, a space shuttle gets wet, and cars get driven driverlessly. Plus, famous Russian buildings go on vacation, the Romanovs take TV, and Russian smilies)
Doping, Bus Stops, and Journalists This week's Recommended Reads for Russophiles includes a dope-master's diary, a revisiting of bus stops, and an intriguing theory about the Putin-Trump nexus.
Presidents, Olympians, and Feathered Friends Putin announces he'll run for president, the Olympic Committee announces Russia can't compete, and some swans announce that they want a new house.
Why We Love to Hate Russians Why are Russians are such enduring villains, and what was the real intent of the election meddling campaign?
Superputin, Sly Wolves, & Censorship Stalkers An art exhibit proves once and for all that Putin is a superhero. Plus, World Cup counterfeits, how Russian media monitoring works, and a leopard cub.
Romanov Holiday and Russia's Best Cat What a Russian holiday looks like, the Romanovs go to The Gambia, and why secret police are extra special around the holidays. All that, and Russia's most popular cats.
The Best of 2017 For our final TWERF of 2017, we look back and re-share some of our favorite stories from 2017. They may not be the most note-worthy or news-worthy stories, but we felt they were the most fun.
A little vodka, a little puppies, a little Despacito Let's go to Nizhny Novgorod to hear a Russian rendition of the song of the year. And then, lets meet some puppies and a vodka thief.
Scents and Scents-Ability There's a new Russian-language detective show on Netflix. It's a bit like Gogol meets House meets Sherlock.
Aliens, help Russia! Darkness descends on Moscow, a cry for help ascends to the sky, and a foreign agent stays exactly where it is. Also huskies and ancient teeth.
Moon Colonies and Molotov Modernism Join Earth's first non-Earthbound nation, get an art lesson with a side of Molotov cocktail, and learn about lusty leopards.
Fights, Oversight, and Voting Rights Russians practice their rights: heated debate, voting in North Korea, and not getting any more survey calls.
12 Myths/Truths About Russians and Vodka Think you know your vodka? Take this True/False quiz (just 12 items) about Russians and their vodka and see if you are right about that...
Resilience: The Book! Today, we officially put to print the book for our Children of 1917 project: Resilience: Life Stories of Centenarians Born in the Year of Revolution.
Groundhog Day, Russia Edition Punxsutawney Phil ordered six more weeks of winter for the States, but the weather is getting much weirder in Russia: record-breaking snow and locusts, to start with.
Stories of Sorrow and Uplift A Russian national tragedy is softened by stories of a skating grandmother and small children in the snow.
A Holiday for Every Occasion Traditional celebrations like Maslenitsa are accompanied by new ones, like Chinese New Year. The party never stops!
Viral Videos of All Stripes and Sizes Adults want kids to vote, kids want Leonardo DiCaprio to soak himself, and Leo wants fewer video games on TV.
Births, Rebirths, and Nuclear Weapons Nukes get names, a truck becomes a camera, and an old church gets a fresh look.
Another Birthday On this day, 28 years ago, two naive young Americans sat down and agreed to found a publishing company together. This publishing company.
Cats, Cars, and Non-existent Countries World Cup picks, elections, and fraudulent activity all point to the same lesson this week: make your choices wisely.
Tsar Vladimir II Putin has again been elected president. This post was originally written/aired in November 2007. Apparently, it still seems relevant.
Method Acting Here's a suggestion for improving your Russian: watch Russian TV. But which TV? Here's a suggestion...
Russian Election Special with Winners, Losers, and Shavers TWERF takes on the political this week, bringing you news of the election and the weird things that accompanied it.
US-Russia Sister Cities We mapped all the US cities paired with a Russian city, and to our surprise, the map looks like Putin's profile.
New Zealand, Nuke Names, and New 'dos Grudinin shaves the ‘stache, the other election results are in, and New Zealand struggles to offend Russia.
April Fool's Day, Russia Style! In honor of April Fool’s Day, we present you with jokes, mishaps, and fun times all around.
Singed Sweets and Stolen Sea-Dwellers Stories about chocolate and fish: not an appetizing pairing, but a good selection for this week’s TWERF.
Hot and Cold: Spies, Armageddon, and Skiing Half-Naked Learn about the animal spies among us, get tips on how to survive nuclear war, and watch a world record get broken.
A Proliferation of Playful (and Political) Pranks Featuring “poisonous” cooking oil, the finest pothole you’ve ever seen, and paper planes of protest.
Painting Veterans Artist Sasha Sokolova has undertaken a personal, artistic and cultural project to document the daily life of Russia’s remaining war veterans.
Monstrous Protests, Mobile Plants, and Too Much Paper This week Russians hit the streets, waterways, and air for all sorts of occasions.
Oleg Sentsov: Immutable FAQs. Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov is on the 15th day of a hunger strike in a northern-Siberian prison. Anton Dolin explains how Sentsov's case is a sad miscarriage of justice, and what one can or cannot do about it.
Peter the Great, Emperor of All Russia What do you have to do as Russian tsar to be remembered as "Great"? You can start by reforming the government, social structure, customs, language, and, well, everything else.
Pretty (and Pierced) Pictures, a Brutal Bridge, and a New Hope for Han Solo In a galaxy far, far away, the Millennium Falcon circled over a vicious battle with art and a dangerous passageway. That far-off galaxy being Russia, of course.
From Their Smile to Their Heartbeat, Everybody's Hiding Something This week gives everybody a new lease on life, whether in the form of a photo touch up, another platform for Putin, or an actual new life for a “dead” journalist.
The World Cup Whirlwind Begins Is it football or soccer? Either way, TWERF prepares for the start of the World Cup by examining Russia’s chances (not great), while still paying attention to a few other stories before the madness begins.
Russia Makes Hay in Moscow and Surmounts in St. Petersburg Russia wins its first two World Cup games and Jeff Monson is running for CIty Council in Krasnogorsk. Does life get better than this?
Against Some Odds, Still in the Game! This week Russia lost but isn’t out yet; football fans, amazingly, spread cheer across Russia; and a storm reminds us of the world outside.
Let's Create the New Russian Life Together Online media is rife with problems, and, as a result, it largely gets Russia wrong. You can help us change that.
Famous People Who Studied Russian Studying Russian and finding it a bit challenging? You are not alone. Check out our list of famous people who have studied Russian, and find some fellow-sufferers...
That Other Red, White, and Blue As Americans celebrate their Independence Day, Russia may have gained a new national holiday as well: the day they beat Spain in the World Cup.
Lost Game, but Newfound Pride What’s out of this world? Russia’s performance in the World Cup, a Russian cargo ship, and showers in Samara!
The Plagues of Russia: the Risen Dead, Bees, and Floods Shed a tear for our last World Cup TWERF, in which we finally learn about the Romanovs and feel the wrath of nature.
Russians in the Dark, One Way or Another It was a busy week in Russia: another round of pension protests, a pilgrimage for the Romanovs, and oh, the devil is working his magic.
A Round of Russian Rescues Everybody receives a lift, from a stranded hiker, to the planet, to two boys who are actually doing just fine.
Crime Doesn't Pay This is the crime-filled Russia you’ve always heard about, including a cat smuggling drugs and railroad theft.
The Dog Days of Summer and the Crazy Things They Bring This week gives us a plethora of emotions: shame in Samara, excitement in Tomsk, and a bit of both in Moscow.
Skyfalls, Sinking Feelings, and Smitings Falling from a Russian sky near you: airplanes, bags of money, and well-timed lightning bolts!
The Ancient Past, the Near Future, and a Sheepish Present Time got a little bit wibbly-wobbly and timey-wimey as Russia traveled to the future, to the past, and back to the present (and all in one week)!
A Walk on the Wild Side (of Russia) Russia Weekly gets wacky with singing policemen, forbidden emojis, and flying plagues.
Celebrating Tolstoy Today is the 190th anniversary of the great writer's birth. We thought we would share a few readings to get you in a Tolstoyan spirit.
Life, Death, and Pizza Climate change is destroying Russia and people still want to duel, but at least someone’s getting free pizza.
Ice Age Part 10, Coming Soon to a Russia Near You The weather in Russia this week was chilly with a hint of thaw, at least regarding science and political relations.
Politics and Technology: And never the twain should meet To selfie or not to selfie? That is the question, or at least one of the questions, addressed this week.
Things Look Different Below the Surface What’s more surprising, fake feminists or fish with bad teeth?
Of Rockets and Ruptures Falling objects, family feuds, and friendly felines dominated our attention this week.
Lawmakers versus Troublemakers Russian law enforcement had a busy week, from taking on the ~high~ seas to putting rich jerks in their place.
Chado, the Roving Superdog A dog is a basic necessity in the village, and the bigger the dog, the better. Chado is decidedly not big.
The Loss of Laura Williams Laura Williams, a long-time contributor to Russian Life (author of the wonderful book, Notes from a Russian Village), passed away suddenly on October 28, 2018.
Warm Feelings for the Cool Weather If you’re here for Halloween spooks, we can’t help you: all we’ve got this week are feel-good stories!
Our Untold Stories Ever wonder what we don’t publish? Well, here it is. The scraps on our cutting room floor, and last week’s fourth-best story – all collected in one wonderfully semi-interesting place.
First Love An excerpt from First Love, which Turgenev called his most autobiographical novel, tells the story of a sixteen-year-old boy’s infatuation with an older girl.
Being Turgenev Everyone in Russia knows the great writer Ivan Turgenev, whose 200th birthday is today, and they make his acquaintance in three stages.
Olga's Amazing Work of Art Olga Ezova-Denisova explains in words and pictures the complex process behind making her special bear linocut prints for our New Russian Life project.
Whoosh, Bark, and Boo This week was a grab bag of jobs well done, tear-jerkers, and meta-scary stories. Buckle up!
Operation Infektion This week, the New York Times released a well-researched, well-produced series of three videos on Russian and Soviet disinformation activities against the US and the rest of the world. Every Russophile needs to watch them.
Aleksashka in the Halls of Power On this day 345 years ago, Alexander Menshikov was born into a poor peasant family. No one could have predicted to what heights he would rise.
Of Ryan Gosling and the Dancing Siberians This week we’ve got sweet stories you’ll want as much as that second piece of pie: an injury-free minefield, Ryan Gosling, and dancing police.
We Once Had a Poet Named Tyutchev Fyodor Tyutchev (whose 115th birthday is today) was endowed with genius and good luck: a great Russian poet, he was not killed in a duel or in the Caucasus. Nor did he rot in Siberia, but instead lived until he was 70 and died in his own bed.
Vladimir Gilyarovsky and Russian Journalism Even today, 165 years after his birth, Vladimir Gilyarovsky - journalist, poet and writer of prose - is widely revered, especially among Muscovites.
Russian Fairy Tales of Royalty and Rappers We have a trio of uplifting stories this week: a Russian rapper freed, a Russian beauty turned royalty, and a literal (and strange) military lift.
Jedi Masters, Moon Colonies, and More This week goes intergalactic with a moon colony, two jedi masters, and several unhappy taxi drivers.
Sex, Drugs, and Rockin' Rectors This week is all about the places where Russians and new cultural phenomena meet, for better and for worse.
Merriment and Mischief Rocker tweens meet robots meet revelers in a very silly lead-up to Christmas week.
Richardson Receives Distinguished Alumni Award Paul Richardson, publisher of Russian Life, was presented with the Indiana University REEI Distinguished Alumnus Award, an honor that celebrates alumni of the Institute who have made exceptional contributions to academia, public service, education, outreach, and other fields by drawing on their expertise in the Russian and East European region.
Get Thee to Kolomna If you want to see the majestic, historic side of St. Petersburg, yet experience an area where people actually live, you should head to Kolomna.
Favorite Stories from 2018 We look back and some of our, and your, favorite stories from The Weekly Russia File during 2018.
Out with the Old, in with the Emu 2018 is out, 2019 is in, and even with the holidays, Russian news didn’t stop.
New Year, New Coffee Most people will associate Russia and Russians with tea, yet coffee is not some sort of Ivan-Come-Lately to Mother Russia.
The Coldest Town in the World The Australian edition of 60 Minutes traveled to Oymakon last winter and brought back this story.
Crooks and Crazies this Russian Christmas Russian Orthodox Christmas has come and gone, leaving us with all sorts of holiday lunacy.
A Great Overlooked Victory The Battle of Molodi, while not a well-remembered battle, was a rather important one in Russia’s history. Yet for some reason it is little-known.
A Tale of Two Movies Winter break is known to be a difficult time for Russia: to cope with all that time off, many flock to the cinema. This holiday season's most popular movie? It's about tanks.
The Beauty, the Beast, and the Bumbling Public Official The post-holiday doldrums must not exist in Russia, where we find stories of hope, change, and a mayor that cares.
Mud-slinging and Money-making This week got a little shifty, with trash sent in packages, a possible tax evasion scheme, and a game retelling a contentious moment in recent Russian history.
From Fairy Magic to Retirement Planning Russia's Central Bank believes people's financial illiteracy and economic troubles stem from bad messaging in Russian folk tales. Could it be true?
The American housewives who sought freedom in Soviet Russia In the summer of 1922, Ruth Epperson Kennell, a children’s librarian, left New York City for the far reaches of Siberia. She travelled with her husband Frank and 132 other ‘pioneers' who were eager to establishing industrial and agricultural communes to aid the ‘new Russia’.
Art Theft Made Easy and Pizza vs. the New Cold War Whether it’s stealing a favorite painting, living your Russian dream, or feeding your supposed enemy, these Russians channel Nike and Just Do It.
Christ in the Dungeon This fascinating wooden sculpture exhibition is running in St. Petersburg through mid-Febuary. For those who cannot visit, we offer a photo feature and notes from the curator.
Piter's People – Nikolay Predtechensky St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 as a port on the Baltic Sea, and about 10% of its surface area is water. So we meet a boat rental company owner and find out the best place for pizza in the city.
A Whole New World (of Nuclear Weapons) Whether you think INF stands for Instant New Fear or Internationalism Never Falters, this week’s got you covered with both politics and otherworldly events.
Tomin: Video Artist Extraordinaire Khabarovsk artist Tomin creates mind-bending, universe-tilting videos. We tracked him down to find out how he does it.
From Russia with Love Russia’s full of crazy (but lovable) animal stories this week: polar bears, camels, and fathers, oh my!
Black Snow, Brown Bears, and Sore Losers Two bears (Bers) meet very different fates. Meanwhile, black ice gets a whole new meaning.
Piter's People - Katya Kotlyar Graphic designer, traveler, instagram explorer, Katya Kotlyar knows her home city inside out, and sees it as an artist would, as a beautiful backdrop for living.
Krasnoyarsk Goes All Potemkin Authorities in Krasnoyarsk want to put the Siberian city's best face forward for March's Universiade sporting event, while covering up local pollution and snow-deficit issues. Residents are having none of it.
An ode to men, the opposite of old cat ladies As Russia celebrates men on Defenders of the Fatherland Day, it encourages them to have more sex, for the sake of growing the population of the Fatherland. Just not at work.
Five Proverbs to Get You Hyped for Maslenitsa Learn some proverbs and eat some blini as the Slavic world prepares to celebrate Butter Week.
A Grim Tale of Redemption Redemption is grim, shocking, and rooted in the author's own tragic history. Yet, true to its name, it is a powerful story of redemption.
Absence (of Sugar and Corgis) Makes the Heart Grow Fonder Life can be rocky, whether it’s because you can’t see a corgi movie, or because you’re a dead fictional character.
Piter's People – Sergey Goorin St. Petersburg is often thought to be a gray city, as it only has about 75 sunny days each year. Still, photographer Segrey Goorin finds inspiration here for his black and white photography, capturing street life, extraordinary locals and numerous parties.
Vladimir Etush: On Stage for Seven Decades One of the oldest actors working in Russia, Vladimir Etush, has died at 96.
Not Such a Flowering Holiday March 8 struggles with the duality of being the day of women and the day of “womanness.”
Wailing for Freedom What would the world be like without a wee boy, women, or whales in the wild? Definitely worse.
When Russian Cuisine Turns Georgian Why is Georgian food so popular in Russia? Turns out there's more to it than deliciousness.
A Race With a Heart (of a Dog) Every year, people from all over the world convene in a small snowy town in northern Russia for the friendliest and fluffiest of sports events – started by an Orthodox nun in a wheelchair who had an idea... and a dog.
A Dog and a Muscovite Come In from the Cold Three things you can find online and in real life: cats, dogs, and video games.
Piter's People - Ekaterina Khozatskaya Ekaterina is an artist who is constantly sketching in St. Petersburg bars. Her hobby led to the creation of the Instagram blog “Between the Bars,” where she captures the city's bohemian atmosphere.
Naked Facts about Science, Art and Agriculture Snow leopards, cannabis, and nudity are trending in Russia.
The Final Frontier of Communism Take a rocket launch into the dizzying expanses of Soviet space propaganda.
Natalia Filyova, aviation superwoman, dies One of Russia's wealthiest women, Natalia Filyova, together with her husband built the country's second largest airline from the ground up. She died in an air crash over the weekend.
Smart Homes, Sledgehammers, and Star Wars References Old meets new in the Far North, while both pranksters and public officials see their performances go awry.
Piter's People – Tigran Ayrapetyan Tigran loves history and music, plays piano, and founded hotels. Oh, and he also tries to make time travel possible.
Come Out and Play Defending gay rights, yoga, recycling, and a stress-free childhood. Yes, in Russia.
To the Kokosmos For Cosmonautics Day 2019, Anna Radchenko directs a surreal meditation on space. Watch the complete film on Russian Life.
Do Russian Robots Dream of Electric Ice? This week’s TWERF will amaze you, amuse you, and possibly give you nightmares.
Russian History in 13 Unusual Memorials A time-travelling tour of Russia from aristocats to nosy bureaucrats
17% of the Earth Day Moss, kneeless bears, diamonds, and volunteers (not serfs) are the worth of Russia’s earth.
Piter's People – Dusya Gorbovskaya Dusya is a Vasiliyevsky Island local, whose job it is to promote a creative space located on the island – Sevkabel Port.
Lights, camera, shovels! Russian officials participating in the subbotnik spring cleaning take a page from Lenin's book (the one about propaganda).
The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Russian Rock Curious about Russian rock but don’t know where to start? Here are five bands to start your playlist.
The Robots are Having a Whale of a Time There are wondrous things under the sea… but don’t get in too deep over your head.
Fact-Checking the Caucasus How true-to-life is a favorite Soviet movie, and what does it tell us about the Caucasus?
A Dangerous Film about Dangerous Wars Pavel Lungin’s controversial film Братство is nothing new, but its political context is — and that’s what makes it so dangerous.
It's an Animal World After All This week, we bring you three animal stories: wholesome, funny, and one with a twist.
The Pull of Stalin's Riviera On the foundation of Intourist and some of the beautiful posters they used to entice tourist to Soviet Russia.
An Alien's Guide to the Subway Sometimes a subway is just that. And sometimes it is not. On the perils of inter-lingual travel...
Russian Grammar Wars Tough time learning Russian? It’s not just you. Russians themselves frequently struggle to determine what is “correct.”
A Place for Everything Sorry, Bulgakov – the devil didn’t come to Moscow this time, but prizes and panties did.
Far From Moscow: A Digital Festival for the Ages Check out five of the best up-and-coming Russian indie bands of 2018 and 2019.
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Fire/Lightning? An invincible rocket survives lightning, teachers cosplay as Avengers, and a kid plays on a swing.
Happy 85th to Alexei Leonov Alexei Leonov, the first man to walk among the stars, gets an unusual birthday greeting from space.
Opposite Day in the World's Smallest Country Ticks are good, good grades are bad, and please, don’t drink the water.
How to Celebrate Russia Day The history of Russia Day is both complicated and controversial, with its origins in the dusk of the Soviet Union. Even its name causes confusion, with only about half the Russian population correctly identifying the holiday observed on June 12. We dig in to ferret out the facts.
Diving and Driving into Summer Holidays There’s lots of ways to have fun, whether it be a patriotic holiday or an “unpatriotic” game.
Arctic Atlantis On June 21, 1900, an intrepid explorer set off to find a mysterious Arctic island. He was never to be seen again.
Cycling with the Count Throughout his long life, Leo Tolstoy had many strange hobbies. One of them was bicycling, which he learned at the ripe age of 67, and which he loved. But that's not to say there weren't some humorous incidents...
The Surreal Among Us An interview with St. Petersburg photographer Viktor Mogilat, about his thought provoking art.
Chernobyl and the Soviet Legacy Chernobyl, the HBO miniseries, is many things: a disaster movie, a meditation on power, a warning against secrecy, a thriller – a race against time.
Concrete in the Clouds Snakes, shashlik, secret Soviet structures, students: just a few things you can find on Russky Island.
Trolley Drama and Piano Trauma A funeral for a trolley, a near-funeral for a pianist, and scared birds: all this and more on this week’s TWERF.
Swipe Me! Eat Me! Watch Me! Tinder, fish soup, and wakeboarding — these make both entertaining pastimes and fantastic publicity stunts.
A Good Time to Visit Pskov Sleepy Pskov has everything a historic Russian town ever needed: a winding river, a kremlin, and whitewashed churches – all of which have finally received global recognition from UNESCO.
A Friend of Both Russia and Ukraine Yes, it is possible to be a Russophile and a Ukrainephile. We explain how.
The Illegal and the Unbelievable This week’s “criminals”: politicians with dead souls, chocolate Robin Hoods, kid-conductors, and a woman who just wants to go home.
Brighton Beach: A Snapshot of the Ex-Soviet Diaspora Join us on a visit to Brighton Beach, a slice of Russia in America that has been shaped by the immigrant experience.
A Cross Wrapped in a Card, Inside a Khinkali In which Communists hate Georgian food, a cross is accidentally paved over, and the King of Spades rules Russia.
Beyond Bears: The Birds and the B(irch Tr)ees 14 members of Russia’s flora and fauna community that should be known to any self-respecting Russophile.
Tips for Russian Train Travel There may be no better way to understand Russia than spending a few days chugging across the country by train. Here are our tips for how to make the most of it.
The Road to Nowhere This week, Russians are caught in the act by means of butter, watermelon, and a controversial color
"The Last Czars" is a Disgrace to Russian History “The Last Czars” is a wolf in sheep’s clothing: disingenuous, deceitful hagiography masquerading as history.
When Chekhov Met Tolstoy On this day in 1895, two Titans of Russian literature met for the first time and had a swim. Or did they?
Missing Lakes, Concert Mistakes, and Séances with Darwin Lakes vanish, free food appears, and a priest speaks to the dead.
When Artists Get on Board with a Russian Protest As opposition protests rock Moscow, we look at how contemporary artists have interpreted the actions of Russia's riot police.
13 Massive Russian Monuments You Need to See In which we share some of Russia's big monuments (and moments) – from ice battles to DNA in stone and steel.
Come Hell or High Horses, Let's Save This Plane! A former lawyer saves 233 lives, and a guy finds hell in Yaroslavl. Also, your next delivery guy might deliver on horseback.
Odessa's Underground In which we explore the cats, catacombs, and contraband of a Russian imperial port.
17 Readings on Tolstoy Today is the birthday of Lev Tolstoy. We scoured our archives and offer a listing of 17 articles we have published on the great author over the years.
Summer Fun for All Faiths and All Ages Presidents eating ice cream, kids reporting toy theft to police… summer is almost over, thank Allah.
What Russian Rock Music Says About the Motherland “Mother Russia” is much more than a stereotype. Everyone has opinions on it, Russian rock musicians included.
Cosmic Robots, Cosmonaut Rituals, and Classrooms Resplendent There are two kinds of fast learners: robots and schoolchildren. Meanwhile, an odd cosmonaut tradition comes under siege.
Planting the Fourteenth Century Russian scientists have restored the steppe of Kulikovo – just as it was when the country's seminal battle was fought in 1380.
Cover Story Asya Lisina created a beautiful and somewhat surprising cover for the current issue of Russian Life. We asked her to explain herself...
Homecoming to Mother Russia Russian women: give birth in Syrian prisons, drive metro trains, make news (and borsch), and welcome children home from the dead.
Eight Russian Desserts To Make Your Mouth Water Forget vodka – dessert is the best part of Russian meals.
Bus Parades, Pumpkin Beheadings, and Other Dumb Ways to Die While city vehicles go for a stroll, death comes knocking — twice.
Go, Go to Ukraine to Find Gogol Small-town Ukraine shows a different side of one the famous "Russian" writer.
The Twitter Wars of the Russian MFA All of Twitter’s a stage for the Russian Foreign Ministry to promote its view of World War II.
Drop by St. Petes on a New Free E-visa Travelers hailing from 53 countries can now enter St. Petersburg on a hassle-free (and FREE) electronic visa. Dobro pozhalovat!
Beer, Balloons, and (GMO) Babies Can samogon predict recessions? Can a balloon seduce Elon Musk? And can Putin grow babies in labs? Find out this and more in this week’s TWERF.
American Folk Dance? Ukrainians Can Swing It. Swing dance talent and passion is surprisingly strong in Eastern Europe.
To and From Russia with Love Russians send the Night’s Watch to New Jersey and bottles to Brazil; they welcome a Swedish girl to speak and immigrants to share their imya (name).
Poems for a Golden Autumn Autumn is colder and darker than summer, but is it really that depressing? Classic poets and rock musicians weigh in.
Things to Avoid After Drinking Vodka Fall starts on a harmonious note, Putin’s meeting with the Saudis — not so much. Also, happy birthday to vodka!
Adding Me, and You, and All of Us to AdMe.ru In which we visit the weird world of the homegrown Russian Buzzfeed.
A State of Repression "Russia's strict state, with a harsh, or, more exactly, cruel law enforcement system... has raised a generation of citizens to match."
Saving Moscow - One Letter at a Time Activists in Moscow are crowdfunding to restore century-old signs, and uncovering traces of a buzzing and eclectic merchant city.
Velimir Khlebnikov: Innovating 100 Years Before Silicon Valley Happy birthday to Velimir Khlebnikov, Futurist poet, avant-gardist, and developer of an algorithm to predict the future.
Dostoyevsky's Birthday in 10 Dark Quotes In honor of the writer's 198th birthday, here are 10 quotes to celebrate the life and writings of Fyodor Dostoyevsky. They may not be cheerful, but they sure are profound.
"Eagles These Days Text Too Much," Said Putin (Or Did He?) This week, eagles rack up data bills while Putin pontificates about AI and a restaurant operator starts Meatless Mondays.
Piter's People – Nikita Filippov Nikita was trained as a philologist, but gave it all up to co-found a craft brewery.
No Shortage of Soup and Porridge! Hearty Russian soups to warm up this autumn, all seven days a week.
Tis the Season for Pickled Ferns and Ice Cream Fish aren’t food, ice cream is medicine, ferns are pickles
A Prudently Droll, Privately Disquieting Police Day A little-known holiday brings to the fore well-known debates about Russian politics.
Baggage Bros, Covert Crimea, and Brezhnev's Crimes Brezhnev’s traffic ticket goes on sale, Crimea shows up in Astrakhan, and a man gives an all for his cat.
Seven Kasha's To Live By... Seven types of kasha to last you all winter – from farina to kutya, and everything worth eating in between...
(Don't!) Touch for Good Luck Urban legends and superstitions made some sculptures in Moscow and St. Petersburg too famous for their own good, and some culture officials have had enough.
Ice, Ice, Baby Tigers A cold flag, a resolved cold case, and the not-cold-at-all hearts of Russian children
Too Much Catherine, Not Enough Greatness: Two Reviews of "Catherine the Great" Two reviewers evaluate Catherine the Great through a gender and a storytelling lens.
Dumbledovich and the Chamber of Bovine Distractions Russia is a little out of touch with reality this week: gates lead to nowhere, cows get VR, and bankers think the economy is like Harry Potter.
11 Reasons to Be Grateful for Russia Russians may not celebrate Thanksgiving, but we can still be thankful for Russia
"Yo" is for Yolka Pie not in the sky, vampires against anti-vaxxers, cooks for cats… not to mention self-improvement in advance of the New Year
Piter's People – Kseniya Schastlivtseva Kseniya is an architect, who found her passion in jewelry making.
Perestroika Without Pleasure This year marks the 30th anniversary of Yanka Dyagileva’s punk rock album Anhedonia, the greatest monument to perestroika that you’ve never heard of.
Exorcising the Spirit of Upside-Down Christmas Ded Moroz and kindergarten parents conceive of the Christmas spirit very differently. Also, Russians may have domesticated the first dog.
Beginner's Guide to Getting Off the Beaten Path in Eurasia Eight tips to make your travels throughout the former Soviet Union easy, fun, and low-budget!
Tik-Tok Goes the Progress Clock Political entities and 97-year-old veterans on social media, transgender marriage, and sushi at office parties show Russia is ready for 2020
Best of The Russia File 2019 We re-share some of our favorite stories from 2019. They may not be the most noteworthy or newsworthy stories, but we felt they were the most fun.
Russians on Oscar Shortlists Three Russian films have been shortlisted for the Oscars this year, in three different categories. Some critics say it is unprecedented and a sign the country's creative industry is on the upturn.
You'll Spritz Your Eye Out: Testing Putin Cologne All I want for Christmas is to smell like Putin. (Unboxing a mysterious Putin-esque cologne.)
Meet Russia's favorite sable Siberian sable fur was once Russia's biggest luxury export, but now we can't get enough of Instagram star Umora, the sable inspiring Russians to never look at fur coats again.
Health in the Soviet Sanatorium From salty baths to salt caves, sanatoriums throughout Eurasia have, over the centuries, changed in form, but not in spirit.
Piter's People - Mikhail Ivanov Mikhail is the director of a book store that has been operating in St. Petersburg since 1926.
Wacky Winter Weather The weather has been all over the place in Russia, and future forecasts predict more of the same.
Putting Robots to Work on the Past Ever wanted to take a stroll in nineteenth century Moscow? See how one Russian uses machine learning to make grainy old videos ever more realistic.
The Epic, the Bad, and the Ugly: The Best of Russian History Russian history is interesting. Not always beautiful, not always glorious, but almost always... interesting.
Russians "Re-Zero" in Online Humor After President Vladimir Putin admitted he wouldn't mind resetting his constitutional term limit, a new meme was born.
Coronavirus Coping: Russian Lit has the Answers Russian literature has an answer for everything. In the times of coronovirus, this is your guide.
Generation "Y (Just) Russia, Y (Just) Politics?" Millennials studying Russian will determine the future of U.S.-Russia relations. How they differ from their Sovietologist predecessors.
Dissecting Chekhov Translation is an art, not a science. And translating Chekhov is a particularly challenging art.
Piter's People – Darya Aleksandrova Few Russians know who Julia Child is. Yet Darya still chose to name her restaurant after the iconic American chef.
Officially Over the Hill The company that publishes Russian Life was officially founded 30 years ago today. It's been a helluva ride...
Homebound a la Russe As Russia follows the rest of the world in asking people to self-isolate, struggling venues are launching online shows, tours, and even cooking classes. Here are some streaming options from Mother Russia.
Little Big's Big Little Moment What happens now that Eurovision is canceled? Little Big would like to know...
Piter's People coping with Coronavirus Given all that has been going on, we thought it would be a good time to check in with some of the people we have profiled in Piter's People and see how they are doing.
A Russian Gift A look at how the Jesuits, Pope Francis, and Georgetown University all share an interesting connection to Russia.
Exploring Medieval Russia in Veliky Novgorod “The Birthplace of Russia” might be a little off the beaten path, but it houses plenty of surprises for the enthusiastic history buff.
Dr. Anton Chekhov and the Typhus Epidemic In 1887, Chekhov the doctor encountered typhus, leading Chekhov the writer to pen this powerful story.
Russian Epidemics and Riots The world's novel coronavirus emergency response is, it turns out, not so novel.
Little Big: Where are they now? The former Eurovision competitors have been staying busy during quarantine.
Russian/Soviet War Movies You Can Stream Some of the best Russian and Soviet films about World War II that you can stream online.
Piter's People – Maxim Kosmin Maxim is a blogger and photographer who helps everyone to see the charm of St. Petersburg historic apartments.
The Amazing Life of Moscow's Gator Saturn, a Mississippi alligator, saw Hitler and survived the Battle of Berlin. A tribute to the Moscow Zoo's greatest reptile.
Tiger Queen: The Incredible American Odyssey of Rasputin's Daughter The life of Rasputin's daughter, Maria, was full of twists and turns almost as dramatic as her father's, and took her deep into the American heartland.
Celebrating Russia's Graduates If you think American high school graduations have fanfare, wait till you see what Russians in St. Petersburg do.
The Inheritance of the Tsars: Russia's Claim to Rome Russia-watchers sometimes encounter the idea that Moscow is the "Third Rome." But where does this idea come from, and what does it mean?
Why Invading Russia was Hitler's Downfall June 22, 2020, marks the 79th anniversary of Operation Barbarossa, the Nazi invasion of Russia that changed the course of WWII and, perhaps, history itself.
Russia's Stone Belt: The Urals Find out what the deal is with Russia's stone belt – the Ural Mountains.
The Soviet Diet Cook Book Food-writer Anna Kharzeeva brings best Soviet recipes, spiced with hints and memories from her Jewish Grandmother.
Racism Here and There A Russian moves his family to America to avoid racism. Their experience is telling.
Grandpa Lenin and General Lee A considering of differing Russian and American views on monuments, history, racism, and coming to terms with history
Putin's Victorious Summer This year's Victory Day parade was a sight to behold— and we might be seeing its effects for the next 16 years.
From Poetry to Song: A Russian Poet's Work Makes a Debut How the work of one of Soviet Russia's greatest poets found new life through modern music.
Sad Smiles and Kremlin Corruption Recounting a 2008 meeting with activist Alexei Navalny, before he rose to prominence.
Day of Knowledge and the Start of School September 1 is not only the start of the school year in Russia, but also a time to celebrate knowledge and wisdom.
The Hunt for Movie Russian "Kakov nipudt pakaru!" The classic 1990 movie Hunt for Red October had a $30 million budget. Apparently none of that went towards Russian language coaches.
A Russian Millennial's Path to Vinaigrette Growing up in post-Soviet Russia can make you crave anything foreign. Here is how a salad helped a Russian millennial develop a taste for her own culture.
Seaweed, salami, and potatoes on bikes Anton Morozov grew up on potatoes and seaweed in the hungry ’90s. He still eats seaweed every day, and now has turned many Russians onto it.
Baba Yaga: Russian Folktales' Classic Witch Slavic folklore sports a spooky old crone that just might give you a costume idea this Halloween.
A Hotelier Shares the Love Raised between classy Moscow and a farm in Krasnodar region, Elena Manienan learned a few things from both her grandmothers and is spreading the love at her remote hotel and eco-village.
How Leo Tolstoy Shaped the Modern Melodrama On the 110th anniversary of Lev Tolstoy's death, we look back at his link to cinema: Tolstoy is more closely linked to the history of the cinema than any other writer of his time.
What Happened in Khabarovsk? How one sparsely-populated region in Russia's Far East became a hotbed of protests in 2020.
Dumplings Fit for a Surgeon Tuyana loves being a doctor. But she has a passion for pozy – steamed dumplings rooted in Buryatia that are shaped like a yurt.
An Immigrant's Story, with Cake Polina Chesnakova's family moved from Russia to Georgia, then from Georgia to Ukraine, and to the US. A cookbook author and cooking instructor, Chesnakova keeps her family traditions alive through cooking and baking, and inspiring others.
Soviet Disneyland: Exploring VDNKh One of our favorite spots in Moscow is a surreal blend of theme park, museum, and Stalinist kitsch.
Oksana and Her "Jewish" Zakuska In which we meet Oksana, Russian millennial and cook. She shares childhood memories of a surprisingly abundant 90s, and her favorite snack: the "Jewish" zakuska.
Russian America There are countless interesting, Russian-related places across North America. We have used the Google Map Engine to show where some of them are.
Most Popular Stories of 2020 Everyone is pretty clear that 2020 was an "off" year. But these six stories were definitely "on." They got the most reads from our thousands of readers...
Herring Under a What? A popular New Year’s dish in Russia, Herring under a Fur Coat is a bit baffling.
A thirst for travel... and kefir Leo started traveling as a young man. Upon emigrating, he traveled around the world twice, and has been to 120 countries. At 84, he yearns for more.
The Best (and Worst) Facial Hair in Russian History Which Russian tsars, stars, and commissars sported the most macho mustaches, grimy goatees, and bombastic beards? Let's make a listicle!
From the Urals to San Francisco Olga was born one year after the collapse of the USSR, but she witnessed both scarcity and communal living. Optimism and creativity have served her well.
Shurpa: Gulnaz's Taste of Home Gulnaz has lived in many places: the Siberian North, St. Petersburg, Georgia, and Moscow. And shurpa has been with her wherever she went.
Don't Cross the Domovoy The creaks of a home can startle the most grounded adult. What kind of mischief might this mean, what kind of creatures lurk unseen?
A Valentine Gift: He and She In which we review Him & Her, Daria Geller’s marvelous, heartbreaking, new short film, inspired by Chekhov’s “Он и Она” (properly, “He and She”). A perfect film to enjoy for Valentine's Day.
An Ode to the Hovercraft Russia is a land of many mysteries. The greatest of all, of course, is this: What's the deal with Russians and their hovercraft?
From Tvorog to Protests Natalia was raised between downtown St. Petersburg and a small village. She is passionate about sharing all aspects of Russian life: both the good and the bad.
City Spotlight: Barnaul A carjacking museum, Soviet statues, and Hollywood letters: let's take a closer look at one of Russia's best-hidden gems, the city of Barnaul.
Kalling All Krokodils The Soviet satirical magazine Crocodile, which ran from 1922 until the 2000s, was both a government tool for propaganda as well as space for artists, comics, and writers to engage in hard social and political critique.
International Women's Day: A Look Back Tired of having to do Valentine's Day and Mother's Day separately? Try it the Russian way and combine them into International Women's Day! A closer look at this convenient holiday's socialist origins and not-so-socialist present form.
Eggplant Caviar, on the Shelf and at the Dacha Brought to Russia in the seventeenth century, eggplant caviar became wildly popular after a Soviet comedy movie. A Russian blogger shares her story.
A Memory Battle for Lubyanka Square The hoopla surrounding a new monument at a controversial location in central Moscow highlights the importance of history for Russia – and ourselves.
The Sea Buckthorn: Russia's Berry Best This tiny Siberian berry packs a powerful punch – both in flavor and health benefits.
Change Your Default Mouth Position Dr. Kimberly DiMattia, known to her Russian students as Kira, has a range of offerings for anyone who wants to "move the needle" on their pronunciation.
The Soviet Creative In the Soviet period, artists were treated with esteem and lived comfortably, but their privileged position also required sacrifice.
Milk Foam Pancakes is Only the Beginning Traditional Yakut meals get a second chance thanks to local museum. Tuyara, museum employee and part of the program to bring back these recipes, shares her story.
The World's Largest Country, Made Tiny St. Petersburg's Grand Maket Rossiya presents a droll and humorous self-reflection of Russian life.
Five Russian Words You May Be Misusing The good news is that if you don't already speak Russian, you probably already know a few words in the language! The bad news is that you've also probably been using these words wrong.
Not-Russia Does Great Figure Skating The non-doping "Russia" won three out of four events at the recent world figure skating championships and swept the ladies' podium.
Funky Soviet Keepsakes Citizens of the Soviet Union amassed many things, but of all the collectibles, perhaps the most popular was the badge (znachok).
The Past in the Past: Reading a Book about Soviet Archaeology A sixty-year-old Christmas present reveals how Soviet archaeologists perceived their craft.
Siberia: Land of Pines, Exile, Cold... and Bird Cherry Cake. Siberia is surrounded by stereotypes, but there's more to it than exile and cold. It has amazing forests, pine nuts and delicious bird cherry cake.
My First Ivan Kupala Ivan Kupala is a traditional Slavic celebration of the summer solstice, with many pagan and deeply symbolic rituals. How are these ancient customs celebrated and recreated today in modern Russia?
Vladimir Pozner: Soviet Soldier-Journalist Vladimir Pozner Jr., Russian-American journalist and television host, describes his path to disillusionment.
Alice by Another Name, and Nabokov, Too In some other Wonderland, she may have remained Alice – but when a certain Sirin heard of her plight, his messy meddling left her convinced she was Anya.
A Soviet Bake-Off and Blini Julia Frey's parents, Victor and Victoria, created beautiful feasts in the Soviet times. For Victor, it meant getting cake equipment tailor-made and becoming the best baker in town. For Victoria, it was cooking a Russian and Ukranian storm. Julia cooks, bakes and reminisces about her "great childhood" in London.
Eisenstein's Mythic Masterpiece: Alexander Nevsky The legend of Russia's heroic defender passed into Stalinist myth with some help from one of the 20th century's most famous filmmakers.
Zelyonka: It Ain't Easy Being Green Brilliant Green Dye or "Zelyonka," as it is known in Russia, has been a popular antiseptic and mild chemical weapon in the country for years. How is it possible for one thing to have two such varied uses?
Finding Her Russian Roots How a conversation led one of 60,000 Russian adoptees in the United States on a journey to her past.
Eco-Scandal on Lake Baikal: "Chinese Invasion" or Distraction? There has long been anxiety about a “Chinese takeover” of Siberia. Even Lake Baikal is not immune.
Soviet Terror of the Skies: Marina Raskova and the Night Witches The bravery with which the all-female 588th Night Bomber Regiment defended the Soviet Union from Nazi invasion earned them a legendary nickname.
The Forgotten Journey of the Frigate Pallada An often-overlooked high-seas tale of swashbuckling adventure, empire, and exchange between Russia and Japan.
Great Grechka! In May, the Russian Federation temporarily banned the export of grechka, also known as buckwheat, from June 5 to August 31.
Using Laughter to Cope These eight outstanding Soviet comedies show some of what has made Russians laugh over the past century. Most are still watched today. (First in our new series on learning about Russia through its films.)
Your Trip To The U.S.S.R. Let's take a trip to a nation that no longer exists! We've got an old hard-cover travel guide to lead the way.
Follow the Money Russia's independent press faces innumerable pressures. Former Russian Life Editor Mikhail Ivanov (1995–2003) describes how economic issues have long plagued the Russian media system.
Lessons From the Russian Village Life in a remote Siberian village can teach you a lot about adaptability, nature, food, and, most importantly, folklore.
Putin's Pooches On this, Vladimir Putin's 69th birthday, we are reminded that even authoritarian leaders are softies for good dogs. Maybe especially so?
Garnet Bracelet Salad: A Tribute to a Popular Russian Love Story How a classic romance novel inspired a delicious Russian holiday delight.
Canning Worth Its Salt What better way to celebrate the shifting seasons than with a review of the delicious things you might find stored away in a Russian pantry for colder days. Recipes included!
Biopics: Monarchs, Heroes, and Their Fans Eleven recent biopics highlight fascinating histories of Russians of ages past.
At Home with Dostoyevsky If, for some reason, you ever find yourself in the small town of Staraya Russa, be sure to check out Dostoyevsky's summer house.
Dostoyevsky in Siberia and Beyond Dostoyevsky spent ten years of his life exiled to Russia's Eastern hinterlands. Beyond the Urals, there are several places that shaped Dostoyevsky and influenced many of his greatest works of literature.
Cats: An Unofficial Symbol of Saint Petersburg St. Petersburg is a magical place, in part thanks to its feline denizens.
Dostoyevsky's Brilliant Wife Anna In which we learn about the strong-willed and brilliant Anna Dostoyevskaya, the wife of Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Lenin Claus Is Coming to Town A delightful Soviet winter tale about children, a big holiday tree, and the true meaning of Christmas: communism.
10 Things About Moscow at the End of 2021 (With Pictures!) Despite the pandemic (and a bad reputation for a distinctly Russian grimace), it’s not all sad faces in Moscow at the end of 2021.
Heroes With a Foreign Accent in Russian Cinema Six films in Russian cinema with foreign characters as their heroes.
Not Quite Business as Usual Sellers of souvenirs? They’re missing you, folks! But perhaps not that much.
The Fiasco, by Anton Chekhov In honor of Chekhov's birthday, we present his story, "The Fiasco," translated by Bob Blaisdell. And a video version...
Biking with Style, with Putin: The Night Wolves Russia has an ultranationalist, pro-Putin motorcycle gang. Because of course it does.
Sending Smiles from the Soviet Union Where we remember Vladimir Lagrange, the photographer who showed everyday Soviets living their lives.
Battling Dementia, One Stitch at a Time Embroidery brings 84-year-old Yulia Aleshicheva peace and focuses her mind ravaged by dementia. But thanks to an enterprising grandson, her colorful art has many fans around the world.
Ukraine Invasions and Justifications: Catherine the Great Got There First An illustrated history that draws parallels between a potential invasion of Ukraine today and Catherine the Great’s occupation and annexation of Crimea in the late 1700s.
No to War (Нет войне) The Kremlin's unprovoked, illegal war on Ukraine will backfire. And untold millions will suffer. Silence would be complicity in this horrendous crime.
A Doughy but Cozy Plyushka This Russian sweet pastry has turned heads since ancient times. Because it's still delicious.
This is How the War Ends Those in power need to seek a way to end the war that could be agreed to by Ukraine, Russia, Europe, and the US. It seems a tall order, but really it’s not that hard to envision.
Why Putin Invaded Ukraine A brief analysis of why exactly Putin invaded Ukraine. And the reason he's giving.
Culture Under Fire Five sites in Ukraine that are known for their cultural value and how they have been affected by the ongoing war.
Televised Bravery A one-woman anti-war picket interrupts Russia's most important state news program to tell the country, "They are lying to you!"
Russian Perspectives on the War in Ukraine An exploration of Russian perspectives on the war in Ukraine.
Gogol: A Surrealist Author between Russia and Ukraine An ode to one of the wittiest authors of Russian literature. And one with a complex legacy.
Loving the Homeland and Leaving It Too A powerful, deep interview with one of Russia's leading artists and humanitarians, about her decision to leave Russia.
Annihilating Mariupol: When is it a War Crime? At least eighty percent of Mariupol has been destroyed or damaged. An account of what has happened in the city through the eyes of two refugees – Alla, 87 years old, and Denis Hulai, 24 – both of whom managed to escape with their families.
Pysanky for Peace Ukrainian Easter pysanky are a colorful symbol of peace and prosperity. As the country resists Russian aggression, there are ways to support Ukrainian pysanka makers, learn to decorate your own Easter egg, or join a local event to learn about this unique tradition.
A Nation's Symbol: the Flag of Ukraine The Ukrainian flag that flies as a symbol of patriotism and solidarity has a strong history.
The Spirit of Maidan Remembering the Maidan protests of 2014 and how Ukrainians fought back when their freedom was threatened.
What the Invasion Means for Russians The Russian people may not be at the front lines, but they, too, will feel the effects of war in Ukraine.
Sergei Elkin: Russia Through Caricatures Over the years, Sergei Elkin has created hundreds of cartoons satirizing Russia's politicians and elites.
Friends to the Friend Who Isn't There Armenia’s relationship with Russia is complicated, yet locals are welcoming fleeing Russians.
Piercing Russian Propaganda Russia's independent media has been destroyed in the wake of the Ukraine war. Which fearless outlets continue to report and need your help?
Facts and Figures From the War: Russian Losses A round-up of some facts and figures regarding Russian losses from the Russian war on Ukraine.
Searching for Nazis Putin says he invaded Ukraine to root out Nazis. Zelensky compares the defense of Ukraine to the heroism of the 1940s. Can both be right? No. No, they can't.
Keeping the Pulse on the War with Telegram Want uncensored news about what is going on in the Ukraine War (and in Russia)? You need Telegram.
The Most Important Thing We Have Done? Russian journalists need help. Now. Russian Life and its community can help. [video]
The Not-too-Mighty Russian Armed Forces It's been four months, and Ukraine is still standing. The front lines have hardly moved in ten weeks. Is this the Russian army everyone so feared?
Life Impacts Art Two female Russian artists discuss how their life and work has been impacted by Russia's Ukraine War.
Russian News Has Gotten Wacky Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian press has gone off the rails. Here's what they're saying.
Bulldogs under the Kremlin Rugs As we said at the outset, Russia lost this war the day it began. But where are we now?
Anti-LGBTQ Law Has Broad Ripples President Vladimir Putin signed a law against LGBTQ "propaganda." Is this only a homophobic act? Or is it part of something bigger?
Not in the Job Description The director of a nature reserve near Novosibirsk has been arrested for illegally hunting inside his park.
Latvia Opens Its Umbrella Latvia annulled the Russian news network TV Rain's broadcasting license due to pro-Russian government narratives.
What Is Born from Fire Russian singer Monetochka released a music video on YouTube criticizing pro-government propaganda on television.
The State is the Real Enemy of the People Opposition politician Ilya Yashin was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for posting a video about Russian crimes in Bucha.
War Support Falling According to an internal, Kremlin poll, 55% of Russians favor negotiations with Ukraine, and only 25% are in favor of continuing the war.
Russians Getting a Raise? In a November 30 speech, President Vladimir Putin said the next big challenge for his government will be raising the economic well-being of Russians.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov Chekhov was one of Russia's most prolific and influential writers, and this January marks his 150th birthday. We look back at his work, always worth another read.
Money Laundering, in a Sense A colonel in the Russian army is facing house arrest for two months for taking a washing machine as a bribe.
Yandexit Russia's homegrown tech giant is collapsing under pressure from state censorship and the war in Ukraine.
The Russian Economy Is Like A Stool How is the Russian economy fairing during the war, and what can we expect in the months ahead?
Chinese Arbitration? China's UN representative has suggested that Beijing could perhaps mediate a peace deal between Kiev and Moscow.
The Wrong Kind of Patriotism A student in Karelia was reportedly disciplined for wearing a sweatshirt with an American flag on it.
Controlling Cash for Cars President Putin has called for automotive companies to keep car prices low.
Too Hot for Kazakhstan A Russian singer's Almaty concert was canceled due to her vocal support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Cracking Down on Air Travel Russia's aviation authority has placed its airport security on maximum antiterrorist alert.
English Gains in Russia Annual rating of English language proficiency worldwide shows Russia holding steady, notwithstanding anti-Western propaganda and travel bans.
Still Aloft? With no foreign technicians, Russia's aviation ministry promised to check up on nearly 600 imported aircraft by the end of the year.
The Booze Must Flow Russians hankering for foreign alcohol can now rest easy: state ministries will oversee the delivery of international alcohol products through a parallel import system.
A Travel Uptick? Even as the invasion of Ukraine continues, internal sources say that Russians are traveling once again.
A Lady Leaves Famous Russian journalist and politician Ksenia Sobchak has reportedly fled the country to avoid arrest.
Mature Maneuvers A US Air Force plane has drawn ire for reportedly flying near a Russian base in a less-than-PG-rated path.
To the Frontline or to Prison “Now they have been abandoned without command. They are in some village in the Luhansk region. They need to get out of there because now they are attacked again by an army of enemies. How will they return to Russia? What will happen to them next? We can’t even imagine.” – Irina, wife of a Russian soldier mobilized in Ukraine
An Escalating Strategy Russia has begun training its army for the event of a nuclear weapon deployed on its home territory.
Lust for Almost-Wandering An airport in Anapa is selling a flight experience that promises everything but the travel.
Everything is Connected We are all daily shaken and unsettled by the fire hose of bad news from Russia and Ukraine, and we all would love “something good, loving, and light from Russia to counterbalance the darkness, the senseless brutality, and the horrors perpetrated by Russian hands in Ukraine.”
Poems in a Piggy Bank War births poetry. We share five recently created and translated anti-war poems.
Russian and Me A translator with Russian roots ruminates on her past, and what it means to be a Russophile today.
A Knight Brave and Bold A mother in a remote village grapples with past, present, and future losses to war.
Never Abandon Your Own When circumstances force you to leave the country, what do you do with your beloved pets?
A Warm Welcome to the Russian Federation? The Russian government has begun instituting martial law and evacuating residents in its newly-"annexed" Ukrainian territories.
Flowers Beat Tank Kyiv based Irina Kostyshina (@iranoirodraws) offers this powerful image of a tank being subsumed by blue and yellow flowers.
Zinvasion This creative Zinvasion poster relies on Soviet-era tropes to drive its anti-war message home.
From the Front Since the start of the war, the work of Ukrainian artist Julia Veritina (@yuliiaveritina) has been particularly powerful.
Heroic Sofiia Runova (@runo_illustration) has a very sweeping, colorful style that elevates her heroic subjects.
Bags in the Forest Playing off the famous Russian painting by Shishkin and Savitsky, "Morning in a Pine Forest," sometimes known as "Mishki v Lesu" (bear cubs in the forest), @pyrigpyrozhok offers "Body Bags in a Forest" (Meshki v Lesu)
Cultural Bomb Many artists integrate icons of Russian culture as elements of aggression. This one by artists Oleksiy Say is particularly powerful.
A Quiet Power Kharkiv-based Olga Shtonda (@olgashtonda) is an illustrator whose images have a quiet power. This one in particular resonated.
Odessa Steps Another Maksym Palenko poster, showing Putin rolling down the Odessa steps, a riff on Eisenstein's famous scene from Battleship Potemkin.
Now Hiring: Occupiers Russia is looking for 52,000 new cops to serve in territories recently taken from Ukraine.
We'll Swim After Victory Our correspondent was offered a business trip to Odesa, Ukraine. He took it and brought this back.
Scratch a Russian Word... ...and you are likely to find a Tatar one beneath it. We dig into the sordid details.
Letters We have received many letters and phone calls about the magazine since we restarted it in a new way this summer. As expected, there has been both support and denigration. That’s just the business we are in.
Emily Hoffman Emily Hoffman is an illustrator who lives and works in Vermont. Her work can be found here.
Elizabeth Wilson Elizabeth Wilson is a performer, teacher, and writer. She studied cello at the Moscow Conservatoire with Mstislav Rostropovich and is the author of biographies of Dmitri Shostakovich, Jacqueline du Pre, and Mstislav Rostropovich.
Everything That Should Not Be Written "I'm a fool. I didn't just cross the line, I erased it unintentionally... I think about every child, every mother, and every family. And I also think and suffer about every child on the other side, I dream that there would be no deaths, that children would not die. Believe me, the tear of every baby is my pain, my nightmare. I don't wish death on anyone, anyone." – Anton Krasovsky, head of the Russian-language directorate of RT Russia
Drilling Down A school in a Russian Black Sea town held a surprise terrorist drill without warning parents.
A Director Detained Russian playwright Alexei Zhitkovsky has been detained for suspicion of engaging in "extremism."
The New Military Economy Two days after declaring martial law in four Ukrainian regions, Vladimir Putin quietly put the Russian economy on a military footing.
Completed in Full "We hope and pray that you return alive and healthy [and] that you return victorious, having defended the security and independence of our country." – Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, announcing the end to mobilization in the capital.
Some Parents Precluded The Russian State Duma has announced that parents of three or more children can have their draft deferred.
Brussels Sprouts and Nuclear Strikes Russian politician Dmitry Medvedev dismissed EU Representative Josep Borrell's fear of nuclear war as "paranoid."
Time for A Talk? Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims that Russia remains "open for talks" with Ukraine and other interested nations.
Donations of Vengeance Recent crowdfunding efforts in Ukraine raised almost $10m in 24 hours for kamikaze drones.
Conflict Conflagration The Kerch Strait Bridge, a symbol of Russian unity, was hit and damaged by a blast.
A Family that Disrupts Together Tensions continue to rise in Russia after the start of mobilization, leading to more extreme acts of disruption.
Ded Moroz Is Still Comin' to Town The Russian military has assured local governments that they don't need to worry about canceling New Years' festivities because of the mobilization and conflict in Ukraine.
Mobilizing Support for the Mobilized The governor of the Moscow Region has vowed social support for those mobilized in his constituency and their families.
Death Awaits Them "Honestly, they will all die there." – Kirill, a Russian soldier who has fought in Ukraine offers a grim prognosis of what awaits the new mobilized recruits.
Dangerous 10-year-olds Moscow police have detained a 10-year-old girl for using a yellow and blue avatar in her online chats with friends.
Genocide Preventing Genocide Russia filed an official objection against Ukraine's case that Russia committed genocide during its invasion of its neighbor.
All Loud on the Eastern Front Ukraine continues to press forward in its major counteroffensive against Russia, recapturing villages and towns along the way.
Mediocrity Grows Up “It’s time to prove themselves in a real fight, I can only welcome this desire.” – Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, announcing that he was sending his teenage sons to Ukraine
Imagine There's No Countries... ...It isn't hard to do... if you are Yandex. The Russian company that runs YandexMaps has stopped showing all boundaries for states and oblasts – all over the world.
Mrs. Crimea Under Fire A regional beauty pageant winner is under investigation by Russian police after singing a patriotic Ukrainian song (on the internet).
From Offense to Defense After a five-day referendum, Putin signs a decree integrating Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk into Russia.
Hard Facts from Russia's War in Ukraine A round-up of some stark facts about Russia's War on Ukraine, and how it is changing the face of Russia.
Fighting for God and Putin Patriarch Kirill says that Russians can fast-track their way to heaven by fighting in Ukraine.
A Mysterious Leak A critical natural gas pipeline between Russia and Europe has started leaking... suspiciously.
Home for the War In a surprising turn of opinion, Ramzan Kadyrov has exempted Chechnya from the draft.
Mobilization Hotline Russians with questions about Putin's recent mobilization against Ukraine can dial 112 for more information.
A Soldier Nation "We are a soldier country, a soldier nation. We will fight, it's not our first time, and so on... I feel that a rather gloomy period is ahead." – Alexei Levinson, Levada
Sentenced to Return Home After negotiations, Russia agreed to release 10 foreign prisoners captured during the fighting in Ukraine.
Served Uncivilly An employee of the international governmental organization OSCE has been sentenced to thirteen years by authorities in Russia-supported Luhansk.
HBD, Famous Orb The iconic and wacky Millennium of Russia monument in Veliky Novgorod turns 160 this month.
A Sincere Appeal “I am asking you to include me on the foreign agents' list of my beloved country.” – Russian pop star Alla Pugacheva, to the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation
Referendum Redux The governments of the Ukrainian separatist LPR and DPR are calling for referendums on joining Russia – a callback to 2014 Crimea.
A Crime Against Passion Crimean wedding-goers were arrested and fined after playing a patriotic Ukrainian song at their reception.
High Treason in High Places After charging President Putin with high treason for the invasion of Ukraine, seven lawmakers have been summoned by the police.
Flipping the Script A massive Ukrainian counterattack in Kharkiv Oblast now places the frontline at the Russian border.
No Rush to Surrender The Russian military's morale weakens as Ukraine announces the liberation of two villages.
Russians Get "Good Cola" After exiting Russia earlier this year, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company has begun selling "Dobry Cola" across the country.
Excessive Restraint a New Norm? Law enforcement in Samara has begun regularly using leg shackles for courtroom defendants.
Я Вас Люблю "I love you." – Journalist Ivan Safronov after being sentenced to 22 years in prison for treason
A Rain Check for Respect Due to scheduling conflicts, Putin was not able to attend Gorbachev's funeral.
Reimbursing the Evicted Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to pay Ukrainian refugees in Russia monthly and one-time payments.
A Bite from a Billionaire For the first time, a Ukrainian court has ruled to confiscate the assets of a Russian billionaire.
Belarus Cracks Down, Again Belarus's Supreme Court has ruled that a group of former law enforcement officers who support opposition politicians is a terrorist group.
July/August 2020 Religious graffiti * Mapping remote Russia * Love in a Russian village * An Expat Goes Home * Language of COVID * History of Geography * The first linkup in space * History of dachas * Beet soup * Books to read in quarantine
January/February 2021 Russian Wine Growing • Trekking in the Russia Far East • Restoring a Town • Repairing a Stove • Enjoying Pirozhki • A Sleeper Spy • An Underappreciated Writer • Words of the Year
Gorbachev Dead at 91 Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, the Communist Party Leader who unleashed democracy, glasnost, and perestroika, has died.
Mikhail Gorbachev The rises and falls of the esteem in which Russians have held Mikhail Gorbachev over the years have been dizzying.
COVID Continues Russia's second-largest city has announced that COVID restrictions will stay in place until the end of October.
The Essence of Freedom “Independence Day will have a different meaning this year. Us Ukrainians love our freedom. We can say what we believe. My friends in Russia say they have a democracy. What kind of democracy is it if you cannot call a war a war?” – A Russian living in Ukraine, Tatyana Antonova
From the Big Screen to an Online Meme A character from a 1988 Soviet animated film has taken on a new life as a 2022 internet meme.
Five Years Ago Means Five Days in Prison A Moscow political candidate was arrested after a woman discovered a Pro-Navalny post on his Twitter from five years ago.
Puppy Love On International Homeless Animals Day, Moscow citizens attended a festival to encourage the adoption of pets from city shelters.
A Flag that Rocks The governor of Samara Oblast enlisted the help of students to create a 200-foot-long Russian tricolor out of painted stones for Russian Flag Day.
Homophobia Codified The Russian state is preparing to pass new laws banning "gay propaganda" after a recent book led to public outrage.
Foundations of Suspicion “What reason is there for us to do this?” – A Ukrainian official speaking on the murder of Darya Dugina
Twinkle, Twinkle A rapper and a restauranteur have teamed up to rebrand the now-exiled Starbucks as a more Russia-friendly Stars Coffee.
Tanks but No Tanks The Estonian city of Narva, on the Russian border, quietly dismantled a Soviet memorial featuring a T-34 tank.
"Flowers for Hope": Healing or Harming? Ukrainian and American artists launch the project "Flowers for Hope" to encourage hope and support humanitarian funds in Ukraine.
My God, a Symbol of Separation “There was a certain girl here who was handing out some permission to paint to artists, complete nonsense. I gave her this work, and the first thing she said was that it was a very dangerous job, because if Gorbachev saw it, he would not allow the unification of Germany and that she will send it to the senate of West Berlin, which was a different country, for approval.” – Dmitry Vrubel, the artist behind the Berlin Wall's "The Fraternal Kiss"
Grounded for Life A Russian airbase situated behind the frontlines receives an alarmingly powerful attack.
An Excuse to Persecute Since the annexation of Crimea in 2015, Russian authorities have been targeting Crimean Tatar activists.
Kremlin Cancels Culture A working group of the Russian State Duma has compiled a list of cultural figures who have denounced the war in Ukraine. They can either "repent" or quit their jobs.
A Terrorist State? Latvia's legislature has ruled Russia a "terrorism-supporting state" for its attacks on civilians in Ukraine.
The Price of Dissent A Russian journalist, already arrested for speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine, has had her home raided by authorities.
Fighting Extremism, or Censoring the Truth? Approximately 138,000 websites have been taken down or banned in Russia since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
International without the Amnesty “[This report] does not mean that Amnesty International holds Ukrainian forces responsible for violations committed by Russian forces, or that the Ukrainian military is not taking adequate precautions in other parts of the country. We must be very clear: nothing of the actions of the Ukrainian military, which we have documented, in any way justify Russia's violations.” – From a report released by Amnesty International
Azov, a New Terror? While resisting Russian forces in the invasion of Ukraine, the Azov Regiment has been declared a terrorist organization by the Russian Supreme Court.
One Mistake Away from Annihilation As Russia increases tensions in Ukraine, Putin warns against the dangers of a nuclear war.
A Soviet Callback Moscow and St. Petersburg will see new shops filled with international goods where only top officials and their families can shop.
Time to Move? An English-language video released by the Russian embassy in Madrid lists reasons why Westerners should pack up their things and move in.
Give me Your Data... or Your Rubles Three American tech leaders, Tinder, Whatsapp, and Snapchat, are being sued in a Russian court.
Sanctioning Romance Alina Kabaeva, Vladimir Putin's alleged romantic partner, has been sanctioned by the US Treasury.
Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys Performers from both the United States and Ukraine are invited to participate in a circus festival in St. Petersburg this fall.
One Prison to the Next Russian prisoners with military experience are being recruited to join the fight in Ukraine.
Confusion Amidst the Fog “It’s unclear what happened, but you can’t bring people back to life.” – Alina Nesterenko, whose husband was a prisoner in Russian-occupied Donetsk.
Somewhere Between Classic Rock and Jazz Pro-Russian hackers took over a major Ukrainian radio station to broadcast rumors regarding President Zelensky's health.
The Transfer of Regions In the coming months, the State Duma will likely consider full annexation of occupied territories of Ukraine.
Russia Needs Space... From the ISS Yury Borisov, chief of Roskosmos, announced Russia's plan to abandon the International Space Station in 2024.
Artistic Apoliticality Russian event promoters have begun requiring artists to promise that they won't include political statements in their performances.
A Debilitating Drought Following the Ukrainian invasion, Russian bars and restaurants are expecting to face foreign liquor shortages.
An Attempt to Reason Belarusian President Lukashenko pleads for Ukraine and Russia to come to an agreement.
A Protest for Love and Friendship “We must save the world not with blood, but with friendship and love.” – A sign by Russian activist Tatyana Mateyeva
Russia's First Female Casualty Anastasia Savitskaya, a corporal in the Russian Armed Forces, is Russia's first known female military casualty since the launch of the Ukrainian invasion.
Facts and Figures from the War: Ukrainian Refugees A roundup of some facts and figures from a survey conducted by the United Nations' refugee agency (UNHCR) regarding Ukrainian refugees.
Ukraine's Decisive Strikes Ukraine's effective use of long-range weaponry shocks the Russian military.
Rain Reenters the Forecast “Today, more than ever, the citizens of Russia should have access to independent information. And therefore it is especially important for us to return to the air. We, like tens of millions of Russians, want the war to end, and Russia to return to the path of development from catastrophe and destruction.” – Editor-in-chief Tikhon Dzyadko of Dozhd TV
Sexual Violence in the Ukrainian Invasion Over one hundred cases of sexual assault by Russian troops have been reported during the invasion of Ukraine.
Forced Integration, Continued Russia's streamlined passport process, offered to residents of Kherson and Zaporizhia, has been expanded to include all Ukrainian citizens.
Prone to Resist “Prone to betrayal, lies and deceit. He refused to participate in a special military operation on the territory of the LPR, DPR and Ukraine.” – A stamp on a Russian soldier's military ID after he refused to fight in Ukraine
Sci-fi Author, Meet Dystopia A well-known science fiction author has been placed on the Kremlin's wanted list for protesting the war in Ukraine.
Fencing It In Finland seeks to strengthen its eastern border with Russia, as the country nears to joining NATO.
It's Nothing Serious... Right? In a recent meeting, President Vladimir Putin claimed that the invasion into Ukraine wasn't anything "real" or "serious."
Soviet Law Against Sabotage May Return The National Anti-Corruption Committee has proposed resurrecting the Soviet-era law against “sabotage.”
A New Leader in Russia's Tech Market After the exit of Western companies from the Russian market, Chinese tech companies are gaining ground.
Incendiary Weapons in Ukraine? Russia has allegedly used incendiary weapons, such as white phosphorus, in their war on Ukraine.
International Sports for Peace 35 countries are calling for stricter international sports sanctions on Belarus and Russia.
"We Shall Return" “If the command of our army withdraws people from certain points of the front where the enemy has the greatest fire superiority — in particular this applies to Lysychansk — it means only one thing: we will return thanks to our tactics, thanks to the increase in the supply of modern weapons.” – Ukrainian President Zelensky, addressing the loss of Lysychansk to Russian forces
Exit... the Diplomats The Prime Minister of Bulgaria has ordered 70 Russian diplomats to leave the country.
Summer Fun at a Russian Prison Penal Colony No. 7 in Bashkiria is in the market for a "towed water banana." Exactly why is anyone's guess.
Dentist Kadyrov Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov isn't a dentist. But that didn't stop him from being awarded the Russian Order of Merit for Dentistry.
The Center of Denial Putin denies Russia shelled a shopping center in Kremenchug, Ukraine, that killed 18 people.
A Failure to Perform The International Platonov Arts Festival in Voronezh, has been canceled due to current political conditions.
All That Glitters is Not (From Russia) Gold The US recently announced sanctions on import of Russian gold.
Stealing Grains Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country has lost approximately 400,000 tons of grain to theft by Russian troops.
Suing for Peace, and Compensation "The looting of Ukrainian goods for export – including grain and steel – has already led to rising prices and an increase in the number of people dying of hunger worldwide. This barbarism must be stopped, and Russia must pay in full. I believe in justice, and I will fight for it.” – Rinat Akhmetov, the Ukrainian businessman who is suing Russia
A Patriotic Statement Piece Russian schools have been given a billion rubles to purchase state symbols to decorate their walls.
A Nobel Donation The 2021 Russian Nobel Peace Prize winner auctioned his medal off to help displaced Ukrainian children.
Automotive Industry Out of Gear Russian imports of Chinese cars have steadily fallen since the invasion of Ukraine began, revealing a stalling industry.
A Humiliating Lack of Recognition "In general, it has been calculated that if the right of nations to self-determination is actually realized throughout the globe, then instead of the 193 states that are now members of the UN, more than 500 or 600 states would emerge on Earth. Of course, it would be chaos. For this reason, we don’t recognize Taiwan, Kosovo, South Ossetia, or Abkhazia. Apparently, this principle will be applied to the quasi-states, which, in our view, Luhansk and Donetsk are." – President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at a recent forum with President Putin
Independence, Educated New material recognizing two Russia-friendly separatist regions in eastern Ukraine will soon be taught in Russian high schools.
Forbidden Fruit Russian combatants occupying Melitopol, Ukraine, have fallen ill after eating poisoned cherries.
Facts and Figures From the War: Losses and Ukrainian Refugees A round-up of some facts and figures regarding fleeing civilians and lost material from the Russian war on Ukraine.
Precarious Citizenship The citizenship of a well-known Armenian activist is at risk after speaking out against the war in Ukraine.
A Peace-Loving Priest A St. Petersburg priest faces up to ten years in prison for speaking out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
An Imposed Russian Birthright Children born in the Ukrainian city of Kherson will now receive Russian citizenship, whether they want it or not.
Russia's Yellow Card Ex-captain of the Russian national soccer team speaks out against the invasion of Ukraine despite potential consequences.
Down and Dirty Journalism (Or, Poo-tin) A Russian independent journalist has published an exposé on Putin's "biomaterials."
A Loss for Justice "The Committee against Torture has been protecting the rights of citizens who have suffered from torture and inhuman treatment by government officials all their lives. Despite the obvious benefits of this mission, the authorities have been trying for many years to give it an alien and harmful outline... Apparently, the authorities are giving a signal that torture is becoming (or has already become) part of state policy and is not a problem. Here I would like to remind you about the Constitution, where torture is prohibited (for the time being)." – Sergey Babinets, chairman of the Committee against Torture
A Soccer Star Speaks Out Nadya Karpova demonstrated bravery in expressing both her sexuality and her stance on the war in Ukraine.
An Attack on Sea Life Over 600 dolphins died and washed up on the coast of the Black Sea bordering Russia and Ukraine.
A Victory for Higher Education American University Kyiv is partnering with Arizona State University to provide Ukrainians higher education amid times of war.
Of Grain and Ukraine The chairman of the African Union has announced a trip to Kyiv to discuss the world food crisis caused by the invasion.
Over 100 Days and 32 Lost “This year’s Journalist’s Day has a special taste of bitterness. The fourth month of a full–scale war – and we lost 32 journalists… In eight years of war we lost even more. Eternal memory to our fighters of the advanced information front." – Ukrainian Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko
Long Range Effects Putin claims that US-provided weapons to Ukraine have made no impact against the invasion.
A Most Important Import Saudi Arabia has agreed to increase oil production as demand for Russian oil takes a hit.
Flowers in Kyiv Floral creations are spread throughout Ukraine's capital city to honor the Day of Kyiv.
Three Stories for Maslenitsa Three stories by Chekhov are translated here for the season of late winter and Maslenitsa: Bliny, The Stupid Frenchman, and On Frailty.
Liberated from Home “It was a very happy life, because we lived in peace, tranquility. And the fact that our acquaintances from Russia and relatives say that we were infringed upon in some way [by the Ukrainian authorities] is not true. We lived and rejoiced, made plans for the future. And now the 'liberators' have come and 'liberated' from all the good that was in our lives. Ruined, or rather, want to ruin our lives." – Julia, a nurse in Severodonetsk, a city in Donbass
Russia Forever? A Russian rock musician was filmed helping Russian soldiers replace a Ukrainian road sign with one reading "Russia Forever."
A Little Help from the European Family Finland agreed to help rebuild and reform Ukraine's education sector, and the country more generally.
Where the Streets Have Names Ukraine has begun a "derussification" of street names, replacing them with names of important Ukrainians.
Forced Integration through Passportization A presidential decree aims to integrate the inhabitants of conquered Ukrainian regions through a streamlined passport process.
A Collaborative Effort The US Department of Defense is coordinating with nearly 50 countries to provide military aid to Ukraine.
Bully Diplomat “My country is being bombarded, tens of thousands of people are dying in the bloody war of conquest that Russia has unleashed. If I make demands out loud, I can achieve more for Ukraine than writing diplomatic cables that often go unanswered. This is a matter of life and death, and every day matters." – Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk
An Anthem of Dissent A Russian man in Tyumen was arrested for playing the Ukrainian national anthem in public.
Russian Trains In for a Bumpy Ride German engineering firm Siemens is leaving Russia. Train travel is about to get far more difficult.
Filtration, Evacuation, Deportation Many Ukrainians are trying to find their way after experiencing filtration camps, evacuations, and deportations.
For All Ukrainians “Now more than ever, every victory is important for Ukraine. This will further raise the morale of the Ukrainians, which is so needed now. We won not for ourselves, but for all Ukrainians." – Oleg Psyuk, member of Kalush Orchestra, winners of Eurovision 2022.
Detained on Victory Day Over 125 citizens were detained during Immortal Regiment processions across Russia.
Headlines for Truth Editors of a Russian news outlet surprise readers with their anti-war sentiments.
Putin Promises Aid to Families Vladimir Putin signed a decree promising support to children of fallen soldiers.
Ukraine's Best Friend Patron, a Jack Russell Terrier in Chernihiv, is fighting against the Russian invasion in his own way.
An Apologetic Putin? Did Putin apologize for Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's outrageous lies?
Immortal Anti-War Demos There were brave dissenters amid pro-regime Immortal Regiment demonstrations on May 9.
Saltevsky Vladimir Saltevsky, arrested in Novosibirsk. "You embarrass me, grandchildren. We fought for peace, you chose war."
The Fighters of Azov “Surrender is not an option.” – Ilya Samoilenko, a 27-year-old officer defending Azov.
An End in Sight? “This offensive may end on the eve of May 9, because the [Russian] forces are running out, as are the existing reserves. As our Commander-in-Chief said, the occupiers have already brought the entire reserve into the territory of Ukraine, and then an operational pause will be required.” – Ukrainian military expert Oleg Zhdanov on the Russian offensive
Zelensky Returns After six weeks away, Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelensky made an appearance at Kiev's parliament.
Two Gentlemen, Two Novels Reviews of A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, The Summer Guest by Alison Anderson. Also short reviews of The Man with the Poison Gun by Serhii Plokhy, Bears in the Streets by Lisa Dickey, and Hard Times by Vasily Sleptsov.
Russian Troops Storm Mariupol Russian troops have begun to storm the Mariupol steel plant in Ukraine.
Gummy Bear Suspension The candy company Haribo halts production to Russia due to the Ukraine conflict.
Schoolboy vs The Kremlin An 11-year-old schoolboy was put on a watch list after "discrediting" the army on social media.
Deukrainianization Russian authorities seek to eradicate all and any association with Ukraine... including blue-and-yellow color schemes.
Hard Times Ahead One Russian economic official provides a grim forecast of Russia's economy in the near term.
Golden Mask of Support Ksenia Sorokina gives her Golden Mask award to jailed anti-war activist Sasha Skochilenko.
Defiant Postage “It's a symbol of Ukraine, a symbol of our future victory.” – Director of Ukraine's National Post on the new stamp honoring the guards of Snake Island.
Russian Easter Amid Conflict Russia's 2022 Easter proceedings were tainted by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Selling Russia to Support Ukraine A Georgian company is selling NFTs of Russian territories to help rebuild Ukraine.
Signed, a Foreign Agent Artist Daria Apakhonchich illustrated her quarterly report to the Ministry of Justice with her thoughts about the war in Ukraine.
Spot the Difference Zoya Cherkassky-Nnadi is creating pieces of art comparing the Ukraine she knew in childhood and the war-riddled Ukraine we see today.
Less than Ship Shape The flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been lost; whether to an accidental fire or anti-ship missiles depends on who you ask.
Discrediting the Military Security forces have reportedly filed at least 993 reports against Russians for discrediting the Armed Forces.
Help the Earth and Fight Putin German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck urges Germans to reduce energy usage to help wean the country off of Russian oil.
Revealing Images “Now everyone can see a variety of Russian launchers, intercontinental ballistic missile mines, command posts, and secret landfills with a resolution of about 0.5 meters per pixel.” – The Ukrainian Armed Forces on Google Maps removing blur for Russian military sites
Refugees Aboard the Volendam A well-known cruise line has offered one of its ships to aid the humanitarian effort for Ukraine.
A Hard Talk to Have “Direct, open, and hard.” – Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer describing his talk with Putin
Russian Denials Inspire Pet Meme After the atrocities committed by Russia's military in towns surrounding Kyiv first came to light this month, Moscow labeled the extensive evidence a "fake." The blatant attempt to hide the obvious inspired... a viral cat meme.
Huawei Slinks Out Russia's international economic isolation continues as Chinese telecoms giant Huawei moves to leave the country.
Protesting Horror Despite bans on protests, Russians have found creative ways to voice their anti-war stance.
Ukrainian Animals, Suffering In the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many animals in zoos and shelters have suffered immensely.
More Facts and Figures from the War Yet another round-up of some facts and figures from the Russian War on Ukraine.
A Question of Conviction “This is the state of someone who feels like a particle in the ocean. Someone else has decided everything for them. This learned passivity is our tragedy.” – A political analyst in Moscow regarding Russian support of the war
Haley Bader Haley Bader is currently working as a freelance journalist with a focus on Russia and Eurasia.
Soldiers Flee Chernobyl Radiation Russian soldiers are fleeing Chernobyl fortifications due to claims of radiation sickness.
Refusing to Kill 12 Russian soldiers were fired for refusing to fight in Ukraine. Now, they are trying to get their jobs back.
Sabotage Behind the Lines Belarusian railway officials say that sabotage has been preventing reinforcement to Russian forces in Ukraine.
London Rallies for Ukraine "The future of Ukraine will not be decided by Putin but by the people of Ukraine. It should not be decided by force but by freedom." – Mayor of London Sadiq Khan at 'London Stands With Ukraine' Rally
St. Jude's SAFER Ukraine St. Jude's SAFER Ukraine initiative has helped over 600 patients amid the Russian invasion.
Good and Evil Revealed "This whole situation has clearly revealed good and evil." A powerful interview with Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov, whose Novaya Gazeta newspaper suspended publication today.
Ukrainians Liberate a Mansion "This property has been liberated." – A banner hanging from a Russian oligarch's mansion taken over by Ukrainian Refugees
More Facts and Figures from the War Another round-up of some facts and figures from the Russian War on Ukraine.
Celebrities Standing With Ukraine Celebrity couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are being praised for raising over $35 million for Ukrainian refugees.
Ill-Suited Usually staid cosmonaut fashion raises some eyebrows with suspiciously Ukrainian-tinted coloration.
Panic! At the Grocers As the ruble continues to inflate and goods disappear, the Kremlin urges citizens not to panic buy.
Rasputitsa: Or, How Ukraine's Mud Is Foiling Putin One of Russia's greatest military allies has become a potent adversary in Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Easing Fear Through Film "Our mission, as workers in the sphere of culture, is not only to save culture itself from destruction, but to save those who value it." – The director of the Kyiv municipal Department of Culture on showing films during these trying times
Blue and Yellow Lights Many famous landmarks across the globe have been illuminated with blue and yellow lights, showing solidarity with Ukraine.
A Prayer for Ukraine In 2014, Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov wrote this beautiful short orchestral work, "Prayer for Ukraine." A German orchestra is sharing it as a symphonic symbol of solidarity and hope.
The "Z" Symbol Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak faces punishment for flaunting the new "Z" symbol in support of the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
Of Borscht and Tank Traps "Yes, this is Odessa. Someone cooks borshch and potatoes for Ukrainian soldiers, and someone cooks anti-tank hedgehogs." – Journalist Larisa Kozova, reporting on Odessa's defense
An NFT to Unite Under An NFT of the Ukrainian flag raises over $6.7 million for the war against Russia.
International Women's Day Today is International Women's Day, which traces its roots to 1917, when Russian women demanded "bread and peace." Four days later the tsar was forced to abdicate and the provisional government granted women the right to vote. What's going on today in Russia?
No War Please Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev writes a "no war please" message on a camera after a match.
The Toughest Sanction Putin has been stripped of two martial arts honors in response to his invasion of Ukraine.
Cryptocurrency Goes to War "Total donations to the APU in cryptocurrency have grown to $12.7 million. This is just two days! Most of all donations are made to Ethereum - $5.5 million, Bitcoin - $4.4 million, Tether - $2.1 million." – Ukrainian Minister of Digital Transformation, speaking on cryptocurrency donations to the army
No One Deserves That Anyone who has experienced an unpleasant neighbor has likely faced the problem of what to do about their children.
Facts and Figures from the War In which we share a few illustrative facts and figures from the war in Ukraine.
Reaffirming Ukrainian Sovereignty Zelensky's response to Putin recognizing the "independence" of the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics crystallizes the ongoing conflict.
Our Top Sources for Ukraine News The situation in Ukraine is complex and constantly changing, so here are our top picks for where you can get the latest scoop.
Reading about Putin and Poetry In which we review two books: one full of poetry, another full of Putin.
Lessons from a Hermit In a remote corner of Siberia, the last of a family of Old Believers lives her life in a state of time out of time. With a little help from some friends.
Twenty Years in a Siberian Gulag Excerpt from a newly published memoir, an autobiographical account of an engineer swept up into Stalin's Gulag.
Political Animals The Novosibirsk Zoo in Siberia announced that, for 2022, its new mascot would be chosen by a public vote. It turned into a scandal.
A Forgotten Classic If you consider yourself knowledgeable about Russian cuisine, but have never heard of telnoye, don’t worry. You are not alone.
Postcard from the Edge of the World The string of islands that is the Kurils – perched between Sakhalin and Japan – had a not insignificant role in the history of the past century. Long closed to outsiders, its future in this century may depend on tourism.
The Bottlephonist The life of a street musician is not an easy one. But it is one thing to busk with a guitar or pan flute, quite another to have to set up a complex vertical xylophone made of bottles.
She Fought to the Death Dubbed the “Mother Teresa of Dagestan,” Aishat Magomedova wanted something very simple: to give the women of Dagestan access to quality health care. Apparently, she did too good a job.
Finlandization of Russian? In which we look at Finno-Ugric words that have made their way into the Russian Language. (Click title to download PDF.)
Watch Where You Step In recent months the Russian press corps has been honing its euphemistic language skills, wondering how to talk crap.
Leonid Bolotov Leonid Bolotov graduated from Saratov State University in 1928, majoring in engineering; he then studied chemistry in Moscow before accepting a position as an engineer at the Red Triangle Factory in Leningrad. During Stalin’s purge of 1937, Leonid, along with 86 other engineers from his factory, were arrested and banished to Siberia.
Irina Barclay Irina Barclay teaches Russian at Appalachian State University. Her research and teaching interests include Russian and Slavic Literature in Translation, and the methodology of teaching Russian courses for ASU students.
Invading Ukraine, Then vs. Now A comparison of Russia's invasion of Crimea in 2014 vs. the invasion of all of Ukraine in 2022 (written two weeks prior to the invasion)
Fighting for Truth While state censor Roskomnadzor objects to the terms attack, invasion, or war being used for the Russian "special military operation" in Ukraine, average Russians are showing their disapproval.
Hashish, Putin, and a Libyan Beach Libyan police have recovered 323 blocks of hashish embellished with Vladimir Putin's portrait.
Bellyaching in Belarus Locals near Belarus's border with Ukraine have complaints about ill-mannered interlopers: Russian troops.
Every Citizen a Resister The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said on its Facebook page that invading Russian forces must understand that every Ukrainian will resist the Russian occupiers.
Bass Guitar, Baby Goats, and a Break for Guys In this week's Odder News: a rocker's dream, a holiday for men, and goat saviors.
There's a Visa For That Is Russia is looking to streamline its 30+ types of visas by potentially adding four more?
Boring Weather Disappoints Meteorologist "During the first half of the week, the weather will be warm with temperatures eight to nine degrees above normal. Daytime temperatures are expected to be plus two to five degrees, nighttime temperatures from minus one to plus two degrees. Wind on Monday will be up to 17 m/s, precipitation is light, but also sleet and rain. This is such uniform and boring weather." – A disappointed meteorologist describing Moscow's upcoming weather
Punk Rock, Folklore, and Putin In which we unpack what Putin had to say about Ukraine while in France and what it's got to do with a punk band and a folk ditty.
Bronze, Silver, & GOLD The Russian Olympic Committee has won 26 medals in the Beijing Winter Olympics of 2022.
Cute Cats, a Lost Dog, and Insect Exes In this week's Odder News: kitty subscriptions, sketchy sledding, and spiteful Valentines.
Anna Antanaytite A photographer, traveler, and author, Anna Antanaytite has produced everything from travel and journalistic photography to medical films and video for television and film. In 2019 she traveled around Crimea for three months to create a three part travel guide to the region, which is being published in Russia. She is a regular contributor to Greenpeace publications and more of her work can be seen on her website, or on Instagram: @travelphotoreporter
Security Guard Doodles A security guard at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center was fired after defacing a $1 million Soviet-era painting.
A Priest's Life Hack for Marital Strife “If you had a fight with your wife, then you should ask for forgiveness like this: 'Darling, please forgive me for asking you to marry me….' There is a real chance that suddenly your wife will smile and forgive you. True, wives are unpredictable in their grievances—you can die from violence.” – A Russian priest's "life hack" for marital struggles.
Crimes Against Hu-mine-ity A Russian teenager faces 5 years in jail for crimes committed in Minecraft.
Battle of the Zoo Mascots A Siberian zoo's mascot competition has ended in fraudulent activity, anger, and political outrage.
"Slush Funds," Spotify, and a Subway Surprise In this week's Odder News: cartoons, a tiny apartment, and an alpaca using the metro.
The P.P.P (Professional Panda Predictors) Two panda bears at the Moscow Zoo have predicted the winners of this year's Olympic Winter Games.
Good Parking Spots Are Worth It Russian bank VTB is set to begin offering customers loans to cover parking spaces and closets, which seem like sound financial decisions.
A Not-So Sobering Message “About the dangers of alcohol, volumes have been written on the benefits of more than one brochure! From lack of education, we walk for five days and crawl for two! And, on Saturday morning, Russia from space looks like.” – An unintelligible sign alerting Muscovites to the effects of alcohol.
Reading Between the Palm Lines In the face of anxiety and uncertainty, sales of books about tarot cards, karma, and other esoteric, spiritual practices are skyrocketing in Russia.
A Cat Lady with a Cause Hundreds of kitties need homes in Novosibirsk – and this lady bought them one.
All the Village Is a Stage Performance art, adventure, and psychedelia in a Russian village. What more could you want?
Sniper Cover to Honor the Fallen Putin pays his respects at a memorial cemetery - by locking out the survivors and setting up snipers.
Copperfield? I Hardly Know Her! “Usually, to put money on a card, you need an ATM; with magicians, everything is much simpler: just rub a coin and it becomes invisible.” – Eugene, at Nevyansk prison, as he shows off a magic trick.
Slip-ups, Icicles, and (Not So) Sneaky Thieves In this week's Odder News: a propaganda failure, fishing robots, and a cross-dressing bandit.
Sophia's Failed Coup Peter I and Sophia (his elder step sister) should not have been at odds. They both carried out some of the same sorts of reforms. But you can only have one tsar...
Bringing Warmth to the Arctic Russia's Arctic towns are overdue for a makeover and graffiti is just what these chilly outposts need.
Of Ice and Snowmen The Snow and Ice in Moscow international festival, happening now, brings together artists from across the world to create brilliant works of art.
Theo Normanton Theo Normanton is a British journalist based in Russia. As a Moscow correspondent for bne IntelliNews, he writes about Russian politics, markets, society, and culture. He is also a contributor at the New Economy Observer, where he covers tech, ESG, and the circular economy. There, he has explored a range of innovations in the Russian market and further afield: from low-carbon metals manufacturing to sustainable Christmas trees. Theo studied Russian and French at the University of Cambridge, graduating in July 2021.
Tipple Tender Trending The minimum price of vodka, set by Russia's Ministry of Finance, has been raised. Barely.
Six Chances, One Wordle The newly released Wordle game now has a Russian language version! Go try it out!
Deadly Farmer Dispute in Siberia Police search for perpetrator guilty of killing an entire herd of horses in a deadly rivalry between farmers.
Valuing Values In an effort to prevent the "cult of selfishness," Russia's Ministry of Culture is implementing a project to preserve traditional values in 2022.
Happy Birthday Anton Pavlovich Today, January 29, is Anton Pavlovich Chekhov's 162nd birthday. Let's celebrate!
Frozen Traditions, The Epiphany Swim Religious or not, January 19th marks the day in which thousands of Russians dunk themselves in freezing waters for the annual Epiphany swim.
The Orthodox Church Strikes Back A high-school biology teacher wasn't expecting officials of the Russian Orthodox Church to be so vocal about a recent lesson.
An Unofficial Open to the Winter Olympics? “I consider the Tomsk Winter Olympic Games open!” – Viewers joke as a man chases after his escaped plastic bathtub in the city of Tomsk.
The Russian Granny Made of Steel "I have enough safety margin for a lot more. Nothing is impossible, even at such a venerable age. Take care of yourself, dear friends, and never be afraid of anything." – Maria Koltakova, the "Steel Granny," imparting wisdom, insight, and encouragement.
Population, a Pistol, and Pregnancy Problems In this week's Odder News: under-the-radar pets, dangerous tomfoolery, and a pregnant lady's trek through the mountains.
Marriage is No Laughing Matter The Rostov Oblast puts new limitations on the behavior of wedding-goers.
Good Deeds, Gas, and Gasless Cars In this week's Odder News: Kanye comes to town, free gas for eternity, and a young language prodigy.
Put Those Cute Faces to Work! This tire shop has some fluffy new residents! But are they earning their keep?
Tiger Toes Get Chilly, Too An endangered Amur tiger cub undergoes surgery after falling victim to Russia's harsh winters.
The Fight for Dumplings The governor of Moscow Oblast pushes for pelmeni in schools, despite resistance from the federal government.
Tykes Take to the Web A new study shows that the percent of Russian kids aged 3-6 using the internet has tripled in the last ten years, among other stats.
Rachel Rodriguez Rachel Rodriguez is a fourth-year student at the University of South Carolina, double majoring in Russian and Criminology and Criminal Justice. She plans to apply for the University of South Carolina’s Master’s program starting in the Fall of 2022. She has previously written for SRAS (Study, Research, and Custom Programs Abroad), and their family of sites such as popkult.org and folkways.today. Post-graduation, she aspires to have a career where she can apply her knowledge of both Russian culture and criminology.
Hannah Halladay Hannah Halladay is a Senior at Cornell College studying Russian and Philosophy. She hopes to one day combine these interests into a unique and viable occupation. As to how this will occur, she isn't sure, but she is excited by the possibilities. She became interested in Russian culture through the works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. In 2021 she received the Grace Wormer - Mihailo Mihailovic Russian Award for her interest in the Russian language and culture.
(NOT) Morgenshtern A burgeoning new (joke) media company is founded by none other than Russia's top rapper, Morgenshtern.
Nepotism Takes to the Ice The son of one of Putin's buddies was recently named the head of a professional hockey team, with no previous experience.
Grinches, GPS Art, and Gordon Ramsay In this week's Odder News, Russians are not happy with their gifts, an underwater winter wedding, and cooking for President Putin.
The Grinch Who Regretted "Dear residents! My deepest apologies. I confess I went too far with the alcohol. I am ready to financially compensate for the damage for the toys." – A note from an anonymous Christmas tree thief from Krasnoyarsk, published January 10.
Worth a Pretty Kitty How much would you pay for a feline once caressed by the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin?
Slavify Your Instagram Feed Start the new year off right by adding a little more Russian art to your social media platforms.
The New Year's Fairytale Nobody Asked For A little girl from Moscow just asked for a robotic toy dog, but instead, she got a rather unusual tale from one of Russia's head political leaders.
Say What?! Britain Had Plan to Smuggle Last Tsar's Family Out Newly declassified documents show that the British government intended to save the last Romanov.
Dead Morose: Never Too Late for the New Year "Thank God no one is writing any filth. Everything somehow really worked out very soulfully. This kind of thing is a sincere message from one to the other." – A representative of the Omsk ritual company “Heritage,” explaining the response to a New Year’s letter-writing campaign for the deceased, headed by a very punny Dead Morose.
TikTok Gets Cultured TikTok isn’t just for kiddies these days. The video streaming platform offers a range of people, such as those of Russia’s many ethnic groups, the opportunity to educate others about their cultures.
Weak Stomachs, Romanov Reboot, and Ciao to 2021 In this week's Odder News: the weirdest New Year's show ever, the most eco-friendly person ever, and great news for Russia's orphan care system.
Charcuterie à la 1984 Fiscal sanctions may be devastating for an economy, but food sanctions are a punch to the gut.
A Firefighter's Best Friend Opening a mysterious box turns out to unleash the best kind of surprise (spoiler alert: it's eight puppies).
January/February 2022 The Treacherous Beaty of Tuva * Birdmen of the Baltic * The General in the Village * Soviet History Through Insects * The First Russian Census * Peter I and Beards * Foreign Visitors * It's Not Good to be Cheap in Russian * French Borrowings in Russian * A Pie Recipe for Gluttons * Best Online Posts
Paul E. Richardson PAUL E. RICHARDSON is a writer, photographer, and editor. When not traveling, he oversees production of Russian Life out of its office in Montpelier, Vermont. He has written numerous articles for Russian Life, three novels, and several works of nonfiction, most recently Resilience: Life Stories of Centenarians Born in the Year of Revolution, with Nadya Grebennikova and Mikhail Mordasov, and Driving Down Russia's Spine. The company he founded in 1990 not only publishes Russian Life, but also provides marketing, photography, and publishing services to companies and nonprofits.
Yevgenia Volunkova Yevgenia Volunkova worked for many years as a journalist in Karelia, Russia’s northern republic that borders Finland. Then she moved to the Volga region and worked for four years as the editor of the most popular paper in Samara. Since 2017 she has been working as a special correspondent for the online publication, Takie Dela (“How Things Are”). She lives in Moscow but travels frequently around Russia, writing about people living in remote regions. She also writes about Russia’s social issues and doggedly maintains that high-quality journalism can change the world for the better.
The Best of the Rest We decided to look back on the year that was, to discover which online stories got the most reads and shares in the last year. Out of over 300,000 pageviews, these are three new posts from the past 12 months that came out on top.
A Glutton's New Year Feast The pirog is quite capable of holding the flag as the most important dish in Russian cuisine. It is a filling, generous, and hearty meal, containing all the major food groups (vegetables, animal protein, grains, and bread) rolled up in one.
Sinners, Saints and Pilgrims Revies of a book on one of the true-crime sources for Crime and Punishment, and a collection of Teffi's stories.
Exploring Early-Soviet-Era Insect Culture The insect world had a sort of heyday in post-revolutionary Russia. We visit an exhibition devoted to this topic and explore what it all means.
A Helping Hand When a general retires, a village can be in real danger. Because a general cannot ever really retire, and he may or may not have the sort of useful skills that the local folk require.
The Birdmen What makes them forsake their families and spend long months in isolated, Spartan cabins perched along the shores of the Baltic? The birds, of course. It’s all about the birds.
A Treacherous Beauty You may have heard of Tuva because of its stamps. But the Siberian Russian republic is so much more, offering a curious mixture of deep cultural traditions, natural beauty, and mortal danger.
French in Russian In this issue's language insert, we look at French words that have made their way into Russian. (Link to article downloads PDF of the page.)
Early Foreign Views of Russia Some thoughts on George Turberville, who served as secretary in the embassy of Queen Elizabeth I to Russia’s Ivan IV, and was one of the earliest observers (and reporters) of Russian mores.
The First and Last National Census Late January 2022 marks 125 years since the first thorough count of the Russian Empire’s population was begun in 1897. What was the significance of this endeavor, how was it carried out, and what were its results?
Peter's War on Facial Hair August 27, 1698, was a day of historic importance for the grooming of the Russian male. It was then that Tsar Peter I (known to history as “the Great”), armed himself with scissors and undertook to mercilessly clip beards from the faces of summoned noblemen and boyars.
The Tsarina's Daughter A short excerpt from the beginning of The Tsarina's Daughter, a novel about the life of Elizabeth I.
The Gambler Wife An excerpt from the new book, The Gambler Wife, a glimpse into the life and motivations of Dostoyevsky's very successful wife.
Erasing Memory The government wants to close down Memorial, while at the same time not be seen as the sort of repressive state that brought about the need for a Memorial. Lose-lose balancing act.
Undesirable Outcome The history of Russia since 2008 has been to repeatedly lop off appendages – nose, ears, digits – to spite itself. Obsessed by erroneous threats, it has invaded its neighbors, quashed all democratic activity, rigged votes, interfered in foreign elections, harbored and/or enabled international cybercrime… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Phallic-Shaped Ice Rinks, Flying Dyed Morozes, and Frightening Elevators In this week's Odder News, stay out of the elevator, be careful where you ice skate, and Ivan Urgant says goodbye to 2021 in grand fashion.
Courting Father Christmas "Since I am also a lawyer, I can act as an attorney for Father Christmas, and remind the plaintiff that Father Christmas fulfills wishes and gives gifts only to good girls and boys. Let him analyze his behavior and, perhaps, find something that has prevented Father Christmas from presenting him with gifts for the New Year holidays. This will be the main line of defense." – On December 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to defend Father Christmas after a St. Petersburg lawyer sued the gift-bringer.
Sock the Competition The Russian town of Rasskazovo hosts the very first all-Russian sock knitting championship.
Droning on About Lake Baikal Robotic drones are now being used to monitor the ecological situation of Lake Baikal.
School Lunch Gourmet An annual Russian competition to decide the best school cafeteria cook in all the land was held recently.
Snow Fright A granddaughter of Father Christmas who is blonde, slim, and very kind? This year’s Snow Maiden doesn’t seem to fit the bill.
Bunkers, Beglov, and Bad Weather In this week's Odder News, next year will be better, St. Petersburg's mayor should move to Africa, and bunkers are hip.
A Sweet Treat "Ancient instincts work – I licked the thing." – Hermitage artist-restorer Galina Fedorova discovers a candy stuck to the ball gown of Grand Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, sister of Tsar Nicholas II.
Trading COVID for a Car Thankful for the care they received while ill, one citizen gladly gives away their wheels for the greater good.
Yappy, Gigolos, and Timofei Chalamov In this week's Odder News, gigolos must be stopped in Russia, Yappy might take over TikTok, and "Timothée Chalamet" promotes Russian pastries.
What a Gap Year The world's youngest female pilot to circumnavigate the globe recently stopped in Russia's Far East.
A Different Kind of Train Schedule Second-class travelers on Russian trains may soon be required to take turns with their neighbors to use their compartment's table.
Barking Up the Right Tree "Yes, we growl and bite. Yes, we have sharp teeth and strong grip. But we are the prerequisite for progress. We are the antidote against tyranny." – Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta Dmitriy Muratov, celebrating the work of journalists on December 10.
Great Cats! Should She Be Canned? One brave Russian journalist has done great service for the world’s population of domestic cats by taste-testing their vittles.
We're in Your Camp! Just Kidding A deputy from Russia’s Rostov Region, who lives in a home with décor that rivals a tsar’s, is suspected of making some of his money stealing from poor kids. Oh my.
A Cone-petition A challenge to collect the most pinecones turns out to be about more than just the competition itself.
Magic in St. Petersburg King's Cross station has nothing on the city of St. Petersburg, which is now complete with its own Platform 9 3/4, too.
2022 Wall and Desk Calendar Pack Order both of our calendars for 2022 and save on both products and shipping!
Censored Roots: Russian Life at 65 The progenitor of Russian Life got its start 65 years ago this fall. We talk to one of its famous early editors about what it was like to write about Russia for the world in that era.
Evil Etsy, Nutcracker Shortages, and Rudolph on His Way In this week's Odder News, Etsy is a threat, a reindeer tries to race a Russian train, and "The Nutcracker" is much harder to see in Russia than in the U.S.
Free Villi Belugas captured off Russia's Pacific coast since 2018 swam off into the sunset just like the hero of the 1993 film Osvobodite Villi (Free Willy).
Of Players and Puppies St. Petersburg's Zenit soccer team had some adorable company on the field in a recent match.
The Breadwinner "Any region [of the Russian Federation], a Russian citizen, a Russian person – these are our people. We have never split. Can we help with something in agriculture – please. We will give the last grain, super-elite [grain], so all is well." – From the website of Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, on December 2.
A Premature Celebration A Krasnodar man, sentenced to serve time for theft, marked his release by doing what he does best.
Marisa Irwin Marisa Irwin is a professional Russian- and German-to-English translator specializing in historical translation. Her love of languages and history led her to complete a bachelor’s degree in Russian, German, and history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s degree in translation from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. After living in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Germany, she’s now based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition to her translation work, she serves as blog editor for the American Translators Association’s Slavic Languages Division.
How to Pick a Christmas Tree Like a Russian A Russian tree retailer lends some tips on how to land the perfect spruce you've been pining for.
Snow More! In an unusual turn of events, students in Chelyabinsk protest for more snow in the upcoming year.
Spy Rocks, Scent of a Man, and Lump of Coal In this week's Odder News, a Russian dog gets its paws, a museum exhibit brings joy, and spy rocks are on the move.
Conqueror of the Cold Oleg Rezanov claims to have overcome aging and pain by embracing the cold. Let’s look into this a bit more closely.
He Wouldn't Bear It A clever hunter made a move to pluck himself out of an unbearable fate nearly a month ago. This week, his friend explained how he managed to help.
Of the Old School "Let's revive the Soviet school of education. It was the best in the world, everyone has always recognized this, and this is what our legislative proposals should be aimed at. After all, the Unified State Exam is just some kind of torture for young people." – Chairman of Russia’s Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, reminiscing about how the Soviet system of education really made the grade.
On Being a Good Sport Good news for anyone with a solid right hook! The Russian Ministry of Sports has deemed fist fighting as an official sport.
New Moo In which, after not a small bureaucratic scuffle, a thirteen-year-old boy receives the gift from Putin that we all are really hoping for this Christmas: a brand new cow.
DNA in a Database Russian national energy company Rosneft has begun a project to create a database of genomes of Russians, which is definitely something a state-held corporation should be doing.
Catherine the Great Wants You to Get Vaccinated Catherine the Great's injunction to get vaccinated has recently emerged from a private collection.
After the Lord Mayor's Show "They are waiting for conversations from us, but not concrete actions.” – Andrei Alekseenko, the new mayor of Krasnodar, seems to have confused the demands of his citizens.
Maria Antonova Maria Antonova was born in Moscow and lived for several years in the United States, studying at the University of Washington. She relocated back to Moscow to pursue journalism and has traveled extensively throughout Russia and the former Soviet Union. In addition to her duties as Russian Life's Managing Editor (since 2007), she was a longtime correspondent for Agence France-Presse and contributes to many other publications.
Space News, Scam Salmon Caviar, and Electric Cars In this week's Odder News, good luck finding your bus, good luck getting your caviar order, and the cosmos is about to get boring.
The Turtle and the Scare A robotic turtle with spider-like abilities could be Russia’s next crowd control.
All Aboard the Hogwarts Express! You no longer need to travel to platform nine and three-quarters to get to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Russia now has her very own Hogwarts Express.
Birchpunk, an Internet Gift Despite how weird it looks, birchpunk is a fun and talented hip hop group asking important moral questions.
Late Bloomers An unusually warm fall is leading to some unusually beautiful blossoms in Sochi this year.
Belarus, Bigwigs, and Boasting "I knew Hafez Assad, I knew Saddam Hussein, I knew Muammar Gaddafi. We had very good and close relationships with them. We met with them. I'll tell you, the greatest thinkers!” – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko name drops on November 10.
A Comfy Place for Eternal Sleep A man disturbed the quiet slumber of the dead while looking for a place to catch himself forty winks.
Murmurating, Toothless Sherlock Holmes, and "Own Goal" In this week's Odder News, starling flocks are stunning, Dostoyevsky was a weird guy, and Team Russia bought Team Croatia a ticket to the next World Cup.
Neater, Braver, Smarter, Stronger Ever wonder about the ideal police officer every Russian citizen dreams of? Look no further!
Spelling Out the Rules Bad news for Russian language students: it looks like there might soon be some new spelling rules to memorize.
Russia to Launch Digital Ruble The digital ruble is about to be tested, so here's a crash course in how digital currency works.
Crying Wolf, for Good Reason As if COVID hadn't forced enough kids to learn from home, the prospect of wolf attacks are doing the same thing in the Ugra region.
Missing Lynx in Transportation In which a Siberian Lynx is caught waiting for the bus, just like the rest of us.
Why Not International Relations? "Sometimes there is a desire to remain silent about something, to not have a falling out, but this is the wrong strategy. Conversations, conversations, and more conversations. Find out from the get-go who cannot put up with what, for whom some moments are unacceptable, what responsibilities and rights you will have, and so on.” – Russian Psychologist Kristina Yakubova, giving advice for couples in their first year of marriage that might do any (ahem) conflicted pair some good.
Spider-Man, Siberian Tigers, and Sputnik V In this week's Odder News, Spider-Man is on the loose, Russia loves fast food, and protect your dogs.
Just a Little Horse Play Three young men from St. Petersburg have been detained by police for trying to ensure that the city’s stone horses aren’t left out in the cold.
Remembering the Good Times, Lukashenko Style An exhibit showing off the machine gun of our favorite mustached president (alongside other artifacts from August 2020 unrest) is currently gracing Minsk's Independence Palace.
A Not-Comprehensive List of Dostoyevsky 200th Events A thoroughly incomplete list of ways to scratch your Dostoyevsky itch ahead of his 200th birthday.
Something Worse Than Detention An abandoned crypt found on a Russian school's property takes the phrase "bored to death" to a whole new level.
Planking, Police Play Squid Game, and "Plus-Sized" Models In this week's Odder News, new planking record, Krasnoyarsk Squid Game, and 100% preschool attendance.
Gogol in the Middle Russia and Ukraine have a long history of disputes over beloved territory, to say the least… But this time, it’s Gogol.
Make Not War Art "In connection with the incident, the State Hermitage was forced to apply to the prosecutor's office of St. Petersburg with a statement to conduct a prosecutor's check and assess the actions of a citizen for possible violations of the legislation of the Russian Federation, including in terms of public insult to the memory of the Defenders of the Fatherland.” – Press Service of the St. Petersburg Hermitage, announcing it would be reviewing an artist’s behavior for potentially insulting the veterans of the Patriotic War of 1812.
Reading is Essential St. Petersburg book-lovers can relax going into the city-wide shutdown knowing that their favorite bookstores will not shut down fully; the city has added books to the list of essential items.
Vaccination is the Cat's Meow The Moscow Regional Coronavirus Headquarters are using all the available weapons at their disposal to fight the spread of COVID-19, and they've pulled out their biggest gun yet: cat memes.
November/December 2021 Dostoyevsky Turns 200: Is He Still Alive in Russia? * The Myth of Catherine the Great's Demise * Telling Fortunes in the Village * Dostoyevsky Sees a Corpse * King of the Cold * The Difference Between Now and NOW * Nobel Winner * Alexander's Decree * Elizabeth's Reign * Plov for the Holidays
A Pen for Peace Dmitry Muratov, the longtime editor in chief of the opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta received the Nobel Peace Prize, sharing the award with Philipina journalist Maria Ressa.
A Perfect Holiday Centerpiece It’s that time of the year again, when afternoons are short, the colors are subdued, and the appetite for rich spicy foods is at its highest. What a perfect occasion to cook a hearty Central Asia pilaf with mutton, lots of cumin, and (if you can find them) barberries (also known as berberis or “northern lemon”).
Мафия рулит! (или Итальянский в России) In this issue's language page, we look at the influence that Italian has had on the Russian language.
It's Now or Never When you begin to learn Russian, you may be a bit puzzled by two “nows”: теперь and сейчас. Let's clear this up, right NOW.
The Road Ahead People often ask me what lies ahead for Russia. This question always surprises me. It suggests that people think historians are part prophet, as if knowing a lot about the past means you can predict the future.
Death of an Empress Empress Elizabeth Petrovna breathed her last in December of 1761, in her St. Petersburg palace. By any standard, Peter the Great’s second daughter had lived an unusual life.
The Timid Path On December 12, 1801, 23-year-old Tsar Alexander I issued an ukaz. This particular decree was not something historians have considered extremely significant in the scheme of Alexander’s reign, but it merits attention for a few reasons.
Russian Terrorists with Febrile Dreams of Flight An excerpt from To Break Russia’s Chains: Boris Savinkov and his Wars Against the Tsar and the Bolsheviks, recently published by Pegasus Books.
News and Readings from Russia The latest news and developments from Russia that may not have made it into the New York Times.
Dostoyevsky is Born Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky (1821-1881), novelist, short story writer, essayist, and journalist, was born in Moscow.
Happy 200th, Dostoyevsky! On this, the occasion of the great writer's 200th birthday, we offer some links to stories we have published about him over the years, as well as some cool videos. Happy reading and viewing!
Crime and Punishment W.W. Norton has released a new translation, by Michael Katz, of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s classic novel. We excerpt here the novel’s opening.
Dostoyevsky the Gambler In September 1863, Fyodor Dostoyevsky was desperate for money. The result was one of his finest works, the novel The Gambler. It would change the writer's fate in many ways.
The Grand Illusion Russia went to war with the Ottoman Empire in 1877 for what it thought were noble reasons. Yet, in the end, it turned out the usual way. A look back at that era, with contemporaneous accounts by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky is treasured the world over for his psychological novels, many written under hurried deadlines. We look at his life and art, and talk to his relatives.
Ten Best Hollywood Films about Russia and Russians We did a survey of experts and came up with our list of the Ten Best Hollywood Films about Russia and Russians
Reindeer, Restaurant Overload, and the Best Taxi Drivers in All the Russias In this week's Odder News, gig work gets some much-deserved attention, Muscovites "celebrate" the imminent lockdown by going nuts, and the wild comes to the streets of St. Petersburg.
A Good Sign Researchers in Novosibirsk are working to develop the world's first Russian Sign Language-to-text translator.
Don't Bungle Your Bowels, Eat Sauerkraut "Sauerkraut that can almost completely solve the problem with dysbiosis. This is because it contains a fairly large amount of dietary fiber, which is a good nourishment for your microflora, and immunity largely depends on the work of the intestines.” – Nutritionist Andrey Solotarev on what might be good for the gut.
Quote-Unquote Eternal Flame Due to a gas shortage, one former Soviet city has been forced to shut off a war memorial: an "eternal" flame that was never supposed to stop burning.
A Mustachioed Medusa What could be more sinister than a Medusa with a mustache? A hint: a Medusa with a mustache and a reputation for being Europe’s last dictator.
Valhalla on Lake Baikal For the first time in history, a Viking-style longship sails the waters of the Angara river near Lake Baikal.
Defending a Mural to the Death If you don't know short-lived Soviet rock musician Igor Talkov, you should. His St. Petersburg mural is under threat.
Debunking a Myth The salacious and derogatory myth surrounding the death of Catherine the Great has its roots in her detractors and successors, both at home and abroad.
Dreadful Terror Dostoyevsky’s chance visit to a museum led to a chilling, life-changing encounter with an artist long dead, but whose work was very much alive. It would make an appearance in the writer’s next novel.
Telling Fortunes When they turn the electricity off in the village, everybody promptly shows up at Granny Shura’s.
Is Dostoyevsky Still Alive? On the occasion of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky’s 200th anniversary, we visit his adopted city to consider the imprint he left behind.
Outsmarting Smart Voting For the first time since 2016, and the first time since the momentous constitutional changes of 2020 allowing President Putin to run for two more presidential terms, Russia has elected a new parliament.
All Good Things In which we say goodbye to a longtime editor and look toward the future by looking back.
Anar Movsumov Anar Movsumov is a photojournalist based in Samara. He has worked as a staff photographer and freelance contributing photojournalist with major Russian news media (Meduza, Kommersant, Novaya Gazeta, and others) and with international media (El Pais, Der Spiegel, and BBC). He also works as a producer and fixer. He loves to capture stories of ordinary people and always tries to find and show something inspiring in every story he does.
Vladimir Alexandrov Vladimir Alexandrov received a Ph.D. in comparative literature from Princeton. He taught Russian literature and culture at Harvard before moving to Yale, where he is B.E. Bensinger Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures. He is the author of The Black Russian, To Break Russia’s Chains: Boris Savinkov and his Wars Against the Tsar and the Bolsheviks, as well as books on Bely, Nabokov, and Tolstoy, and lives in New Haven, Connecticut.
Emily R. Zarevich Emily R. Zarevich is an English/ESL teacher and writer from Burlington, Ontario, Canada. She attended Wilfrid Laurier University for her Honours English B.A. and earned her teaching certificate from Humber College. Her research journalism has also appeared in Jstor Daily, The Archive, and Early Bird Books. She is also a writer of fiction, and her published short stories can be found in Wild Roof Journal and Dreamers Creative Writing Magazine.
The Cat's Out of the Suitcase A new statue in Kurgan is decidedly not the cat's pajamas, and after less than a week on display is being taken down due to public outcry.
Scoot Safely Russia's ministry of transportation has created a set of rules and regulations for electric scooters.
That's Not the Team Spirit "Because of e-sports, we are losing future great athletes who could become Olympic champions.” – Svetlana Zhurova, State Duma Deputy and Olympic Champion, commenting on the recent (sedentary) victory of the Russian cybersports group Team Spirit.
Message in a Bottle, Moscow Canal Blockage, and Mother of 22 In this week's Odder News, the most amazing cakes you have ever seen, Russia's Suez Canal moment, and how do 100 kids sound?
Akhmatova's Cat Goes Missing After a brief scare, the oldest cat at the poet Anna Akhmatova's museum in St. Petersburg has returned safely back home.
A Bare Cat-art-strophe in Kazan An indignant social media user called out an artist for her choice of subject in the heart of Kazan, but there’s another side to the story – a backside, if you will.
Kremlin Ghosts Hidden behind the walls of Moscow’s ancient fortress are phantoms and shades from centuries gone by.
The Sweetest Stowaway In which a lucky kitten gets to see a good portion of Russia from the cabin of a very kind truck driver.
Christopher Marcisz Christopher Marcisz is a writer who lives in western Massachusetts. His work has appeared in Hyperallergic, Popula, and the Berkshire Eagle. @cwmarc
Tractors in Tomsk, TikTok, and Space Movies In this week's Odder News, don't drink and drive your tractor, ticket-taking grandmothers are surprisingly entertaining, and the Russians win the new space race by a hair.
Fair Trade One Russian city is taking moonshine off the streets by offering a trade: groceries in exchange for booze.
The Little Bike That Could Just when you thought that Russia had everything, an inventor from Krasnodar gains recognition for creating the world's smallest (functional) bicycle.
Being the Face Sans Facebook "The president’s website is working. There are no problems.” – On October 4 Press Secretary for the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov reassured the public that not even Facebook can take down the President’s site.
Jello, Fellow! Shall We Sweeten the Deal? Somebody’s got a sweet tooth in Tyumen, where they deputy head of Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service has accepted forbidden fruit in exchange for the right to supply other sweet ingredients.
A New Spin on an Old Painting The internet has been talking about Ilya Repin's painting Barge Haulers on the Volga a lot lately but, as usual, it is ignoring history.
A Glorious Gazebo A village in Bashkortostan has opened a new gazebo as a gathering place for the community, and photos certainly make it look welcoming.
Dressed to Kill Their Careers There are worse fashion blunders than white socks and a self-tying tie, but the chief prosecutor’s office of Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Territory might disagree.
A Corgi Coronation The third annual Corgi Ball took place outside Moscow, and yes, it was just as cute as it sounds like it would be.
A Rare Royal Romanov Wedding A wedding fit for a Romanov went down in St. Petersburg on the first of October.
Devil-May-Care or Crazy Like a Fox? "We did not have a fox in the monastery, definitely not ours, but it’s probably someone’s pet. They write that someone [at the monastery] was scared, but the fox was the most scared of all – a hundred people chased after her with their phones; she is the main victim.” – A resident of the Srtensky Monastery in Moscow denied that a young fox accused of terrorizing parishioners had come from the premises.
Giant Pumpkins, Giant Trash Piles, and Micro-Apartments In this week's Odder News, a wedding that sends the cast of a French musical to Africa, Moscow's new tiny flats, and Russia's trash is piling up.
Not All Eco-Heroes Wear Capes Meet Khokhulya: he's a Russian desman, the official eco-hero of the Kaluga Region, and now an internet personality to boot.
Philosophy Baddie: Detective Lenin Closes the Case Formerly an editor of “glossy publications,” Russian writer and editor Alexei Korolev has released his debut novel, Death of Pure Reason. The novel’s “hero” is one Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov.
Ageless Youth The new head of Yekaterinburg's youth commission is perhaps a little older than one might expect.
Troppau Protocol Signed As Europe boiled and revolutions fomented, the rulers of Russia, Austria, and Prussia granted themselves the authority to invade other countries in order to maintain calm and protect the power of the ruling monarchs.
The Panic By mid-October of 1941, Moscow seemed on the verge of falling to the Nazis. German troops had reached the city’s edge, and there were rumors of fascist tanks closing in.
Mysterious Mice, Marketing Cats, and Fake Scorpions In this week's Odder News, blind dueting, cats at work, and the mice who love COVID.
Wisdom Welcomes a Wine Glass "The world is absolutely clear to me :) CHEERS.” – Elena, wine-bearing marathon runner in September’s Galaxy Vladivostok Marathon.
Pelevin Perplexes After twenty years outside the public eye, celebrated author Viktor Pelevin comes to Moscow to greet fans and sign books. Or does he?
Dromedary on the Roam You can find lots of unique and unexpected things when you take a trip into the woods in search of edible mushrooms, but a camel in Nizhny Novgorod seems to be the most outlandish find yet.
Compliments to Russia's Chefs A new ranking shows that 4% of the world's best chefs come from Russia.
Remembering Yaroslavl's Lost Hockey Team A decade has passed since an entire Russian professional hockey team was lost in a moment.
Kremlin Finally Gets Around to Clearing Out Old Basement Archaeologists have just completed digging through layers of cultural strata in the middle of the Kremlin, unearthing some interesting finds they totally forgot were down there.
What's Worse: Unsympathetic Aliens or Interfering AI? "The App Store portal: who regulates it? Artificial intelligence, people from Mars?” – Andrei Klimov, seeking to understand what’s going on behind the scenes with Apple’s App Store on September 17.
Chess, the Most Dangerous Game A normally quite peaceful board game took a violent turn in Krasoyarsk.
Hero Cats, Bizarre Voters, and Roscosmos In this week's Odder News, polling stations get wild, a family cat saves the day, and where in Russia is the head of the last Kazakh khan?
Bring Out the Chainsaw! As policy dictates, election staff must now dispose of unused ballots in Russia's State Duma elections – and you’ll find that some have been cutting corners. Chainsaw, anyone?
Gone Fishing ~ Video Andrei Borodulin, the writer and photographer who penned "Gone Fishing," an article about the Volga River delta for our September/October issue, sent us this fantastic short video captured while reporting that story.
Pumpkins, Medieval Renaissance Festivals, and Cattle Stealing In this week's Odder News, enormous pumpkins, LARPing in honor of Alexander Nevsky, and horses in cars.
What's Inside of Fox's Mouth? “Snrrf.” *crunching sound* *laughter* “Pant, pant…” – A fox as it thieves a camera from tourists in Kamchatka on September 8.
Bee the Change In Chelyabinsk, for the first time, an agricultural enterprise is under legal heat for the mass killing of bees.
2022 Wall Calendar This is one of the most beautiful calendars we have ever created. It features breathtaking images from all across Russia by acclaimed photographer Petr Ushanov.
2022 Desk Calendar The same 12 images as on our Wall Calendar, only smaller. It is printed on glossy card stock and features a sturdy “tenting” design, color coding of major holidays, and bilingual month names.
I'm Not Dead Yet! It seems that vampires aren't the only creatures who choose to sleep in coffins; drunk Russians do, too.
Bribes Aren't Funny Roskomnadzor seems to have a funny bone to pick with the Sverdlovsk government publication Oblastnaya Gazeta, blocking their website in delayed reaction to a questionable text.
A Dedication to Dairy Residents of Voronezh have made us all proud (and a little bit jealous) by setting the Russian record for eating the most sweet cottage cheese-based desserts in one day.
Awkward Signs, Awkward Videos, and Awkward Communists KHL-winning former NHL coach goes all in on Russia, Russia's top communist goes all in on religion, and fines for peeing on Russia.
Gone Fishing You’ve not been fishing until you have explored the Volga River delta. And what better guide to take us there than the intrepid Andrei Borodulin?
Don't Forget Your Flowers and Bows Last week, Russian children gathered for the Day of Knowledge on September 1. It is quite the spectacle.
Moscow Neighborhoods Due for a Face Lift “They are different projects, but they have the same goal: to create a high-quality urban environment and new opportunities for recreation and sports close to home.” – Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, announcing plans to improve Moscow’s public spaces.
Robots Hit the Road Three Russian cities are set to host the country's first unmanned taxis. What could go wrong?
Duct-Taped and Speeding A young Russian blogger and his accomplice published a video of vehicular hooliganism on September 1.
Kate Skorodinskaya Kate Skorodinskaya is a journalist and author of four books, and worked for Russian national television as well as various Russian magazines and newspapers. For the last decade, however, she has been teaching courses on Russian language, film, literature, and culture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She sees film as a shortcut to learning about and understanding Russian culture.
Baba Yaga's Birthday Bash How does Baba Yaga celebrate her special day? Head to Yekaterinberg to find out.
A Big Win for Big Cats Big cats can rest easy knowing that both the Amur Tiger and the Amur Leopard have been declared safe from the possibility of extinction.
Grace, Poise, and Firepower Belarus opens Russia's eight annual tank biathlon with tutus and Swan Lake.
First Contact It is astonishing to think that as recently as the eighteenth century – not the Middle Ages, not the days of Marco Polo, but in the supposedly enlightened eighteenth century – people still had only the vaguest idea of where Asia ended and America began.
Sofia Gubaidulina Listening to the intensely chromatic compositions of Sofia Gubaidulina can be challenging. You wouldn’t put her music on to relax or to be energized. As with any avant-garde work, taking it in can feel like work.
Virgin Arctic Russia is pushing ahead with a new drive to populate the country’s remote and unpopular fringes. Starting this year, Russians can claim a hectare (about 2.5 acres) of land in the Arctic zone – absolutely free.
Going Postal, Falling in Rivers, and Surviving Crimean Vacation In this week's Odder News, pregnant cows falling in rivers, drunk Pitertsy falling in rivers, mysterious runoff in the Black Sea, and going postal.
A Can-ny Campaign Strategy “Lids are very relevant seasonal paraphernalia for many. Everyone accepted the gifts, even adherents of other political views.” – Local news from gorbatka.ru, on United Russia’s election campaign strategy.
Russia Tire-d of Folk Art At the beginning of July, the Russian government re-tire-d a form of folk art dear to many: the lawn tire.
A Revolutionary Restoration After almost ten years, the Alexander Palace, the final home of the Romanovs, is back and open for visitors.
September/October 2021 Mouth of the Volga * Little Shop in Vedlozero * Heat in the Village * Russian Life's Censored Roots * Moscow's Modernist Marvel * The Language of Weather * From Germany with Love (Uchites) * The Panic of 1941 * A Woman Composer Who Persisted * "Discovering" Russian America * Olympic Flame, Out * A Crumb Cake for All Seasons
Scents and Memoirs Two books reviewed: one on the origin of two perfumeries, another that is a memoir of an archpriest.
Flame Out Due to the sports doping ban about which much has been written, Russia was not allowed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics this summer. But Russian athletes did compete under the “flag” of the “Russian Olympic Committee” (ROC).
A Crumble for All Seasons A crumble cake in Russia is something like banana bread in the US – the varieties are endless, and every avid baker has her “grandmother’s recipe” in their repertoire.
Moscow's Modernist Marvel Sometimes the most incredible things can be hidden in plain sight. In this case, a main thoroughfare in the capital.
Fate's Debt Register In which we visit a rather unique store in the Karelian village of Vedlozero. Which of course is far more than a store.
A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall These days, unfortunately, we all need to become familiar with the terminology for extreme weather and climate change, if only to know when we should dash into the basement or pack up and run.
The Heat There’s no doing without hay in the village. The cows eat it, and the sheep, and the hens need loads of it for their nests. And it comes in handy for people too, when they stuff their mattresses with it and lie on them forevermore, because the scent is just marvelous.
Artur the Surgeon Artur, a surgeon from Moscow, spends more than 5 hours a day underwater during his Delta vacations.
Darkness The deeper into the delta one goes, the less conditions are prime for tourists looking for comfort.
Anatoly Anatoly, a local Kalmyk, has caught only a few medical leeches. Right: The horses of Kalmykia.
Yuri Yuri is a farmer and Terek Cossack. He treasures his fishing expeditions as an opportunity to turn off his phone and escape his daily routine.
News Notes Pressure on independent journalism, champagne importers, and some Olympics and architectural news.
Profiles in Courage It takes something special in a human being to create a thing from scratch, to see a slab of stone and carve it into a sculpture, to see an empty storefront and turn it into a store, to sketch out a multistory building on paper and then shepherd it into existence in the real world.
Concrete Jungle A shawarma shop accidentally delves into urban agriculture, much to the delight of city residents.
Nine Lives of Crime While that face might look sweet and innocent, recent allegations against Pushok the cat claim otherwise.
Little Wanderers, Watery Kasha, and Flower Bouquets In this week's Odder News, kids expect glamping and instead get camping, a missing baby is found after days of wandering, and a bouquet of flowers drives the internet wild.
Throw in the Mayor with the Banya Water “Today, the city bath house needs support because, due to last year's lengthy six-month shutdown associated with the coronavirus, the banya cannot pull itself out of debt." – Mikhail Valov, Mayor of Sayanogorsk, inviting citizens to save his city’s municipal bathhouse from the economic ravages of the Coronavirus on August 23.
Recovering from Covid? Bring on the Russian Ballad A little levity can be good for the Covid blues, and expert Khadizhat Omarova of Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor has given a variety of advice to accelerate recovery. Why not give your lungs a good stretch and practice your folk song, too?
Biscuithead Sweet-Talks on Safety In Russia, mascots only get better. Imagine a child cracking a smile not JUST for a man bungling in a hot costume, but for a role model who looks like a beloved teatime treat…
No Such Thing as a Free Pizza Pizza-lovers be warned: a new scam in Russia is targeting those with a craving for cheese and pepperoni.
Even Communists Like Rock A very uncharacteristic tweet about a famous Soviet rockstar has many Russians scratching their heads. Apparently, even communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov can't resist a catchy tune.
Who Fishes for Fishers? A court has found two men guilty of poaching—men whose job it is to prevent the poaching of fish.
Teach a Man to Phish “Don't believe it, don't click it, don't pay!” – Sergey Volodkhin, director of the Russian company “Antiphishing,” explaining how online scammers bait their hooks,
Seal Friends, Soviet Sunbathing, and Secrets of Moscow In this week's Odder News, a horse dung walking trail, a seal with a very proper name, and Mrs. Russia takes the stage.
What's in a Name? Yandex.Maps has completed a surprising study of all the places in Russia, and they even figured out how to get from the Moon to Mars.
Not-Russia's Final Medal Tally Not-Russia took home more Olympic medals than it thought it would, placing third in the overall medal count race.
Sinfully Good Burgers A Russian woman is suing McDonald's for producing advertising so effective she gave up on Lent.
Hell's Builders “There is not a single builder in Paradise.” – Stanislav Lisichenko, Russian restaurateur, providing an anecdote for Russia’s “Builder’s Day," August 8.
Borscht, Bears, and Birthday Surprises In this week's Odder News, the biggest pot of borscht you'll ever see, a new birthday gift idea, and piranhas hit Sakhalin.
Cops and Robots Russia's “Promobot” is more efficient than the teacher with eyes in the back of her head.
A Real Hot Rod Who needs headlights when you have flamethrowers instead? This Russian mechanic decided to find out.
No Scaredy-Cats Here Cats and bears are (arguably) Russia's two favorite national animals. What would happen if the two animals were to come head to head? Apparently, not much.
Are You Ready for Some... Football? Look out NFL – the Russian Super Bowl was held in the Moscow region last weekend.
Facepay, Tots in College, and Twisties In this week's Odder News, futuristic cities, unexpected parliamentary candidates, and the twisties.
Tourism in the Time of Covid “These people do not go to relax in other resorts, they settle in neighboring hotels: the more restrictions are imposed on legal business, the more it plays into the hands of those who work in the dark.” – Natalia Stambulnikova, Chairman of the Association of Small Hotels of Crimea, warning of the ominous nature of coronavirus restrictions that impede tourism.
The Purrfect PPE Cats and water are usually a combination to be avoided, but this Russian athlete wants nothing more than to make his affinity for his feline companions known in the Olympic swimming pool.
Leaving the Mark of Marriage at the Altar A move to allow Russians to choose whether their marriage status will be included in their passports has met with traditional backlash. What was that about a ball and chain, now?
Fountain Frolicking Forbidden The St. Petersburg city government has threatened to prevent traditional celebrations of VDV Day by turning off its fountains. Such grinches.
Starry-Eyed and Vaccinated Covid’s got a sun sign, and Russian television personality and astrologer Vasilisa Volodina is out to break the virus some bad news.
The False Borises Imitation is the highest form of flattery, especially when it comes to one's name on a ballot.
Chefs, Cockroaches, and Cat Cafes In this week's Odder News: raccoon rescue, low light, and cats, both homeless and elite.
More Borscht for All “We expect there to be and there already is a decrease in prices for products included in this ‘borscht set,’ and in our opinion, the trend will continue.” – Elvira Nabiullina, the head of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, has happy news.
Locating Lotuses Did you know that wild lotus flowers are native to Russia? Well, here's an interactive map of where to find them in the Astrakhan region.
Give a Dog a (Brand New) Bone A poor two-legged pooch needs a lending paw, and Novosibirsk veterinarians 3D-print her a pair of two prosthetics.
An Architectural Crime; or, Shedquarters A new village police station, unveiled with much pomp, occupies what appears to be a repurposed corrugated metal shed.
IKEA, Invasive Species, and Cat Kidney Transplants In this week's Odder News, elite cat care, the cutest reunion ever, and IKEA furniture is really from Russia.
No Lazy Elections “Video surveillance – it is not idle curiosity, for lying on the couch to watch some kind of movie. There are theaters and television for that, but this [observance of elections] is major work. If you want [to observe elections], if you are interested, an active citizen, then you’re going to need to work a bit for it.” – Ella Pamfilova, head of Russia’s Central Election Committee, on election monitoring.
Let Sleeping Bears Lie A Russian zoo will open its very first exhibit to allow the observation of hibernating bears, but will it allow the bears to get some good shut-eye?
An Olympic Reintroduction Everyone is excited for the long-awaited Games this summer, especially the Russian Olympic Committee, who is taking the opportunity to reintroduce us to their two new(-ish) Olympic mascots.
Not Cu-Cumbersome for Prisoners It looks like a penal colony in Russia’s Oryol region has met the challenge of prison reform with a solution as cool as a cucumber.
Russians Play Crucial Role in NHL Championship The Tampa Bay Lightning just won the NHL championship, and there were definitely Russians involved.
Doses Down the Drain While most Russians aren't known to shy away from free shots (vaccine or otherwise), one administrator is under investigation for selling documents sans immunizations.
The Right Dosage “Sex after administration of the vaccine does not cause any side effects in people of any age. As a matter of fact, sexual activity provides a lot of satisfaction and pleasure. People’s fears go away, as sex 'turns off' the head and relieves stress.” – Sexologist sexologist Andrei Lygachin, refuting the idea that individuals should avoid sex after being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Robodogs, Space Movies, and Skydiving In this week's Odder News, a skydiver plunges into family breakfast, Russian and American actors fly into space, and robots are taking over.
Flying High Russian air travel has changed radically over the past two decades. While there are still grave security concerns, there has been a boom in aircraft and airport construction, with positive impacts for travelers into and within the country.
Putting the Buzz in Buzzed Bees and people aren't really that different after all: Apparently, both get a little disoriented when the weather gets too hot and they have had a little bit too much to drink.
Dear Cheese Is there anything that could make cheese any better than it already is? A new patent in cheese-making with an unusual ingredient is attempting to do just that.
Cracking the QR Code In Moscow, a pair of legs with hot red stilettos on one end and a plush purple QR code at the other flounced down a Moscow street and into a restaurant.
New York, Back on the Map After sixty years of going by another name, New York, Ukraine, is back in action.
Dirty Money “We are strengthening the protection of banknotes from the effects of harmful microorganisms.” – On July 5, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Central Bank Mikhail Alekseev explained plans for the modernization of Russia’s bank notes
Cloudy With a Chance of Milkshakes A usual weather phenomenon called "Milky Rain" occurred recently in the Moscow region, but it wasn't nearly as delicious as it sounds.
Animals, Animals, Animals... and Faking Your Own Kidnapping In this week's Odder News, Russian highway drivers stop for a duckling crossing, a woman fakes her own kidnapping and pays for it, and what does it signify if two black sphynx cats cross your path?
Get Your "Mad Max" on in Russia's "Silk Way" Rally A trip for rugged vehicles of many types and stripes, Russia’s “Silk Way” Rally began on July 1 in Omsk.
Rushin' to Get Back To Russia Russophiles delight! The motherland calls, and she's saying that American ex-pats are welcome to enter through her borders once again.
From MMA to Crème Brûlée When an injury takes an MMA fighter out of the cage, he decides to take his talents into the kitchen instead.
July/August 2021 Russian Skies post-COVID * History of a spicy cookie * Real Kvass * Russian Cancel Culture? * The Wall at 60 * A Foreign Foreign Minister * Raspberry Yumminess * Language of Idiots * The Girl from the Hermitage * American Aid for a Russian Famine
Russia's Anomalous Zones While the U.S. Pentagon teases knowing the truth about UFOs, Volgograd continues to attract more of them... supposedly... than anywhere else.
Sandwiches, Suitcases, and Swaddling Clothes In this week's Odder News, marked up sandwiches, magic suitcases, and Chadian soldiers as alarm clocks.
Nice and Refreshing Russia announces "Sputnik Light," the not-actually-low-cal version of their Sputnik V vaccine.
The Rainbow Menace “The demand for primitive toys suggests that not all of society, but a certain stratum, are inclined to simple decisions. Our society is approaching a situation where we will collapse into the abyss of simple solutions to complex issues.” – Russian psychologist, politician, and head of the Department of Personality Psychology at Moscow State University Alexander Asmolov warns of the risks of Simple-Dimples, Squishies, and Pop-its
A Necessary Inspection Russian kids are caught up in a toy craze, and the government is worried about how it might be influencing them.
Let There Be Light A policeman had a bright idea for how to use his money to help his native village.
Britney's Plight Takes Flight, And Putin's "Troops" Speak Out News of Britney Spears’s recent appearance in court has crossed the globe, and a well-meaning group of supporters in Russia have taken offense at her plight.
Soccer Takes Over St. Petersburg St. Petersburg hosts one-eleventh of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament this summer.
Aeroflot, Achilles, and Alushta In this week's Odder News, a noble Hermitage cat predicts the UEFA tournament in St. Petersburg, new rules for flying with pets, and Russia's three biggest problems.
Crossing the Line With a bucket of paint and a dream, this Russian pensioner did what city officials wouldn't, but she may have had to cross a line to do it.
Putin's Pretty Pensive “Everything in the world displeases me, but, above all, my displeasure in everything displeases me.” – “Darth Putin” on Twitter parodies Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments after his meeting with Joe Biden on Wednesday, June 16
Of Fish and Cockroaches Some ways to tell the difference between fish names and a discussion of fishy aphorisms and idioms.
Too Many Cat Videos More than 40% of Russians say they're addicted to the internet, meaning that as many as 60% of Russians are probably liars.
The Mai Tais Are Worth It Ever been so desperate for a vacation that you're willing to go into debt? According to a new study, more and more Russians are.
The Original Cover of Alice The original cover of Nabokov's translation of Alice in Wonderland, published in 1923 | Illustration by S. Zalshupin
Drinking Not En-Cur-Aged If you’re craving hair of the dog, Russia’s State Duma might recommend leaving the dog—or any pet, for that matter—behind.
Famine and Relief In 1921, Russia was in a catastrophic state. Famine raged, and American aid proved crucial to the nation's survival.
More than a Cookie For some 300 years, the residents of Gorodets, near Nizhny Novgorod, have been making a spicy cookie famous throughout the country, and perhaps the world.
The Girl from the Hermitage Molly Gartland’s The Girl from the Hermitage follows the turns of fate over nearly a century of a single family in St. Petersburg, whose lives are forever altered by a portrait assignment.
A Century Ago On August 7, 1921, Alexander Blok, died in St. Petersburg. Widely considered the greatest poet of the Silver Age of Russian poetry.
Kvass Our old gals in the village cast a wary eye on all food from the store, because who knows what they’ve got in there?
Irina Poverennova Irina Poverennova is a photographer in Nizhny Novogorod. She canbe found at @irina.poverennova.
Cheburashka in the Fog Just a little over a year ago, Russia was rocked by revelations that one of its most venerated authors of childrens’ fiction subjected his daughter to abuse in a cult.
Dumb and Dumber In Russian, as in English, it isn’t nice to call someone “stupid.” But sometimes you just have to say it.
The Berlin Wall Why was so much manpower, money, and material expended on a project that flew in the face of the policy of “peaceful coexistence” that had been announced just five years earlier? It was classic Khrushchev.
The Foreign Foreign Minister Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski was born in Poland, and helped rule Russia, for a time at least.
Molly Gartland Originally from Michigan, Molly Gartland worked in Moscow from 1994 to 2000 and has been fascinated by Russian culture ever since. She has an MA in Creative Writing from St Mary’s University, Twickenham and lives in London. The manuscript for her debut novel The Girl from the Hermitage was shortlisted for the Impress Prize and longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Competition, the Bath Novel Award and Grindstone Novel Award. Molly Gartland's Website
Space, Felix, and Banyas News items on everything from the ISS to politics, from banyas to a new train station.
New GULAG? Russian authorities have found a new way to boost the country’s sluggish economic growth while also solving the shortage of construction workers: prison labor.
Apparitions, Animals, and Cannabis In this week's Odder News, moose loose, ghost spotted, and hemp growing under the government's nose.
Get Them Vacs A-Rollin' “The main condition is that the first shot of the vaccine must be administered between the 15th and 25th of June 2021 at the vaccination points of the Ministry of Health of the Moscow Region. For this purpose, you can choose any drug: ‘Sputnik V,’ ‘EpiVacCorona,’ and ‘KoviVak.’” – On June 13, Governor of Moscow Oblast Andrei Vorobyov announced a lottery to win a new apartment.
When Well-Oiled, Skip the Fat If you enjoy a hefty pour (or three!), you might think twice about what you consume to offset the effects of a night of drinking.
A Furry Fugitive In America, people go to country clubs to escape from the drudgery they bear. In Russia, bears escape from country clubs.
Inbreeding Animals, Escaping Arrestees, and Zhiguli Is Back In this week's Odder News, we have mutant dolphins, wild rappers, and (of course) vintage Zhigulis.
Looking for Elon “I think he has already been born. I think he is already in school studying or in kindergarten. And of course, he is not alone. A great country will certainly appear.” – On June 5, Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos, on where the Russian Elon Musk is.
Netflix Loves Russia's Beloved Sergei Bodrov, Jr. Sergei Bodrov, Jr., shines in Netflix's Top 10 list in Brat's first week.
Flooded with Fun Citizens of Krasnoyarsk are figuring out how to make the best out of a pretty water-logged situation.
Internet Writing 101 Get ready for workout videos, dance clips, and photos of avocado toast: Russia's Ministry of Education is considering adding blogging to some curricula.
UFOs, Cars, and Steven Seagal's Samurai Sword In this week's Odder News, Russians are geeked about UFOs, past and present collide, and Steven Seagal becomes a real-life special agent.
Ferreting Into Adventure The world's luckiest ferret is set to go on the vacation of a lifetime in the Altai mountains.
iTeacher After a year of education through computer screens and the internet, one Russian school looks to bring the screens back into the physical classroom with a robotic teacher.
Boiling Politics! “The political field lives and evolves, it boils during election campaigns.” – On Tuesday May 25, Press Secretary to the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov praises Russia’s political environment.
Tamara Eidelman Tamara Eidelman is a historian, an author, and an acclaimed YouTube lecturer, and leader of historical tours. Formerly a history teacher at one of Moscow’s finest high schools, she regularly gives public lectures on history and recently published How Propaganda Works, as well as two books for children on Russian history. She has been the magazine's History Editor since 2003. She compiles the Calendar section and regularly contributes, vetts and edits articles on historical themes. In late 2019, she started up a Youtube channel on matters historical, societal and philosophical. It has become hugely popular (with over 200,000 subscribers), and it is a great place to improve your Russian. Also, she has an active Telegram channel.
Quadruplets, Stickers, and Jellyfish in Your Pants In this week's Odder News, Russia jumps on the organic bandwagon, Russians get circus tickets and stickers for vaccinating, and quadruplets are more common than you would think.
Congrats to Mikhail Kubar! A Yakut school's graduating class consisted of only one student, which means he receives all of our congratulations.
Tesla Comes to Russia “I think we're close to establishing Tesla's presence in Russia, and that would be great. And more broadly, also in Kazakhstan and neighboring regions.” – On May 21, entrepreneur Elon Musk announced that the Tesla line would soon make it to markets in Russia, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall Editor Tamara Eidelman reminisces about how little the Berlin Wall was part of Soviet life.
Peter the Great's Sandbox The Sandfest returns to the shores of St. Petersburg with global travel themes.
Scooter Blacklist The Moscow City Duma is proposing safety regulations that will help prevent Muscovites from scootering into peril.
Bling Defiantly! How to counter the "shameful" designation of "foreign agent"? With some bling, of course.
Teletubbies, TikTok Tinder, and TikTok Mayor In this week's Odder News, a city mayor uses TikTok and Grand Theft Auto to communicate with his constituents, the Teletubbies show up in Norilsk, and a Perm barn is sacrificed to TikTok.
Security Snoops on Banya Bathers A court case in the city of Perm unveils a story combining three quintessentially Soviet things: bathhouses, religious oppression, and an (extremely) intrusive surveillance state.
Take This to Your Grave These competitors will gladly dig their own graves, but only if it means victory.
Not Fit for the Kremlin “I also don’t know that they would be able to work in the President’s administration. I do not think there is a division in the administration that deals with sports nutrition.” – Press Secretary to the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov
Baikal by Birds Eye While manufacturers generally don't recommend you fly your drone at temperatures below freezing, that didn't stop videographer Vadim Sherbakov from shooting this amazing film depicting a frozen Lake Baikal.
Waste Not, Unless You Want to Support Russia's Disposal Services The Russian Government has invested in quite a mess!
Beastly Benefits When the show can no longer go on, animal members of the Russian State Circus will now be given the opportunity to retire in style in Crimea.
Ninety-Four Years Young Daily stretching and exercise are the secrets to a long and healthy life—and lots of gold badges.
Victory Day, Vaccination Drives, and Mass Marriage In this week's Odder News, Victory Day surprises, ideas to increase vaccination, and a mass wedding in the sky.
Get You With the Big Gun “Simple and reliable, like a Kalashnikov assault rifle.” – Putin's assessment of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V, broadcast on television channel Russia 24 on May 6.
Russian-Canadian Now 27-Year-Old Billionaire The world's newest and youngest crypto billionaire is from Russia and goes by Vitalik.
Hacking into the Mainframe Don your fingerless gloves, put on your dark sunglasses, and grab your trusty black Anonymous hoodie: a new study reveals Russians are just as sloppy with their internet security as the rest of us.
Don't Diss the Dog Days As spring heats slowly to the rapid days of summer, the canines of Russia are kept on their paws with special challenges of their own.
Drop and Give Me Fifty, Mr. Mayor It's not very often that you see the mayor of a city get punished by a group of school-age children, but that's exactly what happened in Krasnoyarsk when mayor Sergei Eryomin lost a challenge.
Shashlik Responsibly Grilled meat on a stick and fire safety have never been good friends, but Russian officials are trying to change that relationship.
Happy Birthday to Russia's Quirkiest Pop Icon Russian television celebrated pop singer Philipp Kirkorov's 54th birthday in grand fashion at the end of April.
Sputnik V is Quite Alright “The fact of the matter is, 80 or 85% of Serbians want the Russian vaccine Sputnik V." – Down with the naysayers! On May 4, Russian news outlet Izvestiya published a written interview with the Serbian Ambassador Miroslav Lazanski where he explained that, while Serbians choose themselves which vaccine they will receive, the majority would prefer Sputnik V. Remember when The world poo-poo’d the Russian decision to vaccinate without full clinical trials? It looks like not everyone’s complaining these days…
What a Dud It might come as no surprise that a king of YouTube is not immune to a video scandal or two – but when journalists, government officials and members of parliament are involved…?
Squirrelly Behavior in Barnaul Siberian Squirrels are given their first taste of freedom in the Siberian city of Barnaul— but one chose violence instead.
Pelmeni, Rogue Rivers, and Military Bands In this week's Odder News, a military band delights a kindergarten class with songs from cartoons, Russian food might be able to make it in New York, and a Moscow nurse has had enough of this pandemic.
A Romantic Russian River Cruise A romantic shoreline walk turned into a romantic ice floe ride in Archangelsk, whisking away a pair of in-love teenagers on a Russian adventure.
A Refreshing Dip As residents of Arhangelsk were unable to use the tap, one city worker made the best of a bad situation.
Why Russians Don't Run A tale of two long distance road races – Russia’s oldest and its most prestigious – and what they tell us about the state of running and fitness in Russia.
Russia's Days Off “Russian means rested." – Twitter user @zhenya_indigo appreciated a surprise long holiday for the first ten days of May in the Russian Federation. Earlier in the week, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the request of Anna Popova, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, when she proposed consecutive days of holiday for Russia’s citizens. In addition to Labor Day on May 1 and Victory Day on May 9, the population will have the fourth through the seventh to rest. “If you think that it is necessary, well, we will do so,” Putin said in response to the proposal.
The Tsar with the Dragon Tattoo Something you probably did not know about the last Romanov: before he ascended the throne, he got a huge dragon tattoo in Japan.
May/June 2021 Racing Zhigulis * Letters from the Front * Moscow Archaeology * Village Post Office * Bulgakov * Sakharov at 100 * A little known Congress * RuNet Regulated (or not) * Language of schoolyard brawls (and high diplomacy) * Gagarin's anniversary * A Savory Pie * Books we liked
Spring Cleaning April 12 was the 60th anniversary of human space flight, coinciding with the date in 1961 when Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin first orbited the Earth aboard a Vostok 1 spacecraft.
In Many Guises Death comes in many guises in the two mystery/suspense novels we review in this issue.
What Lies Beneath On the architectural heritage of Moscow that is being lost, bit by bit, though not without some resistance by dedicated scientists and activists.
My Street Photo offering an inner view of a My Street construction trench, taken by a passerby in the summer of 2017.
Ilyinka before and after Excavation pit on Ilyinka Street, before and after the destruction of the church's ruins.
The Little Classic That Could The Fighting Classic Club (Боевая классика) is an informal group of teens who love old Zhigulis. They purchase the aged (often non-functioning) cars for kopeks, restore them, souping them up in their lilliputian garages, and then improvise nighttime races and rallies through city streets, in shopping complex parking lots, or on frozen lakes just outside the city.
Letters from the Front The packet of 11 letters and 12 postcards reached me from Kharkov, through a combination of fate, serendipity and sheer luck. They were written by my father, Alexander Suchovy, from the front during World War II, and were addressed to his first wife, Varvara, and their son Vasily.
The Post Office The only things in the village more important than the post office are the store that carries bread and the walk-in clinic. But when you come right down to it, the post office really is the bigger deal.
Night Event Night event at the AvtoVAZ parking lot. Fighting Classic members organize a drift competition around a burning tire.
Romanov Alexander Romanov is one of the most respected Fighting Classic members. He shares Alexei Levin’s belief that it doesn’t make sense to fuss over old cars. Tolyatti is full of massive garage complexes with tiny individual units that have barely enough room to fit a car.
Model Builder Alexei Galayev builds a scale model of a Zhiguli 2101, the very first Zhiguli made at AvtoVAZ.
Vitaly For a long time,Vitaly dreamed of getting his car painted artistically, but could not afford it. Then his friends chipped in and gave him a birthday gift of the paint job he always wanted.
Save Your Soul! This issue's Uchites language learning section focuses on the ever-mysterious Russian soul and where and how it shows up in phrases and usages.
Presidential Patty Cakes This spring, a ruckus roiling US-Russian relations was one for the history books: It was the first spat that involved a children’s playground taunt.
Yearning for the Bosphorus In May 1821, Tsar Alexander had a decision to make. Support an ally, and thus revolution, or support monarchy and betray and ally.
Mikhail Bulgakov Reactions to Mikhail Bulgakov have changed so radically over the past hundred years, it is sometimes hard to believe that they all pertain to the same man – the revered author of The Master and Margarita we know today.
Hedgehog in the Smoke A fire in the Moscow region put this poor hedgehog into a prickly situation— luckily, firefighters were eager to help.
Dracula's Castle, Trains, and Porta-Potties In this week's Odder News, visit Dracula's castle, Moscow's hidden subway stations, and the Russian cosmos.
Centenarian Ship Weathers Every Storm One of the world's largest and most famous sailing training ships celebrates 100 years in the water.
The Cat Dragged In...? A student from the Russian city of Perm got caught out like a cat on a hot tin roof this week when he found himself volunteering to save a feline stuck in a window frame.
Sidewalk Art One person’s problem becomes another person’s easel. An artist takes on his city’s sidewalk problems with a bit of porcelain creativity. One person can make a difference.
Aiming for RuNet Russia’s crackdown on internet freedoms reached a fever pitch this spring as the government attempted to slow Twitter traffic in response to the microblogging platform’s alleged refusal to delete banned content.
Spring at Last The maple sap has finished running, the peepers are filling the hours about dusk with their chorus, and the daffodils and crocuses have taken center stage.
Kosmonaughties “A**holes. Superpowers do not behave that way." – On April 13, Roscosmos head Dmitriy Rogozin criticized the U.S. Department of State in a Tweet for failing to mention Yuri Gagarin in a Facebook post that commemorates 60 years since the first man flew in space. Such a pity to forget who got there first.
Spring Cleaning for a Cause Emptying out apartments, but keeping hearts full— this is how some Muscovites are giving back in anticipation of Easter.
Repeat Offenses: Mothers Grieve a Spectacular Repast It was not the first time, and is likely not the last: a woman chose the wrong spot for her spectacular repast... Will they ever learn?
Hairy Hijinks “Find someone who’s tall, get him to put on a suit, turn the fur inside out and run around in crowded places, shout so that the tourists will notice – but they won’t catch him. Of course, then you must mark him and let him be silent, so he won’t blurt out anything unnecessary somewhere." – On April 10, former governor of Kemerovo Oblast Aman Tuleyev admitted to dalliances with a local legend. Ten years prior to his confession, Tuleyev arranged a rendezvous at Azasskaya Cave in the Shoria Mountains with none other than Bigfoot. While the furry darling shied away, Tuleyev was nevertheless charmed.
Astronaut Food, Monsieur Tussauds, and a Four-Day Workweek In this week's Odder News, Russia goes wild for Yuri Gagarin, a new law against potty mouths backfires, and a four-day workweek may be imminent.
Did You Hear About This One? Moscow doctors successfully perform a tiny surgery on a tiny bone that has a huge impact on your hearing.
Nora Seligman Favorov Nora Seligman Favorov is a Russian-to-English translator specializing in Russian literature and history. Her translation of Sofia Khvoshchinskaya’s1863 novel City Folk and Country Folk (Columbia, 2017) was recognized by the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and Eastern European Languages as “Best Literary Translation into English” for 2018. Her translation of Stalin: New Biography of a Dictator by Oleg Khlevniuk (Yale, 2015) was selected as Pushkin House UK’s “best Russian book in translation” for 2016. She serves as editor of SlavFile, newsletter of the American Translators Association’s Slavic Languages Division, and translation editor for Russian Life, for which she has been translating since 2005.
Running Away with the Story In Moscow, a Golden Retriever stole the show during a news broadcast — by stealing the microphone.
Raving in Khimki Grab your glowsticks: the Moscow region city of Khimki is lit! And unlit... and then lit again.
Attack of the "Uncultured" Muscovites Online photos of Moscow tourists on Petersburg landmarks have residents stewing.
Lynn Cox swam across Bering Strait In 2 hour 6 minutes, American swimmer Lynne Cox swam the Bering Strait from the island of Little Diomede in Alaska to Big Diomede, USSR, where the water temperature averaged around 43 to 44 °F (6 to 7 °C).
Computer-Judge Finds You Guilty Russian authorities are planning to make laws that computers can understand and, by extension, adjudicate.
Lock and Load For all your zombie apocalypse / Texas boar hunting / frontier bank-robbing needs, we present the Russian revolver shotgun.
"The Silver Skates" on the Silver Screen The ultimate St. Petersburg film is coming to a Netflix account near you.
Trolling Horse People “For those not familiar with the lyrics of this song, I recommend it. It’s some horse people and absolute drivel. I simply don’t understand what it is. What is it about?... Somehow everything is very strange, mildly speaking.” – On March 31, Russia’s Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko commented on the lyrics of “Russian Woman,” a song that the Russian-Tajik artist Manizha, who is known for her feminist activism, will soon be performing at Eurovision.
Play-Doh, Vaccinated Pets, and Irish Whiskey In this week's Odder News: the Play-Doh version of Moscow, the Russian version of Irish whiskey, and the Red Bull version of ice skating.
Smells Like Money Soon American coins won't be the only "scents" that are exchanged inside Sberbank's buildings, as Russia's national bank plans to introduce its own perfume.
Earth Hour, Eurovision, and Eggs In this week's Odder News, the lights go out for Earth Hour; egg sandwiches get their due; and a huge crack opens up in a St. Petersburg apartment building.
Mines from Aluminum to Crypto A dying Soviet "monotown" in the Arctic is saved by cryptocurrency mining and online pie stores.
Tripping on Tolkien If you’re a fan of hairy fairy folk with a hint of пошлость (crass banality), look no further! Russia’s Channel Five recently published two episodes of a supposedly “lost” television show based on “The Lord of the Rings” that was filmed in 1991.
Malfeasance! “I want to note that corruption is an important component of our work. It is far from the only offense, but at the same time it is an evil that we are doing alongside the prosecutor's office, the Investigative Committee, and the FSB. The Rosgvardia is also providing support.” – In November 2020, Vladislav Tolkunov, head of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Bryansk Region, speculated about corruption live on the Bryansk Governorate television channel. Apparently, he had muddled his words, and while attempting to decry corruption he admitted to malfeasance.
Seeking a Sniper Looking for work? Moscow authorities have posted an opening for a police sniper on the aptly-named HeadHunter.ru.
Tatiana Liaugminas Tatiana Liaugminas was born to Ukrainian parents, refugees from the former Soviet Union after WWII. She spent her childhood in Casablanca and Paris before coming to the US, and was fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, French, and English by the time she was an adolescent. She studied at the University of Illinois, and has taught French and Russian at the university level. She has worked extensively in translation, and has presented papers on Camus, Cocteau, Akhmatova, Yesenin, Shevchenko, and on comparative literature. She is translating the poetry of Anna Akhmatova for a course that she is offering next fall at the University of Dayton, where she teaches Russian.
Tram Takes on a Life of Its Own A viral video documents an out-of-control tram in Barnaul, and its hapless driver.
Heavily Taxed While some countries are considering doing away with coin money, this Russian citizen is still making the most out of their rubles and kopeks.
Putin's Siberian Adventure Putin headed to Siberia for a snowy, sheepskin-clad spring break with Sergei Shoigu.
Missing Raccoon, Anyone? In which a raccoon is returned safely back home— but not to the habitat you might expect.
Half-Mermaid, Half-Dog, All Cute A Russian nine-year-old is in the spotlight for inspiring a new stuffed animal for Ikea.
Schoolboy Spat “During childhood, when we argued with each other in the yard, we’d say: It takes one to know one!” – Vladimir Putin comments on Joe Biden’s belief that the President of the Russian Federation is a “killer.”
Who's Not Done With Quarantine? Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was caught with his mask up while on a work trip to China.
Barbies, Oral Health, and Squirrels In this week's Odder News, a new Russian Barbie, Russians need to work on their dental hygiene, and squirrels attack in Vyborg.
Who is Manizha? Singer, activist, and Eurovision prospect Manizha uses her art to both mock and baffle her critics.
Take a Deep Breath and Go Diving with Alexei Molchanov Russian Alexei Molchanov is in the spotlight as the world's best freediver.
Polar Youth Andrey Borodulin made a video to go with the story in our March/April issue on Polar Youth.
A Paw-some Recovery Rescuers at the Amur Tiger Center are always happy to lend a helping hand (or paw) to tigers in need.
Protein, Protein, Protein! Heads up, parents! You might not celebrate Russian Orthodox Lent, but who wouldn’t appreciate a tidbit from a nutritionist?
Star Wars, Speedos, and Superstars In this week's Odder News: move over Star Wars, make way for Eurovision, and pack your Speedo.
It Happens to All of Us “Well f*** your mother, they positioned it like a monkey!” – Crimean Minister of Culture Arina Novoselskaya, forgetting to turn off her microphone while on a video call with other Crimean leaders.
Equus Asinus Asinus Evidently, sick burns can get you into trouble in Russian legal court— even if they are delivered in a dead language.
Coming Up Roses After one year of pandemic, Russia's economy is looking dandy while others are on the verge of collapse. Or so says new research.
Blini on a Budget In honor of Maslenitsa, Russian health experts encourage citizens to limit their intake of one of the holiday's most beloved foods.
Rapping for Russia With Russian teenagers in mind, plans are being made for "The First All-Russian Festival of Patriotic Rap."
Snowmen Acquitted! All charges against a group of snowmen, embroiled in a recent controversy, have been dropped.
Lukashenko Gets the Putin Treatment The President of Belarus is the subject of a new corruption investigation from Radio Free Europe.
Intrigue at the Monastery Sredneuralsk Monastery becomes an action-packed place as police enter in search of a murder suspect.
A Cold-Blooded Eviction Surprisingly, a two-bedroom Russian apartment does not make an appropriate habitat for this 13-foot long python.
The Tram from Hell Leave it to Russia to come up with the absolutely most punk-rock way to remove snow.
An Army Gift for Women's Day Leningrad Oblast's military commissioner has a solution to those pesky exes: send them to the army.
Sovereignty is a Luxury “Real development in a country can only come in a sovereign form. Sovereignty is very costly, and the overwhelming majority of countries in the world cannot afford such a luxury. We belong to this small circle of countries. We have already achieved this.” – Press Secretary of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov tells reporters on March 4 that President Vladimir Putin’s decisions in the international arena have been made in service to the Russian people.
Waterfowl, Ice-Fishing Cats, and Hermetic Sealing In this week's Odder News, Russia's feathered friends are having their own pandemic, cats are going ice fishing, and the International Space Station is getting old.
Draining the Tanks The Russian Duma is seriously considering putting a slow end to the dolphin and whale display industry.
Not a Snowball's Chance One wouldn’t expect it to be an issue for a snowman to be left out in the cold, but in the village of Zachachye in Arkhangelsk Oblast, four such fellows were found wanting for warmth.
Poisonous Furniture, Rugs, and Rail Carts In this week's Odder News, report yourself to the police for easy snow removal, watch out for poison in your sofa, and don't forget to wipe your feet on the rug on the way in.
Sputnik Rap, Dolls, and Animal Skulls In this week's Odder News, how one man spent his pandemic, prisoners teach us how to get out of the pandemic, and a new video game connects you to the Russian police.
Culture Is Back in 2021 (Whether the Pandemic Is Over or Not) In this week's Odder News, museums reopen with some strange offerings, the organizing game Tetris is coming to the big screen, and we are thrilled that Russians love the Home Alone franchise as much as we do.
A Bizarre Wedding, Northern Creatures, and Fake Fabergés In this week's Odder News, one of Russia's most unconventional actors and an ice dancer get married (again), polar bears take over Russian trucks, and the Hermitage is faking it.
Wine Flights in Flight Aeroflot is offering a short excursion flight for those interested in getting a quick taste of air travel— and wine.
Road Repair “Our city is famous now, maybe they’ll make some roads.” – A resident of Pokrov, the village near the penal colony where Navalny has been transferred to serve the two years and eight months of his sentence.
Vodka Sign: "Moscow Special Vodka" Caption: "He undressed" (Second connotation - "He was ruined") | Artist G. Norsha
Defender Paper in hand: "Speech of the Public Defender" Caption: "He took it too far..." | Artist I. Semenova
Breathe Top left: "Don't breathe!" / Artist A. Aleshicheva Center left: "No - you've got to cut the drinking!" / Artist V. Shkarbana Bottom left: "We don't serve in working clothes." / Artist V. Kanevsky Right: "Daddy's home!.." / Artist V. Zharinova
Forester Forester: "It's the most peaceful flower... ... but the berries are coming." | Artist U. Cherepanova
Lesser-Known Art of the Siege of Leningrad On Display Some little-known art from a civilian eyewitness to the Siege of Leningrad is public both at one of the blockade museums in St. Petersburg and in a new book.
Get Your Cold War On Cold War nostalgia is dripping from the recently aired Russian miniseries "The Optimists: Caribbean Season."
Just Ten More Minutes A Russian gamer was forced to forfeit a cash prize of $16,000 after his dad turned off the internet.
March/April 2021 Arctic Youth * Valley of the Dead * Sidewalk Artist * The Votes People * Language Stress * Chernobyl * Gorbachev at 90 * The NEP * Standing Up Your Language Skills * Vaccinations in Russia
A People on the Brink Just outside St. Petersburg, a small, ancient ethnos comes to terms with its history, its language, and with its inevitable end.
Can't Bear to Watch A nurse injects a performer in a bear costume with Russia’s Gam- COVID-Vac vaccine (under the brand name of Sputnik V) at a temporary COVID-19 vaccination site in Moscow’s Shchyolkovsky shopping centre.
Lady Macbeth and a Tarantas A review of a new collection of Leskov's stories, and a new translation of Sollogub.
The Valley of the Dead A severe, remote valley in Ossetia inters the remains of one of Russia’s most revered film stars... and the mingled bones of countless ancients.
Air Kirovsk There’s so much snow in Kirovsk that people don’t need to construct ski jumps – they appear naturally.
New Economic Policy In the Soviet era, NEP had always been regarded as a strange, only vaguely understood, and not very sensible chapter in Soviet history: a pause between the heroic Civil War and the no less heroic Five-Year Plans.
Chernobyl Disaster In an odd way, it was only after watching the HBO miniseries Chernobyl that I fully appreciated just how great a catastrophe threatened mankind on that April day in 1986.
Tipping Point? Just over a decade ago in Moscow, I interviewed Alexey Navalny, who was then only beginning to carve out his profile as a blogger, activist, and politician. It was May of 2008.
Sputnik V: First Place or Long Shot? The Russia vaccine seems top-notch, but low public trust and a botched rollout remain formidable barriers to returning to normalcy.
Have Your Cake On February 18, the Moscow Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia (CK) released a stern reminder for Russian youth who might be considering a stint in theft, robbery, extortion or other shenanigans after their fourteenth birthdays.
On Creativity The thematic arc that unites our features in this issue is that of creativity in the face of neglect, persistence in the face of oppression, resilience in the face of difficulty.
Gender Equality in Gift Giving Russian women seem to luck out more than their male partners during the spring holiday season, a new study shows.
Snow Leopards Dream of Electric-Fenced Sheep This creative conservation project benefits both the endangered snow leopards in the Altai region and local farmers and their livestock.
The Goodest Boy in All of Russia There are a lot of really wonderful dogs in Russia, but this life-saving cutie has been named the best of all.
Regions Measure Up RIA Novosti's annual survey, ranking each Russian region by residents' quality of life, has some not-so-surprising results.
Skiing Buddies “I hope we will be able to spend a little time together, relax after today's working hours. I would like to invite you to go skiing.” – Another productive meeting this week with Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko on February 22nd. The pair discussed their work together on the energy sector of Belarus, Putin particularly noting Lukashenko’s support for the country’s nuclear power plant. He followed up with an invite to ski.
Finnish War Starts Without a declaration of war, Russian troops cross the border into Sweden at Abborfors, in eastern Finland, starting the Finnish War, in which Sweden will lose the eastern half of the country (e.g. Finland) to Russia.
Dyatlov Pass Conspiracy Theories Laid to Rest... Or Not? New models attempt to put an end to all Dyatlov Pass conspiracies for all eternity... but do they have a chance of succeeding?
Kamchatka Tragedy Russian scientists are researching the cause of a massive die-off of marine life off the coast of Kamchatka in October.
Love in the Time of Protests “…there was no direct violation of the law. Yes, individual people went out with flashlights. Fine. Maybe someone was in love. There was someone, maybe, who was protesting something. Someone was there just for company, not understanding the need to light a flashlight. But most importantly, they didn’t break the law. And so everything was calm.” – Dmitriy Peskov spreading the love to Moscow activists on Valentine’s Day 2021.
You Think You Know Russia? Perhaps Russia Knows You... Get out your aluminum foil hats, folks. It seems the Soviets got ESP down decades ago.
Russian Government Goes Super Saiyan on Anime Sorry, nerds: Russia has banned certain Japanese cartoons due to concerns of violence.
Philipp Lausberg Philipp Lausberg is originally from Munich, Germany. He holds degrees in History and Politics and Russian and East European Studies from the University of Oxford. Currently, he is finishing his Ph.D. at the University of Antwerp. He previously was based in Russia, where he worked at The Moscow Times and in the startup industry. For his project “Faces of the East,” a collection of portraits and stories, he regularly travels the post-Soviet space. He is co-running ostblog.org, a photojournalism website focusing on Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. He likes to write about travel, protest movements, ethnicities in Russia, and history.
Thanks, Doc Moscovites are thanking medical professionals during the Coronavirus pandemic the best way they know how to: colorful Metro trains.
A Pixelated Palace for Putin Now you, too, can experience the glamor of Putin's Black Sea palace without the pricetag in the digital worlds of Minecraft.
War of the Potties “Shocking! You don’t say – a toilet, right in the home! And a double-sized bed. Even Putin sleeps more modestly, and has to go out into the yard of Gelendzhik [to do his business].” – On February 7th, Twitter user Kön de Labre, Inostrannyj Agent, Jr. (@KStatator) bled concern for Putin’s modest living.
Mimosas (The Flower, Not the Drink) in Sochi Unusually warm weather brings bright yellow blossoms to the region much earlier than normal.
Freed Internet or Internment? “Everything is ready for it technologically. All decisions have also been made at the legislative level, but (…) it is not easy, and it is really not desired. I still, frankly speaking, do not see any signs of this happening, because, for obvious reasons, it is a double-edged weapon.” – Brandishing the biggest sword, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev announced to the rest of the world on February 1st that Russia is now ready to disconnect from the global Internet.
Artem Zagorodnov Artem Zagorodnov holds a management position a large Russia steel company. He has extensive experience as a journalist, and has commented on Russia affairs for a wide variety of publications like The Economist, BusinessWeek Russia and Petroleum Review. He received an award for reporting ahead of the APEC summit in Vladivostok, from former Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov of the Russian Foreign Affairs Council. During 2013-16, Artem was based in the Middle East and launched the first English-language corporate newspaper of Lukoil Overseas, a subsidiary of Russia's largest private oil company. Before returning to Moscow in 2009, he lived in the United States for 17 years.
Russia's Cup of Tea Russian scientists are attempting to bring tea cultivation to more Northern regions of the country.
Shoeing a Flea Nikolai Semyonovich Leskov holds a somewhat odd place in Russian literature. He is at once a famous writer, a recognized classic, yet he has not won the same honors granted to the “first tier” writers.
Sports, Sleep, and the State Duma This week's Odder News features Russian athletes making international news, low-tax sports gear, and more opportunity for restful shut-eye.
The Zoo Animals Who Outlasted the Hermitage Cats The Leningrad Zoo kept its animals alive during the siege – the 77th anniversary of which was commemorated this week.
Plenty of Penguins Eight little penguin chicks make for one very lucky aquarium in Russia's Far East.
In Memoriam In a year filled with death and mourning, we remember an individual who was, for this magazine, profoundly influential and truly remarkable.
Our First Half Century Where we look back on the first five decades of this magazine’s publishing history, from USSR, through Soviet Life, to the present day. [Download article as PDF.]
Whatever Floats Russia's Boats It’s plain sailing for the Russian Federation along the Northern Sea Route, thanks to melting ice caps.
Think Before You Post The head of Russia's space agency was blocked on Facebook after commenting on a post in support of Navalny.
No Beating Around the Bush “These promotions are illegal. <...> Of course, we must talk about the illegality of the actions, not about detentions. I don't see any violation at all. What is it, are these our first arrests? These are not the first uncoordinated rallies. Usually this ends with someone drawing up a complaint of administrative offense and then they are released. I am sure that now, if there are no provocations or clashes with the police, the same will happen.” – The refreshing honesty of Valeriy Fadeyev, the Head of the Human Rights Council under the President of Russia, calling it like it is in the midst of massive anti-corruption protests rocking Russia.
The Kingdom of Eternal Permafrost With abnormally cold weather in Yakutsk, Russian TV news channels have been promoting the city's Kingdom of Permafrost and annual ice sculpture competition.
It's a Dog's Life (in Russia) Icy winter waters were no threat to a talented reporter who dove in to save a puppy from the cold.
A Model Problem-Solver A man in Ufa got help for paying off his debts thanks to a classy photo-shoot.
Opposition, not Operation Barbarossa “Don’t feel sorry for us, we’re simply working. We adequately “met” the airplanes from Germany in 1941, and we will meet all aircraft in the year 2021. This year we will be 80 and we have already seen and survived a lot.” – The Twitter account of Moscow's Vnukovo Airport, on the controversy surrounding the detention of opposition leader Alexei Navalny upon his arrival, drawing parallels to the Second World War.
Cat's Got Your Train Felix the cat is on the right track: instead of catching mice, he catches trains to get his daily supper.
The Family Panties Quarantine might have gotten many of us used to hanging around in our underwear, but Russian film director Vitaliy Mansky took his to the streets of Moscow.
Not-So Smart Crosswalks When the Russian city of Salekhard tried to upgrade its pedestrian crosswalks, crisscrossed chaos ensued.
Like Uber for Booze Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade has thrown its support behind a measure for distance-selling alcohol.
The Fast and the Broomiest A bus driver in Kaliningrad has become internet-famous after video surfaced of them changing gears with what looks like a mop.
A Quiet Christmas for Putin Instead of reveling in the bright lights of a Moscow Christmas celebration, Putin decided to take in the holiday at a small church in a small town.
Why Didn't We Think Of That? “If you don't like the current president, only elections can solve the issue.” – President Alexander Lukashenko, of the former Soviet state Belarus, known for having rigged elections last year to continue his run since 1995, among other things.
Alexandra Curtis Alexandra Curtis is a 2020 graduate from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in both Comparative Literature and Russian Area Studies. In 2018, she completed an internship at the A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, where she was offered the opportunity to participate in a folklore research expedition in the Irkutsk region. In the same year, she completed a semester-long intensive language immersion program in the Siberian city of Barnaul. Her favorite memories in Russia include participating in a Shaman ritual celebration in a Buryat village; stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Baikal; and traveling through the Altai Mountains in a Soviet-style UAZ bukhanka van. In addition to writing for Russian Life, she works as an online English as a Foreign Language teacher and curriculum developer.
Women Can Be Metro Drivers, Too A relaxing of workplace regulations means that Russian women can now drive the Moscow Metro.
Death of a Snowman Hooligans struck a collection of over 200 snowmen in the town of Kaluga, an act of gruesome vandalism.
Party Like It's Belarus The president of Russia's neighbor Belarus ended 2020 the same way he started it: in denial over the coronavirus pandemic.
Restoring the Future A determined artist, photographer, and activist takes on the restoration of some wooden homes in a village just outside of Samara. In the process, she learns much about angle grinders, her fellow Russians, and, of course, herself.
Russian Medics Recognized “In the Russian Federation, we have witnessed the heroic dedication, professionalism, and selflessness of all medical workers in the fight against COVID-19. From the first days of the pandemic, they worked on the front line and risked their health and lives every minute.” – From a report by Hans Kluge, Director of the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Melita Vujnovich, representative of the organization in Russia, on Russian medical workers’ stellar performance throughout the pandemic
Russia's Still Odd in 2021 This week, stealing a ridiculous amount of butter leads to punishment; Chechen nepotism knows no bounds; and Russians hope for an end of the pandemic (don't we all?).
Frozen Ramen Challenge Russians are taking advantage of sub-zero temperatures to participate in the frozen Ramen challenge.
Feminist Titles The Russian language codifies gender inequality through, among other things, misogynistic proverbs, and far from neutral job titles. What is to be done?
Where in the World? At a time when international travel has come to a screeching halt, I can think of little better service our magazine can provide than to take readers to far-flung places.
Inside Brighton Beach's Babushka Beauty Pageant A lovely short film on Brighton Beach's Your Highness Babushka Beauty Contest.
Vodka vs. Coronavirus Russia’s Ministry of Health discussed ways vodka can affect the coronavirus (spoiler alert: not much).
Bovine Brassieres A dairy farmer in Russia's coldest village has found a way to keep his cow's udders warm in the dead of winter.
That's Mr. Cat to You This is how 2021 should start: a cat in Ulyanovsk was rescued from a trash compactor and awarded a government post.
Heroes and Inflation “A person who would personify the hero of 2020, according to Russians, is honest, decent, and fair (13%). Of the options proposed, Russians most often referred to the heroes of the year as doctors and medical workers (55%), as well as EMERCON employees who save people in emergency situations (31%).” -Results from a poll by the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM)on who Russians consider to be the heroes of 2020
Movies, Modernism, and Moscow Archaeology News items on an Oscar contender, a respected doctor, renovation of Tula, and a Kremlin dig.
2020 in Words 2020 will surely go down in Russian history as one of the most word-productive years since the changes of 1917 and 1992.
A Stove Named Yerofeyevich What is a Russian home without a stove? Exactly. But how does one build one? Now that is less simple.
Mikhail Romm Mikhail Romm is remembered by everyone who ever worked with him with tenderness and affection. Yet it is hard not to wonder how differently his life and work might have turned out had it not been for the exigencies of Russian and Soviet history.
A Time for Pirogi January – and the winter months in general – are a great time to master the hearty Russian recipes for all kinds of pirogi.
Searching for St. Nicholas A town on the Turkish coast preserves the memory of one of Russia’s most venerated saints.
600 This issue of Russian Life is issue number 600. Given this milestone, I would like to give a shout out to some of our unsung heroes.
Ascending Anik Our intrepid Far Eastern explorer gets it into his head to trek through uninhabited wilds in order to ascend his region’s tallest peak. Not all goes to plan.
Pilgrims Russian pilgrims venerate the sarcophagus that reputedly contained the bones of St. Nicholas, before they were transferred to Bari, Italy in the eleventh century.
Naos The naos, or central chamber, is the heart of the church. The original altar is missing, but a fragment from a later altar was put in its place.
Fresco The Church of St. Nicholas in Demre is richly decorated with frescoes, many of which have been uncovered thanks to refurbishments by the Turkish government.
Tenders of the Vine Where we explore Russia’s oenophilic intentions and vine-driven tourism, rooted in the hills of Krasnodar Krai.
"Не живёте, потому что нельзя это жизнью назвать." Тридцать лет назад, незадолго до своей смерти, Игорь Тальков (1956-1991) написал песню-крик души о своей многострадальной родине — СССР. Эта песня, к сожалению, до сих пор очень актуальна в России и не только...
Best Shows of This (We Think?) Year Russians responded to a poll about the most popular movies of 2020, but were generally unable to determine the best ones of this year.
VR-Series from the ISS Roscosmos is partnering with foreign space agencies and film studios to create the world’s biggest VR-series on board the ISS.
Taxis, Guns, and Scams This week, we mark the end of 2020 with transportation stats, social media monitoring, and preparations for wild celebrations.
Drugs, Pirates, and Apple Pay This week, your mother turns out to be right all along; Aeroflot adapts to COVID; and the European Commission says you can get good, free movies from Russian social media.
Smoking Underpants In an astonishingly brazen operation, opposition politician Alexey Navalny pulled the ultimate punk on FSB operative Konstantin Kudryavtsev, who allegedly tried to kill him.
An Apocalyptic Aircraft Heist A Russian military aircraft designed to withstand nuclear war has met its match: burglars.
What Went Wrong “Maximum conspiracy – this is of utmost importance. No one must be seen.” – Konstantin Kudryavtsev, suspected as one of the FSB agents responsible for the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny in August, in a phone call with Navalny
A Blog for Babushka A recent survey of the elderly finds that one-fifth of pensioners hope to supplement their income with a blog.
Reference Shelf Where we gather blog posts, reference pages and useful resources for Russophiles from all across our website.
Geography Lessons from Space Russian astronauts on the ISS are preparing for a live lesson that will be broadcast via the Internet.
"Hitler's Alligator" to Be Displayed A Moscow Zoo alligator with a rich history has been stuffed and will be on display at a Moscow museum.
Putin, Forest Work, and Gender Changes This week, politicians are caught red-handed; surrogate motherhood and gambling are (apparently) the same; and Putin isn't as hip with the youth as you'd think.
"Map of Resistance" in St. Petersburg “Not working at all is death… The authorities chose a blow worse than a lockdown. Any sane person understands that the coronavirus is terrible. But this does not mean that the coronavirus should kill an industry to the point that it cannot be restored in any way.” - Alexander Konovalov, organizer of the “Map of Resistance,” a group of bars and restaurants in St. Petersburg that plan to defy new coronavirus restrictions calling to close all bars and restaurants from December 30 through January 3
Tsargrad the Litmus Tester The “Orthodox oligarch” is starting a political organization to promote politicians who share his views.
More Dead Souls A Russian executive is under house arrest after it was discovered that she employed more than a dozen nonexistent employees for her own gain.
Yes, Dumplings are Still Bribes A police chief in Novosibirsk has been convicted of corruption charges after accepting Caucasian dumplings as brides.
Bovines, Berries, and Bros This week, Lada outdoes itself; emergency services fall short; and cows (and men) finally get the appreciation they're due.
Don't Try This at Home “If questions arise as to whether demons should be driven out of this or that person, first of all, you need to turn to the priests. Any [personal] initiative in this is completely unacceptable.” – Metropolitan Hilarion, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Department of External Relations, in response to a video showing parents attempting an exorcism on their son
Spotify: Popular Music in Russia The world-wide music-playing platform recently ranked the most popular music in Russia.
More than Early Birds and Night Owls Scientists at the RUDN Institute of Medicine have determined more prototypes than just being an early bird or a night owl.
Oh Nice, Real Mature Russian airline Pobeda is under investigation for making our inner 14-year-olds giggle.
No Cash, It's Cold “The share of completely non-cash customers who use a bank card but do not withdraw cash from an ATM for a month is steadily growing. Now it is 39%, which is 5 percentage points higher than before the pandemic.” – Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Sberbank, on the growing number of clients who are not using cash at all
Flamethrowers, Video Games, and New Nobility This week, the Russian army gets new toys; a university administrator doesn't quit while he's ahead; and Lukashenko keeps doing his thing, much to our chagrin.
Anna Kharzeeva Anna Kharzeeva is a food blogger, Muscovite, and author of The Soviet Diet Cookbook: Exploring Life, Culture and History - One Recipe at a Time, not necessarily in that order. You can follow her on Instagram at @anna.russian.writer
Slander and Golden Schemes "I will transfer the amounts collected from the slanderers to an orphanage, I will publish a copy of the payment here." – Head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin, writing on his Facebook page that he would donate any proceeds from his suit against three news portals for slander
Poaching, Internet, and Coronavirus on Ice This week, we've got brand-new guns, poachers from an unlikely place, and the frozen north gets an internet connection.
Best Film on Russia this Year It is just over six minutes long, but "In Russia" is the finest film on Russia we have seen all year. It will have you itching for travel again.
Students to Sue A group of students from Moscow State University is working on suing the university for a partial refund.
Security, Ships, and Spooky Sand This week, boats take to land; dogs get the recognition they deserve; and human bones are found in an unlikely place.
No Ketchup Here A Russian agency has banned some foods from school cafeterias in Russia, including ketchup.
Memories of Perestroika Malcolm Gilbert, a longtime observer of things Russian and Soviet who has been leading academic trips to Russia for over three decades, casts his gaze back to consider the changes perestroika wrought...
Takeout Trends of 2020 Yandex.Food releases fascinating data on the most popular foods for takeout this year.
Moscow's Merry Measures As the New Year approaches, Moscow’s mayor has announced new restrictions on holiday events, while the government considers extending the New Year’s holidays.
Cars, Car Accidents, and Vodka (Unrelated) This week is full of surprises: Moscow schools train future journalists; cars branch out into new materials; and vodka exports decline, which is maybe less surprising than you'd think.
Packed Pillows, Drug Decreases, and Teacher's Top Dollars “A man caught the pillow. As it later turned out, it was the driver of the Tomskoe Pivo [Beer] enterprise, and he tried to hastily hide it in his car… The driver was detained.” – A source in Tomsk region’s law enforcement on the latest developments in the arrest of the town’s mayor
Putting the "Fun" in "Prison Camp" A Russian non-profit prepares to open a mock prison camp as a place to make fun memories with your family.
Mayorless Magadan The position of mayor in the Far East town of Magadan is apparently so undesirable that no one wants the job.
For the Sake of Russia, You're Fired! A Russian non-profit economic organization recently forecasted a way for Russia to achieve better GDP growth: fire ineffective workers.
Potholes, Economics, and a Crossbow Murder This week, puddles get the spotlight, weapons become instruments, and the life of a sausage tycoon ends abruptly at the business end of a crossbow.
Rocket Man Turns Elton John The director of Roscosmos uses the organization's website to distribute his latest hits.
Expiring Diplomas "Today, this absurdity is the rule. Who told you that [a graduate] has not forgotten 95 percent of what he actually studied there?" – Dmitry Peskov, suggesting the idea of instituting an expiration date for university diplomas
Big Little Parody of Little Big's Hit Women in a correctional facility in Russia participated in a competition with a parody of Little Big’s hit “Uno.”
Revolutionary Acts As the stories for this issue coalesced, I realized that all of our long feature stories were actually about the same thing: the power of language and the elusiveness of truth.
Humans Descended from Alien Mushrooms A leading Russian journalist has put together research from foreign institutions to make an interesting claim.
Maps, Mail Trucks, and Caviar This week, officials make outrageous demands, maps cost a man his job, and science meets geopolitics.
November/December 2020 Baron Munchausen at 300 * A Village's History * Feminist Labels * A Zen Village Primer * Language of Leap Year * A Cake for the Holidays * A Treaty in Troppau * A Pathbreaking Surgeon * War Communism
Tim Brinkhof Tim Brinkhof is an Amsterdam-born, Atlanta-based journalist who studied European history and Russian literature at New York University. He has worked as an editorial assistant for Film Comment magazine as well as the Hermitage Amsterdam, where he helped prepare several exhibits in 2019. His writing on the intersection between art, culture, and history has been published in History Today, History News Network, and The New York Observer, among others.
High Schoolers to Make Space Ships for ISS A program centered out of Tomsk is connecting high schoolers with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The Emperor Has No Clothes Unexpected nude photos of Nicholas II appeared online last week, causing quite a stir, despite being more than a century old.
Pink Weather and QR-Codes “In general, yes, winter is expected not to be cold. Winter is predicted in this color - I'm even afraid to pronounce the word – pink." – Roman Vilfand, scientific director of Russia’s Hydrometeorological Center, on the colors that will appear this winter on meteorological maps (pink means temperatures higher than norms)
Ivan Kobilyakov IVAN KOBILYAKOV graduated from Moscow State University (MGU) with a degree in geography. He took part in many scientific expeditions to Siberia and the Russian North sponsored by MGU’s Geography Faculty. His love for Russian nature and the people who live in the country’s furthest reaches led him to a career in writing and photography, and he wrote for several Russian journals, including Zerkalo Mira, Kvantik, Discovery and others. His article for Russian Life on mine rescue workers in Norilsk won first prize for reporting in the Russian Union of Journalists' 2016 All Russian Contest for Young Journalists, "Call of the 21st Century." Tragically, Ivan passed away all too young, in December 2019. But his work lives on through those who knew him and a book of Putorano Fairy Tales published nearly a year after his death.
Tsarina: In the Winter Palace Catherine I finds herself at a turning point upon the death of her husband, Peter the Great.
All That Remains Alexander Razeyev spent five years researching the history of his village. He thought people would welcome his work. Surprisingly, they did not.
Another Victim of Sandarmokh There are so many things wrong in the case of historian Yuri Dmitriev, it is hard to know where to start.
Taste of the Holidays For several generations of Russians, few things signal Christmas and New Year’s better than tangerines. So we offer a delicious holiday cake built around this fruit.
Handwriting and Siberian Pianos In which we review Dina Rubina's Leonardo's Handwriting, and the nonfiction book, The Pianos of Siberia.
Russia's Munchausens On this, the 300th anniversary of one of literature’s most famous fabulists, we look back at some of Russia’s greatest liars and taletellers.
Hopes for iPhones and Restrictions “Almost the entire first batch of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro was bought up over the weekend. A number of models with the most popular blue colors have already sold out. The highest demand was for the Pro version, with 70% of customers choosing it. New consignments of goods are expected in the near future.” – Report by MTS, on the popularity of new iPhones in Russia, which sold out at MTS stores within three days
Russians' Regional Preferences Recent research by HeadHunter has shown that a significant number of Russians want to move to a different region in the country.
Russian Critters Cast Their Ballots Putin might be a fan of Trump, but Russian zoo animals apparently aren't.
Insults, Overpriced Benches, and Space Toilets This week, astronauts find some relief, citizens share their shame, and the dangers of sugar may finally be made public.
Goa and Greenhouses A well-to-do Russian tries to bring his green new ideal to life in a Russian village. Not all goes to plan.
Leap Year Language Superstitious Russians — 99 percent of my acquaintances — believe that any високосный год (leap year) is an unlucky year. I scoffed until 2020.
Ellen Alpsten Ellen Alpsten was born and raised in the Kenyan highlands. Upon graduating from the l'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, she worked as a news anchor for Bloomberg TV London. While working gruesome night shifts on breakfast TV, she started to write in earnest, every day, after work, a nap, and a run. Today, Ellen works as an author and as a journalist for international publications such as Vogue, Standpoint, and CN Traveller. She lives in London with her husband, three sons, and a moody fox red Labrador. Tsarina is her debut novel.
News and Noteworthy News from around Russia, on everything from bicycles to Bunin, from mystery graves to trolleybuses.
Russian Faux Art The Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany, is turning a negative into a positive: breaking art world taboos by launching a major new exhibition on Russian art fakes it has unearthed within its own walls.
New Kino Clip The musical group Kino has released a new music video with archive vocals from Victor Tsoy.
A Good Reason to Join the Military A young woman in Kursk has been using her feminine wiles to hand over conscription notices.
Dr. Artificial Intelligence Clinics and hospitals in Moscow are working with a new diagnostic system based on artificial intelligence.
Sniffer Dogs, Train Cats, and Surprise Tigers This week, Siberian tigers earn someone fame; sniffer dogs combat coronavirus; and cats become savvy – some might say spoiled – train passengers.
Something Big is Brewing, Illegally A businessman in Chita had his fizzy, hoppy side hustle busted this week.
Dancing Less and School Issues “Let's dance and hug a little less, and give less work to our healthcare system.” – Yevgeny Yelin, vice-governor of St. Petersburg, on a recent proposal to close restaurants in the city at 11 PM.
Putin's Birthday, Teachers, and Dirt This week, Putin gets a cool new birthday present; an official broadcasts his workout regimen; and strange sediment puzzles scientists.
Savings and Plateaus “Compared to the crisis period, the share of people adhering to a savings policy in economic behavior has decreased: 68% of Russians believe that it is better to spend as little as possible, saving as much as possible for the future.” – Results of a poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Center, on how Russians are saving and spending money
Cheburashka to Hit the Big Screen One of the Soviet Union's most iconic characters is set to make his movie debut.
Smile, or Else Who says Russians are cold and inscrutable? Kamchatka's new "Ministry of Happiness" seeks to spread joy and wellbeing.
Not-So-Fresh Siberian Air A recent study finds that Siberia's air quality may be worse than you'd think.
Ancient Animal Remains Recovered Paleontologists have discovered the remains of a rabbit-like animal previously unknown to scientists.
Nuclear Power, Permafrost, and Olympiads This week, we've got math olympiads, economic data, and exploding permafrost.
Job Offer for Trump “Note: this is parody, using #deepfake technology (but the job is there, Donald).” – Tweet from Kremlin-funded network RT, promoting an ad about its coverage of the US election
Polygraphs, Plots, and Pivo This week, we learn that drinking when working from home isn't so bad; it rains birds in Saratov Oblast; and Ramzan Kadyrov is saved from a sinister plot.
Instant Karma on Sakhalin Karma (and alcohol) lead a man in Sakhalin Island to have an eventful 24 hours.
Don't Be a Blogger A recent poll finds that the vast majority of parents don't want their kids to become bloggers. Sorry, mom and dad.
Damaging Food and The Fight against Coronavirus “You see, this is all the food industry. Unfortunately, the food industry is killing us on par with tobacco.” – Doctor and TV presenter Alexander Myasnikov, on the common mistakes people make when they’re trying to eat right
Bilingual Books All our bilingual books have Russian and English on facing pages, allowing you to read along and learn Russian in the most efficient way possible.
Sore Loser Turns Supervillain A recently defeated incumbent politician has turned off the water supply in part of his district. Out of spite.
First Artistic Film from Space Russia’s state space agency Roscosmos recently announced plans to shoot the first artistic film from space, despite a similar announcement from NASA earlier.
Russian Music Making a Comeback Over the past ten years, music made in Russia has become more popular.
Pop Star Politics “Just know that you don’t give away your loved one… Belarusians, we are a force.” – a group of Belarusian and Russian pop singers, singing in a patriotic music video to support President Lukashenko
Cave Bears, Corruption, and Life on Venus This week, education is worth fighting for; corrupt officials go for all-or-nothing; and Lenin's mausoleum makeover is cancelled.
Stumped Russia's election commission performed a "large-scale investigation" into tree stumps used as polling places. Only (?) three cases were found.
It's a Bird, a Plane... nope, a Secret Chinese Spacecraft A Russian radio fan managed to detect data from a secret Chinese spacecraft.
Wash Your Shoes, but Not Here Five men recorded themselves washing their shoes in a holy site in Kaliningrad. Then they overshared.
What Are You, Blind? Somehow, a blind man in Orenburg has been sporting a drivers' license for the last two years.
McDonald's, Mayor Measures, Pets on Planes "McDonald's is expanding its geographic presence and plans to open the first factories in the Far Eastern Federal District in December 2020." – Press announcement by McDonald’s, which plans to open its first restaurants in Russia’s Far East
Odder News for Radical Dudes This week, we're abandoning all pretense of mature adulthood. We've got cool shotguns, exploding caves, and a teacher who just couldn't wait. Gosh, mom, get out of my room!
Bring Out the Big Guns A Russian arms company is working towards a sniper rifle with a range of nearly five miles.
The Latest RosCosmos Launch: A TV Channel A TV channel for Russia's space agency will be blasting off in the coming months.
Anastasia Platonova Anastasia Platonova is a journalist, literary translator, and producer based in Moscow. She earned her degree in literature and linguistics and now works with major independent Russian media, covering stories on human rights, the difficult legacies of the Soviet era, and discrimination and violence against women.
Archaeologists Make a Home Run A baseball dating back to the 12th century has been unearthed in one of Russia's oldest cities.
Musician's Poetic Response to Sentencing A well-known musician posted a poem in response to the sentencing of his friend, the actor Mikhail Yefremov.
Meet the New Minister, Meat in a Sausage, Mete Out a Fine This week: education! Tests for hopeful investors, savings for college, and learning what exactly is in sausage.
Space Shoes, Putin's Proposal, and Tanks Take First “This is a special lightweight shoe, which is currently the lightest possible in the world, so that there is no additional load (when it is delivered to orbit).” – Press release from Faradei shoe company, which recently developed a special shoe for astronauts
The "Battle" of the Ugra River The Great Stand on the Ugra River, a confrontation in the autumn of 1480, has come to be known as an emblematic moment in Russian history. Yet things are not always what they seem.
Life in Isolation We have all had to experience some unplanned isolation during the pandemic. So we decided to visit some Russians who have long been living isolated lives.
Fear and Fandango We review Good Citizens Need Not Fear, by Maria Reva, and Fandango and Other Stories, by Alexander Grin.
Life is Just a Bowl of... Raspberries? When you are deep in the woods, enjoying a day of raspberry picking with friends, anything is possible.
Sergei Bondarchuk Looking back at the life and work of the legendary filmmaker, and how views of him have changed over time.
Creating Anna Karenina When Tolstoy started Anna Karenina, he was forty-four. He guessed that he would finish the novel, conceived as only a novella, in two weeks. Anna Karenina took him more than four years.
Pay with Your Face A new video surveillance system in Moscow’s metro will enable passengers to pay with a scan of their face.
Murder, He Meowed A library's famous cat now resides with the big yarn ball in the sky, thanks to foul play.
Chocolate, Chichikov, and Chivalry This week, Lukashenko turns action hero; chocolate is serious business; and a classic Russian author is proven to be right all along.
Happiness, Ants, and a Cold Winter “Alla Borisovna [Pugacheva] drank not the elixir of youth, but the elixir of happiness.” – A fan’s post on Maxim Galkin's Instagram account, in reaction to a new photo of the couple
September/October 2020 The Mari People * Life in Isolation * Russia's Discovery of Antarctica * Raspberry Picking * Semyonovsky Revolt * Battle on the Ugra * Sergei Bondarchuk * Table Russian * Bird Language * Apple Fritters * Chicks the TV Series * Kamchatka and Belarus
Good Deed Punished A pensioner was fined for highlighting voter fraud in Russia's recent round of constitutional amendments.
Robert Blaisdell Bob Blaisdell teaches writing and literature at the City University of New York’s Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn. He has edited more than thirty literary anthologies, including Tolstoy as Teacher: Leo Tolstoy’s Writings on Education and The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln. He occasionally reviews books for the San Francisco Chronicle and the Christian Science Monitor. His book, Creating Anna Karenina, was released in 2020.
In Search of Terra Incognita Two hundred years ago, the first sighting of Antarctica was recorded – by a Russian expedition. The author retraces the expedition’s steps, and not without hiccups.
God in Nature The veneration and preservation of nature are at the root of Mari culture. We get a unique inside look at their most sacred annual ritual of worship.
Moscow's Last Trolleybus Line Public transportation in Moscow is getting an electric facelift, but one trolleybus line will remain, in homage to this mode of transportation.
Russia's Instamamas Forbes recently released a list of the highest-earning Instagram bloggers in Russia, several of whom use their account to share details of motherhood.
Words are not Sparrows A look at avian idioms and phrases you will find useful in helping your Russian take flight. (Meanwhile, brush up on your bird names here.)
Chicks Rule the Screen A new series has taken Russia by storm this summer. Set in a provincial Caucasian town, Chiki (Chicks) is about four girlfriends trying to escape their lives as sex workers and launch a fitness club – the first in the area.
Can't Mask This “If the government thinks that it [wearing masks] is necessary, it should provide them free of charge, just like shoe covers are provided free of charge in medical organizations.” – Alexander Saversky, President of the Russian organization League of Patients' Defenders, who started a petition against wearing masks
Kamchatka or Bust Some of Russia's less-traveled regions are hoping to grow a booming ecotourism sector.
Nothing Suspicious Here... In disappointing-but-not-altogether-unexpected news, a prominent Kremlin critic gets hit with tea-borne poisoning.
Camouflage Candles, Cats in Quarantine, and Belarus This week Russians get diet advice, the president of Belarus gets kicked out of a neighboring country, and even cats aren't excused from social distancing.
I'm Not Dead Yet A hospital in Kursk is under investigation after a woman awoke post-surgery in the morgue.
Hovercraft, Cannibals, and a Man on Mars This week: Soviet-relic bunkers burst forth with new life; Soviet-relic vehicles get new life; and Soviet-relic apartments crack under the pressures of life.
Leaders Say the Darndest Things “Thank you, I have said everything. You can shout 'Leave'.” – Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in response to workers at the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant
Russia's Smallest Ethnic Group The smallest ethnos in the Russian Federation is an Avar sub-culture in the Caucasus.
Tsoy's Last Concert A recording of Viktor Tsoy’s last concert with his group Kino has recently been rediscovered.
Strange Celebrations, Cereal, and Wildlife Sneakiness This week: cereal jingles go viral, animal crossings save critters, and paratroopers take a swim in a fountain in celebration. Sounds pretty run-of-the-mill.
Criminal QR-Codes Be careful what QR-codes you scan in Russia, you may be opening yourself up to fraud.
On Melons and Vacationers “You risk getting an upset stomach, but there is no scientific evidence for this fact.” - An announcement from Russia’s Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, on the incorrect way to eat melons
The great bird's milk secret Ptichye moloko -- that famous Russian torte, has its history revealed here. But the recipe remains a secret...
'Sup? St. Petersburg saw over 2,000 attendees at its stand-up-paddleboard (SUP) festival this year, many in costume and with pets in tow.
Short Film: Anya A touching, short, CGI animated film looks at 20 years in the life of a Russian orphan.
Criminal Camels A herd of camels, released by an 83-year-old pensioner, is wreaking havoc in Astrakhan region.
A Win for the Lada Russia's iconic domestic car has been the highest-selling automobile in the last six months.
The Яs Have It Yandex, Russia's Google almost-equivalent, is making moves to expand with products including "YaBank," "YaSafe," and "YaCash."
Russia's Median Income Data from Rosstat indicates that the median Russian monthly salary is R35,000 (approximately $480).
Fish Fights, Freight Trains, and Feminist Propaganda This week, mammoths are ripe for the picking; fishy business practices turn violent; and a TV show is labelled a bad influence on Russian families.
The West's Holodomor Unmasker A street in Kyiv is being renamed in honor of a journalist who helped expose Soviet Ukraine’s deathly famine.
Rumors and Mistakes “I have nothing to share.” – Comedian Maksim Galkin in response to journalists asking him about rumors of divorce between him and his wife, the musical icon Alla Pugacheva.
First Russian Producer Nominated for Emmy An Armenian-Russian producer is the first Russian producer to be nominated for an Emmy, for his documentary Hate Among Us.
Ever-Resilient Lukashenko The President of Russia's neighboring Belarus says he had coronavirus, but even that didn't keep him down.
Satellite Wars Russia has fallen under suspicion for testing what some say is an anti-satellite weapon.
Why Did the Cats Cross the Street? Two cats in Krasnodar are being praised after helping an injured dog cross the street.
Robberies, Vodka, and Cat-astrophic Crimes This week, we're warned once again to be careful on the internet; priests use their powers for good; and criminals have never been so dang cute.
Protest Poems and Start of School “Are all these really mercenaries? // In Moscow, their voices are heard already! // The column went more and more powerfully. // They do not ask or pray, // They want the will to reach // All the ears of the people. // And there is no task to borrow, // No, it’s not their roof that is sliding. // ‘We are not stupid, we are not stupid!’ // Ah, those who don't want to hear them.” – Sergei Shnurov, leader of the band Leningrad, and a politician and producer, who used a poem on Instagram to announce his arrival in Khabarovsk to check out the protests occuring there in response to the arrest of governor Sergei Furgal
Attack of the Radioactive Berries A batch of cherniki was found to contain high levels of dangerous radiation.
Danger: Explosive Pizza! Traffic was stopped in Moscow to investigate a suspicious bag, but what was inside wasn’t quite what authorities expected.
Corruption, Crimea, and Coronavirus This week, Spotify comes to Russia, Crimea is a hot tourist destination (like always), and three cases of corruption: one big, one small, and one straight out of a spy movie.
Pushups for the Poor Russian lawmakers seek to boost the economy – and citizens' heart rates – by providing vouchers for workout classes.
On the Benefits of Coffee “Coffee is good. I don’t know where we got coffee from – it’s like a sin, like drinking champagne in the morning... Coffee is good, remember that. You can love it or not love it, but you cannot blame it and say that it is harmful. ” – Dr. Alexander Myasnikov, dispelling misconceptions on the dangers of coffee
A Veritable Musk-see The world-famous billionaire reached out to the family of a Soviet rocket scientist to visit SpaceX.
Case Closed on Dyatlov Pass? Was it aliens? Secret nuclear testing? Bigfoot? The Russian Prosecutor-General's office claims to have solved one of Soviet Russia's most perplexing mysteries.
Pirates, Pooches, and Another Putin This week, drivers' licenses get a much-overdue update, utility bills make headlines, and we learn that pirates abound in Russia.
Unusual Russian Dishes and VR Films “This dish is eaten in almost every home. I don’t understand Russian people’s tastes at all.” - Chinese blogger on herring under a fur coat, one of six items he listed as unusual Russian dishes
The Dream Passenger (according to Russian Flight Attendants) Russian flight attendants were surveyed to determine the characteristics of an ideal passenger.
My Kingdom for a Church Russia and Turkey are split over the use of an iconic Istanbul— er, Constantinople— monument.
Boars and Bad Weather “If you meet a boar, don’t approach it and don’t look it in the eye … if you meet a whole herd, stay away from the piglets.” - Advice in a note from the Moscow mayor's official website on the appearance of wild boars in some Moscow parks
(Almost) Jet Ski Season, (Almost) Presidents, and Online (Almost) Learning This week, Russia's government grapples with the ins-and-outs of distance learning, the Ministry of Economic Development is nonplussed by the effects of coronavirus, and we know what side of the bread a shipbuilder's head's butter is on.
For Sale: Putin's Dirty Laundry The Kremlin said that the president's dirty laundry is not for sale on the internet.
Saving Steelhead in Kamchatka This beautiful film from YETI on an enviro-tourism effort to save Steelhead in Kamchatka is our video of the week.
Chinese Artist's Gift to the Hermitage A famous Chinese artist was so inspired by his visit to the Hermitage, that he created a whole exhibit.
Russian Grammar Strikes Again Russian grammar is tough, even for the Russians that make official constitutional-referendum ballots.
Victor Pogostin Victor Pogostin was born in Moscow and graduated from the Moscow State Institute for Foreign Languages’ School of Translators. After his return from military service in long-range naval reconnaissance aviation, he defended his PhD, on Ernest Hemingway’s Nonfiction. He worked for many years at the Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Sociology, while writing and translating as a freelancer for newspapers and literary magazines throughout the former Soviet Union. He has compiled, edited, and written introductions and commentaries for over a dozen books by North American authors, including the works of Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck. In 1993 he relocated to Canada with his wife and son.
Voting From Space A Russian astronaut became the first person in the world to participate in voting from orbit.
Kefir-Beer, a Dog Retiree, and a Grave Competition This week: stamps honor highways, grave-diggers let loose, and Russia's cutest cop takes his leave.
Next on your Summer Reading List: Putin If Russia has its way, German history students could be reading a new article by none other than the president himself.
Getting Out and Shaping Up “Women most often think about new breasts and buttocks, some receive such operations as a gift from their gentlemen. For men, surgery to correct the shape of the nose and ears is now popular. We took a closer look at ourselves, sitting at home, and apparently decided to improve our aesthetic appearance.” - Plastic surgeon Dmitry Elenshleger on the popularity plastic surgery in Russia, now that the quarantine is being lifted
Keep the Line, Lose the Shoe In this Cindarella story, a woman is lauded for keeping formation in a parade despite losing one of her shoes.
The Nose Knows Dancing noses, we have dancing noses, people! This week's video of the week is courtesy of Gogol, Shostakovich, and The Royal Opera.
The Year of the Crown As the коронавирусная пандемия (the coronavirus pandemic) still affects just about every aspect of our lives, it has, of course, been changing the way we speak.
Books to Read During the Great Pause We asked our editors, advisors, and frequent contributors to share a Russian literary work they felt was particularly apt to read during The Great Pause.
The Thimble A woman returns to the village of her birth and an unlikely and fateful connection ensues.
Soyuz and Apollo Dock in Space When cosmonauts and astronauts linked up in space, it represented far more than a technological achievement.
Destiny's Child? “Geography is destiny,” Napoleon is said to have uttered. Shortly afterward he invaded Russia, proving both his maxim and that of one of his imperialistic predecessors, Julius Caesar: “It’s only hubris if I fail.”
Journeys through the Russian Empire Excerpt from a new book in which the author recreates the famous journeys of the photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky.
Owls of the Eastern Ice An excerpt from a new book about a quest to find an elusive owl, in which an expedition member tells a harrowing tale of survival.
A Cover Story The cover of this issue of the magazine is the final of a series of four seasonal images we commissioned from Asya Lisina. We asked her to explain how she went about crafting this image.
Lighten Up, Russia Experts report that Russian drinking habits over the last couple of months have gotten a bit lighter.
The reboot of a classic Russian cartoon features some modern updates. The reboot of a classic Russian cartoon features some modern updates.
Odd Places, Odd Things This week's we feature a smattering of things that are somewhere they shouldn't be, including drugs, tanks, mammoths, kids, and (of course) Lenin.
Eurovision Revisited “It's nice to receive such news from Europe!” - Ukrainian singer Ani Lorak on winning the revote for Eurovision 2008
Even Russians Make Typos School certificates in the city of Tolyatti were declared void due to spelling errors.
The Show Must Go On A Russian theater takes to an unusual medium to perform its adaptation of Chekhov's "Cherry Orchard."
An Expat Goes Home A death in the family not only proves the maxim that you can’t go home again, but also that home is probably not what you remember it to be.
"Painting Jesus Isn't Dangerous" Moscow is seeing religious symbolism crop up in unexpected places. It’s not the first time, but there is something different about what is going on now.
The Romance of the Earth Half a century ago, the profession of geologist was both popular and revered in Russia, shrouded in a halo of romance and adventure. We see what it is like today, first-hand.
Sergeyenko A factory which is part of Roskosmos will produce elevators that will greet passengers with the voice of Gagarin: “Let’s go!” We also need, at the end of the ride, the voice of Putin: “We have arrived!” and, in the event of a breakdown, Medvedev’s voice: “Stay put! Here’s wishing you the best of health and good cheer.”
Arctic Wake-Up Call When environmentalists sounded the alarm this time about a spill of diesel fuel from a power station reserve tank near Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant, the government response was uncharacteristically serious.
VKontakte's Virtual Exhibit Competition VKontakte has partnered with a modern art museum to allow amateur artists to submit items for a virtual exhibit.
Couple Just Can't Wait Authorities are searching for a couple in Ufa who became overly physical with each other in front of a school.
Help for Grooms, Swimmers are Doomed, and a Prisoner's Rooms This week we have grants for bride-stealing, anthropomorphic cakes, prisoners (and guards) walking on glass, and important advice for your next trip to Chelyabinsk.
The Anti-Party Almost Coup On this day in 1957, Nikita Khrushchev survived an ouster vote. It gave him another 7 years in power.
Watch Songs for Russia Day “This is a good deed, one of the great opportunities to pay attention to people who need special support and attention, and, if necessary, help, especially in the current difficult epidemiological situation.” – Advisor to the Governor of the Rostov region Anton Alekseyev on the online project “Smotri pesni” (“Watch Songs”)
A Feather in Petersburg's Cap St. Petersburg's deputy governor put forth a compelling reason for his city's more lax coronavirus regulations, compared to Moscow's.
New Trams, Old Memes, and New Monuments for Old Villages This week's Odder News features monuments for dead villages, ancient memes, and a mirror for Putin.
Museum's Modern Masks The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts has found a contemporary way to display classic works of art.
Testing, Testing, One, Two, Three... Human testing of a coronavirus vaccine is set to begin in Russia, and you, too, can fulfill your dream of being a guinea pig.
Snakes and Self-Isolation “It’s not clear how he found himself at school: maybe someone threw him out or he crawled away. As our specialist said, the python is full. Such an animal is able to swallow even a cat. And it’s a great happiness that no one was hurt.” – Alena Shibanova, a representative from the Good Home Animal Shelter, on a two-meter python found near a school in Kineshma
The Occupant In our video of the week, something from the realm of scifi: A Russian drone operator encounters a UFO, then must decide what is real and not.
Kate NV is Coming for US Russian pop experimentalist Kate NV had her video voted the #1 best music video of May by Pitchfork.
Long Live Musketeers! This delightful animated short by Anton Dyakov is our video of the week that we had a hard time waiting to share...
Immigrants Protect Restaurant A group of friends from Russia and the former CIS states banded together to ensure a Russian restaurant stayed safe during US protests.
Celebrate Life (#TBT) In these difficult times, let’s celebrate life. Specifically, five Russians (from a diplomat to an conductor to an activist) who happen to share today, June 4, as their birthday.
Lost Tombstones, Shootouts, and Social Support for Reindeer Herders This week's Odder News reads like a bad movie, full of forgotten headstones, zombies, and a disagreement settled with firearms.
Worth A Thousand Words A Russian colorist of historical photos has been banned from social media for her work.
Misplaced Global Anxiety? “It’s all bullsh*t… It’s all exaggerated. It’s an acute respiratory disease with minimal mortality.” -Alexander Myasnikov, appointed in April as Russia’s head of coronavirus information
Nathalie Wilson Originally from London but now based in Stockholm, Nathalie Wilson holds a Masters in Modern Languages (Russian and Spanish) from the University of Manchester (UK) and an MA in Conference Interpreting from London Metropolitan University (UK). She has both worked and studied in Russia and spent her university year abroad in Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg, where she studied at the St. Petersburg State University. A certified member of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Linguists, she freelances full time as a conference interpreter and translator, working from Russian, French and Spanish into English.
Quite a Thursday Here's a #TBT for you with some interesting variety: a poet, a pilot, and a natural disaster.
Come On In, the Bombshelter's Fine A swimming pool for the disabled is set to be built in an unorthodox location.
Russian Police's Online Flashmob Police officers in Russia are showing their support for a jailed community leader.
A Little Filler, You Know, Can Go a Long Way How to use fillers to make your Russian more colloquial.
Shchi soup: a not so invisible hand in history For many centuries, shchi soup has been a staple of Russian cuisine. There is evidence that shchi was known in Rus long before the adoption of Christianity in 988 A.D.
Transaero: What's all the fuss about? A look at no-frills debutante in the Russian aero market, Transaero.
Under New Management A few weeks ago our company, Russian Information Services, agreed to take over as publisher of Russian Life.
Is the Kremlin sinking? Reconstruction showed up some problems with the land supporting the Kremlin. How past and present efforts have alternately weakened and strengthened the fundament of the famed fortress.
American On Island During Sakhalin Quake Special report from the scene of the devastating May 28, 1995 quake on Sakhalin Island.
The Mysterious Origins of a Flea-Market Painting Peter Guppy of Prosperity Hardware thinks he has a Kazimir Malevich painting on his hands.
Tetris: The Perfect Video Game? A deep dive into the history and philosophy behind Tetris, and the reasons why it has managed to stay relevant for so long and will probably still be in the future.
Grilling over an Open (Memorial) Flame These people didn’t choose the best place to cook food for their picnic.
A Lucky Man Maximilian Voloshin was a poet and painter, a critic and translator. His home in the Crimea was a refuge for most of the Silver Age's brightest literary and artistic talents. And yet, he is little known.
The Railroad Less Traveled The Baikal-Amur Mainline is the other Trans-Siberian. More northerly, it runs through a range of Eastern Siberia largely untouched by human habitation.
An Icon's Journey Through History Discovered in a Russian forest 700 years ago, the Kursk Root Icon has a storied past - recently as a touchstone for the Russian Orthodox Church in exile. But the Church is reunifying. What of the icon?
Sleeping on Graveyards The Khakass are one of Russia's most ethnically complex nationalities. Their numbers are dwindling in the distant province that surrounds the headwaters of the mighty Yenisey river.
Car Crashes, Art, and Bikinis This week arts and crafts flourish under quarantine; a heatwave hits an unlikely place, and coronavirus fashion hits a new high (or low?).
Poetic Graffiti, Self-Isolation, and Skyrocketing Views “On the day of his 80th birthday, Brodsky returned to Pestel Street—he is looking directly at his balcony in the house where he lived, those same one and a half rooms from where he left forever. But poets always return.” – Creators of a large graffiti display depicting the poet Joseph Brodsky
Self-Isolation Hymn One of Russia’s beloved comedians wrote a song about quarantine, and performed it in an unusual manner.
A Celebratory Cake А фestive Napoleon Cake that is plenty complex to offer lots of stress baking relief.
A Historic Drinking Development A new report finds that, for the first time, Russians are drinking more coffee than tea.
Soccer, Victory Day, and Virtual Culture This week: soccer games return, cultural events go online, and an 11-year-old girl makes us all look like pansies.
What Will Russians Want Next on TV? “I think that, first of all, viewers will want to watch something easy. Comedy, melodramas about love, and, of course, blockbusters, but they won’t start to be released right away, because the pandemic should not only end for us, but all over the world.” – Kirill Razlogov, president of the Guild of Film Critics and Film Critics of the Russian Federation
Like a Drive-Thru, But Not A Russian man has been arrested for selling alcohol out of his apartment window.
Phishing within the Pandemic Scammers are trying to take advantage of the current coronavirus situation.
"Victory Day" Sung from Balconies Despite a quarantine, Russians still managed to join together to celebrate Victory Day (from their balconies).
Coping with Coronavirus, One Odder Item at a Time This week: Putin cracks down on smartphones, some things go online that probably shouldn't, and new coronavirus advice seeks to preserve the peace (and health).
Victory Day in Isolation This project is free, there is no monetization in it… I don’t know what will be ahead, but it doesn’t interest me now. ‘Stoyanov in isolation’ is a way of emotional and professional survival." – Russian actor Yuri Stoyanov, on his new YouTube show “Stoyanov in Isolation"
TBT: Happy Birthday Pyotr Ilyich On this day in 1840, one of the greatest composers of all time was born: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Coliving, Bill Gates, and Grechka This week we explore Soviet throwbacks, social media trends, and coronavirus fugitives.
TikTok but from Home “I don’t know what to do here. What am I supposed to do, sing, dance? I don’t understand what people do on TikTok. ” – Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in his first post to TikTok, where he gained 130,000 followers in less than a week
Dance Like Everyone is Watching Residents of Nizhny Novgorod were arrested for participating in a khorovod.
TBT: A Terrible Defection On this day in 1564, one of Terrible's most trusted confidantes defected. But they kept in touch.
Snow Shovels, Hangovers, and Historical Revisions This week: Russian telecomms habits shift, a St. Petersburg entrepreneur gets crafty, and being stuck at home means more alcohol intake.
The Throat-Singing American “People here usually say to me: you are different than we thought and from the way American people are shown on TV. And I am happy.” – Sean Quirk, an American who has been living in Tuva, Siberia for almost 20 years, and knowns the Tuvan language better than Russian
Drama at Vedomosti The Russian newspaper has seen changes in its editorial process that have some people worried.
Lukashenko Gets His "Village Therapy" The Belarusian President followed his own coronavirus advice, Pomeranian in tow.
May/June 2020 A city closed for 50 years * Goats * A legendary lawyer * Nabokov's forgotten summer * A forgotten tsaritsa * Forgotten Kremlin brides * A Napoleon you eat * World War II films * The language is flooded by English
Sergei Solovyov May 5 marks the bicentennial of the birth of one of Russian history’s greatest scholars: Sergei Solovyov.
The Elusive Elena When the daughter of one of Europe’s most respected kings married the tsar’s son, it seemed like a match made in Heaven. And then the Kremlin court rivalries began.
Sarov: A City Closed The nuclear research city of Sarov has been closed to outsiders since the 1940s. What is it like to live in a city with no future of opening up?
Visions of War On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II this May, we look back at how Soviet and Russian cinema has depicted the war.
Writers in Isolation Russian literature is rich with experiences of isolation. We check in with a few famous writers of the past.
The Saratov Duma (Almost) Gets a Lenin Makeover A group of communist politicians attempt to celebrate Lenin's 150th with music and posters.
Celebrating Orthodox Easter “Happy holiday to you. Be happy and healthy.” – President Vladimir Putin in his Easter address to Russians
Puppies, Mummies, and Jet Engines This week inventiveness takes on coronavirus, men need red meat, and Victory Day is the pandemic's latest casualty.
In the Trenches of Stalingrad On the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, we offer two excerpts from a new translation of Viktor Nekrasov’s In the Trenches of Stalingrad.
Handshake-Free Zone Looking back at the early Soviet years when the young state launched anti-handshake campaigns.
Wash your hands “Wash your hands after the restroom, after work, after eating. Cleanliness is essential in making workers’ daily life healthier.”
Did you rush? “Did you rush? Did you wash your hands poorly? Comrade, you should fear Koch’s rod!” (Refers to the tuberculosis bacterium discovered by Robert Koch.)
A Spring Day Feeds You For a Year Spring comes to the village in the form of mud and planting rituals.
Laura Williams Laura Williams worked to conserve Russian nature for nearly three decades. Laura earned a Master's degree in Conservation Biology from Yale and worked at WWF-Russia. Her husband Igor Shpilenok founded and directed the Bryansk Forest Nature Reserve in western Russia. They traveled throughout Russa, documenting the Russian wilderness, but made their home in the village of Chukrai, Bryansk region. Laura passed away in 2018 after a tragic accident.
Just What the Doctor Ordered What to drink in quarantine? Fortunately, a Russian expert has the answers.
The Russian Bees Will Save Us American bees are dying from mysterious causes, putting our agriculture at risk for lack of pollinators. Russian bees might be part of a solution.
Pros and Cons of a Global Pandemic This week we explore the upsides and downsides of self-isolation, strange new laws, and virus testing.
TBT: The Treaty of Rapallo This little-known treaty actually set the stage for the devastation of Europe that was to come.
The Outcasts Join Forces Pariahs Germany and Soviet Russia make a pact in 1922 that sets the stage for decades of suffering.
Tracking Coronavirus Patients... With Ankle Bracelets One region is finding the funds to buy tracking bracelets for certain coronavirus patients.
Why So Mean? “You know, it got to the point that they give such nasty information on [channel] Rossiya 1. Ah, the old man treats his people there with a tractor, vodka, a bath... But why are you making fools of us in Russia? Why should a Russian person get it into their head that there, in the West, our Belarusans, they’re some kind of crazy?" - President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on bias in Russian media against Belarusans
Meet Russia's Newest Meme: Pechenegs Putin's comparison of coronavirus to medieval nomadic invaders has tickled the internet.
Russians Share Window Views Have you been looking our your window more now that you’re spending more time at home? What do you see? Why not show the world?
Less Than Cat-Like Reflexes In which cats prove to be dangerous creatures (as if we didn't know that).
Ready the Space Force! The US President's decree on lunar resource extraction has the Russian space community crying foul.
"Working From Home" Caught on Video What exactly does “Working from Home” look like? This film captures the truth.
A Little Bit of Plague Music Music soothes the plague-bothered soul. Here are some recent tracks worth listening to.
Scams, Frogs, and Cars This week we have a little bit of everything: new cars, freshly-paved streets, and, of course, plenty of coronavirus.
Coronavirus Statement We have been in business for 30 years, weathering recessions, coups, bubbles, and a myriad of crises. But, of course, we have seen nothing like what we are seeing now with the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Unified Exams and Import Supply Chains "Because of the coronavirus, I voiced the idea of considering the possibility of not conducting the Unified State Exam this year…” - Oleg Smolin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education and Science
Mark C. Medish Mark C. Medish was a White House adviser on Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs to President Bill Clinton, a fellow alumnus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
A Russian Eiffel Tower If you build it, they will come. Well, they would, if they weren't all practicing social distancing.
Even Reindeer Get the Blues! Everyone's favorite yearly tundra jubilee has been postponed, perhaps until April.
TBT: Ivan Susanin Does His Thing On this day in 1613, a peasant saved the tsar by leading Polish troops into the woods. Or did he?
It May Seem Harsh “I understand that unpopular measures are being taken, but they are necessary in today's situation. This will allow us to avoid an outbreak of the disease. Measures are temporary: as soon as the peak of the epidemic passes, they will be canceled.” – Governor Evgeny Kuyvashev on new self-isolation measures being undertaken in his region
April Fooling Around... And Not There will surely be some great April Fools' news items this week. These, however, are some that we wish were jokes.
Performing for Empty Halls: Online Cultural Resources Since many people are stuck at home, cultural activities have to adapt.
Life-Changing Moments “This is war. The enemy is invisible, but some lines of the front are clear. Today's difficulties, of course, are far from the horrors known to our history, and that includes the Blockade. That was much worse than today, and scarier.... The noble experience and mysticism of the besieged Hermitage remains with us always and serves as an example.” - General Director of the State Hermitage Museum Mikhail Piotrovsky, in a Facebook post on how the Hermitage is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic
Alexander Herzen He was a poet, revolutionary, memoirist, publisher and emigre. He was a scion of the Bolsheviks, but he would have wanted nothing to do with them.
A Putin a Day Keeps Coronavirus Away Russia's president discovers ancient pottery, goes spearfishing, and visits a coronavirus hospital.
Some Things to Enjoy with Your Stacks of Toilet Paper In this week's Odder News: post-Soviet leaders propose innovative treatments for coronavirus, phone chargers go bad, and Russian buyers have an opening in the European real estate market.
A Modest Proposal If Russia has its way, NATO training would be postponed. Not because of coronavirus, but to preserve the memory of the dead of World War II.
Bulgakov's Post Horses Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky have translated Bulgakov's most "difficult" work: The Master and Margarita, as well as many of Russia's msot famous works of fiction. Editor Mikhail Ivanov sat down with them in Paris to talk about Bulgakov, the translator's art, and Russian literature.
Feats of Strength, Leopard-Print, and Condoms In this week's Odder News, the Moscow Zoo tries a new marketing tactic; a consumer protection agency gives its condom recommendations; and high winds call for desperate measures.
Stocking Up and Getting Tested “Should I stock up on buckwheat?” – Headline of an interview with Mikhail Delyagin, Director of the Institute for Globalization
Russian San Francisco Ever since the late 18th-century, when Russian fur trappers from Alaska first hunted along North America’s Pacific coast, there has been a Russian presence in Northern California.
The Government Inspector Gets a Monument A town in Volgograd Oblast prepares to welcome Gogol's Inspector... again.
Mapping Russia A map can be such a vivid, descriptive portal into a nation’s history. We asked a map collector and Russophile to share with us some of the most interesting historic maps of Russia.
Bid for the Best Backfires A decade before the fall of tsarism, a little-known auction was held to sell off some of the crown jewels. Was it rigged?
Cheerleaders, Croquet, and Persistent Coronavirus In this week's Odder News, cheerleaders and lawmakers band together, croquet culture spreads to Russia, and youthful exuberance leads to a joyride.
Little Big's Big Shot “I believe Little Big is the group that will capture Europe's ears. This is the smartest choice. I'm sure they will tear everyone else apart! A lot of respect to Pervyi Kanal.” - Musical producer Yana Rudkovskaya
History of Tattoos on Exhibit A new exhibit dedicated to the history of tattoos is opening in Moscow.
Vote for Oleg, Not Olga A public opinion survey reveals that Russians are averse to a woman holding Putin's office.
Russian Photographer Landscape Photog of the Year Moscow Photographer Oleg Ershov won the International Landscape Photographer of the Year prize, sponsored by Momento Pro.
Well-trained Pets, Songs about Coronavirus, and Putin on Line One In this week's Odder News: Putin's smartphone habits, Russian homophones make a headache for the police, and a coronavirus serenade.
Finally, Justice for Teachers If the All-Russian Teachers' Union gets their way, a fine could take the place of detention.
Bedside Manner, Barrels, and Big Bangs “Maybe we should change our perspective on how to communicate with patients? What technologies and working methods should we use?” – Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko
March/April 2020 A Chekhov story, a visit to a village school, a story of another school in decline, and preservationists who are hard at work in the Russian North. Also, language of dissent, a spring soup, birches, churches, and all sundry of things Russian.
Punk Rock and Klotsvog Reviews of a history of punk rock and a novel about a not very likeable woman.
Whatever it is, we're against it If you believe the papers, Russia is in the grips of протестное настроение, which literally means a mood for protest, but which might be better translated as “loaded for bear.”
A Village School As if trapped in a time warp, a remote village school in the Mari El Republic preserves a largely forgotten style of schooling, mostly cut off from the twenty-first century.
Birch An excerpt from Darra Goldstein's new cookbook, Beyond the North Wind, in which she ruminates on the place of birch in Russian culture, food, and history.
Memory Fades Here’s the thing about history: you can’t see everything that is going on when you are living it, and then, when you try to dredge up what really happened, all you’ve got is your frail memories.
Winter Ferry Tale If a vessel is unlucky enough to be berthed as a river ferry in Yakutsk, it will spend most of its life frozen into the surface of the Lena River.
Cooking with Nettle Ah, spring, when nature wakes from its winter slumber, and the farmers markets come alive with fresh greens like spinach, sorrel, and green onions.
Northern Wood A group of intrepid preservationists toil quietly in Russia’s northern realms to preserve old wooden churches and izbas that are just a snowstorm away from perishing.
Petrov Goes Back to School Guard duty sends an old villager back to school, and down a broad and dusty lane full of memories.
The Beauties On the occasion of the great writer’s 160th birthday, we offer up one of his lesser-known classics, newly translated.
The Case Against Foreign Lit 300 years of book burnings, banishments, and censorship in Russian books.
Crowdfunded $2.3 Million Will Save a Child A family in Yekaterinburg raised 153 million rubles ($2.3 million) to save their five-month-old daughter's life.
Victory Train: Coming Soon to a Hero-City Near You Russia's "Echelon of Victory" train-borne museum prepares to educate this spring.
Frescoes, Graves and a new PM In which Russia discovers old frescoes, a lost grave, and a new PM. Among other news.
Policing the Police Something virtually unprecedented happened this winter: five Russian policemen were arrested and charged with framing up an innocent man.
Should the Duma Broadcast in the Bathroom? Funny You Should Ask. “I noticed that there are places here, shall we say, for contemplation.” said a Duma deputy, referring to… the bathroom. He continued: “And when important issues are being discussed, they should broadcast it there.”
#TBT Russian Literature is Born 195 years ago today Russian literature was born when a certain Yevgeny showed up.
It's Incredible What $43,000 of Flowers Can Do A Siberian city looks to beautify itself with an excessive amount of flowers.
Public Transit Complaints, Ethnic Villages, and Namibia In this week's Odder News, regions work on ethnic villages, presidents get songs written about them, and coronavirus countermeasures take a surprising twist.
The Dangers of Overeating and Tattoos “Maslenitsa week is usually accompanied by all sorts of food excesses, including plentiful blini eating. And in this regard, any overeating is harmful to the body.” – Member of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection Dr. Boris Mendelevich on the potential pitfalls of eating too many blini
Oh, Deer. Sakhalin Island deputies introduce legislation to revive a shrinking livestock trade: reindeer herding.
#TBT Mir Space Station Launched Thirty-four years ago this week, the Mir Space Station was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Better Policy for Children? No Kidding. Five Russian oblasts have schooled the rest in good socio-economic policy, according to recent awards from the Expert Institute of Social Research.
Antiviral Amulets and Charmed Vitamin-C The threat of coronavirus is not funny, but advertisements for tongue-in-cheek “remedies” are catching on among entrepreneurial Russians.
Sleeping Naked, Oh, and Tanks This week's Odder News: Belarus, the "Switzerland of the East," quiet hours, and tank-fueled wedding proposals.
From Russia With Love, and Coronavirus Two young Russians fall in love in the midst of a Coronavirus quarantine.
Better Take This Seriously “We wanted to draw attention to the problem: a lack of medical masks in pharmacies, the lack of information on the coronavirus. We were not trying to scare our compatriots or laugh at a hot topic. We just set up a social experiment.” – One of two men fined for their video pranking the coronavirus
#TBT Russian Architecture's Master 283 years ago today, Vassily Bazhenov was born. Russian architecture would never be the same.
What Seems to Be the Problem, Officer? Moscow police have finally arrested a traffic-ticket fugitive.
Competing for Leadership Prizes is a Family Affair Russia’s latest power couple, from Kaliningrad, is headed to the semifinals of the Leaders of Russia contest.
St. Petersburg Hold-'em, or Russian Roulette? A St. Petersburg municipal politician has resigned after the discovery of an underground casino in his apartment.
Paul I: Russian Hamlet Tsar Paul I, son of Catherine the Great, may hold the title to Russia's least understood tsar. On the 200th anniversary of Paul's murder, we probe the peculiarities of his life and work.
From the Russian Office With Love Over half of respondents on a recent Russian survey indicated that they aren’t opposed to office romances.
Odder News for the Young'uns In this week's G-rated Odder News: Kid-friendly World War II history, kid-friendly educational TV, and kid-friendly swearing lessons.
Statistics Highlight Vodka Hotspots Curious about vodka stats? Russia's Research Center for the Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets has you covered.
Lev Berdnikov Lev Berdnikov was born in Moscow and graduated from the Russian Language Department of Moscow Pedagogical University. He worked for a few years as a reporter for Uchitelskaya Gazeta (Teachers Newspaper), and from 1980 to 1990 worked as a senior researcher in the Department of Rare Books (Museum of Books) at Lenin Library (now known as the Russian State Library). Since 1990, he has lived in Los Angeles. He is the author of multiple books, including Jews in Service to the Tsar, published by Russian Life books, and more than 60 essays published in Russia, the U.S., Israel, Germany and Latvia. He is also the member of the editorial board of magazines in Denmark and Germany, and is deputy editor of the journal Слово/Word.
Leave your Gloves at Home “Accordingly, the temperature will be seven to eight degrees higher than the climatic norm, which gives reason to say that the current winter will turn out to be the warmest over the last 140 years of instrumental observations in Moscow.” - Chief Specialist of the Moscow Weather Bureau Tatyana Pozdnyakova
War-Separated Sisters Reunited after 78 Years Two sisters lost contact as teenagers in 1942, during their evacuation from the Battle of Stalingrad. They never lost hope they would find each other.
Hell on Wheels Russian priests in Sverdlovsk Oblast are upset that they could start seeing local license plates numbered 666, a number often associated with Satan.
Down and Duty-Free Online duty-free purchasing is taking over Russian airports. Rejoice, fans of designer cologne.
Don't Drink that Beer! “Alcohol is the most harmless component of beer. The remaining minor components that give the beer its properties - foam, color, taste - are extremely unhealthy compounds for human health.” - Expert in narcology, Daniil Pokrovsky
#TBT Yalta Conference Tuesday was 75th anniversary of the start of the Yalta Conference, the first step in rebuilding the post-War world.
Enriching the Russian Language On November 22, 1887, Samuil Marshak was born. A poet, translator, playright, dramatist, literary critic and editor, Marshak was born in Voronezh and began writing poetry at a very early age.
Russian Bears, Language, and Tomato Paste Bear with us: this week's Odder News lacks a theme. Instead, we have tomato paste, emotion workshops, and Russian pandas.
Floating Fishermen Approximately 600 fishermen were stuck on an ice floe, despite being warned about the dangerous ice.
The Mayor Departs Yury Luzhkov, who died in December from complications during routine heart surgery, is difficult to pin to a particular pantheon of Russian political figures.
The Motherland Calls... Reenactors Military reenactors mark the 76th anniversary of the lifting of the siege of Leningrad with plenty of pyrotechnics.
Joke about God Drives Comedian to God's Homeland A Russian comedian made a joke and then decided he needed to flee the country to avoid arrest.
The Actor-Agents of the KGB A former KGB agent recently claimed that many Soviet celebrities, including multiple famous actors, were agents of the “special services."
Rocket Man Rides, Family Life, and Bootlegging, Russian-style In this week's Odder News: a forgetful traveler, spaceman transport, and the seal of approval.
Do Russians Dream of Electric Sheep? A study finds that the majority of Russians don't understand AI, just like the rest of us.
No problem too small “We creatively solve any problems: from opening a bottle to paying taxes.” – Russian musician Sergei Shnurov, on the Russian people.
18: Other Worlds This issue focuses on the rich array of worlds we populate, from those immediately apparent to those less obvious. Selections include everything from science fiction to poetry to fiction centered in Central Asia and Khrushchev's Moscow.
17: Sport This issue devoted to the theme of sport is far from what you'd normally expect of sports writing, including memoirs, history, the most famous horse race in Russian literature, and a scifi tale.
Big Banks Are Watching You Russian banks to start testing biometric ATMs. This is probably a good idea.
Time to Hit the Slopes! “For now I’m going skiing for a couple days, I’ll return and will work." – Dmitri Medvedev, on his relaxation plans now that he’s no longer prime minister.
Returning (Legally) to Her Mother's Land The wealthiest woman on the African continent is, apparently, a Russian citizen.
Russians Celebrate Epiphany in Ice-Cold Water This popular holiday tradition has believers plunging into ice-cold water… voluntarily!
Moscow's December Was Light on Sunshine Muscovites are no longer in the dark about the amount of sunlight they got in December: just eight hours.
Panda Becomes Moscow Grinch A panda in the Moscow zoo destroyed a pine tree. It was anything but an accident.
The Skinny on Fat Pets on Flights Does that cat fit in your carry on? Russia mulls flying fat cat regs.
Booting a Boot, Selling a Psychic Cat, and Eating Leftovers In this week's Odder News: a Pushkin theme park, a boot-kicking contest, and just the kind of entrepreneurial shake-up the world needs right now.
Baby, It's Cold Inside Every autumn, Russians only have one question: Когда начнётся отопительный сезон!? (When are they going to turn on the heat?)
Michele A. Berdy Michele Berdy, a part- or full-time resident of Moscow since 1978, is the author of a popular weekly column called "The Word's Worth" in The Moscow Times. Following careers in documentary film and health communication, she currently writes on culture, current events and various aspects of intercultural communication for the Russian and English-language press. Her collection of columns, The Russian Word's Worth, was published in 2010. In addition, she has co-authored a Russian-English dictionary and been the lead or sole writer of four guidebooks to Moscow, St. Petersburg and Russia. She speaks on intercultural relations to Russian and American audiences and conducts master classes in communication and translation.
#TBT: Two Vladimirs, One Country They could not have been more different, but both these Vladimirs had a huge impact on Russian history.
#TBT: Sofia the Mathematician 170 years ago this week, January 15, 1850, the mathematician Sofia Kovalevskaya was born.
#TBT: Retribution for a Rebel 245 years ago this week, on January 10, 1775, the rebel Yemelyan Pugachev was executed in Moscow.
How to Become a Millionaire: Go Postal The Russian Postal Service made more than 170 millionaires in 2019.
Long Live Valeriy I! Ivan the Terrible, notorious not only for being terrible, but also for killing his eldest son, may have finally found his heir.
How to Survive in Russia This week's Odder News features three survival stories: survival in the Russian wilderness, on the internet, and in a world filled with cell phones.
On the Limits of Grading “My personal opinion: any child loves running, jumping, drawing, singing, And maybe not everyone can do it ‘perfectly,’ but to give a student a ‘C’ (‘troika’) just because they lack a musical ear is, in my opinion, not right.” – Education Minister Olga Vasilyeva
Stampede for Sales and Sweets Looks like Black Friday isn’t the only dangerous shopping day: a Kazan stampede over... bananas.
The One About the Pigeon and the Hole In the latest of many "active animal" stories, we learn of a pigeon home invasion.
"Kindergarten" for Senior Citizens Everyone’s a kid at Christmastime, and, beginning this holiday season, pensioners in Kostroma Oblast can be kids year-round at Russia’s first “kindergarten” for pensioners.
Of pigs and cussing and parachutes This week's Odder News, we cover everything from mummies to hogs, from cussing to bows and arrows. Oh, and skyscraper jumping...
Statistics are Stubborn “Statistics are a stubborn thing, and even with my diagnosis you have a chance to get better! Just believe in it! I was just unlucky :)" – A beloved and influential Russian oncologist, in his last Facebook post before he died of cancer.
The Giving Trees of Moscow Moscow authorities want you to stop throwing your trees in the trash: they have a plan to re-gift them to the city and the environment.
Talk about Inflation! You won't believe how much a woman in Chelyabinsk is asking for her 1000R bill.
Fate can be ironic “People discussed whether Nadya and Ippolit had sex.” – One of the FAQ’s about the beloved Soviet New Year’s film Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!, according to the daughter of the director.
The Irony of Weather Desperate times, and the need to create a festive atmosphere, call for desperate measures.
Okunevo: Place of Power The Siberian village of Okunevo is a "place of power." For literally hundreds of years, people have visited here, convinced that the lake has healing power, among other things.
Iconic Tagging Artist Aleksandr Tsypkov and a handful of other artists feel everyone, not just church-goers, should be able to see religious art. So naturally they are tagging bridges and underpasses with "iconic" images.
Snowboarder v. Snowbird Snowboarder and filmmaker Igor Popelyukh was enjoying himself off-piste at Sheregesh Ski Resort in Kemerovo Region when a large grouse got seriously pissed off.
Putin's Front Opens Tik-Tok Account The All-Russia People’s Front, an organization founded by Russian President Vladimir Putin, apparently counts teenagers as part of all Russian people.
Kazan Witnesses Transgender Marriage The bride said that they encountered no problems because they had already changed their appearance to look like a traditional man and woman, and had received new documents that reflect their gender identity.
Sushi Russia's Most Popular Delivery Food Nothing says the Russian holiday season like rolling up to an office party with… sushi rolls?
Happy New Year! Enjoy Your Bath! Russian Life wishes you a happy new year, complete with movies and marriages.
A Very Russian Christmas For a few Muscovites, Christmas came early, in the form of free Metro rides.
Mystical Mystery in Chelyabinsk Museum Is a meteorite fragment from the 2013 Cheyabinsk incident attempting to phone home? Not clear. But Stranger Things are definitely afoot.
News and Views A collection of news items, quotes, and tidbits of interest from around the Russia space.
The Sixth Minister From the diaries of the US Minister to Russia, George Washington Campbell, 200 years ago.
The Patty Shop In Russia, a bus ride is always more than a bus ride, especially when it stops over at Klava’s patty shop.
January/February 2020 Lighthouse keepers, after the lighthouses are shut * A northern photographer 120 years ago * Space Dogs * The village patty shop * Winter of 1920 * Noted mathematician * Forgotten writer * Words for snow and dieting * Kutya for all seasons * Yuri Luzhkov * Saying goodbye to one of our own
Vsevolod Ivanov Vsevolod Ivanov’s books have long since been largely forgotten, and today it is hard to decide whether or not his current obscurity is deserved.
A Dish for All Seasons January 7 is Russian Orthodox Christmas, which calls for a Christmas dish. But the chosen one, kutya, is much more than a winter holiday treat.
Documentarian of the North He was a talented artist but an even more gifted itinerate photographer. What he captured 120 years ago is remarkable.
Nikolai Shabunin Born the son of a priest in Arkhangelsk gubernia on April 6, 1866, Nikolai Shabunin became an accomplished painter and an extremely prolific documentary photographer, though his work is little known.
Space Dogs The first earthling to perish in space was the Soviet space dog Laika. Soon thereafter, the first earthlings to orbit the planet – 60 years ago this summer – were Belka and Strelka.
Not the End of the World After being made redundant as a lighthouse keeper on a remote White Sea island, Lyudmila has taken it upon herself to defend her dying village from government indifference.
Как снег на голову! An effective way to accumulate new vocabulary is to learn words and phrases that have the same root.
Ringing in the Plump New Year It’s that time of year: Americans are busy making — and breaking — their New Year’s resolutions. Russians are too smart to put themselves through such torture.
Sofia Kovalevskaya Poor, unfortunate Vasily Vasilyevich Korvin-Krukovsky. He worked so hard to help his family flourish, and, at least in his eyes, it all went to waste.
The Winter of 1920 The first months of 1920 was a dark time in Russia. The Civil War was grinding to its grim conclusion and intellectuals were in the crosshairs.
Domestic Violence Debate Turns Ugly Discussion in Russia about domestic violence has gotten more serious over the past few years, and a showdown seems to be on the horizon.
Protecting Miners Norilsk is home to Eurasia’s deepest mine and richest nickel and copper ores. We tag along with a mine inspector and rescuer, descending over 200 meters below ground.
November/December 2019 The Last Soviet-Americans * What Russian Women Carry in Their Purses * Two Little-Known Fighters Against Anti-Semitism * Grampa Cuckoo * Trumping Up Charges Against Dissenters * The End of WWI * Kalashnikov * The Winter War * The Language of Cold Weather * The Evening Cartoons * Soviet Fruitcake * Alexei Leonov
Soviet Fruit Cake Since the return of cooler weather again permits the use of ovens, let’s talk about cakes.
Pale Horse and Remembering Leningrad A review of two books: one work of fiction, and one labor of love.
The Story Behind an Inscription An unexpected discovery in a library sends the author on an enthralling historical excursion.
The Things They Carry In which a photographer convinces 12 women to share the contents of their magical purses, revealing mysteries of the Russian Soul.
Grandpa Cuckoo What do you do with a thief and miscreant who just won’t stop thieving? Why, send him off to St. Petersburg of course.
The Last Soviet-Americans They fled the USSR, only to recreate a Soviet enclave on the outskirts of New York City. And now fewer and fewer of them remain. We visit Brighton Beach.
The Winter War November 30, 1939, marked the start of a war that has been all but forgotten in Russia: the war between the Soviet Union and Finland, commonly referred to in English as “The Winter War.”
The Gunmaker The whole world knows the word “Kalashnikov.” What kind of a man was Mikhail Kalashnikov? And can we ever separate the man from the legends that surround him and his AK-47?
The War to End All Wars Ends The final shots of the First World War (“The War to End All Wars”) were fired on November 11, 1918. In Russia, this event went largely unnoticed.
Mud and Stars Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin was a lubricious, bawdy, impetuous, whoring gambler who seldom missed an opportunity to pick a fight.
A Brief History of Political Insults News of Russian courts punishing people for what they write or comment online is no longer anything out of the ordinary.
Alligators and Email We are driven by a passion to tell interesting stories about the most interesting country on Earth. And it helps that we are egged on by our passionate readers.
Meat, Choppers, and Catherine the Great A wrap up of the news and news-like items from in and around Russia.
Kaluga's Rocket Scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was the father of Russian space travel. A quirky, half-deaf teacher, he inspired generations with his idealistic views of the age to come.
Scout's Honor Scouting has had a long and complicated history in Russia. And, not surprisingly, it gets a bit political.
A Perfect Dacha Day Some off-the-cuff dacha recipes for you (summer seems like too relaxed a time for exacting recipes).
French Treat This year marks the 235th anniversary of the birth of Antonin Carême, a French chef who left his mark on Russian cuisine in the form of the dessert known in Russia as sharlotka and everywhere else as charlotte Russe.
A Mythical Dessert Explore a rich dessert named after the gourmand and minister of finance under Tsar Alexander I: Guriev Kasha.
September/October 2019 Mysteries of the Altai * History of Russian Scouting * A Private Farmer * Lyonushka and Ruble Bill * Mushrooms * The Language of Fall and Trees * Yeltsin's Notorious Bridge Incident * Ivan the Terrible's Second Wife
Russian Life EBooks We have been publishing books, magazines, journals and maps with ink and pulp for 25 years. But for those who like their books in bits, a number of our titles are also available for Kindle, Nook, iPad and via other digital platforms. Below is a list of all our books that have digital incarnations.
Lyonushka and Ruble Bill How do you win over the village beauty who has a thing for animals? Kolya is determined to find out.
Into the Breach Vladimir left the big city to set up a farm in rural Lipetsk Oblast. And he doesn’t regret it one bit.
The Mysteries and Labyrinths of Altai Known as “Russia’s Tibet,” the Altai region is vast, unpeopled, and brimming with energy centers.
A Double Life An excerpt from the new translation of a novel by Karolina Pavlova (1807-1893), translated by Barbara Heldt.
Returning from Afar An excerpt from Benson Bobrick’s new book, a memoir of his life and work as a writer.
In Tolstoy's Footsteps One hundred and twenty-five years ago, Lev Tolstoy made the first of several walking journeys from Moscow to Tula – a distance of nearly 200 kilometers. A pair of Americans retrace the great writer’s journey, in a considerably different Russia.
The Guns of Autumn On the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II, we review the final events leading to its outbreak in 1939.
Yeltsin's Notorious Bridge Incident On September 28, 1989 – just a few months after Boris Yeltsin's triumph at the Congress of People’s Deputies – the police found a muddied and wet Yeltsin near a dacha community outside Moscow.
Maria Temryukovna Among “the Terrible’s” unfortunate wives, Maria Temryukovna, his second, is an interesting case.
Fire in the Forest In the public mind, Russian forests have always been an unlimited resource. Not any longer.
Anonymous "Of course, it's been 20 years, but we had several memorable Russian/Soviet train trips. Our advice – take it easy; enjoy the scenery both near the train and off in the distance; be kind; be grateful; appreciate the history."
Walt Wess "Unless you are a woman traveling alone, try and get a two person room. Take food with you and bottled water. Conceal valuables before you get to the vokzal."
Walt Wess "Know the three stations before the one where you will exit. It gives you time to prepare to get off, unless they are far apart. If far apart, one or two will be enough."
Geff McCarthy "DO NOT fly into LEN, the St. Petersburg airport, [it has] the most onerous security on the planet. Take the Alllegro train from Helsinki, and all customs and passport checks are done en route. Get off at Finlandski Voksal, and be careful of the expensive, unlicensed taxis. Then do ride the trams around, they are not crowded."
Larry Hanna "Be careful to stow valuables in hard class carriage so that anyone attempting at night to rifle through them is apt to wake you up, e.g. tying them to your wrist or toe with a cord or a scarf. This happens more often than you might expect. It happened to me far more often in Western European Russia than in the Far East or Central parts. I've crossed the country several times over by train, a little in Ukraine and Belarus too, since 1987, last in 2008. Lost cameras, clothing, and sporting gear mainly; I slept with cash inside layers of clothing."
Walking the Volga An office worker gives up his job to walk all 3,645 kilometers of Europe’s longest river. This is his story.
The City of Chagall Just over Russia’s border in Belarus is the remarkable city of Vitebsk, birthplace for a surprisingly influential artistic community that flourished just before and after the Revolution.
Catherine Ascends; Peter Falls We read history through the eyes of the victors, and in June 1762, the victor was a German-born princess newly ascended to the throne with her husband, Peter III. To history she became known as Catherine the Great.
The Couture of Power Elizabeth I (1741-1761) loved horseback riding, carousing and building palaces, but not ruling. Meet the daughter of Peter the Great.
Stalingrad This is a short excerpt from the first-ever English translation (by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler) of Grossman’s epic novel of the turning point in World War II.
July/August 2019 Precious Water * Siberia's Primordial Colors * A Birthday Party Gone Wrong * A New Symbol of Russia * Lunar Landing * Patriarch Filaret * Magazine * How to Say "No" in Russian * A Summer Dacha Feast * The Russian Notion of Time
People Like Us The features in this issue have something in common. And it's not necessarily what you might expect.
Khodasevich and Vodolazkin Two recently published works of fiction that we liked and wanted to share with you.
Just a Second... Russians have a sense of time that can often leave foreigners puzzling. So we decided to look at some colloquial expressions about time.
Magadan On July 14, 2019, Magadan will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding. Alas, this date, like so much else in the city’s history, is a lie.
Castle of Concrete In this new novel, set in the final year of the Soviet Union, young Sonya is reunited with her once-dissident mother, and they are on their way to navigating a new life together.
Talking Trash For several months, there has been a steady trickle of news reports from Shiyes, a nondescript railway station nestled amid forests and lakes not far from Syktyvkar, that sound as if they are coming from a war zone.
Siberia's Primordial Colors A journalist meets a painter in the distant outback of Siberia. They share a love for the untamed wilderness, and we learn a thing or two about the challenges of painting in the wild.
Precious Water A shortage of clean drinking water threatens to become the main ecological problem of our time.
Filaret Rises The exceptional life story of the father of the first Romanov tsar, the reluctant Patriarch, Filaret.
Hogweed instead of Birches The Caucasus had a fast-growing plant that the Soviets wanted to plant up north to use for animal feed. What could possibly go wrong?
Robert Chandler Robert Chandler is a British poet and literary translator. He is the editor of Russian Short Stories from Pushkin to Buida (Penguin) and the author of Alexander Pushkin (Hesperus). He is also the editor of the literary magazine Cardinal Points. His translations include numerous works by Andrei Platonov, Vasily Grossman's Stalingrad (For a Just Cause) and Life and Fate, and Pushkin's The Captain's Daughter. Chandler's co-translation of Platonov's Soul was chosen in 2004 as “best translation of the year from a Slavonic language” by the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages (AATSEEL). His translation of Hamid Ismailov’s The Railway won the AATSEEL prize for Best Translation into English in 2007, and received a special commendation from the judges of the 2007 Rossica Translation Prize. Chandler’s translations of Sappho and Guillaume Apollinaire are published in the Everyman’s Poetry series.
Vasily Grossman VASILY GROSSMAN (1905-1964) has been called "the only example, or at least the most significant one, of an established and leading Soviet writer changing his spots completely. The slave in him died, and a free man arose." He covered WWII as a correspondent, creating some of the most impressive and literary reporting on the war. His novel, Life and Fate, was a masterful portrayal of all aspects of society under Stalin and was banned from publication throughout the Soviet era.
Nikolayev's Birthday It was Nikolayev’s birthday, which in ordinary years would always start bright and early... but this was no ordinary year...
Chapayev Civil War hero and Commander of the 25th Rifle Division, Vasily Chapayev (right), with his subordinate, Ivan Bubenets.
No, Nicely If it’s hard to gracefully say “no” in English, how much harder is it in Russian, where dissembling requires linguistic gifts that you might not have yet developed?
You Be the Judge There is never a shortage of political-cultural land mines on which to trod when one’s brief is to cover all things Russian.
Spring has (Not) Sprung In early March, when Moscow is still buried under more than a meter of snow and people are buried under many inches of fur and heavy wool, there is nothing more annoying than Instagram photos of daffodils, forsythia and cherry blossom buds.
17 Myths of the Revolution Every revolution needs its myths. The faithful must be inspired; successive generations must be enthused. We explore some myths about the “Great October Revolution” that persist even now, 100 years later.
The Museum of Freedom On St. Petersburg’s Revolution Highway there is a museum devoted to collecting and preserving the elusive and controversial art forms of graffiti and street art.
Treasures a la Russe In a Washington DC suburb, a retired diplomat and self-professed Russophile has collected a treasure-trove of pre-revolutionary Russian delights.
The Abandoned A family of animal defenders gets burned out of their home. All they want is to return, to help more animals.
Seal Healers Lori Beloivan and her husband were planning to move to Moscow. Then they discovered an injured seal on a beach near Vladivostok and their lives were changed.
Making His Mark Among the Living Forced to retire from the entertainer’s life at an early age, Victor turned the world into his stage.
Ivan Kupala A look back at the pagan holiday which was assimilated into the Orthodox tradition as John the Baptist's day.
The Real Last Tsar History tends to record Nicholas II as the last Tsar of all the Russias. Not to put too fine a point on it, but History is wrong. There was one more, and this is his fascinating story.
Russians on the Border Nestled up against the US border with Canada there is an unusually high concentration of Russian- Americans. This requires some investigation...
Andrea Provenzano Andrea Provenzano is an Italian documentary photographer and researcher. His projects focus on people assembled in groups, their behavior, and how they are influenced by things such as consumerism, environmental issues, and the acceleration of in society produced by technology. His long-term documentary stories have been exhibited in Royal Geographic Society (London) and Cortona on the Move (Italy), and he was runner up in the Canon Young Photographers Award in 2018. Currently he is working on in-depth stories on VR technology in medicine and China’s presence in the Arctic.
Daria Klimasheva Daria Klimasheva is a photo-based artist and researcher from Moscow. She received a degree in photojournalism from Moscow State University and studied Advanced Visual Storytelling at the Danish Media and Journalism School in Aarhus. She has worked with a variety of national and international media, including Russian Reporter, the Associated Press, Børsen newspaper, and The Washington Post, and was a participant in The New York Times Portfolio Reviews of 2016 and 2019. Currently she is developing work on the visual and tangible explorations of human touch: its nature, history, cultural and psychological meaning, as well as the consequences of its absence and abuse.
Pushkin Was Here (Perhaps) “Pushkin is our everything,” Russians like to say. And sometimes it seems like he was everywhere.
Pushkin is a Meme In which an artist tries to get out of a job illustrating a brochure and ends up getting sucked into a Pushkin meme vortex.
Two Roads from Urzhum A good mystery begins unexpectedly in the unlikeliest of places. And then it takes you where you never imagined. This one took the author halfway around the world and more than a hundred years back in time.
The Visitation In 1947, on the 17th day of February, one of the largest meteorites to strike the Earth in the twentieth century fell in the Russian Far East. Its landing site was a perfect spot from which to watch the Geminid meteor showers.
A Winter's Tale (mostly about valenki) In Russia, valenki are as near as you can get to the country's number-one footwear after regular leather boots.
Looking for Tolstoy An American writer consumed by Anna Karenina goes in search of the great writer’s little-known refuge beyond the Volga, near Samara.
The White Émigré Epic Thousands of war refugees are flooding Europe from the East. No, this is not a story of today, but of the world a century ago.
The Translator Galina Sergeyevna Usova is a poet and translator of English prose and poetry. For the last few years, she has been standing outside St. Petersburg’s Polytechnic Institute metro station selling her books.
Crafting Markets An assemblage of crafters, knitters and felters talk about what it means to be a small producer in Russia.
Ivan Ilyin President Vladimir Putin has elevated the philosopher Ivan Ilyin by referring to his ideas in speeches and even making works by Ilyin required reading. We delve into his murky past.
Peruvian Volcano Unseats Russian Tsar When a volcano erupted in Peru in 1600, it had huge effects not only in South America, but across the globe. And especially in Russia, where crop failures led to hunger and discontent, eventually leading to the Time of Troubles.
The Battle for Kamchatka Alaska Airlines has been serving the Russian Far East for 20 years, but lately it has faced some new difficulties.
A New Orchestra for a New Time A profile of the 5-year-old Russian National Orchestra, Russia's most successful independent classical orchestra.
At Zima Junction, 1943 A poem from the new volume Alcestis of the Underworld, by a regular translator of works published by Russian Life Books.
The New Ideological Fetish "A classical authoritarian power... does not pay that much attention to what the population thinks, and when it does, this attention is usually limited to a bunch of platitudes loudly proclaimed as the official ideology..."
The Shah Bird An excerpt from the fine new novel Zuleikha, by Guzel Yakhina, about a woman's survival in Siberia exile, inspired by childhood memories of the author's grandmother.
The Museum of Abandoned Secrets Where we interview Nina Shevchuk-Murray, translator of this new book by Oksana Zabuzhko, which is an expansive piece of historical fiction that encompasses much of Ukrainian history, particularly during WWII.
Making Waves One hundred and sixty years ago, the inventor Alexander Popov was born. In 1895, he created the first radio receiver. Or did he?
March/April 2019 Women in the Arctic • Taming Foxes • Inventing Radio • The Town that Ivan Built • Animal Language • History of Trams • War Over a Tiny Island • Diamond Arm's Golden Anniversary • Horse Power • A Book on Sholokhov
May/June 2019 A Retiree Makes the World his Stage • Pushkin as Meme • Pushkin Was Here • A Case of Mistaken Babushka • The Fate of Thick Journals • The Salt Lake • Russians on the US Border • St. Isaac's • 1989 • Endless May Holidays • Budget Travel • Georgy Danelya • Genitive Case • Spring in Your Language • A Cake with Some History
The Genitive Case, or "If you have no aunt" In which we use one of the most beloved songs from a classic film to make some points about genitive case. Get singing!
Congress of People's Deputies Convenes In the spring of 1989, elections were held: “alternative elections.” This redundant phrase, which today provokes smirks, back then had everyone in a state of euphoria. We had a choice!
The May Holidays In early May, everyone is feeling exhausted after a long, vitamin-deprived winter: schoolchildren are dragging themselves to the June 1 school-year finish line, and their parents are just starting to recover from the cold, dark winter. That’s when the holidays hit.
The Life and Death of the Thick Journal There was a time when literary journals ruled Russian intellectual life. That time has passed.
Someone Else's Granny Even when you do a good deed, you need to pay attention, or you may chart a new road to humility.
Groom's Summer Suit "This is the groom's summer suit. It is an attractive suit, because it is red and white. When there is a unity in color, tone, lines, then clothing automatically is transformed into an outfit."
Italian Bandit "The coat they gifted me at a second hand store, so that I would make some sort of outfit. So I made this suit of an Italian bandit and spy with flair."
Hammer Cap "After the war, the FZO – factory educational – movement was destroyed, including he railway school. I bought this suit in a second hand store for a decent price, and for a week thought about it and made an outfit with hammers on the cap. I was thinking of the song, 'I'd give my cap with the hammer on it for your kiss.'"
The Trader "Although my attire is completely serious, I cannot avoid a touch of irony. This outfit is an image of the modern city resident. It is immediately apparent that this is an intelligent person, perhaps someone who works at a trading company."
Romantic Captain "This is the suit of a captain. Not a real one, but a romantic one. And it is not a copy, but a resemblance of a captain. Because if I actually put on a captain's uniform, then public opinion and the police might have a bone to pick with me. In 20 years I have only been stopped once by the police, who checked my documents and wished me well."
Women at the Top of the World At the top of the world, in the bitter reaches of the Arctic, no man can survive without his chumwife. So why is the state cutting off their salaries?
Parting Shot A photograph captured in 2018 in Red Square captures the moment with beauty and finesse.
Blast from the Past Paul Robeson, the American singer and actor and a political activist, had a cake named after him in Russia.
St. Isaac's 4.0 Today, now that the huge dome of St. Isaac’s towers over the center of the city, not far from the granite embankment, the sumptuous Senate and Synod Building, and the iconic Bronze Horseman statue, it is hard to imagine that in its first incarnation this church was much smaller and located on the Admiralty Meadow.
Grigory Yavlinsky Grigory Yavlinsky is a Russian economist and politician. A proponent of market-oriented reforms under Gorbachev, Yavlinsky has been a key figure of the opposition in post-Soviet Russia with the independent liberal party Yabloko, for which he was the 2018 presidential candidate. His books include Realconomik:The Hidden Cause of the Great Recession (and How to Avert the Next One), (2001), Incentives and Institutions: The Transition to a Market Economy in Russia (2000), and 500 Days: Transition to the Market (1991). He teaches at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow.
Guzel Yakhina Guzel Yakhnia is a Russian author and filmmaker of Tatar origin. She graduated from the Kazan State Pedagogical University and completed her Ph.D at the Moscow Filmmaking School. Her first novel, Zuleikha, won the Big Book Award, the Prose of the Year Prize, the Ticket to the Stars Award, and was shortlisted for the Russian Booker Prize.
End of Budget Travel? After years of threatening to ban cheap dormitory-like hostels and any other accomodation in residential buildings, Russian lawmakers have approved a measure that could cause many private individuals to stop renting out beds, driving up lodging costs for young travelers.
Yevgenia Dvoskina Yevgenia Dvoskina lives and works in Moscow. She is a member of the Artists Union and the International Federation of Artists. Over the past few decades, thousands of her illustrations have appeared in magazines like Pioneer, Moscow Komsomolets, Ogonyok, Cities of Women and many others. For several years she illustrated a biweekly page for youth in the magazine Scarlet Sail (Алый парус). She has also illustrated numerous children's books and books of poetry.
50 Years in Space On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to orbit the earth. By all accounts, they could not have chosen a better man for the mission.
Pearl of the Caucasus The Republic of Georgia is a land of exquisite paradoxes that are sometimes lovable, sometimes infuriating.
May/June 2017 This spring issue takes you to Russia's southern neighbor, Georgia, as well as to Bulgakov's apartment and to a field filled with blind soccer players.
Hunting the Northern Lights The northwestern tip of Russia is one of the finest places from which to view the elusive Northern Lights. If you can handle the cold, the dark, and the visiting Muscovites.
The Poet of Laughter Russian Life visits with a leading expert on Nikolai Gogol, to consider the writer's legacy and influence.
Nonna Working Nonna Working is a Russian-American freelance reporter who has written for The Wall Street Journal, Russia Business Review, The South China Morning Post, The Japan Times, Echo Planety, Argumenty i Fakty, and other media. She produced a video segment for the popular TV program Morskaya in Vladivostok, and has also worked as an interpreter and stringer for the BBC, The New York Times, and the Chicago Tribune. In pursuit of stories, Nonna has traveled throughout the Russian Far East, and in China, South Korea, Japan, and other countries. Nonna lives in Oak Park, Illinois with her son Lev, and her husband, the writer Russell Working.
Yelena Khovanskaya Yelena Khovanskaya is a documentary photographer from St. Petersburg. She studied scenography at St. Petersburg’s Theatre Academy and worked several years at various places in Russia, Poland, and Germany. In 2016-18, she received training at the School of “DocDocDoc,” in the program for Documentary Photography and Photojournalism. Her work has been published in Lenta.ru, Russia Beyond the Headlines, Humanistischer Pressedienst (hpd), Bird In Flight, Vestnik Evropy, The Calvert Journal, Zapovednik, and Contralto People. She lives and works in Berlin, Germany.
Are You Old-School or New-Format? Some thoughts on backwardness, falling behind, and the challenges of change.
Funny Little Characters If a Russian fox met an American fox, would they get along? If Russian folklore is to be trusted, the answer is a definite нет (no).
January/February 2019 Russian Life gets a makeover, and the first issue of 2019 includes features on everything from a massive meteorite strike in the Russian Far East, to a Russian poet better known than Pushkin (and who turns 250 this year), an eminent scientist whose fate turn on a badly timed joke about Stalin, and a tale of valenki in the village.
1966 cover of satirical magazine Krokodil. CIA agent: "Well, what's new in space?" Spy satellite: "Here's a list of subversive elements that listen to the Communist anthem." List reads: Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus. / Unknown artist
1963 photo of Tereshkova performing training exercises to prepare for Vostok 6. Photographer: Yuri Ivlev
Gagarin Quote 1972 propaganda poster with a quote from Gagarin: “We lit the dawn of the cosmic era.” / Artist: V. Karakashev
Deb F. “This was a Christmas gift for my daughter, who has a degree in Russian Area Studies. She just received her card and first magazine today. she was THRILLED!!!”
Our Transcription and Dating System Where we explain how Russian Life deals with the knotty issues of transcription and dates, and what our standards are.
Sviyazhsk A fortress town built half a millennium ago by Ivan the Terrible (to conquer Kazan) is enjoying a new life as a cultural tourism destination.
Snow Porridge The snow is starting to melt, and Sovetsky Prospect, the town's main street is covered with "snow porridge" - a mixture of water, dirt and snow. @lyubeznikov @alexandra_ivanova
Alisa Goz Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Alisa Goz moved to New York, NY to pursue a B.A. in Media, Culture, and the Arts. Alisa is a contributor at Russian Art and Culture and works in arts nonprofit development. She is passionate about poetry, literature, and the visual arts.
Katrina Keegan Katrina Keegan is an undergraduate student at the University of Chicago studying all things Eurasia. She has lived in Russia, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Ukraine for nearly two years. Yet no matter how much time she spends eating mayonnaise-based salads and slowly becoming convinced that sitting on the ground really could cause one's ovaries to freeze, she never tires of learning about more of the region's quirks and writing about them. Her work has appeared in Verge Magazine and is forthcoming in Glint Literary Magazine.
March/April 2008 Ryazan, President Dmitry Medvedev, Internet Social Networking, Sergei Rachmaninov, Optina Pustin, The Russian Museum, A Tragic Khan, The Crimean Peninsula, International Women's Day
Aurora's Sunset Soviet revolutionary mythology had it that the Aurora’s shot, signaling the beginning of the Bolshevik Revolution, was heard round the world. We check in to find out the latest on the cruiser, and to examine some of its own myths.
1917 Diary In which we look at the revolutionary year through the eyes of the people living through it.
What's Not to Love On Andrei Zvyagintsev's new film, Loveless, that is sure to be seen as a sign of the times and a touchstone for current interpretations of Russia.
Mystery, Gulag and Rapture In which we review a mystery, a Gulag guard's memoir, a parable of the avant-garde, and a collection of Valentin Rasputin's prose.
1917 Diary In which we look at the revolutionary year through the eyes of the people living through it. In this issue, the politicians, the tsar, and Alexander Blok.
New Culture Wars? Early morning police raids and the conundrum that Kirill Serebrennikov and his Gogol Theater are facing.
From War to Peace It wasn’t easy being a photojournalist in the Soviet era. Here are five gifted artists you should know, with samples of their work and tales from their lives.
Defenders of the Pen Not many organizations defend the press in modern Russia. In fact, just one seems to be doing it vigorously. This one.
Bath Day in Sheshurino “On Saturdays, smoke drifts over the village. The banyas are being heated.” Let’s go!
1917 Diary In which we look at the events of 1917 through the words and works of the politicians, artists, and luminaries living through them.
No Ballet for You! On the preemptive shutdown of a ballet directed by Krill Serebennikov, who, subsequent to this issue going to press, was arrested on trumped up charges of financial fraud.
Second Sight Some gifted young athletes are excelling at the world’s favorite sport – football (aka soccer) – which is amazing given that they are all legally blind.
1917 Diary In which we continue our year-long look at the events as they unfolded during the year of revolutions, 1917. Coverage is divided into Politicians, Artists and The Military
Bread is Good Russians love bread, and you are going to love this recipe for Whole Wheat Bread with Seeds.
What's Stalin Got to Do With It? Even in the worst of times, we need to remember that the people on the other side are people too.
Anna Ryseva Anna Ryseva was born in Chelyabinsk, an industrial city in the Ural Mountains. Educated as a journalist, she worked as a teacher in Chelyabinsk, a journalist for St. Petersburg television, and an organizer of international congresses in Moscow. She lives in Moscow and works for the charity Obraz Zhizni.
Stalin's Scribe I can’t imagine a cleverer or more perverse way of presenting “the first political biography” of Mikhail Sholokhov (1905-1975) than as if from the conscience-addled Sholokhov’s perspective.
A Soviet Fox for Post-Soviet Man An uptick in fox domestications leads us to consider a landmark experiment in Novosibirsk that upended assumptions about evolution.
Diamond Arm at 50 In honor of the anniversary of the film «Бриллиантовая рука» (“Diamond Arm”), this edition of Учитесь looks at some of the famous крылатые фразы (“winged phrases”), or idiomatic expressions that the film gave to the Russian language.
Cold Case A mysterious tragedy that killed nine students in the Urals in 1959 is suddenly making headlines in Russia.
Horse Power Belarusian Alexei Usikov has invented a new vehicle – a horsemobile, with the mighty horsepower of one horse.
Glen Grover Glen Grover is a Russian-to-English translator and enthusiast of Russian history, culture, and literature. After receiving his BA in Russian from the University of Montana, he went on to spend three years in the Peace Corps teaching English in the Russian Far East. He has an MA from the University of Arizona and a Certificate in Translation from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. In his free time, he enjoys reading and spending time with his family in Big Sky Country.
In Putin's Footsteps Nikita Khrushchev’s great granddaughter, Nina Khrushcheva, and an expat living and reporting on Russia and the Soviet Union since 1993, Jeffrey Tayler, offer a poignant exploration of the largest country on earth.
Sochi +5 Views of Sochi, five years after the close of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in that southern city.
Skirmish in the Far East What was the spring of 1969 like in the Soviet Union? A cloud of gloom had descended on the country, enveloping both those who could not see it (or at least thought it had nothing to do with them) and those only too aware of it.
Of Rabbits and Wolves No matter how many times I watch Diamond Arm («Бриллиантовая рука»), I never cease to wonder at the fact that this film managed to make it to screens all across the Soviet Union in April 1969.
Nina Khrushcheva Nina Khrushcheva is a Russian-American Professor of International Affairs at The New School, New York, USA, a Senior Fellow of the World Policy Institute, New York, USA, and a Contributing Editor to Project Syndicate: Association of Newspapers Around the World.
Jeffrey Tayler Jeffrey Tayler is a U.S.-born author and journalist. He is the Russia correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly and a contributor to several other magazines as well as to NPR's All Things Considered. He has written several non-fiction books about different regions of the world, including River of no Reprieve, about a challenging raft trip down Russia's Lena River, Siberian Dawn: A Journey Across the New Russia (2000), and In Putin's Footsteps. Since the summer of 1993, he has lived in Moscow.
Reading is Hard The core of what we do at Russian Life is stuff a suitcase (issue) full of words and pictures, then hand it to readers so that they can travel to a distant world, to get a taste of places they may never visit.
Svetlana Zernes Svetlana Zernes is a freelance writer specializing in science and the history of science.
Tiffany Zhu Tiffany Zhu is a sophomore double majoring in Economics and Russian Studies at Stanford University. She enjoys studying politics, economics, and culture in periods of transition in Russia, particularly the 1990s. In her free time, she goes for walks around campus and pens the occasional short story.
Semyon Mikhailovsky Semyon Mikhailovsky is Rector of St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, and Commissioner of Russia’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
Side view Christ in the Dungeon. Curated by Semyon Mikhailovsky. Exhibition design by Anton Gorlanov.
Close up with halo Christ in the Dungeon. Curated by Semyon Mikhailovsky. Exhibition design by Anton Gorlanov.
Behind the cage Christ in the Dungeon. Curated by Semyon Mikhailovsky. Exhibition design by Anton Gorlanov.
Christ in the Dungeon Christ in the Dungeon. Curated by Semyon Mikhailovsky. Exhibition design by Anton Gorlanov.
The Midnight Savior Christ in the Dungeon. Curated by Semyon Mikhailovsky. Exhibition design by Anton Gorlanov.
Perm Sculpture Christ in the Dungeon. Curated by Semyon Mikhailovsky. Exhibition design by Anton Gorlanov.
In the Hall Christ in the Dungeon. Curated by Semyon Mikhailovsky. Exhibition design by Anton Gorlanov.
Three sculptures Christ in the Dungeon. Curated by Semyon Mikhailovsky. Exhibition design by Anton Gorlanov.
Julia Mickenberg Julia Mickenberg is associate professor of American studies at University of Texas, Austin. Her latest book is American Girls in Red Russia: Chasing the Soviet Dream (2017). She lives in Austin.
Jessica Werneke Jessica Werneke is a Research Fellow at the NRU Higher School of Economics in Moscow, where she has lived since 2016. She received her PhD in Modern European History in 2015, specializing in Russian and Soviet Visual Culture and Photography. She has contributed to numerous academic journals, worked as a freelance consultant for the ZIL Cultural Center in Moscow, and is the author, editor and designer of the Sovetskoe Foto Blog (sovetskoefotoblog.wordpress.com). Her research interests include the history of Soviet photojournalism and amateur photography clubs in Russia and the former Soviet Union.
17 Petersburg Places Revolutions, including that Great October one, are not a popular topic in Russia today. Nonetheless, we take a photo feature look at how 1917 shaped Russia’s northern capital.
Three Books and a DVD In which we review three books and a DVD we like. See the book reviews section for detailed reviews.
Sweet Somethings As fall deepens and winter approaches, what could be better than a warm honey drink imbued with Russian history.
Moscow's Miracle Working Icons Icons have been revered in Russia for centuries, and when it comes to miracle-working icons, pilgrims will travel thousands of kilometers to seek their divine assistance. We look at three you can find in Moscow.
Verbs of Motion In this issue’s Uchites, we look at verbs of motion, a bane of the Russian language student’s existence.
1917 Diary All this year, in connection with the centennial of the 1917 revolutions, Calendar has offered readers a view of that year through the eyes of contemporaries. This issue we conclude the series with a look at what was going on in the pivotal months of November and December 1917.
Walling Off Matilda The recent controversy about a new film on the last tsar and the ballerina Mathilde Kschessinskaya is stirring up controversy well in excess of what one might expect.
Two Alternatives from Sheremetyevo 2 A look at ways to get to the center of the city after landing at Sheremetyevo 2 Airport.
Ghosts of the Past Moscow is being rebuilt before our very eyes. This noted authority on Moscow architecture and Moscow history, takes a less than sanguine look at the attempt to rebuild the past in the capital city.
Supermarketing, Russian Style A profile of a young entrepreneur who is opening up a series of Moscow supermarkets.
No Longer a Comrade ... Not Yet a Mister What Russians call each other. Comrade is out, but Mister is not yet acceptable...
The Man Who Shot Stalin and Lived An interview with Vassily Yegorov, a long-time Kremlin photographer, including of the famous picture of Stalin lying in state.
An American in Russia's Orbit An exclusive interview with Norm Thagard, the first American to spend an extended period of time on the Mir Space Station.
Russia's A Team A profile of Russia's elite "Alpha" group--a covert task force designed to counter high level security threats.
Lenin's Last Stand A visit to Gorkiye Leninskiye, where Lenin died. Once the most sacred of Soviet sites, it has since fallen on hard times.
Kalmykia: Where East Really Meets West A profile of the republic of Kalmykia, which separates Russia from the Caucasus.
The Greening of Russia Our cover story, on the history of and challenges facing Russia's green movement, in particular Greenpeace Russia.
The Power of Satire The popular TV program "Kukly" has plenty of fans, but, unfortunately, also a few critics in high places. A look at this offbeat satirical program.
Careers in Transition Retraining for new careers in Russia, with the help of the International Executive Service Corps.
An Eye for Victory A profile of Mikhail Kutuzov an the Battle of Borodino, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the great general's birth.
Is There a Future for the Past? A visit to the open air museums of the Russian North: Kizhi and Maliye Karely.
Pagans in a Forest Wilderness A trip to the Republic of Mari El a rural and ancient culture just a few hundred kilometers from Moscow on the banks of the Volga.
A tribute to the most Russian of poets A new monument is unveiled to the memory of Sergei Yesenin. We offer a very short look at the beauty of his poetry.
Very Short Stories Five very short stories by Russian writer Anatoli Gavrilov: The Apprentice, Dacha, The Old Woman and the Idiot, Rose, The Hen, and The Album.
More Myths Exploded Seven more myths (the first six were in last month's issue) about travel to Russia are exploded.
An Introduction to Russian Acronyms A detailed look at the che-ka, che-pe, tse-u and other acronyms of renown.
The Decembrists, 170 Years Later A look back at the Decembrist movement, a group that laid one of the first stones in the wall of Russian democracy.
The Heart and Hearth of Wooden Toys A look at the wonderful folk art of wood carving that grew up in and around the ancient village of Bogorodskoye.
Sailing with the Sun: The Return of Christmas Like everything else in Russia, the celebration of Christmas is in transition. Our author traces the turbulent history of Russia's Christmas and New Year's holidays.
For Love & Money Tennis is Russia's new sports craze. Freed of the stigma of "individualism" that was a taboo in Soviet times, it is now the sport of choice of the political elite.
The Art of the Tusovka World famous entertainers, huge crowds, expensive tickets. It looks like a western-style concert spectacular -- only something's different. Russia's nascent mass entertainment industry will require a "getting acquainted" period for both fans and performers.
A Few False Friends A look at words that sound like English words, but mean nothing like what they sound like.
Red Army Day Over the last few years, Russian servicemen have celebrated their Day with mixed feelings. The history of the Russian army can be divided into periods of crushing victories, pyrrhic victories and humiliating defeats.
Vyazma: Battered But Not Broken An ancient central Russian town that has beaten the odds for a thousand years.
Ennobling Russia After 70 years of exile and persecution, descendants of Tsarist Russia’s “leading class” strive to revive their status, traditions, and the monarchy.
Hold the Maple Syrup: These are Bliny They may not seem that remarkable on the surface, but bliny, when cooked right, are light and heavenly. Here's how to cook the up right, plus a bit of the folklore about what makes them so important to Russians.
Your Chariot Awaits: Public Transport in Russia Getting around in the metro and trolleybuses. Tips and information.
The Untold Story: Hillary Clinton & Naina Yeltsin While their husbands dismantled the Cold War in the late 1980s, Nancy Reagan and Raisa Gorbachev were waging a very visible one on their own. Less well known is the low key though active friendship between current First Ladies Hillary Rodham Clinton and Naina Yeltsin.
Of Tickets, Hares and Dozing Fathers Useful phrases and idioms from the world of metros, trolleybuses and other public transport.
The Glue of Russian Society Anyone who dare contest that women hold together the fabric of Russian society has not spent much time in that country.
Loyal Wives, Virtuous Mothers Once embraced by Soviet authorities as a celebration of women's liberation under communism, International Women's Day (March 8) stands stripped of ideology, but not consequence. Our author takes the occasion to ask women about their role in the new Russia.
Study Russia From intensive immersion programs to laid back educational tours, opportunities to Study Russian language and culture have never been so varied or accessible.
This Spring Gives Hope ... And Profits The Russian Orthodox Church is not just reviving spiritually, it is also getting back into business. Saint Springs water is a well-funded, successful venture run by the church.
Life in a PO Box In this modern tale of two cities, we visit a closed Russian city still getting accustomed to the new era, and a poorer town that lives in its shadow. The author's photos of the closed town, Tomsk-7, are believed to be the first of this town widely published in the West.
The Taxi's Last Stand A special look at the independent traveler's mainstay in getting around town: the taxi. Do's and don'ts.
Lonely Planet's Guide Russia is such an immense country that no one travel guide can possibly hope to cover it all with distinction and detail. Yet Lonely Planet seems determined to die trying.
Saints and Persecutors We visit the town of Murom to examine the resurgence of Christianity in Russia.
Laughter Through Tears Moscow may not believe in tears, but it definitely believes in laughter. Russian Life’s Mikhail Ivanov takes the occasion of April Fool’s day to look at how the Russian sense of humor has evolved from the Brezhnev years to post-perestroika times.
All Hands on Deck Life on a Russian tall ship is explored in this article about a journey on the Ukrainian ship Tovarishch.
Ascension of the Savior A history of the observance of this important Orthodox holiday, celebrated on the 40th day from Orthodox Easter.
Senka Life at the front during WWII is vividly portrayed in this short work, Senka, by one of Russia's most eminent war writers.
Just What the Doctor Ordered Everyone has heard of borshch, but few people know it was named after a weed...
Defending One Sixth of the Earth On the occasion of May Day, when Russia celebrates its most important victory, over Nazi Germany, we look at the place of the military in Russia today.
Defenders of the Soul Nearly 100 years ago, some 600 families of Russia's persecuted Dukhobory sect sought, and obtained, asylum in Canada. There they have earned a reputation for diligence and tolerance of suffering. But what of the Dukhobory who stayed behind, to face persecution under Imperial and Communist rule? Ivan Sergeyev made a rare visit to their Caucasian homeland to bring back this telling story.
Holiday of the Holy Trinity This one page article looks at the Orthodox holiday of Pyatidesyatnitsa, the Feast of Pentecost, which occurs 50 days after Easter.
Eat Your Blues Away Golubtsy, the fabulous cabbage and meat dish is the focus of this issue's food column.
The Art of the Unknown Ernst Neizvestny, one of Russia's greatest artists, staged a landmark exhibition this year in Moscow. Christina Ling tells his story, and provides insight into some of the work that most Russians are seeing for the first time.
Hostage of the Revolution After Lenin and Stalin, no personality was as venerated in the USSR as the writer Maxim Gorky, founder of socialist realism, who died 60 years ago this June (1996). Far from a pet of the socialist regime, Gorky, the "story petrel of the revolution," also condemned the revolution early on as a "cruel experiment" with the Russian people. Here we trace the story of his fascinating, often controversial life.
The People's Will Russia's June 16, 1996 presidential elections were a unique event in the country's history. For the first time, Russians elected their head of state in a one-person, one-vote election. In this article, we look back at Russian electoral history, before and during the Soviet era.
Still Going for Gold For the first time since 1912, and the third time ever, there will be a Russian national team at the Summer Olympic Games. Shorn of socialist ideology and a win-at-all-costs attitude to their sports, its members have an uphill struggle to maintain the USSR's supremacy of recent years.
A Time to Get Away This summer, as you receive your July issue of Russian Life, a small piece of history is being made to which we saw fit to dedicate our cover story.
Arctic Paradise The Solovetsky Archipelago in the far northern White Sea is an extraordinary mix. Colleen Combes braved the mosquitoes to investigate the nature phenomena, prehistoric puzzles, monastic traditions, and gulag hardships that make this remote corner of Russia so unique.
Keeping the Doctor Away Tips on navigating the Russian medical system and how to prepare yourself before you travel.
Three Feasts of the Savior A description of the three feast days celebrated by the Orthodox Church in August.
Kamchatka: Where the River Runs Hot The wilderness of Kamchatka provided Andrew Tarica with stunning volcanic scenery and a lifetime best day of fishing. In this issue's Travel Journal, he tells the story.
Here Comes the Nevesta Marx was scornful, Engels was scathing. In his headier days, Lenin considered it a deplorably bourgeois means of oppressing women. But even in Soviet times, Russians got married. Now the way people go about tying the conjugal knot is changing too. Christina Ling takes a look at marriage in Russia, past and present.
Samovars President Boris Yeltsin decreed that this year be counted the 250th anniversary of the samovar. What better occasion for Lisa Dickey to visit the world's largest private collection of samovars, now on display in St. Petersburg?
The Baptizers An excerpt from "A Land Owned by Russia," a book to be published that describes the assimilatio nof Alaska, the Aleutian Islands and northern California by Russian explorers in the 17th-19th centuries, and the work of traders and missionaries in that period.
How Do We Feel, Doctor? Health and doctor related phrases and idioms are this issue's prescription for improving your Russian.
Getting in a Jam How to make varenye -- in this case a superb raspberry jam ideal for eating with tea.
A 'Pocket' of Architecture Riding on Nizhny Novgorod's construction boom, a new wave of city architects are making their mark on the appearance of the city. William Brumfield discovers styles which combine new initiative with echoes of the city's past glory.
The Salad They Didn't Like in the Kremlin Kremlyovsky salat -- a delicious salad with salmon, rice, onions and mayo.
Musical Alma Mater A look at the brothers Rubinshtein (Anton and Nikolai) on the anniversary of the opening of the Moscow Conservatory (opened September 1, 1866).
Building the Future of Russia Russia's third largest city, Nizhny Novgorod, is 775 years old this month. It is celebrating with a resurrection of its Yarmarka (fair), which has roots dating to the 16th century, and which was the foundation for the 1896 Great All-Russian Exhibition. Robert Greenall offers a look at how this once grey, industrial city is using the Yarmarka to boost its fortunes.
Growing a Democracy The demise of Big Brother left Russia with an emasculated state welfare system. Non-profit organizations, with and without Western aid, are attempting to step into the breach. Katherine Young reports on how these new organizations are helping those that Russia's reforms have forgotten.
Battle for the Harvest You don't see fields of grain and columns of collectivist combines glorified on the evening news in Russia anymore. And little is heard about the plight of the country's new private farmer class. Which is why, on the occassion of this year's fall harvest, we sent Yelena Utenkova out into the fields. She returned with a story of the modern farm in Russia, against the backdrop of a tumultuous history.
Don't Blame the Weather For better or for worse, heat in Russia — whether the climatic or the political variety — doesn’t last too long.
Drama for Contemporaries A look back at the 40th anniversary of Moscow's famed "Sovremmenik" theater.
40 and Counting: Four Decades of Russian Life A look at the magazine's beginnings in 1956 (as USSR) and of its partner publication, Amerika Illustrated. Download the article as PDF.]
Setting the Standard It has taken well over 250 years, but it seems an unfulfilled wish of Peter the Great is finally to be carried out. As Lisa Dickey observes, a replica of a ship which he captained personally is being built by enthusiasts.
Blood for the Revolution Thrown from simple peasant life into an elitist world of cold machinery, cruel hierarchy and political extremism, Russia's sailors became a fearless, and fearsome, fighting force in Russia's revolutions. Alexei Kilichenkov traces their evolution in the years 1905-21.
Dawn of the Russian Navy On October 20, 1696, a now legendary resolution, "Let there be sea ships," was passed by the Boyar Duma, heralding the beginning of the Russian navy. Lev Pushkaryov examines how this event came to change the Russian mentality.
On Moscow's Orders The previously unknown story of a submarine sent to the waters off Israel in 1968, with the intent of firing eight nuclear warheads ...
Life Begins at 40 It is wholly appropriate that the 40th anniversary of Russian Life should be overshadowed by the 300th anniversary of the Russian Fleet.
Eternal Birch Bark While many of Russia's traditional crafts seem secreted in remote areas of the country, one at least is alive and well in Moscow. Alexandra Strelnikova shares the unique tradition of the Belov family.
In Search of La Gloire A look at the too short life and rich work of the 19th century painter Maria Bashkirtseva.
Of Despicable Metal and Easy Behavior Various euphemisms on everything from spying to drinking to prison are covered in this issue's column.
A plethora of pies Pirozhki are the heart of any Russian meal. Making the dough and the stuffing is well described in this article.
Jewel on the Volga Yaroslavl has always been one of Russia's most attractive and visitor-friendly cities. Now, as our writer discovers, its rich history and cultural traditions are providing the basis for a revival of its fortunes.
A Woman of Substance Two hundred years ago this month, the death of Empress Catherine II brought many things in Russia to an end. Russia said goodbye to its last female ruler, and to the last ruler in its history to be given the title "veliky" (great). The period known as the Golden Age of the Nobility also drew to a close. Nikolai Pavlenko tells the story of the controversial and strong-willed German princess who siezed ppower in a vast foreign country and earned the ardent respect of her subject and outsiders alike.
Operation Whirlpool Forty years ago this month, an uprising in Hungary tested the liberal credentials of the new Khrushchev regime and ended a warming trend in the Cold War. Noted historian Roy Medvedev describes the events of autumn 1956 in Budapest from a contemporary Russian standpoint.
A Potent Mixture Moscow Solyanka -- a hearty fish and vegetable soup, is the featured recipe in this issue.
Remembering Past Glories At a time when it would seem Russians have little in the present to glory in, there is ever more reason for looking to the past.
Taking Fashion to the French Of the brave first generation of Russian fashion designers, no one is as flamboyant and extravagant as Valentin Yudashkin. Our correspondent finds out what lies behind the success of this eccentric aesthete.
The Pig That Comes Home Suckling pig is a holiday delicacy in Russia. Cooking one is not an easy affair, but we get you off on the right (pig's) foot here.
Hold the smetana! The season of good will, feasting and merriment approaches. With this in mind, Russian Life asked culinary expert Darra Goldstein to contact some of the burgeoning crop of Russian restaurants in the US and give us a report on the state of Russian hospitality and culinary excellence in these restaurants. She found plenty of both. And that was just the beginning!
Still Alive, Smoker? The language of smoking and smokers, all-important in Rus', is handled in this column.
The Holy Image Makers The ancient and noble art of icon painting has been a part of life in Russia for eleven centuries. As Olga Listsova discovered, the creation and preservation of icons in Russia is far from a lost art. In quiet, close workshops around the country, masters of the art continue their toil.
The Baptism of the Lord The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates this holiday when Western Christians celebrate Epiphany. The article traces the history and meaning of the holiday.
Dear Demosthenes ... Brezhnevian phrases about in Russian, even today. This column sets them down for posterity.
The Changing of Customs? Often feared and even more frequently derided, the Russian State Customs Committee is slowly recovering its mettle after five years of post-soviet hardship. Our cover story peers beyond the hype, offering an exclusive, behind the scenes look at the guardians of the green channel.
Safe as Hotels Departing Managing Editor Bob Greenall looks at the Russian hotel scene, what to expect, what to avoid and how to choose one.
The Father of Tsarism Four hundred and fifty years ago this month, Ivan the Terrible became the first Russian ruler to hold the title Tsar. Yurganov examines the life of this talented and cruel leader and discovers that his legacy goes well beyond the founding of a 450-year institution.
Fur Without Tears A profile of the work of designer Olga Moiseyenko, whose coats have the look of fur but are made from all natural materials.
How Safe is Russia? A survey of safety -- business and personal -- in Russia today. All is not what it seems. Lots of useful safety tips.
An Earthly Genius A biography of Alexander Chzhevsky (1897-1963), a biophysicist who was founder of the Russian sciences of helio-biology and aero-physics, and who suffered greatly for his passion for science.
Anti-Hangover Soup Rassolnik is the most Russian of all national soups. The secret is its stock--rassol-- or pickle juice...
Screening the Past Following the Soviet Union's victory in World War II, Soviets frequently honored the many victims with the phrase, "No one is forgotten; nothing is forgotten." In the years since 1945, Russian cinema has been a guardian of the collective, societal memory of this horrific war. Yelena Stishova, respected critic for the leading Russian film journal, Iskusstvo Kino, offers a look back at the development of the Russian war film genre.
Music for Everybody In the world of Russian rock, as in so many spheres of post-Soviet culture, the prevailing trend is to mimic things Western, or American. Yet one musical group, Lyube, has been bucking this trend since the early days of perestroika. With a style rooted in Russian folk traditions, Lyube strives for a uniquely Russian sound, one heavily infused with military themes. And the formula is working.
War Without Peace A review of Sergei Bodrov's film, "A Prisoner of the Caucasus," starring Oleg Menshikov.
Here Comes the Cavalry Through the Civil War, the cavalry played a vital role in both Russian and Soviet history, distinguishing itself by acts of courage and cruelty. But, in recent times, the cavalry has been best known for its cinematic exploits, in the people and horses of the 11th Cavalry Regiment. This unique outfit has graced Soviet and Russian films with historical color and realism.
In Search of the Russian Idea A review of Resurrection, by David Remnick, and The Agony of the Russian Idea, by Tim McDaniel, and a consideration of Russia's attempt to define and embrace a new National Idea.
This berry pie fits the bill Chernika pirogi -- berry pie is a great way to warm up the kitchen in winter. Pies are at the center of Russian celebrations and berry pies are truly beloved.
In History's Wake The pluses and minuses of taking a cruise in Russia, with listings of major cruise travel providers.
A Woman's Affair Svetlana Protasova's one wish in life is to fly Russian MiGs. Sergei Babichev tells the story of her courage in pursuit of that goal.
Road of Bones to the Coldest Place in the World For the past 28 years, Gary and Monica Westcott have been circling the globe as the Turtle Expedition. In the winter of 1996, they began a 16,000 mile drive across Russia, from Magadan in the East to Karelia in the West. Gary Westcott narrates this first installment in their amazing adventure.
Secret Mission In 1697, Peter the Great made history as the first Russian Tsar ever to cross his country's borders. Traveling incognito, Peter visited Holland and England to master the arts of shipbuilding and navigation. What he learned there revolutionized Russia.
Off Russia's Beaten Path A look at adventure travel in Russia today, with lists of tours and firms and their offerings. Plus things to consider before "making the leap."
A dissident's dessert Paskha Cheesecake is a spring treat was banned in the Stalin era. But now it is back in all of its rich glory.
The Yeast of Russia Few national or religious groups have had as profound or controversial a role in Russian history as the Jews. Rachel Blustain provides a look at this history and reports on the state of Russian Jewry today.
Reforming Russia: Stolypin's Legacy Equal parts revolutionary and reactionary, Pyotr Stolypin is once again the focus of Russian reformers. Almost 100 years after his important reforms, we look back at their impact and interpretation.
Impressions of a Russian Van Gogh An interview with Russian impressionist artist Aron Buch, sometimes called the Russian Van Gogh.
Winter Roads of Siberia This is the second installment in a five part series on driving across Siberia. In this article, the Westcotts drive south on the Lena river, with spring warming their heels (and creating a mess of the Winter Roads).
A Tradition Sadly Fading A look at the history of the Russian Red Cross, which celebrates its 130th anniversary in May 1997.
One Single, Marvelous Instant An article commemorating the 36th anniversary of the flight of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. With biographical information and thoughts on the importance of the flight.
Russia, Take Heart An examination of Russia's ailing healthcare system, through the lens of Moscow's elite Bakulev Center. Bakulev is one of the best heart hospitals in all Russia. So why is the paint peeling and who do doctors and nurses moonlight? If this is the best, what of the rest?
How Friendly the Sky? How safe are Russia's skies? This installment of the Practical Traveler takes an in -depth look and offers suggestions on how to travel more safely.
The Blue Pearl of Siberia There is no place on earth to compare with Lake Baikal. Explore its shores in this, the third installment in the Westcott's saga about their drive across Russia.
The Body Politic A revealing retrospective on Russian leaders' health, from Lenin to Yeltsin -- what they have sought to cover up, and why.
It's Spring, Say Thank you to the Party! The first of two weather-related columns collects together phrases and idioms in Russian on spring and summer.
A Plague Ignored Most health experts, including the Russian Ministry of Health, are predicting between 800,000-1 million HIV-infected Russians by the year 2000. With this in mind, Russian Life’s Carlota Zimmerman looks at HIV/AIDS in the FSU.
Poor Man's Caviar When you can't afford beluga, try eggplant caviar. It's a treat that will spice up any party.
Rise and Fall of a Military Leader The story of commander Mikhail Nikolaevich Tukhachevsky has all the makings of a Shakespearean tragedy ...
The Soup of the Russian Nobility Svekolnik is "the other beet soup." This aristocratic soup with a delicate flavor is served cold.
The Magical Land of Tuva In this, the fourth in our series of articles on Gary and Monika Westcott's drive across Russia, the couple visits the Republic of Tuva, best known for its postage stamps and throat-singing. But the "usual" tourist attractions are not what the Westcotts were after...
The Most Privileged Class For any nation, its children are its most valuable resource. For this reason, Russian Life asked Yelena Utenkova, on the occasion of International Children's Day, to look at the state of children in Russia today. She returns with a picture at once sobering and revealing.
Northern Citadel For almost all of its 600 years, the Cyril-Belozersk Monastery guarded Russia's northern frontiers, while serving as an influential religious outpost. William Brumfield recounts the monastery's long history.
Mother Russia's "Difficult Kids" Russian folk wisdom has it that, the more difficult the child, the stronger you love him (or her). And so, in honor of International Children’s Day, this year’s first summer issue is dedicated to Russia’s difficult kids, greatly loved.
From the Childhood Years of Ivan Popov Vasily Shukshin (1929-1974) was a masterful writer whose work is too little known outside Russia. Here we present an excerpt of one of his recently translated works.
Digging up your Russian Roots How to trace your family roots from Russia, with resource listings and interesting facts on the "waves" of Russian immigration to the US.
The Flowers of Life on Their Parents' Grave Phrases and idioms you need related to children and childraising a la Russe.
Preparing for the Provinces A Q&A with some well-traveled experts on what you need to know when and before traveling in Russia's provinces.
Our Old Man and the Sea Pavel Nakhimov was one of Russia's great naval leaders. We look at his life and achievements.
Little Russia by the Sea Fort Ross was the southernmost point of Russian colonization of North America. On the 185th anniversary of the fort's founding, we offer a brief history and a photo essay.
Painting up a Storm From his studio in Theodosia, the painter Ivan Aivazovsky completed 6000 works--mainly of ships and the sea. On the occasion of the 160th anniversary of this prolific master's birth, we tell the artist's life story.
What is Russia Reading? Is Russia still the best-read nation in the world? Have Sidney Sheldon and Barbara Cartland shoved aside the classics? We look at the state of books and reading in today's Russia.
The Bear's Favors and Favorite Meals All about honey and bears is discussed in this issue's Survival Russian column.
Hidden Jewel of the North Like a stunning chrysalis preserved in a drop of amber, Veliky Ustyug survives in Northern Russia, little touched by the 850 years of history it marks this month.
Fighting Mankind's Worst Enemy From the "Great Fire" of 1812 to the present day, Moscow has been plagued by fires that have decimated the city and its cultural heritage. We look at the history of the men fighting Russia's fires.
Unknown Moscow A Q&A interview with several Russia travel experts on places off the beaten path in Moscow that they would recommend to travelers.
A Taste of Honey Myedovukha is a fermented honey drink that is great for quenching your thirst in the heat of August.
Come to Moscow, Brother ... All Moscow is preparing for September's big 850th anniversary bash. In honor of the upcoming celebration, we offer a look at the history and spirit of Europe's largest city. Includes great timeline of Moscow history.
In the Footsteps of St. George Who is St. George, patron saint of Moscow? We examine the facts and legends behind the mythical saint.
Moscow 1947 Fifty years ago, Moscow celebrated its 800th anniversary. But things were very different then. The Second World War was barely over and Stalin was still at the helm of the Soviet state. Yet, interestingly, he did not show for the celebration.
Moscow Lights It is hard to imagine Moscow without the spotlights bouncing off the Kremlin walls, or without the now brightly decorated storefronts. But it was not that long ago that, come sunset, Moscow was enveloped in darkness.
The Battle for Shipka An important battle was fought at Shipka, during the Russo-Turkish ware of 1877-1878, and it built a bridge in Bulgarian-Russian relations that has persisted to this day.
Of Round Numbers and Phenol Concentration Russians love anniversaries of any kind. And so do we, the journalists and staff working at Russian Life.
Altai and Beyond In this, the final installment in Russian Life on their trans-Russian journey, Gary & Monica Westcott expore the remarkable Altai before racing across the steppe with winter fast at their heels, in pursuit of their final goal: Hammerfest on the northeast Norwegian coast.
Political Jam Apple Povidlo is made from crushed, not whole fruit, which is what makes it povidlo, not jam. In the Soviet era, "zhem", a foreign word, was un-p.c. and povidlo had its day.
Moscow in Sunshine and Tears Ah, Moscow! It may not believe in tears, but it was burned down with a penny candle...
The Best Little Hotels in Moscow If, the last time you visited a Moscow hotel, the noise from the disco kept you up all night, or the receptionist hadn't quite caught on to the idea of service with a smile, this Practical Traveler suggests an alternative: small hotels.
Tolstoy on Stage There is no shortage of great Tolstoys in Russian literature. Here we profile Alexei Tolstoy (1817-1875), chronologically the first literary Tolstoy.
Big River of Siberia Russian Life sent a writer and photographer on a two week cruise down and up the vast Lena river. They brought back some colorful and fascinating views of this remote territory.
Vologda: A Northern Beauty One of northern Russia's most beautiful towns, Vologda was also a home for tsarist exiles, including the young Stalin.
Potemkin's Palace From Prince Potemkin to Prince Charles, Petersburg's Tauride Palace has seen its share of VIPs over the years. This month, 205 years after the death of the palace's famous namesake, we take a look at the history of the Tauride from its founding to the present day.
Of Moscows and Missionaries Just a stone’s throw from our offices here in Vermont is a little town named Moscow. Well, perhaps “town” would be stretching it a bit.
Auditing the Soul of Russia In light of a hotly-debated law on religion, Russia is asking itself just how many faiths are enough. Mikhail Ivanov talked to people on both sides of the barricades and comes away with some interesting conclusions.
Ahead of Her Time Our calendar feature looks at the life and struggles of Marina Tsvetaeva, one of this century's greatest poets.
A Magnet for Drama Magnitogorsk is an unlikely venue for a theatrical revival, but, as author Oksana Voronova reports, that is just what a couple of historical accidents has led to.
The Twelve Chairs In this installment of our quarterly literary insert, we present an excerpt from a wonderful translation of Ilf & Petrov's Twelve Chairs. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Ilf's birthday.
For Whom the Bell Tolls A rumination on the waning of Yeltsin's star and the anniversary of the Sputnik satellite.
On Russian Roads Our travel experts provide helpful tips on driving Russia's roads, the preparations to make and the mistakes to avoid.
Apple Compote for the Soul During the Soviet years, jam was often called povidlo for ideological reasons. It is even rumored that one government member was given the personal mission of taking the foreign name “dzhem” off the menus of public catering enterprises, replacing it with the more neutral povidlo.
Money to the Wind? Beer is certainly not the first beverage associated with Russia. But, in recent yearsm ales, lagers, porters and stouts have been building a following in the land of vodka.
Potatoes in Uniform Try this interesting Russian variation next time you want to make baked potatoes.
Bolshevik Doodles They are certainly not great works of art, but they are intriguing pieces of history -- cartoons and caricatures drawn by early Soviet leaders while sitting in droning meetings. Publisher here for the first time outside Russia.
Damp Area with Firs and Bushes In the final installment of this tour of towns of the Russian North, William Brumfield takes us to Totma, a former salt-producing center now struggling for an identity.
Hidden St. Petersburg We asked some travel experts where to go off the beaten path in the Northern Capital.
Russia's Elusive Middle Class There is much talk of Russia's newly rich and sadly poor. But little is heard of its nascent middle class. And what better time to investigate this than on the 80th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, which sought to annhilate the country's middle class?
Where the Revolution Failed The 1917 Bolshevik coup d’etat is arguably the most important event of our century. As historian Richard Pipes has written, “had there not been a Russian Revolution, there would very likely have been no National Socialism; probably no Second World War and no decolonization; and certainly no Cold War, which once dominated our lives."
Russia's Political Tool December 20, 1997 is the 80th anniversary of the KGB. We look back at the sordid history of this nefarious institution.
Suzdal Medieval monasteries and a storied past has made a tourist's mecca of Suzdal, one of Russia's oldest, and best-preserved towns.
Uninvited Guests Caucasian minorities face scorn, discrimination and crime in Russia's capital, a sorry legacy of socialism and the fraying edges of an empire gone bust.
Why Christmas Toys are Us The yolka is the centerpiece of Russians' Christmas and New Year's celebrations. And the toys that decorate the yolka have an unusual power.
Out of Siberia Vasily Surikov's flash of creative genius lasted less than a decade. But his paintings have become cherished icons for old Russian traditions.
Ringing in the New Year New Year's is Russia's best celebrated national holiday. We look at the traditions, old and new, surrounding this annual event.
The Year of the Tiger Since this summer, Russia has been initiating a much more pragmatic, multilateral, innovative foreign policy. Long gone are the days when ideology and the politics of superpower brinksmanship set Russia’s foreign policy.
A Legend Returns Associate editor Anna Hoare caught up with hockey superstar Sergei Fyodorov to get his views on Russian and American hockey and his future plans.
Chechnya Sergei Kaptilkin captured these haunting and human black and white images while posted as a war photographer in the first Chechnya war.
Tatyana's Day This day is special not only as the name day of all Tatyanas but also as a day on which Russian students cast their cares to the wind and celebrate. This year, the holiday will be 242 years old.
A Cure For All Ills Sour cabbage is made in many countries. But nowhere is it consumed in the quantities it is in Russia.
Of Pizza Commercials and Cinema Myths Recent battles for control of the hearts and minds of the Russian film industry...
Russian Hamlet with a Guitar The poems, voice and lyrics of Vladimir Vysotsky are cherished parts of Russian culture, because they resonate with uncommon truth and depth of feeling.
Singing in Exile Fyodor Shalyapin is one of the great operatic singers of our age. But Shalyapin was larger than life in other respects as well.
Vladimir: The Power of Architecture When Vladimir fell to the Mongols in 1238, it signaled the beginning of hundreds ofyears of Russian subjugation. But that was just one of the many trials in this town's long history.
The Agony and the Ecstasy At first glance, the many stories in this month’s issue might seem to have little in common. In fact, there is a common thread. Each story is about the triumph of talent and beauty amidst incredible adversity.
The First Master of Russsian Film Maxim Gorky once called film "the Kingdom of Shadows." Sergei Eisenstein was one of the earliest kings of this realm.
The Road to Nagano Can the 1998 Russian Winter Olympic team repeat its 1994 performance, bringing home more gold medals than any other national team.
Dishes to Wow the Women Two dishes that are great for celebrating women's day (with the men cooking!): Beef with prunes and Pork with prune sauce.
It's the Participation That Counts! Ah sports ... Here is the "mandatory program" of sports idioms and phrases.
Why Should I Love Boris Nikolayevich? It may be sad to see Russia's "weight" in world affairs diminished. But if that is part of the price of doing away with a system that birthed Stalin, so be it.
Bringing Home the Gifts How to shop for some unique and valued Russian gifts to bring back home to friends.
Mother of the Tsar A look at what is known about the life and influence of Stalin's mother, Yekaterina Dzhugashvili.
There's No Beauty in Beauty Xontests Alexander Shilov, 54, is one of those few, lucky artists who has enjoyed recognition during his lifetime. We meet him for an interview.
Russian Women: An Awesome Force A look at how Russian women strive to look good, while balancing between the old spiritual traditions of Mother Russia and the multiple temptations of modern times.
Ballet's Prodigal Genius Famed ballet star Andris Liyepa talks with Russian Life about Rudolph Nureyev.
The Big Kolyma Streetcar A documentary account of the harrowing trials faced by women sent to Stalin's gulags.
Dancing to Survive A look at the artistic genius and life of dancer Rudolf Nureyev, five years after his death.
The Tsar Liberator On the occasion of the 180th anniversary of the birth of Tsar Alexander II, we offer this biography.
The Perfect Vodka Appetizer Lightly-salted Selyodka (herring) is the perfect accompaniement to a vodkafest.
Let the Campaign Begin Crowning mounting speculation about his political successor, President Boris Yeltsin recently intimated that he may throw his weight behind his daughter Tatyana Dyachenko, who currently works on the presidential team.
Getting into the Spirits Results of the First Annual International Vodka Taste Off and Taste of Russia Dinner, held in Montpelier, Vermont, February 28, 1998.
Where Have All the Muzhiks Gone? What is to be done about the declining life expectancy of Russian men?
The Heroines of Nagano A recap of Russia's victories in the 1998 Winter Olympics and profiles of the women who led the Russian team in its successes.
The Kremlin and the Bottle An interview with Roy Medvedev about the drinking habits and policies of Russian and Soviet leaders.
The Barin of Russian Marxism A profile of the revolutionary theorist who was Lenin's mentor, Georgy Plekhanov
Latvia's Terrible Error Russia and Latvia have had strained relations of late due to the latter country's treatment of Russians living in Latvia, and due to lost memories of WWII.
Sleeping on the Cheap A couple of inexpensive Moscow hotels and homestay organizations, as recommended by a couple of Russia travel experts.
The Prince and the Empress A biography of Catherine the Great's favorite and the noted diplomat, Grigory Potemkin.
What Real Men Eat “Real men don’t eat quiche” was a popular cliché in the US during the testosterone-charged 1980s. And while it may seem passé here in the late 1990s, it certainly would have resonance in today’s Russia.
Revisiting Stalin Where we review "The Thief", the new Russian film about men that received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film.
In Search of Russia's Strong Sex Supermen, spoiled, or a little of both? In this month's cover story, we look at the place of men in Russia today.
Golden Opportunities A profile of a small workshop in the Urals, in Zlatoust, that has become world famous for its production of fine ornamental swords and other memorabilia.
Saratov: Vanguard of the Volga Where we visit a southern region in Russia that is making a name for itself and interview the man who some (including President Yeltsin) are calling the "next president of Russia."
Adopting from Russia: A War of Perceptions Our cover story examines one part of Russia's huge and complex problem with orphans: the several thousand Russian children adopted by foreigners each year.
Life Beyond Moscow "Strong center -- strong regions" is the new buzz phrase in Russia. Here's why it won't work.
Finding the Best Morozhenoye Russian love ice cream as much as Americans. We decided to find out which home grown variety is best, and how it is standing up against foreign invaders.
The Volga Germans Soon after coming to power in a bloodless coup, Catherine II (later “The Great”), herself German, extended an invitation to Germans to colonize portions of the lower Volga, to improve farming in the region.
Ferapontov: Medieval Stronghold, Modern Treasure Secreted away in a little-known monastery in Northern Russia are some art treasures of incomparable worth.
The Tsar of Russian Fish Osetrina po-Tsarsky -- sturgeon prepared in the tsarist manner. What more need be said?
Rubbing Salt in Peasants' Wounds 350 years ago, on June 12, 1648, a huge revolt against taxes flared up in Russia. Here is why it did not lead to democracy...
Tolstoy's Art One of the great novelists of Russia and of the world was born 170 years ago. We explore his art and life, and the impact he made on Russian literature.
A Very Hot Summer in Prague Three decades ago, Soviet and Warsaw Pact tanks roared into Czechoslovakia. As newly opened archives now reveal, the invasion was neither so swift or successful as originally portrayed.
Burying the Romanovs Tsarism was brought to a close with the burial of the Romanov bones in St. Petersburg on July 17, 1998. But were they the Romanov bones? The controversy continues.
Russia, Don't Fade Away Today's Russia is not exactly ripe for a baby boom, but something needs to be done to incentivize families to have children.
The Long, Strange Trip of Boris Grebenshchikov Where we trace the unusual artistic journey of Russia's most famous rock-and-roll star.
Tolstoy's Message In the second half of his life, Tolstoy foresook his "frivolous" literary pursuits and sought The Truth about Life. We asked a renowned Tolstoyan to explain why this turned the world against Lev Tolstoy.
Moscow Shines for Youth Olympics Eighteen years after the 1980 Summer Olympics, Moscow gets a second chance to shine in the Olympic spotlight.
The Tank that Turned the Tide The Russian T-34 tank was critical to Russia's victory at Kursk and through the rest of WWII. A short biography.
The Russian Museum: 100 Years of Russian Treasures There is no more Russian museum than St. Petersburg's Russian Museum, as we found when we looked behind the paintings at this storehouse of Russian art.
A closed pie Kulebyaka is arguably one of the most popular types of Russian pies. Here we present a recipe from the famed Praga restaurant in Moscow.
The Rip-Off of a Nation How have Russians handled the near-collapse of their banking system and the absence of a national government? We go in search of the human stories.
Opposites Attract: Russian-American Marriages Americans have been marrying Russians in record numbers since the wall came down. Lynn Visson looks at the unique challenges and rewards of Russian-American marriages and how couples are finding domestic detente.
Lord Novgorod the Great Over 1000 years old, Novgorod was the birthplace of a strain of Russian democracy that was not destined to survive. But its architectural heritage has survived, at least in part.
Russia's Metropol Home away from home for countless VIPs and ordinary folk, Moscow's upscale Metropol is a hundred years old this month.
Welcome to Russia! Now Pay Your Taxes! A look at the new tax declaration procedures for long term visitors/residents.
Treasure on the Onega Kargopol is one of the richest settlements in the Russian North. William Brumfield takes us on a visit.
1998 The Year of Superlatives A look at the best and worst of 1998, including Biggest Scam, Scariest Smile, Best Poem and more.
Christmas Duck and the Immortal Kashey Duck is a traditional dish for the winter holidays. He we explore why, plus offer a tasty recipe.
The Other Catherine The waning of 1998 was marked by the 255th anniversary of Yekaterina Dashkova's birth and the 215th anniversary of her founding of the Russian Academy. We look at her astonishing live and work.
The Russian Lindbergh A biography of Valery Chkalov, one of Russia's most famous test pilots, who perished on December 15, 1938.
When the Going Gets Tough ... Buy Russian The financial crisis of 1998 had at least one positive effect: it became more advantageous to produce and sell Russian foodstuffs at home, instead of importing food from abroad.
The Ego Has Landed A profile of Anya Kurnikova, the brash 16-year-old who wants to be more than just another pretty face. She wants to be #1 female tennis player in the world.
East Meets West on the Silver Screen A fascinating exploration of the links between Hollywood and the Russian film industry.
Lie down with the dogs ... Animal lingo in Russian, from what every dog knows to how to live with the wolves...
Crisis Russian This column was spurred on the by the devaluation crisis of August 1998. It includes lots of useful bureaucratic language and other neologisms from the crisis era.
The Way Things Should Not Be The political ramifications of the US bombing of Iraq, in the midst of an impeachment scandal.
Kasha to Take Your Troubles Away This dessert – Gurievskaya kasha – is a true treasure of Russian cuisine. Make it for a loved one and you are sure to score big.
Love Yuri Olesha might well have become Russia's 20th century Nikolai Gogol, but just as his literary talent was blooming, it was plowed under by the socialist Thermodor. We offer here two of his marvelous short stories, in original translations.
The Life and Death of the Mushroom Eater Alexander Griboyedov's day job (as a senior Russian diplomat) kept him from applying his immense talent to more than just a few works of literature. It also led to his tragic death 170 years ago.
Solvychegodsk: Salt City The Stroganov family built a fortune on salt and pelts in Russia's northern town of Solvychegodsk. They also left behind some cultural treasures.
A Collector's Passion Valery Blinov has single-handedly collected what may be the world's greatest archive of Russian children's books of the last 100 years.
Exploring Russia's Sexual Revolution As if economic and political revolutions were not enough for Russia in the 1990s! Russia's Sexual Revolution is challenging decades of Soviet prudishness, with all the expected side-effects.
Yuri Olesha: A Talent to Be Envied Yuri Karlovich Olesha was born 100 years ago in Elizavetgrad (Kirovograd), then in Russia, now part of Ukraine, to a middle-class Polish family.
All's Fair in Party Warfare Stalin "thanked" Leningrad for its heroic survival of WWII by subjecting it to a massive purge in 1949. Only today, fifty years later, are all the details becoming clear.
The Death of Veezeer-Mukhtar An excerpt from Tynyanov's historical fiction which profiled the death of writer and diplomat Alexander Griboyedov.
Twice-baked Sturgeon This tasty dish wraps a succulent sturgeon in a puff pastry for a dish sure to amaze.
A Birthday Gift A short piece on the centennial birthday celebration for Nabokov to be held in his childhood home in downtown St. Petersburg.
Rostov Veliky A jewel in the Golden Ring, Rostov Veliky remains little touched by the tumultuous tides of this century's history.
Close Quarters: The Rise & Fall of the Kommunalka Seven percent of Russians live in communal apartments, kommunalki. By all indications, this dinosaur from the communist era will not be extinct anytime soon.
A Chichikov For Our Times A review of Mark Zakharov's new play, Mystification, based loosely on Gogol's Dead Souls.
Gogol Nikolai Vassiliyevich Gogol was born, appropriately for a satirist, on April 1, 1809, in the Poltava Gubernia of Maloros (“Little Russia,” later officially named Ukraine).
My Pushkin, Our Pushkin There are many Pushkins. But only Russia can truly claim him as its own. For Pushkin made Russian literature what it is. Included in this piece are amazing photos from films based on Pushkin's works, plus excerpts, in Russian and English, from his most famous works.
Lights, Camera ... Lights, camera ... a plethora of filmographic idioms and phrases for your lexicon.
30 Years Under the White Sun Russians' favorite movie, White Sun of the Desert, turns 30 this month. But for the movie's director, Vladimir Motyl, it has not been three decades of glamour and fame.
Doing it His Way Boris Yeltsin in a flurry of activity while the Duma tries to impeach him. Little did we know he would only be in office a few more months...
Two Worth an Eaten Egg Caviar stuffed eggs and an Egg & Cheese Salad are the two egg dishes in question.
Three Books Reviewed We review four new books: Moscow Rediscovered, Pushkin: A Biography, Pushkin's Button, and Chronicle of the Russian Tsars.
Is a New Cold War Brewing? Where we interview Sergei Rogov, a top Russian expert and government advisor, on the past, present and future of US-Russian relations.
Safe Haven: A Moscow Church Reclaims its Mission Amidst all Russia's problems and challenges, there are some heartening success stories. This is one: the resurrection of Moscow's Church of St. Dmitry and the caring men and women who are rebuilding its mission.
The Poet's Fate Alexander Pushkin's work was inextricably bound up with his personal life and with his tragic death, foretold in his masterpiece, Yevgeny Onegin.
Pushkin's Estates Pskov region's three estates associated with Pushkin were more than a quiet place for the poet to create; they also offered material for his muse.
Kizhi: An Island of History A popular stopover for river cruises, Kizhi island in Karelia is an astonishingly beautiful preserve of some of Russia's best wooden architecture.
Paanajarvi: Ancient Wilderness Far in the northwest corner of Karelia is a place little affected by human activity. Paanajarvi National Park struggles to stay green, yet operate in the black.
A Widow's Legacy Out of the tragedy that was Margarita Tuchkova's life came the Spaso-Borodinsky Convent and Church. Today, the convent is a center for a beautiful art form: sewn icons.
Beat the Heat, Go Green! Letny salat, a simple Russian green salad, showcases the fresh harvest from the dacha.
The Century's Son At 99, Boris Yefimov has seen it all. From Leon Trotsky to Boris Berezovsky. In this interview, he tells amazing stories of our century.
Karelia: Where the Northern Rivers Run What better place to spend August than Russia's Great Green North? In this, the first of three articles devoted to Karelia, we explore the region's history and culture.
Three books Three books are reviewed: Who Killed Kirov?, Yeltsin's Russia, and The Post-Soviet Handbook.
Of Thieves and a Gentleman A lot of water has passed under the bridges over the Moskva river since our last issue of the magazine.
Royal Road Rally Aids Burn Center England's Prince Michael recently led a road rally from England to Russia to raise money for a Children's Burn Center. Not so remarkable? Well, the cars dated almost from the time of the Prince's relative, Russia's last tsar.
Crime & Punishment: Russia's Prison System Russia's prison system houses more prisoners per capita than any other nation on Earth. And the system's problems are as old and pernicious as when it was founded 120 years ago.
Finns Take Title in 2nd Int'l Vodka Taste Off Results from the second Russian Life Taste Off in Northfield Vermont.
A 400 gold ruble salmon Drunken salmon is a superb appetizer that dates from the time of Empress Anna Ioannovna.
Pushkin's Heir Mikhail Lermontov is often called "Russia's second greatest poet," after Alexander Pushkin. And there is more that the quality of their art in common between the two writers.
Tozhok: Provincial Treasure The river town of Torzhok has weathered the centuries amazingly well. William Brumfield takes us on a tour.
Three Books and a CD We review three books: PU-239 and other Russian Fantasies, Russia Abroad, and The Crime of Olga Arbyelina, and a CD: The Golden Age of the Russian Guitar.
Of Soviet Santas & Snegurochkas This time of year, many Russians pine for the calmer, friendlier New Year's celebrations of decades past, and struggle to preserve family holiday traditions
Perm: Gateway to Eurasia In this, the first of a six part series where we trek east across Siberia, William Brumfield gives us a tour of Europe's Easternmost Town: Perm. Also includes a long sidebar on Khokhlovka.
Happy New Year? It would be fascinating—if it were not so scary—to watch how fast Russians have fallen in line to support their new prime minister, Vladimir Putin.
Karl Bryullov: Russia's First Master Painter This headstrong romantic from a long line of artists was Russia's first painter of world renown. Semyon Ekshtut traces Bryullov's life and art on the occasion of the painter's centenary.
The Secret Life of a Russian Santa Claus Alexei Pospelov takes us along on the New Year's tour of a modern day Ded Moroz (Russia's equivalent of Santa Claus).
Masha and Her Bears Masha Makarova is one of Russia's hottest young pop stars. So what do Ireland and Iceland have to do with it?
Care For Some Fries with That Reform? The 10th anniversary of McDonald's in Russia offers an opportunity to look back at the effect the company has had here.
Honoring a noble fish Russians honor fish in their cuisine, from the mundane herring to the noble salmon and herring. In this issue we feature Pan Roasted Sturgeon.
That Life-Saving Russian Face Don't judge a Russian, particularly one abroad, by his (or her) outward appearance...
A Book and Online Translation Software We review Till My Tale is Told, and some online translation software.
The Yeltsin Legacy As Russia readies for its first, post-Yeltsin presidential election, Yeltsin biographer Leon Aron offers thoughts on the Russian leader's legacy.
The First Decade On March 10, 1990, in a dingy, ninth-story apartment in Moscow’s seedy northern outskirts, two grizzled American expatriates hatched a business plan.
Common Strength: Eight Russian Women In commemoration of International Women's Day, celebrated widely in Russia, we offer portraits of the daily lives of eight remarkable Russian women. Those profiled include: a ballet dancer, a bakery shop assistant, a television anchor, a train conductor, an artist, an athlete, a travel agent, and a cab driver.
Yekaterinburg: Passage to Asia Our trek east across Siberia takes us to Russia's fourth largest city--an industrial powerhouse with some surprises in its environs.
Tasty, and good for you too! Buckwheat bliny are a must in the springtime. Here we offer a tasty recipe worthy of Gogol.
Suvorov Russia's greatest military general, Alexander Suvorov, is little known outside his homeland, where his exploits are the stuff of legend.
Tyumen & Tobolsk: Siberian River Cities Many cities grew up along Siberia's rivers as Russia expanded eastward. Here we look at two very provincial cities as part of our six part journey East Across Siberia.
Boring Old Russia After a decade marked by coup attempts, parliament sieges, wildly optimistic economic programs, cabinet reshufflings and Caucasian wars, boring is good.
Russia's Boys of Summer Baseball is not something one immediately associates with Russia. And rightly so. Yet interesting things can happen in the most unlikely of places.
Chekhov Today Few writers have had as much impact on literature and drama as Anton Chekhov. And yet his legacy is largely ignored or overlooked.
End of an Era in Theater and Film Two MKhAT personalities--Angelina Stepanova and Oleg Yefremov--passed away within a week of one another. But their legacy lives on.
Venichka's Long Quest to Stardom Finally, author Vendikt Yerofeev is getting the attention he deserves.
Dessert a la Tartar Kaymak with wafers is the tasty dessert treat offered in this issue. It is an ancient Tartar/Mongol dish of carmelized cream.
And Justice For All? Russia led the world last year in the number of claims registered against it in the European Court of Human Rights, with 972 cases. What does all this mean?
Faithful Reproduction In this companion to our cover story, we talk with Russian architecture expert William Brumfield about the significance and manner of Savior's rebuilding.
Making a Klin Break We went to this provincial town, just 80 km from Moscow, to visit the last residence of Tchaikovsky. We found several surprises.
From Atlanta to Sydny It's that time again! The 2000 Olympics in Sydney are just weeks away. Here are some of the Russian athletes to watch.
The Essential Tchaikovsky Noted music historian Richard Taruskin shows how so many have misunderstood and misrepresented Tchaikovsky--and all of Russian music in the process.
Examining the Icon In our second of three articles on Tchaikovsky, we talk with the woman Russia has entrusted with protecting his archive, home and image ...
Can I Sip on Your Tchaikovsky? Tchaikovsky, music and composers are all grist for this column's mill.
A Tender Tartar Dish Shashlik a la Tartar is the featured dish this issue, with a delectable plum sauce... No summer could be complete without it.
Peter and the Cathedral Interestingly, both Tchaikovsky and Savior’s have been surrounded by controversy since well before both rose to prominence in Moscow 117 or so years ago.
Resurrecting Savior's Seventy years after it came crashing down in a portentious explosion of anti-religious fervor, Moscow's towering Cathedral of Christ the Savior has risen again.
Not your everyday potato Kartofelnaya zapekanka, a baked casserole with potatoes, onions and mushrooms, is the dish of choice for this issue's recipe page, which is part of our annual Russian Flavors section, focusing this year on potatoes.
Tuber or Not Tuber The potato, a beloved staple at the Russian table, was first met in Russia with riots and superstition.
How Beer Can Save Russia The title says it all. Beer is making a comeback in Russia, and one can hope that vodka consumption will take a hit.
The Russian Invasion Watch out Nashville! These seven, hypertalented young musicians from Obninsk are set to take the American country music world by storm.
To Russia With Potatoes In Holland, land is expensive and hard to come by. So Steven Lawtiens headed East, to grow potatoes in Russia.
The Poet from the Black List Alexander Chyorny is a poet often hidden by the shadow of Pushkin and other "greats." Yet his work deserves much more attention.
125 Russophiles in Search of the Perfect Vodka So what is this year's best vodka? Here's what 125 Russophiles at our Third Annual International Vodka Taste-Off concluded.
Omsk: Siberia's Southern Outpost Founded on bloodshed, a crossroads for exiles and a crucible of the Civil War, this Siberian city is now a model of diversity and perserverence.
The Russian Invasion It has been said that a successful invasion is the one that goes unnoticed until it is too late to resist. The Russian Invasion of America is in full swing.
House No. 1 One hundred years ago, ground was broken for Moscow's Hotel National, a veritable institution with an incomparable view of the Kremlin.
How Does Your Garden Grow? For everything there is a season. And it's time to harvest some garden/dacha-related idioms.
And the Winner is ... Reader Photo Contest The results of our Reader Photo Contest are in. It was a fine crop of photos--the only problem is that we could not choose more winners!
The Indestructible Anthem? The Soviet anthem is back! Brushed off and edited for a post-soviet reality, references to Stalin and Communism are gone, but there is still that faint echo...
Volodos and Berezovsky We review a new CD by pianist Arcadi Volodos, and a biography of Boris Berezovsky.
A holiday gift from Ukraine Vareniki with cherries -- boiled dumplings with a cherry filling, to be more precise-- is a holiday treat bequeathed to Russia from Ukraine.
The Poetic Idol of 1941 Alexander Simonov is not a poet most Russophiles have heard of. But that should be no reflection on his wonderful verses.
Stomping on the Throat Cliches and idioms related to poets, writing and the life of writers, is the focus of this column.
It's a Small World When we study this or that great Russian writer or composer, we tend to look at them as a singular phenomenon. But none was an island.
The Heart of Siberia The former capital of Siberia, Novosibirsk is a thriving city that the railroad made. This fifth installment in our East Across Siberia series also takes us to Tomsk and Barnaul
Winged Dacha What do you do when your enterprise pays your wages in airplanes? Build a dacha, of course.
Fear and Freezing in Vladivostok A report on how the population in the Russian Far East is coping with energy shortages and muncipal mismanagement.
A Siberian New Year's Delicacy Siberians know their salmon. So where better to turn for a nice holiday recipe featuring this savory fish? The dish is called Salmon Steak a la Yakut.
The Decline of Russian Time was, study of Russian in the US was egged on by spy scandals, arms races, international crises and Kremlinology. Now that the mystique is gone, it's a whole new game. We look at the challenges being faced by colleges and universities that teach Russian.
The Road to Irkutsk In the last article in our six-part series, "East Across Siberia," William Brumfield takes us from the formerly closed city of Krasnoyarsk to Irkutsk and the shores of Lake Baikal.
Searching for Shambala Russian painter Nikolai Roerich was as controversial as he was prolific. John McCannon leads us to a deeper understanding of this gifted artist.
100 Young Russians to Watch In this, the first in our nine-part series of articles, we profile 15 Russians whose ideas and actions will shape Russia in the 21st century. Meet businesspeople, actors, singers, and scientists, all representatives of the new Russia. Link through the title of the article for a list of all 100 of the individuals.
Three Dirty Words In Russia, liberty, democracy and capitalism have all gotten a bad reputation. This is largely thanks to the greedy, short-sighted actions of the first wave of Russia’s reformers.
Matters of Life and Death Words, phrases and idioms dealing with life and death--the true language of "survival" Russian.
Three Books About Women In addition to three books about and by women – in recognition of March 8, International Women’s Day – we inaugurate the addition of vodka reviews to this section of our magazine. The review is one of the reviews from our affiliated website, vodkaphiles.com.
A Duck for Winter's End Duck, stuffed with rowanberries and celery. Just try to read this recipe and not rush out to the butcher...
Historical Events in March and April Historical dates and anniversaries that fall in these spring months.
Farewell to a Friend On the passing of a friend and colleague, Helen Boldyreff Semler, a valued member of this magazine’s Advisory Board.
Kayaking Kamchatka Remote, wild and pristine, the Kamchatka peninsula is an adventure traveler's dream. We join Christine Seashore and her husband while they kayak the coast of this amazing region.
An Independent Spirit Nikolai Ge was one of the most influential and talented Russian artists in the 19th century. And, as Semyon Ekshtut shows, he was also one of the most independent-minded.
Better than a Hundred Rubles How many idioms and phrases are there surrounding the word 100? You'd be surprised!
100 Young Russians to Watch The second in our series of articles on 100 Young Russians to Watch. Link through the title of the article for a list of all 100 of the individuals.
Journalists, Heal Thyselves "Dissidents" in Russia today, vs. in the Soviet era ... how low the standards have fallen.
Two Books A review of two books: Sunlight at Midnight, by W. Bruce Lincoln, and Trans-Siberian Hanbook, by Bryn Thomas.
Salmon Fit For a Tsar Imperial Salmon (Lososina Imperial) is a luxurious baked salmon, wrapped with bacon and crabmeat, then topped with a decadent cream sauce.
Beijing to Moscow: Six Days on the Trans-Siberian Author John Lee takes us on a ride on the Trans-Siberian, complete with traders, babushkas and long days in a train racing across the steppe.
Siberia's Iron Road Russia's Trans-Siberian Railroad is the world's longest rail line. This article, written on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the line's founding, takes a brief look at the amazing history of this 5700 mile-long iron road...
Working Through History There is an interesting history behind the picture (taken by Valery Bliznyuk, who we profile on page 18) on the cover of this issue.
Digging up Russian Roots There are nearly three million persons of Russian ancestry in the US today. With the opening of state archives and the removal of taboos on genealogical research in Russia (to say nothing of the online explosion), these Russian-Americans can now more easily excavate the roots of their family trees. Genealogical expert Barbra Krasner-Khait shows how it is done.
100 Young Russians to Watch This is the third article in our year-long series on 100 Young Russians to Watch. This issue we present another 10 individuals from around Russia—teachers, artists, entrepreneurs and athletes ... all personifications of Russia’s future.
Chicken Kiev's little-known origin Chicken Mikhailovsky is the real name of that dish we know as Chicken Kiev.
Pontius Pilate Without question, Mikhail Bulgakov's masterwork is his novel, The Master and Margarita, finished just before his death in 1940. To introduce his work to a wider audience, we present here the "masterful" second chapter of the novel, in which Pontius Pilate confronts Yeshua.
Mikhail Bulgakov: A Wolf's Life By most accounts, Mikhail Bulgakov was Russia's most talented writer of fiction in the 20th century. For not only was he gifted with prose, but he also showed uncommon courage in the face of mounting oppression. Edythe Haber gives us a glimpse of this amazing writer's life and work.
100 Young Russians to Watch This is the fourth in our series: 100 Young Russians to Watch. In this issue we present another 10 individuals from around Russia—artists, entrepreneurs, athletes and even a publisher ... all personifications of Russia’s future.
Vermont's Russianicity The news spread like a virus. I was infected by a nonchalant email from another local Russophile, Myranda. “Thought you might be interested,” the email said, “since it is in Montpelier.”
The Genius of Shostakovich No musician in the 20th century has been more judged for what he wrote--versus what he composed or performed--than Shostakovich. We asked one of the participants in the controversy surrounding the prolific composer's biography to fill us in.
Steeped in Tradition Some may think that vodka is Russia's national drink, but the truth is that Russians can live without vodka, but they cannot survive without tea. In fact, there are few places on earth where more tea is consumed per capita than Russia. We take a look at the origins of this obsession, from samovars to tea with jam to torts and pryaniki. You'll be brewing a cup yourself before you finish.
In the Footsteps of Andrei Rublyov Andronikov Monastery in Moscow was long the capital's easternmost outpost, a fortress erected at the end of the Tatar Yoke. Editor Mikhail Ivanov takes a trip down memory lane, which just happens to lead past this beautiful monument.
Plum Jam Fit for Piping Hot Tea Plum preserves is a traditional fall dish served with tea and cakes. Here's an easy recipe as jams go.
Bringing up Vanya Smith Thousands of Russian-American marriages in the past few years have an inevitable outcome: children. These mixed-culture families face a set of unique challenges. Lynn Visson, who has been interviewing Russian-American spouses for over a decade, offers a look at what it means to grow up half-Russian, half-American.
Historical Events in September and October Dates and anniversaries that coincide with this fall's issue.
First, the Bad News ... Always, whether the journalism is good or bad, there are legions of unrecognized “heroes” slogging it out in the trenches, never to be recognized in the headlines or bylines.
To Tula! Samovar Optional ... Don't bring your samovar to Tula is just one of the idiomatic expressions related to tea and coffee in this issue's column.
100 Young Russians to Watch This is the fifth in our series: 100 Young Russians to Watch. In this issue we present another 10 individuals from around Russia—artists, entrepreneurs, athletes and even a publisher ... all personifications of Russia’s future.
Four Books and a Calendar In this issue we review: "The Complete Works of Isaac Babel," "Valery Gergiev and the Kirov: A Story of Survival," "The Logic of Economic Reform," "Without Vodka," and the annual otrivnoy calendar "Martianoff's 2002 Calendar."
Moscow Knights Sixty years ago, the Battle for Moscow marked a turning point in World War Two. For the first time, the Nazi blitzkrieg was halted.
St. Basil's: The Stuff of Legend There is no more recognizeable symbol of Russia than the colorful cupolas of St. Basil's Cathedral. Andrei Yurganov takes us on a tour through the legendary history of the famous church on Red Square.
Yes, Icon Through a confluence of events, it turned out that this issue of Russian Life, which marks the magazine’s 45th year, is about some of the “icons” of Russian culture.
US & Russia: Allies Again? The September 11 terrorist bombings have changed everything, including, it seems, the nature of the US-Russian relationship. Russian Life talked with a Russian opinion leader to gauge what the future may hold.
A Rollicking Good Holiday Chicken This ornate chicken dish, Kurnik Zalikhvatsky, is a once a year type of dish. But one you'll remember all year round.
Russia's Olympic Hopefuls A brief look at Russia's brightest hopes for Olympic Gold in Salt Lake City this winter.
A Farewell to Shock Therapy A look back at the reforms of the past decade, on the tenth anniversary of "shock therapy."
Duck Devil and Little Wolf It's not every day one is invited on a pilgrimage by a Siberian shaman. Which is how Christine Seashore and John Turk ended up roaming Kamchatka's frozen tundra in search of an elusive pack of reindeer. Oh, and then there is the interesting bit about the mountain bikes...
Liberty We look back on the first decade of a Free Russia with this Literary Excerpt from Mikhail Butov's award-winning novel, Liberty. Butov offers a poignant and humorous portrait of his generation's coming of age after the collapse of the Soviet empire.
Russian in the Real World There are as many different reasons for deciding to study Russian as there are people studying it. And now, with a newly-liberalized Russia, there are more opportunities than ever for persons with strong Russian language skills to find excellent jobs in areas that correspond with the “spark” that led them to Russian in the first place.
Vodka in the Berkshires For the first time, the annual Russian Life Vodka Taste Off and Taste of Russia Dinner was held outside of Vermont, in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts. A sumptuous feast, a friendly crowd, and a fortuitous evening snowstorm turned the early December event into a weekend to remember.
100 Young Russians to Watch This is the seventh article in our series: 100 Young Russians to Watch. In this issue we present twelve notable individuals—from doctors and an activist, to athletes, businesspeople and a ballerina ... All personify the sort of excellence and hope which embody a positive Russian future.
Looking Back The US-Russian (nee Soviet) Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty has been cast onto the dustheap of history with scarcely a whimper from the Russian side. As with many things, what seemed unlikely six months ago has all of a sudden become unavoidable.
Pozharskiye Kotlety A legendary dish made for an unexpected visit of a tsar to a way station, this has since become a favored dish of many Russian restaurants.
Rubbing Elbows With the Stars? Some Russian Life readers have suggested that we need to avoid the “glitterati” in our series on “100 Young Russians To Watch” – we should write less about ballerinas and cinema stars. I partially agree.
Requiem for an Eyesore A personal reflection on the many storied Intourist hotel, a Moscow landmark and eyesore.
Calendar Includes extended stories on Vladimir Makanin, Valentin Rasputin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Stanislav Neygauz, Bella Akhmadulina and Andrei Tarkovsky.
"Time Will Show" April 4th would have been the 70th birthday of Russia’s best-known contemporary film director, Andrei Tarkovsky (1932-1986).
Perfect, Unexpected Rhymes April 10 is poet Bella Akhmadulina’s 65th birthday (born 1937). A graduate of the Literary Institute (1960), Akhmadulina belongs to the shestidesyatniki (“60s”)—those Russian poets whose stars rose in the 1960s.
Artists' Colony Just outside Moscow lies the secluded, serene Abramtsevo estate. But the calm here belies an amazing history: a century ago, this was the gathering place for some of Russia's greatest artistic talents, from painting and theater, to architecture and literature.
The Magical Izba Awash in symbolism and oozing with history, the izba – peasant hut – is a window on the Russian soul. Rituals, customs and beliefs, as well as the sometimes elaborate decoration of the izba, reflected the many meanings and functions its inhabitants attached to it.
100 Young Russians to Watch This is the eighth article in our nine-part series: 100 Young Russians to Watch. In this issue we present ten notable individuals—from a chocolatier to a public defender, from an actor and a border guardian to an art dealer and a TV personality ... All personify the sort of excellence and hope which embody a positive Russian future.
Two Great Writers Two great modern Russian writers turn 65 in March: Vladimir Makanin celebrates his birthday on the 13th, Valentin Rasputin on the 15th.
No Space for an Apple to Fall Pianist Stanislav Neygauz (1927-1980) was born on March 8, seventy-five years ago. Relatives of the musician recall how a young Neygauz would play for up to 12 hours, until his fingers would bleed, so inspired and obsessed was he with his music.
World Citizen Cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich (1927) turns 75 on March 27. Born in Baku (capital of Azerbaidzhan), Rostropovich took his first music lessons from his father—a teacher at the Baku Conservatory.
The Moscow Summit In May, US President George Bush became only the sixth sitting US President to visit Russia. On the eve of this visit, we met with one of Russia's leading Amerikanists, Georgi Bovt, and got his read on what to expect for the summit and the months beyond.
Animal Instincts What does a rooster say in Russian? How about a pig or a horse? It's all here in this issue's Survival Russian.
The Magazine Boom Want proof Russia's economy is on the mend? Look no further than the newsstands. New national magazine brands are being introduced every week. So we sent Editor Mikhail Ivanov to look at what is behind the boom in publishing and where it is going.
Imperial Portrait Portrait of Tsar Nikolai I (1796-1855, ruled 1825-1855), by Dmitry Slepushkin (see page 40), painted under a special commission for display in the Kremlin’s Great Kremlin Palace.
High Jumping Legendary athlete Valery Brumel, Olympic high jump champion, will be 60 on May 14. Brumel won the gold in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics with an Olympic record—2.18 meters.
Eye of the Photographer Dmitry Azarov has a gift for catching public figures in private moments, as this two page photo essay demonstrates.
Man of Birch Invite Vasily Chikov to a party and it's likely he'll turn up in a birch bark vest and hat ... and serenade you and your guests with a flute made from, you guessed it, birch bark!
The Actor Who Can Do it All Russia’s most renowned living actor, Alexander Kalyagin, was born on May 25, 1942. He is also presently chairman of the Union of Theater Workers of Russia (in his second term).
Musical Poet of the 60s Poet Robert Rozhdestvensky (1932-1994), a cult figure of Soviet and Russian poetry, would have been 70 years old on June 20.
Philosophical Writer Sixty-five years ago, on May 27, 1937, the writer Andrei Bitov was born in Leningrad. Widely considered one of the best Soviet writers of the 1960s, Bitov came to literature the hard way.
Russian Calendar In depth profiles of Valery Brumel, Valery Todorovsky, Andrei Bitov, Mitrofan Grekov, Alexander Kalyagin and Robert Rozhdestvensky
Russian Calendar This month's section features longer profiles of David Burlyuk, Oleg Protopopov, Sergei Lemeshev, Sofia Rotaru, Vassily Aksyonov and Varlam Shalamov.
Walking a Verst in Russia's Lapti The influence of lapti in Russian speech, and a bit about lyko too.
100 Young Russians to Watch With this, our ninth installment, we bring to a close our year-and-a-half-long series “One Hundred Young Russians To Watch in the New Century.”
So, Honey, Where Was That Cake? A recipe oozing with honey -- honey cake has caught more than its share of unwary men.
Keeping a Sweet Tradition Alive The ancient art of wild beekeeping is alive and well in the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan. Hardy bees and patient beekeepers team up to produce what some feel is the best honeyh in Europe.
You're Only 300 Once! St. Petersburg is about to turn 300 and there's a party brewing! We kick off a year of special coverage of St. Petersburg with a round up of next year's Tercentennial festivities in the Northern Palmyra. Plus, we offer a Tercentenary Traveler's Resource Guide, listing places to stay and companies to help you get to St. Petersburg next year.
Staring at the World With an Ironic Gaze On August 20, Vassily Aksyonov turns 70. The son of party leader Pavel Aksyonov and author Yevgeniya Ginsburg (Into the Whirlwind), Aksyonov spent part of his childhood in Magadan, where his mother was incarcerated.
The Shape of Things Already Come Oh, for the days when Moscow was a quiet, Imperial City. Today it is overrun with net cafes and foreign cars. It seems there is no turning back.
A Remarkable Dissident July 1 would have been the 95th birthday of writer and poet Varlam Shalamov (1907-1982). Shalamov’s talented and revealing prose only saw the light of day six years after his death, when glasnost led to the publication of previously suppressed writers.
Day in the Life: Kiosk Merchant Our new series, "Day in the Life," begins with a profile of Natalia Kvachenko, a self-made businesswoman who keeps the kefir flowing.
At Home with Alexei Nemov Alexei Nemov may just be the world's best gymnast. But we wanted to find out what this great athlete is like in person...
The Patriarch of Russian Painting Mikhail Nesterov painted images infused with spiritual beauty, inspiring generations of Russian painters that followed. His life story is one of amazing strength and artistic resilience.
The Russian Art of the Con A look at the art of cheating in Russia today--what are the newest cons and who is falling prey to them?
Up from the Kommunalka We take you to the Venice of the North, on a private tour of the president's St. Petersburg homes and haunts, from the hospital he was born in, to the homes he lived in.
Four Books We review four new books: The Secret Plot to Save the Tsar, A Year of Russian Feasts, The Shaman's Coat: A Native History of Siberia, and Beau monde from A to Z.
Influential Comic Voice Actor Anatoly Papanov (1922-1987) would have turned 80 on October 31. Generations of Russian children associate his voice with that of the Wolf in the popular cartoon Nu Pogodi! (“You just wait!”).
Gourmand Humorist October 20 is the centenary of the birth of Mikhail Yanshin (1902-1976), a member of the “second wave” of MKhAT theater actors who made their debut when Konstantin Stanislavsky was director there.
The Russian Bear of Wrestling September 16th is the 65th birthday of the aptly-named champion in free wrestling, Alexander Medved (medved means “bear” in Russian).
Tired of a glamorous life "Glamurny" and other English invasions are perverting the Russian language. Or are they?
Russian New York In this second article in our series, Russian-America, we visit the largest "pocket" of Russian emigration in North America.
Vladimir Voynovich September 26 is the 70th birthday of Vladimir Voinovich (born 1932), one of the most influential dissident writers of the late Soviet era.
Gymnastic Superstar Gymnast Lyudmila Turishcheva was born on October 7, 1952—50 years ago. Turishcheva won every imaginable title in gymnastics, both on the world stage and nationally.
Kremlin Wife Lyudmuila Putina, the president's wife, has chosen to keep a decidedly low profile. We reveal why in this insider's portrait of Russia's most powerful woman.
Match to the Death In WWII, in Nazi-occupied Kiev, local soccer stars were forced to play several matches against Nazi teams. The price for winning was death; for losing the price was even worse ...
Peculiarities of Russia's National Mushroom Hunt Come late August through early September and millions of Russians begin streaming into the woods in search of the beloved meat of the forest. Here we offer a profile of their obsession...
Putin's Russia On the occasion of President Vladimir Putin's 50th birthday, we look back at how far Russia has come since January 1, 2000, and where it appears to be going.
The Putin Issue It is a bit hard for political cynics like us to devote so much space in our “magazine of culture, history, people and places” to a single politician.
Enriching the Russian Language A biographical profile of poet, translator, playright, dramatist, literary critic and editor, Samuil Marshak.
A Sweet Holiday Treat ... From Wheat A recipe for the wonderful winter treat, Kut'ya, and a look at the rituals surrounding its preparation.
Remarkable Political Actor Mikhail Ulyanov, one of Russia’s most famed actors, turns 75 on November 20. Born in the Siberian village of Tara, 400 km from Omsk, he ran off with a Ukrainian theater troupe in 1942, a year after his father had gone off to fight at the front.
Nostalgia for the Ideal November 20th is the 65th birthday (1937) of writer Viktoria Tokareva. Born in Leningrad, her first novel, Day Without Lies (1966) was hugely popular and all of her successive novels have been immediate best sellers.
Stalingrad Sixty years ago, the stage was set for the most significant military battle of the 20th century--a bloody struggle for the Volga city that bore Soviet leader Josef Stalin's name.
The Artist's Will Pavel Korin was a painter of uncommon talent and immense tenacity. His paintings reflect an indomitable will to create great art despite difficult circumstances.
Restoring Piter Anniversaries are a time-honored pretext for municipal restoration in Russia, and St. Petersburg is making the most of its coming 300th birthday celebration.
A Leading Light of Russian Satire October 28 is the centenary of the illustrious actor of stage and screen, Erast Pavlovich Garin (1902-1980).
Eldar Ryazanov Eldar Ryazanov, the legendary film director and screenwriter, turns 75 on November 18. He began his filmmaking career in 1950 by making short subjects and documentaries.
A Chapter Closes Mikhail Ivanov, our editor for the past seven years, has decided to move on to new challenges and opportunities.
Studying Russian Outside the Capitals Some reasons to consider studying Russian outside Moscow and St. Petersburg, with a listing of schools and their programs in provincial cities.
Aiding Siberia While the Russian Civil War raged, a few hundred American Red Cross volunteers labored in far-flung Siberian cities to help refugees and wounded soldiers. Florence Hoffman was one of those volunteers three-quarters of a century ago, and this is her first-hand account of her year in Siberia.
The Shalyapin of Russian Soccer On December 1, legendary Russian soccer and hockey player Vsevolod Bobrov (1922-1979) would have turned 80. Poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko called Bobrov “the Shalyapin of Russian soccer, and the Gagarin of the puck in Rus.’"
A Honey of a Winter Drink Sbiten was the drink of choice in Russia long before tea made its appearance.
Marina Raskova and Soviet Women Aviators of WWII Marina Raskova, who founded the world's first female aviator corps, has a life story as amazing as the achievements of the corps bearing her name that went on to fight in WWII.
Four books A review of: Stamp Album, by Andrei Sergeev; Ivan the Terrible, by Robert Payne & Nikita Romanoff; Russia's Virtual Economy, by Clifford G. Gaddy & Barry W. Ickes; The Russian Context, by Eloise M. Boyle & Genevra Gerhart, eds.
Through Muslim Eyes After last fall's terrorist act in a Moscow theater, Russia's Muslim population has come under increased scrutiny and pressure.
St. Petersburg in Black & White This stark, vivid exhibition of photos and etchings of St. Petersburg offers a fascinating take on the Northern Capital.
Winner Take All From rather inauspicious origins in the Ural mountains, Konstantin Tszyu has gone on to become the world's greatest boxer in his weight class. But he has never lost his perspective.
Russia after Nord-Ost How does a bimonthly magazine on Russian culture, history and society respond to a gruesome act of terrorism?
Forever Amber For forty million years, it was just tree sap trapped under earth and water. Now it is being transformed into soft gems that will resurrect the famous Amber Room.
The Face of Russian Political Correctness P.C. has an entirely different meaning in Russian and in English.
Violist Extraordinaire Dates and anniversaries that coincide with this issue.On January 24, Russian viola player Yuri Bashmet turns 50. Born in Rostov-on-Don in 1953, Bashmet spent his childhood in Lvov, Ukraine, where he began studying music.
Stalin's Comedian January 10 is the centennial of the founder of the Soviet musical comedy, Grigory Alexandrov (his real surname was Mormonenko).
Father of the Atom This year marks the centenary of Soviet physicist Igor Kurchatov, under whose guidance the first Soviet atomic bomb was created.
Midwinter Fish Fest Nothing tastes quite like fish pulled from the icy waters beneath a winter fishing hole. Here is a simple recipe for a Russian Fish Bake.
A Fierce War: Being Catholic in Russia It's not easy being Catholic in Russia today. Popular writer Ilya Stogoff explains why.
Cossacks, Music and Enlightenment We review: The Cossacks, An Illustrated History; Bering Strait's debut CD, and The Commissariat of Enlightenment.
Stalin's Death On March 5, fifty years ago, one of the most awful tyrants of the 20th century, Joseph Stalin (1879-1953), died.
Boris Messerer On April 15, 1933, Boris Messerer, a talented theatrical designer, artist, scene-painter, book designer and a man of many awards, was born.
Vladimir Vernadsky On March 12 (February 28, old style) 140 years ago, the scientist Vladimir Vernadsky (1863-1945) was born in St. Petersburg.
The Cats Who Guard the Hermitage If you think St. Petersburg's Hermitage museum is famous only for its great collections and masterpieces, you are mistaken. Meet the felines that prowl the basements.
Mysteries of Ice Fishing Ice fishing in a hut, with a radio and a heated bench? Surely you must be joking! Russians have a better way.
Lost and Found in Siberia Eleven Americans were lost in Stalin's Siberia for nearly a month before anyone even knew they were there. This is their story of survival.
What Goes Around... For forty years, in the era of NATO and the Warsaw Pact, Russia did all it could to force a wedge between the US and its European allies. Now Putin wants to do everything he can to keep the alliance together.
Tatarstan: Travel in Multicultural Russia The Republic of Tatarstan has perfected its dance on the razor's edge, between autonomy and security. Travel there with our correspondent and meet the republic's savvy president.
A Single-Minded Man He was a great composer who never lacked for confidence. We take a tour of his life and work.
A Gogol for the 20th Century Nikolai Zabolotsky is one of the greatest Russian poets of modern times. Yet few outside Russia know his name.
Eat Like a Prole The Birthplace of the Revolution is striving to once again become a part of Europe. But some legacies of the Soviet era just do not want to wither away. Like these distinctly proletarian eateries.
A Terrible Vengeance Ever wonder how the Russian visa system got to be the way it is? Blame Gogol and Bulgakov.
George Kennan's Caucasus Journals A review of George Kennan's previously unpublished Caucasus Journals.
An Aristocratic Appetizer A light sample of a French influence on Russian cuisine--zhulyen. Try this and trace your link to Tolstoy!
Routine Beauty It takes a trained eye to see the uncommon beauty of common things in any city, particularly one beseiged by tourists and dusty with the detritus of a failed empire. A photo feature with some literary interludes.
Russia's Disneyland: Oranienbaum Many palaces and estates can be found in and around St. Petersburg. Yet few have been as little disturbed by regime change as Oranienbaum. Oh, and then there is the roller coaster.
Mikhail Chemiakin Mikhail Chemiakin, one of Russia’s most compelling and acclaimed contemporary artists, turns 60 on May 4.
Hidden St. Petersburg Throw away your guidebooks and load up your knapsack. Our off-the-beaten track tour of St. Petersburg begins now.
Valentina Tereshkova On June 16, 1963, 40 years ago, the first female cosmonaut in history, Valentina Tereshkova, launched into space aboard Vostok-6.
Aram Khachaturian June 6 marks the centennial of Aram Khachaturian (May 24, old style), a prominent composer of Armenian origin (who was actually born in Tbilisi, Georgia).
21 Slices of St. Petersburg Life Thousands upon thousands of pages have been written about Piter during its three centuries of life on the Neva. But what does it take to understand this strange city like a native? These 20 "signs of life" offer a tiny part of the answer.
Piter Then and Now In my childhood, I spent every school vacation in Leningrad. Our closest family members lived there.
Beet Top & The Marsh Mushroom There will always be a rivalry between Russia's "two capitals"--Moscow and St. Petersburg. Since it is St. Petersburg's birthday, we give the floor to a noted journalist from the "Venice of the North," that he might share his thoughts on what sets the two cities apart.
Pskov (and Pskovians) An arranged marriage put Pskov on the map (or so the Chronicle says). But, since then, for 1100 years, Pskov has been an important crossroads between Russia and Europe. For a millenium, Pskov has withstood countless attacks and seiges, while facilitating trade and commerce. Its biggest challenge today is integrating with the wider world, while preserving a hold on its historic past.
Vera Kholodnaya Vera Kholodnaya, a legend of Russian silent film, made her debut on the silver screen in 1915, when she was 22. She died just three years later, in February, 1919.
Mementos of Russian Summer Summer is hay-cutting time and time to battle with the weeds and pests that embroil the private plot. Visit summer in the village of Chukhrai in Bryansk region.
Behind the Fences Russians love their dachas. They are a place of rest, escape and exhilarating labor. We welcome sumer with a look at this venerable institution, and offer tips on dacha peeping and even dacha rentals.
Field Guide to Dachas of the Moscow Region From Peredelkino to Nikolina Gora, each dacha community is different in its own way...
The Lure of Kunashir Off limits for eight decades, the Kurile islands are a treasure trove of natural history and geological wonders. We travel to the southernmost island, which is just a stone's throw from Japan.
A Dangerous Relic The Cold War is over and Russians badly want to reform their military forces to face new realities, both within the country and without. There's just one thing: the military brass doesn't want to fall in line.
A Russian Sorrow While politicians and generals debate the pace and scope of military reform, Russia's Cold War conscription army stumbles along, perpetuating astonishing abuses. Over 70% of Russians are in favor of ending the draft. Here's why.
Spirits of Alkhanai Mountain Russia's Buddhists have a rich, ancient religion that is deeply in tune with the natural world and rooted in the beautiful mountains southeast of Lake Baikal. We take a spiritual walk up Mount Alkhanai, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Russia.
It's Berry Time Summer is berry time in Russia. We look at all the favorite varieties and offer a recipe for that summer favorite, cranberry mors.
Hide & Seek As this issue was going to press, our American media was focused on the so far fruitless effort to find Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in Iraq.
Matroshkas, Dachas, Travel and more In this issue, we review a book on the history of matryoshkas, a revised travel guide, a book on dachas, on Putin, some fiction and much more!
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
Where the Russians Are A color-coded map of the US, showing which states have the highest percentage of Russian immigrants.
Kalmykia: Reviving the Dusty Plain A huge expanse of desert and grassy plains, this southern Russian republic has an austere beauty all its own. Of course there is also Chess City and the horse races...
Defending Russian Nature Over the last century, Russia has created a system of preserves -- zapovedniki -- where wilderness holds sway and humans are rarely allowed. It is the world's largest system of strict nature preserves. We meet some of the heroes quietly working to preserve these zapovedniki, despite miserly allocations from the government.
Miracles on a Shoestring The Russian Space Program has enjoyed a remarkable string of successes and firsts over the past half-century. But, since the fall of the USSR, it has been forced to adapt to new, more commercial realities. We sent Nick Allen to Baikonur, the main Russian launch site, to report back on how the program is fairing.
Where East Becomes West Last year, we sent St. Petersburg writer Ilya Stogoff to the opposite end of Russia in the dead of winter. It did not improve his mood. But he did have some interesting experiences. This, his first of four installments on his travels throughout Russia's Far East, is a fun read.
Russia Goes to the Polls Nikita Khrushchev once said, "Politicians are the same everywhre: they promise to build a bridge even where there is no river." As political observer Natasha Yefimova shows, there have been surprisingly few promises made or platforms pronounced in the run-up to this December's Duma election. The reasons for this are quite interesting.
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
King David On September 30, celebrated violinist David Oistrakh, one of the founders of the Russian violin school, would have turned 95.
Venichka's Poem Venidict Erofeev is one of the most brilliant figures in contemporary Russian literature.
Vegetarian Disses and Disguises A veritable salad of linguistic phrases based on vegetables to spice up your Russian.
Heirs to Gagarin Russia can truly be proud of the wilderness areas it has preserved. But cordoning off these areas is one thing. Securing them for the future is another thing altogether.
We Once Had a Poet Called Tyutchev Many consider his lyrics to be the best ever written in Russian. On the 200th anniversary of Tyutchev's birth, we offer a tribute.
Chechnya Votes Where we offer a ground's eye view from Chechnya, during this fall's less-than-contentious election there.
Descendants of the Swan In the remote, open landd southeast of Lake Baikal, beyond typical tourist itineraries, where Genghis Khan once roamed, live most of Russia's 370,000 Buryats. We decided to pay them a visit.
Kustodiev's Art World His art was a Volga thing, a devil-may-care, reckless thing, full of sun and music, with fairs and farces, troikas, traktirs and banyas, samovars from Tula and trays from Zhostov -- it was motley as lubok and as subtle as a Flemish painting.
(Very) Old Ladoga It was, for a time (a millenium or so ago) Russia's capital. But that title passed to another, helping to preserve a bit of the history of this idyllic, 1250-year-old northern town.
Realm of the Sacred Raven In the second installment of Ilya Stogoff's travels in the Russian Far East, the author explores the steamy side of Kamchatka.
Andrey Tupolev Many consider his lyrics to be the best ever written in Russian. On the 200th anniversary of Tyutchev's birth, we offer a tribute.
Tolkuchka in Turkmenistan An exploration of Russian food in Turkmeninstan and Turkmen influences on Russian food. The featured recipe is Baked Stuffed Pumpkin.
Moving Pictures The masters of Russian and Soviet animation rank among the world's greatest artists of the genre. But not many outside the industry know their names or have ever seen their work.
Saint George Saint George was returned to the Moscow coat of arms by mayoral decree ten years ago, on November 23, 1993.
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
Uncle Gilya Vladimir Gilyarovsky, or Uncle Gilyai, as he was affectionately called, was a living legend. Even today, 150 years after his birth, this journalist, poet and writer of prose is widely revered.
Stalin, Siberia and more Where we review a new book on Stalin by Zhores and Roy Medvedev, and one on Siberia, by Fiona Hill and Clifford Gaddy. Plus some shorter notes on books on everything from submarines to Petersburg to Marina Tsvetaeva.
May the Earth Be As Soft As Feathers When a long-time member of a small Russian village passes on, there are rituals aplenty to observe.
Summer Camps Where to send the kids for summer camp? How about a Russian language camp? We offer a first-ever listing of some of the many (we were surprised how many) options around the country.
January 27, 1944 A rare photo of the salut Leningrad gave itself upon its liberation on this day, plus a translation of Akhmatova's poem of the same name.
Siege It was one of the most horrifying and heroic episodes of the last century. Sixty years ago this January, the 900-day Siege of Leningrad was finally broken. We take you back for a look at what daily life was like for average Leningraders.
How Many Lenins Does it Take? 60 years ago, the first statue to Lenin was unveiled in the Soviet Union. They soon multiplied to unfathomable numbers, and the tide was only turned back when the Soviet Union collapsed. We look back at the sometimes odd history of Lenin worship.
Primorye: Cars and Crime In the third installment of Ilya Stogoff's travels in the Russian Far East, the author explores Russia's Eastern Crime Capital (Khabarovsk), and has a first-hand encounter with "the criminal element."
Winds From the East Russia produces some of the most talented classical musicians in the world. We profile a youthful quintet that seeks to break into the highly competitive US market -- a difficult task, even with the esteemed name of the Russian National Orchestra behind you.
May the Waters Be With You With roots stretching back over a millennium, the Russian banya (steam bath) is stitched tightly into the fabric of the Russian soul. We asked an intrepid journalist to help us unravel the mysteries, and sent him on a tour of Moscow's finest public bani.
Payback Time Russia faces the same demographic presures as other industrialized nations: a declining workforce, rising numbers of retirees, and a desire to lower taxes. To meet the challenge, the Russian government is privatizing a part of pensions. Sort of.
Daily Bread A page-long sidebar to our story on the Leningrad Siege, in which we look back at how people fed themselves during the horrific blockade.
Ioseliani An intimate biography of the Georgian filmmaker Otar Ioseliani, who turns 70 on February 2, 2004. A filmography is also included.
A Winter Ferment One of Russia's most typical winter dishes is fermented cabbage. You'll want to rush out to the store and buy a few heads to make this dish when you are done reading our recipe.
The Magical World of the Russian Circus It is the world's largest circus organization and one of its oldest. We asked a noted circus-phile to take us behind the flaps of Russia's Big Top, to look at the fascinating history of this 210-year-old institution.
Six Imperial Era Titles A quick review of six new books that focus on or have their roots in the pre-Revolutionary era.
Just a Minute An offbeat look at the different ways Russians and Americans think about, and talk about, time.
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
The Oligarchs and the President The vital subtext for March’s election is the battle between the Kremlin and the oligarchs. We walk back through recent history and provide up-to-date profiles of Russia’s weakened robber-barons.
Russia on a Thousand Rubles a Day Or perhaps we should say, “Russia on the Cheap.” We asked a long-time expat in Russia to report on how travelers are seeing an intimate and unexpected side of Russia, and doing it inexpensively.
The World's Longest Road In this, the final installment in Ilya Stogoff’s journey across the Russian Far East, the intrepid (if politically incorrect) journalist tries to get home on the Transsiberian Railroad.
The Invisible Statue In St. Petersburg, every alley and cornice has a history. And the Admiralty, central to the city’s history for three centuries, has plenty of stories to tell. Here is just one.
The Coldest Village on Earth So you think it has been cold in the US this winter? Well, you don't know from cold. You want cold, you go to Siberia. And when Siberians want cold, they go to Oymyakon. So that's where Nick Allen went. You get to tag along.
Fazil Iskander A look at the life and work of one of Russia's most beloved contemporary writers, on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
Herding Cats: Yuri Kuklachyov They say you couldn't train cats. Maybe no one told Yuri Kuklachov, who has been doing it for nearly thirty years.
Putin Held Hostage With his reelection a sure bet, President Vladimir Putin is poised to begin his second Kremlin term. We turned to a noted satirist and opposition activist to find out what he projects for Putin 2.0.
The Soup of Life Most Americans consider borshch the quintissential Rusian soup, but the truth is that shchi -- cabbage soup -- holds that honor. Here we look at its history and offer a tasty recipe.
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
Rolling into Spring In March, Russian citizens will renew the mandate of President Vladimir Putin for another four years. At least that is what the polls tell us to expect.
Two Stalin-Faced Books Stalin's visage can still sell books. We review two recent titles on his era, one on Shostakovich, one by Isaiah Berlin. Plus we briefly review 5 other new titles. The link to this article leads to places you can order the books.
Flirting, Courting and Saying it Right Ah, the language of love. It is a many-tangled thing. And often you only get one chance to get it right. Be sure to study this column before putting your best foot forward.
Tomsk at 400 We visit this quiet Siberian city. Once closed to the outside world, it is now open and preparing to celebrate its quadricentennial.
What are They Teaching Our Kids? Profound changes are afoot that will alter how future generations of Russians see the world. In schools across Russia, new curricula are being introduced, history is being rewritten, and the role of religion in education is being hotly debated.
Akhmatova: The Poet Who Buried Stalin Anna Akhmatova was one of the most important Russian poets of the 20th century. On the anniversary of her birth, we look back on her life and work, both vivid reflections of twentieth century Russia.
Boom Time: Siberia's Oil-Rich Middle Class When you hear about Russia’s nascent middle class, talk is usually about Muscovites or Petersburgers. But what about Siberians? We sent an intrepid reporter to investigate.
A History in Wood The intricately carved wood architecture of Tomsk is unique to the region, and its variations tells of the town's history.
Kremlin Cookery Secrets In the spirit of our cover story on Kremlin Secrets, we take a glance at some secrets of Kremlin cuisine. And the recipe is a fitting feast of Roast Beef, in the style of "Hussar's Liver."
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
Lomonosov Porcelain Factory A history of St. Petersburg's famous porcelain factory, founded 150 years ago.
Strap on your Skates! Only about 10-20% of magazines launched in the U.S. survive longer than five years, so 500 issues over 48 years is a fairly impressive achievement.
Isaac Babel Biography of one of the Soviet era's most talented writers, snuffed out before his light shone fully.
From Devushka to Babushka, Non-Stop Russian offers a peculiar conundrum when it comes to addressing strangers. We tackle the issue head on.
The Wild Edge Meet Vadim Gorbatov, an artist who explores the wild edge between wilderness and civilization.
Gastronomic Excess Gastronomic excess is well documented in travelers’ accounts of Russian life, so it’s not surprising that Russian literature is also filled with scenes of gourmanderie.
Looking for Athenian Gold Olympic fever is coming! Russia’s team is strong, diverse and well-placed to excel in this summer’s medal race.
The Bear Whisperers The Pazhetnovs rescue abandoned and injured bears, nurse them to health and train them to survive in the wild. Then they let them go.
Planet Hermitage Two score and two centuries ago, Catherine the Great founded a museum. Today, it is a planet unto itself.
Kolyma Gold Siberia’s gold is one of its greatest riches. But that wealth is buried in one of the least hospitable places on Earth.
Village Notes: Ivan Kupala In July it is almost unbearable to be outside at midday, due to the heat and the great gadflies.
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
Saving the Chelyuskin Seventy years ago, the icebreaker Chelyuskin was trapped in arctic ice, its 112 passengers and crew stranded off Chukotka. Then Soviet airmen mounted a daring airborne rescue unlike anything ever before attempted.
Fall in the Morning, Winter in the Afternoon The change from summer to fall invokes many rituals and holidays. The holiday of Pokrov is rich with traditions of marriage.
Books, Virtually Where to find Russian books online, from full-text stories and novels, to real ink and paper books you can order from online stores. For links noted in the article, see: this page.
Living with the White Storks It is the Year of the Stork in Russia. What better reason to hear about this majestic animal’s life cycle as played out in Western Russia?
North to Narym This island of internal exile dates to the tsarist era. Even Stalin was sent here. And it is still quite difficult to get there or away.
The City That Should Not Exist One of the world’s five northernmost cities really should not be there at all. Norilsk is a dirty, cold outpost that is completely dark or totally sunlit much of the year. So why won’t people stop moving there?
The Forgotten Ones By some estimates, there are 2,000,000 orphans in Russia. We look at their lives and some of the things Russians are doing to improve them.
Good Night! Sleep Well! A profile of the beloved children's TV program, Spokoynoy Nochi, which turns 40 this month.
Andrei Platonov The writer Andrei Platonov was a trend unto himself. One of the greatest Russian writers of the 20th century, he did not live to see most of his work published.
Lenten Beef Fish is a staple of the Russian diet. And dried fish - Vyalenaya ryba - occupies a signal position in the fish pantheon. This issue's column looks at the writer Sergei Aksakov's love of fish and offers a wonderful recipe for dried fish.
Nikel for Your Thoughts I flipped a page in the copy of Business Week I was reading. Time stood still. Space tilted.
Saving Baikal You would think it would be easy being the deepest, cleanest, most ecologically diverse lake in the world. But Baikal has had a rough go of it this past century. We report on how a handful of non-profits is working to reverse civilization's assault.
Taste of Russia vs. Ivan the Terrible Several thousand Russophiles braved a Russian hurricane to attend September’s Taste of Russia festival in Amherst, MA.
To Queue or Not to Queue An exploration of the language of queueing in Russia. Lines did not disappear with the end of the Soviet regime, so neither did the language of this cultural institution.
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
For Whom the Bells 75 years ago, the Soviets silenced church bells in Russia. We look at the long history of these musical (and social) instruments.
The One and the Many A review of Andrey Zvyagintsev's movie, new on DVD, "The Return," and a new film, Notes from the Underground. Also briefly reviewed are three CDs.
Bringing in the New Year From her village in the Bryansk region, Laura Williams offers a distinctly rural picture of the New Year's holidays in Russia.
Chechnya: A Gordian Knot In the wake of the Beslan tragedy, we asked noted expert on Chechnya, Alexei Malashenko, to offer some insights on where the conflict is headed and how Russia can solve this problem in the near or long term.
Genius Temporis Victor Pelevin may well be the greatest Russian writer of his generation. Not as he seems to care, though.
Juries on Trial After nearly a 100-year hiatus, jury trials have returned to Russia. The results, as one might expect, have been mixed.
Shooting for Gold The Athens Olympic Games are over. Time for the Monday morning quarterbacking to begin. Here is how the Russian team did, and should have done (includes a special profile of three female gold medalists from Volgograd).
Two Cities: A Tale On Russia’s western frontier, two cities straddle an international border that is less than 15 years old.
Andrei Sakharov Andrei Sakharov was a paragon of dissent in the last years of the Soviet Union. On the 15th anniversary of his birth, we look back at his life and work.
Nutcracker Sweet The holidays are a time for great music and great sweets. So what better time to enjoy a nutty sweet like these Almond Caramels. We offer not only the recipe, but some interesting history of the most famous holiday musical: The Nutcracker.
Inside the Bolshoi The Bolshoi – its very name evokes images of greatness, of an artistic history unequaled anywhere else in the world. We take you behind the scenes.
The Discreet Charm of Avos Fatalism is widely considered one of the most indispensable of Russian character traits. We look at this trait through the lens of "avos".
Responding to Beslan One of the challenges of publishing this magazine is figuring out how to respond to current events. Like Beslan.
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
Fools on the Barricades Our regular contributor, Eric Helque, was in Kiev during the Orange Revolution there in November. He brings back some thoughts from the barricades.
Father Alexander Men A profile of Father Alexander Men, the controversial and path-breaking Orthodox priest, born 70 years ago and murdered in 1990.
1905: The New Year's Blizzard One hundred years ago, Russia stood at the edge of an abyss. Problem was, no one had any idea just how deep it would go.
The Battle on the Ice For the first time in over 100 years, the World Figure Skating Championships are taking place in Russia, home to the world’s best skaters. You won’t believe the back story...
Wicked Cold This 60-year-old piece of fiction by Ilf and Petrov is a our seasonally-appropriate Literary Insert.
Unlikely Visitors A few years ago, I was surprised to find out that Will Rogers had visited the Soviet Union.
The Crimean Conference We explore the events and debates surrounding the important Yalta Conference of 1945, with the help of an anonymous journal.
The Museum of Ballet The Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg was Russia’s first home for ballet. And, despite some difficulties, it may still be truest to the roots of the art.
Last Mic Standing Broadcasters free of state control are as rare in Russia as peach trees in Moscow. Ekho Moskvy Radio is a notable holdout.
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
Off the Record A transcript of a conversation we recently uncovered between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Four books and a CD We review The Five, by Vladimir Jabotinsky, Bobby Fischer Goes to War, A Traveller's Companion to Moscow, Strange Soviet Practices and a CD called Russian Romance.
Off the Beaten Ring The Golden Ring is one of the most famous tourist routes within Russia. Not more than a day from the capital, it offers a glimpse into Russia’s 1000-year-old history. But what if you venture slightly off this well-worn ring?
A Conservatory in Peril The Moscow Conservatory is dangerously threatened by the river above which it floats, and by the bureaucrats who underfinance it.
Exhibitionism: Soviet Style Crafted as a showpiece of communist achievement, today VDNKh is a time-capsule of Soviet kitsch. And yet...
RuNet: A Cyberian Adventure The Internet is becoming an important factor in Russian culture and the Russian economy. We trace its history and plot its future trajectory.
Sergei Yursky A profile of the actor, writer and poet who stood up to the Soviet regime and outlived it in both his art and his life.
Tasty and Healthy Veggie-burgers have a Russian antecedent. We give the recipe, plus some interesting cultural history on cookbooks.
Young Russians We Have Been Watching Four years ago, we profiled 100 Young Russians to Watch in the New Century. We felt it was about time to check back and see how some of them are doing.
Virtual Russian A look at the language (which at times hardly seems like Russian) which reigns on the RuNet.
Calendar Items in Brief Short takes on some historical dates with anniversaries during this issue's publication period.
Thanks, Internet The internet makes this magazine possible. Yet the internet is very much a double-edged sword.
Slava Polunin: The World's Greatest Clown A biography of the amazing performer, whose clowning and shows are like no other.
How Long? Generally speaking, each issue of Russian Life contains about 30,000 words, or around 20-30% of a slim novel.
War and Peace Sixty years ago, the spring of 1945 dawned with hope for a new era, an end to World War, a return to music and dancing...
The Bryansk Forest Sternly Stirred One of the most important fronts in the Great Patriotic War was the one in the forests, villages and fields behind enemy lines – where partisans took on the German War Machine.
Stalin's Folly Why did Stalin stubbornly ignore mounds of intelligence and repeated warnings from his top generals that Hitler was preparing to invade the Soviet Union in June 1941?
Ilya Mechnikov: Scientist from Birth He discovered the link between white blood cells and the body's natural protection against pathogens, and it won him the Nobel.
Spies, Reindeer, Empresses and Partizans Book reviews of Spy Handler, Running with Reindeer, Five Empresses and War in the Wild East. Links are provided here for purchasing these books online.
Remembering a Giant An obituary and tribute to one of the greatest Kremlinologists ever, George F. Kennan
Hearing Voices Three thoughtful young female singer-songwriters reflect the aspirations, moods and emerging worldview of Russia’s youth.
Reindeer Nation Just north of Chita, in Siberia, is a little-known and rapidly diminishing nomad people, the reindeer-herding Kalar Evenks.
War-Torn Language In honor of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, we look at how war language has infiltated the civilian argot.
Fungi are Friends Russians have a special bond with mushrooms that is not paralleled in the West. In this issue, a special recipe for mushroom-stuffed eggs.
What is in a Name? You might have thought that all of the names glorifying Communist "heroes" were eliminated in the wake of the Soviet collapse. If so, you'd be wrong.
False Dmitry I A look at the tsar with an unlikely past and a short but eventful reign during the Time of Troubles, crowned 400 years ago.
Unusual Imports Oil, aluminum, precious metals and other natural resources are commonly-known U.S. imports from Russia. We went in search of lesser-known consumer imports and found some surprising items.
Riding the TransSib Photographer Mike Buscher spent two months riding the Trans-Siberian railway and brings us this photo essay.
The Unhappiest Country Some say that Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, is the unhappiest place on Earth. Or is it?
Back in the USSR Eastern Moldova - also known as the Transdniester Republic - remains wedded to its Soviet past.
Saving the Desman For 30 million years, the desman and its ancestors have lived in remote Russian lakes. But in the last few decades, its numbers have dwindled by half.
War with Japan The last thing Russians wanted after finishing the war with Hitler was another war. But three months later, in August 1945, they got one anyway, when Stalin joined the war against Japan, taking the Kuriles and Sakhalin as spoils.
Train Fare A short look at the history of fare aboard the Trans-Siberian railway, with a recipe for pelmeny you can prepare between stops...
Ski Story A few years ago, I went to buy a new pair of cross-country skis at a little shop in East Montpelier (pop. 2,600). When I learned that one pair (brand name “Maverick”) was made in Russia, that was all I needed to hear.
When P.R. Sounds Like Samovar Many English words and phrases have wedged their way into the Russian vernacular, and not all with benign effect. Witness the effect of P.R...
The Defense of Sevastopol Russian soldiers held off the French at Malakhov Kurgan for 349 days, before it fell, 150 years ago this month. The end of this battle brought an end to the Crimean War.
Vladimir Gilyarovsky He was the first true Russian journalist, and a fantastic storyteller. He brought to light some of society's ills, but also showed what was good in his fellow human.
Three Books and a DVD In this issue's review section, we look at Ludmila Ulitskaya's new novel, "Lyudi Nashevo Tsarya," plus two works of non-fiction: "Moura" and "In the Wake of the Jomon." We also note the release of four works on DVD by Otar Iosseliani, whom we profiled in our Jan/Feb 2004 issue.
To Bathe or Not to Bathe Our neighbor Kalkan has probably been clean and sober only a dozen times in his life. The last time he bathed in a barrel of water warmed in a wood stove he came down with a bad cold and vowed never to do it again.
Spirit Wrestlers of Southern Russia Not many hints remain of Doukhobor culture in Southern Russia. Persecuted in the past for their pacifist beliefs, modern Doukhobors search for an identity in the modern world.
Tiksi or Bust! Each year, just a handful of foreigners sail up the beautiful, broad Lena River. Joshua Hartshorne made the trip and he has sent us this diary of his travels and travails.
Security vs. Democracy Will President Putin introduce direct federal control over the Northern Caucasus? If so, it will be a great loss for Russian democracy.
A Tumultuous Century Begins People always dream of peace and happiness. This was particularly true of Russia 200 years ago, in 1805, half a decade into the new century.
The New, New Year On September 1, 1700, the old way of counting years, starting from the end of fall harvest time, ended, and Russia switched to a New Year that began in January.
Scratch Russian Cuisine Where we go in search of true Tatar cuisine. The recipe is for the savory dish, peremech.
Millennial Kazan Few Russian cities are as old as Kazan, the ancient trading center on the Volga river. We explore the history and social fabric of the Tatar capital.
Insults That Taste Russian Some truly Russian words to toss around when you need a handy insult or diss.
The October Manifesto Russian Democracy found its first legs in the 1905 October Manifesto, issued under duress by Nicholas II. But it would not be enough to ensure Russia a democratic future...
Two Book Reviews We review Olga Grushin's "The Dream Life of Sukhanov" and Hugh Barnes' "Gannibal," plus the Russian film "Nochnoy Dozor."
The Ultimate Choice Ruminations on Mikhail Khodorkovsky's battle with Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.
A Southern City By the Sea Had the tide of history turned just a bit differently, Taganrog could have become Russia’s new capital instead of St. Petersburg. Take a visit to this sleepy southern town on the Sea of Azov.
Alexandrovo Sloboda A history of Ivan the Terrible's retreat to a little village outside Moscow, where he set up the oprichniki and razed boyar power.
Food on the Run A look at Russian fast food over the past century, in honor of our story on the Moscow Metro. The recipe is for toasted sunflower seeds.
Target 8255: The Strangely Lucky Flight of Mathias Rust Nearly 20 years after Mathias Rust landed his Cessna near Red Square, the full story of his flight can be told. In Rust’s first extensive interview about his flight, he recounts amazing details of the event that forever changed the world’s perception of the Soviet Union.
A World Apart For 70 years, the Moscow Metro has pulsed below the surface of the capital, transporting workers and visitors, shoppers and students between stations that look more like palaces than public transport sites.
Searching for Slavkas Chess champions and Russia go together like blini and caviar. Or so it used to be. Russia’s chess world is in crisis after some humiliating losses. What is the next move?
An End to Heresy Archbishop Gennady and the struggle between Church, State and one of the many reasons there was no Reformation in Russia.
Alexander Menshikov Biography of Peter the Great's right hand man, who lived out his final years in disgrace and penury.
Dobychin, Pasternak, Reindeer People and more A review of a collection of stories by Leonid Dobychin, a biography of Pasternak, and a cultural study of the Evenk people of the north.
Electoral Passions On Sunday, December 4, elections were held for the Moscow City Duma. The outcome was a foregone conclusion, but that did not rein in anyone’s political passions.
A Giant's Passing An elegy to one of Russia's greatest modern thinkers, Mikhail Gasparov, who passed away in late 2005.
The Trial of Yevno Azef Double agent or simply agent provocateur? Yevno Azef was one of the first instigators of terrorism and had a life as mysterious as it was despicable.
Never Anyone's Contemporary Osip Mandelstam is widely considered to be the greatest poet of the 20th century, not just in Russia, but in the world.
Spycraft Through Film It would be hard to overestimate the cultural impact of film on Russian culture. We plumb the depths of this phenomenon in this year’s Study Russia section.
Khrushchev's Secret Speech In an interview with the son of Anastas Mikoyan, one of the key players in the 20th Party Congress, we take a trip behind the curtain of Soviet Oz.
A Soup for the New Year Yelena Ivanovna Molokhovets was the author of Russia's most famous cookbook, A Gift to Young Housewives, first published in 1861. Here is a warm duck soup from her book, plus a bit of history on this important tome.
Difficult to be a Writer Forcing our heads down the rabbit hole of history, we gawk in disbelief at Stalin’s phantasmagorical world of denunciations, mass imprisonments and terror.
Half of the Sky A piece of autobiographical fiction about childhood in the Soviet Union, on the day of Leonid Brezhnev’s death.
Ballet Map of Russia Everyone has heard of the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky. But what about the great Perm company? Or those of Buryatia or Kazan? Climb aboard, the tour begins now.
Village Fashion The latest, most up-to-date guide of what to wear down in the village, where there is no bad weather, just bad clothing!
Lefortovo The rise of Lefortovo estate as a center of power and activity under the tsars is hard to imagine, given the current state of the bleak park that now inhabits this Moscow region.
The Union of Salvation The Union of Salvation was the predecessor of the Decembrist movement, doomed by the tsar it sought to serve.
Alexander II sets the course What led Alexander II to become the great Tsar Liberator? What held his predecessors back? The answer in both cases may be simple fear.
Ivan the Terrible, Disabled Orphans, Chernobyl A review of Isabel de Madriaga's "Ivan the Terrible," Ruben Gallego's "White on Black" and Mary Mycio's "Wormwood Forest." Also noted are the new DVD version of Master and Margarita plus two other new books. Follow this link to purchase copies of these books.
Gas Wars In December of last year, Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned gas monopoly, said it would no longer supply Ukraine with gas at the subsidized price of $50 per thousand cubic meters.
Agitprop Trumps Counterespionage The British spy scandal reveals as much about modern Russian counterintelligence as it does about the state of foreign spying in Russia.
Kapustnik: More Than Cabbage Pie It is what Russians call a cabbage pie, while at the same time it is the rather appropriate name given to eclectic, humorous entertainment events, including everything from community “bring in the cabbage” bees to fundraisers for theater actors.
The Land of Wars Straddling the border between Russia and Estonia, nestled along the shores of Lake Peipus, where Alexander Nevsky defeated the Livonians in 1242, lies the ancient region known as Setomaa. Here the dwindling Seto people, renowned for their lyrical singing and hybrid pagan-Orthodox beliefs, struggle to survive the 21st century.
More is Less High-priced four- and five-star hotels are the norm in Moscow and St. Petersburg. So what is a budget-minded, independent traveler to do? Rent an apartment, of course. In our annual Travel Russia section, we talk to agencies about their offerings, review the options and provide everything you need to make your first reservation.
Rebellion in a Naval Fortress The sailors at Kronstadt were some of the staunchest allies of the Bolshevik revolutionaries. And they were one of the first to revolt.
Of Bees and Cabbage Pie Time to bring in the cabbage, and put it in a tasty pie! This column offers a great recipe for a kapustnik (cabbage pie), plus offers a look back at the origin of Russian bees - gatherings for communal labor.
Chernobyl: 20 Years On On April 26, 1986, the Number 4 reactor core at Chernobyl exploded, spewing radiation across Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and much of Europe. It is still the worst nuclear power plant disaster in history. What lessons has Russia learned, and what is the current state of the Russian nuclear power industry?
Chado, the Roving Superdog "A dog is a basic necessity in the village, and the bigger the dog, the better..." But this is not a story about a big dog, at least not physically...
Frittering Away the Harvest A consideration of harvest time naturally leads to this recipe for Olady, or Apple Fritters. Quite tasty they are, too!
The General Zima factor Russians have a love-hate relationship with winter. We look at the ways that the words of winter have invaded the Russian psyche.
The Battle on the Ice Alexander Nevsky's victory over the Livonians on Lake Chudskoye (Peipus) has taken on the status of legend in Russian history. But Nevsky may not be the best of Russian heroes.
Tales of Russian Cities & Conservatism A review of books on Odessa, Palekh and the roots of Russian conservatism. Plus a few odds and ends, including the winner of a new annual Russian to English Translation prize.
The Treasury of Russian Art On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery, we look back at the people and art that have helped this institution endure.
Belarusan Election On March 19, according to official data, current Belarusan President Alexander Lukashenko was reelected with 82% of the popular vote. But many voters disagreed with these results.
A Collector's Passion James Sinclair and his passion for collecting Soviet militaria has led to the preservation of some very unique uniforms from the height of the Stalin era.
Non-Governmental Spies A new Russian law on non-governmental organizations has many in Russia and the West worried about State interference. For instruction, we look at how a similar law has been implemented in neighboring Belarus.
Summer Entertainment Guide Wondering what to read or view this summer? This guide is a start, featuring some of the best fiction for Russophiles out this summer.
If These Walls One hundred years ago, the Smolny Institute was founded. We look back on its influence and what it was like to be a student there.
The Original Slavophiles Ivan and Peter Kireyevsky were typical Russian intellectuals. Except that they weren't...
The Poet of Time Joseph Brodsky was one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. We explore his life and art, with the help of his friends.
A History of the Ruble in Three Acts As we note in our Notebook lead this issue, the Russian government is on a fast track to making the ruble fully convertible. For our PostScript, we review the history of the ruble's decline and fall, with attractive graphs!
Setting the Bar High Athleticisms, particularly those from the realm of track and field, are rich in the Russian language.
The Victory That Wasn't In 1916, the Brusilov Offensive was a surprise breakthrough on the Russian-Austrian front. Had those in command recognized its potential, WWI could have had a very different outcome.
Writers at War, Putin and a River Adventure A review of Ivan's War, A Writer at War, Putin's Russia, and River of No Reprieve. Follow this link for a quick link to purchase any of these titles.
The Wonders of Kamchatka In the first of a two-part series, we explore the villages, geysers, volcanoes, flora and fauna of Russia’s wildest peninsula.
The Spies Who Loved They betrayed their country and helped the Soviet Union get the bomb. But this couple never became famous, like the Rosenbergs. Perhaps that is because they got away, almost...
The Stuff of Folk Songs Ryabina is the stuff of Russian song and folklore. Here, it is the focus for this issue's snowball berry red recipe...
The Celebration of Summer Ivan Kupala is the annual celebration of Summer Solstice. It has deep roots in Russia's pagan past, and is making a comeback.
The First Public Library The founding of the first public library on the campus of Moscow State University was a momentus event for lovers of books and knowledge. The library's history echoes that of the nation.
Village Injustice This modern tale of two hapless village drunks and their run-in with the Russian justice system could be taken out of Chekhov. But, sadly, it is non-fiction.
The Babushka Factor Every foreigner knows the word "babushka" before they even start studying Russian. But it takes some study (or this column) to plumb the depths of meaning hidden in this word.
Knights of the Don For centuries, the Don Cossacks guarded Russia’s borders, fought its enemies, explored its nether reaches. Fiercely independent and the source of much historical controversy, these warriors are an inalienable part of Rus.
A Hetman Builds a Nation To the West, another Cossack, Bogdan Khmelnytsky, forged the nation that became Ukraine, in the process binding it to its larger, eastern neighbor.
Ivan Kruzenshtern Russia's first (actually, technically its second) circumnavigator was an fearless explorer who often put up with some difficult diplomats, like Nikolai Rezanov.
Moscow The Expensive There are really two Moscows: one for expats and one for residents, but both are expensive.
Back to School Looking back on how the first day of school (and the school year) has changed since the Soviet era.
1956 A snapshot of the year of our magazine’s birth: a time of Virgin Lands, upheaval in Eastern Europe and friendship with China.
The Bering Strait The "discovery" of the Bering Strait happened well before Vitus Bering passed through its icy narrows.
Dmitry Shostakovich A short biography of the composer whose life was continually challenged by the Powers That Be.
The Soviet Table A consideration of how much Russian cuisine has changed since the Soviet era, when the magazine was founded.
Drawing Russia A century and a half ago, stereotypes of Russia were first being formed in the American media – in political cartoons.
The Year of the Family What happens when a tabloid goes in search of the “typical” Russian family? A short story by a popular contemporary novelist.
The Loud American Fyodor Tolstoy was loud, eccentric and legendary, always at the center of scandal. So infamous were his life and escapades, that he was immortalized in some of the most famous works of Russian literature.
Leaving with Style What do you do when you are a forty-something translator and forced to attend a Madonna concert?
Bolotnikov's Rebellion Four hundred years ago, a rebellion to put False Dmitry II on the throne almost succeeded. Led by Ivan Bolotnikov, a colorful peasant, it laid seige to Moscow and relied on subversive distribution of propaganda.
A Taste of the Wild Want a fresh taste of Kamchatka? Then it has to be salmon. Here we consider the many different Russian words for salmon and offer a great recipe for flash-freezing the delicacy.
Anna Politkovskaya Murdered We report on the signal assassination of leading investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya.
The Barefoot Shoemaker Despite having some of the world's largest oil and gas reserves and being a huge energy exporter, Russia faces the prospect of energy shortages this winter and many winters to come.
Watering the Seeds of Fascism What happened in the Karelian town of Kondopoga in September, and is it a sign of things to come?
St. Petersburg's Reclusive Genius Russian scientist Grigory Perelman was offered the world’s top math honor. So why did he turn it down?
Bears in the Mist Exploring the wilds of Kamchatka, home to an amazing concentration of bears, geysers and natural beauty.
1991: The View From Moscow Fifteen years ago, the Soviet Union imploded just before it was to be renewed. We look back.
Spetsluzhb Goes to the Movies The FSB (heir to the KGB) has been influencing Russia’s recent film releases. Propaganda is new again.
Wartime Films and Wartime Spies A review of Michael Occleshaw's "Dances in Deep Shadows" and Denise Youngblood's "Russian War Films."
Thinking About a Successor A round up of the top contenders (at present) for the presidential race of 2008, including bookie ratings.
Please to the Internet! A survey of online purveyors of Russian foods yields a diverse repast with varying levels of service.
Game Over Russia is banning gambling in the cities. What is next? Apparently a Las Vegas in Siberia...
Smoke of the Motherland Well over half of all Russians smoke, and a third of the country’s deaths are smoking-related. And you thought vodka was a problem.
Rediscovering Antarctica Nearly two centuries after discovering Antarctica’s frigid frontiers, Russia is hoping its oil-forged riches can help it reclaim its position as the southern continent’s leading explorer.
Pyotr Semyonov-Tyanshansky A great explorer and reformist politician, Pyotr Semyonov-Tyanshansky was one of the last of his breed.
Pushkin's Death Looking at the place of Pushkin in the Russian psyche, on the anniversary of the poet's tragic death.
1937: A Year Soaked in Blood Seventy years ago, Russia was on the verge of a horrific bloodletting, a purge of society so monumental that its effects are still felt.
Salt Town Solikamsk was once a rich mining town, full of architectural gems. Today it is withering, yet some still hope to turn it into the next Suzdal.
The Execution of Lady Hamilton Descended from Scots, she was once Tsar Peter’s mistress. But her life ended on a scaffold.
Freedoms Found and Lost Fifteen years ago, Russia had the makings of a free press for the first time in its history. Nine years later, the winds began to change.
Stalin's Wars and Stalin's Guerrillas We review books on Stalin's military leadership, on the partizans and on vodka, as well as three great new DVDs.
A Real Prokhorovshchina "Whenever I travel abroad," writes our commentator, "I try not to run into fellow Russians..."
Surkov's National Idea Vladislav Surkov is the Kremlin's chief ideologist. And his thoughts and speeches are now being used to teach university students about the new National Idea.
Running from Stalin Svetlana Alliluyeva's tortured life as Stalin's daughter is recalled on the anniversary of her return to the Soviet Union in 1984.
When Things Fall Apart The March revolution of 1917 set the stage for the Bolshevik coup in November. We look back at those fateful days with a chronicle which features the words and images of people who were there.
Exploring the Lower Depths Khitrovka is more than just a historic location in Old Moscow. The mere name evokes the seamier side of life in the capital around the turn of the last century. Yet seaminess does not quickly fade.
The Taganka's Master Thirty years ago, a daring and amazing interpretation of The Master and Margarita was staged at Moscow's Taganka Theater.
Of Pigs and Oranges It is the Year of the Pig, so what better time to consider the influence of porcine phrases and words on the Russian language?
Built on Ice and Bones Built by gulag internees, Norilsk is one of the world’s northernmost cities. It also sits atop one of Earth’s richest mineral lodes, in clouds of the world’s most harmful pollutants.
Looking for Connections A consideration of some seemingly disparate, yet intrinsically linked events and facts.
A Pie Filled With Nostalgia A look at chebureki - Tatar meat pies that are so beloved that poems have been written about them!
Spies, Rebels, Ilf & Petrov and a Slynx A incredible new reference work on spies, an account of the Potemkin mutiny, a 1930s travelogue of the US by two of the greatest Soviet writers, and a novel by Tatyana Tolstaya are the books reviewed this issue. Oh, and several new travel guides as well.
Barclay de Tolly A profile of the unrecognized hero of the war of 1812. It was he, not Kutuzov, who was the architect of Russia's retreat and victory. So whyhas Kutuzov gotten all the glory?
The Seven Years War This long European war was not Russia's fight. But of course it did not sit on the sidelines, despite much turmoil at court during these turning point years in Russian history.
Pushkin's Other Square A look at the other Pushkin statue: the one in his hometown, which was erected on the 250th anniversary (celebrated 4 years late) of St. Petersburg's birth.
Philsophy and Architecture We review Motherland: A Philosophilcal History of Russia, and Russian Architecture and the West, both invaluable books for the Russophile. Plus we note the winner of this year's Rossica Translation Prize. Follow this link for links to purchase books reviewed in this and previous issues.
Culinary Detente A wonderful recipe for shortbread almond cookies, which just happen to have a Cold War history to them.
Farewell to a Maverick We bid farewell to the First President of Russia, with some pithy and fascinating quotes from those who knew and claimed to know him.
Something About Nothing A consideration of the number 0 in Russian and how to make something from nil.
A Russian Feminist Anna Filosofova was born in 1837 and lived in 1912. She was one of Russia's first and most successful feminists.
Russian Sitka Nestled between the mountains and the sea, this unassuming harbor town was for sixty years the capital of Russian America. Today, 140 years on, there is still a strong Russian imprint in this former colonial outpost.
A New Art: Theater and the 18-hour Meal When Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko met for their famous 18-hour meal in the summer of 1897, they could hardly have known they would change theater forever.
A Russian Village in Connecticut After fleeing the Bolshevik Revolution, a handful of Russian émigrés sought to build a utopian artistic community in southern Connecticut.
The Arbitrary and the Inevitable Igor Stravinsky was one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. And, though he lived most of his life in France and the U.S., he was Russian to the core. This year is the 125th anniversary of his birth.
The Nabokov Code Vladimir Nabokov was a multi-faceted genius. Gifted in lepidoptery, chess, translation and criticism, he was also one of the best writers of the 20th century – in both Russian and English.
The Bug that Brought Russia to its Knees Just under a century ago, a nefarious pest migrated (thanks to war and industrial farming) from the southwestern U.S. to the Russian heartland. Ever since, potatoes – a staple in the Russian diet also brought from the Americas – have been under siege.
Like a Good Neighbor There are good neighbors and there are bad neighbors. In this linguistic diversion, we peer under the hood for useful phrases in dealing with either sort.
A Monumental Anniversary Two hundred years ago this summer, Russia and the U.S. first established diplomatic relations.
Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves A crime is committed in Laura's village by some wandering gypsies. So her husband takes the law into his own hands...
Russian Worldview, Rafting, and Sophia Tolstaya We review a new book on Sophia Tolstoy's photography hobby, an excellent translation of Andrei Sinyavsky's book on Russian folk belief, and a great armchair travel book on rafting down one of the world's wildest rivers.
An Animating Genius A look back at the life of Alexander Tatarsky, a genius of Russian animation who passed away this summer.
Tempest in a Teapot A look at the present Russo-British spy spat in the context of a long bilateral history of bumpy relations.
Space Food The history of food in space, through Russian eyes. Plus a great recipe for an Apple Zefir so light and ethereral it will make you feel like it floats.
An Inspired Publisher: Alexander Smirdin Alexander Smirdin was one of Russia's first, great publishers. He loved books more than money and that may have brought about his ruin.
Sputnik: The Satellite That Changed Everything Beep... beep... beep... In October 1957, a tiny satellite sailed round and round the Earth. Launched from Russia, it kicked off the Space Race and changed how we viewed our world and Russian science.
Sochi 2014: Russia's New National Idea Some 90 years after the first modern Winter Olympics, Russia, likely the country most identified with winter, will finally host its first Winter Olympic Games. Now it's time to get building.
Colonial Russia Perched on the rocky cliffs of California's Pacific coast is Fort Ross, a National Park commemorating the southernmost point of Russian colonial settlement in the Americas. Each July, thousands flock to the Fort for an annual celebration.
The Poet of Passions Marina Tsvetaeva was born to wealth, but her adult life was shaped by hardship and tragedy. For this reason, her literary work is all the more passionate and enthralling.
Borshch For the Russian Soul Russia has ever been suspicious of modern psychotherapy, and the Soviet regime had its own way of dealing with (and defining) mental illness, which made it something of an international pariah. Luckily, those days are behind us... or are they?
Saving the Amur Tiger The magisterial tigers of Russia's Far East are on the brink of extinction. Threats to their survival are legion: from poachers to Chinese "healers" to nervous villagers to corrupt bureaucrats. All told, just a few hundred Amur Tigers remain in the wild.
The Difficulty of Being Oligarchic On the Uzbek-born oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who has made headlines of late from his acquisition of works of art and cartoons in the name of the Homeland.
Mojitos in Moscow A look at some of Moscow's new upscale restaurants, where style and good food go hand in hand.
Soviet Images, Baikal and Chekhov Books on Soviet era photography, Lake Baikal, Private Life under Stalin, Chekhov and Literary St. Petersburg, as well as a DVD on Russian prisons.
A Church at the End of the Earth Antarctica's Church of the Holy Trinity is perhaps the world's most remote Russian Orthodox Church
When Things Fell Apart A chronicle of the days surrounding the 1917 revolution, in the words and thoughts of those who lived through it.
Children of the Gulag Millions of adults suffered in the horror that was the Gulag. But what of the children they left behind? What became of them? How did they survive the loss of parents and loved ones?
The Russian Pompadour Ivan Shuvalov was Empress Elizabeth's confidant, lover and aide. But he was also an impressively modest patron of the arts and education.
Their Lives for Their Art In several small craft villages surrounding the capital, artisans struggle against the pressures of capitalism and the legacy of gigantism to preserve both their art and their way of life.
The Tver Uprising The uprising in Tver in December 1327 was a final straw leading to the consolidation of power in Moscow.
Samuil Marshak A reflection on the life and influence of this Soviet-era poet, translator and writer.
Worms for Snacks Have you ever put your teeth on a shelf? This issue's Survival Russian column looks at the language of hunger...
Island of Tragic Beauty Off the remote northeastern coast of Chukotka lies the severe outpost that is Wrangel Island. Home to polar bears, musk ox and ghosts of wily explorers, reachable only by ice breakers or dogsleds, the island has long been a source of fascination and mystery.
Art and Destiny A look at the life and achievements of Igor Moiseyev, and its uncanny parallels with that of Leni Riefenstahl.
Rostropovich, Chechnya and Pushkin A review of recent books on Mstislav Rostropovich, Chechnya and the future of Russia, plus a new translation of Pushkin's The Captain's Daughter.
The Jewish King of the Samoyed He was a Jew who fled Portugal, failed at business in Hamburg and ended up in Russia. So of course he was the logical choice to become Peter the Great's new King of the Samoyed.
Confessions of an Illegal He lived secretly in the West under deep cover, working in offices, at dry cleaners, as a trade representative. He gathered intelligence deemed critical to the Soviet state. Now, he's talking to us.
Blackened Sea A sea storm in the Strait of Kerch sank or damaged a total of 12 ships in November, killing six sailors and releasing over 3000 tons of fuel oil and 6.5 thousand tons of sulfur into the water...
Of Tatyana, Comets and Champagne A consideration of fashionable foods from Onegin's era, and particularly Russian and French champagnes of a particular vintage.
Reconnecting Adoptees Russia remains one of America's largest sources of foreign adoption. Now, after more than a decade of cross-cultural adoptions, thousands of children from Russia are bound to begin wondering about their roots. Some, in fact, are already digging.
Six Years That Shook the World In which we look back at the heroes and Herods of the era of perestroika, tracking many of them down, to see where life has taken them these last 20 years.
A Lucky Filmmaker Grigory Alexandrov, born 1903, was a pathbreaking filmmaker who enjoyed incredible success and fame for his first three films, but it was a fame he never recaptured.
From Julian to Gregory Eighty years ago, Russia finally adopted the Gregorian calendar. Well, almost. The ROC never got on board and then there is history to deal with, and its difficult 12-day gap.
Celebrating Studenthood A look at the history and practice of St. Tatyana's Day, the day each year which students celebrate their studenthood.
President Medvedev A brief consideration of the new president, Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, his past, his interests, and scandals he has weathered.
The 25-year Coat The acquisition of a shuba for his wife on their 25th anniversary leads Ivanov down a trail littered with fish and tsars...
Optina Pustyn: The Forest Retreat It began as a simple monastic retreat in the forests of Kaluga region. By the mid-19th century, Optina Pustyn had become one of the most important religious sites in all of Russia. Today, the monastery and hermitage are struggling to rebuild after decades of neglect.
Remembrance of Breads Past A rediscovery and a remake of the most Russian of Russian breads: Borodinsky.
The Aspirations of Youth Tsar Alexander's speech to the Polish Sejm in 1818 set off a century of turmoil. Poland was given freedoms which Russia somehow was not deserving of. It helped spur the Decembrist revolt and all that followed.
Nostalgia in the Internet Age Online social networking is booming in Russia today. Former classmates, army buddies and summer flames are seeking each other out, reconnecting after years apart. These are a few of their stories.
Ryazan: Gateway to the Russian Heartland If you want to understand Russia, you have to leave Moscow and St. Petersburg behind and visit the towns and villages of the heartland. And it would be hard to find a better place to start than Ryazan. An added plus: it is just 200 km from Moscow.
Storks, Pravda, Bolsheviks and Stalin's Children A quick review of several worthy books, including a reissue of an Akhmatova classic, a massive tome on childhood under the Soviets, a modern fiction masterpiece, and Laura Williams' new memoir.
The Unseemly Holiday Where did this holiday come from? Why does Russia still celebrate it? How did it survive the Soviet collapse?
Rural Medicine: Remedies and Realities Columnist Laura Williams recounts in run-ins with the Russian health care system, village-style.
Our Naked Army ** With great pomp and circumstance, it was announced in January that the Russian military would be getting new dress uniforms, designed by Valentin Yudashkin. We asked a noted military observer to comment.
Preserving 1000 Years of Russian Art This revered museum is the world’s largest repository of Russian art. Often overshadowed by the Hermitage, this 110-year-old institution may be one of St. Petersburg’s best kept secrets. But it is not to be missed. In fact, if you visit St. Petersburg and miss the Russian Museum, it is like going to Moscow and skipping Red Square.
Between Glinka & Silvestrov A prolific composer and masterful performer, Sergei Rachmaninov bridged musical eras and national cultures. Indeed, his name is synonymous with 20th century classical music in the U.S., Russia and?Europe. Yet the irony is that Rachmaninov might have felt more at home in the 19th century –?as long as there were cars.
Russian Food With a Twist At Moscow's fashionable GQ Bar, Chef Konstantin Ivlev cooks up a new style of Russian cuisine. Here we present a flashy Baked Chicken Breast with Garlic, Potatoes and Truffles.
The Tauride Connection In April 1783, Russia annexed the Crimea. We look back at the Khan who enabled enabled it, and his ignominious fate.
Two Bears in One Den In honor of the rise to power of the bear president (Medvedev), Mikhail Ivanov looks at bearisms in the Russian language.
Floating Churches If the people can't come to church, then it may be time to take the church to the people. Alexander Mozhayev takes us on a visit to a church that makes its home along the river, aboard a converted barge.
Crossing Russia by Boat Nearly four decades ago, some intrepid adventurers came up with the idea to cross Russia by river. Nora Favorov recounts some of the highlights of their four-month, 14,000 kilometer odyssey.
Russian Vancouver Had history taken a different turn, today's western reaches of British Columbia might instead by the southeastern tip of the Russian empire. Nathaniel Christopher explores the impression Russia left behind in Vancouver and British Columbia.
Torzhok: Ancient Crossroads This ancient river town long stood at the crossroads of Russian commerce and travel. It may even have once saved Rus' from the Horde. Today, it has a more modest goal: reclaiming its heritage and becoming a thriving tourist destination.
Cold War, Terrorism and Culture Review of The New Cold War, The Magical Chorus, Angel of Vengeance and The Silencing. Plus a look at two fine new language learning books.
A Tale of Two Bottles Two graphic turning points in my life - both, as it turns out, had to do with a bottle.
The Tunguska X-File What really happened over the Podkamennaya Tunguska river on June 30, 1908? And why do people get so obsessed about it?
The First Woman in Space Never "one of the boys," Valentina Tereshkova became an icon, a symbol for Soviet space achievements. But she only ever went into space once.
Independence Day It did not seem like such a big deal at the time, Russia declaring its sovereignty on June 12, 1992. Everyone was doing. Maybe that is why so few people can remember the holiday now...
A Metaphorical Net Game Russia this spring won a series of notable victories on the international stage.
Far & Away A consideration of the many Russia ways to signify the boondocks, the middle-of-nowhere, etc.
Long Jump Queen Tatiana Lebedeva is a lieutenant colonel in the Russian Army, and one of Russia’s best hopes for gold in two long jump events.
Russia's First Gold Medalist A look back at the first Russian Olympic Gold Medalist, Nikolai Panin-Kolomenkin.
Olga's Ferment Mead has a long history in Russian culture and, it turns out, diplomacy. Join us in a round of cranberry mead.
Small is Beautiful The tentacles of Russian software outsourcing are everywhere. Even in tiny Montpelier, Vermont, where Russian Life has its publishing offices.
Selling RussiaWare Russia has one of the world’s most scientifically advanced work forces. Which makes it a natural to take advantage of the global software?outsourcing surge.
August in Beijing Hot August days and nights await athletes heading to China for this summer’s Olympic games. We survey Russia’s top medal hopes.
Angels, Mafia and Pushkin Reviews of: The Angel of Grozny, Investigating the Russian Mafia, Young Pushkin, The Pearl, and History of Music in Russia from Antiquity to 1800
Digging up the Past Forty-six years ago this summer, the Soviet Union was rocked by its largest mass protest. Dozens died, but only recently have the facts become known.
PostScript A few choice quotes from June's St. Petersburg Economic Forum, where everybody who was anybody was on display...
Tsarevich Alexei What is it like to grow up with four older sisters? To be treated constantly as an invalid, while knowing you are heir to one of the most powerful monarchies on Earth?
Peter and Paul Day For most people who grew up in the cities of the Soviet Union, July 12th was a summer day like any other...
Mustache Wise Whenever I "hide a smile in my mustache," a certain old friend from across the ocean feels uneasy and nervous...
The First Ambassador America sent its first ambassador to Russia 200 years ago. He would go on to become the sixth U.S. president.
Simple Gifts Sorrel Soup is this issue's recipe, provided by a Moscow restaurant that believes simple is better...
To Live Not By Lies A few hundred words in this space cannot begin to do justice to the life and work of author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
Russian Woodstocks With each passing year, Russia's summer festivals are gaining ground as alternatives to the stifled city music scene...
Bottling Dreams French champagne is bubbling on the Black Sea coast. A hundred-year-old winery strives to make a respectable vintage in time for the 2014 Olympic games.
Russian Art Boom It may seem like the latest fad, yet the explosion of interest in Russian art has been 20 years in the making. And has far from peaked...
Aleksei Fyodorovich Losev The philosopher and historian who captivated young Soviet minds... and his inexplicable beliefs.
Tsar David This is the centennial of David Oistrakh, who some way was the greatest violinist of the 20th century.
October Days A look back at the tumultuous battle between President Yeltsin and the recalcitrant Duma of 1993, which lead to the shelling of parliament.
One Century in the Life of Aleksandr Isayevich A nostalgic look back on the life of Solzhenitsyn, and how it affected one Russian writer.
Lyceum Day Each year, on October 19, students in Russia celebrate the beginning of higher education in the country, in 1811.
Knees Made for Dancing Where we consider the role of knees in the Russian language. Very important, just ask Nikita Sergeyevich...
Underground Novelist Dmitry Glukhovsky is a rising young Russian writer, savvy to the ways of marketing and self-promotion. He also has a canny sense for tapping into an important aspect of the Russian psyche.
Ballet Bastion St. Petersburg’s Vaganova Ballet School is the world’s oldest and purest classical dance training ground.?It is also a secretive, conservative bastion, protecting classical traditions in a world of change.
Proletarian Delights "Raw beets and carrots," Ninotcha said in the eponymous film, when asked what she wants to eat. "This is a restaurant, not a pasture," the maitre de responds. What an appropriate segue into this issue's recipe for a tasty beet and carrot salad...
Imagining the Enemy Where we consider how Russians have been portrayed in American film over the past century – from Marlene Dietrich to Sean Connery. It turns out this may tell us more about America than about Russia.
Capitals, Oligarchs and Cats A review of a new book on the Silver Age, another on a Potato Oligarch, and two children's books, including one about a cat...
Before the Fall Natalia Strelkova was an American living in Moscow in the late 1960s... this is the story of her run-in with our magazine's predecessor, Soviet Life.
New Year's: From Pagan to Present A consideration of the roots of Russia's modern three week binge between Western Christmas and Russian Old New Year...
Post-Soviet Dominoes? After the Georgia War, Russia-watchers are wondering who will be next. All eyes have turned to Ukraine. The location of ethnic Russian populations in "near abroad" states is considered...
Being Turgenev Ivan Turgenev is seen differently in the West versus in Russia. In Russia, his prose is often clouded by his "social concern" and the drowning of a puppy.
The Tehran Conference In the dark and cold days of late November and early December 1943, Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt met in Tehran to begin dividing up the post-war world. Translator Valentin Berezhkov was caught in the middle.
Into the Wild The Pazhetnov family saves bears. They have been doing it for years, raising cubs and releasing them back into the wild. This fall, Editor Maria Antonova went along for the ride.
Islands of Mystery The Solovetsky Islands ("Solovki") have long been a part of the Russian landscape. First inhabited as an Orthodox refuge and monastery, the latter was transformed by the Soviets into the first camp for political prisoners. Today, it is a booming tourist mecca. Editor Maria Antonova went to investigate.
Obama's Russia Policy We consider what changes might occur in US-Russian relations under an Obama administration, through edited congressional testimony of a campaign advisor to Barack Obama.
The Evil That Runs Through Men's Hearts Five new books that touch, in various ways, on the evil chapters of Soviet and Russian history over the last 100 or so years.
Under My Chum The assignment sounded simple enough: provide medical and cultural support to a small, indigenous population... But it was in the remote Kanin Peninsula, between the Arctic and Barents Seas. Nikolai Gernet nonetheless jumped at the opportunity and brought back this story of the nomadic Nenets reindeer herders.
Culture Wars The Kremlin's reassertion of control over the mass media has gotten plenty of press. Much less has been written about its forays into the arts - specifically, how the Kremlin is seeking to influence film, literature and art. We decided to look into it.
In Search of Bards To paraphrase Pushkin, "In Russia, a bard is much more than a bard." We look back at the bardic tradition (singer-songwriters) in Russian culture and find that not all is what it seems. Or, to paraphrase Pushkin again, "In Russia, a bard is often less than a bard."
Iconic Controversy The Orthodox Church in September asked the Tretyakov it if could borrow Andrei Rublyov's famous Trinity icon for a religious service in Sergiyev Posad. It touched off a controversy over whether the icon is art or artifact...
Boris Savinkov: Russian Terrorist One of the first Russian proponents of terrorism and "strong" leadership was born 130 years ago in January.
Afghanistan: Distant Drums This February is the 20th anniversary of the final withdrawal of Russian troops from Afghanistan.
Lev Landau: Impure Science 101 years ago in January, Nobel Prize winning physicist Lev Landau was born. His life was one of great achievement and controversy.
Verses, Vodka and Royalty Reviews of Verses and Versions; The King of Vodka; The Last Days of the Romanovs; The Rebellion of Ronald Reagan. Plus brief reviews of some potboiler thrillers, some worthy, some not so much.
Uchites 02 The second edition of our Uchites language insert, sponsored by Russkiy Mir Foundation, uses the life and works of Nikolai Gogol to explore grammar, build vocabulary and facility in reading Russian.
Soaping Your Way This issue's Survival Russian column looks at the clean (and less than so) metaphors that arise from soap...
Murder in Broad Daylight The murders of lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova in the context of the endangered climate for journalism in Russia.
After the Crisis Russia needs to prepare now for the post-recession world, by looking at how it supports and invests in Russian industry, particularly in the natural resource sphere.
Baltic Outpost Kaliningrad is unlike anywhere else in Russia. Half German, half Russian, it perches on the Baltic coast, uncertain where the winds of history might blow it.
Dead Souls for Two Metronomes From Gogol's work have arisen some truly great works of music. We look at the composers he influenced and the music they have offered.
Understanding Gogol Recognized soon after his first publication as a writer of great promise, Gogol went on to prove the critics right, and to create a body of work that has no equal in the Russian pantheon. This April (or March, depending on your calendar) is his bicentenary.
The Hunger Artist Gogol's writing is intensely sensual - full of rich tastes, smells, sights and sounds. We consider how his fixation on food and digestion influenced his storytelling, how, as Nabokov put it, "the belly is the belle of his stories."
Terrible's Father It was the fate of Grand Prince Vasily III to be squeezed into history between two more famous men - one great, one terrible, and both named Ivan.
Going Green in St. Petersburg Sustainable, organic and green cuisine comes to St. Petersburg. Our recipe: Lentil Soup.
Art Repatriated Russia is quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) searching out and bringing home lost treasures. This is the story of one of those quests - to return to Russia a rather amazing and singular collection.
825 Yards for Barack The financial crisis offers a pretext to return to a consideration of "despicable metal" and how it is influencing Russian speech.
Deconstructing Dashkova If we look closely at Dashkova, one of the most famous women in Russian history, we find that things are not as clear as we imagined. In fact, we get the impression that much of Dashkova's life was filled with heartbreak and sorrow.
Arrival of Russian Democracy In the spring of 1989, election fever swept through Russia - a country well experienced in elections, just not free and open ones...
Into the Screening Room Where we review four recent films from or about Russia and a new television series appearing on PBS.
Faith in Progress One fine spring day, a new telephone appeared in the village of Chukhrai. A beautiful thing. But it connected to no one or no thing.
Uchites 03 The third edition of our Uchites language insert, sponsored by Russkiy Mir Foundation, uses the theme of plagiarism to explore grammar, build vocabulary and facility in reading Russian.
Olympian Drama The mayoral election in Sochi sets the stage for the 2014 Winter Olympics, and for municipal democracy.
Completing the Circle We check back in with Nikolai Gernet, on how the economic crisis is affecting Arkhangelsk oblast.
Cultural Clones Be it in films, literature, television, music or art, Russia has a long tradition of cloning western (and eastern) cultural icons and making them its own. We survey several of the more interesting and recent instances, from Alice in Wonderland and Winnie the Pooh, to The Wheel of Fortune and Big Brother.
Zaryade: Moscow Quiet Nook A cobblestone’s throw from the Kremlin walls, there was once a rabbit-warren of crooked streets and tall buildings called Zaryade. For a time, it was the capital's Old Town and considered a prestigious place of residence. Neglected, the area deteriorated in the 20th century and most of it was torn down. But the memories remain.
Meals from the Heart Sometimes the simplest foods offer the most sublime and satisfying of gustatory experiences.
100 Things Everyone Should Know About Russia In honor of this, our 100th issue since July 1995, we went in search of 100 Things Everyone Should Know About Russia. We returned with over 300 and packed them into this colorful, browsable feature. Time to test yourself! The 16-page feature includes contributions from Stanislav Shvabrin, John Freedman, Maria Antonova, Darra Goldstein, Jeanmarie Rouhier-Willoughby, Tamara Eidelman, Marcus Levitt and Laura Williams, with wonderful original illustrations by Katya Korobkina.
The Deportation of Peoples This is the 55th anniversary of the peak period of Soviet deportation of national groups.
Poltava Russia's victory over Sweden at the Battle of Poltava was geopolitically very significant, while the feast that took place amid the carnage was obscene...
Sergius of Radonezh What do we really know about Sergius of Radonezh, Russia's patron saint? What is he venerated for, and why?
Summer Reading Selections include: The Russian Dreambook of Colour and Flight; Londongrad; Kamchatka; Red Sky, Black Death; Wave of Terror; Ballerina (DVD)
Uchites 04 The fourth edition of our Uchites language insert, sponsored by Russkiy Mir Foundation, uses the theme of media and news to explore grammar, build vocabulary and facility in reading Russian.
Singing in the Rain Forecasting the weather in Russia is a national sport. And a fertile ground for linguistic growth.
Khrushchev v. Nixon John Jacobs was press officer for the first ever American Exhibit in Moscow. He offers a first-hand view of the Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate.
Walking for the Tsar Ninety years after their assassination in Yekaterinburg, the Romanov Royal Family has become an object of intense devotion and veneration.
The 1959 Kitchen Debate Fifty years ago this summer, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and American Vice President Richard Nixon sparred before the media, debating the merits of Capitalism versus Communism on the site of the first-ever American Exhibition in Moscow. It set the stage for 40 years of cultural exchanged.
We Have No News... Vladimir Mukusev, once a media star, has been persona non grata on Russian television for a decade. We hand him a mike.
Farm Preserves While variety may be the spice of life, it is the simplest food that fosters friendship, especially when it is offered from the heart. Columnist Darra Goldstein remembers her time as a guide at a US Exhibit in Moscow and shares a recipe for salted mushrooms.
The Beauty Hunter Anton Alfer has a problem. He is a model scout in the land of models. Fifty percent of the world's top models issue from the former Soviet Union. Alfer has to choose which girls will make it and which won't.
Soviet Karelia Eighty years ago, thousands of Finns who had emigrated to America were convinced to return east, to create a new, Finnish homeland in the Soviet Republic of Karelia. Things did not work out exactly as planned.
Alexander Godunov The god-like ballet dancer Alexander Godunov defected on August 23, 1979. It was a dramatic event, riveting the world for 3 days. And Godunov did not fare so well in the US after his defection.
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact In the spring of 1939, world war appeared inevitable. Hitler was on the march in Europe and the Soviet Union was looking to avoid war for as long as possible. By August, Stalin had decide to cast his lot with Hitler...
Socialist Realism Socialist Realism, a new art form devised by Stalin and Maxim Gorky, was pronounced to the world as the henceforth official path of Soviet art in August 1934. We look back...
Uchites 05 The fifth edition of our Uchites language insert, sponsored by Russkiy Mir Foundation, uses the life and work of Andrei Platonov to develop vocabulary, explore verb aspect and several issues of grammar.
Gogol 101 In which columnist Mikhail Ivanov impresses upon his son the importance of reading Gogol, sharing several important Gogolisms along the way.
Pity the Miliman When Denis Yevsyukov went on a shooting rampage in a Moscow supermarket, it turned public (and presidential) attention toward the most corrupt of Russia's public institutions.
Paratrooper's Day August 2 is Paratroopers' Day. Which means lots of striped-shirted guys bathing in Moscow fountains...
Spies, Shostakovich and Gagarin's Grandson Reviews of the film Gagarin's Grandson, the PBS series Keeping Score, as well as the books The Lost Spy, Spymaster, Everything Flows, A Hero of Our Time and Trotsky.
After I Leave, I'll Send You a Cup of Joe Where we look at the impact and impressions of Vice President Joe Biden's speech dissing Russia and its place in the world, just days after President Obama left Moscow and the "feel-good summit" with President Medvedev.
Warm Music of Uryanhai The mountainous, remote region of Tuva tends to be known for just two things:?postage stamps and throat singing. We take up the latter in our visit with four internationally renowned throat singers from Tuva, to find out what makes them tick... and sing.
The Hotline In which we explode yet another myth. The Washington-Moscow Hotline does not employ glowing red telephones and is actually very rarely used. Yet it is still a fascinating institution, one apparently designed to sidestep common human shortcomings.
Moscow to Vladivostok Few trips anywhere in the world rival the Trans-Siberian Railway. A six-day, seven-night, 9250 kilometer-long trip across the girth of the world’s largest country, it is also, as novelist Peter Aleshkovsky found, a trip into Russia’s past.
Baron Shafirov's Finest Hour Baron Peter Shafirov was a little-known hero of Russian diplomacy who also happened to be a Jew converted to Orthodoxy. He helped guide statecraft under Peter the Great, was richly rewarded and, later, soundly vilified, his in-and-out-of-favor career reflecting the tumultuous times in which he lived.
Andrei Platonov Andrei Platonov was born to be a Bolshevik. And also one of the 20th century's greatest writers. He soon broke with the Party and had a tortured relationship with his art. He died in poverty.
Southern Comforts Boris Kustodiev's "Merchant's Wife at Tea" is the takeoff point for a discourse on revolution, nobility and fine food, in this case Rogaliki - Walnut Crescents.
Milky Ways Fallen in the milk lately? Everyone does. Apparently some more than others. Like Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus, for example.
Khrushchev visits the US Where we follow along on Nikita Khrushchev's magical mystery tour of the US in 1959...
Uchites 06 The sixth edition of our Uchites language insert, sponsored by Russkiy Mir Foundation, takes off on our story about a White Sea lighthouse keeper to explore antonyms, verb and adjective declensions, and offers a murder mystery puzzle.
The Powers that Bully When governments or their agents bully citizens, it is everyone's responsibility to speak up.
Winter Holidays A colorful mix of pagan and Christian traditions influenced 19th century rural Russian Zimniye Svyatki (Winter Holidays). While many of these traditions did not survive the 20th century, they nonetheless tell us much about Russian culture today.
Terror, Pushkin and the Beatles Reviews of In the First Circle, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the documentary How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin, and four other books: There is no Freedom Without Bread!, by Constantine Pleshakov, Brief Lives: Alexander Pushkin, by Robert Chandler, Privet Amerika, and Terrible Tsarinas, by Henri Troyat.
Dam Disaster Russians have learned to fear August, and this year it delivered the Sayano-Shuchenskaya dam disaster, which could be a harbinger of things to come.
Plyuschenko Returns to the Ice After a three-year absence, Olympic champion Yevgeny Plyuschenko is staging a comeback.
Bolshoi Troubles The massive reconstruction of Moscow's iconic Bolshoi Theater has been underway for four years and looks to stretch for another two. Some question if anything original will be left of the landmark when it finally reopens in 2011.
Tsarina Elizabeth "Elizabeth couldn't take her eyes off herself," wrote historian Vasily Klyuchevsky. Indeed, Peter the Great's narcissistic granddaughter (born 300 years ago this month) was infamous for being a tyrannical fashionista.
Travels with a Patriarch An official visit to the Solovetsky Islands in the retinue of the Patriarch offers an intimate glimpse at the resurgence of the Orthodox Church.
Alexander Vasiliyevich Kolchak Thirty years ago, the name "Admiral Kolchak" was only mentioned in negative terms; today it is exactly the opposite. Neither interpretation gets it right.
Lighthouse Master Where we visit a craggy outpost in the White Sea, meet a colorful lighthouse keeper and get a taste of real solitude and self-reliance.
12 Angry Peasants In November 1864, Alexander II introduced jury trials to Russia. It had countless unintended effects and led to a 70-year hiatus in the practice, only recently resurrected.
Ivan the Terrible In January 1565, Tsar Ivan the Terrible split Russia in two. Five hundred years on, Russia still hasn't gotten over it...
Galina Ulanova On January 8, 1910, Prima Ballerina Galina Ulanova was born. Unquestionably a great dancer, she has somehow always been above criticism...
An Activist is Born Alexei Dymovsky becomes a YouTube star for highlighting police corruption, then loses his job... yet few Russians seem to know of him.
Uchites 07 The seventh edition of our Uchites language insert, sponsored by Russkiy Mir Foundation, uses the works of writer Lev Tolstoy to explore fruit, verb and adjective declensions, animals, and more. Three recordings are also available online.
Feasting with Angels A look at lubok and its use to promote etiquette, manners and morals at the dinner table. And a recipe for Steamed Trout.
Literaturnaya Gazeta Founded in 1830 by Alexander Pushkin and Anton Delvig, this important newspaper has long been something of a bellweather for Russia's relationship to literature...
Lev Tolstoy's Unhappy Family Lev Tolstoy's family was unhappy in its own peculiar way, split by a three-decade-long disagreement between the writer and his wife about money.
Sagaalgan It could be the world's longest New Year's celebration, stretching a whole month in midwinter. Indeed, this Buddhist holiday is becoming an important way that Siberian Buryats seek to preserve their cultural identity.
Berlinograd No other part of Europe can match Berlin and its immediate hinterland for having such a prolonged engagement with Russia. In fact, locals sometimes refer to the German capital as Berlinograd.
Terror Returns The November 27, 2009, train bombing turned public attention once again to domestic terrorism...
Russia On Line Lines are "a condition of the Russian soul," as expat Carl Schreck rediscovered recently. And it may be that the only way to cope with this condition is to submit...
Do Svidaniya Stirlitz "We were all Stirlitzes..." A fond look back at the stoic actor Vyacheslav Tikhonov, who brought to life the WWII spy Stirlitz.
Math and Memoirs A review of "Perfect Rigor" by Masha Gessen, "Anton Chekhov, a Brother's Memoir," by Mikhail Chekhov, three excellent new fiction volumes, and the first of a two part series on language learning aids.
Tender Insults There is nothing like the tender, inoffensive insult to patch up strained relations...
Lunch in Ages Past A consideration of the Russian notion of lunch, Zinaida Serebriakova's painting "At Lunch," and a recipe for Raisin Buns that will warm your winter day.
Dizzy with Success How well did Stalin know history? ...Certainly he seemed to learn the lesson of "the Kind Tsar and the Evil Boyars"...
Karpov v. Fischer The face off between Fischer and Karpov was the greatest chess match that never was, and it signaled the end of the Golden Era of Soviet chess...
Russian Riga Russia and Latvia have a long and complicated history, one which is vividly reflected in the politics, society and architecture of Riga, a beautiful medieval city on the Baltic coast.
Beneath Kremlin Walls Hundreds of layers of history lie buried beneath the cobblestones and brick walls of Moscow's Kremlin. But accessing them requires negotiating with the current residents of the crenellated fortress.
Russians Return Twenty years after Soviet troops left Afghanistan in defeat, Russians have returned. What does this suggest for the future course of American intervention in the region?
Yaroslavl at 1000 It is not often a world city celebrates its millennial birthday, but this year that honor falls to one of Russia's most ancient and multi-faceted urban centers, Yaroslavl.
The Captain Has Chosen His Course The fiercely independent Russian National Orchestra, the finest of Russian classical ensembles, turns 20 this year. We look at how they have flourished against the odds.
Sochi's Gamble As the world watches the Vancouver Winter Olympics, we visit Sochi to consider how ready that southern capital is for the 2014 games.
Perestroika This month marks the 25th anniversary of Mikhail Gorbachev's ascent to leadership of the Communist Party. It was a time of hope unbounded, with little hint of the difficult times to come.
Online Language Study Resources A survey of various online language learning tools which mesh vocabulary and grammar study with social networking.
New Fiction and Lenin's History A review of Olga Grushin's new novel, The Line, and Olga Slavnikova's 2017, in addition to Helen Rappaport's history of Lenin in exile, Conspirator.
Transforming Nature A profile of Ivan Michurin (1855-1935) the leading Soviet horticulturalist and father of Soviet Darwinism.
A Country of Poets The role of poets in Russia has always stretched beyond the realms of literature. We look at poetry in everyday speech...
Hero of Two Nations Joseph Beyrle is believed to be the only U.S. soldier who fought in both American and Soviet units during World War II. This is his remarkable story.
Nations Without Borders Readers of a publication called Russian Life may wonder why there is a picture of Kyrgyzstan on the magazine’s cover.
Organic Containers Where we consider the work of Alexei Venetsianov's "Girl with a Birch Bark Container" and how Russians used natural containers to preserve things like sour cream, which is this issue's recipe.
From St. Petersburg to Moscow In 1790, Alexander Radishchev "betrayed his class" with his scathing call for reform of Russia's social and political system in "From Moscow to St. Petersburg." But he was only doing what he was raised to do.
The Meskhetians Banished to Central Asia in 1944, chased from Uzbekistan in the 1990s, this persecuted minority has been scattered to the four winds, unable to return to their ancestral homeland.
The Dialog Coach How one expat got Americans, Brits, Russians, Germans and an admixture of other Europeans to all speak the same language in very different ways.
Blaming the Messenger In the aftermath of the March 2010 bombings on the Moscow metro, political leaders have taken to blaming the press.
Defending Sevastopol Where we visit this most Russian of cities on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast. Vibrant, sun-drenched Sevastopol suffered under two horrific sieges in its recent history. Is a third underway?
Moscow Calling Author Peter Aleshkovsky recounts his personal impressions in the aftermath of the March 2010 Moscow subway bombing.
The Pride of Moscow On May 15, 1935, Moscow's amazing metro system was opened. Since then, it has become the pride of the city and still the most reliable way to get around the capital.
Alexander Grin Alexander Grin (1880-1932) had a short life filled with misfortune. His literary output has never been thought to be "classic" but it is entertaining and has enjoyed a recent resurgence of popularity.
Ravens, Enemies and Crumbs Reviews of: "The Raven's Gift" by Jon Turk, "Know Your Enemy," by David C. Engerman, "A Mountain of Crumbs," by Elena Gorokhovaya, "Russian San Francisco," by Lydia Zaverukha and Nina Bodgan, and "Peter the Great," by Derek Wilson.
The Tractor Drivers' Supper Arkady Plastov's painting "The Tractor Drivers' Supper" exemplifies the Socialist Realist style, and is full of important cultural references, which lead inevitably to this issue's recipe, for Cabbage with Noodles and Poppy Seeds.
Moscow Olympics A look back at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, marred by an international boycott and the sudden death of the bard Vladimir Vysotsky.
Involuntary Parenthood During the recent controversy about American adoption of Russian orphans, we learned of a small Russian village that is using adoption as a way to save its school, and perhaps even its way of life. This is their story.
The Spy Who Was Abel Rudolph Abel was one of the most accomplished Soviet intelligence agents of the post-war period - an "illegal" who was legendary, not slipshod and sloppy, like the 11 "illegals" detained in the US in June 2010. Nikolai Dolgopolov peels back the mask to give us a look at Abel’s life and profession through the eyes of his daughter.
Art in Utero St. Petersburg’s Russian Museum has inaugurated a program to acquaint pregnant women with the arts, on specially guided tours. Those who participate swear it is making them, and their children, better off.
Tragedy in Mezhdurechensk A tragic mine explosion at Russia's largest mine in May put a damper on celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, and it has many wondering just what has been achieved in worker and mine safety over the past decade.
Kayaking in Karelia Where we tag along with a group of 40 intrepid Russian explorers on a week-long trip through the rivers and lakes of northern Karelia, far from the lights and comforts of civilization.
Dreams of Possession and Tolstoy Reviews of "A Dream in Polar Fog," by Yuri Rytkheu; "The Possessed" by Elif Batuman; "Moscow Noir" edited by Natalia Smirnova and Julia Goumen; "Brief Lives: Tolstoy," by Anthony Briggs; and "The Russia Reader," edited by Adele Barker and Bruce Grant.
A Poet Departs A short note on the life and work of poet Andrei Voznesensky, who passed away on June 2, 2010.
Khrushchev at the UN Where we look back and the now infamous incident of Khrushchev's shoe and the UN General Assembly.
Russia's Children Readers of a publication called Russian Life may wonder why there is a picture of Kyrgyzstan on the magazine’s cover.
Sergei Yesenin Born 110 years ago, the poet Sergei Yesenin has repeatedly been the subject of a poetic personality cult.
October Manifesto One hundred years ago, on October 17, 1905, Tsar Nicholas made what turned out to be an ineffective attempt to bolster democracy and save his throne.
Moscow on the Thames History would have been much different if Queen Elizabeth had accepted a proposal from Ivan IV in the sixteenth century. Nonetheless, London today bears the stamp of centuries of Russo-British interaction.
By the Shores of Issyk-Kul One of the most impressive explorers in Russian history died on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, in present-day Kyrgyzstan. But, of course, there is much more to the life and story of Nikolai Przhevalsky.
Bishkek and the Great Game Until a few months ago, Kyrgyzstan was just another quiet, corrupt, post-Soviet republic in Central Asia. But behind the curtain of obscurity, more challenging issues were simmering. Then, this past spring, things really started to get interesting.
Russistan Readers of a publication called Russian Life may wonder why there is a picture of Kyrgyzstan on the magazine’s cover.
Salmon Island Sakhalin Island and the Russian Far East are home to one of the world’s most vital wild salmon populations, supplying nearly 20 percent of the North Pacific’s catch. Yet it is also in grave danger.
Pushkin Turns 300 Once the Romanovs’ summer home, Pushkin is a sleepy suburb of St. Petersburg with a storied history. And, thanks to the presence of royal palaces, it is also one of Russia’s most touristed towns.
The Kremlinologist Catechism There is a catechism that dominates American discourse on Russia today, any many of its underlying assumptions are unsupported by facts, figures or statistics.
The Robin Hood Approach Demonstrations and violent clashes with the authorities seem to be on the rise, particularly around environmental issues.
Reading for the Fall Reviews of the books "When They Come for Us We’ll Be Gone" (Gal Beckerman), "The Holy Thief" (William Ryan), "Guardians" (Andy Freeberg) and "The Littlest Enemies" (Deborah Hoffman, trans.) and the two films "Miss Gulag" and "The Concert".
Uchites 08 The eighth edition of our Uchites language insert, sponsored by Russkiy Mir Foundation, uses the life and poetry of poet Sergei Yesenin to explore word roots, verb aspects, word endings, the prefix/preposition "po", and more. Two recordings are also available online.
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.
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.
Dueling Calendars Women journalism students from Moscow State University reveal 2 contrasting calendars.
Vodka with a Kiss Konstantin Makovsky's Boyarina Bearing a Tray serves as an introduction to an ancient Russian custom of hospitality.
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.
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.
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...
Problem Solving An extract from the book by a former IKEA manager, about the trials and tribulations of doing business in Russia.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
The Cunning Russian Boom By any measure, Russia has a lot coming down the pike that would seem to augur better ties with the West.
Baikal and Irkutsk a Century Ago An excerpt from George Kennan's famous diary of his travels across Siberia, Tent Life in Siberia, in which he finds out he is not so fluent in Russian as he thought he was.
Uchites 10: Anna Akhmatova This issue's language insert, sponsored by the Russkiy Mir Foundation, uses the Calendar piece on Akhmatova and Modigliani as its take-off point. The insert can be downloaded as a PDF at the Uchites page on our website.
The Problem is Not Censorship The beating of journalist Oleg Kashin in November has led many to once again focus on the state of Russian journalism. Guest columnist Alexey Kovalev considers another side of the issue.
Siberia, Emigration, Gorky and Georgia Reviews of: Stalina, by Emily Rubin; Travels in Siberia, by Ian Frazier; Childhood, by Maksim Gorky; Balancing Act, by Natasha Borzilova; and the film Russian Lessons.
Angels in the Kitchen Our series in the Cuisine section about the interaction of the culinary and visual arts continues with columnist Darra Goldstein's consideration of Pavel Filonov's "Angels by the Stove." And the recipe? Black bread!
The End of Russian Animation? If the artists themselves are to be believed, Russian animation is in its death throes. After barely surviving the turmoil of the Soviet breakup, this beloved art form can no longer count on state support, nor can it embrace advertising, making its future uncertain at best.
Stalin's Highrises Anyone visiting Moscow knows about the city’s famous “Seven Sisters.” But few know that there were supposed to be eight. That is just one little-known aspect of their fascinating architectural history. We asked a noted urban historian to tell us more
Russia Plays Ball Russia nabbed the World Cup in 2018. Will it be ready in time? How much will it all cost?
Atherton's Russians One hundred years ago, one of America’s most popular novelists was Gertrude Atherton, a widow from San Francisco. And she had an enduring fascination with Russians and Russian America...
Trekking Baikal Winter offers unique travel opportunities to Russia, particularly when it comes to Siberia. For instance, how about a trek across the world’s largest freshwater lake? Or ice skating atop crystal clear waters, then enjoying a searing banya...?
Pushkin Evenings at the Petrograd House of Writers In the winter of 1921, conditions could hardly have been worse in St. Petersburg, which may be why local intelligentsia turned to Pushkin and literature for consolation.
Modigliani and Akhmatova in Paris We know comparatively little about the relationship between Akhmatova and Modigliani, but sometimes a few pictures can speak volumes.
Freeing the Serfs 150 years ago, everyone knew the serfs had to be freed, but no one knew how to do it without provoking unrest or revolution. But Alexander II went ahead anyway. Sort of...
Ivan v. Migalka It seems like every week there are new, jaw-dropping events related to the infamous "migalka" - those flashing blue lights atop official vehicles that allow their drivers to flaunt all driving rules. We look at the phenomenon, plus consider two new Russian car lines.
Survival Japanese Where columnist Mikhail Ivanov considers the influence of Japanese on Russian language and slang.
Poetry to Sweeten the Sale A look at Vladimir Mayakovsky as painter and poet, and a recipe for Tyanuchki - a candy-like fudge.
Time and Space What makes this magazine different is not the people creating it, but the people reading it.
Uchites 11: Biking and Travel The 11th installment of Uchites takes off from the article in this issue on Cycling Across Russia, to examine things such as verbs of motion.
Gorbachev at 80 A consideration of the photo exhibit and 80th birthday celebrations to honor Mikhail Gorbachev.
Perestroika, Molotov and Dachas A review of the film "My Perestroika," and the books "Dacha Idylls," "Molotov's Magic Lantern," and "The Road."
Black Sea Mystery Legend has it that a British frigate which sunk off Balaclava during a freak storm was loaded down with millions in gold for troops fighting in the Crimean War. The hunt for the mysterious treasure spanned more than a century, and gave birth to a venerated institution.
Cycling Across Russia Two young Americans decide to ride across the breadth of Eurasia, and spent 162 days traversing 6000 miles of Russian roads (and non-roads). They survived. And they brought back this tale.
One Step Backward 1921. Russia is on the brink of collapse. Lenin takes a step back from the rapid communization of the economy and allows free market reforms.
Flat Invitation The January 24, 2011 suicide bomb in Domodedovo airport, which killed 36 and wounded over 100, was aimed, President Medvedev said, at "bringing Russia to its knees."
Spring Rites Easter and Maslenitsa are just two of the holidays that Russians celebrate to herald the end of winter and the beginning of spring - a time of rebirth and new life. In this counterpart to our Nov/Dec 2009 article on winter holidays, we explore the Russian rites of spring.
Pamela Potemkin A consideration of Russian leaders and eminences who have left their imprint on the Russian language
The Reform Not Taken In 1811 Alexander I was on the brink of sweeping reforms to Russian autocracy. Until he read an essay by historian Nikolai Karamzin.
On Things Russian I always find it fascinating to glimpse another person’s world for a day or so, to learn what they are doing in their corner of the Russian world.
Contemplating Chernobyl Just as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus were preparing to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the deadly Chernobyl nuclear accident (April 26, 1986), the world faced a harrowing reminder of the possibility of nuclear catastrophe, as Japan’s Fukushima plant experienced multiple partial meltdowns, spewing radioactive material into the air and water.
Fiction and Memoirs Reviews of five books: Snowdrops by A.D. Miller; Deathless, by Catherynne M. Valente; The Russian Word's Worth, by Michele A. Berdy; The Three Fat Men, by Yuri Olesha; Memoir of a Gulag Actress, by Tamara Petkevich.
The All-Important Tavern Boris Kustodiev’s painting Moscow Tavern (1916) captures a world that was soon to vanish. Here, old-fashioned cabbies, wearing the telltale long beards and caftans of Old Believers, enjoy a break from their work as they relax over tea. Recipe: Herring in Dill Sauce
How the East Was Won Since Soviet Russia began domestic production of trucks and automobiles, the road rally has been a venerated pursuit. Yet, interestingly, Russian road rallies are not about winning a race, but finishing a quest.
Russian Strings As a festival in Moscow brings together virtuoso guitarists from across Europe, the traditional Russian seven-stringed form of the instrument is enjoying a renaissance… in America.
Trekking In Partisan Footsteps Eastern Crimea was a center for partisan activity during the Great Patriotic War. In honor of the May Day holiday, we trek through this wild realm along the Black Sea.
Uchites 12 The 12th installment of our Uchites insert uses the 60th anniversary of Nazi Germany's invasion of Russia as its theme.
A 20,000 Candle Party On May 11, 1791, one of the most extravagant and sumptuous parties of Catherine the Great’s reign was held in the Tauride Palace, the St. Petersburg residence of Prince Grigory Potyomkin.
Holy Trinity Monastery Each year on June 13, Holy Spirit Day, Holy Trinity Monastery in upstate New York celebrates its annual feast day, opening its doors to the public. The largest spiritual center for the Russian Orthodox faith outside Russia, the monastery played an important role in preservation of Orthodoxy during the Soviet era.
Rethinking the Unthinkable Ask any Russian, “When did the War begin?” – just “the War,” not the Civil, First World, Chechen, or Afghan War – and the answer will be automatic: June 22, 1941.
Battle Him, the Tiger Minister In the spirit of making the Olympic Games in Sochi a truly national event to unite the Russian people, the Sochi organizers last year launched a contest where artists could submit entries to be chosen as the official Olympic mascot.
Slavic Adoration There is a marvelous photograph taken by Yevgeny Khaldei in Bulgaria in 1944. Soviet troops, having just entered the capital of Sophia, are looking in amazement at a monument to Alexander II in the city’s main square.
Less than PC Russian The domino revolutions in the Middle East got me thinking about the word “Arab,” along with some other less-than-politically-correct Russian colloquialisms.
Let the Games Begin In less than a year, Russia will go to the polls to vote for president, and the winner – for the first time – will be awarded with a six-year term.
Six Books and a Movie Reviews of the books "Made in Russia," "The Hottest Dishes of the Tatar Cuisine," "Moscow Believes in Tears," "Romanov Riches," "The Suitcase," "Russian Magic," and the film "How I Ended this Summer."
A Russo-German Libation The art of Ivan Bilibin spurs a consideration of the history of beer brewing in Russia.
To Market, To Market! Moscow’s bustling food markets are colorful, clamorous, exciting places. And much of what goes on there lies hidden behind the superficial din. This is a story of pesto, plov and piglets.
Potyomkin Press Conference It was announced as a major press conference, and the rumor was that Medvedev would announce his reelection campaign. Not.
The Grand Theater Since the Bolshoi Theater (founded 1776) is indeed Bolshoi (i.e. big and grand), perhaps it is not surprising that it has seen its share of problems over its 200-plus-year history.
Riviera Russians Since at least the days of Turgenev, Russians have flocked to the French and Italian Rivieras to escape northern winters. A new direct train, the first since the Revolution, may ignite that tradition anew. [Includes full page sidebar on Russian Churches on the Riviera.]
Time Waits For No One The clock atop Moscow’s Spasskaya Tower is as central, geographically and metaphorically to Russian life as Big Ben is for the British. But that was not always the case.
Conflict in the Caucasus Russia has a long history of fascination with and love for all things Georgian, be it wine, literature or landscape. But there has also been recurrent conflict and even war. In recent years, conflict has all but completely eclipsed collaboration. We explore why.
Absent for the Coup Many Russians were caught abroad during the August 1991 putsch, including History Editor Tamara Eidelman.
Inching Election-Ward As Russian elections inch closer, the perfect climate has developed for satire...
Candy Land Just a few hours’ drive from Moscow is the wonderfully preserved, ancient town of Kolomna. And here, amidst golden-domed churches and a beautifully restored kremlin, there is a hidden gem of a museum.
The Art of Draznilki Every Russian learned a few "draznilki" (teases) in childhood. While these usually have cruel intent and may not be something you will use in your Russian, it is good to be able to recognize and understand them.
From Khimki to the Duma The summer, a forest north of Moscow is shaping up to be a battleground for environmental activists and construction workers...
The Tale Collector For Russians, it is impossible to imagine life without the countless characters from our fairy tales, collected by Alexander Afanasyev, born July 1826.
Long Term Expats There is a certain breed of expatriate in Russia who puts down deep roots and seems destined never to return home. Perhaps it is because, whether they admit it or not, Russia is now their home. We meet five American long-term expats whose ?stories reveal as much about them as about the attractive mystery that Russia exudes.
Stenka Razin and the Russian State Praised in Russian folklore, Stepan Razin reigns as Russia’s most memorable and popular rebel. On the 340th anniversary of the Cossack-led uprising, a noted historian considers the lessons of Razin for the Russian state.
War and Literature Reviews of three non-fiction histories (Leningrad, by Anna Reid; Bloodlands, by Timothy Snyder; The Damned and the Dead, by Frank Ellis) and three works of fiction (The Sky is Falling, by Caroline Adderson; The New Moscow Philosophy, by Vyacheslav Pyetsukh; Separate Kingdoms, by Valerie Laken).
Rights of Single Fathers A group of divorced Russian men have banded together to battle for equal child custody rights. The Russian legal system, they say, is stacked against them, and they have no intention of surrendering. We meet them and hear their side of the story.
Sergei Dovlatov This issue's Uchites language learning section focuses on writer Sergei Dovlatov, who would have been 70 this month.
Pyotr Stolypin The story of Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin, arguably Russia's most significant reformer, can be told in very different ways.
The Lyceum it was on October 19, 1811 that, in the presence of His Highness Emperor Alexander I, the Lyceum at Tsarskoye Selo was inaugurated. The institution’s first years, like everything associated with the name of Alexander Pushkin, has long since become the stuff of legend within Russian culture.
A Cheat Sheet for Tom Hanks The recent visit of Hollywood megastar Cameron Diaz to Moscow – to promote the launch of the movie Bad Teacher – started Mikhail Ivanov's creative juices flowing toward a seasonally appropriate theme: school slang.
Seliger Summer Where we visit the annual summer Seliger Youth Camp - where the Powers That Be cultivate young activists.
The Little Soyuz that Could The end of American shuttle flights gives Russia a de facto monopoly on carrying humans to the International Space Station. What does this mean for the future of manned space flight?
Lucky Murmansk Murmansk was founded 95 years ago this October. We look back at the history of its founding and its appearance in a particularly important piece of literature.
Time for Change At last there is clarity. The fog has lifted and we now know who will be the next Russian president.
Underwater Hero In 1927 the writer Alexander Belyayev wrote a story about a young man who was able to live under water... in 1961 it became a hit film: Amphibian Man.
Crossing Kolyma It’s not your average traveler who chooses to traverse remote Kolyma through the depth of a Siberian winter. But then Mikael Strandberg is no average traveler.
Silver Screenings A round up of recent film and TV movie-related news in Russia, from Oscar candidates to a new Sherlock Holmes to Putin's role in filmmaking.
Dazzling the Palate Hidden in a small alleyway off Moscow's historic Pokrovka Street, tiny Chaynaya Vysota tea room offers 250 varieties of tea... and gourmet ice cream.
Chelovek-Amfibiya This issue's Uchites insert focuses on Amphibian Man, which is covered in the Calendar section of this issue.
Catch the Wind Russian talking names can lead to many unexpected places. In this instance to euphemistic phrases for, well, you know...
Russian Hoop Dreams Top WNBA players are streaming to Russia to play pro basketball. And while they are unquestionably having an effect on Russian basketball, Russia is having its effect on them.
Tolstoy, Spies and Empire Reviews of a new biography of Tolstoy, a book about a French-run spy, and a firsthand account of the end of the Soviet empire. Oh, and a new translation of a less-read work by Dostoyevsky.
Russian Finland Most Finns define their nationhood and heritage in terms of Russia, of which Finland was a part from 1809 to 1917. We explore the complex interplay of Russo-Finnish relations, past and present,especially those along the border.
Elephantine Ambitions For 30 years, an art gallery in the shadow of Denver’s Union Station has been a showcase for modern Russian art – works that are definitely turning heads and exciting emotion.
The Heart of the Trans-Siberian It was the last, most difficult part of the Trans-Siberian to build – a 90 km stretch of railway bending around Lake Baikal’s southern coast. To this day it preserves the ethos of its age and is the symbolic heart of the 9,289 kilometer rail line.
Putin is Dead! Long Live Putin! A round up of political jokes and jabs being bandied about in the wake of Putin's announcement that he will be running for the presidency again.
The Soviet Faust A history of Leon Theremin, inventor of electronic music and the instrument which bears his name.
Volcanoes and Empires The USSR’s abrupt termination on December 25, 1991, was the most significant international event of the last half of the twentieth century.
Paranoia Trumps True Love A look back at the law of February 15, 1947, that outlawed Soviets' marriage to foreigners, and a marvelous 1967 play that wonderfully dramatized the sad situation.
From Reset to Recess? Just two weeks prior to Russia's recent parliamentary elections, President Dmitry Medvedev went on television to make a hawkish anti-American speech. Whither the reset?
Notebook Our pages of news cover items as varied as a new film on Vysotsky, the Booker book of the decade, a film on the life of a jailed tycoon, Russian's internet usage, Ronald Reagan, the Bolshoy, museums and much more.
Peter's Table of Ranks How the introduction of Peter I's merit-based system of ranks changed Russian society after its introduction in 1722.
Election Fever Is Putin in decline? Were the elections rigged? And what are they tweeting about Vladimir?
Departures: Alliluyeva and Alekseyev Obituaries of Stalin's estranged daughter, Svetlana Alliluyeva, and the world's onetime strongest man, Vasily Alekseyev.
Winter Wonderland Turning Sochi into an Olympic city is a Herculean task. Environmentalists, local residents and bookkeepers are all wary. And then there is Georgia, just a few kilometers away.
A Soup for Seminarians A consideration of the hearty Russian mushroom soup, Pokhlyobka, and Vasily Perov's evocative painting, "Receiving the Wanderer."
Waiting for Miracles Exactly why did so many Russians wait on line for hours, sometimes days, to see an ancient relic visiting Christ the Savior Cathedral in November? Maya Kucherskaya has some ideas.
Alexander Scriabin A short consideration of the life and work of Alexander Scriabin, born on Jan. 6, 1872, a composer whose life was cut tragically short, but who nonetheless set the stage for much that was to come.
The New Russian Philanthrophy Several Russian billionaires are using their sudden wealth to underwrite education, literature, art and science. So why aren’t average Russians following their example?
Heart of the Matter A look inside the Russian health care system, as we accompany a group of American doctors in Russia during their multi-year exchange and training program.
Lyubov Orlova She was the Soviet Union’s first star of the Silver Screen – talented, beautiful, and exuding confidence and optimism. Yet behind this public image was another woman entirely.
Gulags, Ments, Chekhov and Pushkin Reviews of Fyodor Mochulsky's "Gulag Boss," William Ryan's "The Darkening Field," and Andrei Gelasimov's "Thirst," with shorter notices on "Memories of Chekhov" (Peter Sekirin) and "Pushkin Threefold" (Walter Arndt, trans.)
For the Price of a Hat On that frosty January evening in 1982, running coatless back to my hotel, I could really have used Gogol’s overcoat.
Vasily Bazhenov Of all the figures that have risen to prominence throughout the history of Russian culture, few have been so plagued by misfortune as architect Vasily Bazhenov.
A Woman's Honor (or, When Pigs Fly) One summer night in 1764, in a provincial Russian village, a dispute broke out between two cousins. Words were exchanged, a pig was thrown, and a 30-year legal battle was born.
Kornei Chukovsky It is difficult to imagine anyone in Russia (or the former USSR) who does now know who Kornei Chukovsky is.
Romanoviana Reviews of fiction with Romanov themes: The Fallen Queen, The Last Romanov, The Winter Palace. Shorter reviews of Notes on the Cuff, The Russian Origins of the Civil War, Russia: A 1000-year Chronicle of the Wild East
The Ice Has Broken As the old saying has it, you can never tire of watching fire, water and other people working. Northerners would also add that you can look endlessly at ice drifting down a river.
The Long Retreat Soviet Russia was never more threatened than when the Czech Legion nearly turned the tide in the Civil War (1918-1922). We follow the story of one noble family, whose fate was wrapped up in this dramatic historical episode.
Tea-Drinking Trinity Biscotti have nothing on Russian rusks. We offer a simple recipe, plus a rumination on a famous photo from the 1920s.
The Mail Troika Every language has words for which it is known the world over. Troika is one such word in Russian, and this equine configuration was critical to the history of Russian letters. And by that we don’t mean literature.
Cycle of Violence The public is outraged by a police abuse scandal in Kazan. How far does it stretch, and why is the Kremlin not following up with serious reforms?
Izmail Ivanovich Sreznevsky A pathbreaking scientific investigator of Slavic linguistics, Sreznevsky nonetheless helped fan the flames of nationalism and pan-Slavism.
Travel Notes A round-up of travel related news from around Russia, from a new torture museum, to Moscow cafes that charge by the minute.
Yevgeny Vakhtangov A noted actor, writer and director, Yevgeny Vakhtangov led a very strange and extraordinary life indeed.
Nixon Visits Moscow In 1972, Richard Nixon became the first sitting president to visit the Soviet Union. Another decade of Brezhnevian decline was to follow...
Just Between Us A consideration of less than politesse descriptions of the other sex - what men say about women and what women say about men, when they are each speaking to those of their own gender...
Victor Tsoy No rock musician has had such a profound, lasting effect on Russian culture as Victor Tsoy.
Extreme Russia Roofing and spelunking underground passages are so 2011. So says 22-year-old Vadim Makhorov, whose photos from atop vertiginous towers, about crumbling Soviet-era factories, and inside tunnels of working metro systems have wowed internet users and made his blog one of the most popular in Siberia.
Peace Be With You This issue's Trends section deals with the division of Russian society over the Pussy Riot scandal. Discourse has been, shall we say, less than civil.
Victor Tsoy - Interview and Lyrics This issue's Uchites insert offers a glossed interview with rock legend Victor Tsoy, plus a gloss of the lyrics from one of his most famous songs.
A Magic Tablecloth One of the most vivid images in Russian fairytales is that of the skatert-samobranka, a self-spreading (and self-cleaning) tablecloth. We consider this magical mystery and offer a recipe for delightful pirozhki.
Cinema in the Round Before IMAX, before 3-D movies, there was Cinema in the Round. Come with us on a visit to the world’s longest functioning cinema of its type, where films are shown simultaneously on 11 massive screens.
Japan's White Russian Hurler There is not a single Russian-born player in the American Baseball Hall of Fame. Yet if the tide of history had flowed just a bit differently, Victor Starffin might well have ended up in Cooperstown alongside Ruth, Gehrig, Killebrew and Mays.
Secrets of the Northern Wind The Russian North is rich in superstition and mysticism. Monsters... UFOs... shape-shifters... dwarves living underground... There seems no end to the stories.
Painting Hidden Worlds A visit with Maria Kachanova, a young icon painter striving to create works of art in keeping with this centuries long tradition.
A Wealth of Literature Our review shelves were overloaded this month, necessitating more and shorter reviews. There is both great fiction (Scar, by the Dyachenkos; The Twelve Chairs, by Ilf & Petrov; The Time of Women, by Elena Chizhova; 50 Writers) and non-fiction including two Putin-focused histories and a remarkable look inside Soviet era labor camps.
Moscow Calling The arrive of telephones in Moscow in 1882 fundamentally changed the way citizens interacted with one another.
Commanding Heights This issue’s lead story almost made me sick. I’m not a fan of high places, and some of Vadim Makhorov’s thrill-seeking photos made me feel a bit vertiginous and queasy. They are that good.
It's All About the Eyeballs This spring, the front page of the Yandex search engine surpassed Chanel One in number of viewers. What does this say about the future of state-controlled media and political culture in Russia?
Back in the Saddle On May 7, Vladimir Putin glided back into the Kremlin to take the oath of office for his third presidential term. Moscow was eerily empty...
Catherine II This issue's linguistic insert focuses on Catherine the Great's diary and view on what is important in life.
The Curious Entente Cordial Their lives unfolded in parallel, as their nations were immersed in rebellion and reform. Some 150 years ago, each freed their country’s enslaved masses, and each ended up paying with their life.
The Summer of 1612 A look back at the re-taking of Moscow from the Poles 300 years ago, by a couple of unlikely heroes.
Northern Limits Over the past few years Russia has sought to extend its protection and dominion over the Arctic. But this is not a new pursuit. In fact, this year marks the centenary of several significant explorations of the Russia’s northern boundaries.
Running City There is no better way to get to know Moscow than to explore it on foot. And no better way to enjoy the exploration than to make a game of it!
Thick Fog Over London The Olympics are upon us again, and already pundits are guessing at national medal counts. We, meanwhile, look at some of Russia’s top medal hopefuls.
Chernobyl, Chechnya and a bit of Scifi A review of "Visit Sunny Chernobyl," by Andrew Blackwell, "Sniper" by Nicolai Lilin, "Roadside Picnic" by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, and Natasha Borzilova's new CD, "Out of My Hands."
Collective Vision Against the grim backdrop of Stalin's rise, Sergei Gerasimov painted a radiant image of collectivism. While politically propagandistic, it makes beautiful use of light and mood. And it features a collective feast where surely Sour Cabbage - this issue's recipe - would be welcome.
Matilda Kshesinskaya It would be hard to imagine a ballerina’s life that was more storied than Matilda Kshesinskaya’s. Celebrated on world stages, the lover of tsars and princes, she lived to be 99 years old.
Flipping Publishing We have an ambitious, exciting new publishing project, so we are turning to you, our Tribe of Russophiles and bibliophiles, to partner with us.
The Blessing of Language In early June, a noisy, colorful band landed in Manhattan: Thirty Russian authors, two dozen publishers, as many journalists, and half as many organizers.
Russia' First Iron Road On the founding of the first Russian railroad, between St. Petersburg and Tsarskoye Selo. Service began October 30, 1837.
Urals Nuclear Disaster On the world's worst nuclear disaster prior to Chernobyl, when, in 1957, nuclear waste exploded at the Mayak plant in Ozyorsk. The damage has yet to be fully recognized or accepted.
1812 First Person It gave birth to the greatest novel ever written, brought down Napoleon, reshaped Europe, led to the end of serfdom, the invention of terrorism, and, eventually, the end of tsarism. It was tremendous folly, horrific hubris and astounding heroism. And it happened 200 years ago this fall. We turn to people who lived through the War of 1812 for their first person accounts.
Rising Stars, Falling Stars On rising and falling television stars, the TV ban on activist Ksenia Sobchak, and international support for Pussy Riot.
Hiding in Plain Sight Russia is one of just three countries that has a land border with North Korea. It is not a large frontier, but the Russian-Korean nexus is nonetheless significant, beginning with the placement of North Korea’s puppet dictator after World War II and stretching up to guest workers in the present day.
On the Brink Fifty years ago this October, the world walked to the brink of nuclear holocaust, looked over the edge, and stepped back. This is the account of one actor in that frightful drama, someone who dared to take a stand and may just have ended up saving the planet.
Red Terror Begins The assassination attempt on Lenin on August 30, 1918, was used as the pretext for the launching of the Red Terror, a wave of repression and killing aimed at wiping out the Bolsheviks' opponents, real and imagined.
Films, Noir, Churches and Aristocrats Reviews of "Former People" by Douglas Smith, "Nevsky" by Ben McCool and Mario Guevara, "St. Petersburg Noir," edited by Julia Goumen and Natalia Smirnova, "Wooden Churches," by Richard Davies and Matilda Moreton, and "Russian Film Posters," by Vivays Publishing.
For the Love of Currants A rumination on Fyodor Tolstoy's painting "Red and White Currants" and the role of this powerful fruit in Russian life and culture. And a recipe for jam!
Aquarium This issue of Uchites takes a brief look at the history of Russia's longest-serving rock band, plus an excerpt from one of their songs.
Survival Greek A recent trip to Greece got columnist Mikhail Ivanov thinking about that country's language and its incursions into Russia's mother tongue.
The Age of Aquarium For 40 years, Boris Grebenshchikov and Aquarium have made music like no other band in Russia, combining poetry and beautiful, often quizzical instrumentals into a charming sound that is at once entirely unique and entirely Russian.
After the Waters Receded Over 100 people died in flash floods in the southern city of Krymsk. The disaster was both preventable and criminal. But it still needed to be cleaned up. Russian Life's history editor Tamara Eidelman was there and provides this first hand account of the aftermath of the disaster.
Bracing for Isolation Times have gotten tough for Russian NGOs lately. New laws, the expulsion of USAID and now some troubling signs of high-level internal spying is making the work of non-profits and rights watchdogs downright perilous.
The Thaw Snaps In December 1962, Nikita Khrushchev's Thaw was drawing to a close, only no one quite knew this yet. It would take a contrived showdown at a Moscow art exhibition to bring things to a head.
Pavel Fedotov A consideration of the wonderful story-telling paintings of the classic nineteenth century artist Pavel Fedotov.
Lev Gumilev By any measure, the son of Anna Akhmatova and Nikolai Gumilev lived a life that was very full. Born 100 years ago this fall, this is his amazing story.
Profile of Russian Chinovniki Where we bring some interesting statistics and graphics to bear on the overwhelming influence of bureaucrats in modern Russia.
A Vessel of Significance The distinctive form of the Russian drinking vessel known as the kovsh dates back thousands of years. We consider its form and function, and offer a related recipe for Cranberry Kvass.
Friend or Foe? A consideration of the language of enemies and whether Russia is, as Mitt Romney has averred, the US's chief geopolitical foe.
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Tchaikovsky's now classic holiday ballet debuted in December 1892, but it was far from as popular in its debut as it is today. And it has gone through some interesting changes over the past 120 years.
The Tiny Oasis Not far from the middle of Moscow, there is a diminutive church with a distinctive legend at the heart of its history. We went for a visit.
Publishing for Kids Vadim Meshcheryakov was halfway through a successful career as a banker when he gave it all up to publish children's books. But not just any children's books.
Spies and Cats A review of two new works of fiction, Matthew Dunn's Sentinel and Ilya Boyashov's The Way of Muri. Both offer entertaining reading, for entirely different reasons.
Spirits of the Home and Forest Russian place spirits - including the domovoy, bannik, fleshy, rusalka and others - have a history that stretches back to Rus' pagan past. And despite the crush and frenzy of modern life, these spirits impact Russians to this day.
Russian McCarthyism? Is Russia embroiled in “a rampage of obscurantism with significant limits on civil freedoms” that has a close parallel with McCarthyism?
Blacklist Wars In response to the US Congress' passage of the Magnitsky Act, Russian legislators are planning a bit of list making of their own.
Goats, Ribs and Suitcases The head of the CIA and the Russian Defense Minister both fell from grace within weeks of one another, and both because of infidelity scandals. Sounds like a good pretext for a column...
The News that Peter Saw Fit to Print In 1703 Peter the Great founded the first Russian newspaper. This is what it looked like and what it covered.
Anna Akhmatova - 1913 Extract from Anna Akhmatova's "Poem Without a Hero", in which she eulogized the year 1913.
An Evening to Remember They could not have known it at the time, but they were on the edge of the abyss. Revolution, war, and again war and revolution were just around the corner. But in February 1903, a grand ball was held to commemorate the 290th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty.
Kozma Prutkov On January 13, 1863, the "eminent poet" Kozma Petrovich Prutkov passed away. Except he never really was alive.
Kremlincare Rumors flew this fall when President Putin stopped taking trips abroad. Just a bout of anxious Kremlinology, or is there something to it?
The Long Way Home One hundred and fifty years ago, Tsarist Russia expelled some 400,000 Circassians from their homeland in the Caucasus. Now some of them – caught in the middle of the Syrian Civil War – want to return.
Circassian Folk Tales In this issue's installment of Uchites, we look at two folk tales of Circassian origin (in connection with our lead story on this ethnic group).
Walking the Streets of Moscow In 1963, a remarkable, bright, beloved film was released, launching the careers of Nikita Mikhalkov and Georgy Danilya: Walking the Streets of Moscow.
Lucky Cookies Kozuli: these fragrant, decorative cookies have their origin in the Russian North, in Arkhangelsk, to be more specific. And they are perfect for a holiday celebration.
Stanislavsky at 150 Actor and director Konstantin Stanislavsky, born a century and a half ago this month, probably had more impact on twentieth century theater, movies and acting than any single individual.
Crowning Achievements This year marks the 400th anniversary of the beginning of the Romanov dynasty in Russia. A Washington museum is using the anniversary to show off some of its unique holdings, including several amazing coronation albums.
On the Iron Roads For the past 175 years, railways have bound together the sprawling Russian state, enabling industrialization, social mobility and contact with the outside world. Yet they have also been an important cultural and literary touchpoint.
Orest Kiprensky Orest Kiprensky was one of Russia's finest early nineteenth-century painters. We share a painting he created in 1813.
Galina Vishnevskaya A look back at the life and contribution of opera singer, actress and dissident Galina Vishnevskaya, who passed away in December.
Three Histories and Some Magic Tales Reviews of three works of history and one collection of fiction.
Bolshoi Acid Attack The January 2013 acid attack on Bolshoi Artistic Director Sergei Filin has cast a dark shadow over the workings of Russia's most esteemed cultural institution.
Trains, Circassians and Method Acting Like many frequent travelers to Russia, I have countless train-related memories of Russia, most of them positive.
Sophia Paleologue History offered Zoe Paleologue little hope. Her homeland overrun, her royal pedigree in tatters... And then the Tsar of all the Russias needed a new wife...
Osip Mandelstam A look back at the genius that was Mandelstam, on the 100th anniversary of the publication of his first book of poetry.
Death of a Tyrant Sixty years ago Stalin died and the Soviet Union was in collective shock. So much has been written about this event that we decided to take a different tack, offering a selection of first person accounts from that time.
Countdown to Sochi One year from the opening of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, we look at some of the less conventional bits of news about the coming games.
Kamchatka Tours In this issue's installment of Uchites, we look at the language of travel, examining a faux tour brochure for trips to Kamchatka.
Russian Alaska Meanwhile, just across the Bering Sea, pockets of Russian culture predating Alaska’s sale to the US are being captured in a new documentary.
Salty Literary Critique In March 1863, Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin offered a biting critique of contemporary literature that is as humorous as it is significant.
The Scariest Year Few know that, in 1983, the world came closer to the nuclear brink than at any time since the Cuban Missile Crisis, thanks to a combination of ideological entrenchment, fear, and computer glitches.
One Adoption Story With American adoption of Russian children outlawed and the Duma hyping tragic stories of adoptees who have died in the US, we decided it was time to hear one of the "good" stories from the 60,000 American adoptees.
Sausage in Exile There is a common saying: "If you want to respect laws or sausages, don't watch them being made." Yet in this case (Alef Sausage, in Chicago IL), the more you watch, the hungrier you get.
State of the Wards Russia's ban on American adoptions focused attention on Putin and world politics, while the real issue is the plight of the children who live inside the vast orphan system.
The Secret of Little Bites Zakuski have a well-deserved position of honor in the realm of Russian cuisine. In this issue we look at a tasty appetizer with connections to the Pacific: Canapes of Smoked Salmon.
Koryak Cultural Loss At the furthest edge of the Russian Far East, in a quiet bay near the very top of the Kamchatka Peninsula, a tiny community of Koryaks struggles with the loss of its traditional culture.
Last Days of the First Oligarch A look at the life, death and legacy of oligarch Boris Berezovsky, who recently committed suicide in London.
Iron Curtain Anyone? The Cold War may have officially ended 21 years ago, yet lately it seems hotter than ever.
Decline and Stalin Book reviews of "The Last Man in Russia," by Oliver Bullough; "Stalin's Barber," by Paul Levitt; "St. Petersburg City Pack," by Oxygen Books; "Happy Moscow," by Andrei Platonov (Robert Chandler, trans.); and "The Lying Year," by Andrei Gelasimov (Marian Schwartz, trans.).
Have Tongue Will Travel Not surprisingly, there is a lot one can say about the tongue with, well, the Russian tongue...
Romanov Twilight A look back 100 years ago, at the celebrations of the 300th anniversary of Romanov rule. Few would have guessed from these celebrations, that the tsar had just four years to rule.
Chelyabinsk Meteor How to keep your cool when you are out for a quiet morning photo shoot and a meteor suddenly lights up the morning sky. We interview Marat Akhmetvaleyev and show his amazing photos.
The Romanovs This issue's Uchites (language learning insert) includes a few glossed readings on the Romanovs - one about the beginning of their rule, one about the end.
Vladimir Etush: Vakhtangov Legend Vladimir Etush, a renowned actor at the Vakhtangov Theater, turns 90 on May 6.
Romanov Secrets Any family with immense power and possessions breeds secrets and scandals. Many of the Romanov family’s secrets will never be known, yet three at least are more or less clear.
Exiled Cartoonist From 1923 to 1941 Russian émigré Georgy Sapozhnikov was the most famous political cartoonist in Asia, applying his talent and perceptiveness to issues domestic and international.
Black Russians and Dark Years A review of "Twilight of the Romanovs," by Blom and Buckley, "Lina and Serge," by Simon Morrison, "The Black Russian," by Vladimir Alexandrov, and "Moscow 1937," by Karl Schlogel.
The Siberian Tea Road The Great Siberian Tea Road, a historic and legendary route that once connected China and Siberia with European Russia, was one of the world’s longest trade arteries. We retrace its path, geographically and culturally.
The Lure of Elbrus Each year, thousands of hikers are drawn to the Caucasus, convinced it will be no problem to scale Europe’s highest peak. After all, it’s only 18,510 feet, and a rail car can take you up to the base camp at 12,500 feet. But Elbrus is a devious mountain.
The Kauai Gambit In the early 1800s, while Napoleon raged in Europe, a German doctor and a local chieftan hatched an audacious plan: claim the Hawaiian islands for Russia.
Reflecting on Shishkin A reflection on the place of writers in Putin's Russia, through the lens of writer Mikhail Shishkin's refusal to take part in further government literary junkets.
Catherine's Manifesto of Silence What led Catherine, in 1763, to issue "The Anti-Prattle Decree"? Who would she need to silence and why?
The Crown of Monomakh During the early days of May 1113, shortly after the death of the Prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, unrest broke out in Kiev.
St. Petersburg's 300th May 8 marks the 300th anniversary of the official inauguration of St. Petersburg as the capital of the Russian state.
The Kremlin Assault on Merit Having waged campaigns against street protesters and foreign-funded NGOs, the Kremlin is apparently worried about other forms of independent thought, namely researchers and intellectuals who value scientific merit above political needs.
Looking East Over the years, countless historians, politicians and Slavophiles have asserted that the key to understanding Russia is in realizing that it is as much an Asian nation as a European one.
The Show Must Go On In July 2003, the Krylya (Wings) Rock Festival was held for the fourth time at the Tushino Airfield outside Moscow.
Young Pushkin A short piece on the young Alexander Pushkin, when he was just finding his poetic legs in the Lyceum.
Divorce or Parking, Which is Harder? A look at Putin's recent divorce announcement, Russia attitudes toward divorce, and how the capital is coping with the imposition of paid parking in the center.
Russian Mysteries Where we review "Murder at the Dacha," by Alexei Bayer, "The Twelfth Department," by William Ryan and "The House of Special Purpose," by John Boyne. Also reviewed in short are a few works of both fiction and nonfiction.
John Rahill's Magic Lantern In 2005 Anton Orlov stumbled across a collection of photographs that had barely seen the light of day for 80 years. For the next seven years, he was consumed by a quest to reveal the life story of the man who built the collection.
Prime Diminutives Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said he doesn't mind being called "Dimon." Not very leader-like, says Survival Russian columnist Mikhail Ivanov.
Lenin's London Party In 1903, unnoticed by few, a little group of radicals had a meeting in London that was to alter the face of the 20th century.
Russian Paris Even before the “City of Light” was the center for Russian emigration, it was the main Russian artistic outlet in the West. Today, Paris is brimming with Russian links.
Of Crocodiles and Tchaikovsky In this first of a series where Russians write about their hometowns, we visit an industrial city west of the Urals, Izhevsk, home to Tchaikovsky and Kalashnikov.
Some Like it Cold Summer is a time for cool dishes. Like Okroshka. Typically made from kvass, we offer an alternative recipe for those living in the kvass desert known as America.
Looking at Lukin In October 1867, with the stroke of a pen, Russian America became Alaska. But what happened to the Russian colonists and children of Russian colonists for whom this land was home?
One Hundred Years Ago A short look at three very different yet fascinating photos, all taken 100 years ago, in 1913. One is from Torzhok, one from Moscow, one from the Altai.
Peter and the Loop A look back at the first person ever to perform an aerial loop in an airplane, Pyotr Nesterov.
Culture Shocks Several cultural institutions lost their longtime directors this summer in what appeared to be a massive firing spree by the Russian government.
Homophobic Fever In an unprecedented legislative and propaganda effort, authorities are exploiting Russia's latent homophobia to pass a flurry of laws sending Russia's LGBT community deeper into hiding, or even out of the country.
Oba-na, Snowden! Edward Snowden's arrival in Russia was a cause of discomfort for its leaders, but it is a great pretext for considering all sorts of linguistic pearls related to spying and whistleblowing.
Sino-Soviet Split A look back at the spat between the USSR and China over liberalization and reform, with a poetic interlude offered by Vladimir Vysotsky.
Red Star over Leipzig Two hundred years ago, the last battle of Napoleon’s Russian campaign was fought near Leipzig, Germany. Today, the city has a thriving Russian population.
Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev This issue's Uchites language learning section looks at the life and work of Ivan Turgenev, born October 28, 1818.
The Death Artist Sergei Merkurov created some of the Soviet Union’s most iconic sculptures. But he also had a shadow profession: casting death masks of the elite.
The Pavlov Response Catherine II's desire for legitimacy and her gratitude for the healing of her heir (the future Paul I), led to the founding of Moscow's Pavlov Hospital for the poor.
The Backbone of Russia This is not your mother’s babushka! Yes, the babushka is still the backbone of Russia, but even a strong back needs a rest. How modern Russians are coping with change.
Ten Tips for Edward Snowden Whistleblower and international fugitive Edward Snowden can take some lessons from past defectors to Russia on how to survive (and even prosper) there.
A Bounty of Apples A consideration of the storied antonovka apple, and a recipe for a delicate recipe, Souffleed Baked Apples.
The Latest Imports A look at five young, western entrepreneurs and how they are making a go of it in Russia’s challenging business environment.
Demons on the Stage The 1913 staging of Dostoyevsky's Demons (as the play Nikolai Stavrogin caused a vehement argument between Russia's leading artistic theater and one of its leading writers.
All a-Twitter In our Trends section, editor Maria Antonova looks at Twitter accounts by dead writers, sex ed through literature, and poll results at psychiatric facilities in Moscow...
Science Wars The government wants to reform the Russian Academy of Sciences. Scientists are having none of it.
Verbs Take a Holiday A look at a four verbs that have had their meanings warped in recent years. Useful stuff to know so that you don't inadvertently order a hit when at the restaurant...
The Death of Vasily III When Grand Prince Vasily III died in late 1533, his second wife, Yelena Glinskaya made her move, ruthlessly so. In so doing, she paved the way for her son to take power. Ivan the Terrible would rule for 37 years...
The Poet Turns Historian How Nikolai Karamzin transformed himself from a noted poet into Russia's premier historian.
A Cosmic Wedding When two cosmonauts - Valentina Tereshkova and Andriyan Nikolayev - wed in late 1963, it was the event of the year. We print an extract from the diary of its stage manager.
The Plot Against the Big Three Sixty years ago this November, the Soviets uncovered a Nazi plot to assassinate Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt at the Tehran Conference. Or did they?
In the Army Now James Brown decided to test himself at the elite Russian paratroopers’ boot camp. This is his story.
Detskaya Zhelezhnaya Doroga The language learning insert focuses on the story on the Children's Railroad in this issue.
Stolby and Stolbisty Just beyond Krasnoyarsk is a national park catering to adventurous travelers. Recent upgrades show what Russia’s national park system could become.
Fiction Contest In which we announce - and print the entries - of the two winners of our fiction contest, based on a picture that appeared in our summer issue.
The Children's Railroad Ten miles outside Moscow is a functioning railway staffed and operated entirely by children. We go for a visit.
From Anna to Mikhail A short poem by Anna Akhmatova believed to be to Mikhail Lozinsky, who supported her through thick and thin.
Russian Chicago This sprawling Midwestern city is arguably America’s most Slavic metropolis. Yet it is surprisingly challenging to locate its Russian center.
Night on Tsvetnoy Boulevard In this excerpt and preview from the forthcoming Moscow and Muscovites we hear of Gilyarovsky's harrowing nighttime adventure along a Moscow boulevard.
Baba Yagas, Kremlin and Cooks A review of two books on Baba Yaga, one on the Kremlin, and one on Soviet cuisine and memoir. Also brief reviews of two movies and three other books on everything from Lee Harvey Oswald to emigres in Paris.
JudoPolitik Putin sees the world in terms of judo, the sport closest to his heart, while President Obama sees it in terms of basketball.
A New Time A look back at life a century ago, through the pages of one of the most popular papers of that time, New Times.
Yanukovich Takes a Banya The Ukraine-Russia-EU fracas had this columnist thinking about banyas and banya language...
The Plot to Assassinate Brezhnev In January 1969, a lone gunman, Victor Ilyin, opened fire on Leonid Brezhnev's barricade just outside Borovitsky Gate.
Tug of War A consideration of events in Kiev in the wake of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's flip flops on the EU AA treaty.
Then and Now The 1980 Moscow Olympics was marred by scandal, worried about security, and touted as a showpiece for the nation's development. The more things change...
Assessing the Damage Olympic host countries typically garner many more medals than their average take at a games. We look at Russia's prospects and what their victory could "cost" Russia. The story includes a two-page guide to the games, with a schedule of events and maps of the venues.
The Case in the Square The giant trunk appeared out of nowhere, a huge box that looked like a Versace suitcase left behind by a giant alien. To this day, its appearance and disappearance are a mystery.
Beyond the Games After the games are over and the crowds have gone home, Sochi will still be Sochi. We look at what this Black Sea resort has to offer visitors beyond Olympic wonders.
The Original Pair Their 1964 Olympic win at Innsbruck started a winning streak in pairs skating that has not bee, and likely never will be, equaled. So why have Ludmila Belousova and Oleg Protopopov not been invited to Sochi?
Empire and Paranoia This issue's review section considers Ben Judah's "Fragile Empire," Victor Martinovich's "Paranoia," C.P. Lesley's "The Golden Lynx," and Olga Fedina's "What Every Russian Knows (And You Don't)."
Dine Like a Pomor Cod was once scorned in Russia. Now it is properly seen as a delicacy. Start the New Year off right with this version of the fish with an egg and butter sauce.
Shooting, Amnesty and Relics A look at some recent events that made the news, but in ways not covered elsewhere.
The Suitcase Maker's Dream A look back at the amazing, and eccentric, Russian scientist Dmitry Mendeleyev, inventor of the Periodic Table.
The Subbotnik is Born A look back at the odd history of "Communist Saturdays" – or how working on non-workdays was not such a big deal.
Peter's Decree On March 23, 1714, Peter I (the Great) issued an ukaz making it illegal to break up noble estates by dividing them among multiple heirs.
Terror and Art A witness to the turning point that was Patriarch Tikhon’s funeral, artist Pavel Korin devoted the rest of his life to putting it on canvas.
Bunin's In Paris This issue uses Bunin's wonderful story, In Paris, to take readers back 100 years to the time of Russian's second sojourn in the City of Light.
In Defense On the negativity of press surrounding Sochi and why we don't even try defending Russia. That's not our beat.
Secret Bunker A stark manifestation of Cold War fears, this hidden bunker outside London was to have housed the Prime Minister in the event of nuclear war.
Chasing Nabokov In which a scholar of the great Russian-American writer goes in search of Nabokov’s other family estate.
Mysterious Folk Art These strange, paddle-shaped boards, painted with lively folk motifs, had both practical and symbolic significance in village life.
Pies to Brighten Bleak Winter Days These rich, slightly sweet pies from Karelia will warm up your end of winter days.
World's End The North can bewitch you, as Nikolai Gernet is reminded when he visits one of Russia’s most remote and attractive outposts.
Springtime in Paris Russian troops marched into Paris in March 1814 and were mostly welcomed during the duration of their occupation.
Spies and Memoirs Reviews of two nonfiction works about spies (some in Russia, one in America), and two memoirs of Russians from very different eras.
Mars Vehicle In March 1964, a Moscow university student, A. Bankovsky, chose a rather unusual topic for his graduation project: he drew up a blueprint for a "Martian helicopter."
Window on Europe Unraveling the mysteries of an intricately baroque church just outside Moscow takes us back to the time of Peter the Great.
Paralympic Spirit Two Russian-born athletes adopted by Americans make a triumphant showing in the land of their birth.
The Rise, Fall and Rise of Mikhail Glinka On the roller coaster biography of one of Russia's most famous composers.
Field of Dreams For years, photographer Igor Shpilenok has sought out the elusive wild tulips of Southern Russia and Kalmykia. Last spring he finally saw them. Sort of.
Putin, Lenin and Idioms A review of two timely books on Russian political and expat culture, and an update to a most important language book.
Volga River Mousse It's spring, and that means rhubarb! Join us in whipping up a bit of rhubarb mousse.
Dubious Intent An excerpt from the final installment in a popular Russian sci-fi saga, to coincide with the novel’s release.
Changing US and Russian Attitudes An infographical look at the changing attitudes Russians and Americans have toward one another.
The View from Anadyr Russia’s renewed interest in the Northern Sea Route is enabled by global warming and mirrors efforts of a century ago.
Russia's Eiffel Tower An iconic radio tower in Moscow is in threat of being razed, despite what activists, international experts, or the law has to say about it.
Prince Golitsyn May 2 marks 300 years since the death of Prince Vasily Vasilyevich Golitsyn in remote northern exile.
Leaving City Life Behind Summer means it is time to head to the dacha. Here are some linguistic items to pack before heading out.
Cold War in Space As the New Cold War between the US and Russia heats up, joint space ventures, some 40 years in the making, are in the crosshairs.
Distorted Portrait of an Artist Ilya Repin was one of Russia's most famous, prolific and talented artists. So why was he dismissed by some in the Soviet era?
Smolensk Becomes Russian There was a time when Smolensk, now so close to Moscow, was a world unto itself.
The Committee for the Wounded Two hundred years ago, in the wake of the Napoleonic war, Russia established a committee to take care of soldiers wounded in war.
Liquid Assets Healing baths and springs have a long history in Russian literature and culture, and those traditions are being revived.
The Last Months of Peace A century ago this summer, the War to End All Wars began. What were Russians concerned about in 1914? Not war.
A Kiss is Still a Kiss What is the deal with Russian men locking lips in greeting? Is it a thing? Or was it just a Brezhnev thing?
Simferopol's Banksy For six years, a street artist nicknamed Sharik has been leaving his mark on Crimean streets.
Holy Spring of Iskitim Outside the Siberian city of Novosibirsk a spring commemorates victims of a Gulag crime. Or does it?
Simferopolsky Banksy This issue's language learning insert is on the issue's story on a popular Crimean street artist.
Ukrainian Sparks A renowned Ukrainian artist uses street art to pay tribute to those who fell in his country’s recent uprising.
Instinct for Preservation On the Russian art of food preservation, and a refreshing summer recipe for melon preserves.
Spies, Denouncers and Gods Three books make our cut this issue, and all are about spies and infiltrators.
Lermontov This issue's language insert looks at the work of Yuri Nagibin, featured in the Calendar section.
In Search of the Wild Wolf Three documentarians traveled to one of Russia‘s most pristine, remote locations to film wolves that have never before had contact with humans. We tag along.
For Better or Worse Every time one thinks that things just can‘t get any worse on the US-Russian relations front, they do.
Le Fameux Nikita A look back at the oft maligned Nikita Khrushchev, on the 50th anniversary of his ouster.
Conservative Congress Two hundred years ago, after Napoleon's downfall, the heads of Europe got together to fashion the new Europe, which they wanted to look rather a lot like the old Europe, except Tsar Alexander wanted some changes.
False Dmitry In October 1604, an army under the command of a man claiming to be Dmitry, son of Ivan IV (the Terrible), crossed the Russian border from Poland. Dmitry – now generally believed to be the impostor Grigory Otrepyev actually succeeded. For a time.
Menshikov the Scientist In October 1714 Alexander Menshikov, one of Peter the Great’s closest associates, received a letter from England signed by Sir Isaac Newton himself. Newton informed Menshikov that he had been elected to Britain’s Royal Society.
In Pushkin's Shadow Mikhail Lermontov, whom many consider Russia‘s second greatest poet, was born 200 years ago. We consider the enduring mysteries of his philosophy and work.
Moscow's Zoo One hundred and fifty years ago, Moscow‘s zoo opened just outside the city‘s Garden Ring. Ever since, the 53-acre institution has been deeply embedded in the city‘s life.
Summer on the Amur What could be more Russian than enjoying freshly cooked shashlyk at the summer dacha? Yet summer has many "seasons" of its own. And they vary even within regions.
On the Street Photographer Dmitry Ryzhkov captures extraordinary moments of ordinary Russians on the streets of Moscow. Sometimes it gets him into trouble.
An Ambivalent Relationship A look at the historically testy relationship between Russians and Ukrainians.
Poets and Steam Where we review two books by and about poets, and one about banyas. All are highly recommended.
The New Separatists While Russia encourages "federalization" in Ukraine, it is jailing persons who dare call for decentralization at home, even if they are only using humor to make a point.
Idols and Anniversaries The Wall and Iron Felix may be gone, but one important thing never happened, which explains plenty about modern Russian politics.
The English Invasion Russia may have become staunchly anti-Western, but it would be very hard to say the same thing about the language.
Catherine's Medal On December 7, 1714, Peter I established a new medal named after his wife. This was a rather special medal...
The Great Wrong Turn A look back at the proclamation of Collectivization, in November 1929, leading essentially to the reinstatement of serfdom in Russia.
Season of Scandals As summer turned into fall, a series of highly public spats broke out in Russia, with celebrities and cultural figures demonstrating deeply polarized attitudes about the crisis in Ukraine, the Kremlin, and history.
The Museum of All Things Founded by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg's Kunstkamera is one of the world's oldest museums. Intended as a storehouse and library of all the world's knowledge, it has been both more and less than that.
Kirov's Murder On December 1, 1934, the USSR was shocked by the murder of Sergei Kirov, leader of Leningrad. But there was far worse yet to come.
The Forgotten Winter War You won't find much about the Russo-Finnish War (1939-40) in Russian history books.
Memoirs and History A review of Elena Gorokhova's memoir, Russian Tatoo, The Devil's Alliance, by Roger Moorhouse, and The Kreutzer Sonata Variations, translated by Michael Katz. Also, a look at the amazing photo album book, Soviet Ghosts, by Rebecca Litchfield.
The Wall: 25 Years Since Mauerfall Twenty-five years ago this month, the Berlin Wall was felled by a bureaucrat's misstatement. But then again the Wall was never on the side of history.
Stepping Back in Time Kenozersky National Park is a portal back in time, where the ways of life, traditions, and beliefs are those of many decades before.
Leniniana It is likely no individual has had more graven public images cast of him than Vladimir Lenin. Recently, a Moscow exhibition delved into the early Soviet regime's search for the "perfect" Lenin, revealing plenty of rejected versions.
Word for Word Lilianna Lungina was a leading literary translator in the Soviet Union. Her autobiography was a huge bestseller in Russia and is finally appearing in English. We present a short excerpt.
Terror's Legacy In December 1564, Ivan the Terrible abdicated the Russian throne. The consequences were dire and continue to affect Russian society, 450 years on.
Culture Wars Moscow is purging theaters, clubs and a media outlet that was at the forefront of covering protest actions.
A Russo-Finnish Delicacy Tyanushki - hot caramel sauce - over cranberries is a perfect treat as fall sets in.
Birthing Pains Birth was no easy thing in rural Russia in the nineteenth century, not for mother or child. All manner of bizarre and unsafe practices reigned, from being “corrected,” to getting popped in the oven, to being left alone all day while mom worked in the fields.
The Long and Short of It Some well know short idioms actually have longer context that helps illuminate their deeper meanings.
Serov and 1905 Born in 1865, Valentin Serov was one of Russia's greatest painters of the 19th and 20th centuries. His painting, 110 years ago, of Bloody Sunday, captured the tragedy and carnage of that pivotal event.
The End of Pragmatism As the economy's crisis deepens, President Putin is increasingly focusing on intangibles.
Pushkin and Derzhavin On January 8, 1815 was the monumental "meeting" of Alexander Pushkin and Gavrila Derzhavin, the greatest poets of their respective generations.
A Deluge of Images and Feelings Boris Pasternak was born 125 years ago. We look back at how he has been remembered.
Boris Pasternak This issue's Uchites Russian language learning section includes an excerpt from Doctor Zhivago and a poem by Boris Pasternak.
Soviet Redux It seems the more removed in time the USSR becomes, the more nostalgia grows for its symbols and traditions. Increasingly, these elements are worming their way back into Russian life. If they ever left.
Crimean Sojourn Mikhail Mordasov has been traveling all over Crimea since the annexation last spring. He shares this moving photo feature.
May the Borshch Be With You! The new year is a perfect time to try borshch, which has an interesting history.
Red Square Originally known as “Pozhar,” then “Torg,” Red Square is a repository of Russian historical memory, the altar of the motherland and, in general, the center of the Russian universe. But how did it all come together?
Simple and Primitive Why the teachings of Marx and Lenin just won't go away, and why Russia's current ruling generation is the most Soviet of all time.
Two Megalomaniacs A review of two books on megalomaniacal personalities, The Baron's Cloak, by Willard Sunderland, and Limonov by Emmanuel Carrere. See our reviews section for full reviews.
Send in the Clones Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against communists, per se. Some of my best friends were communists.
Yuri Nagibin The writer Yuri Nagibin led an incredibly hard life, although, by Soviet standards, from the outside his life may have looked charmed.
First Book For centuries, the Russian Church strove to shield Muscovy from foreign influences, believing that they would weaken faith and put the kingdom in peril.
1715: Peter and the Kunstkamera The year 1715 began with several innovations introduced by Tsar Peter I.
The Stray Dog Cabaret A look back at the end of St. Petersburg's avant garde hangout for poets and bohemians.
Sticks and Stones The war in Ukraine has been accompanied by an often incomprehensible war of words. We investigate.
Up, Up and Away This issue's Trends section looks at the impact of inflation and the dustup over Leviathan.
Russia for Russians On new regulations restricting foreigners' travel and what it takes to get a work permit in the federation.
Sprouting Spring Celebrations There has been a proliferation of professional holidays in Russia, and those falling in the spring have a peculiar "bent" toward the military and law enforcement bodies...
The Murman Coast The remote Russian-Norwegian-Finnish borderlands offer some of the starkest contrasts between cultures and history you will find anywhere on Earth.
Captain of Teriberka There is another Teriberka story that predates the current Leviathan dust-up. It involves a willful captain, fishing rights and, oh yes, the Norwegian navy.
From a Distant Shore Photojournalist Mikhail Mordasov traveled to Russia’s furthest northwestern outpost to see the town where the acclaimed movie Leviathan was filmed.
Prison, Alexis and Siberia Reviews of a book by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, "My Fellow Prisoners," "Alexis in America, by Lee Farrow, "Midnight in Siberia," by by NPR host David Greene, "Trepanation of the Skull," by Sergei Gandlevsky, and "An American Diplomat in Bolshevik Russia," by DeWitt Clinton Poole.
Recipe for Austerity No time like Lent for some Shchi! We offer both lenten and non-lenten options for making this hearty and tasty dish.
Stealing Brides The Caucasus is a region rich in tradition and often impenetrable to outside understanding. The modernized ritual of “bride kidnapping” is a case in point; we asked a local journalist to guide us.
Reform Begins Today it is hard to imagine the revolutionary atmosphere that pervaded the Soviet Union in March and April of 1985.
The Grandmaster Author and journalist Alexei Bayer ruminates on chess champion and political activist Garry Kasparov, who appeared recently in New York.
Peter's Reform On April 26, 1715, Peter I published his Military Statute, which remained in effect until the mid-nineteenth century.
A War By Any Other Name This issue's language column looks at the many subtleties of what one calls the war, and some parts of it.
Nagibin's Clear Ponds This issue's language insert looks at the work of Yuri Nagibin, featured in the Calendar section.
Siberian Punk Who knew? The heart of Siberia, a place best known for its severe winters, was the birthplace of one of the most original, raw rock movements ever to hit the USSR.
Hospice Pain On the unnecessary difficulties that those undergoing cancer and hospice care must endure.
Signatures of War What better way to remember veterans of World War II than through portraits? Arthur Bondar’s project takes us there.
Mayskie Prazdniki The language insert in this issue takes off from Tamara Eidelman's article on May Holidays.
Old and New Holidays of Spring There are known and lesser known holidays celebrated each spring. Let's review.
Chukotka Gold A new movie taps into nostalgia for the Soviet era, recounting the discovery of gold in the Russian far northeast.
A Photo Bug We catch up with a Russian émigré who has turned his love of photography and his hankering for business into one of the most successful online photo marketplaces.
A Forest Terem Deep in a northern forest, a restless adventurer discovered a crumbling relic of a bygone era. Since then, he has been fighting against the odds to restore it.
A Classic Treat Stuffed prunes. So much more than you think they are. Luxurious and tasty, and a perfect treat for spring.
The Kryashen Neither Tatar or Russian, the Kryashen are a fascinating ethnic minority that struggles to defend its place, and identity, in southern Russia.
Free Economic Society The Free Economic Society was founded on June 26, 1765, promoted by several Russian aristocrats that earned the blessing of Catherine II herself.
Euphe-Putin-isms The things people say these days when they don't say anything can be rather illuminating.
A Dangerous Woman and a Soviet Kid In which we review "A Very Dangerous Woman," by Deborah McDonald and Jeremy Dronfield; "The Complete Folktales of A.N. Afanas'ev," by Jack V. Haney; "USSR: Diary of a Perestroika Kid," by Vladimir Kozlov; "Moscow, St. Petersburg & The Golden Ring," by Masha Nordbye; and "High Society Dinners," by Yuri Lotman.
Baby It's Cold Outside When i first arrived in Moscow, I couldn’t say much in Russian, but I could talk about the weather.
What a Difference a Decade Makes US-Russian relations are on ice. We aim to challenge the prevailing trend with a cross-Russia trip by two photojournalists. Join us, won't you?
Bitter Annexations How a Russian deals with the hostility from Baltic residents about the events of 1940, even when one does not agree with or condone them.
Weaponizing History History is being increasingly politicized. Case in point, a recent documentary about the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
Wild Pitch It is not an easy task to sell the very American sport of baseball in a time of state-sanctioned anti-Americanism. But that doesn’t stop the Gladikovs.
The 1905 Revolution 110 years ago, the 1905 revolution set Russia on a course that would lead to war and revolution.
Between Two Worlds During the tsarist era, Russians’ perceptions of themselves were powerfully shaped by travelogues about the world that lay beyond the empire’s borders.
Once is Not Enough Polygamy may be illegal in Russia, but that didn't stop a highly-placed friend of Ramzan Kadyrov from having a very public wedding to a second (at the same time) wife.
Crime & Punishment This summer, why not read one of the classics? As a teaser, we offer an excerpt from Dostoyevsky’s timeless classic, in a new translation by Oliver Ready.
Trotsky's End Seventy-five years ago this August, Leon Trotsky was brutally murdered while living in exile in Mexico. Levi Bridges visited the scene of the crime, now a veritable shrine to the Bolshevik leader.
Vladivostok On the anniversary of its "birth" we look back at the history of the "ruler of the East"...
The Joy of Soviet Cooking Anna Kharzeeva is learning to cook, Soviet style, from her grandmother. We listen in, and get a fresh new recipe for summer shchi (soup).
The Enchantment of Kimzha William Brumfield has been tromping all over the Russian North for three decades, documenting soon-to-be-lost architecture and villages. He takes us to tiny Kimzha.
Northern Mozzarella In response to Western sanctions, Russian counter-sanctions, and Russians' love of cheese, a northern monastery is using experience and equipment from Italy to make fine soft cheeses.
Stalin, Mythology and Faberge Reviews of "Stalin: A New Biography of a Dictator," by Oleg Khlevniuk; "The Great Glass Sea", by Josh Weil; and the documentary "Faberge: A Life of its Own."
Nobel Passions For the people of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, or the Russian Federation, it has always been exceptionally important who among their fellow citizens was awarded a Nobel Prize and who was not. We look back at 100 years of awards.
Cleansing Fire Moscow’s attack on all things foreign went into overdrive this summer as the Kremlin ordered destruction of embargoed food at the border.
War and Peace One hundred and fifty years go this July, the first part of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace was published.
1715: Bruce's Calendar On September 17, 1715, in Moscow’s Sukharev Tower, home to the School of Mathematics and Navigation, an unusual book was put on public display: a calendar.
Two Dmitrys and a Marina For lovers of Russian literature, Marina Mniszech is more literary figment than historical figure. Yet her life was truly interesting, from any angle.
1815: The Holy Alliance The idea of a Holy Alliance was dear to Alexander’s religious heart. He believed that God would protect legitimate rulers. The Holy Alliance did not quite work out that way.
Say What? Every once in a while someone asks me how to translate a particular phrase, and my answer is not that it can’t be translated or that it is hard to translate, but that there’s no point in translating it: We just don’t say it that way.
Himalayan Dreams Why are there so many Russian expats in India? Why do they come here and why, more importantly, do they stay?
Beyond the World of the Living When he was a child, the author often overheard the hushed conversations of adults alluding to concentration camps in Yakutia. When he grew up, he went in search of them.
Prose of the Mountains A section of three excerpts from the Central European Press' new translation of the works of Aleksandre Qazbegi, which vividly bring back the spirit and feel of the Caucasus of the 19th century.
Pivot to the Celestial Empire Russia is seeing a boom in tourism from China. Why is that, and what does it mean?
Soviet Bus Stops Photographer Christopher Herwig traveled the length and breadth of the Soviet empire, and brought back stunning images of bus stops.
Poke This You really have to be careful who you pose for a selfie with. Unless, of course that's what you meant to do.
Tsars, War and Komiks Books we liked, including Dominc Lieven's "The End of Tsarist Russia," Anthony Marra's "The Tsar of Love and Techno," Denise Youngblood's "Bondarchuk's War and Peace," and Jose Alaniz's "Komiks: Comic Art in Russia."
How the Upper Crust Dined The nineteenth-century St. Petersburg aristocrat Petr Pavlovich Durnovo regularly entertained at his mansion on the city’s fashionable English Embankment. Thanks to a trove of his dinner menus from 1857-1858, we can get a good sense of the foods that the mid-century aristocracy enjoyed.
The Hedgehog The news is filled with stories of refugees, migrants and barbed wire, to say nothing of xenophobic laws and sanctions. So when we came across this award-winning comic book tale by a Yekaterinburg-based artist, we had to share it.
Alexander's Constitution Why did Tsar Alexander I grant a constitution to Poland, a subject state of the Empire, and not Russia?
Pure Poetry, And Then Some Is Russian poetry a shortcut to understanding the ever elusive Russian Soul? We aim to find out.
Arctic Crossing Syrian refugees are also streaming through Russia to Europe, only along a not very hospitable path, and are forced to make the last leg on bicycles.
Healers, Tsars and Gangs Reviews of Eugene Vodolazkin's Laurus, Stephen Meyer's The New Tsar, and Svetlana Stephenson's Gangs of Russia.
Remembrance of Tarkhun Past Moscow has seen a surge in food truck festivals. Jennifer Eremeeva went to check one out and found one of the most popular proprietors on site was offering an old Georgian drink filled with nostalgia... and tarragon.
Email and the Russian Soul Where we take on the knotty issues of how to start and end an email in Russian. Plus of course some of the stuff in between.
Russians in Switzerland The Russians and the Swiss have had a special relationship for over 200 years. It all dates back to a rather perilous crossing of the Alps by Russian troops that preserved Swiss independence.
Aunties: The Seven Summers of Aleutian and Ludmila In a small village in northwest Russia, Nadia Sablin spent seven summers capturing evocative photos of her dear Russian aunts. It is a stunning portrait of their generation and the countryside.
Temporary Rules A look at Russia's on-again, off-again relationship with censorship since the time of Peter the Great.
Eisenstein's Masterpiece A look back at the premiere of the masterpiece Battleship Potyomkin, at what it chose to keep in and what it chose to keep out.
The Italians Who Built the Third Rome It may have been built by Russian laborers, but the Kremlin and its churches has Italian architects to thank for its Third Rome design ethos. This is their story.
Proverbs for Language Learning One hundred and fifty years go this July, the first part of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace was published.
Thrown Out, Thrown Back On the one hand, social media of late was overtaken by reaction to a bigoted act against the special needs sister of a famous model; on the other hand, controversy arose about Russians being a bit too nostalgic about the 1990s.
Arctic Rush Russia is in the lead in staking a claim for Arctic "land" and the ownership of what are estimated to be vast oil and gas reserves.
Xenophobe's Paradox The more foreign things you forbid or ignore, the smaller and less safe your world becomes.
A Bear's Feast Where we look back at a 1912 feast, scrutinizing the menu to learn how the upper crust of Russian society ate.
Dating Games How are busy, young Russians coping in the era of Tinder and online dating? Our reporter finds it to be largely a world of scammers and sketchy apps.
Ignoble Reactions A consideration of envy and how many are reacting to Svetlana Alexievich's winning the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Gogol on the Rocks Nikolai Gogol was born in Ukraine and is revered in his homeland. So why is the house where he lived in Odessa in such disrepair, and will anything ever be done about it?
The Hunt According to an Udege proverb, “If you see a tiger for one second, he has been watching you for an hour.” And what happens if one unwittingly unleashes a tiger’s bad side? You must, the Udege believe, hunt down and kill the tiger – not an easy thing.
Fiction, Ukraine and Civil War Reviews of "The Big Green Tent," by Lyudmila Ulitskaya, "The Gates of Europe," by Serhii Plokhy, and a new translation of "Red Cavalry," by Isaac Babel.
The Tale of a Fisherman and a Little Fish This issue's language insert excerpts this famous Pushkin fairy tale in search of anachronistic words.
The Krasnodar Riot A little known riot in Soviet Krasnodar in 1961 was a sign of the times - inept reforms, and pent up resentments. It resonates to this day.
Osip Mandelstam On the anniversary of the birth of an extremely talented, headstrong poet who was taken from us too soon.
Russia's First Photojournalist One hundred and fifty-eight years ago, Russia’s first photojournalist was born... ?as a serf. How he overcame his difficult youth is a great story. How he turned photography into a tool for social change is an even better one.
Two Minds Most Russophiles are of two minds on Russia these days, struggling to reconcile the Russia they love with the one they hate.
Pyrrhic Defeat The Congress of Paris in 1856 settled the outcome of the Crimean War, where Russia's loss set the stage for the next fifty years of history.
Not Your Babushka's Farmers' Market A visit to the newly hip Danilovsky Market in Moscow nets a very chic recipe for Gourmet Pelmeni.
Those Who Return They left Russia in droves after the Revolution, now some Old Believers whose ancestors put down roots in South America are returning to live in the Russian Far East.
Soviet Dissent: Genesis and Heirs Half a century ago, the Soviet dissent movement began when two young writers were put on trial for publishing their works abroad and “slandering the state.” We consider how this relates to modern events.
Life Along the BAM It was one of the greatest building projects of the Soviet era, inspiring thousands to pick up and move to Siberia. Author Edwin Trommelen traveled the route and got to know Bamovtsy.
Putin, Poetry and Spies Reviews of Putin Country, by Anne Garrels, Russian Silver Age Poetry, Sibelan Forrester and Martha Kelley, eds., and Near and Distant Neighbors, by Johnathan Haslam.
Raskol A look back at the historic Great Moscow Synod, the ousting of Nikon and the split in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Peter's Ship Fifteen years after the new Shtandart launched, boat builders on Solovetsky created a replica of an even older ship: the first Russian naval ship built on Russian soil, in 1693.
Raising the Shtandart In the spring of 1703, Peter the Great oversaw the building of Russia’s first Baltic fleet flagship. In 1995, Vladimir Martus decided to build a replica.
On the Take A look at the language of corruption, which would seem a rather useful thing to have in your back pocket.
Leonardo da Putin What do Leonardo DiCaprio and Ramzan Kadyrov have in common? Why Vladimir Putin, of course.
Breathing Foreign Air 20 years ago this month, Soviets were first granted rights to unfettered foreign travel.
The Master of Olkhon Twenty years ago, scheduled flights halted at this distant, Siberian airfield. But that hasn't stopped Vladimir Prokopiyev and his wife Gerald from keeping the landing strip in working order.
Poetry Smackdown Maria Zakharova, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, staged a poetry slam of sorts with writer Dmitry Bykov after he published a lyrical comment about the initiative announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu: to launch a national soccer league. This poetic exchange, however, is more about Zakharova’s verbal style than the substance of the matter.
A Librarian, An Inventor and A Painter Reviews of Mikhail Elizarov's The Librarian, Oleg Kashin's Fardwor, Russia and Konstantin Makovsky: The Tsar's Painter in America and Paris
Hunting the Kola Super Deep Borehole Last fall, Russian Life editor Paul Richardson and photojournalist Mikhail Mordasov set off on a Kickstarter-funded, month-long, 6,000-kilometer road trip between Russia’s northern and southern borders.
The Man with the Monocle This May is the 125th birthday of one of the greatest of Russian writers. Unfortunately, he saw little of his fame during his lifetime.
A Sumptuous Feast In celebration of Tsar Alexander III’s coronation in May 1883, the renowned artist Viktor Vasnetsov designed menus for a series of festive dinners.
The Murder of the Romanovs The revolt of the Czech Legionnaires along the Trans-Siberian imperiled the young Bolshevik regime. And when they became successful, their actions helped precipitate the gruesome end to the Romanov dynasty.
The Legend's Grandson It can't be easy to make a mark in a sport where your grandfather long ago made your family name legendary, but Victor Tikhonov is giving it a snapshot.
Refuge in Science There is a flourishing field that defies the current sour public mood and is attracting ever increasing crowds of young people: education.
Dangerous History The study of history in Russia has become increasingly dangerous for anyone who fails to stick to official narratives.
Staying Unpredictable The best trips are those that are unpredictable, that defy expectations and surprise you.
Cool as Cucumber Noodles Cucumbers are practically their own food group in Russia. We offer a cooling recipe...
An Unlikely Tsar Vasily Ivanovich Shuysky is generally treated as a minor figure in the history of the Time of Troubles, which is not just.
In My Grandfather's Footsteps Seventy years after his grandfather’s escape from a military labor camp, photographer Michal Iwanowski retraces his steps, discovering both Russia and himself along the way.
Stateless Soccer A football (soccer) tourney was held in Abkhazia among unrecognized and semi-autonomous states. Russian Life was there.
Wither Russia? In which we review four books: I’m Going to Ruin Their Lives, by Marc Bennetts; Black Wind, White Snow, by Charles Clover; The Less You Know, the Better You Sleep, by David Satter; and The Invention of Russia by Arkady Ostrovsky. All reviews are posted in our Book Reviews section.
Russian and Not Russian Ukraine’s bustling Black Sea port is one of that country’s most Russian of cities. And while there seems to be some dispute about how old the city is, there is no disputing that Odessa is distinctly Odessan.
When a Book is More Than a Book 2016 is the fortieth anniversary of the release of Hedrick Smith’s pathbreaking book, The Russians, the first book to truly take readers behind the Iron Curtain and into the everyday lives of Russians.
One Karelian Village Recently tapped as Russia’s most beautiful village, the tiny Karelian settlement of Kinerma (population 5) was also an unforgettable stop on The Spine of Russia journey.
Reliving August 1991 Visiting the new Yeltsin Museum in Yekaterinburg on before the 25th anniversary of the 1991 coup.
Field Notes from the Empire's Edge Vladimir Arsenyev was a 28-year-old army officer when he set out to map and study Russia’s Ussuri Kray, bordering China and the Pacific. Thankfully, he also had an eloquent pen.
Malevich's Ukrainian Square A century-old work of art by an avant-garde artist has become a symbol for the growing rift between Russia and Ukraine, just as more is being learned about its famous artist.
A Russian Master in Britain Boris Anrep left Russia after the Revolution and made a life in Britain as one of world’s greatest artists. But in Russia he left behind a great love named Akhmatova.
Art Takes a Village The 11th International Festival of Landscape Art, Arkhstoyanie, took place on July 23-24 in Kaluga Oblast. We sent Nadezhda Grebennikova and Mikhail Mordasov to take a look.
A Prowess-Testing Pie Russian Wedding Pie (Kurnik) makes great party fare, but it also has an interesting history connected to fall holidays.
Russian Riddles This issue's language supplement poses some difficult linguistic riddles. Can you solve them?
The Year 1956 A look back at the events and controversies that engaged Russia and the world in 1956, the year that Russian Life was founded.
Crossing Siberia Matt Traver decided to walk across Siberia and create a documentary film in the process. His first leg didn’t go very smoothly.
Now a Sexagenarian With this issue, Russian Life turns 60. Is a magazine like this still necessary? More than ever, we think.
Stumping for Trump, Lynchin' Clinton The electoral season is in full swing in Russia — or rather, the Russian press is in high-gear reporting, commenting, and interpreting the US presidential elections.
Counting Sheep In which we follow scientists to the middle of Russian nowhere (so remote, rivers and valleys are unnamed), as they track the elusive and very rare Putorana snow sheep.
Everyday Russia Where we share a few images from the popular Everyday Russia Instagram feed we have been featuring on our blog each week since January.
Kremlin's Men, Majors and Fools Reviews of books on Putin's Kremlin, two films by Yury Bykov, and a map of Moscow.
The Garage For Soviet Man, the garage was a special place. Guys gathered here after work to discuss their most pressing problems, and maybe played a bit of chess or had a few drinks. But this is not that sort of garage. Not at all.
Moscow in the Middle Despite the current economic downturn, the capital continues to buzz with construction and renovation. We look at what drives current changes and where things are headed.
Exploring Borders Maria Gruzdeva traveled for several years in Russia’s borderlands, gathering photos and stories. She has now compiled it all in a book, and gives us a taste.
Crowdfunding Russian businessmen, artists, activists and dreamers are embracing crowdfunding as a way to drum up financial support for projects that cannot attract state funding or loans.
Beloved Friend Renowned conductor Semyon Bychkov has initiated a new project in appreciation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. We tracked him down in Paris to find out more.
Russia After Rasputin In which we check back in on Russian history every decade since Rasputin's death and look at links and other anniversaries.
Ivan's Return Every nation builds monuments to those who symbolize the best the country has produced. Yet sometimes there is wide disagreement on what “best” means.
History Through the Eyes of Three Monuments In which we look at the history of Russia through the eyes of three very different monuments in the capital: Pushkin, Dzerzhinsky & Vorovsky.
Sheshurino, Boy & Mishka Sparrowlegs Our first of several visits to a remote village, through the eyes of Darya Grebenshchikova.
Sea Hunt At the southeastern-most tip of Russia, where it butts up against China and North Korea, there is a beautiful marine preserve. And there are also poachers.
The Museum of Forgotten Music A museum in Voronezh, known to very few local residents, has become a storehouse for forgotten but beloved Russian folk instruments.
1917 Diary In which we relive the events of 1917 through the words, memories and actions of some of the main players: politicians, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Culture Clash Leading lights (and some not so leading) clash over the scope of government interference in the arts.
Pyramid & Paskha A strange church in St. Petersburg’s outskirts offers a fascinating historical side trip.
Lenin, Rodeo and Beslan Reviews of "Lenin on the Train," "Don't Let my Baby Do Rodeo," and "Mother Tongue".
Food of the Gods We look at the special place in Russian culture occupied by tvorog, and of course offer a tasty recipe...
The Ghost of the Mountains Editor Maria Antonova headed off to the mountains of the Altai to learn about a project that monitors rare snow leopards. We get to tag along.
Russian Names In this issue, Uchites looks at the Russian custom of affixing people with three different names.
Dovlatov in America Some writers adapt easily to living abroad, after being cut off from their homeland. Sergei Dovlatov was not one of those writers.
Traditionalism Resurgent Abortion rights and domestic abuse have come under fire of late, marking some new battle lines in the social sphere.
Church v. State City, state and citizens battle over the future of St. Issac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg
Travel Notes Most beautiful village takes it on the chin, movie museum, Kremlin foundations, and more.
Issue 147 This may be one of my favorite issues of Russian Life since we took over the magazine in 1995.
What Did He Say? Donald Trump sounds very different in English and in Russian. We investigate the why, and it's huge!
The Spring Dinosaur Russia's annual spring draft began April 1. This dinosaur gets harder to kill with each passing year.
A Dozen Reviews In which we review 12 titles that have been teetering in our review pile and that Russophiles should love.
The Russian Way There are many ways to learn music, but just one “Russian Way,” as cellist Marianne Ide finds out.
The Bad Flat Where better to begin a literary tour of Moscow than at Mikhail Bulgakov’s notoriously bad apartment, which had an important cameo in his most famous work.
Flirting Over Cabbage In which we consider the less than humble cabbage and its history in village life, and offer a quick sauerkraut recipe.
Raspberry Beetles It is surprisingly simple (in certain circumstances) to mix up homebrew with other, less harmful things.
Four Wishes A short story by Konstantin Ushinsky, the noted pedagogue, is the subject of this issue's language learning page.
Romanov Toys A look at a lesser-known folk craft style with prerevolutionary roots and a whimsical, musical bent.
Rebooting Conversations On how much more difficult it is becoming to have a civil conversation in Russia.
Cats in the Fridge “We do buy newspapers, and why wouldn’t we? It’s all spelled out in the paper – what the weather’s going to be like, how many rubles there are to the dollar, when the district center’s going to have chickens for sale. No, how can you do without the printed word?”
Flying Machine The Tretyakov Gallery has completed restoration of a defining artwork of the Russian avant-garde: the ornithopter, or flying machine, created by Vladimir Tatlin in 1932.
New Year, New Story With the turning of the calendar, it is time to look forward, and to think about what this magazine must become.
Note Book All the news that is fit to print, including notes on art, the environment, clocks and monuments.
Heir Abhorrent On February 3, 1718, Emperor Peter I issued a manifesto depriving Alexei, his son by his first wife, of the right to succeed him to the throne.
The Historian February 1, 1818 was a milestone in the history of Russian culture, marking the release of the first eight volumes of Nikolai Karamzin’s History of the Russian State.
Siberian Waters We travel to a distant, Siberian lake, Russia’s second deepest, in search of the remains of ancient Evenk culture. The reindeer may be largely gone, but fishing is still an important, and powerful, shared tradition.
On Celebrating the New Year In this issue’s Uchites, we look at New Year’s by reading a very old text and learning a popular children’s song.
Words of the Year Every year, a group of Russian word-lovers vote on the word – or rather words – of the year. Here are the results.
Spies, Found Life, and other Fantasies In which we review Amy Knight's Orders to Kill, Linor Goralik's Found Life, a new translation of Monday Starts on Saturday, and the new novel Gogol's Head.
Retaking a Village A Russian entrepreneur and family save a village, start an agro business, and share a recipe for Tatar pies.
Four Museums In which we tour four museums in four cities and towns in Russia and Ukraine, to see what they tell us about soceity more broadly.
Russian March In which we look back and turning points in March: in 1918, 1953, and (perhaps) 2018. The season of thaw and the onset of spring is fraught with omens.
Cold War Some creative prisoners decided to sculpt a full-scale model of a Topol-M mobile, intercontinental missile launcher. Out of snow.
164 Days and Counting The new Luzhniki, the stadium in Moscow where the opening and final matches of this summer’s World Cup football (soccer) championships will be held, hosted its first match: a friendly game between Russia and Argentina.
Note Book All the news that fits, from all over Russia, including locusts, The Death of Stalin, finances, and a Grammy.
Death of Cinema? This is the first time that Russia's Culture Ministry has censored a film by cancelling its license to be shown in theaters. Satire takes a hit.
Better by Half On International Women's Day, our Children of 1917 project, and a colleague who will be missed.
Leonid Gayday In her final Uchites column for Russian Life, Natalia Gogolitsyna takes a look at one of Russia's most beloved filmmakers and the winged phrases that are one of his legacies.
Are You Out of Your Mind? A rather adequate look at the rise of "adekvatny" and "neadekvatny" in colloquial speech.
Can't Get No... Who, what, where, and why: the kerfuffle over a few aviation cadets and their posting of a slightly racy video online. And how average Russians rose to defend them.
Khrushchev and Me In the winter of 1968, ousted Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev was brooding in his government dacha outside Moscow, readying to send his memoirs abroad. Then the British military attache and his son stopped by for a visit.
Reconstructing the Past Of late, more and more Russians are getting involved in historic reenactments, attempting to recreate battles on the land in Russia where they originally occurred.
The Women of Russian Diplomacy Over the 70-year lifespan of the “most equal and democratic nation” known as the Soviet Union, just a handful of women rose to the rank of ambassador. A few more have attained this level since 1991, yet diplomacy in Russia remains largely a male preserve.
Margarita, Salvage and the House of Government In which we review a novel about Bulgakov and his love, Margarita (Mikhail and Margarita, by Julie Himes); Soviet Salvage, by Catherine Walworth; and The House of Government, by Yuri Slezkine.
Russian Tea Drinking Traditions On the Soviet tradition of making do, and spending long evenings around the table drinking tea and eating cake. Like Bird's Milk cake, this issue's recipe.
Lighter Than Air A few enterprising Russians are seeking to put their country at the forefront of the world’s dirigible industry. Their rising hopes are built on the country’s long history of aerostat development.
May & June In which we look back at spring events that have shaped Russian history in years ending in 8.
Avdotya and the District Medic When the district medic comes around, the stage is set for a skirmish between modern and traditional medicine.
An Oasis in Moscow A visit to the Krutitsy Patriarchal Residence in Moscow is like walking through a portal into a time long past.
Pattern of Tragedies On the mall fire disaster in Kemerovo and how the system is doing nothing to prevent the next disaster of this type.
Veteran Lives The daily lives of World War II veterans is the subject of a new art project that brings these heroes’ stories and visages front and center.
Living 100 Russian Years You can be sure that someone born in 1917 in Russia will have stories to tell. Galina Grebneva has more than her fair share.
A Song About Paintings A popular song about paintings helps language learners pick up some artistic vocabulary.
War on Art A crazed man defacing the famous painting of Ivan the Terrible and his son is but the latest twist in the ongoing debate about the role of Ivan the Terrible in Russian history.
Resurrection This May some very special tanks will be featured in Russian memorial parades: Lend-Lease tanks sent to the USSR by the US and only recently pulled up from the bottom of the sea.
Russia's Restaurant Boom A vibrant cuisine is testing the limits, fusing with other national cuisines. How is this happening in Russia?
Getting Creative 'You want to go out into Khatanga Gulf?' So begins an adventure aboard a tenacious tugboat in Russia’s northern seas.
Let's Do This It's time for Russian Life to move aggressively into the digital online space. But that costs and it will take the support of readers to make this possible. Visit newrussianlife.com for more info.
Proverbs and Sayings This issue's Uchites looks at some familiar proverbs and helps you learn them by matching them up to rough equivalents in English.
Those Lyin' Eyes These days, if you are reading Russian periodicals in order to improve your Russian language skills, you are getting lots of practice in ways to lie.
The August Curse Since the Bolshevik Revolution struck, Russia has had a particularly cursed experience with the month of August.
Steppes Ahead The idea of separate and competing government powers may have found its first expression in a constitution composed in 1710, in Ukraine.
House on the Embankment If these walls could talk. The history and horror of one of the most epic construction projects of the Soviet era.
Moscow's White Angel The life of a beloved princess changed immeasurably when her husband, an heir to the Russian throne, was murdered by terrorists.
Bike Like an Egyptian A short look at one very avid football (soccer) fan, who rode his bike all the way from Egypt to Russia for the World Cup.
Seasonal Eating Long before seasonal eating, kombucha, kimchi and other such things became a fad in the US, they were popular and well known in Russia. For the recipe we feature sour cherry vareniki (mmm!).
What's So Funny? After declensions, cases, aspect, verbs of motion, pronunciation, and all the other trials of the Russian language, there is one more thing to learn: quotes, jokes and allusions. Let's do this.
Six Books We review books of fiction (Chekhov, Remizov, the Brothers Strugatsky, and Anderson) and an enticing cookbook.
Fungus Among Us It's fall, which means mushroom season, which means time to get hunting. And cooking some Chanterelle-Apricot Muffins.
Two Fishing Tales Fishing can tell you a lot about life in the countryside, about sickness and health, chance and Fate, to say nothing of electricity and sausage
Survivors In which the author visits Kalmykia to meet with survivors of a horrific genocide few remember.
September and October Stepping through hundreds of years of history, we look back at signal events that have occurred in these fall months.
Jumping Ship This summer Russia’s biggest rock music festival, Nashestvie, faced cancellations by a number of artists who were protesting the festival’s increasing cooperation with the Russian military.
The Rockets' Red Glare In 1992, a famous American dancer visited the formerly closed seaport of Vladivostok. Then everything blew up.
Great Terroir We interview a winemaker and philanthropist related to Rachmaninov, and explore her Tolstoyan connection to Californian soil.
Hired Guns The deaths in July under mysterious circumstances of three Russian journalists in the Central African Republic (CAR) has refocused attention on Russian mercenaries in foreign lands.
Thanks Giving One week before our 33-day crowdfunding campaign was set to end on July 31, things were not looking good. But then the Tribe stepped up.
Get a Grip! In this issue’s Uchites, we look at common Russian idioms and the challenges of translating them into English.
Anna and an Atlas In which we review The Anna Karenina Fix: Life Lessions from Russian Literature, by Viv Groskop, and Restless Empire, by Ian Barnes.
Holidays are for Cookies We consider some of the best holiday treats, which are of course cookies, and then serve of a simple and delicious recipe.
Everything is Material What is most important is to keep telling the individual stories, making human connections, sharing the important ideas that we meet.
Remembering a Friend A longtime businessman with deep ties to Russia considers the passing of a true friend, in the context of deteriorating US-Russian relatins.
The Incomparable Uspensky The writer Eduard Uspensky passed away recently. In this language section, we look back at one of his contributions to Russian literature and folklore.
Taking Stock A look back at year end stock-taking, at changes that have been promised in years past, and promises that have been un-kept.
Clean and Comfortable Bloggers and twitterers this fall, in the lead-up to the mayoral elections, were effusive in their praise of Moscow living conditions. Was it real or staged?
How Can I Thank You Enough? To thank (blagodarit) is one of the Russian language's most beautiful words. We go in for a deep dive.
Church at War Ukraine will soon have its own independent Orthodox church, fueled by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Baptism of the Christ Russia has its own way of marking Twelfth Night (Ephiphany). But as a Christian holiday it misses the mark.
Rewriting the Code How salt riots and a young tsar led to a Zemsky Sobor and a new body of laws, The Council Code.
The Freedom Factory The story of a real-life military factory told through monologues collected from anonymized workers, managers, and engineers. (novel excerpt)
Legionnaire Photographer Photos captured by an unknown Czech Legionnaire, during those troops’ long sojourn in Russia from 1916-1919.
Readings Living on ice, the boorocracy, profiling perps, naming cities, and where smoking holds sway.
The Wolf in the Kennel Krylov on how one negotiates with wolves. Hint: one doesn't. "Of wolves I’ve learned a thing or two. With them there’s only one sure truce."
The Popular Assembly Krylov on democracy and how leaders are chosen: "However just the rules and laws, in unjust hands or beaks or paws they can be bent to serve the goal of leaders loath to lose control."
On Translating Krylov Our translator of Krylov's difficult fables shares how she approaches translation of this most colloquial of poets.
A Legendary Glutton “Grandfather” Ivan Krylov was widely known for his gargantuan appetites and for the dinner parties regularly thrown in his honor. Our recipe for Ukha should satisfy.
Love and Separation In this issue’s Uchites, we look at a popular song by the poet Bulat Okudzhava and the composer Isaac Schwartz. It is about love and separation.
The Tsarina's Pen Catherine the Great was a prolific letter writer and her missives offer a uniquely intimate view of her personal life and political development (to say nothing of her humor and passion).
Howard Amos Howard Amos has worked as a journalist in Moscow since 2010. He began by writing about business and politics for The Moscow Times, before moving to RIA Novosti’s English language service and then the International Business Times. He has also reported from Russia and former Soviet Union countries for publications including The Guardian, The Telegraph, Newsweek, the BBC Russian Service and Associated Press, among others. He is currently working as a freelancer.
Natalia Gogolitsyna Natalia Gogolitsyna was educated at the Herzen Institute in St. Petersburg and teaches translation and Russian at the University of Bristol, UK. Her scholarly interests were in the field of lexis and phraseology, with particular emphasis on non-equivalence. She was co-author, with Derek Offord, of the second, augmented edition of Using Russian: A Guide to Contemporary Usage, Cambridge University Press, and of 93 Untranslatable Russian Words, by Russian Life Books. She passed away in 2018.
Natalya Beskhlebnaya Natasha Beskhlebnaya graduated from the Gorky Literature Institute in Moscow. She is a poet, and for a long time worked on travel documentaries in Russia and beyond, going on to become a TV editor. As a journalist she focuses on culture and society, and has contributed several feature articles to Russian Life over the past decade, on topics ranging from graveyards to missing ships, from lighthouses to churches.
Full Interview with Zakharova Maria Zakharova, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department, sits down to talk with Russian Life about what it means to be a woman in a position of influence.
Sasha Sokolova Sasha Sokolova is a Moscow-born painter. At the age of nine she was accepted into the Sergey Andriyaki School of Watercolor and Fine Arts and went on to win scholarships from the Vladimir Spivakov Fund and the Young Talents Fund. In 2016 she was the only Russian artist selected to participate in the first fully painted feature film Loving Vincent, nominated for Best Animated Film in the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Her works are exhibited in private collections around the world. Her website is at sashasokolova.com.
Anastasia Osipova Anastasia Osipova was born in St. Petersburg and grew up in Ukraine and Russia. She lives and works in Moscow, and studies at the Academy of Media Industry, Industry while working for a prominent wire service.
Nadezhda Grebennikova Nadezhda Grebennikova was born in Murmansk Oblast, studied journalism in Veliky Novgorod, and for the past several years has been living in Sochi. She works as a journalist for print and online publications, writing on a wide range of subjects, from society and history, to culture, travel and the environment. She was also the English to Russian translator for The Spine of Russia, and a co-author of Resilience.
Food The first thing to do in the republic of Mari El is to eat Mari food. To do this, we went to the cafe "Sandal," one of the few restaurants with traditional dishes. Here we met with Elizabeth Yanvareva, who was celebrating her 70th birthday. She wanted to enjoy the local cuisine, as it represents all her best memories from childhood.
Bird's Eye View If you look at Yoshkar-Ola from a bird's-eye view, the city resembles a layered pancake, the Mari people's traditional dish. The architecture is from several different eras, when the city has been presided over by completely different governors. The view here is from the church to the Bruges Promenade.
Architecture Tourists like the city's new buildings in the center. Residents meanwhile have criticized the head of the republic, saying the rest of the city has been neglected, and that the city's road conditions are its main attraction.
Kangaroo A small zoo has been temporarily located in the premises of the National Museum of the Republic of Mari El. The exhibition - called "The Parade of Apes" - is sadly irresponsible. For example this kangaroo has been tied to a radiator.
Mari The Mari religion is based on worship of the forces of nature, which humans must honor and respect. Before the spread of monotheistic teachings amongst the Mari, they worshipped many gods (the jumo, a word cognate to the Finnish Jumala), while recognizing the primacy of a "Great God" Kugu Jumo. In the nineteenth century, influenced by monotheism, pagan beliefs changed and the image of a Osh Kugu Jumo, literally "Great God of Light," was strengthened.
November/December 2017 Stories on everything from miracle working icons, to a historical mystery associated with Sergei Kirov, to a self-publishing pensioner.
WHAT IS AMBER? Amber (“Yantar” in Russian) is a form of prehistoric tree resin which oozed from pine trees millions of years ago.
UNSOLVED MYSTERY Over the last half-century, the post-war dissappearance of the Amber Room has formed the basis for several novels and countless legends.
A DEADLY WHITE LILY Arguably the best-known Soviet woman pilot in the war, who became famous for being a double “ace,” was Lidya (nicknamed “Lilya”) Litvyak.
The Northernmost Mosque When foreigners, and most Russians, think of St. Petersburg, many associations come to mind, but Muslim architecture is usually not one of them.
What is a Russian Muslim? Islam is a religion, not an ethnicity. And there are no official statistics on the number of Muslim believers.
May/June 2005 60th Anniversary of World War II, Visiting Evenk Reindeer Herders, Female Singer-Songwriters, Bryansk Partisans, Stalin at the Outbreak of WWII, The End of WWII
Skiing on Russian Wood What do Madschus, Karhu and Whitewoods skis all have in common? All have outsourced some or all of their ski and pole production to Russia.
Odds and Ends If the other items mentioned in this article are not unusual enough for you, wait, there’s more! In our research for this article we came across several interesting import items that may be flying under the radar of Russophile consumers.
Cracking the Tourism Nut The main obstacles to Kazan becoming a bustling international hub relate to its outlying location and its obscurity.
"Idiots Don't Play Chess" A photo below of the Zhek Chess Club in Moscow’s Khoroshevo-Mnevniki residential district evokes the heyday of Russian chess, when the sport was a mass phenomenon.
Village Chess The chess school in Poykovskoye village, in the oil-rich Nefteyugansk region, was opened on March 5, 2000, on the initiative of 12th world champion Anatoly Karpov.
Beyond Pavel Tretyakov's House There is more to the Tretyakov Gallery than the iconic building at 10 Lavrushensky pereulok that holds its famed collection of Russian art from the 11th to 19th centuries. Several other Moscow museums share the Tretyakov name.
May/June 2006 Tretyakov, Summer Entertainment Guide, Joseph Brodsky, Uniform Collector, New NGO Laws, Brusilov Offensive, Smolny Institute, The Original Slavophile
A Modern Cossack in Revolutionary Clothing Vladimir Alexandrovich Yakovenko is deputy ataman of the Eastern Cossack District, head of the legal department of the Eastern District, and a military elder. He is also a member of the Rostov Regional Collegium of Lawyers.
The Saga of A Century Citizens of Russia, Finns by nationality, born in America, Elmar and Miriam Nousiainen (83 and 73, respectively) have led remarkable lives.
The Matchmaker Katya Bytsytsina, a handicapped, single mother, has made a career as a matchmaker between Karelians and Russians.
"Our Ayno" Tamara Yufa is synonymous with Karelia—the artists’ name has become something of a business card for Karelia, like Kizhi or Valaam.
Eco House Only a Russian would build a boat in his 42 square meter apartment, lowering it down from the window when it was completed.
Origin Story In 1793, the diplomat Dmitry Golitsin bequeathed money and land for the construction of a public hospital complex.
Sukhov's Story White Sun of the Desert, while it can be classified as a Western adventure, is nevertheless profoundly Russian. It tells the story of Red Army officer Fyodor Ivanovich Sukhov, who is returning home from the front after the Civil War.
Letter from Paris to Comrade Kostrov Letter from Paris to Comrade Kostrov on the Nature of Love, by Vladimir Mayakovsky.
Travel Tips For travelers not coming from Veliky Ustyug, (60 kilometers south of Kotlas), the simplest way to Solvychegodsk in the summer is to take a train from Vologda (or Moscow) to Kotlas, and hire a car at Kotlas.
NOVGOROD VELIKY It is likely that Novgorod existed as early as the 6th century. It's name, which means literally "New City," probably refers to the fact that it was built on the site of an older settlement.
A History of Dissent In its 400 year history, Saratov has continually felt the touch of populist dissent.
One in Two Million By one estimate, there are some two million homeless children in Russia today. Two million. Approximately equivalent to the population of Arkansas or Kansas.
A History of Oscar and Russian Films The first Russian movie to win an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film was the documentary Rout of the German Troops near Moscow (1942). Since then, five Russian films have won this honor.
Scoring the Taste-Off We purchased 16 premium vodkas originating in eight countries, including Russia. All are “top-shelf” vodkas that are among the best vodkas from their respective countries, though we mixed in some lesser-known brands to spice things up a bit.
The Monopoly In 1894, when Russia reintroduced a state monopoly on the production and trade of vodka, Finance Minister Sergei Witte announced the state’s intention to build 350 state wine distilleries.
Additional Information Vladimir (Владимир) lies 110 miles from Moscow as the crow flies, but it will take you three to four hours to travel there by train from the capital (Kursk station).
Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden An essential part of the Russian New Year season are Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden).
Additional Information on Suzdal Suzdal (Суздаль) is one of the oldest towns in Russia, dating from at least the 11th century.
From Horrors to Hope When Russian readers pick up Penthouse instead of The Gulag Archipelago and TV viewers turn on Dallas instead of Solzhenitsyn’s talking-head program, a sad irony is on display.
Shopping in Stalin's Paradise The All-Russian Exhibition Center (VVTs – formerly VDNKh, the Exhibition of Economic Achievement) is Russia’s answer to Mall America.
On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations The most controversial excerpts of the bill, On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations.
Lena River Cruises Lena River cruises are available on the Mikhail Svetlov and the Demian Bedny. Both ships were built in Austria in 1986 and are virtually identical.
Slow and Steady For 28 years, Gary and Monika Wescott have been traveling the world, first separately and, since 1977, jointly (The Turtle Expedition had existed since 1972).
UST NERA All told, we spent over a week in Ust Nera. The scenery in this mountain valley mining town is spectacular.
Imre Nagy's Last Address Starting at 5:20 a.m. on the morning of November 4 1956, the radio station Sabad Kossuth Radio broadcast continuously from a studio set up in the building of the Hungarian parliament.
The Shtandart On the banks of the Neva River’s northernmost curve, the wooden skeleton of a great frigate is slowly taking shape.
Round the World Ruben Norikovich Bayatyan is quietly honoring the 300th anniversary of the Russian fleet by building a boat and sailing around the world... via Cleveland.
Bishop Tikhon In eight years of managing the remote diocese of former Russian America, Tikhon established two congregations.
Galina Chumak Galina Chumak sits in the tiny Annunciation Cathedral library, bantering softly to a friend about the role of the Jews as the chosen people and their rejection of Christ.
Father Kronid While many Orthodox priests have a severity which makes them seem unapproachable, Father Kronid, abbot of Murom’s Annunciation Monastery, exudes an almost oriental, authoritative calm.
Father Nikolai 65-year-old Father Nikolai, priest at the tiny parish of Stepankovo outside Murom, is the oldest and one of the most respected churchmen in the Vladimir Diocese.
Committee of Soldiers' Mothers “Dear Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers,” the letter begins. “I want to tell you my story.” From the Russian countryside near Lipetsk, a woman pleads for help for her soldier son.
Dr. Alexandra Kriminetskaya It’s nearly noon in the sterile ward of the Hematology and Intensive Care Department, part of Russia’s National Center for Hematology. Dr. Alexandra Kriminetskaya, head of the Hematology Department, looks worried.
"The Little Tsarina of Totskoy" Nancy Babb, a Quaker and Red Cross volunteer from Virginia who Florence Hoffman may have worked with in Omsk, was a relief worker who first arrived in Buzuluk, Russia (near Samara) on August 26, 1917, a month before the Bolshevik revolution.
The Red Cross in Siberia From its entry in July 1918 to its departure in April 1920, the American Red Cross spent an estimated $23 million in aid to Siberia—almost exclusively in aid to persons in White-controlled areas during the Civil War (aiding the Bolsheviks would not have sat well with Americans).
Riley's Journey Florence Hoffman’s editor, Riley Allen, was made Siberian Commissioner for the American Red Cross.
Bashkiria Just four million people live in Bashkiria (also known as the Republic of Bashkortostan), which lies at the southern end of the Ural mountains.
In the Land of Sergiy Radonezhsky Just 12 versts from Trinity-Sergiev Lavra, west of the main road to Moscow, rises the golden spire of the elegant Church of the Transfiguration—in the village of Radonezh.
Obtaining Tickets It is only possible to obtain events tickets in advance through large tourist companies and travel agents.
Arkady Babchenko, journalist Arkady Babchenko is the only Russian writer to successfully depict the Chechen war in literature. In 2001, his book of short stories, Ten Stories about the War, won the Debut Prize “For Courage in Literature.”
Sergei Boyarsky, academician At 32, Sergei Boyarsky is the youngest dean in the history of the Moscow Medical Academy named for Sechenov.
Mikhail Ivanov, athlete "Russia,” the proverb has it, “hinges on the Ivanovs.” (Rossiya na Ivanovykh derzhitsya.) In the case of Russia’s Olympic experience at Salt Lake City, the men’s cross-country medal hopes hinged on Mikhail Ivanov.
Boris Kozulin, teacher Boris Kozulin, 42, a teacher at Moscow’s Gymnasium #1567, could not differ more from the overblown stereotype of secondary school math teachers...
Artemy Lebedev, designer Artemy Lebedev quit the journalism faculty at Moscow State University after studying there for just two years. Russia may have lost a journalist. But it acquired a designer.
Vladimir Legoshin, rescuer Vladimir Legoshin is known as the #1 rescue worker in Russia. He is the only living Hero of Russia among Russian rescuers.
Vera Pavlova, poet Nothing seemed to augur that Vera Pavlova would become a leading light of 21st century Russian poetry.
Kirill Serebrennikov, director Like so many creative types, Kirill Serebrennikov is a character in all senses of the word. He even seems to have a unique hold on reality: on his official website, he wrote that he was born in 1969; when interviewed in 2001, he said that in 2002 he would turn 31. A trained physicist, Serebrennikov seems to have his own special sort of math.
Natalia Shishlina, archaeologist In Russia’s southern regions there is a huge expanse of steppe called the Eurasian Belt. For thousands of years, this “belt” was the home for nomadic tribes. Natalia Shishlina, 40, is one of the few archaeologists in the world who studies these lost cultures.
Dmitry Slepushkin, artist In 1998, when Dmitry Slepushkin was asked to paint the portrait of Emperor Nikolai I which would hang in a renovated Great Kremlin Palace, he took the assignment as a great honor.
Dmitry Azarov, photographer Russian politicians have reason to fear Kommersant photographer Dmitry Azarov: he has an eye for their “human side,” for catching them in unexpected and often undignified moments.
Moscow Summits Five US presidents have traveled to Russia for presidential summits since Franklin Roosevelt met with Josef Stalin in Yalta in February 1945.
Accentuating the Positive International publishing giant Gruner+Jahr entered Russia a few years ago with their popular magazine GEO. In September 2001, they launched Gala, “an elite women’s monthly magazine about famous people.”
Russia's Vanity Fair A perfect example of a successful, homegrown Russian magazine is Karavan Istory (“Caravan of Stories”), launched in March 1998 by Sem Dney publishers.
Maria Kiselyova, sports commentator Maria Kiselyova dedicated sixteen years to her sport and won two gold medals. But at the end of 2000 she decided to quit sports and take a chance as a sports commentator with NTV channel.
Andrei Korkunov, chocolatier From early in his “happy Soviet childhood,” Andrei Korkunov, 39, dreamed of becoming a factory director. That dream has come true in ways a young Soviet could not have imagined.
Andrei Korolyov, artist When young Andrei Korolyov drew his 400th portrait, he made it to the Russian Book of Records. Soon after, a jury of adult artists and art scholars issued Korolyov an official diploma testifying that his portraits “are characterized by an individual style and bear a resemblance to the original.”
Alexandra Kosteniuk, chessmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk, 17, is not likely most people’s stereotype of a female chess champion. The pretty young Russian sports a provocative smile and a devilish spark in her eye—a far cry from the bookish, hard-nosed competitor some might be led to expect.
Karinna Moskalenko, lawyer There couldn’t be a better choice for the title “Russia’s Best Defender of Human Rights” than lawyer Karinna Moskalenko. At the end of 2001, Moskalenko, 43, received the award “For Human Rights” from the Russian Federation’s Secretary for Human Rights.
Olga Pleshakova, businessperson Olga Pleshakova admits to being very ambitious about building the Transaero brand. “I think there is Aeroflot, and then there is us ...
Yuri Rodionov, soldier Forty-year-old Colonel Yuri Rodionov’s military career has literally taken him to the four corners of Russian earth.
Aidan Salakhova, artist Aidan Salakhova has a boiling mixture of southern blood in her veins: Uzbek, Azerbaidzhani and Armenian. Yet she identifies herself as a Muscovite and a patriot of contemporary Russian art.
Zhanna Semenova, neurosurgeon Pediatric neurosurgeon Zhanna Semenova was born in the tiny mountain republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, home to the towering Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters)—a mountain which could well be a symbol of the heights which Semenova has scaled in her career.
Chulpan Khamatova, actor There are some actors who symbolize Russia’s new generation, the new times. Rising star Chulpan Khamatova (her Tatar first name translates at “morning star”) has been one of those actors since the mid-1990s.
Roman Sludnov, athlete Breaststroker Roman Sludnov has been practicing hard all the 300 days which passed since he had to resign to a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics. For he and his mother-coach Natalia Roschina believe there is only one place on the pedestal worth fighting for - the #1 spot.
Mikhail Butov, writer Mikhail Butov's novel Svoboda (Liberty) won the 1999 Smirnoff-Booker prize. It is a generational novel—telling the story of Russia’s first “liberated” generation.
Pavel Fomenko, environmentalist Pavel Fomenko was the first Russian to receive the title “Hero of the Planet,” awarded by TIME with the support of the Ford Foundation.
Vera Grigorieva, scientist At the Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod) Medical School Anna and Vera Zeitlin’s schoolmates would often mix up the twin sisters. But it quickly became apparent that the twin sisters (Anna is profiled on the opposite page) more than just looked alike.
Marat Izmaylov, athlete A journalist from Moskovsky Komsomolets once quoted a female Italian soccer fan as saying: “Oh, Izmaylov ... Izmaylov is my love.” The word play on Marat Izmaylov’s last name (“Is-my-love”) was surely accidental, but the sympathy was nonetheless sincere.
Svetlana Khorkina, athlete At first glance, Svetlana Khorkina would seem an unlikely choice for Russian Life’s list of rising stars. After all, her star began rising long ago by modern gymnastics standards.
Alexander Klimov, politician Puchezh District Mayor Alexander Klimov is admired both at home and abroad. US Representative Charles Taylor assessed the work of Klimov’s administration with just one short phrase: “This is the way to Russia’s prosperity.”
Vyacheslav Nikonov, historian Vyacheslav Nikonov, 45, boasts a rather impressive academic and political career. In 1989 he became the youngest doctor of history ever in the USSR.
Sergei Pashin, judge The motto of Emeritus Jurist of Russia Sergei Pashin is encapsulated in a quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky: “Let us enter the court with the realization that we too are at fault.”
Alexei Svistunov, publisher The 38-year-old Alexei Svistunov is the head of PARI agency, an independent company which seeks to spread the word about Russian records which the rest of the world ignores.
Nikolai Tsvetkov, businessperson NIKoil’s success is due to its 41-year-old president, Nikolai Tsvetkov. Tsvetkov is not what they call here a “golden boy,” someone who had life served up to him on a silver platter: special schools and jobs made from patronage. Instead, Tsvetkov is a self-made man, Russian-style.
Anastasia Volochkova, ballet dancer There is a Russian proverb “It is better to be born happy than pretty.” Bolshoi Prima Ballerina Anastasia Volochkova, 26, is lucky enough to be both. And young to boot.
Anna Belova, scientist If Anna Belova looks to you a lot like Vera Gregorieva on the facing page, don’t be surprised. Not only are they sisters, they are twins. And they are both neurologists.
Where to Study There are dozens of colleges and continuing education programs around the country where you can study Russian. While we cannot list them all, contact information for many are listed in the directory on the Russian Life website. Meanwhile, we list below the alma maters of the professionals who took the time to speak with us.
Yes, There are Real Jobs These are some of the professional positions occupied now or in the recent past by persons interviewed for this article by Russian Life. All were acquired because the individual had strong knowledge of Russian.
Mikhail Zrelov, restauranteur Mikhail Zrelov, 27, sort of “fell into” the restaurant business. If anything, his schooling and first professional experiences seemed to suggest anything but the food service industry.
Nastya Yefimenko, doctor Nastya Yefimenko will try to tell you she is just a pre-med student. But the 17-year-old will only be revealing part of the story. For she was recently named the Best Young Scientist in Russia.
Tagir Yapparov, businessperson Some might say that Tagir Yapparov, 38, is a typical self-made Russian businessman. But, in fact, he is anything but typical.
Konstantin Vorontsov, scientist Stereotypically, Russian brokers at the Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange (MICEX) are wedded to their mobile phones and drive swanky inomarkas (foreign-made cars). Broker Konstantin Vorontsov does not fit this mold. The affable, handsome 29-year-old sports a student’s rucksack and apologizes for being late for a meeting: “buses don’t come on time these days.”
Alexei Uchitel, director In Alexei Uchitel’s new film, His Wife’s Diary, 33-year-old Galina Tyunina plays Vera Nikolaevna, the long-suffering wife of the Nobel laureate poet Ivan Bunin (Bunin forced his wife to allow his lover, the poet Galina Plotnikova, to live with them). And yet Tyunina does not see her character as some kind of a martyr worthy of canonization.
Nikolai Baskov, opera singer It takes an extraordinary singer to bridge the divide between popular singing and opera. The round-faced blond tenor of the Bolshoi, 24-year-old Nikolai Baskov, is just such a singer.
Zemfira Ramazanova, musician For over a year, Zemfira’s name has been everywhere ... on the radio, on billboards, spray-painted on buildings. Her face is emblazoned on the chest of every teenager and twenty-something in Moscow. Her bellowing, beckoning voice floods the radio waves.
Yevgeny Mironov, actor There are lots of funny stories circulating about actor Yevgeny Mironov: on a cold winter night a few years ago, he took pity on a drunkard and tried to help him stand on his own feet.
Amalia Mordvinova, actor Amalia Mordvinova’s beauty is undeniable. Her luxurious mop of red hair and deep emerald eyes evoke the heroines of Titian’s canvasses.
Nikolai Lugansky, musician Born in April 1972 into a family of research scientists, Nikolai Lugansky was five when his innate musicality appeared, to the utter astonishment of his parents.
Vladimir Kramnik, chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik does not ride the Moscow metro. He does not have a Moscow registration permit and fears being picked up by the police.
Maxim Galkin, entertainer Impressionists have long been popular in Russia. But for a long time now, “top-level” impressions have been, well, less than challenging. It didn’t take a superior comic to parody the Southern accent and sing-song intonation of Mikhail Gorbachev, even less so the slurring baritone of Boris Yeltsin.
Yelena Dementieva, athlete She is a young, blond Russian tennis star. And she is not Anna Kurnikova. In fact, Yelena Dementieva, 19, seems the very antithesis of the publicity-seeking, endorsement-hoarding Kurnikova.
Igor Chapurin, designer All the world’s top designers are known by their name alone. And one of the fastest-rising names in Russian couture is thirty-three year old Igor Chapurin.
Vika Andreyanova, designer Vika Andreyanova is a designer who shuns haute couture that is designed to garner “oohs” and “aahs,” never to make it out of the closet again.
Sergei Zobnev, musician In early May, Sergei “Seppa” Zobnev will turn 35. And when all the members of his folk band Myllarit (“The Millers”) gather round to hoist a toast in his honor, they will surely praise his multiple roles as band director, backup vocalist, public relations manager and organizer.
Marina Zhgivaleva, artist Marina Zhgivaleva has been drawing since age three. When she was young, her pencils, colors and sheets of paper were her most beloved toys. She lived in a magic world all her own, one inhabited by fascinating creatures which she created in her drawings: animals, trees, plants, flowers, fruits, birds, people.
Olga Yeliseyeva, historian Historian Olga Yeliseyeva, 34, represents a new breed of Russian historians: young scientists who have cast off the ideological constraints of their predecessors.
Maria Yeliseyeva, activist Maria Yeliseyeva, 36, had been working for years with children and the arts—she had an art studio attached to the local House of Pioneers, plus a puppet theater. But just over seven years ago, she happened to visit Orphanage #103 in Moscow’s Lefortovo district.
Maxim Sokolov, journalist Maxim Sokolov, 41, hardly looks the part of a Russian TV journalist. The stocky, bearded writer looks more like a 19th century Russian kupets who you can picture calling out to a waiter in the traktir, “Hey, man! Bring twenty bliny! And don’t forget the salmon!
Marat Safin, athlete It takes an extraordinary tennis player to unseat Pete Sampras in three straight sets in a Grand Slam final. Marat Safin is that player.
Nikolai Repin, entrepreneur Mathematician, internet pioneer and businessman, Nikolai Repin is a serious character. Even curt digressions into his former hobby (“sailing”) or family life (“a wife and a little daughter”) are matter-of-fact and give no cause for even a smile of pride. Life is not a joking matter to 41-year-old Nikolai Repin.
Yevgeny Plyushchenko, athlete Yevgeny Plyushchenko, 18, is the golden boy of figure skating. Not because he is a son of some VIPs or former champions. Not even because he likes to perform in bright, at times provocative costumes.
Igor Ovchinnikov, chef As a young boy, Igor Ovchinnikov, now 35, read lots of travel books and dreamed of becoming a train engineer. But his dream was dashed in 8th grade.
Yelena Morozova, actor The non-descript coffee shop on Moscow’s Pokrovka street is a popular hangout for bohemians and young, middle-class Russians. When asked where she would be most comfortable (meaning near the window or at the rear of the café), 25-year-old Yelena Morozova answers, without missing a beat, “On Venus.?
Masha Mironova, actor There is a Russian saying that “Nature ignores the children of geniuses.” Nothing could be less true in the case of Masha Mironova, 26. All the more so since her famous father, Andrei Mironov, was also the son of renowned actors.
Dmitri Liss, conductor Russian National Orchestra founder and director Mikhail Pletnev had suffered a foot injury while hiking on the eve of the orchestra's first Hollywood Bowl concert. Associate director Dmitri Liss was tapped to fill Pletnev’s spot at the podium that first night — a daunting assignment no matter what your preparation.
Dmitry Lipskerov, writer The British writer D.H. Lawrence once wrote “I hate the actor and audience business. An author should be in among the crowd, kicking their shins or cheering them on to some mischief or merriment.” Dmitry Lipskerov, 36, seems to have embraced Lawrence’s dictum.
Dmitry Gudanov, dancer Dmitry Gudanov caught ballet fever in 1980, at the age of five, watching Bolshoi superstars Vladimir Vasiliev and Yekaterina Maximova dance The Nutcracker on television.
Maria Alexandrova, dancer "I was a very boisterous, frisky child,” recalled twenty-two year old Maria Alexandrova.
Aydyn Zeynalov, artist Aydyn Zeynalov is a very Russian artist with a very un-Russian name. A native of Moscow with roots in Azerbaidzhan, Zeynalov’s family history is typical of many former Soviet “subjects.”
Natalia Vorobyova, economist In 1988, Natalia Vorobyova graduated with a degree in economic forecasting from the Applied Mathematics Faculty at Moscow’s Aerospace Institute. Four years later, as the Russian economy wallowed, Vorobyova applied her analytic skills to her family’s personal situation.
Yuri Visilter, scientist In science, you don’t look for the easy ways.” This popular Russian maxim could well be applied to Yuri Visilter, who has never sought the easy path in his life or work.
Denis Provalov, spelunker In Russian, the word proval means “a fall into.” So perhaps fate deemed that Denis Provalov, 32, would “fall into a cave” and become a spelunker—a “cave diver”.
Maxim Larin, brewer Thirty-year-old Maxim Larin is general director of Afanasy brewery (his wife Olga also works there). Under his tenure the company has pursued a unique pattern of growth and introduced a variety of successful brands, most notably a world-class porter, rich with oak and herbal undertones.
Father Mark, priest Father Mark (born Sergei Golovkov) calls himself “deputy foreign minister of the Russian Orthodox Church.” He is responsible for protocol and arranging meetings between top leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and foreign leaders, secular and religious. So, in secular terms, one may call him a diplomat for Russia’s oldest social institution.
David Ian, programmer Russian computer wizards compare their American counterparts to intelligent, disciplined dogs, while their compatriots are unruly, freedom-loving tigers. So it is no small achievement that David Ian, 32, president of ABI, has managed to tame an elite band of Russian tigers.
Yulia Chepalova, athlete If it were not for 24-year-old Yulia Chepalova, Russia might have returned from the recent Nordic World Championships in Lahti, Finland without a single gold medal. True, Russia hasn’t lost the women’s 4x5 km relay race at a World Championship since 1989, but this time around Russia’s women’s team was not the odds-on favorite.
Yuri Borzakovsky, athlete Runner Yuri Borzakovsky can’t say for sure if he has what Russians call “a speaking name”—borzoi/borzaya means wolfhound. But, true to his family name, he runs fast and light. And his style is not unlike a cunning hunter of wolves.
Valery Bliznyuk, photographer A love of nature developed in Valery Bliznyuk from an early age. His family lived on Sakhalin—amidst taiga, volcanoes, rivers and lakes—when he was between 3 and 7 years old. Spending such formative years amidst such stark natural beauty, Bliznyuk said, led him to a life as an artist.
Arkady Volozh, scientist For a scientist who climbed a classic Soviet career ladder, Arkady Volozh has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances and a highly developed flair for new business opportunities.
Alexei Ratmansky, choreographer Alexei Ratmansky has been in ballet troupes in Kiev, Canada and Copenhagen. And while he says he is, “of course, Russian,” he also says he really does not feel like he has found his “ballet home” yet.
Sergei Makarenkov, publisher Even though he was once a great sprinter (winning the title Champion of Moscow), Sergei Makarenkov could not run away from his fate in publishing.
Sergei Krikalyov, cosmonaut On May 19, 1991, cosmonaut Sergei Krikalyov blasted off for the Mir Space Station for what was supposed to be a 160-day tour. But, while he was aloft, the country which had sent him into space—the Soviet Union—disintegrated.
Igor Koshelev, scientist Igor Koshelev is just 16-years old. But he has already made his “First Step Toward the Nobel Prize.”
Tatyana Kalinina, architect At 14, Tatyana Kalinina, the daughter of two architects, wrote a letter swearing she would never follow in the footsteps of her parents. Thankfully, she did not follow through on her oath.
Olga Dergunova, businessperson It cannot be a bad feeling to have the President of Russia tell you “I think you are right” on national television. This was in fact Vladimir Putin’s reply when Olga Dergunova said in a recent televised roundtable that state functionaries’ computer literacy leaves much to be desired.
Olga Budina, actor Olga Budina went down many blind alleys before joining the ranks of Russian cinema stars: she sang in a choir, worked as a school teacher, she sang in a pop group, and even won her city district’s accordion contest (she can interpret Bach on the squeeze box). In fact, the frail Budina still bears a light impression in her skin from the belt of her heavy accordion.
Olga Brusnikina, athlete Ten years ago, when journalists asked a Russian synchronous swimmer whether the Russians could ever beat North Americans or the Japanese in this discipline, she quipped: “Only if they all drown.” That was before Olga Brusnikina came on the scene.
Timur Bashkaev, architect The recent exhibition “Arch Moscow” prompted architectural expert Grigory Revzin sound the death knell for the Moscow style of architecture, with its towers and excessive decoration. “…It has finally withered and died,” Revzin wrote. “A new elite is now on the scene…"
Artyom Zhizhkin, musician Artyom Zhizhkin, 16, was accepted at Musical School #1841 on one condition: he had to take up the oboe, and only the oboe. It seems that Zhizhkin’s first teacher, Yevgeny Komarov, tested Zhizhkin’s breathing and labial skills and realized he was ideally suited for this melancholy-sounding instrument.
Vladimir Chuprov, activist While still a student in middle school, Vladimir Chuprov was touched by something he saw on television. “In the early 1980s,” he said, “I saw a frightening Greenpeace TV commercial showing a huge cargo ship throwing barrels of toxic waste onto boats full of environmentalists, whose action was targeted against the burial of toxic waste in the world’s oceans.”
Vitaly Gashin, restorer All his life, 35-year-old Vitaly Gashin has served noble goals: if in the past he saved people’s lives, now he saves their historical heritage.
Elena Myasnikova, editor A lot of paper has passed through the presses since Elena Myasnikova, 43, brought Cosmopolitan magazine to Russian soil in May 1994.
Alexander Mikhailin, athlete Alexander Mikhailin, a 21-year-old Muscovite, recently won the World Championship in judo, held in Germany, and thus became one of the top candidates to bear Russia’s flag at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Yevgeny Nabokov, athlete Yevgeny Nabokov hails from Russia’s famous Nabokov dynasty. The hockey dynasty, that is. Yevgeny’s father, Viktor, didn’t write Lolita, but tended goalie for Torpedo, in Ust-Kamenogorsk (in Eastern Kazakstan), for 18 years.
Valentin Padalka, pilot Hero of Russia, Emeritus Pilot, Colonel Valentin Padalka lives with his wife and two daughters in Rostov-on-the-Don. But the road to earning these distinguished titles was not an easy one: there is hardly a hot-point in the ex-USSR where he wasn’t sent during his military career (which continues still).
COLLECTING LACQUER MINIATURES Experience is the great key to developing a collector’s eye, and you should build up a collection slowly, spending modestly at first, until you have confidence.
Icon Gallery Laid out in three rooms around Andronnikov Monastery, the Andrei Rublyov Museum is a veritable history of the Russian icon, tracing this art form’s religious and artistic significance through the centuries.
Valery Babanov, alpinist Valery Babanov has spent his career facing down death and confronting the fears most people try to bury in their daily activities. At 36, Babanov is one of the world's leading solo mountain climbers.
Ilya Bezugly, editor Even though his father wanted him to become an engineer, Ilya Bezugly was always more interested in the humanities.
Anton Nosik, entrepreneur Eighteen years ago, Anton Nosik considered himself a “marked man” of the Soviet regime. Today he is president of one of Russia’s top internet companies. It is a transition that says much about the distance Russia has traveled in two decades.
Ilya Kovalchuk, athlete The Russian invasion of the NHL is now complete. In June, Ilya Kovalchuk, called “the most exciting prospect since Eric Lindros,” was the NHL’s first pick in the league’s entry draft, leading the Russia media to dub the 18-year-old Muscovite “Ilya the First.”
Alexander Vedernikov, conductor Depending on who you ask, Alexander Vedernikov has either the most or the least enviable job in Russian arts.
Marina Pisklakova, social worker For the past eight years, Marina Pisklakova, 40, has run the ANNA Center (Association No to Violence), Russia’s first, and most active, hotline and center for battling against domestic violence.
Sergei Zhilin, musician “Before, it was possible to just bring out a Russian Bear who raised up a paw, and everyone applauded and said ‘Ooh, super.’ Today that Bear has to do something.”
Nikolai Shuvalov, bell maker The son of a dairy worker and a truck driver, Nikolai Shuvalov, 42, is modest to a fault. A self-trained artisan in the art of bell making, Shuvalov founded the Italmas workshop in Tutaev, on the banks of the Volga in Yaroslavl region.
Alsou Safina, singer She may be just eighteen, but she has been ruling Russia's pop charts for two years. Alsou Ralifovna Safina (known to her fans as simply Alsou, pronounced “all-soo”), daughter of Lukoil's first vice-president Ralif Safin, has taken the music industry by storm.
To the Memory of M.B. Anna Akhmatova penned this poem in memory of Mikhail Bulgakov in March 1940, shortly after Bulgakov’s death. The English translation is from The Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova, translated by Judith Hemschemeyer, published by Zephyr Press (603-585-3347).
How to travel the rails in style, or not Millions have traveled the Trans-Siberian as did our author, John Lee—just buying a ticket and riding along in second class (or third) for six days. But a more luxurious, leisurely option is now also available.
About Kamchatka The 1200 kilometer long peninsula of Kamchatka was first inhabited by Itelman and Koryak peoples. The former were decimated by Russian settlement, which began in the 1700s, spurred on by the region’s rich trove of furs and fishing.
The Power of Transcription Khmelnytsky’s status as a prominent figure in Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish history raises questions about how to spell his name when writing about him in English.
Watching The Watchers Even before Sergei Lukyanenko’s films hit the big screen, fans of his Watch books were getting together – in the virtual world.
The Bears of Kamchatka Lucky visitors to the Valley of the Geysers in late spring and early summer may observe bears gathering here to mate.
Reclaiming Russia's position as Antarctica's leading explorer. Russia is hoping its oil-forged riches can help it reclaim its position as the southern continent’s leading explorer.
The Tretyak Record Vladislav Tretyak is generally recognized to be one of the greatest hockey players of all time.
Interview with Andrei Batalov, Director of the Kremlin Museums Andrei Batalov, Deputy Director of the Kremlin Museums, described the changes in government policies toward preservation in the capital.
PARIS OF THE PACIFIC Sitka was not only the capital of Russian-America from 1808-1867, but also the most substantial European settlement on the West Coast of North America.
Marina Tsvetaeva wrote hundreds upon hundreds of poems. Marina Tsvetaeva wrote hundreds upon hundreds of poems.
Old Habits Die Hard Police officers in the northwestern city of Murmansk detained opposition journalist Larissa Arap
ADA's STORY A marvelous biography of Ada Blackjack, the lone survivor of Stefansson’s ill-planned mission to Wrangel Island.
Cruising the Northeast Passage If you want to take a voyage across Russia’s arctic coastline aboard a polar-class icebreaker, you have to sail with Quark Expeditions.
John Quincy and Louis Catherine Adams, painted by Charles Robert Leslie in the fall of 1816. John Quincy and Louis Catherine Adams, painted by Charles Robert Leslie in the fall of 1816.
Two recordings released Marking Oistrakh’s centennial, the Russian firm Melodia recently released two worthwhile recordings.
Liv Bliss LIV BLISS lives in the White Mountains of Arizona with her husband, Jim, and an assortment of far wilder creatures. She translates the Taylor & Francis quarterlies Russian Studies in Literature and Russian Studies in History. Her most recent long-fiction translation, Dmitry Chen’s The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas, was published by Russian Information Services in 2013.
Mitya Aleshkovsky MITYA ALESHKOVSKY was born and raised in Moscow, and worked as a photojournalist for nearly a decade, specializing in political photography, before founding Нужна помощь in 2012, after seeing and experiencing first hand the aftermath of the Krymsk flooding that year, and realizing Russia was lacking a philanthropic infrastructure. The fund seeks to collect from private individuals and deliver it directly to individuals in need, often identified or profiled via its journalistic arm, takiedela.ru.
Nick Allen NICK ALLEN is a British journalist who lived in Russia, where he covered the conflict in Chechnya and worked for The Moscow Times. He has also worked for The Daily Telegraph and the German Press Agency dpa. He went on to work for dpa in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where he completed a two-year book project on the conflict there. He has also translated for the literary journal, Glas: New Russian Writing.
Anna Akhmatova Anna Akhmatova (pseudonym of Anna Andreyevna Gorenko, 1889-1966) is one of Russia’s most acclaimed poets. The daughter of a naval engineer, she became a member of the Acmeist group of poets, led by her future husband Nikolai Gumilyov, when she was 21. She married Gumilyov in 1910 and they had one son, Lev. They were divorced in 1918. After Gumilyov was executed in 1921 for antirevolutionary activities, Akhmatova entered a period of almost complete poetic silence until 1940. When her son was exiled to Siberia, she attempted to help him by penning a poem eulogizing Stalin: Poem Without a Hero, 1963. It was begun in Leningrad in 1940 and revised for over 20 years. One of her finest works, Requiem, 1963, is a poem-cycle that was a literary monument to the victims of Stalin’s Terror.
Elena Bobrova Elena Bobrova was born in Leningrad, but has spent the majority of her life in St. Petersburg. After taking a history degree from St. Petersburg State University, she pursued a journalism career at Russia In Your Pocket, followed by Russia Beyond the Headlines. Among other things, she edited brochures dedicated to Russian-American cooperation during WWII and Russian Heritage in California. Today she works as a freelance journalist, fixer, and tour guide at Peter’s Walking Tours, where she specializes in bike tours. She dreams of one day writing a guidebook on the people and culture of her home city.
Resilience ~ The Russian Version (Переживем) Call it resilience, grit, or just perseverance – it takes a special sort of person to have survived the last 100 years of Russian and Soviet history.
January/February 2018 Winter Traditions, Words of the Year, Four Museums, Arctic Outpost, Cats in the Fridge, Biological Materials, World Cup Coming, Tatar Pies
March/April 2018 This issue covers everything from the death of Stalin to lighter than air dirigibles, from Russians who reenact battles, to female diplomats. Plus departments on everything from language and food to travel and online trends.
May/June 2018 In this issue we travel widely across time and space. From interviews with centenarians to fishing in the Arctic, from a Moscow Oasis to art commemorating veterans. And that's only the feature stories.
July/August 2018 In this issue we walk the Volga River, reveal the hidden history of Moscow's most notorious apartment building, consider a hidden history of constitutional governance, and meet an angel. And that's just the features.
September/October 2018 In which we visit Kalmykia, interview a winemaker with Russian roots, look back on an explosion, and take a visit to the village for some fishing. Plus the usual departments, which in this issue cover everything from mushrooms to idioms.
November/December 2018 The final issue of 2018 includes features on the White Russian emigration, small craft makers, a village court, and searching for Tolstoy in Samara. Plus there are all the usual departments, featuring everything from cookies to cartoons this time.
Ivan IV's letter to Elizabeth I Wee had thought that you had beene ruler over your lande, and had sought honor to your self and proffitt to your Countrie, and therefore we did pretend those weightie affairs between you and us.
Local Boy Makes Good This year marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mikhail Frunze, perhaps Bishkek's most famous native son.
The Unconquerable Ones The Kyrgyz (or Kirghiz) peoples are a group of 40 or so Turkic tribes now predominantly living in the Tien Shan mountains of Central Asia.
Residents of Yashkul. “We worked a lot, starved, froze without warm clothing and shoes. It is horrible to remember how we survived. But we survived, and we preserved our language and traditions, in order to pass them on to our children and grandchildren. We believed we would return home.”
Alexandra Erdniyevna Galeyeva ~ Elista Subjected to deportation in 1943, she has been blind for 15 years, yet says that she sees with her soul. At night she fingers her prayer beads and recites prayers. Many ask her for help, to say prayers for their health... Her beads are over three centuries old, passed from generation to generation, from mother to daughter.
Enchi Koltsuyevich Tsartsayev “We were carted off worse than if we were cattle. We steppe people did not even know what coal or iron stoves were. Where they were taking us, we did not know. Chopped a hole in the bottom of the wagon and that’s where we did our business. Women created screens for one another with their skirts. The old folks turned away. For the entire trip, the soldiers gave us two buckets of soup. We rode for 16 days and nights. At every stop they hauled out the corpses. They took us to Lokot, Altai Krai. They distributed us to kolkhozes by sled – no more than two families per kolkhoz. There was no food, and everything we were able to bring with us we exchanged for potatoes. We lived like third-class citizens. In 1957 I returned to my homeland, and took up animal husbandry in Kalmykia. At first I was a shepherd, and, starting in 1959, I was in charge of a farm.”
Pyotr and his wife Pyotr met his future wife in 1948, in the barracks where the young girl, along with her family and other Kalmyks, were living out their exile. The young man’s first gift to Maria was a domra that he made himself. A year later they were married. At right, the couple in Siberia in 1953.
Documentation Official declaration by Semyonov, certified by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, that he was exiled and detained in Siberia.
Pyotr Ivanovich Semyonov in the yard of his home ~ Tsagan Aman “We often dreamed of Kalmykia and we all had just one dream: to return to our homeland.”
Lyubov Madmayevna Mayorova (Dzhinbeyeva) in her home ~ Elista “My ancestors were coachmen. Born in Astrakhan Oblast. My older brother was a teacher. He worked for a year in a school, then was sent off to the front, where he died. Four of us were hauled off to Siberia: grandma, brother, Mama, and me. Took us to Omsk and we landed in the village of Semyonovo. They treated us so badly that when we cut our hair, there was a black pile of lice and nits on the snow. Father exchanged his sheepskin coat for a 300-ruble loaf of bread and divided it up into tiny pieces. We gathered berries. Then they sent us to Khanty-Mansiysk Okrug, to do fish-processing.”
Alyona Bambysheyevna Ludzhiyeva ~ Yergensky “Siberians are good people, kind people. They shared what they could. There were no shoes. They gave us some wooden blocks about four fingers thick (fabric was affixed to them with nails) and some portyanki [cloth wraps for socks] made from sacks. We worked a lot. Even now I can’t sit still, I work. That’s my garden plot, and I plant it myself, including flowers. We even ate the meat left by hunters: they gave the skins to the trading office and tossed the carcasses aside. We cooked and ate dogs. All sorts of things happened.” Along with her work, Alyona Ludzhiyeva taught children to play the domra, “so that Kalmyk tradition would live on,” she said. She continues to play it to this day.
Elzyata Sukhotayevna Badmayeva “I remember when the soldiers arrived. Then there was a truck. A train. Siberia. Me, mama, and my sister. Cold and hungry. Stoked the stove with reeds. Sister was 14, and she had to work in the kolkhoz same as the adults, else we’d go hungry. They paid us in food. 300 grams of food per day. Ate frozen potatoes. Mama crushed them and baked these lepeshki on top of the stove with nothing. And we ate. People lived worse than pigs. In 1945, Father returned from Shiroklag.* They let him out to die. Skin and bones. When I was studying in second grade, Mama got very sick, and I started to work. There was no more need for study. Father was totally illiterate, but worked honestly and well his entire life, he was a hard worker. In 1956, he received a car for all his work. They did not want to let him go back to his homeland. The head of the kolkhoz convinced father to stay, proposed building him a house. But father always only wanted to live in his native land, in Kalmykia. In 1957 we returned.”
Boris Ubushiyevich Ochirov ~ Elista “When they rehabilitated us, they unexpectedly played a Kalmyk song over the radio. Kalmyks heard it and cried. As long as one hears the Kalmyk language, the Kalmyks live!” Ochirov is chairperson of the Union of Repressed Peoples of Kalmykia, and founder of a museum that has become part of the memorial complex “Exodus and Return.”
Nina Sandzharykovna Ulanova ~ Elista “I want people never to do this again, and that requires being a very good historian, fully analyzing what happened, and accurately recording history. A people will always be who they are, loving life, working, enjoying life and all of that should be expressed, how they (the people) lived.” Ulanova is chairperson of the Nomto Ochirov Heritage Fund for the monument to the victims of the Stalinist genocide.
Shorva Goryayevich Vasilyev (Basneyev) “When we arrived in Siberia, it was very cold. I noticed that there were crosses standing nearby, meaning a cemetery! There was no firewood, so I secretly stole over to that neighboring cemetery to get the crosses for kindling. To this day, I am ashamed of my actions, but we would not have survived otherwise. People were starving. Many died of typhus. A frozen sugar beet was a luxury. In the spring we trapped squirrels. It was meat, which meant life. The meat and fat was turned into food, and the skins were sold for a few kopeks at the trading office. Many were saved from frostbite by squirrel fat. The frosts in Siberia are ferocious. Down to -40 or -45. Not far from the home where mother and I lived there was a ditch into which they tossed the corpses of sick animals, their bellies sliced open and covered with some sort of white powder and reeking awfully. We were constantly hungry, and I would sneak in there at night, trying to cut off at least some sort of animal leg to bring it to mother. She boiled up this meat, changing out the water and crying. It made no difference, what you died of: hunger, plague, or Siberian pests. But we survived. Later I went to veterinary school. I already knew the anatomy of animals. I had seen it with my own eyes and cut them up with my own hands. It was an easy course. And when, at the lectures on infectious diseases, the teacher said that the meat of sick animals should never in any situation be processed or used for food, that it meant certain death, I looked him in the eye and gently smiled. We understood one another without speaking a word.”
Anna Alekseyevna Neryupova “On the morning of the 28th, armed soldiers entered our home. People were extremely frightened, and they were given 20 minutes to gather their things. They did not know what to take, what was going on, where they were going. People were gathered at the village clubs, and then the old folks, women and children were loaded onto trucks and driven to trains. One of the most horrific memories was when our grampa died on the way to Siberia. At one of the stations he was tossed from the train by soldiers. In Siberia, they forcefully settled us in families, with the help of the local police. The [local] women cried and tried to hide their children from the exiles, running away as they shouted, ‘the cannibals have arrived.’ Later, these same women shared baked potatoes with us, taking them away from their own children to feed us. In 1958 I returned to Kalmykia. I saw a lot, much that was bad and difficult. Now I am 80, and thank God I live well.”
Nina Dorzhinovna Bovayeva ~ Shatta “In December 1943, two soldiers arrived. Russians. I fed them. And then they told me to gather up my valuables. That we would be going somewhere far away. They did not say where. They helped me carry my things and a large pot filled with clarified butter to the car. They said there was no need to bring the figurines, but they helped me carry a suitcase filled with woolen scarves. I later remembered them fondly. We survived off that butter in the train car. And we helped our neighbors survive. Of course we could not eat the butter secretly, while other people were dying of hunger. Later, in Siberia, I traded my scarves for food, and my things for potatoes.”
The Rodina Cultural Center (a movie theater) This was the collection point in Elista where Kalmyks were rounded up for deportation to Siberia. The building is on the Kalmyk Republic's list of historic sites.
Train Car Museum, Elista Ochirov's museum is located in a train car that was used to transport Kalmyks to Siberia in 1943. Above, exhibits in the Train Car Museum of the Stalinist Deportation of the Kalmyks.
Elista, Tea Dzhomba, Kalmyk tea, to which is added cream, salt, spices and butter. Often, while mixing this viscous white liquid with a ladle, women utter prayers for health and good fortune. Refusing a cup of white tea can be interpreted as disrespect for the master of the house.
A Black Woman's Odyssey A memoir from an American who witness some of the most critical events in Russian history, in 1825.
Boldino, Autumn 1830 A look at the extremely productive eras in Pushkin's life known as the Boldino Autumns.
Antonov Apples In which the Nobel prize winning author bids farewell to the dying world of Russia's landed gentry.
Reminiscences on Anton Chekhov One great author's thoughts on another. Translated by S.S. Koteliansky and Leonard Woolf.
Events of the Years of the Hijra 1410-1414 An excerpt from Ismailov's novel, Hay ibn Yakzan and the Language of the Bees, originally written in Uzbek.
Faust Extract from this epistolary novella, loosely inspired by Turgenev's infatuation with a married woman who lived next door.
The Diary of a Superfluous Man Turgenev's melancholy novella in which he first coined the phrase "superfluous man" that was so to influence Russian literature.
Hamlet and Don Quixote A vitally important bit of literary (and social) criticism by Turgenev, in which he divides the world up into Hamlets and Quixotes.
A House of Gentlefolk Extract from the author's least controversial and most widely read work during his lifetime. Yet Goncharov (he of Oblomov fame) accused Turgenev of plagiarizing the story from him.
Rudin An excerpt from the finale of Turgenev's first novel, about Rudin, a "Titan in word but a pygmy in deed."
First Love Turgenev's most autobiographical novel, which tells the story of a 16-year-old boy's infatuation with an older girl.
Smoke The novel after Fathers and Sons, in which Turgenev skewered Westernizers and Slavophiles alike.
Fathers and Sons A short excerpt from the novel that brought Turgenev world renown, with its dissection of the divide between the liberals of the 1840s and the radicals of the 1860s.
On the Eve Turgenev's third novel, set on the eve of the Crimean War, discusses the destiny of Russia through the story of a young woman named Elena, who marries a foreign revolutionary.
Virgin Soil The author's final novel, in which he examines the young idealists of the "go to the people" era.
Torrents of Spring From another highly autobiographical novel, in which a young traveler falls madly in love with a local German girl and imagines what might have happened.
On the Happiest Time of Life It is the middle ages in life that are the most likely to be the happiest.
A Traveler's Tale In this quixotic tale within a tale, Tolstoy (who himself had a history of artistic opportunism) explores the experiences of a “superfluous man” whose life spans the Civil War and Revolution, who at once longs for his happy, carefree life before 1914, while reveling in how war “fans the soul.”
The Book of Happiness The Book of Happiness, loosely based on Nina Berberova’s years spent living in Paris, follows the heroine Vera as she struggles through life abroad with a dying husband. After his passing, Vera meets a stranger who opens her eyes to what it means to be truly content.
Anna Karenina In these excerpts from Tolstoy’s classic novel, we check in on Anna, Vronsky, Levin and Kitty after all have made their respective romantic choices. None, save perhaps Kitty, are realizing the happiness they dreamed of, but at least two of them will overcome this.
Domestic Bliss Zoshchenko addresses the “women’s emancipation” effort that led to the creation of canteens, kindergartens and other social services meant to free women from traditional housework and thereby grant them a happy and dignified life.
Person to Person A traveler shares a story from his personal life, to show how a chance interaction gave him a new perspective on contentment and happiness.
Happiness Two old men pass the night sharing tales of buried treasures, wondering at the happiness they might bring. Meanwhile, they are seemingly unaware of the beautiful treasures of nature that surround them in the here and now.
Woe from Wit In Griboyedov’s classic satire on Russian high society, Sophia is in love with Molchalin – a dull collegiate assessor who she is unaware is attempting to seduce her maid Liza (as is Sophia’s father). Enter Chatsky, recently returned from travels, to attempt to win Sophia’s heart. Excerpted from the forthcoming full bilingual edition by Russian Life books.
The Same Old Story To leave home, a boy must cope with his mother’s anguish. She cannot understand why he would leave behind the happiness of the known to the uncertainty of the unknown. Excerpted from a newly released translation published by Bunim & Bannigan.
The Lens of History 1917 was a turning point – in history, and in literature. That is what this issue is all about.
Six Month in Red Russia A gripping, and sympathetic memoir of the revolution by a pathbreaking journalist of her day.
The Soul's Pendulum The Revolution is a great historical event that requires an individual's participation.
Surgeon Grow The only American attached as a regimental surgeon to a Russian army unit gives an up close look at what the war and revolution were like.
The Guillotine A propoundly moving and blackly-humorous story about revolution and its sheep led to slaughter.
The Case of the Toy Iron and the Ice Cream Sometimes what we hold dear is far less important than we think.
The Unworthy Knight When you awaken the past, it is bound mess with the present, to say nothing of the future.
The Little Golden Calf Chapter one of the award-winning translation of this classic novel of treasure hunting and cons.
Four Days A soldier fighting in the Turkish war comes face to face with one of his victims and cannot escape.
Nurse A profoundly moving story of a modern war nurse in Afghanistan, by the Nobel Prize winning author.
In Crimea An excerpt from the forthcoming, third, novel in Bayer's Matyushkin mystery series, looks back at the Russian Civil War in Crimea.
The Resurrection of Mozart Berberova sets her haunting story in a France on the verge of invasion in 1940. The image of an unexpectedly resurrected Mozart represents the immortality of art and culture.
Writing About Music Any author who chooses to write about music faces an immense task. The most abstract of all arts, music forces the writer to put into words and descriptions – much more concrete things by comparison – its ephemeral nature. Writing about music is indeed a form of translation: it comes with its sacrifices, but it also opens up new perspectives that would otherwise remain undiscovered.
The Sixth Night This selection is taken from Russian Nights (1844), a novel by Odoyevsky that probes a great number of topics, genres, and philosophical questions. Odoyevsky was a talented music critic in his own right and a huge proponent of the works of Mikhail Glinka.
Sculpture, Painting and Music Written in 1834 and published the next year in Gogol’s collection of essays Arabesques, this brief statement compares and ranks the three titular arts. Curiously, Gogol pays little attention to verbal art, focusing instead on the transcendent qualities he sees in music.
The Tambourine of the Upper World With his early stories and novels, Pelevin established himself as one of Russia’s leading contemporary writers. “The Tambourine of the Upper World” showcases many of his usual themes and interests: social satire, mysticism, metaphysical border crossings, and upturned expectations.
Rothschild's Fiddle In this, one of Chekhov's last stories, a man nears the end of his life and finds that music is one of the few things that has ever given him comfort. And he uses it to make amends.
Music In this short story, Nabokov’s protagonist, Victor, encounters his ex-wife at a concert. Despite his proclamation that he has “no ear for music,” the experience awakens profound memories and feelings in him, as the music acts a shield from the chaos of the everyday world.
Safe Conduct Before committing himself to poetry, Pasternak considered pursuing a career in music. In these early chapters from his memoir he recounts his early fascination with music and his relationship with the composer Alexander Scriabin.
The Song Babel’s “The Song” comes from his Red Cavalry cycle, a volume of short stories about the Polish-Soviet War (1919-1921). As in many of these pieces, Babel contrasts the narrator’s intellectual, poetic outlook with the brutalities and horrors of war.
Love for Life and Humanity Poems and songs including "Song of the Open Door"; "The shouts of the crowd demonstrating".
Love for Women An amorous selection of poems/songs, including "The gray of a late autumn sky"; "I feel the need for someone I can pray to"; and "Sentimental March".
Bulat Okudzhava: An Appreciation A look at the life and work of this volume's focus, Bulat Okudzhava, King of the Bards. Thematic sections have short introductions, and all poems and stories in this volume are presented side by side in English and Russian.
War and its Aftermath Poems and songs including "Forgive us foot soldiers"; "Somehow I can't believe I really went to war"; "Don't trust in war, young tadpole".
A Great Honor Sometimes unexpected things happen when you are asked to speak and perform in the provinces.
On Tverskoy Boulevard A run in with a traffic cop gives the author some perspective on the importance of literature.
Irony and its Allies Poems and songs including "The ranks of real humans"; "A brash new Muse I have invented"; "Francois Villon's Prayer"; "Song about and Old, Sick, Tired King"
The Private Life of Alexander Pushkin A touching autobiographical story of the author's first year as a teacher, far from the glittering lights of the capital.
Greetings, Your Majesty During another trip to Sweden, the author learns a few things about monarchy.
In These Interesting Times Of Ours A recently discovered, never before published work by the Strugatskys.
The Spontaneous Reflex One of the Strugatsky's earliest stories explores the dangers of artificial intelligence.
Lie Until Midnight A woman tells herself she will tell her husband she is leaving him, after midnight. But what if midnight never comes?
The Exam A 1979 story about an institute that teaches its students to care for the environment and which breed trans-ape-humans.
Nat Pinkerton and Modern Literature Chukovsky's seminal rumination on the arrival of pulp fiction in Russia.
My Petersburgers Some intelligent people are conscientious. Often this causes them intolerable suffering...
No One is Forgotten, Nothing is Forgotten A gripping memoir by the heroic Voice of the Leningrad Blockade, who also suffered through literary persecution.
Diaries In which Ginzburg meditates on the Russian Jewish community - to which she also belongs - and on its role in Russian culture.
A Truly Unique Person A short essay recounting the author's friendship with Lydia Budogoskaya, a little known yet famous Russian writer who was gifted and uncommonly humble.
If You Can, Turn Around In which the author reminisces about his time spent with Brodsky, while the latter was sent to exile in the North.
Two Concerts The author's account of two concerts by Western virtuosos that caused a flurry among the Leningrad elite.
Before Sunrise A powerful first-hand account of his time at the front, which surely influenced this great satirist's views on human nature.
Que Faire? One of Teffi's best known stories offers a humorous take on emigre attitudes toward Paris.
Paris: A Russian City The issue's introduction offers a concise history of the Russian connection to Paris, and the post-Bolshevik emigration in particular.
Shadows of Days Shmelyov's acclaimed phantasmagorical variation on the emigre dream/nightmare of the return back to Russia.
Original Lithographs The featured artist in this issue is Yuri Annenkov, whose wonderful lithographs from Paris in the 1920s set a perfectly bohemian mood.
Un Petit Accident A previously untranslated short work by the short story master, that richly conveys the mood of one evening in Paris.
In Paris One of Bunin's most beloved stories, about an aged emigre falling in love with a young waitress.
Moscow Snow An example of the author's "miniature fiction" that juxtaposes nostalgia for the Russian past with stark reflections on the present.
I'm Not a Shadow A second previously untranslated poem by Nabokov (under the pseudonym Vasily Shishkov).
Whose Murmuring It Is, I Know Not A previously untranslated poem by Nabokov (under the pseudonym Vasily Shishkov).
Moscow Believes It's harder, and easier, than one might think to put together an issue of Chtenia devoted to Moscow.
Photography Dmitry Zverev's black and white photos in this issue capture the sense of the capital as a small village, a humming metropolis, a place of solitude amid chaos...
Moscow and St. Petersburg: 1842 Herzen's classic comparison of Russia's two capitals, in which he finds much to love and loathe in each.
A Pestilential Distemper in Russia On the Massacre of the Archbishop of Moscow and a fever running through the capital.
Notes Upon Russia First published in 1549, von Herberstein’s account of Moscow (and Russia more generally) was the main early European source of information on Russia in the sixteenth century.
Khitrovka One of the most famous chapters from this classic work, about the seamy underbelly of Moscow at the turn of the last century.
Clear Ponds A truly wonderful memoir of life growing up along Moscow's boulevard, by a writer hardly published in English.
The Moscow Eccentric A fascinating look at life in post-revolutionary Moscow, in this never-before-translated excerpt from Bely's little known novel about the capital. All the more amazing for the fact that it is written (and translated) in metered prose. Presented here in our bilingual format (English and Russian on facing pages)
The Shopping Renaissance A consideration of what NEP wrought in Moscow, from one of Russia's greatest writers.
My City Now is Drowsing A final poem by Okudzhava to close out this issue devoted to his beloved city.
A Visit In this hilarious bit of rhyming prose, one of Russia's most prolific and interesting modern writers offers a sendup of the propiska system. Presented in bilingual format, with Russian and English on facing pages.
The Great Stone Bridge An excerpt from a new novel about an infamous murder case in Moscow that revealed a horrific layer of elite corruption and bigotry. The excerpt introduces the scene of the crime, looking at the history and mystery of this great bridge.
Masha is Lying on the Table A diary entry Dostoyevsky wrote on the death of his first wife, which became an extraordinary and impassioned meditation on death, immortality and human relationships.
Letter Before Exile A letter the author wrote to his brother, immediately before his transport into Siberian exile.
The Petersburg Feuilletons A journalistic piece from 1847, in which Fyodor Mikhailovich lambasts "the dreamer" omnipresent in St. Petersburg life.
The Many Faces of Fyodor Mikhailovich Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky is known for huge, intense, philosophical works, but this reputation ignores the great variety of his writing.
Letter to Sofya In this letter to his niece, Dostoyevsky describes the thinking behind Prince Myshkin, the central character in his novel The Idiot.
The Crocodile Dostoyevsky's hilarious story about a man swallowed by a crocodile, which was also a brilliant satire on political economy and the importation of Western ideas to Russia.
Vlas This extract from The Writer's Diary tells the story of a peasant's religious conversion, which Dostoyevsky turns into a discussion of the nature of Russian peasants.
The Women of Lazarus An excerpt from the award-winning novel of the lifelong friendship between a childless couple and a troubled genius.
There is No Night "At the end of a dead-end street in the outskirts there stands a little maternity ward..."
Cabiria of the Bypass Canal Excerpt from this important novel, which is a standout example of "strongly articulated female subjectivity."
Children of the Underground An excerpt from Ulitskaya's powerful novel Under the Green Tent, about the experiences of the Thaw generation.
Leningrad Directory of Writers at the Front A series of poignant poetical portraits of writers and poets who worked in Leningrad during the Seige.
Prisoner of the Caucasus Excerpt from a longer unpublished work about a writer trying to reconcile her awe for the Caucasus with her disgust for its female terrorists.
The Smoker An excerpt from this novel of an orphanage for handicapped children, which caused a sensation when published in 2009.
The Tale of the Cowardly Devil Excerpt from one of the classic Soviet era Major Pronin tales, about a skilled Chekist battling in this case wreckers.
Staff Captain Rybnikov It is the height of the Russo-Japanese war, and Staff Captain Rybnikov, based in St. Petersburg, is not exactly he seems to be.
Early Spy Films: The Stalin Era A consideration of the short and vivid history of spy films under Stalin.
A Face of Soviet Intelligence A brief portrayal of a quintessential and typical Soviet intelligence operative, Naum Markovich Belkin.
The New World Order This tale within a tale unravels into a surprising conclusion about the real end of the Cold War.
The Cossacks One of Tolstoy's earlier classic works, featuring beautiful description of the Caucasus. In English and Russian
After the Ball Excerpt from one of Tolstoy's later and lesser known stories, in which he seems to revert to his earlier, more literary style. In English and Russian
Tolstoy the Didact Shorter pieces and extracts from longer works, showing how Tolstoy sought to teach and instruct through his writings. In English and Russian.
Tolstoy the Outrageous Excerpts (in English and Russian) from Tolstoy's works, illustrating some of the more outrageous ideas he advocated.
Levin's Epiphany A comparison of three translations of a selected passage from Anna Karenina, showing how Tolstoy has been translated differently over the last 100 years.
Alyosha the Pot One of the author's last stories, and one of his most poignant. Not published until after his death. In English and Russian.
A Writer's Diary Including the stories "The Boy With His Hand Out" and "The Boy at Christ's Christmas Party"
Maria Silina MARIA SILINA is an art historian currently working as a research scientist at the Research Institute for Theory and History of Visual Arts of the Russian Academy of Arts in Moscow. She is particularly interested in Soviet art and urban space, as well as the issues of public memory of the Soviet Union. She has written for a number of academic and popular journals and became concerned for the fate of the Shukhov tower in Moscow upon hearing about plans to tear it down.
Anne O. Fisher ANNE O. FISHER’s translation of Ilf & Petrov’s The Little Golden Calf (Russian Life Books) won the 2010 prize for Best Translation into English from AAASS. Her translation of their first book, The Twelve Chairs (Northwestern University Press, 2011), won the 2012 Northern California Book Award for Fiction Translation. She also translated the coauthors’ account of their 1935-36 road trip through the U.S. (Ilf & Petrov’s American Road Trip, Cabinet Books and Princeton Architectural Press). She is the recipient of NEH and NEA grants, most recently to support co-translating the poetry of Maxim Amelin with her husband, poet Derek Mong.
Black Diggers Treasure hunters who do not have official permission to carry out excavations automatically fall into the category of “black searchers.” They are also referred to as “black archeologists” or “black diggers.”
George's Revenge After its unceremonious arrival in San Francisco, Atherton’s body was uncasked, dried out and buried, but soon there were reports that his spirit was haunting the family estate, Valparaiso Park, in San Francisco.
Word Champ This site has lots of flashcard sets you can access, plus a nice audio implementation; it seems to be used by lots of teachers. You can create your own flashcard sets and work through them, and can also connect up with language tutors. Different paid membership plans, starting at $9.95.
Wind in the Journey The collection of Ratushinskaya's poems, in English translation, which this was drawn from.
A Short History of the Crimea Partisans The partisan movement in Crimea developed in a complex context, given the USSR’s general lack of war-readiness and the defeats in the fall of 1941 on the Crimean section of the front.
Russian Orthodox Churches on the Riviera The rapidly growing Russian community in Nice quickly outgrew its first church in the city, and in 1899, Empress Maria Fyodorovna provided support for the building of the grand St. Nicholas’ Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
Catherine the Great Catherine the Great (1729 – 1796), born Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, was Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796, the country's longest-ruling female leader. She came to power following a coup d'état when her husband, Peter III, was overthrown. Under her reign, Russia was revitalized; it grew larger and stronger, and was recognised as one of the great powers of Europe.
Kelsey Rubin-Detlev Kelsey Rubin-Detlev read Modern Languages (French and Russian) at Christ Church, Oxford, and was awarded a Congratulatory First. She completed her doctoral dissertation at Oxford on the subject of Catherine the Great and epistolarity.
Andrew Kahn Andrew Kahn has written widely on Russian literature. His books include The Cambridge Companion to Pushkin (2006) and Pushkin's Lyric Intelligence (2008). For Oxford World's Classics he has edited Pushkin's The Queen of Spades and Other Stories, Montesquieu's Persian Letters, Lermontov's A Hero of Our Time. and Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories.
Ivan Krylov Ivan Andreyevich Krylov was born in 1769 into a family that was situated at the very bottom of the noble class. His father died when he was ten, leaving him virtually no money. But Krylov did inherit a trunk full of books. Virtually lacking any formal education, in his teens Krylov had the good fortune to impress a professional writer with his literary talent.
Ksenia Buksha Poet, fiction writer, and artist Ksenia Buksha was born in St. Petersburg. She holds a degree in economics from St. Petersburg State University and has worked as a journalist, copywriter, and day trader. Since her breakout fiction collection Alyonka the Partisan (2002), Buksha has been winning acclaim as a brilliant stylist and satirist whose linguistic experimentation is guided by a healthy sense of the absurd. In 2004, The Freedom Factory won the National Bestseller award and was a finalist for the Big Book Award. Buksha’s work has been translated into Polish, Chinese, French, and English.
Maya Kucherskaya MAYA KUCHERSKAYA is a literary critic, novelist, biographer and teacher. A graduate of Moscow State University, she received a PhD from UCLA and is the author of more than 100 articles on literature and culture. She has served several times as a judge on Russia’s most prestigious literary award, the Booker, and her first novel (recently rewritten and published as The Rain God) received the Student Booker prize. Faith & Humor (published in Russian as Sovremenny Paterik) was shortlisted for the 2006 Bunin Prize and will be published in 2011 by Russian Life Books.
The Editors The editors of Russian Life are a collective of committed yet fallible individuals with an abiding passion for storytelling, journalism, and fine imagery.
January/February 2012 The New Russian Philanthropy • Will Sochi be Ready? • Lev Theremin: The Soviet Faust • American Surgeons in Russia • Lyubov Orlova • The Table of Ranks • Law Forbidding Soviets to Marry Foreigners • Alexander Scriabin • Vysotsky, Alliluyeva, Alexeyev and other personages of note • Waiting for Miracles • Dealing with too much hospitality
March/April 2012 The Czech Legion • When Pigs Fly (A 30-year Lawsuit) • The Ice Breaks • Alexander Herzen • Rapallo • Kornei Chukovsky • The Mail Troika • Seeing Blue • Hazelnut Rusks • Vasily Bazhenov • Putin's Re-Election
May/June 2012 Extreme Russia • Victor Tsoy • Russia's (and perhaps Japan's) Greatest Baseball Player • Northern Secrets & Myths • Cinema in the Round • Words only to be Spoken Among Friends • Magic Carpets and Walnut Pirozhki • An Icon Painter's Hidden World • Izmail Sreznevsky • Nixon does Moscow • Yevgeny Vakhtangov • Pussy Riot • Police Abuse and Reform
July/August 2012 2012 Olympics • Running Moscow • 1612 and 2012 • Claiming the Arctic • Abe & Alex, a Tale of Two Liberators • Matilda Kshesinskaya • Moscow Gets the Telephone • Catherine the Great Rises • Russian Authors in New York • The Language of Sobriety • Putin Returns • Sour Cabbage
September/October 2012 War of 1812, First Person • Aquarium • Cuban Missile Crisis • North Koreans in Siberia • Faces of Borodino • Pussy Riot • The New Dissidents • Worst Nuclear Accident Before Chernobyl • First Trains • Red Terror • Flood in Krymsk • The Power of Currants • Books on Aristocrats, Noir, Film and Churches
November/December 2012 Baikonur • Publishing for Kids • A Church a Bird Built • Lev Gumilev • Spirits of Home and Forest • Khrushchev's Manege Outburst • Pavel Fedotov • The Nutcracker • Language of the Enemy • The Kovsh
January/February 2013 Circassians Who Want to Return to Russia • Russia's Iron Roads at 175 • Tsarist Coronation Albums • Stanislavsky at 150 • The 1903 Ball • Health of Russian Leaders • Magnitsky Bill & End of Jackson-Vanik • Lucky Cookies (Kozuli) • Russian for Cheaters
March/April 2013 The Broken Orphan System • Alef Sausage • 1983: The Scariest Year • Koryak Cultural Loss • Russian Alaska • Bolshoi Acid Attack • Stalin's Death • Sophia Paleologue • Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin • Language of Military Gear • Kamchatka • Salmon zakuski • One Adoptee's Tale
May/June 2013 Siberian Tea Road • China's Russian Cartoonist • Romanovs' 400th Anniversary • Russian Hawaii • Secrets of the Romanovs • Climbing Mt. Elbrus • The Russian Tongue • Chelyabinsk Meteor • Catherine's Decree of Secrecy • Shishkin's Protest • The Last Oligarch
July/August 2013 Lost Photos Rediscovered • Izhevsk • Russian Bees Saving US Agriculture • Russian Paris • The Last Days of Russian America • Surviving Diminutives • Okroshka • Pyotr Nesterov • Young Pushkin • Lenin in London
September/October 2013 Why Babushkas Matter • Why Russians Don't Run • Battle of Nations • 10 Tips for Edward Snowden • Death Mask Secrets • Western Small Businesspeople in Russia • Dostoyevsky Under Fire • Sino-Soviet Split • Catherine II's Hospital • Souffleed Baked Apples • Spy Language
January/February 2014 Russia Olympic Chances • Moscow 1980 vs. Sochi 2014 • The Skating Pair that Started it All • What to Do in Sochi After the Games • Ukraine Between Russia and a Hard Place • Dmitry Mendeleyev • Looking Back at 1914 • Banya Language • Cod Recipe
March/April 2014 Terror and Art (Pavel Korin) • Chasing Nabokov • Mysterious Folk Art • A Secret UK Bunker • World's End ~ A Trip to Distant Yamal • Linguistic Hats • Russians in Paris • The Birth of Subbotniki • Karelian Pies • Spy Thrillers, Memoirs, Hobbits and a Crossword, and much more.
May/June 2014 Elusive Wild Tulips • Mysterious Local Church • SciFi Excerpt • The Northern Sea Route • From Orphans to Paralympians • Russia's Eiffel Tower • Unanimous Russia • Mikhail Glinka • Berlin Blockade • Independent Press Begone • Volga River Mousse • Survival Ukrainian
July/August 2014 Russia on the Eve of WWI • Spas in Russian Culture • Ukrainian Street Artists • Male Kissing • Holy Spring of Iskitim • Dacha Language • Forbidding Smoking and Foul Language • Cold War in Space • Ilya Repin • Solzhenitsyn • War Invalids • Mustard • Smolensk • Melon Preserves
July/August 2015 Baseball in Russia * New Crime and Punishment translation * Remote Northern Village * Russians traveling abroad * Trotsky Revisited * Baltic Annexations * Founding of Vladivostok * Yaroslav the Wise * 1905 Revolution * Language of Weather * Summer Shchi * Summer Reading * Faberge * Valaam Mozarella
November/December 2013 Joining the army, fighting for Navalny, Russian Chicago, a children's railroad, a poet turned historian, a visit to the "stolby" on the Lena River and so much more.
Ray Cavanaugh Ray Cavanaugh is a Massachusetts native and frequent resident of the Boston and New York metro regions. When not reading or indulging his fondness for urban exploration, he is very possibly at work on an article. As a freelance scribe, he has written for such publications as The Guardian, History Today, and The New York Times.
Ksenia Frolova Ksenia Frolova was born in Vladivostok. She has been educated in art, marketing, law, and international economics. For the past ten years she has been doing event management and marketing (@morezapad) while working as a conceptual artist in her spare time. She is a co-founder of the group Hero4Hero.
Cult Film Quotes A great collection of some of the best quotes (without explanation) from a whole host of Russian “cult films”.
Best Russian Films Blog A long discussion of “the best movie scenes ever” from Soviet and post-Soviet films in an online blog.
Shostakovich and Stalin: The Extraordinary Relationship Between the Great Composer and the Brutal Dictator
The Voronezh Notebooks: Poems 1935-1937 Translated by Richard and Elizabeth McKain Bloodaxe Books Ltd (1996)
Selected Poems of Osip Mandelstram Translated by Clarence Brown and W.S. Merwin New York Review of Books (2004)
The Noise of Time: Selected Prose by Osip Mandelstam Translated by Clarence Brown Northwestern University Press (2002)
Hope against Hope by Nadezhda Mandelstam Modern Library (1999) The first volume in Nadezhda Mandelstam’s memoirs, it begins with the line, “After slapping Alexei Tolstoi in the face, M. immediately returned to Moscow.”
Kalinka: Somewhere My Love A wonderful balalaika and accordion duo from Texas has released this album. You may have to search for it on ebay to find it.
The poet's voice Several of Mandelstam's poems are in Russian here, and there are some good links, including to Mandelstam reading his own poetry.
Partner in Crime: The Life and Times of Andrei Zhdanov, 1896-1948 The first full-length biography of the man once believed to be Stalin's successor.
Vaganova: A Dance Journey from Petersburg to Leningrad A portrait of one of the woman who almost single-handedly shaped the Russian school of ballet.
Encounters with Lise A collection of memorable, tightly-crafted stories by one of the greatest, and least-known Russian authors of the 20th century.
Vasya "Madness protects you if insanity is the world around you." An incredible documentary of an artist surviving under Soviet oppression.
The Reindeer People: Living with Animals and Spirits in Siberia A monumental account of the Evenk people, based on 20 years of field research. Wonderfully written.
Sonata for Viola A documentary biography of Dmitry Shostakovich, by Semyon Aranovich and Alexander Sokurov (of Russian Ark fame).
The Meeting Place Cannot be Changed A crime-fighting saga, starring the bard Vladimir Vysotsky. "Just look at that mug of yours, Sharapov!"
Diamond Arm You really cannot understand Russia until you have seen this most classic of Soviet-era comedies.
An Ordinary Miracle A modern fairy tale with humor, song, and, of course, great quotes. "You should have warned me."
White Sun of the Desert Perhaps the most beloved of all Russian films. A revolutionary Western that speaks to all peoples and times.
Anatomy of Chernobyl's meltdown An excellent, concise description of how and why Chernobyl exploded, and the impact it had on the surrounding landscape.
Master and Margarita The full 5-DVD set, 10 episodes in all, of Bortko's new television serial of this timeless classic.
Setomaa Resort Cottage Setomaa Tourism Farm is located is a nice quiet place for a refreshing vacation.
Kalitagrad Offers not only apartments near the Arbat and Mayakovskaya, but also dachas in the country.
Brodsky's Significance The significance of Brodsky's trial for the development of the Soviet dissident movement.
Rein interviews Brodsky The poet Yevgeny Rein interviews Joseph Brodsky. An incredible meeting of the minds (in Russian).
Russian NGOs: It's not so simple A nice "reality check" editorial from the IHT on how the West should be reacting to the new NGO law.
Moscow 1941: A City and Its People at War An intimate portrait of the capital at war, based on hundreds of interviews and memoirs.
Testimony: Memoirs of Dmitri Shostakovich The controversial memoirs of Shostakovich, as told to Solomov Volkov.
Russia: Beyond Utopia Andrew Moore's wonderful photographic book on contemporary Russia is a must-have for contemporary Russophiles.
Perelman's world The Wikipedia entry on Grigory Perelman offers interesting background on the mathematical world.
Original Documents A truly superb resource of original texts on FMD: "Dostoevsky Archive: Firsthand Accounts of the Novelist from Contemporaries' Memoirs and Rare Periodicals, Most Translated into English for the First Time, with a Detailed Lifetime Chronology and Annotated Bibliography"
Mikhail Mikhailovich Potapov A page, in Russian, on The Master, Mikhail Mikhailovich Potapov, with samples of his art.
Gilmore "Moving East" article Link to the abstract of the Gilmore article, which is available for purchase via this link.
MAPS MAPS is an international group that is trying to bring international attention to the destruction of Old Moscow’s treasures. They also act as an informational hub for English speakers, send out bilingual bulletins, and coordinate forums and debates in Russia and abroad.
Moscow That Is No More MKN is a non-profit organization of 7 core members that organize various projects, tours, and exhibitions, reaching out to about 200 other Muscovites who regularly participate and contribute information. The LiveJournal community numbers about 1000 members, and 3,500 people subscribe to the mailing list.
The Russian Church in Antartica A picture of this Orthodox church at the end of the world and some information about its builders and parish.
Surkov's Book A link to a PDF [in Russian] of Surkov's book being used by the Moscow University for the Humanities
Maximilian Voloshin and the Russian Literary Circle Explores the culture of the Russian literary circle through the life of Maximilian Voloshin
More Moscow Buildings Disappearing Right on Red Square, more buildings are being disappeared without public hearings or review...
Interview with BAM Veteran Rashit Yahin An extensive verbatim interview with a long-time BAM engineer and booster of the Baikal region.
The Russian American Company No, not the original one that colonized Alaska, the one that exists today, selling Russian handicrafts, gifts and antiques in Alaska.
The Rite of Spring This features a great Flash video in which Michael Tilson Thomas narrates a primer on the ballet and its significance for world music and culture. Beautifully done.
Zembla If you are interested in Nabokoviana, this should be your first stop. First rate information, great articles by experts and all very beautifully presented.
Weblog for our Cover Photographer Dave Dapcevitch, who took the cover photo and many of the inside photos of Sitka for our cover story, maintains this blog with lots of his great photos and travels.
Sitka National Park Source of some of the great historical photos for our article, this site has loads of information on Sitka, past and present.
The New Archangel Dancers This is the official site for the Sitka dance troupe featured in our story.
More on the Beetle More than you probably would ever want to know about the beetle, unless you farm potatoes...
Sitka Travel Guide Our lead article have you thinking about a trip to the former capital of Russian America? Here is a good place to start looking for travel info.
Churaevka on the Map Visit our Google map mashup of Russian America and you can zoom in on the location of Churaevka.
MKhAT The theater Stanislavsky and Nemirovsky-Danchenko founded is now known as MKhAT. This is the theater's website (in Russian).
Tsvetaeva's Poetry Online A nice collection of her work in Russian. The translations are a bit spotty, but a good start.
Collected Stories of Ivan Bunin This is the book from which Graham Hettlinger's fine translation of Chang's Dreams is taken. Uncover more of Bunin's gems.
Bunin's Nobel Prize Speech The dinner speech given by Bunin, first Russian recipient of the Nobel for Literature.
The Dog Owners Bible Might we suggest a rather more practical guide to dog raising, by the host of the NPR show, Dog Talk.
Iramifications This is Maria Galina's first novel to be published in English, through Glas (March 2008). Its central theme is the eternal misunderstanding between East and West.
A Short History of the USSR In Russian: a very short overview of the USSR by Alexander Kabakov, for students and those who did not live through it.
Chronology Bucknell University's fine Russian site offers this excellent chronology of 20th century events in Russia.
LDPR Website For the latest news on the LDPR and Russia's most persistent presidential candidate, Vladimir Zhirinovsky.
Interview with Lukyanov Interesting interview done in October 2007, with another of Lukyanov's poems.
Interview with Telman Gdlyan Text and MP3 (in Russian) of an interview Gdlyan gave in 2000 with Ekho Moskvy.
Interview with Gavriil Popov An interview in 2006 that Popov gave to Ekho Moskvy radio (in Russian). You can also hear the interview here.
Borodinsky Bread A wonderful essay, from a British bread gury, about his personal bread journey through Russia.
Rachmaninov Plays Rachmaninov You have to love YouTube. A video of Rachmaninov playing his own works.
Rachmaninov Had Big Hands This hilarious YouTube video shows how large Rachmaninov's hands were -- too big for this diminutive pianist, which leads to the humorous improvization...
Russian Museum Official Site A rather basic site, but informative and you can view some of the artwork.
Ryazan Overview Some nice info and a good encyclopedic type overview of the city and region from Kommersant.
About the National Trust The official website of the Russian trust that is redeveloping downtown Torzhok.
Meet the Translator Nora Favorov, translator of this story and a regular translator for Russian Life, was interviewed by SRAS. A nice piece that offers some insight into the dark art of Russian to English translation.
Russian restaurant Rasputin Russian Cuisine is Vancouver's top Russian restaurant and the place to go for your favorite dishes in this Pacific city.
Prakhin Foundation The foundation started by Ludmila Prakhina and her sons, "to provide financial and moral support to authors engaged in the global fight for democracy, peace, equality of all races and cultures, and the suppression and eradication of fascism and antisemitism."
14,000 Kilometers Across the Rivers of Russia by Lyudmila Prakhina and Georgy Chepik, translated by Nora Favorov
Visit Stalin's Bunker This formerly secret communications bunker, one of the 100, metro-like system of bunkers under Moscow, is now open to the public.
The Escape of Alexei A fanciful tale based on the idea that Alexei somehow escaped the murder of the Romanovs.
Donate to the ASPCA Stray dogs is not as huge a problem in the US as it is in Russia, but it is still a serious issue, as are the many other issues related to the human treatment of animals. Give to the ASPCA and make a difference.
Oistrakh Performance Video Oistrakh plays the Tchaikovsky First Violin Concerto, captured by YouTube.
Konstantin Sergienko: The Official Website Built and maintained by Konstantin's son, Artyom, this is a great introduction to his life and work.
Video of Moscow Communications Bunker Taken at Glukhovsky's book release party, held in the bunker mentioned in this article.
Order a Print of the Cover Portrait Order a print of the Solzhenitsyn portrait via ShutterFly, and we'll donate all profits to the Solzhenitsyn Fund for victims of political oppression.
Where to buy some of Losev's books To our knowledge, Losev has not been translated into English, but you can buy some of his books online in Russian.
Uchites! Russian Language Learning An eight-page Russian language learning lesson based on this issue's Lyceum Day article. Can be used for individual study, or as a teacher-led lesson for Russian language students in a classroom setting.
SHKID Webste A whole site devoted to SHKID. This link will take you to where you can read the chapters (in Russian, of course).
Far from Moscow An exciting new, English-only website that corrals and catalogs what is new and interesting in Russian popular music.
Rediscovering Herzen The NY Times looks at Herzen and his connection to the Stoppard play that has been getting buzz in recent years.
Russians in the Near Abroad Nice BBC article from 2005, on Russians in Central Asia. Coincidentally, it is by Robert Greenall, who was Russian Life's managing editor in the 1990s, but now works for the BBC.
Vladimir Vysotsky Site The official site of the Vladimir Vysotsky Fund. Vysotsky’s poems, songs and prose are here, and you can create your own selection of your favorite songs. The sections “Vysotsky in the Theater” and “Vysotsky in Film” offer a nearly complete profile of this poet and artist beloved by all Russians. The site is as useful for those extremely well-versed in all things Vysotsky, as it is for the novitiate.
Largest Bard Archive The internet’s largest bard-archive. Everything you want to know about anniversaries, concerts, festivals, birthdays. The site has a huge collection of texts and audio recordings. The downside is that it has no selectivity: classics of the masters are listed on equal footing as works by authors which no one knows.
Veronika Dolina The official site of Veronika Dolina, one of the few modern bards who could be called a true idealist. In contrast to Shaov, she does not pander to audiences, but fills her poems with trenchant observations of contemporary politics. Over 30 years she has been surprisingly able to sing at once about Joan of Arc, the imaginary city of Innocentville, and the difficult plight of a woman who must feed a huge family, yet never repeat herself.
Timur Shaov The official site of Timur Shaov, whose work shows what has become of the poetry of Vysotsky, Galich and Kim. Shaov’s songs are full of contemporary realia, which the author skewers mercilessly. Yet there is no second level of meaning, only a superficial level which warrants a laugh, but which does not brook deeper thought. He could be called “Kim for the poor.”
Mikhail Shcherbakov The unofficial site of artist/performer Mikhail Shcherbakov, whose work does not readily fit within any paradigm discussed here. Among living bards who are actively writing and performing their work, he is much better than most. Yet his songs are difficult to see being performed by anyone other than him: the poetry is so fancy and refined, that they really are not appropriate for, say, singing around a fire or in a train cabin.
Nest of the Deaf The official website of the bard club “Nest of the Deaf,“, located in Moscow at Bolshoy Nikitskaya ul. 22 – the ideal place to become familiar with author’s songs in their widest possible definition. It is a democratic stage and welcomes a wide variety of performers, from Veronica Dolina and Alexander Gorodnitsky to Timur Shaov and Oleg Mityayev. There are festivals of young authors, concerts in memory of Okudzhava and Vizbor and even song nights with music from beloved films.
Shostakovich watching rehearsals of The Nose Fascinating to watch him watching his own operetic masterpiece...
All Things Bulgakov A nice site devoted to the writer (in Russian), including text of Politburo discussions of his works, his letter to Stalin, etc. Plus news, reviews, links to works.
AgUSA Video on YouTube The video Darra Goldstein referred to in this column. Colors rather deteriorated, but great look at US propaganda and a nice language-learning video...
USIA Exhibits Blog A blog run by former USIA guides, with links to photos of exhibits and video of Khrushchev/Nixon videotaped exchange at 1959 event (not the actual Kitchen Debate).
Molotov Remembers Book based on Chuyev's interviews with Molotov. An unparalleled inside look at life in the Kremlin under Stalin.
Blog on Books and Films Comment on the films and books we chose for inclusion in this feature as the must read and must view items...
Life and Work of Andrei Platonov A nice site hosted at Middlebury with extensive biographical information on the great writer.
Interagency Language Roundtable Level Three ILR materials are what a Presidential Translator must be able to routinely handle.
Interview with Peter Carlson Interview with the author of "K Blows Top" on NPR's "On the Media" radio program.
Great Online Encyclopedia Everything you could want to know, most of it also in English. Route stops, history, photos, etc.
Chekhov Podcasts Nice readings of public domain translations of Chekhov and others (not the same translation as in our volume).
American Friends of Russian Folklore A website that supports and promotes American understanding of Russian folklore and traditional Russian life and culture.
OneWorld Classics Buy the marvelous Brian Reeve translation of Chekhov's report on crossing Siberia and the prison settlements on Sakhalin.
Phlip Callow biography A nice biography written in a very approachable style, by a noted British biographer.
Tolstoy Studies Journal A scholarly journal on all things Tolstoy. Great pages on filmography, image gallery and exhaustive quality links to all things Tolstoy.
Sagaalgan Travel This company (no endorsement intended; do your own due diligence) offers a Sagaalgan tour to Buryatia.
Boxed set of 6 DVDs Buy the full "17 Moments" and get acquainted with Shtirlitz first hand. Subtitled in English.
Movie: The Last Station New movie based on Jay Parini's fine book on Tolstoy's final days and the familial disorder. Just released in Dec. 2009.
Photos to go with the story Alexei Maishev traveled with Peter Aleshkovsky on his trip to Sakhalin. See his amazing photos of the region Aleshkovsky wrote about.
LinQ Several levels of membership, from free to $79/month. Learn vocabulary online or by downloading audio files (everything from radio talk shows to short stories) to your iPod. There are online lessons and you can arrange writing consultations with tutors via Skype, or join in live conversations.
Interview with noted Platonov translator An excellent interview with Robert Chandler, translator of Platonov.
Teach Russian Mainly an online resource center for Russian language teachers, it nonetheless is full of useful reference materials for students. Loads of free exercises you can download and work through. (Disclosure: This site is run by the folks who helped us compile our Uchites insert.)
Live Mocha Probably the best-known of the sites we visited, this nice service integrates friends and an online community with learning resources, language skill tests, and interactive flashcards. Users help one another and there are tools for beginners through intermediate level.
Quia Like LingQ, this is a cross pollination of social networks and language learning, with the ability to find teachers, interact with activities and quizzes, and use online exercises to improve your language skills. Intended largely as a supplement to classroom courses, it can nonetheless be used by individuals.
Lingro A very cool glossed reading tool that lets you use the web to learn to read Russian better. Enter a Russian website address (like a news site)?while at the lingro.com site, and indicate that you want to translate from Russian to English. The page loads (in Russian)?and then you can click on any unknown word on the page and up pops a dictionary balloon.
Leading Architectural Preservation Site Great site full of all the latest information on architectural preservation (and destruction) in Russia (mainly Moscow). [in Russian]
Meskhetians Resettled in Vermont A nice story on the group of Mekhetians who have been resettled in Vermont, with perspective on what led them to emigrate.
Meskhetians in Krasnodar Krai This report summarises the monitoring data the Human Rights Centre ‘Memorial’ gathered in Krasnodar Krai throughout 2004 within the project funded by the Open Society Institute.
Werewolf: The Western Riff on Mafia A description of the addictive game of Werewolf, derived from Dimitry Davidoff's Mafia game.
For Meskhetian Turks, Kyrgyz Attacks Are More Of The Same During recent unrest in Kyrgyzstan, Meskhetian turks were once again targeted, RFE/RL reports.
Lenin's London Haunts Nice BBC article on Lenin's haunts in London, plus about Lubetkin's memorial to Lenin.
July/August 2017 Saving seals, drinking beetles, homeless animal defenders and much more in this summer issue of Russian Life.
September/October 2017 Everything from St. Petersburg to village banyas, from journalistic freedom to Romanov toys in this wide ranging issue.
November/December 2016 In the final issue of our 59th year, we feature stories on the Kremlin garage, sheep counting in Siberia, Moscow's revamp, and all the usual departments.
January/February 2017 The first issue of 2017 has articles on everything from Far East poachers, monuments that recount history, oddball villagers, Ivan the Terrible, maslenitsa and much more.
May/June 2016 This issue of Russian Life travels from Baikal to Nikel, from Bulgakov to hockey, with tsars, legionnaires and prisoners in between.
July/August 2016 The July/Aug issue of Russian Life looks back at the 40th anniversary of the publication of The Russians, visits the most beautiful village in Russia, and retraces a Gulag escape. Among many other things.
September/October 2016 This issue covers everything from the Olympics to Russia's Trump Love, from a trek across Siberia to a historical dispute about art and a visit to a unique artistic village.
September/October 2015 This issue of Russian Life looks travel in many guises: Russian expats in India, the Chinese travel boom, traveling to a hidden gulag, unusual bus stops, and a side trip to Georgia.
November/December 2015 Where we look at some of the ties that have bound Russia to Europe in the past, from saving Swiss independence, to the Italians that built Moscow, to Russian poetry.
January/February 2016 The first issue of 2016 covers everything from tiger hunters, to photographers, dating Russians, and Nikolai Gogol.
March/April 2016 The March/April issue of Russian Life features two stories on restored sailing ships, a photo feature on Old Believers that have returned to Russia, a history of modern dissent, and a ride on the BAM railway. Plus all the usual departments.
May/June 2015 This spring issue has feature stories that run the gamut from southern minorities to Siberian punk rock, from reclaiming a forest terem to searching for gold in Chukotka. Dig in, this is going to be good!
November/December 2014 Berlin Wall 25 Years After, Lenin Kitsch, The Museum of All Things, Translator's Memoir, Villages Preserved from Time
January/February 2015 This issue of Russian Life covers everything from the history of Red Square to Boris Pasternak, Borshch, being born in 19th century Russia, a photo essay on Crimea and short-form idioms.
March/April 2015 This issue covers everything from the controversial movie Leviathan to a tasty soup, from new travel restrictions, to the language of war, a misunderstood writer, and stolen brides.
September/October 2014 This fall, we turn our attention to the Moscow Zoo, Russia's second most famous poet, wolves in Siberia and street photographer, among other things.
September/October 2010 Kyrgyzstan, Nikolai Przhevalsky, Town of Pushkin at 300, Saving the Sakhalin Salmon, Russian London, Sergei Yesenin, Khrushchev's Shoe, Language of the Heat Wave, Nicholas II's Manifesto
November/December 2010 Russian Orthodox Mass Pilgrimages, Tolstoy's Flight, Founding of Singer Russia, Napoleon's Treasure, Apocalypse Nyet, The Sacking of Kiev, The Itinerants
November/December 2009 Winter Holidays, Tsarina Elizabeth, White Sea Lighthouse Master, Traveling with the Patriarch, Problems at the Bolshoi Theater, Marital Dispute Language, Mushroom Stuffed Eggs, Dam Disaster, Admiral Kolchak
March/April 2010 Yaroslavl Turns 1000, Russians Return to Afghanistan, Kremlin Archaeology, Russian National Orchestra Turns 20, Russian Riga, Perestroika at 25, Bobby Fischer versus Anatoly Karpov
May/June 2010 Defending Sevastopol, Hero of Two Nations, Vitebsk, City of Chagall, Dialog Coach on a Movie Set, Meskhetian Turks, Language of Bargaining, The Moscow Metro
March/April 2009 Gogol's 200th Birthday, Understanding Gogol, Gogol's Stomach, Gogol's Art into Music, Kaliningrad, Repatriating Russian Art, Money Slang, Going Green in St. Petersburg
May/June 2009 100 Things Everyone Should Know About Russian, A Quiet Nook in the Center of Moscow, Cultural Clones, Olympian Election, Simple Foods
September/October 2009 Riding the Trans-Siberian, Peter the Great's Diplomat, The Moscow-Washington Hotline, Warm Music of Tuva, The Obama-Medvedev Summit, Khrushchev Visits America, Sofia's Failed Coup (1689)
September/October 2008 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Russian Art Boom, Tsar David Oistrakh, John Quincy Adams: The First U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Abrau Dorsu Champagne, Language of Knees, Sorrel Soup, Summer Music Festivals
November/December 2008 Inside the Vaganova Ballet School, Returning Bears to the Wild, Russia as Viewed through American Film, St. Petersburg's Roofers, Novelist Dmitry Glukhovsky, Cell Phone Lingo
January/February 2009 Nenets Reindeer Herders, Kremlin and Art, Solovki Islands, Russian Bards, Soapy Language, Pryaniki, Books on Dark Chapters, Controversy over Icons, Afghan War, Boris Savinkov, Lev Landau
May/June 2008 Torzhok, Floating Churches, Crossing Russia by Boat, Russian Vancouver, Spring Draft, Valentina Tereshkova, Tunguska Meteorite, Independence Day, Russian Boondocks, GQ Restaurant
Sept/Oct 2007 Saving the Amur Tigers, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Russian Psychiatric Care, Fort Ross (California), Marina Tsvetaeva, Sputnik, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
November/December 2007 Village Folk Artists, Children of the Gulag, Wrangel Island, Ivan Shuvalov, Elizabeth's confidante, An Uzbek Oligarch, November 1917 Revolution, Samuil Marshak, The Tver Uprising
January/February 2008 Heroes of Perestroika, Jewish King of the Samoyed, Reconnecting Adoptees, Confessions of an Illegal Spy, Tatyana's Day, Grigory Alexandrov, 1918 Calendar Change, Russian Champagne, Igor Moiseyev, The Language of the Shuba
March/April 2007 Vanishing Moscow, Norilsk, Vladislav Tretyak, Khitrovka, Svetlana Alliluyeva, March 1917, Taganka Theater in 1977, Piggish Language, Vatrushki
May/June 2007 Maximilian Voloshin, Kursk Root Icon and Orthodox Unity, The Other Trans-Siberian Railway: The BAM, Sleeping on Graveyards in Khakassia
July/August 2006 The Cossacks, Spies Who Loved, Exploring Kamchatka, The Mighty Ruble, Bogdan Khmelnytsky and the Founding of Ukraine, Ivan Kupala, Russia's First Public Library, The Babushka Factor, Ryabina ...
September/October 2006 50th Anniversary Issue, 1956, Fyodor Tolstoy, "The American", Drawing Russia: 19th Century Political Cartoons on Russians, Fiction insert: "The Year of the Family," by Dmitry Bykov, Bering Strait, Shostakovich
November/December 2006 15th Anniversary of the end of the USSR, Watering the Seeds of Fascism, Bears in the Mist (Kamchatka), St. Petersburg's Reclusive Math Genius, Spetsluzhb Goes to the Movies, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
March/April 2006 Setomaa, 20 Years After Chernobyl, Short Term Apartment Rentals, Kapustniki, Alexander Nevsky, Freeing the Serfs, Kronstadt Rebellion, Winter-Speak, British Spy Scandal
November/December 2005 The Strangely Lucky Flight of Mathias Rust, The Moscow Metro at 70, Taganrog, Chess on the Ropes, Taste of Russia 6, Notes from a Russian Village, Putin vs. Khodorkovsky Digital version only available.
September/October 2005 Kazan at 1000, Doukhobors, Traveling up the Lena River, 1805: A Tumultuous Century Begins, Vladimir Gilyarovsky, 1905: First Taste of Democracy, A New New Year
January/February 2005 Ice Wars, Mariinsky Ballet, 100 Years Ago: The Blizzard of 1905, Ekho Moskvy Radio, Secrets of Yalta, Wicked Cold
March/April 2005 Off the Golden Ring, Moscow Conservatory in Peril, RuNet: Cyberian Adventure, Soviet Exhibitionism, Young Russians We Have Been Watching, Vegetarian Cutlets, The Secretaries Talk
September/October 2004 Saving Baikal, Russian Orphans, Norilsk, North to Narym, Living with the White Storks, Dried Fish, Queuing Lingo, Pokrov and Village Marriage Rituals
November/December 2004 Behind the Bolshoi, Juries on Trial, Athens Olympians, Narva and Ivangorod, Victor Pelevin, Taste of Russia, Chechnya's Gordian Knot, Bringing in the New Year
March/April 2004 Putin Held Hostage, The Oligarchs and the President, Russia on a Thousand Rubles a Day, The Coldest Village on Earth, The World’s Longest Road, Mapping Russia
May/Jun 2004 Kremlin Ghosts, Anna Akhmatova, What are They Teaching in the Schools?, Tomsk at 400, Tomsk Wooden Architecture, Siberia's Oil-Rich Middle Class, Addressing Strangers, Conscription
July/August 2004 The Art of Vadim Gorbatov, Gold Mining in Siberia, Olympic Hopefuls, Bear Whisperers, Saving the Chelyuskin, The Hermitage at 240
January/February 2004 Banya Culture, The Siege of Leningrad, Stogoff Travels through Khabarovsk (III), Privatizing the Pension System, Russian National Orchestra's Wind Quintet, The Russian Circus, Study Russia: Russian Summer Camps
September/October 2003 Russian Space Program, Kalmykia, Stogoff Travels the Far East (I), Defending Russian Nature, Russia Goes to the Polls, Pickled Garlic, Vegetable Russian
November/December 2003 Kustodiev's Art World, Russian Animators, Buryatia, Tyutchev, Old Ladoga, Stogoff Travels the Far East (II), Chechnya: Behind the Ballot Box
May/June 2003 THE ST. PETERSBURG ISSUE, Moscow vs. St. Petersburg, 21 Slices of St. Petersburg Life, Russia's Disneyland, Eat Like a Prole, Hidden St. Petersburg, Routine Beauty
July/August 2003 Kunashir Island (in the Kuriles), Military Reform, The Draft, Dacha Culture, Field Guide to Dachas of the Moscow Region, Alkhanai Mountain (Buryatia), Pskov and Pskovians
March/April 2003 Nikolai Zabolotsky, Ice Fishing, Lost in Siberia, Hermitage Cats, Being Catholic in Russia, Sergei Prokofiev, Tatarstan
January/February 2003 Through Muslim Eyes, Forever Amber (The reconstruction of the Amber Room), Female Aviators in WWII, St. Petersburg in Black and White, Boxer Konstantin Tszyu, Annual Study Russia Guide
September/October 2002 Putin's Russia, Putin's Places, Putin's Wife, Soccer Match to the Death, Russian New York, Russian Flavors: The Mighty Mushroom
November/December 2002 Battle of Stalingrad, An American Nurse in Siberia, St. Petersburg's Facelift, Artist Pavel Korin, St. Petersburg Travel Guide
July/August 2002 St. Petersburg Readies for its 300th Birthday, Alexei Nemov, Russian Con Artists, Honey Farmers of Bashkiria, Day in the Life of a Kiosk Vendor, St. Petersburg Travel Guide
May/June 2002 The Moscow Summit, Leading Russians (part 9), Man of Birch, Photographer Dmitry Azarov, The Magazine Boom, Annual Travel Guide
January/February 2002 Leading Russians, Real Life Russian (Jobs for Russian Speaking Students), Hunting Kamchatka Reindeer, Olympic Hopefuls, Literary Insert: Mikhail Butov's Liberty, Vodka in the Berkshires
March/April 2002 The Magical Izba, Leading Russians (part 8 of 9), The Abramtsevo Artists' Colony, Russian San Francisco
November/December 2001 Russian Lacquered Boxes, St. Basil's Cathedral, 100 Young Russians (part 6), The Battle for Moscow, US & Russia: Allies Again?
September/October 2001 Shostakovich, Andronikov Monastery, Children of Russian-American Marriages, 100 Young Russians (part 5), Tea Empire
July/August 2001 The beauty of Bulgakov, Translating Bulgakov, Digging up your Russian roots, 100 Young Russians (Part 4), Excerpt from The Master and Margarita
March/April 2001 100 Young Russians to Watch (part 2), Nikolai Ge, Kayaking Kamchatka, Summer Travel Planning Guide
May/June 2001 Young Russians to Watch (part 3), Tsar Paul I, Summer Travel Buyer's Guide, The TransSiberian Railway
November/December 2000 Marat Safin, Annual Gift Buying Guide, Alexander Blok, Sleigh Factory, Olympic Champions, Novosibirsk, Alexander Simonov, Reader Photo Contest
January/February 2001 100 Young Russians to Watch This Century (part 1), Nikolai Roerich, Krasnoyarsk, Baikal & Irkutsk, The Decline of Russian, Airplane Dacha
July/August 2000 Savior's Cathedral Reborn, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Klin, Russia's Olympians, Seeking Justice
September/October 2000 Russian Country Music Stars, Omsk, Potatoes, Vodka Taste-Off, National Hotel, Sasha Chyorny
May/June 2000 Our Boys of Summer (Russian Baseball), Anton Chekhov, Annual Summer Travel Buyer's Guide, Alexander Suvorov, Tyumen and Tobolsk
March/April 2000 Eight Russian Women's Stories, Yeltsin's Legacy, Yekaterinburg, Eduard Rossel, Verkhoturye, Bliny
January/February 2000 Russian Santa Claus, Karl Bryullov, Masha Makarova, Perm, Secret Santa Story, Study Russia ad section
Oct/Nov 1999 Mikhail Lermontov: Poet or Prophet, Torzhok, Prisons at 120, 2nd International Vodka Taste Off R...
Apr/May 1999 Russians' Most Beloved Movie, Nikolai Gogol, Living in Kommunalki, Vladimir Nabokov, Rostov Veliky, Annual Travel Buyers' Guide
June/July 1999 Pushkin Bicentennial Issue, A New Cold War?, A Church's Mission to Help the Disadvantaged, Pushki...
Dec/Jan 1999 Best and Worst of 1998, Will Russians Buy Russian?, Kargopol, Valery Chkalov, Russian-American F...
Feb/Mar 1999 Sex and Love in Russia, Yuri Olesha (Literary Insert), Alexander Griboyedov, 100 Years of Russian...
Oct/Nov 1998 The August Financial Crisis, Russians Marrying Americans, Novgorod, Metropol at 100, Russian Mus...
June/July 1998 Americans Adopting Russians, Saratov, The Romanov Museum in Moscow, Ferapontov Monastery, Russia...
Aug/Sept 1998 Lev Tolstoy's Legacy, Burying the Romanovs, Prague 30 Years Later, Boris Grebenshchikov...
March 1998 The Beauty of Russian Women, Stalin's Mother, Rudolph Nureyev, Summer Travel Buyer's Guide, Andr...
April 1998 The Vodka Issue, Kremlin Drinking Habits, Olympic Heroines, Vodka Taste-Off, Cristall Factory, ...
May 1998 The Russian Male, Review of The Thief, The story of Svetlana Voronova, Zlatoust, Gregory Potemki...
Dec/Jan 1998 Celebrating New Year's, Christmas Toys, Moscow's Minorities, Suzdal, Vasily Surikov, Chechnya
February 1998 Winter Olympic Team, Vladimir Vysotsky, Fyodor Shalyapin, Vladimir, Sergei Eisenstein...
September 1997 Religion in Russia, Cruising the Lena, Potemkin's Palace, Vologda, Moscow's Best Little Hotels...
October 1997 Beer in Russia, Magnitogorsk Theater, Literary Insert: The Twelve Chairs, Driving in Russia...
August 1997 Moscow's 850th Anniversary, In Search of St. George, Altai, Hidden Moscow, Stalin's Moscow...
July 1997 Ivan Aivazovsky, Traveling in the Provinces, Russian Firefighters, What is Russia Reading?, Veli...
May 1997 Russian Health Care, Elizabeth I, Health of Kremlin Leaders, Lake Baikal, Flying in Russia...
April 1997 Judaism in Russia, Aron Buch's Art, Peter Stolypin's Reforms, Driving the Lena River in Winter, ...
March 1997 Peter the Great's Incognito Tour of Europe, Siberia's Road of Bones, The World's Only Female MiG-2...
November 1996 200 Years After Catherine the Great, Yaroslavl, Russian Gifts, Valentin Yudashkin's Fashion, Sov...
December 1996 Russian Customs Service, Russian Dining in the US, Icon Masters, Literary Insert: Sashka...
January 1997 How Safe is Russia?, 450th Anniversary of Ivan the Terrible, Yolkas, Hotel Safety, New Clothing ...
August 1996 Marriage in Russia, Samovars, Literary Insert: Russian Missionaries in Alaska, Kamchatka...
December 1995 Russian National Orchestra, The Decembrists, Mushroom Soup, Alaska Airlines, Don Cossacks, Acronyms, Travel Myths
October 1995 Kutuzov and Borodino, Nizhny Novgorod, International Executive Service Corps, Language of Love
November 1995 Education, Gorky Park, Very Short Stories, Compliments, Mari El, Kizhi and Maly Karelia
March/April 2017 Tracking Leopards in the Altai * Village Tales: Nikolayev and the Cat * Hunting the Northern Lights * A Pre-Revolutionary Romanov Jewel Sale * Sergei Dovlatov in America * The Pyramid and Pashka Church * Trump in Russian * Church v. State
August 1995 American in Russian Orbit, The Man Who Shot Stalin, Supermarketing, Rebuilding Moscow, Russian Cinema, Kvas
Viktoria Vzyatysheva Viktoria Vzyatysheva was born in St. Petersburg and educated there as a journalist. Since 2012 she has been a special correspondent for the local news website Bumaga (found at paperpaper.ru), focusing on her native city and its people. Her stories range from disappearing local ethnic minorities to the city’s scientists. Her series of articles about local characters – like bus ticket attendant Viktor Petrovich and street trumpet player Uncle Misha – won Russia’s 2014 Golden Pen award.
Nabi Abdullaev Nabi Abdullaevwas born in Makhachkala, in Russia's southern Republic of Dagestan. After graduating from the Dagestan State Technical University, he served in a UN Emergency Response Team, assisting victims of the first (1994-1996) war in Chechnya. Since 1997, he has worked as a journalist for many Russian and foreign publications. In 1998, he became an AP correspondent in Dagestan. He reported on the second (1999-2001) Chechen War for the AP, Voice of America, the BBC and MSNBC. In 2001, he moved to Moscow, where he works as a staff writer for The Moscow Times.
Vasily Latenko Vasily Latenko was born in Estonia and studied journalism in St. Petersburg, where he now lives and works, writing for several local and national publications. He also has been a lifelong sports enthusiast, starting to play soccer at 7 and training at sport shooting since he was 14. Vasily has worked as a sports correspondent for Novosti Peterburga. In 2003, he wrote a series of articles for that paper about St. Petersburgers climbing Mount Everest. Vasily said he solved the problem of providing illustrations for his articles when he married photographer Ekaterina Kuzmina.
Steve Bodio Stephen Bodio is a nature and travel writer who has had a lifelong interest in the people and animals of Russia and Central Asia. His most recent book is Eagle Dreams, on Mongolia, and he recently visited Kazakhstan to research a book on the origins of dogs.
Joshua Hartshorne Joshua Hartshorne spent 2003-2004 in Russia, his third extended stay. After flirting with the idea of living amongst reindeer herders in the Arctic, he more sensibly joined an environmental organization working around Lake Baikal. He currently resides in East Asia with his fiancee, where he writes, studies, runs the Friends of the Great Baikal Trail website and plans his next trip to Russia.
J. Lee Jacobson J. LEE JACOBSON first crossed Siberia on a Saigon to Riga trip in 2000. Enchanted by the Siberian land and people during her five weeks there, she vowed to return, to learn what life was like for average residents. Through chance and a series of mishaps (and a government fellowship), she became the first western resident of Aginskoye, capital of the Aginsk Buryat Autonomous Okrug. She has celebrated three Sagaalgans there and is currently working on a book about her time among the Buryats.
Darra Goldstein Darra Goldstein is author of the cookbooks A Taste of Russia, The Georgian Feast, and The Winter Vegetarian, and Editor of the quarterly magazine Gastronomica: The Journal of Food and Culture. As if all that were not enough, Goldstein is Professor of Russian at Williams College and widely considered to be a leading authority on Russian cooking and culinary arts. She has been the magazine's food editor since 2003.
Eric Helque Eric Helque came to Moscow in 1996 to run a training program for Russian journalists. He returned home to France in 1997, only to return to Moscow in 2000. He worked for about five years (in French and English) as a journalist in Moscow for Agence France Presse, Belgian radio and a number of French and American publications, then moved on to South Korea.
Vladimir Voronov Vladimir Voronov was born in Samara and graduated from the History Department at Samara University. He later completed his doctorate at Moscow's Russian State University for the Humanities (RGGU). Vladimir has worked in journalism since 1993, writing for numerous magazines. He is now a reporter on military and security issues for Yezhenedelny Zhurnal magazine.
Galina Yuzefovich Galina Yuzefovich reviews books for Yezhenedelny Zhurnal. Born in Perm, she grew up in Georgia and has lived in Moscow for the last decade. In college, Galina studied history of the Ancient Greeks and ancient languages. After teaching history and ancient Greek for several years, in 1997 she started writing about literature, first for the weekly Ex libris and then for Yezhenedelny Zhurnal.
Mikhail Ivanov Mikhail Ivanov is a former Editor of Russian Life (1995-2003), and is Managing Editor of Tennis Weekend magazine in Moscow and author of one of the magazine's most popular columns, Survival Russian. An expert on Russian and Soviet sport, he contributes sports news to Russian Life. Yet, as a highly qualified journalist, he has written countless articles for the magazine since 1995. The second revised and expanded edition of his book, Survival Russian, is available. It includes 95 Survival Russian columns, 81 of which were written by Ivanov.
Kathleen Bangs Kathleen Bangs is a commercial jet pilot, airline instructor, expert witness, magazine editor, photographer and freelance writer specializing in aviation, celebrity interviews, and figure skating. When not airborne, in an ice arena, or chained to a desk, she enjoys summers on her private Canadian island and scuba diving for lost treasure.
Yaroslav Sedov Yaroslav Sedov was born into a family of musicians and studied piano, ballet and folk dancing. He also sang in the Bolshoi Theatre's Children's Choir from 1980-85. A graduate of the Russian Theater Arts Academy, he completed the doctorate in 1996. He has written over 1000 articles on music, opera and ballet, and is an expert on the Russian Zolotaya Maska theatrical awards committee.
Olga Povoroznyuk Olga Povoroznyuk is a graduate student in the Department of the Peoples of the North, at Moscow's Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology. She fell in love with the Evenk people after working for three years as a Russian-English interpreter for an international anthropological expedition to Northern Chita Province.
Alexander Mozhayev Alexander Mozhayev is a graduate of the Moscow Architectural Institute, with a specialty in architectural restoration. Since 2002, he has worked as a journalist for various Moscow magazines, and as an author of Moscow guidebooks. He is a member of the organization, Moscow That Is No More, which works to halt destruction of the capital’s architectural heritage.
Michael Katz Michael Katz is Professor of Russian at Middlebury college where he served as Dean of Language Schools and Schools Abroad from 1998-2004. He previously taught at Williams College and at the University of Texas, Austin. He has written two monographs on Russian literature and translated ten 19th century novels from Russian to English.
Masha Nordbye Masha Nordbye is a writer and TV documentary producer/director who has journeyed throughout more than 100 countries. She has worked throughout Russia over the past 25 years. Her introduction to the Russian circus came in 1987, when she helped produce a National Geographic special on it. She has been merrily involved with the Russian circus ever since. Her 650-page travel book, Moscow, St. Petersburg & The Golden Ring was published by Odyssey. When not filming documentaries, Masha takes trapeze lessons from circus masters in California, where she lives.
Susan Scotto Susan Scotto began studying Russian in college, so that she could read Dostoyevsky in the original. The Russian bug bit, and she earned her Ph.D from the University of California Berkeley and began teaching in Mount Holyoke College's Russian and Eurasian Studies Department in 1987. In 2004, she began interviewing Russia's top female pop and rock singers. She is currently writing a book based on her conversations with these singers, who include Zemfira, Julia Chicherina, Vika Voronina, Alsou, Gliukoza, Katya Lel, Julis Savicheva and The Shining Ones.
Lynnda Greene Lynnda Greene is a freelance writer who lives in St. Louis, MO. She teaches journalism at Webster University and writes about the arts, particularily classical music, for American and British publications.
Maria Kolesnikova Maria Kolesnikova is a journalist who lives in Moscow and works for Bloomberg. She was a visiting scholar at New York University's Department of Journalism, and taught at the Rostov State University for seven years. For one year she was managing editor of Russian Life.
Anna Bowles Anna Bowles is a freelance writer and editor living in London, England. She works mostly for the televison news company ITN, where Slavonic Language skills have proved unexpectedly vital for communication with the Ukrainian cleaning staff. Anna completed an MA in Russian studies at the School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies, writing her thesis on the Russian Internet.
Mike Buscher Mike Buscher is an award-winning photojournalist whose work as appeared in publications around the world. Born and raised in Maryland, he graduated from Towson University in 1995. Since then, he has traveled and photographed in over 40 countries and worked on staff for several daily newspapers. He is currently working on projects that explore the Trans-Siberian Railroad and Castro's Cuba in the 21st century, splitting his time between New York City and Baltimore, while freelancing for leading newspapers in each of those cities. To see more of his work, visit his website.
Constantine Pleshakov Constantine Pleshakov is the author of Stalin's Folly, The Tsar's Last Armada, The Flight of the Romanov's, and Inside the Kremlin's Cold War and has published six novels and two collections of short stories in Russian. He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Alexandra Borisenko Alexandra Borisenko is a literary translator and critic. She is also an associate professor at Moscow University.
Victor Sonkin Victor Sonkin is a scholar specializing in verse theory and Slavic literature. He is also a journalist, contributing a weekly column to The Moscow Times. He teaches a translation workshop at Moscow University and works as translator and interpreter for major international companies, recently spending four years in The Hague with the UN's International Criminal Tribunal.
Piers Gladstone Piers Gladstone is a British freelance journalist based in Moscow. Educated in England, Piers graduated from Edinburgh University and regularly contributes features and travel articles to Russian and international publications. His work has appeared in publications such as The Times (London) and The Moscow Times. He has also been documenting and recording traditional music on his travels about Russia. When not traveling or writing, Piers helps prepare young Muscovites for entrance examinations to English boarding schools.
Olga Sharapova Olga Sharapova grew up in Norilsk. After a stint in Minsk teaching children's theater, she moved to St. Petersburg, where she studied at the Academy of Theater Arts. She has worked as an editor at the Baltiysky Dom Theater Festival.
Elena Pugachyova Elena Pugachyova was born, raised and educated in Taganrog. A linguist and freelance journalist, she has long had an interest in the Cossacks and Rostov regional history and wrote over 40 articles on towns and historical monuments of the region for the historic.ru website.
Marina Latysheva Marina Latysheva graduated from Moscow State University's journalism faculty in 1997. She writes primarily on terrorism and issues of national security. She is the Terrorism and Culture Editor for agentura.ru, which specializes in national security and intelligence issues.
Irina Titova Irina Titova was born and raised in Pskov and studied at the Pskov State Pedagogical Institute, St. Petersburg State University, and at St. Michael's College, in Burlington, Vermont. Titova has worked as a news and feature reporter for The St. Petersburg Times and as a stringer in St. Petersburg for The Associated Press.
Dmitry Bykov Dmitry Bykov is the author of several prizewinning futuristic novels and alternative histories, all of which have inspired heated debates in the Russian press. He is also a noted poet and the author of the award winning biography of Boris Pasternak, as well as biographies of Bulat Okudzhava and Vladimir Mayakovsky. A famous TV personality and a very prolific journalist, he contributes widely to Moscow’s leading periodicals.
Donald Dewey Donald Dewey has published 25 books of fiction and non-fiction, as well as had some 30 of his plays staged in the United States and Europe. His newest book, True and False: The Story of American Political Cartooning, was published by New York University Press. His literary awards include those named after Nelson Algren and Tennessee Williams. He has also been a prize-winning magazine editor.
Nicholas Dawson Nicholas Dawson became fascinated by Eastern Europe in his youth, and later briefly studied Russian language and literature at St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University. He taught English in the Leningrad Region and later to the Russian-speaking community in Spokane, WA. More recently, he has spent time in Ruthenia, Poland. He currently lives in Spokane with his wife Andrea and their son George, whom Nick attempts to quiet by singing Russian lullabies.
Alex Lupis Alex Lupis is a journalist and human rights researcher. He has worked for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, the Open Society Institute and Human Rights Watch. He was born and raised in Long Island, New York, speaking Russian and Croatian with his parents. He is now studying in a doctoral program in clinical psychology in New York.
Jeanmarie Rouhier-Willoughby JEANMARIE ROUHIER-WILLOUGHBY is Professor of Russian, Folklore, and Linguistics at the University of Kentucky, where she has worked since 1994. She is the author of Village Values: Negotiating Identity, Resistance, and Gender in Urban Russian Life-Cycle Rituals (Slavica). Her latest project, The Russian Folk Religious Imagination, an online critical edition and archive in collaboration with two Russian scholars, combines her research interests in ritual and folk legends. In 2001 and in 2008 she was a Fulbright Scholar at Novosibirsk State University, where she taught in the Foreign Languages Department. She is a native of Washington, DC. She contributed the essay “Ten Important Legends and Folk Tales” to Russian Life’s 100 Things Everyone Should Know About Russia, but was, through an editing error, not credited in that feature.
Marina Oks Marina Oks is an English teacher at the Southern Federal University (Rostov-on-Don), from which she received her PhD in Romance and Germanic languages.
Lynn Remly Dr. Lynn L. Remly has been a telecommunications attorney and a Professor of English Medieval Studies. She has published hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines, on law, literature, art, wildlife, and travel, especially transportation issues. A native of Minnesota, Dr. Remly is now retired and based in Hudson, Ohio, where she devotes her free time to volunteer work. An initial academic trip to the Soviet Union in 1972 led to a lifelong fascination with everything Russian.
Deborah Hoffman Deborah Hoffman is an attorney and freelance translator. She was the recipient of a 2005 PEN Translation Fund Grant for her translations from Deti Gulaga, which were recently published by Slavica under the title The Littlest Enemies. Her translations have appeared in the Toronto Slavic Quarterly, The Literary Review, and Words Without Borders. She was a Fellow for the American Literary Translators Association Conference and a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Translation Fellowship. She lives in Ohio with her family.
Andrei Harwell Andrei Harwell is an architect and urbanist in New Haven, CT. Since receiving his Master of Architecture from Yale University in 2006, he has been Project Manager of the Yale Urban Design Workshop - a center for research on the city. He is the grandson of Russians who fled the Bolshevik Revolution and has had a longstanding interest in the culture, sociology, and architecture of first wave Russian communities abroad.
Will Swagel Will Swagel has lived in Sitka since 1982. He reported for Sitka's local public radio station and daily newspaper until 1993. He has written about Alaska for The New York Times, Barron's, Alaska Magazine, Alaska Business Monthly and many other publications. In 1988, Swagel was one of a handful of reporters invited to Vladivostok, some of the first journalists to mingle with residents since Stalin banned foreigners from the city in the 1930's. He has two grown daughters, one wife and five cats.
Zahar Davydov Zahar Davydov was born in Kiev. In 1991, he and his family emigrated to Israel, where he earned his PhD in 1995 at Hebrew University. He is founder and co-editor of the journal, Toronto Slavic Quarterly. He has written eight books on Voloshin, co-authored with Vladimir Kupchenko, as well as numerous other works. Davydov is currently Visiting Professor of Russian Literature at the University of Toronto.
Nikolai Dolgopolov Nikolai Dolgopolov is deputy editor-in-chief of Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the largest Russian broadsheet national newspaper, vice-president of the International Sports Press Association, and president of Russia's Federation of Sports Journalists. He has won numerous awards, including an award for Personal Bravery, Courage and Journalistic Skill, for a series of articles from the Chernobyl closed zone.
Amanda Feldon Amanda Feldon is a British documentary producer and director who has filmed all over the world. She has lived and worked in Russia and Central Asia for many years, and has produced and directed many documentaries and programs about life in the former Soviet Union, including an award-winning documentary for the BBC about poaching and the plight of endangered Amur Tigers.
Roderick Eime Roderick Eime is an Australian-based writer and photographer who prefers the path less traveled. Captivated by colorful cultures and elusive wildlife, Rod is always on the lookout for new, under-explored locations, preferring to travel by expedition boat.
Ilya Ovchinnikov ILYA OVCHINNIKOVis a graduate of Moscow State University and did graduate work at the Institute for Russian History at the Russian Academy of Sciences, researching nihilism in the late 19th century. For a decade, he was managing editor of Russky Zhurnal (russ.ru). He has been a music critic since 2002 and regularly writes for various Moscow newspapers. He has recently completed two oral history memoirs, Vladimir Krainev’s A Pianist’s Monologue, and Lev Markiz’ Bow on the Shelf.
Irma Kudrova Irma Kudrova lives in St. Petersburg and is a graduate of Leningrad University and former editor of Zvezda and Iskusstvo. One of the world's leading experts on Marina Tsvetaeva's life and work, she has lectured around the world and published three major works on the poet. Just one of these has been translated into English: The Death of a Poet, published by Overlook.
Andrei Gusachenko Andrey Gusachenko is a hydrographer by profession, but has been a photographer since youth. His work has been shown throughout Russia and Europe in individual and group shows, and he has received numerous awards for his work. He lives in Ukraine but travels frequently throughout Russia. His images of St. Petersburg By Night formed our 2008 Wall Calendar.
Irina Dakhnovskaya Lawton Irina Dakhnovskaia-Lawton has spent the last several years as a freelance photojournalist traveling and living in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. From AIDS orphans in Asmara, Eritrea, to the revival of a hospital/church in her native Moscow, her photography always seems to focus on the people that animate her pictures. Originally a social demographer with the Russian Academy of Sciences, she has used this experience to underpin the insight she strives for in her art.
Harold Schefski HAROLD SCHEFSKI currently teaches Russian (language, literature, civilization, and film) at California State University, Long Beach and has published on Russian culture, language, and literature. He has led ten student groups to the Russian Federation and the former Soviet Union and has a particular fondness for Volgograd, Yasnaya Polyana, and the Tchaikovsky estate at Klin (not necessarily in that order). At Long Beach, he has endowed a Russian studies scholarship, which annually rewards student excellence, and he takes a lead role organizing festivals devoted to Tchaikovsky, Pushkin and Dostoyevsky. A Tolstoy festival is planned for October, 2010.
Nathaniel Christopher Nathaniel Christopher is a British Columbian journalist who earns a very modest living as a reporter for Xtra West, Vancouver's gay and lesbian newspaper. He takes a keen interest in everything British Columbian. Through his writing he aspires to share the spirit of his beautiful homeland with the world. In his spare time he can be found sprawled on his couch watching National Film Board of Canada DVDs or posting on his blog.
Jane Friedman Jane Friedman is a Chicago-based independent scholar, editor, and exhibition consultant with an expertise in Russian and Soviet art. She’s had articles published in the Zimmerli Journal and Studies in the Decorative Arts, among other places, and has written or contributed to various museum and auction house catalogues and brochures.
Josh Wilson Josh Wilson has lived in Moscow since 2003. He is general editor for the US-Russia Chamber of Commerce of New England, assistant director of The School of Russian and Asian Studies, and business development manager for Alinga Consulting Group, a firm providing outsourced business services to Russian and foreign firms operating in Russia.
John Varoli John Varoli is a American journalist living in Russia since 1992 (4 years in Moscow, and 11 years in St. Petersburg). He moved to Russia to improve his language skills, and now is father to two Russian sons who are always ready to correct his grammar mistakes. He is currently the Arts & Culture reporter in the former Soviet Union for Bloomberg News.
Alex Lane Alex Lane is the principal translator and interpreter at Galexi Wordsmiths, LLC. He is ATA-certified (Russian to English), currently serves as administrator of ATA's Slavic Languages Division, and is a licensed professional engineer. When not traveling on assignment, he lives in Colorado.
Alexander Golts Alexander Goltsis deputy editor-in-chief of Russia's Yezhenedelny Zhurnal (Weekly Journal). He has been covering military and security issues for the past 23 years and is one of Russia's most respected journalists in this area.
Alexandra Mayantseva ALEXANDRA MAYANTSEVA is a journalist who lives and works in Moscow, reporting for the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda.
Alexandra Brushtein ALEXANDRA BRUSHTEIN (1884-1968) was born in Vilnius and finished her education at the Bestuzhevsky Courses in St. Petersburg. Even while still in gymnasium in Vilnius, she gave lessons at free night schools for workers. A long-time proponent of education, after the 1917 revolution she helped open over 170 literacy schools. She wrote over 60 plays. Her autobiographical novel The Road Leads to the Horizon, was first published in 1964 and has since been a favorite among children and adults.
Alexei Malashenko Alexei Malashenko is a graduate of the Asian and African Studies Institute at Moscow State University. An expert on Eastern and Islamic studies, he is a scholar-in-residence at the Carnegie Moscow Centre and a professor at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). He has written several books and artices on Chechnya and on Islam in Russia and the former Soviet Union.
Alexei Fatyanov ALEXEY FATYANOV (1919-1959) was a leading poet and songwriter. During the Great Patriotic War, he entertained troops in the rear and at the front. Wounded when his group was surrounded for three days by the Germans, he escaped and went on to write some of the most beloved of Soviet post-war film lyrics.
Anatol Shmelev Anatol Shmelevis an archivist working at Stanford's Hoover Institute who travels, whenever possible, to the land of his ancestors.
Amy Goodpaster Strebe Amy Goodpaster Strebe first became interested in Russian history while attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in the late 1980s. She visited the Soviet Union in 1990, while studying in London, and was hooked. After graduating from LMU in 1991, Amy went on to pursue a career in journalism. She worked as an editor and reporter at several newspapers while also writing freelance articles. She ia an avid collector of books on Russia. She and her husband Gary - a rescue swimmer in the U.S. Coast Guard - live in Mountain View, California with their daughter.
Andrei Gelasimov ANDREI GELASIMOV is the author of four novels (Fox Mulder Looks Like a Pig, Rachel, The Year of the Lie, Thirst) and several short stories. Born in Irkutsk in 1965, he is today one of Russia's most popular young writers. His first story, The Tender Age, was published to great acclaim in 2000, receiving the Best Debut, Appollon Grigoriev and Belkin literary awards.
Anatoly Liberman Anatoly Liberman born and educated in St. Petersburg, emigrated to the United States in 1975. He is a professor in the Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He specializes in linguistics and the medieval literature of England, Germany, and Scandinavia. He has been an active promoter of Russian scholarship and culture. Among his books are a translation of Lermontov (1983) and Tyutchev (1993), both with a detailed commentary on every poem, and editions of the linguist N. S. Trubetzkoy and the folklorist V. Ia. Propp.
Andrei Moroz ANDREI MOROZ is a historian and folklorist, and a professor at Moscow's Russian State Humanitarian University. He has written several articles on Slavic pagan and Christian traditions.
Anna Tolstova Anna Tolstova was born in Leningrad, and currently lives in St. Petersburg. After finishing her education in art history at the Petersburg State University, she went to work at the Hermitage. However, she found the the curator's life was not for her and changed to "the happier life of freelance art critic."
Anton Chekhov ANTON CHEKHOV (1860-1904) was a doctor, a playwright and a prolific master of the short story (having written over 400 by the time he was 26). His stories are often ironic observations on human nature that seem simple on the surface, yet hide deep veins of human emotion.
Daniil Kharms DANIIL KHARMS (1905-1942) (born Yubachev) was a poet, dramatist, and one of the founders of Russian literature of the absurd. Kharms' work was completely unacceptable to Soviet authorities, which led to sharp criticism. In 1931, he was arrested and exiled to Kursk, but later was allowed to return to Leningrad. Like many of the absurdist poets, Kharms tried to carve out a niche for himself with children's poetry. In 1941, he was again arrested and died of hunger during the Leningrad blockade.
Dina Goder Dina Goder graduated with a major in theatrical studies from the Moscow Institute of Theater Arts (GITIS) and has since worked as a theater critic for the capital's magazines. She has worked for Itogi magazine, Ezhenedelnyi Zhurnal weekly ans now works for Plyusy I Minusy. Dina has always loved animated films, but never wrote about them. Then one day, after failing yet again to convinve the movie critic of the magazine she was working for to write about animated films, she decided to try it herself. She started traveling to animation festivals and has been covering animation as well as theaters.
Dmitry Ivanov Dmitry Ivanov lives in Moscow and works for the popular daily on-line publication lenta.ru. As an editor of the political analysis column, he regularly covers the Northern Caucasus, along with other domestic and foreign affairs.
Dmitry Feofanov Dmitry Feofanov emigrated to the United States in 1978, while the Soviet Union was still intact. After a piano career (which included stints on the faculty of the University of Kentucky and the top prize at the University of Maryland International Piano Competition) he got tired of being a struggling musician and decided to become a lawyer, which he does from his home in Dixon, Illinois. Feofanov and Allan B. Ho are the editors of the Biographical Disctionary of Russian/Soviet Composers, (Greenwood Press, 1989).
Fred Strebeigh Fred Strebeigh has written for publications that include the Atlantic Monthly, Audubon, Smithsonian, and the New York Times Magazine; he teaches in the environment school at Yale University. Although his assignments have required him to explore China by bicycle, the Falkland Islands by horse, southern Africa by Land Rover, and the Newfoundland coast by inflatable boat, Fred says that no travel has involved more pleasure than crossing Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. He particularily recommends the fresh-picked berries and fresh-baked breads that families sell at stops along the tracks.
Gavrill Troyepolsky GAVRIIL TROYEPOLSKY (1905-1995) was the son of a priest and was educated at home. In the 1920s, he worked as a village teacher, then an agronomist. He began to write articles and stories about village life in the 1930s. He gained fame with the publication, in 1971, of his novel White Beem of the Black Ear. This was compounded when the book was made into a film in 1977, directed by Stanislav Rostotsky and starring Vyacheslav Tikhonov.
Georgy Vladimov GEORGY VLADIMOV (1931-2003) was a prominent writer who resigned from the Writers Union of the USSR to protest being banned from traveling to the West to publicize Faithful Ruslan. After excoriating the Union in a letter of resignation, Vladimov wrote: "Carry on the burden of mediocrity, do what you are fit for and called upon to perform: crush, persecute, detain. But leave me out. I am returning card No. 1471." Other popular books of his were The Great Ore (Bolshaya Ruda), Three Minutes of Silence (Tri Minuty Molchaniya) and his Booker prize winning The General and His Army (General i yevo Armiya).
Ilya Stogoff Ilya Stogoffwas born in Leningrad and has lived there all his life, with the exception of a year and half when he lived on the island of Sakhalin. He has worked as a bike salesman, television braodcaster, black market money-changer, school teacher, janitor in a movie theater, senior editor of an erotic journal, security guard, translator, musical observer, bartender and casino press secretary. He has been named "Journalist of the Year in St. Petersburg." In 2001 OM Magazine named him writer of the year. He is the author of over a dozen books, including Macho ne plachut (Machos Don't Cry), which won an award as the best novel of the year in 2001. He is married and has two children.
Ilya Ilf ILYA ARNOLDOVICH ILF (born Faynzilber, 1897-1937) was a famous satirist and humorist. In the 1920s, he contributed many pieces to the newspaper Gudok. His main works (co-authored with Yevgeny Petrov, see below) were the novels Twelve Chairs and The Golden Calf, and the non-fiction work One-Storied America. He died of tuberculosis.
Igor Stravinsky IGOR STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) is widely considered to be the most influential of 20th century composers. He embraced a diverse range of compositional styles, from classicism to extreme modernism. The debut of his Rite of Spring, which is the focus of two pieces in this volume, was a transformative event in the history of classical music.
Ivan Bunin IVAN BUNIN (1870-1953) was Russia's first Nobel Laureate for literature (1933). His writing is richly textured and evocative of a more prosaic, humane, prerevolutionary era. A friend of Anton Chekhov, Bunin worked for a time in Kharkov as a government clerk and editor, did translations from English, and wrote his short stories, by the turn of the century becoming recognized as one of Russia's greatest living writers. He lived in emigration from 1919 to his death in Paris in 1953.
Jennifer Cherkasov Jennifer Cherkasov received her M.Ed degree from St.Lawrence University in 1983. She was a public school teacher for many years, as well as a professional cyclist and sports massage therapist. She has written for the Russian magazine Go! and Passport and has published travel essays about her one-year bicycle trip through Asia. She lives with her husband, Pavel, and son Sasha in Martyanova, Russia and Barre, Vermont where they run a non-profit organization for Russian orphans.
Jay Coote Jay Coote is a freelance writer who lives in Moscow and writes frequently on music and culture for Russian and English language media.
Jennifer Davis Jennifer Davisis a writer who lives in St. Petersburg. When she is not covering the entertainment scene for the St. Petersburg Times and Pulse newspapers, she sings with local club favorites, St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review and her jazz trio, Jazzebel. Jennifer started studying Russian by accident and ended up earning a Russian degree from Indiana University in 1999.
Konstantin Sergiyenko KONSTANTIN SERGIYENKO (1940-1996) was educated as a journalist, spoke German, French and English, and worked in publishing houses during the Soviet era. His first books were historical novels written for children, but it was his story Goodbye, Ravine that made him popular. The story has since been turned into a stage play by the director Mark Rozovsky.
Laura-Julie Perreault Laura-Julie Perrealt, a French-Canadian journalist for La Presse, and Shoresh Kalantari, a Kurdish photographer and filmmaker, met at a youth hostel in St. Petersburg. They quickly realized they shared a love for travel and have journeyed together through cities and villages in Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus. They presently live in Montreal.
Leonid Andreyev LEONID NIKOLAYEVICH ANDREYEV (1871-1919) was one of the finest writers of Russia’s Silver Age. The author of many tragic works distinguished by their hopelessness and negative views on the nature of man and his existence, Andreyev’s earlier works focused on social contradictions in Russian society. Yet, with time, his books became increasingly more symbolic and filled with existential despair. Perhaps it is not surprising, therefore, that Andreyev’s life had its fill of tragedy. His initial enthusiasm for revolutionary ideas was soon replaced by a total rejection of the revolution. He died in emigration, in Finland, despairing at what was unfolding in Russia.
Lev Lurie Lev Lurie is a well-known St. Petersburg journalist. He is editor-in-chief of Kvartalny Nadziratel magazine, a journalist and host of various broadcast programs, including on Echo Moskvy radio in St. Petersburg, NTV and TVT's television channels. Lev is also a historian and has written over 100 articles and 5 books. As he is a fourth generation Petersburger, that city figures heavily in his work; he is the author of a popular guidebook of the city, produced by Afisha magazine.
Lev Tolstoy LEV TOLSTOY (1828-1910) is the most famous of Russian writers. Most all of his works have been translated multiple times, with recent translations of War and Peace and Anna Karenina by the team of Richard Pevear and Larisa Volkhonskaya being the most notable. Resurrection was his last novel, and it focuses on the themes of sin and redemption, and on the hypocrisy of the church. Tolstoy used the royalties from this work to help the Doukhobors, a Protestant religious sect, emigrate from Russia to Canada.
Linor Goralik Linor Goralik grew up in Dnepropetrovsk and spent her young years as a near-professional athlete and fencer. Later, her family moved to Israel, where she completed her studies and worked as manager with major IT companies. After her move to Moscow several years ago, she became a prominent figure on the Russian literary scene. She is the winner of the young writers' prize, Triumph (2003).
Linda Predovsky Linda Predovskyfirst came to Russia to work on a film project and soon after met her husband, Alexander. The two decided to stay in Russia and, since 1998, have been successfully running their own TV/film production company, PredWorld Entertainment, based in St. Petersburg. Linda loves Russia's rich history and feels quite lucky to live in the country's cultural capital with her husband and daughter.
Linda DeLaine LINDA DELAINE was a long-time Russophile and former editor of the Russian Culture section on About.com. She contributed hundreds of timeless articles to Russian Life's online archive before her sudden death in March 2002.
Maria Galina MARIA GALINA has published 10 novels and is a leading exponent of "hyperfiction" – an emerging fiction genre that blends fantasy and reality. Trained as a marine biologist, she took up writing full time in 1995 and has won numerous prizes for her prose, poetry and essays. She has been nominated for the Russian Booker and short-listed for the Russian Critics Academy Award. Her novel Iramifications was awarded the International Portal Prize, and will be published next year by Glas. She also is an accomplished translator of English and American science fiction.
Marina Nikolaeva Marina Nikolaevais a freelance journalist who is in frequent contact with the proud Pskov "diaspora" in St. Petersburg and travels to Pskov often, to soak in the city's rich history and visit with friends.
Maxim Blant Maxim Blant is an economic journalist at the weekly magazine Yezhenedelny Zhurnal. Blant has also worked as an art trader, stockjobber, and bank analyst. He purports to drive only Russian-made cars and is maniacally addicted to chess.
Mikhail Bulgakov Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940) was born in Kiev and educated as a doctor. He volunteered with the Red Cross in World War I, was badly injured, and struggled with pain the rest of his life. He worked as a doctor in Kiev through the Russian Civil War, when he caught typhus. He gave up doctoring and turned to journalism and writing, creating some of the greatest classics of twentieth century Russian literature, including Heart of a Dog, The White Guard and The Master and Margarita. In the last decade of his life he struggled against censorship and was personally banned (and yet protected) by Stalin, who loved his play, Days of the Turbins.
Natasha Dmitrieva Natasha Dmitrieva was born in Beijing, lived in the U.S. as a child, and was an exchange student at Arizona State University, but has always been a Muscovite. A graduate of Moscow State Linguistic University and the MGU Department of Journalism, she has taught English as a second language, traveled extensively as a freelance interpreter, and worked in corporate marketing.
Natasha Yefimova Natasha Yefimova was born in Leningrad in 1973 and emigrated with her family to the United States when she was five. Since 1996, after receiving a Bachelor's degree from Barnard College, she has been living in Moscow, working as a translator and journalist. Ms. Yefimova has worked as a field producer with the BBC and has served as news editor and reporter with The Moscow Times. She is now deputy director for communications with the Carnegie Moscow Center, a leading independent policy research center.
Naum Sindalovsky Naum Sindalovsky, a native of St. Petersburg, had no idea he would be the first to discover the city's folklore when he was majoring as a shipbuilding engineer. But his multidisciplinary career helped him find a fresh outlook on his city's comparatively short history. Sindalovsky started collecting Petersburgian folklore about 35 years ago, determined to shatter the common historical sterotype that a city less than three centuries old and built "out of nothing" could not have much of a folklore. Today, Sindalovsky's library includes over 8,300 cards with words, legends, anecdotes, chastushkas - everything Petersburgers have ever said about their city. Sindalovsky's first book, Legends and Myths of St. Petersburg, was published in 1994. He has since published 12 books (none in English, unfortunately), all about different aspects of Petersburg's unofficial history, as told by its residents.
Nikolai Pavlenko Nikolai Pavlovich has worked at Moscow's Historical Museum, taught history at the university and worked as political editor at Itogi and Yezhenedelny Zhurnal magazines. Today, he is the editor of Otechestvennye Zapiski magazine and contributes to a variety of publications. Nikolai lives with his wife, three children and a dog. He enjoys kayaking quiet rivers, reading and chatting with friends.
Nikolai Nekrasov NIKOLAI NEKRASOV (1821-1878) was a poet, critic, writer, and, most notably, the talented publisher for 20 years of the important literary journal Sovremennik. He was greatly influenced by his work alongside the critic Vissarion Belinsky. His best-known poems are Russian Women and Who is Happy in Russia? At his funeral, Fyodor Dostoyevsky eulogized him as the greatest poet since Pushkin and Lermontov.
Osip Mandelstam OSIP MANDELSTAM (1891-1938) was a leading poet and essayist of the Acmeist group. Born in Warsaw, he and his family were allowed to move to St. Petersburg at the turn of the century, where Mandelstam got his schooling. He wrote poetry and essays and did a great deal of translating. His Stalin Epigramgot him arrested in 1933, but miraculously he was only exiled to Voronezh. But in 1938 he was arrested again and sentenced to hard labor. He died en route to the camps. "Only in Russia is poetry respected," Mandelstam once wrote. "It gets people killed. Is there anywhere else where poetry is so common a motive for murder?"
Otis E. Hays, Jr. Otis Haysbegan investigating the story of American internees in the Soviet Union during WWII in 1986. He has researched declassified files in the National Archives, has traveled east across Siberia as far as Khabarovsk, and has endured the frustrating task of finding surviving internees who are willing to reveal the details of their Siberian experience. He eventually found a score of men who cooperated with visits, letters and diaries. Most of them believed that they were still bound by their secret oaths. Hays published the results of his research in Home From Siberiain 1990. In 1996, the Moscow Embassy-based, US-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIA Americans in Russia reported that Home From Siberia had accurately accounted for all 291 airmen "detained by the Soviets during World War II after being downed in the Soviet Far East."
Peter Morley PETER MORLEY is a London-based translator. His recent translations include the libretto of The Golden Cockerel for the Bolshoi Theatre.
Paulina Hurwitz Paulina Hurwitz is a professionally trained pianist who recently switched to the more academic pursuit of linguistics. She lives in Kent, England with her husband and their three cats, spending her free time travelling the Celtic countries and honing her writing and photographic skills.
Pyotr Semiletov PYOTR SEMILETOV is a journalist and writer, the author of hundreds of stories and a dozen longer works. He is also a musician and "multi-instrumentalist," who performs with several rock and electronic music groups. In addition, he is a composer and a sound engineer, an open-source software developer and a director of amateur films.
Samuil Marshak SAMUIL MARSHAK (1887-1964) was an exceptionally gifted poet of verse for children, an editor, and a translator of Shakespeare, Robert Burns, Rudyard Kipling and others. Many of the brilliant lines from his work have become common aphorisms in everyday Russian speech.
Samuel L. Scheib Samuel L. Scheib first ventured behind the Iron Curtain when he was posted as a Marine embassy guard in Budapest, followed by a posting in Minsk. In college he studied music, history, Russian and the humanities, and later studied composition at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory, under Sergei Slonemsky. He changed gears slightly when six weeks of using the Moscow Metro convinced him to earn a master's degree in urban and regional planning. He founded the web publication tripplanner.
Sasha Chyorny SASHA CHYORNY (1880-1932) was born Alexander Mikhailovich Glickberg, in Odessa. He worked as a journalist, customs officer and railway worker, while writing satirical stories and poems. His work was extremely popular during his lifetime, admired by writers as diverse as Mayakovsky and Nabokov. He emigrated after the revolution and died in France in 1932 from a heart attack, after helping to put out a fire in Lamandou. According to legend, his fox terrier Micky, "author" of the eponymous story Micky Fox, lay on Chyorny's chest and died with him.
Sergei Dovlatov SERGEI DOVLATOV (1941-1990) was born in Ufa, during his family's evacuation there during WWII. He grew up in St. Petersburg and, while in the army, served as a prison guard. From this sprang his famous novel, The Zone. His work was censored from publication in the Soviet Union and he emigrated in 1979. He finally achieved fame in the 1980s, when some of his stories were published in The New Yorker.
Sergei Yesenin SERGEI YESENIN (1895-1925) was raised in the countryside and successfully combined in his poetry the traditions of "high" Russian literature with the motifs of folklore. He became quite popular in the 1910s-1920s. However, by the middle of the 1920s, Yesenin experienced a serious personal crisis, which ended in his suicide. To this day, the circumstances and cause of his death are surrounded in rumor and innuendo. Due to this, for for most of the Soviet era, Yesenin's work was all but forbidden, and he was criticized as a decadent poet, but this did not stop his work from continuing to be popular.
Steve Boulay Steve Boulay has been collecting antique maps of Russia for nearly 20 years. A Russophile since his student days at Colgate University, Boulay discovered map collecting while visiting a map store in New York City. There he happened upon a 350-year-old map that "conveyed an entire book worth of Russian history in one striking and lovely image." He bought the map and, from that moment forward, was hooked. Aside from his interest in maps, Steve is the founder of East Winds Records, which released seven albums by Russian and Eastern European Jazz artists in the heady days following Gorbachev's ascent to power. For his day job, Steve has presented several North American tours of Russian groups, including The Ganelin Trio, Sergei Kuryokhin, Aziza Mustafa-Zade, Igor Brill, The Kirov Ballet, Van Cliburn and the Moscow Philharmonic, and the Alexandrov Red Army Chorus.
Svetlana Solodovnik Svetlana Solodovnik is a graduate of the Moscow State University Journalism Department and has worked for a magazine of foreign literature, overseeing the sections on Hungarian literature and religion. She has also translated fiction from Hungarian and English into Russian. In 1996, she joined the liberal magazine Itogi, covering religious issues. Svetlana now works at Yezhenedelny Zhurnal, a magazine founded by the staff of the original Itogi, after they had to leave when the magazine changed owners. Svetlana enjoys good company, having guests over and feeding them a good dinner; perhaps for this reason, in her student days she had the nickname "pancake."
Svetlana Alexievich SVETLANA ALEXIEVICH was born in Minsk and received the 2015 Nobel Prize for Literature. Her books – which she writes in a style she calls “novels of voices” – have been translated into two dozen languages. They have been the basis for a dozen plays and more than 20 of her scripts have been filmed as documentaries. "What I am interested in," she says, "is what happens to the human being, what happens to it in our time. How does man behave and react. How much of the biological man is in him, how much of the man of his time, how much man of the man."
Thomas Lohr Tom Lohr is a navy veteran who has traveled widely throughout Eastern Europe and Russia. He said he has a passion for learning about the former USSR and experiencing the culture that he trained for many years to destroy. Tom completed a Vladivostok to Moscow Trans-Siberian Railway trip in 2004, and particiapted in the Ukrainian Orange Revolution. He currently lives in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.
Vasily Shukshin VASILY SHUKSHIN (1929-1974) was the most visible and prolific Soviet Russian artist of the sixties and early seventies. He directed five award-winning movies, was a popular and prize-winning actor in over 20 films in just 16 years, and a writer with over 130 short stories, 12 works for stage and screen, and three full-length novels to his credit. The eccentric, soul-searching, and rebellious misfits in his stories, and their metaphysical quandaries, are not only emblematic of his times, but anticipated the themes and protagonists of the writers of the late 1980s, whose work marked the end of Soviet fiction and the rebirth of Russian literature. Credited with revitalizing the short story as a genre in Russian literature, Shukshin was posthumously honored with the Soviet Union’s highest literary prize following his untimely death at the age of forty-five.
Varlam Shalamov VARLAM SHALAMOV (1907-1982) was born in Vologda and was training as a lawyer at Moscow State University when he was arrested first for distributing copies of Lenin's Testament, which sharply criticized Stalin, and then again later in 1937 during the Great Purge. He suffered through 15 years hard labor in Kolyma. After his release in 1953, he began work on The Kolyma Tales, a monumental collection of short stories of life in the camps. It was published abroad in the 1970s and in the Soviet Union in 1987.
William C. Brumfield Dr. Brumfield is one of the leading authorities on Russian architecture. A professor at Tulane University, he travels widely throughout Russia and has compiled a series of books on Russian towns and regions, available here.
Vladimir Mayakovsky VLADIMIR MAYAKOVSKY (1893-1930) has always sparked a wide range of emotions and opinions. He was reviled by many for his support of the Bolshevik Revolution. Yet, by the end of the 1920s, the numbing effects of the system he had so welcomed eventually led to his suicide. For the next few years, his work was officially censored. Then, on Stalin's personal decision, Mayakovsky was transformed into the "greatest Soviet poet." This led later generations to perceive him as a shill for the communist regime. But even as early as the late 1950s, an alternative view of him developed – as a freespirited rebel – spurred by young poets who would gather at his monument in Moscow and demonstratively read his poetry.
Yuli Kim YULI KIM was born in 1936 in Moscow and is one of the great Russian bards that came of age in the Soviet era. After his parents were arrested in 1938, he lived for the next two decades in Kaluga region and in Turkmenistan, returning to Moscow in 1954 to attend university, after which he began to teach history and write songs. In the mid-1960s, he became a human rights activist and dissident, which got him fired from teaching and turned him into a full time bard. Over the past half-decade, he has written hundreds of songs and become one of Russia's most beloved talents.
Yevgeny Petrov YEVGENY PETROVICH PETROV (born Katayev, 1903-1942) was a famous satirist and humorist, and the brother of the writer Valentin Katayev. After the death of his co-author, Ilya Ilf (see above), he did much to preserve Ilf’s writings and heritage. He died during the Second World War, while working as a war correspondent.
Yevgeny Grishkovets YEVGENY GRISHKOVETS is an accomplished actor and writer, famous in Russia for his one-act plays, How I Ate the Dog, City and Winter. His first novel, Shirt (2004) was a huge bestseller and won the prize for best debut novel, as well as the AntiBooker Prize. The independent Ekho Moskvy radio said, "There are two kinds of readers: those who like Grishkovets, and those who have not read him yet."
Yuri Nagibin YURI NAGIBIN (1920-1994) was a prolific short story writer, journalist, war correspondent and screenwriter. He wrote dozens of stories, published over 50 years in numerous collections, and authored 27 film screenplays. His stories are renowned for their penetrating examination of the characters' inner world, for their sudden epiphanies and emotional climax. Very few of his stories have been translated into English.
Yuri Koval YURI KOVAL (1938-1995) was not merely a talented writer, but also painted and wrote and performed songs. He worked as a teacher in the provinces and wrote his first book, for children, in 1966. Several popular books followed, including The Adventures of Vasya Kurolesov (1971), The Little Silver Fox Napoleon III (1975) and The Lightest Boat in the World (1984). His 1995 novel, Suyer-Vyer, won him, posthumously, the Strannik literary prize.
Graham Hettlinger GRAHAM HETTLiNGER has published translations of three collections of works by Ivan Bunin. His new translation of Maksim Gorky’s Childhood was published by Ivan Dee in November 2010
Yuri Olesha YURI OLESHA (1899-1960) might well have become Russia’s 20th century Nikolai Gogol, but just as his literary talent was blooming, it was plowed under by the socialist Thermidor. Outwardly, his works conformed to Soviet orthodoxy, but beneath the surface they share the subtlety, rich characterization and wry humor of Ilf & Petrov or Isaac Babel, which is not surprising, since all sprang from the rich milieu that was early twentieth century Odessa. After his public statement for an independent literature in 1934, Olesha’s work was stifled by censorship, and he largely disappeared from public view. Yet he survived both the Purges and the War, working quietly on stage dramatizations of others’ works.
Anna Seluyanova ANNA SELUYANOVA is a Moscow-born writer and translator. She is interested in the Soviet experience under Stalin and is currently translating a selection of poems by Osip Mandelstam. Her recent work has appeared in Opium magazine and in The Armenian Weekly. Anna lives in Cambridge, MA, and works at Berklee College of Music.
Antonina W. Bouis ANTONINA W. BOUIS is one of the most accomplished translators of Russian fiction and nonfiction into English. She has translated a wide variety of authors, from Yevgeny Yevtushenko and Maya Plisetskaya, to Liliya Shevtsova and Edvard Radzinsky. Among her most recent translations are Edvard Radzinsky’s Alexander II: The Last Great Tsar and Marina Goldovskaya’s Woman with a Movie Camera.
Lydia Razran Stone LYDIA RAZRAN STONE is a technical and literary translator from Russian who is the editor of SlavFile, the publication of the Slavic Language Division of the American Translators Association. She has been translating poetry for Chtenia since its first issue and curated the bilingual Chtenia issues devoted to Tolstoy (#20) and Okudzhava (#31). She has published four bilingual books of translated poetry, of which the two most recent, The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (and 61 other Russian fables by Ivan Krylov), and The Little Humpbacked Horse were published by Russian Life Books.
Louise Maude LOUISE MAUDE (1855-1939) was born in Moscow, one of six children of the expatriate British businessman James Stewart Shanks, who was co-owner of a jewelery business and English store. Louise later married Aylmer Maude, who was working in Moscow as director of the Anglo-Russian Carpet Company. They lived many years in Moscow, became close friends with Lev Tolstoy, and spent the last 40 years of their lives translating and promoting Tolstoy's work from England. Tolstoy thought highly of the Maudes's translations, saying better translators "could not be invented."
Susanna Nazarova SUSANNA NAZAROVA was born and raised in Moscow. She graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in Oriental Languages and Linguistics, lived in India, where she led tours for Russian officials, then moved to the U.S. in 1990. After several moves, she finally landed in Amherst, MA, where she teaches Russian at Mount Holyoke College, translates contemporary Russian fiction, runs a Russian language teaching website, and raises a couple of kids.
Laura Souders LAURA SOUDERS became interested in the Russian language while studying it in college, and later continued in graduate school and research study visits to Russia.
Nina Shevchuk-Murray Nina Shevchuk-Murray came to the US from Ukraine, where she grew up in Lviv. She earned a degree in poetry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her translations include Peter Aleshkovsky’s Stargorod and Fish, as well as Oksana Zabuzhko’s Museum of Abandoned Secrets. Nina’s poetry has been included in Untidy Seasons, an anthology of works by Nebraska women poets.
Dmitry Glukhovsky DMITRY GLUKHOVSKY is a television journalist, radio talk show host and author. Fluent in several languages, he could not interest publishers in his science fiction novel Metro 2033, so he published it online, in installments. It became quite popular, and was published in book form in 2007, selling over 200,000 copies. A sequel is scheduled for release in 2008. In the interim, Glukhovsky published a second novel, Twilight — a historical thriller.
Peter Aleshkovsky PETER ALESHKOVSKY graduated from Moscow State University and worked for a time as an archaeologist, before turning to literature. He attained literary success with his collection of stories Stargorod (1995), followed by his novels Seagulls, Skunk: A Life (translated into English by Glas), and Vladimir Chigrintsev. Aleshkovsky has been four times short-listed for the Russian Booker Prize, including for his novel Fish, which Russian Life Books published in English in 2010, followed by his amazing novel in stories, Stargorod, in 2012. He won the prestigious Booker Prize in 2017 for his novel The Fortress (Krepost).
Olga Meerson Olga Meerson teaches at Georgetown University and is the author of Dostoevsky’s Taboos. She has written extensively on Platonov in both English and Russian.
Bulat Okudzhava BULAT OKUDZHAVA (1924-1997) was Georgian by nationality, but was born in Moscow and lived there nearly his entire life. A prolific composer of “author’s songs” (avtorskiye pesni), his works were romantic and melodic, yet not overtly political. Still, his independent streak kept him from attaining official state sanction for much of his career and lead to his immense popularity among the Soviet intelligentsia, who widely distributed his recordings in magnitizdat form.
Mikhail Lermontov MIKHAIL LERMONTOV (1814-1841) is widely considered Russia's second most important poet, after Alexander Pushkin. He is beloved for both his patriotic and his romantic poetry, and for his novel, A Hero of our Time, which was one of the first great novels written in Russian. He died tragically in a duel at the age of 26.
Alexander Shevyrev ALEXANDER SHEVYREV is docent of the history faculty at Moscow State University. His primary research interest is 19th century history, in particular daily life of that era — amusements, customs, life in large cities and noble palaces, as well as the development of transport and its effect on people's lives.
Alexander Pushkin ALEXANDER PUSHKIN (1799-1837) is considered by most to be Russia's greatest poet. His life was cut short by a duel, yet he was nevertheless astoundingly prolific, and his poems are as rich and complex as they are beautiful. In his poetry and his prose, he revolutionized Russian literature by mixing storytelling and satire with vernacular language.
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky ARKADY & BORIS STRUGATSKY were born in 1925 and 1933, respectively. Arkady died in 1991. They blazed trails in Soviet science fiction, becoming immensely popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Their stories were renowned for their rejection of Stalin-era totalitarianism and for their use of rich, colloquial language. One of their most famous novels, Piknik (Roadside Picnic), was turned into the movie Stalker, by Andrei Tarkovsky.
Andrei Platonov ANDREI PLATONOV (1899-1951) was born in Voronezh. He was a passionate supporter of the 1917 Revolution and remained sympathetic to the dream that gave birth to it, yet few people have written more searingly of its catastrophic consequences. His position within the Soviet literary world was equally fraught with contradictions. Some of his works were published — and immediately subjected to fierce criticism; others were accepted for publication — yet never in fact published.
Alan Myers ALAN MYERS is a noted British-born literary translator and author whose work has spanned more than four decades. He has translated a wide range of Russian authors, from Dostoyevsky to Ratushinskaya, and is a particularly acclaimed translator of poetry. His translation of Dostoyevsky's Idiot has been hailed as "the best currently available."
Alexander Shaganov ALEXANDER SHAGANOV is a poet and songwriter. He achieved fame with his song Vladimirskaya Rus (performed by Chyorny Kofe, 1985), one of Soviet Russia's first home-grown hard rock hits. He has retained his fame as songwriter (with composer Igor Matviyenko) for the popular group Lyube, penning hit songs such as Batka Makhno (1989), Ne valyay duraka, Amerika ( "Don't Play the Fool, Amerika" 1990), Atas! (1990), and Kombat (1995).
Nicky Gardner NICKY GARDNER is a writer based in Berlin, Germany. She has a particular interest in social and cultural minorities in Europe. Nicky has authored hundreds of articles for print publications, many of them exploring aspects of everyday life in unsung parts of Europe. Her work is, she says, an exercise in literary cartography, quietly uncovering aspects of European life glossed over by the regular media. She is also co-editor of hidden europe magazine (www.hiddeneurope.co.uk).
Leonid Panteleyev Grigory Belykh (1906-1938) and Leonid Panteleyev (1908-1987) were writers and coauthors on the autobiographical work, The Republic of Shkid. Belykh (his last name derives from the Russian word “white,” and he used the pseudonym Chyornykh, from the word for “black”) was arrested and died in prison of tuberculosis. Panteleyev (real name Alexei Yeremeyev), who had been writing since early in childhood, had a luckier fate, and lived to pen dozens of stories and memoirs, some of the former of which were turned into films.
Grigory Belykh Grigory Belykh (1906-1938) and Leonid Panteleyev (1908-1987) were writers and coauthors on the autobiographical work, The Republic of Shkid. Belykh (his last name derives from the Russian word “white,” and he used the pseudonym Chyornykh, from the word for “black”) was arrested and died in prison of tuberculosis. Panteleyev (real name Alexei Yeremeyev), who had been writing since early in childhood, had a luckier fate, and lived to pen dozens of stories and memoirs, some of the former of which were turned into films.
Eduard Bagritsky Eduard Bagritsky — real name Eduard Dzjubin (1895-1934) was a poet of the Constructivist School who had strong Jewish roots. Heavily influenced by the revolution, Bagritsky often penned poems that were full of violence and empty of sentiment. He died of asthma at an early age, and his wife, Lidiya Suok, was arrested in 1937.
Sergei Aksakov Sergei Aksakov (1791-1859) was born into a rich landowning family in Ufa. He worked for a time as a government translator and censor, but in 1843 retired to his estate of Abramtsevo (near Moscow) to be a “gentleman of leisure.” He was noted for his exacting and highly detailed descriptions of fishing, hunting, and the outdoors, as well as for his objective and matter-of-fact portrayal of Russia in the final years of serfdom, especially in the novel, The Childhood of Bagrov-Grandson (Chtenia 04).
Alexander Herzen Alexander Herzen (1812-1870) was a writer, journalist, philosopher and revolutionary. The illegitimate child of a rich noble father (family name Yakovlev) and a 16-year-old German woman, he graduated from Moscow University in physics and mathematics, where he became radicalized. He was arrested in 1834, spent some time in exile, and finally emigrated in 1847. From London he launched his journal Kolokol (The Bell), and other publications propagandizing against the tsarist regime. For some time, he was one of the most popular editors and journalists in Russia, even though all of his publications were banned by the tsarist government.
Nikolai Garin Nikolai Garin — real name Nikolai Georgiyevich Mikhailovsky (1852-1906) was a writer and gifted railway engineer who helped select the route that the Transsiberian railway took over the Ob river in Siberia. His novel, Tyoma’s Childhood (Chtenia 04), was a huge success and two more volumes in the trilogy followed: Gymnasiasts, and Students. He also wrote travelogs of his journeys in the Russian Far East, while surveying for the railroad.
Korney Chukovsky Korney Chukovsky — real name Nikolai Korneychukov (1882-1969), was a famous journalist, poet, critic, translator and literary expert. Primarily known today for his children’s stories and poems, he actually began his career as a journalist and philologist, before moving into criticism and children’s poems and stories. Heavily criticized during the 1930s (the attack was led by Lenin’s widow, Nadezhda Krupskaya), he turned his attention to translation, and introduced many English and American writers to Russian readers. In the post-war period, he attained mythic status and was able to combine official approval with support for notable dissidents.
Andrey Setyayev Andrei Setyayev moved to Yekaterinburg from the village of Nevidimka, Perm oblast, to attend university. He graduated from the Ural State University with a degree in history and completed graduate study at the Ural Academy of State Service. He works as director of a chain of jewelry stores in Yekaterinburg, where he lives with his wife and son. He has been taking photos since he was 10, preferring to work in black and white; he also collects old cameras. “Childhood,” he said “is one of my favorite photographic themes,” as can be seen from the fine work on his website.
Antony Pogorelsky Antony Pogorelsky — real name Alexei Perovsky (1787-1836) was an important Russian writer of the early 19th century. An illegitimate son of a noble, he volunteered for the War of 1812 and, while serving in Germany as a member of the army occupying Saxony, he became influenced by Russian Romantic prose. He later moved to Petersburg, where he befriended Pushkin and wrote some of the first fantastic literature in Russian including The Black Hen, the first Russian literary work for children.
Grigory Oster Grigory Oster (born 1947) is an author and playwright who has written numerous famous works for children.
Apollon Maykov Apollon Maykov (1821-1897) was a prolific poet whose works richly portrayed Russian nature, rural life and history, as well as his love for the ancient world. Many of Maykov’s poems were set to music by Rimsky-Korsakov and Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
Constance Garnett Constance Garnett (1861-1946) was a legendary translator of some 70 works of 19th century Russian literature, and was one of the first translators to English of Dostoyevsky and Chekhov. She was drawn to the profession after a trip to Russia in 1893, when she met Lev Tolstoy at Yasnaya Polyana.
Igor Severyanin IGOR SEVERYANIN (pseudonym of Igor Lotaryov, 1887-1941), the leader of the so-called Ego-Futurists, was one of the most popular and controversial poets of the Silver Age (1890-1920). He struck a provocative dandified pose both in his life and his work, singing the praises of “pineapples in champagne” and “lilac ice-cream” in verse brimming with foreign borrowings and neologisms. He fled Russia to Estonia in 1917, where he continued to write poetry, but now of a much more subdued nature. He died of a heart attack in Tallinn in 1941.
James Duff James Duff (1860-1940) taught and translated Latin and Greek at Trinity College, Cambridge (Britain). He was over 40 when he taught himself Russian, so that he could read Tolstoy and Turgenev in the original. He translated Sergei Aksakov’s autobiographical works in three volumes published between 1915 and 1917.
Alexei Bayer Alexei Bayer is a New York-based author and translator. He writes in English and in Russian, his native tongue, and translates into both languages. His translations have appeared in Readings and Words Without Borders, as well as in such collections as The Wall in My Head, and Life Stories. His three mystery novels, Murder at the Dacha, The Latchkey Murders, and Murder and the Muse are published by Russian Life Books.
Alexander Kuprin Alexander Kuprin (1870-1938) was a military officer, journalist and writer. At the heart of most of his works is the contradiction between people’s greatest hopes, their striving for purity, and the ugliness and severity of the life that surrounds them. After the 1917 revolution, Kuprin initially sought to reconcile with the new regime, yet soon joined with the Whites, editing a journal published by the staff of General Yudenich. After Yudenich’s defeat in 1919, Kuprin ended up in exile – for him a difficult and tragic time. He was very ill when, in 1937, one year before his death, he returned to the USSR.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky FYODOR DOSTOYEVSKY (1821-1881) used his novels to peer into the tortured depths of the human soul. Over the course of his difficult life, Dostoyevsky went from a confirmed revolutionary-socialist to a religious arch-conservative, managing to express through his literature all of the ideas and theories which enraptured, ennerved and invigorated Russian society in the middle of the 19th century.
Mikhail Zoshchenko MIKHAIL ZOSHCHENKO (1895-1958) was a remarkable writer, especially popular in the 1930s for his satirical stories that skewered Soviet reality. Zoshchenko sought to conceptualize what was new and positive in Soviet life, seeking a completely new language to describe it, one that was simple and “naked,” in compact sentences that were, in his words “accessible to the poor.” In 1946, along with Anna Akhmatova and others, he was subjected to severe official criticism. After Stalin’s death, he refused to acknowledge his guilt and, despite the Khrushchevian Thaw, was subjected to further persecution, which contributed to years of ill health prior to his death.
Nikolai Gogol NIKOLAI GOGOL (1809-1852), in his many literary works, combined whimsically fantastic images from Ukrainian folklore with his own mystical theories, by way of describing the multifaceted nature of Russian life, with all its absurdities, at the same time hoping his works would awaken the morality of his readers.
Vladimir Sorokin Vladimir Sorokin was born in the town of Bykovo, near Moscow, in 1955. He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Oil and Gas and for several years earned his living drawing illustrations for books by other authors. He gained his first literary experiences in the early 1970s. His works are vivid examples of the underground culture and thus could not be published in his homeland during the Soviet era. In 1985 a Parisian journal published a collection of six of his stories. That same year his novel The Queue was also published. In 1989, Russian Grandmother was published in Germany, and his works also began to be published in the USSR. Sorokin’s works, in particular his novels – The Queue, Marina’s Thirty Loves(1987), The Norm (1994) – are consistently countercultural in style and contain shocking naturalistic scenes that parody the literature of Socialist Realism. His books have been translated into at least 10 languages.
Yelena Dushechkina YELENA DUSHECHKINA is a doctor of philology who has researched Russian Christmas traditions. She is author of the book, Russian Christmas: History, Mythology, Literature.
Tatyana Ustinova TATYANA USTINOVA (born 1968) is an author of fiction and plays. She is widely popular as the author of many detective novels. Her story in Chtenia 05, An Angel Flew By, is written in an entirely different genre, to some extent ironically employing the traditions of Christmas prose.
Joseph Brodsky JOSEPH BRODSKY (1940-1996) was born and raised in Leningrad, and the culture and history of that city had a profound effect on his life and work (see Russian Life May/June 2006). Convicted in 1963 of "parasitism,” he served 18 months of exile in Arkhangelsk region. In 1972, he was forced to emigrate from the Soviet Union, and lived the remainder of his life in the United States, teaching, writing poetry in Russian, translating many of his works into English, and writing essays in English. In 1987, Brodsky received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Raisa Kudashyova RAISA KUDASHYOVA (1878-1964) was a poet, author, teacher and librarian. She wrote some 200 stories, songs and fairtales for children, yet it was her poem The Holiday Tree, written in 1903, which brought her national fame. Today, while few Russians know the author of this work, there is scarcely a child or adult in Russia who has not sung “A spruce was born within a wood” while standing around a New Year’s fir tree.
Volf (Vladimir) Livshits VOLF (VLADIMIR) LIFSHITS (1913-1978) was a poet, writer, dramatist and father of the poet Lev Losev. He composed poems both for children and adults, and wrote the lyrics for many songs in famous films, including Carnival Night.
Eduard Beznosov EDUARD BEZNOSOV teaches literature and has written numerous articles on pedagogy and literature, including several pieces on the works of Joseph Brodsky. He has also compiled a collection of the poet’s works, published in Russia.
Alexander Blok ALEXANDER BLOK (1880-1921) was one of the greatest Russian poets of the Silver Age. A leader of the Symbolist movement, he invented a new poetic language in his poems Retribution and The Twelve.
Larissa Volkhonskaya RICHARD PEVEAR, a native of Boston, and LARISSA VOLOKHONSKY, a native of Leningrad, are married and live in France. They have won wide acclaim for their translations of classic Russian literature, from Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov (which won the PEN/Book of the Month Club Translation Price), to Gogol's Dead Souls, to, most recently, Tolstoy's War and Peace.
Richard Pevear RICHARD PEVEAR, a native of Boston, and LARISSA VOLOKHONSKY, a native of Leningrad, are married and live in France. They have won wide acclaim for their translations of classic Russian literature, from Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov (which won the PEN/Book of the Month Club Translation Price), to Gogol's Dead Souls, to, most recently, Tolstoy's War and Peace.
Kenneth Lantz Kenneth Lantz is Professor Emeritus of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Toronto and a specialist in nineteenth-century Russian literature. He is the author of The Dostoevsky Encyclopedia (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2004). His translation of Dostoevsky’s Writer’s Diary was awarded the AATSEEL Translation Prize for 1993. He is currently translating a collection of memoirs of survivors of Stalin’s Gulag.
Stella Rock STELLA ROCK has been travelling to and writing about Russia for years. She has a doctorate in Russian religious history from the University of Sussex, and is a senior research fellow at the Center for Religion, Politics & Society, J. M Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University. Her book on popular religion in Russia is published by Routledge and she has contributed a chapter to the Cambridge History of Eastern Christianity, in addition to numerous articles for academic journals and publications such as History Today. Stella's home town is Brighton (Sussex, UK), but she spends as much time as possible walking with the Russian pilgrims she is researching for her next book.
Anna Dymkovets ANNA DYMKOVETS has written for Parlamentskaya Gazeta, Gazeta, and Medved magazine. Contributing on various cultural and social topics she has interviewed Vladimir and Pavel Pozner, the young and idealistic conductor Theodor Kurentzis, the life-loving sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and many others. has written for Parlamentskaya Gazeta, Gazeta, and Medved magazine. She lives in Moscow region and is working on a book about fatal acting roles in the history of Russian cinema and theater.
Nikolai Gernet Born and raised in Arkhangelsk, Nikolai Gernet has a broad educational background in music and medicine, yet in the end, life led him toward journalism. He has worked in various local, regional and national media as a designer, photographer and journalist. At present, he works for the information department of Arkhangelsk mayor's office. He loves to explore the history and geography of the North and has bicycled around Scandinavia and Arkhangelsk oblast. He took part in the Yasavey project in 2005 and 2008.
Marian Schwartz MARIAN SCHWARTZ is a prize-winning translator of Russian fiction, history, biography, criticism, and fine art. She has translated authors as diverse as Slavnikova, Lermontov and Goncharov, and is the principal English translator of the works of Nina Berberova. Her most recent translations include Mikhail Shishkin’s Maidenhair (Open Letter) and Andrei Gelasimov’s The Lying Year (AmazonCrossing). Schwartz is the recipient of two translation fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and is a past president of the American Literary Translators Association.
Oleg Bogatyrev Oleg Bogatyrev was born, raised and still lives in Moscow. He works as an IT engineer, but has been fascinated by photography since childhood. His first camera was a simple Smena-8 film camera, which he used to shoot in black and white, developing and printing his work himself. Today he prefers to work with a digital camera. He mainly shoots landscapes, but also enjoys genre photos, or what he calls “street photography.” You can see more of his work on his photo site.
Karina Klimenko Born in Chelyabinsk, a city in the Ural Mountains, KARINA KLIMENKO always felt more at home outside the industrial landscape. She says she writes to “investigate” what inspires people, be it singing, sailing, building ships or climbing mountains. She has a degree in Regional European Studies and studiened journalism in Germany. She contributes as a freelance journalist to a number of publications and specializes in cultural anthropology, traditional culture and its impact on modern life.
Mark Kharitonov MARK SERGEYEVICH KHARITONOV (born 1937) was born in Zhitomir, attended the Moscow Pedagogical Institute, and worked as a teacher and an editor. Kharitonov’s literary fate came together in a roundabout way. He began to write while still young, but for a long time was not published, and then only as a translator. His story, One Day in February, was published in the journal Novy Mir in 1976 and was immediately popular with readers. Yet there followed a long dry spell – more than 10 years – during which the author wrote intensively “for the drawer.” Kharitonov’s works began to be published during perestroika and in 1992 he received the first-ever Russian Booker Prize, for his novel The Line of Fate, or Milashevich’s Little Trunk, bringing him long-overdue popularity.
Craig Bell CRAIG BELL is a translator who worked for several years as a presidential translator in the White House, translating communications over the mythic "Hot Line."
Alexey Kortnev ALEXEI ANATOLEVICH KORTNEV (born 1966) is a poet, musician, artist and leader of the group Neschastny Sluchay (“Accident”). Even before he became a student at Moscow State University, he began to perform in student theater and as a musician in Neschastny Sluchay, which he founded with Valdis Pelshe. In the 1990s, he participated in many popular television programs, wrote for film, theater and advertising. He took part in the musical Nord-Ost (Northeast), and has acted in many films. He participated in the plays Election Day and Radio Day, satires on a radio channel and its employees during a regional election campaign.
Vikenty Veresayev VIKENTY VIKENTEVICH VERESAYEV (born Smidovich, 1867-1945) was a writer, literary scholar, translator and doctor. At the end of the 19th century, he was closely connected with the revolutionary movement, and his works described the hopeless and burdensome life of average Russians. At the same time, he worked as a doctor and, during the Russo-Japanese War, as a military doctor. One of his most famous works, Notes of a Doctor (1901), shocked readers with its description of the horrific condition of medicine in Russia. After the revolutions of 1905 and especially 1917, he became disillusioned with revolutionary ideas and with the possibility of using force to change the world. He increasingly devoted his efforts to purely literary pursuits, and did a great deal of translating. It was during this period that Veresayev created his two most famous books, Pushkin in Life (1926) and Gogol in Life (1933), developing a new type of biography that combined varied, often contradictory, sources: letters, diaries and recollections of contemporaries. Neither work has been translated into English.
Alexei Remizov ALEXEI MIKHAILOVICH REMIZOV (1877-1957) was a symbolist writer who experimented widely with language, seeking new manners of expression and employing folklore and ancient forms and structures. In 1921, he went to Germany for medical treatment, then decided never to return to Russia. In 1923 he moved from Berlin to Paris. He wrote a great deal in emigration, but with each passing year found it increasingly difficult to get published. In 1953, devotees of his works founded a small publishing house, especially so that his writings could see the light of day. To the end of his life, Remizov retained his Soviet citizenship, yet he never returned to the USSR.
Alexander Petrosyan Alexander Petrosyan is a gifted freelance photographer who was born in Lv’iv, but now lives and works in St. Petersburg. In addition to his day job as a photographer for the Kommersant Publishing House, he has had his work published in Newsweek, National Geographic, GEO, Izvestia, Le Monde and Vokrug Sveta, among others. He also regularly participates in exhibitions and competitions, and has won several of the latter, including the national award Best Photographer in 2013 (in both Architecture and News) and first prize in the 2015 International Photography Competition, "Legacy of Generations."
Vladislav Khodasevich VLADISLAV FELITSIyANOVICH KHODASEVICH (1886-1939) was a poet, critic and memoirist. While a gymnasium student and while studying at Moscow University, he became acquainted with many of the great personalities of the Silver Age of Russian literature. However, he always felt a very acute isolation and separation from the literary process, and was keenly sensitive to the disturbing events taking place all around him. At first, Khodasevich welcomed the revolution of 1917, but by 1922 he had become disillusioned by it and left Russia, living out his days in France. Over the next two decades, Khodasevich came to have an increasingly dismal view of the world: he did not feel part of emigrant circles, was unable to accept the European lifestyle, and could not accept the changes that were occurring in the USSR. His works became increasingly gloomy, or, as is often said of him, “bilious.” Khodasevich died a painful death from liver cancer, in severe poverty. His memoir, Necropolis, is one of the most interesting eyewitness accounts of the personalities of the Silver Age.
Nikolai Oleynikov Nikolai Makarovich Oleynikov (1898-1937) was born into a Cossack family. He graduated from a four-year high school and from a teachers’ seminary. During the First World War, he volunteered for the Red Army. He began to be published after the war, and became known as a children’s poet. However, in the 1920s and 1930s, he became close to Alexander Vvedensky and Daniil Kharms, and in 1927 they joined to create the Dadaist OBERIU Society (Association for Real Art). Oleynikov’s poems for adults were completely unacceptable to the Powers That Be in the Soviet reality of the 1930s, given their (the poems’) absurdist nature. Only three of his adult poems were published during his lifetime, and in 1937 he was arrested and shot. The work of Oleynikov the OBERIU-ite became known to Soviet readers only at the end of the 1950s.
Fazil Iskander FAZIL ISKANDER was born in 1929, in Sukhumi, and one of Russia’s leading writers. In 1938, his father was exiled from the USSR and Fazil was raised by his Abkhazian relatives, such that Abkhazian traditions and multi-ethnicity of Sukhumi had a lasting influence on his life and work. Iskander’s first literary success was the novel Sozvezdiye Koslotura (The Goatibex Constellation), and his many short stories have garnered him a wide following. Beginning in 1966, Iskander began to publish a number of stories which were later compiled into what would become his major work, the novel Sandro iz Chegema (Sandro of Chegem, published in two volumes in the U.S., one under this name, the second as The Gospel According to Chegem, though not all stories were included). At the center of these stories was the reckless, fun-loving tamada and dancer, Uncle Sandro, who embodied all the brightness of the Abkhazian spirit.
Michael McFaul Michael McFaul is the Director of the Center on Democracy, Development, and Rule of Law (CDDRL) at Freeman Spogli Institute (FSI) for International Studies at Stanford University. He also is the Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, where he co-directs the Iran Democracy Project. He also is Professor of Political Science at Stanford University and Deputy Director of FSI. He was a foreign policy advisor to the Obama campaign.
Nikoloz Baratashvili NIKOLOZ BARATASHVILI (1817-1844) was a Georgian poet, one of the first to combine Georgian nationalism with European Romanticism. He died early and left behind less than forty poems, yet is still revered as a shining light of Georgian literature.
Arkady Babchenko ARKADY BABCHENKO was born in 1977. He fought as an 18-year-old conscript in the first Chechen War in 1996-8 and then volunteered to return for six months in 2000 during the second Chechen War. A law graduate, he currently works in Moscow as a journalist for the opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta. One Soldier’s War is his first book.
Nikolai Zabolotsky NIKOLAI ALEXEYEVICH ZABOLOTSKY (1903-1958) was a distinguished poet and translator. In his youth, he penned absurdist poetry and was a member of the OBERIU society. However, over time, influenced by both internal and external forces, Zabolotsky began to compose more realistic poetry. In 1938 he was arrested, and from 1943 he was in internal exile. Zabolotsky was not allowed to live in Moscow and lived for many years in the Caucasus, primarily in Georgia, where he had close ties through friendship and literature. There, in addition to writing poetry, he translated Georgian works masterfully into Russian.
Boris Pasternak BORIS LEONIDOVICH PASTERNAK (1890-1960) was one the greatest Russian writers of the 20th century. He was the author of many collections of poetry that exerted great influence on the development of Russian poetry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his novel, Doctor Zhivago, but was pressured and persecuted into refusing it. Pasternak was also one of the greatest translators of the Soviet era, translating a wealth of classical texts, including Shakespeare, Goethe and others), as well as a huge number of poems.
Tatyana Khovrina TATYANA KHOVRINA was born in Moscow and studied in the philology and film/theater faculties at the Russian State Humanitarian University, as well as at the London Film Academy. She has worked at the journals Film (Film) and Kinobiznes Sevodnya (Film Business Today), at Vecherny Klub (Evening Club) newspaper, at MTV-Russia, creating the program Making the Movie, and has collaborated with numerous film and television production companies.
Anna Rodionova ANNA RODIONOVA was born in Tbilisi. Since 1998, she has lived in Moscow. A graduate in philology from Gymnasium 1567, she is a student at Moscow State University.
Susan Brownsberger SUSAN BROWNSBERGER grew up in the Boston area and currently lives on Cape Cod. Her book translations include novels by Andrei Bitov, Yuz Aleshkovsky, Vladimir Voinovich, Eduard Limonov (under a pseudonym), and the 19th-Century satirist Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin. She has also translated works by Vasily Aksyonov, Boris Hoffman, Smagul Yelubaev, and Daniil Kharms. Her most recent published translation is Mikhail Epstein's Fatherhood: A Diary for Olga, online in Journal of Family Life. The happiest years of her translating career were devoted to two volumes of Fazil Iskander’s Sandro tales, one of which is included in this issue of Chtenia.
Daur Zantaria DAUR ZANTARIA (1953-2001) was a poet, writer and screenwriter, born in the Abkhazian village of Tamysh. A graduate of Sukhumi University, he went on to graduate study in film and screenwriting in Moscow. He worked as a journalist and wrote widely in Russian and Abkhazian. In 1996, he moved from Abkhazia to Moscow, where he completed his major work, the novel The Golden Wheel, which is excerpted in this issue.
Asmat Zantaria ASMAT ZANTARIA was born in the Abkhazian village of Tamysh. She is a linguist, editor and teacher of the Abkhazian language. She has three children.
Dmitry Shevchenko DMITRY SHEVCHENKO graduated from Kuban State University with a psychology degree and has been a journalist since 2004. His articles have appeared in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Izvestiya, Kommersant, and Novaya Gazeta, among others. His primary topics of interest are human rights, environmental protection and sustainable development. He recently wrote a series of articles investigating the social causes and effects of poaching in the Azov sea. He lives in Krasnodar.
Alina Lisina ALINA LISINA is Russian but was born and raised in Riga. She is a staff writer for weekly russian newspaper Subbota. She loves travelling the world and writing on different places and cultures. Alina won a Reuters journalism award in 2008 for her article about an HIV infected person living in Latvia.
Lada Bakal LADA BAKAL was born in Kishinev, Moldova, but studied and now lives in Moscow. For eight years she worked at The Moscow Times, the capital’s English language daily. She enjoys drawing, writing and traveling, whether it be to the Altai or Carpathians, trekking in the Crimea or the Urals, or floating down mountain rivers. She has been Russian Life’s photo editor since 2009.
Kevin O'Flynn KEVIN O'FLYNN has worked as a journalist in Moscow since 1996. He has spent most of that time at The Moscow Times as editor and reporter. He has also freelanced for most all of the English broadsheets at one time or another as well as for Newsweek, Radio Liberty, The Globe and Mail, The Irish Examiner and the BBC, among others. He is currently the arts editor at The Moscow Times.
Alexander Krasotkin ALEXANDER KRASOTKIN was born in Rybinsk,Yaroslavl district, and moved to Moscow in 1987. A graduate of the Moscow Military Language Institute (in journalism and linguistics), he served in the navy out of Vladivostok, then went on to get an MBA in Finance at Hayward Business School, California State University. He has worked in leading banks, and took up photography in 2000.He has participated in a number of photo exhibitions and been published in various magazines. His website is: krasotkin.com.
Nikolai Gumilyov NIKOLAI GUMILYOV (1886-1921) was a leading poet of the Silver Age of Russian literature (the first two decades of the 20th century). A founder of the Acmeist movement, he was Anna Akhmatova’s first husband and the father of historian Lev Gumilyov. He traveled extensively around theworld, including on an expedition in Africa. In 1921 he was shot by the Bolsheviks on trumped up conspiracy charges.
Leigh Mosley LEIGH HALL MOSLEY is originally from Kentucky and graduated from Indiana University and the University of Texas. She once spent a lively year in St. Petersburg without ever obtaining a Russian entry visa. She now lives uneventfully in Tennessee with her husband and two young daughters, creating lyrical, poetic translations of drilling reports for the Russian oil and gas industry and chaperoning Girl Scout field trips.
Stanislav Shvabrin STANISLAV SHVABRIN is a scholar, translator, and lecturer in Russian language and literature at Princeton University and an expert on Nabokov as translator.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN (1918-2008) was one of the greatest Russian writers of the 20th century. He devoted his life to fighting against the communist regime and created a huge body of literature (One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Cancer Ward, In the First Circle, Archipelago Gulag, The Red Wheel),most all of which portrayed the individual’s fate against the backdrop of critical moments in history. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1970, was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1974, lived in Vermont for nearly 20 years, and returned to Russia in 1994. A 30-volume edition of his complete works will soon be published in Russia.
Fyodor Sologub FYODOR SOLOGUB (pseudonym of Fyodor Kuzmich Teternikov, 1863-1927) was one of the most important poets of the Silver Age in Russian literature (1890-1920). A Symbolist, he authored a great number of poems, and his best-known novel was The Petty Demon (1907). He was one of the first Russian authors to introduce the morbid, pessimistic elements characteristic of fin de siècle literature into his prose; readers were both attracted and repulsed by his mesmerizing ideas of death and evil.
Elena Makarova ELENA MAKAROVA is awriter and art critic. Since 1990 she has lived inIsrael, and for many years she has been actively involved with helping children who were imprisoned in Terezin, a Nazi prison camp.
Harry Willets HARRY T. WILLETS was Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s most trusted—and widely considered to be his best—translator, having worked on the Gulag Archipelago. Fluent in 14 languages, he was a reader for Harvill, the esteemed British publishing house, and a Fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford University. He died in 2005, shortly after completing final translation work on the new, complete version of In the First Circle, excerpted in Chtenia 08.
Bela Shayevich BELA SHAYEVICH is a writer and translator living in New York City. She is the Russian-Editor-at-Large of Calque.
Kieth Gessen KIETH GESSEN (born Kostya Gessen) emigrated with his family from the Soviet Union when he was six, studied at Harvard and is now a writer, literary critic and translator.His first novel, All the Sad Young Literary Men, was published in 2008. He has written about Russia for The Atlantic and the New York Review of Books and is co-editor-in-chief of the twice-annual literary magazine, n+1.
Fyodor Tyutchev FYODOR TYUTCHEV (1803-1973) was one of the greatest Russian romantic poets. Many Russians consider himto be third greatest in their poetic pantheon, after Pushkin and Lemontov. Born to nobility, he served in the foreign service, living abroad for over 20 years. An avowed Slavophile, he spoke better French than Russian. Even so, his personal experiences (multiple love affairs) and metaphysical worldview led him to create several masterpieces of Russian romantic poetry.
Katya Korobkina KATYA KOROBKINA was born in Maykop, in the republic of Adygeya. She studied art in Saratov and now lives in Moscow, where she works as an illustrator and theatrical artist, as a theatrical property master. She is an irrepresible tourist, both on land and water (by kayak), and takes a sketching pad with her everywhere. Her blog is online at behance.net/korrroko.
Julia Valeeva JULIA VALEEVA was born and raised in Russia. She started working in 1997, in a large newspaper, working as a journalist, editor and creative director. In her free time, she made book illustrations for kids and adults. Since 2005, she has been working full time as an illustrator, working with leading studios, magazines and publishers in Russia and the West. She also designed the cover for the Russian Life translation of Ilf and Petrov's, The Little Golden Calf.
Lise Brody LISE BRODY has translated literature and critical works by Elena Makarova, Liudmila Petrushevskaya, Tatiana Mamonova and others. She is also a choreographer and interdisciplinary artist and taught high school for many years. She lives in Massachusetts.
Igor Shpilenok Laura Williamsand husband Igor Shpilenok have been conserving Russian nature for two decades. Laura has a Master's degree in Conservation Biology from Yale and worked at WWF-Russia. Igor founded and directed the Bryansk Forest Nature Reserve in western Russia. Today they are a full-time conservation writer and photographer team, traveling around Russia to document its wilderness. Laura blogs in English and Russian at llorax.livejournal.com. Igor's photo blog is at shpilenok.livejournal.com.
Denis Petrulenkov DENIS PETRULENKOV is an artist and illustrator who lives in Smolensk. His illustrations have appeared in GQ, Rolling Stone, Men's Health, and other top Russian and western magazines. He is a frequent illustrator for Russian Life. His website is pd4.net
Eugene Petrushanskiy EUGENE PETRUSHANSKY was born and raised in St. Petersburg and calls himself a freelance photographer and street photographer. “I love to walk the street, to interact, observe and reflect all my observations through my photographs… only a kind reflection is important to me, a kind attitude toward the objects of my interest.” Eugene’s website is eugenepetrushanskiy.com
Lev Sobolev LEV SOBOLEV holds the esteemed rank of an Honored Teacher of the Russian Federation and has been teaching for over 30 years at one of Russia’s most elite high schools, from whence his students have gone on to become respected philogists, journalists and writers. In addition to his teaching work, Lev regularly writes on literature and the theater and produces student plays (including, in recent years, Three Sisters, The Cherry Orchard, and The Seagull) which are acclaimed for being anything but amateur productions.
Carl Schreck CARL SCHRECK is a journalist based in Moscow, Russia, where he has lived and worked since the beginning of the century. He spent six years with The Moscow Times as a reporter, news editor and managing editor and has written about everything from chess to crime to capital markets in Russia. He has also written for the iconoclastic Moscow biweekly The eXile, Sports Illustrated, Time and High Times among other publications. He was born and raised in Wenatchee, Washington — The Apple Capital of the World — and is known among friends for his savvy point guard play.
Vladimir Arsenyev VLADIMIR ARSENYEV (1872-1930) was a geographer, ethnologist and writer. He participated in several expeditions to the Russian Far East (Primorye), at that time an almost completely unknown region of the Russian empire. He wrote many books on the flora, fauna and peoples of Primorye. His most famous book, Dersu Usala, described one of his expeditions and his friendship with a native hunter who showed him a completely new way of looking at the world. Akira Kurosava made a film based on Arsenyev’s book.
Susanne Kries Born and brought up in Berlin, Susanne Kries has an interest in European cultures and languages. She has taught at universities in Berlin and Potsdam. She is now co-editor of hidden europe magazine and increasingly enjoys projects with a design and photographic element. She is a frequent traveler through Europe's Slavic regions.
Osip Braz Born 1873 in Odessa, Braz painted the most famous portrait of Anton Chekhov, though Chekhov was said not to like it much, saying it made him look as if he had just eaten horseradish.
Alexander Odoyevsky ALEXANDER ODOYEVSKY (1802-1839) was a Russian poet who participated in the 1825 Decembrist unprising. He was exiled to Siberia, and, as his guilt was judged to be less serious, later was transferred to the Caucasus, where he had to serve in the army as soldier. Odoevsky’s talent was not great, but he was greatly respected for his kind and honest character. Some went so far as to compare him to Christ. He died in in the Caucasus in 1839, from malaria. The great writer Mikhail Lermontov, who was his good friend, wrote a poem in his memory. His place in the history of Russian literature was secured by his poetic reply to Pushkin’s poem “Message to Siberia” (Poslanie v Sibir). In fact, his line in that poem, “Iz iskry vosgoritsya plamya,” led Vladimir Lenin, a half century later, to name his clandestine newspaper Iskra and to print this line as and epigraph atop every issue (for which Odoyevsky cannot be blamed).
Pavel Bazhov PAVEL BAZHOV (1879-1950) was a Ural-born writer and journalist. He grew up in a small Urals town where almost everyone, including his father, worked in a local metallurgical plant. Later, he lived in other Ural towns and villages, while working as a teacher. While working as a teacher he began writing down local legends and describing the pagan spirits which people still believed lived in the mountains and influenced local life. In the 1930s he started publishing these oral legends (which he called “skazy”). Some of these he clearly made up from whole cloth, as they employed communist images and values. But others (as the one published here) were based on folklore and became famous.
Brian Reeve BRIAN REEVE was born in Tottenham, North London, and gained grade one Russian A level at school. He then went on to Essex University where he took a degree in Russian, spent some years as a teacher of children with behavioral and learning difficulties, then, in his late twenties, began to work as an interpreter and translator in the field of Russian, and has now visited the countries of the former Soviet Union over 100 times. In 2007 he gained a Ph.D from Nottingham University in the music of Rimsky-Korsakov, and has been a visiting lecturer at numerous universities, speaking mainly on Chekhov and late-nineteenth-century Russian music.
Robert Payne PIERRE STEPHEN ROBERT PAYNE (1911-1983) was an extraordinarily prolific writer, historian, biographer and translator. He was a professor of English poetry and lecturer in naval architecture, a war correspondent in Spain, a Times of London correspondent in China (1942), the founding director of Columbia University Translation Center, and the author of over 110 books on a wide variety of subjects. He translated from Chinese, Danish, French, Greek, Italian, German, Polish, Spanish, and Russian. His first translation (pseudonymously as Anthony Wolfe) was Yuri Olesha’s Envy, in 1936. Also in 1936, he became the first person to translate Pasternak’s short stories into English. The result was first published in Singapore in 1941 as Childhood. Payne turned out an average of two books a year, many of them massive studies.
Robert Weir ROBERT M. WEIR was born in Michigan. He has a degree in broadcasting and has worked in radio, television, and print. He is currently a freelance writer, speaker, editor, and writing coach. He is the author of three books, numerous magazine articles, and frequently works on assignment for corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits. He also edits manuscripts for emerging and established authors.
Sophie Ibbotson SOPHIE IBBOTSON and MAX LOVELL-HOARE live and work in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. They originally chose Bishkek as their Central Asian base in 2008 as they thought it was conveniently located within the region, attractive to foreign investors, and politically stable. Two out of three isn't bad. Their company, Maximum Exposure, works closely with regional authorities, businesses and foreign development and media organizations to raise the profile of Central Asia overseas.
George Shpikalev GEORGE SHPIKALEV was born in Tver and his favorite childhood toy was his grandfather's old camera, which he would lug around even without any film in it. He entered Moscow State University's journalism faculty in 1998 and soon embarked on a career in photojournalism. George also combines his love of photography with another passion: cars. His wife Maria, also a graduate of MSU journalism faculty, shares his passion for travelling. George and Maria enjoy driving around Russia and capturing beautiful images and impressions. In 2006, George organized an expedition from the Barents to the Black Sea, spending three months in an off-road vehicle with his favorite camera and lenses, a portable gas stove, tent, and of course his loving wife. A photo album of the trip, Russia: North to South, containing George’s photos and Maria’s texts was published in 2007. The next year found the couple in Yaroslavl, working on the special anniversary edition of a photo album Yaroslavl: 1000 Years of History and Culture.
Maria Shpikalev MARIA SHPIKALEV, a graduate of MSU journalism faculty, shares her husband's (photographer George Shpikalev) passion for travelling. George and Maria enjoy driving around Russia and capturing beautiful images and impressions. In 2006, George organized an expedition from the Barents to the Black Sea, spending three months in an off-road vehicle with his favorite camera and lenses, a portable gas stove, tent, and of course his loving wife. A photo album of the trip, Russia: North to South, containing George’s photos and Maria’s texts was published in 2007. The next year found the couple in Yaroslavl, working on the special anniversary edition of a photo album Yaroslavl: 1000 Years of History and Culture. The book was published in 2010.
Malcolm Gilbert MALCOLM GILBERT is a retired geography professor in Carmarthen, Wales. He first visited Russia in the summer of 1961 and has returned well over fifty times, often with groups of students, British and American (including, in 1981, Russian Life editor Paul Richardson). A Russian speaker, he has long-standing friendships, including among human rights activists.
Dina Rubina DINA RUBINA was born in Tashkent in 1953. She graduated from the Tashkent Conservatory and taught in the Institute of Culture in Tashkent. She lived for a time in Moscow before emigrating to Israel in 1990. Her first literary works were published in the journal Youth. A recipient of the Aryeh Dulchin literary prize for her book Duplicate Family ( 1990) and the Israeli Union of Writers prize for her book, One Intellectual Sat Down in the Road, (1995). Rubina’s works have twice been nominated for the Russian Booker Prize and she is a recipient (2007) of the Great Book prize, for her novel On the Sunny Side of the Street.
Irina Ratushinskaya Irina Ratushinskaya (born 1954) is a poet, writer and political activist. Born in Odessa, she studied physics and went on to teach primary school. In the early 1980s, she was charged with “anti-Soviet agitation” for “dissemination of slanderous documentation in poetic form.” She was convincted and spent the next four years in a labor camp for political prisoners, and was released early from her seven-year term on the eve of the Gorbachev-Reagan summit in Reykjavik. She continued to write her poems in prison, etching them on soap until they were memorized, then washing them away. Deprived of Soviet citizenship, she lived in the U.S. from 1987 to 1998. She now lives in Moscow (having regained Russian citizenship) with her husband, human rights activist Igor Gerashchenko, and their two sons.
Andrey Matviiv ANDREY MATVIIV was born in Omsk, Russia, but now lives in Rovno, Ukraine. He is a graduate of the journalism faculty of Lvov State University and works in the Rovno regional newspaper Evening Rovno as culture editor, photo editor and photographer. He also teaches journalism classes to high school students. He has taken part in several group photographic exhibitions and had his first personal exhibition in the summer of 2009.
Laurence Mitchell LAURENCE MITCHELL is a writer and photographer based in Norwich, England. He has a strong interest in border zones, forgotten places and territories in transition, in particular the countries of the former Soviet Union. His fascination with the Caucasus, Central Asia and the ancient Silk Road has led to several trips to those regions. Mitchell has authored books on Serbia, Kyrgyzstan and his home patch of East Anglia for Bradt Travel Guides. He is also a regular contributor to several magazines, including hidden europe.
Michael Denner MICHAEL DENNER is editor of the Tolstoy Studies Journal. He is an associate professor of Russian Studies at Stetson University, where he teaches Russian literature, film and language. He writes on Tolstoy and popular culture, and is at work on a short biography of Tolstoy for Reaktion Press.
Anna Politkovskaya ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA (1958-2006) was a Russian journalist, author and human rights activist. She is best known for her reporting on the Chechen Wars from 1999 until her murder (still unsolved) in October 2006. She received numerous international awards for her journalism, including the Amnesty International Global Award for Human Rights Journalism, the PEN American Center Freedom to Write Award and the Olof Palme Prize.
Nadezhda Ptushkina NADEZHDA PTUSHKINA (born 1949) is a popular playwright, film writer and theater director. Born in Leningrad, she is a graduate of the MkhAT School for Directors and has written numerous plays and film scripts, the best-known of which include The Cow, And the End of the Chain Quivers (a play about Anton Chekhov), Bravo, Laurencia and By Foreign Candlelight. None of her works have previously been translated into English.
Dmitry Vinogradov DMITRY VINOGRADOV was born on the borders of what was at that time the USSR, in the Altai Kray. He studied history at Novosibirsk University, beginning to work as a political journalist and observer for the local press while still in school. Later, he began working with Moscow media outlets, as their stringer in Siberia. In 2006 he moved to Moscow, working first at the politics desk of the internet publication gazeta.ru, ten as a special correspondent for the magazine Russian Reporter (Russky Reporter). He prefers to write on social issues, about the lives of ordinary people.
Stephen Dewar Stephen Dewar was born in Ireland but has lived and worked in Russia, mostly as an economic and development adviser, since early 1996. In between assignments he has worked as a business news reporter at “Russia Today” television, acted in movies, been a journalist, taught at Russian universities and worked with the Russian Ministry of Education. In Ireland he was an academic, farmer, small businessman, public servant and editor/journalist. He was also, briefly, the head of an African safari company. He has edited, written and contributed to a number of academic books and monographs on Russian and EU-Russian affairs. His wife is Russian.
Alexander Burry ALEXANDER BURRY is a specialist in Russian literature. He has published articles on Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Prokofiev, Kurosawa, and other writers and artists. His book entitled Multi-Mediated Dostoevsky: Transposing Novels into Opera, Film, and Drama will be published by Northwestern University Press. In addition to Politkovskaya’s A Small Corner of Hell, he has also translated Venedikt Erofeev’s play Walpurgis Night, or the Steps of the Commander with Tatiana Tulchinsky. He is currently an assistant professor at Ohio State University.
Alexander Anshukov ALEXANDER ANSHUKOV was born in Arkhangelsk, where he lives to this day. He has loved photography from the day in 1975 that his father gave him a Smena 8M. He obtained his first digital camera in 2003, initially just as something to use in his work, but over time, he said, "it drew me into artistic photography. Arkhangelsk is the size of France, and for the last three years I have been busy investigating its beauty. Occasionally, during my investigations, I see something worth snapping a picture of." His online photo gallery is on PhotoDom
Irina Borisova IRINA BORISOVA lives in St. Petersburg, where she and her husband own a company that provides apartment rentals and travel assistance. Borisov has written books in Russian – America is a Lonely Place and For Young Men in the Warm Season and a book of stories written in English.
Gavrila Derzhavin GAVRILA ROMANOVICH DERZHAVIN (1743-1816) was one of the greatest Russian poets of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. He is best known for his odes, written in the classic style, yet he never shied from stepping outside the realm of “high” poetry, employing what were, for his time, unexpected words and forms. One of the legends of Russian culture is that Derzhavin visited Tsarskoye Selo lyceum for exams, where he heard the 16-year-old Alexander Pushkin declaim his poems. He was so astounded that he predicted Pushkin to be Russia’s literary future.
Marina Tarkovskaya MARINA ARSENIEVNA TARKOVSKAYA is an author and editor, and a member of the Cinematography Union of the Russian Federation. Her story in this issue is excerpted from her memoirs, Shards of a Mirror, a memoir about her father, the poet Arseny Tarkovsky, and her older brother, the film director Andrei Tarkovsky. It was published in Russia by Daedalus (1999) and reissued by Vagrius (2006). Tarkovskaya is also the author of book About Tarkovsky and is editing upcoming collections of her father's poetry.
Max Lovell-Hoare SOPHIE IBBOTSON and MAX LOVELL-HOARE live and work in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. They originally chose Bishkek as their Central Asian base in 2008 as they thought it was conveniently located within the region, attractive to foreign investors, and politically stable. Two out of three isn't bad. Their company, Maximum Exposure, works closely with regional authorities, businesses and foreign development and media organizations to raise the profile of Central Asia overseas.
Daniel Nelson DANIEL NELSON is a Program Associate at Wild Salmon Center, a non-profit organization based in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, where he focuses on education and communications projects. As a United States Peace Corps Volunteer, he taught English to university students in Uralsk, Kazakhstan for two years. Diverting his attention from the hectic world of environmental conservation in Russia, Daniel enjoys running along the forested trails around Portland and savoring the local beer scene, usually in that order.
Nikita Kirsanov Tomsk native, expert in wooden architecture, enthusiast of earnest restoration efforts in Tomsk. His blog is at: http://chur.gorod.tomsk.ru/
Levi Bridges LEVI BRIDGES is a freelance writer who often focuses on human migration. In 2009, he embarked on an eight month, 9,500 mile bicycle journey and pedaled over the entirety of Russia, from Vladivostok to Ukraine, and across Europe to the coast of Spain (Russian Life, Mar/Apr 2011). He was recently awarded a Fulbright Arts Grant in Creative Writing to spend a year recording the life narratives of Latin American migrant workers. He is currently based in Mexico City. His website can be found at levibridges.com.
Oliver Renck OLIVIER RENCK is a French photographer based in New York City. He has visited Siberia three times and finds winter there to be his favorite time of year. He recommends ice-skating on frozen Baikal, followed by a quick dip and a banya. Olivier’s work has been published in National Geographic, National Geographic Adventure, National Geographic Traveler and Life among others.
Brendan Kiernan Brendan Kiernan is a freelance translator and political analyst. A student of Russian language and literature since 1977, he earned a Ph.D in Political Science from Indiana University as well as an area studies certificate from IU’s famed Russian and East European Institute. His translation of Vladimir Gilyarovsky’s classic book, Moscow and Muscovites, was published by Russian Life Books in 2013.
Jennifer Eremeeva JENNIFER EREMEEVA is an American writer who has called Moscow home for 20 years. She is the author of Lenin Lives Next Door: Marriage, Martinis, and Mayhem in Moscow, and Have Personality Disorder, Will Rule Russia: A Concise History of Russia. She writes about Russian history, culture, everyday life and humor, and food at jennifereremeeva.com.
Olga Glagoleva DR. OLGA E. GLAGOLEVA is a historian specializing in Russian history of the 18th and 19th centuries. She has published several books and numerous articles, among them Dream and Reality of Russian Provincial Young Ladies, 1700-1850 (2000), "The Illegitimate Children of the Russian Nobility in Law and Practice, 1700-1860,” (Kritika. Summer 2005), etc. Born and educated in Russia, she lives in Toronto, Canada from 1993. She currently leads the international project Culture and Everyday Life of the Nobility in the 18th-Century Russian Provinces (at the Deutsches Historisches Institut Moskau), is Professor at the Dept. of Humanities of the Tula Institute of Economics and Informatics, and Visiting Scholar at the Centre for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies of the University of Toronto. This article was modified from a longer version published in the volume Other Animals: Beyond the Human in Russian Culture and History, Jane Costlow and Amy Nelson, eds., Pittsburg, PA, 2010.
Sandra Reddin Sandra Reddin grew up in Kent and now lives on a canal boat in London. She studied Russian and English at the University of Westminster and graduated in 1992. After living abroad for many years, including spells in Russia, she returned to London and began working as a photographer. Sandra’s images have been used for various publications and illustrations including Open Democracy and Russian Life. A seven year project photographing pilgrimages in Russia will soon be published by Routlege under the title The Re-enchantment of Russia:Post Soviet Pilgrimage & the Making of Sacred Space (Author: Dr. Stella Rock).
Lennart Dahlgren LENNART DAHLGREN was the IKEA manager responsible for opening the first of the company’s stores in Russia and published a book (in Russia and Sweden) about his experiences, Despite Absurdity: How I Conquered Russia While It Conquered Me. In 2006, Dahlgren retired and now lives Sweden.
Marr Murray MARR MURRAY and J.H. WiSDOM were the first translators of Lermontov’s A Hero of Our Time into English (1916). Murray also wrote polemical works.
Victor Zagumyonnov ViCTOR ZAGUMYONNOV has been a photojournalist for over 35 years and his photos have appeared in magazines, newspapers and exhibitions all over the world. Twice a winner of the prestigious World Press Photo prize, he has received numerous awards for his work, which is distinctive for its honest and revealing portraits of little known nationali- ties. His favorite subjects are the peoples of the North, genre photography and portraiture. More of his work can be viewed at nordart.fishup.ru.
Lois Kapila LOIS KAPILA is a freelance writer and translator from the Fenlands of East England. Currently based in Washington, DC, she has previously written for the Times of Central Asia, Washington City Paper, the Caspian Business Journal, and LiteraryTraveler.com among others. She holds a degree in Russian language and literature, and has visited the former Soviet Union multiple times since 2003. When she is not writing freelance articles, she enjoys singing with an affected Southern drawl and investigating crimes for defense attorneys.
Georgy Ivanov GEORGY IVANOV (1894-1958) was a poet, novelist, and memoirist, married to the poet and memoirist Irina Odoyevtseva. He was part of Nikolai Gumilev’s Guild of Poets in his youth. In emigration he published several novels, including Nuclear Disintegration, which some critics considered the best novel written between the wars. His old age was marked by extreme poverty and illness. The poetry he wrote during the period is remarkable for its depth of feeling, combined with a precision of vision: seeing the beauty of life especially clearly through despair.
Mina Musievsky MiNA MUSiEVSKY was born in Moscow and graduated from Moscow State Librarian Institute, graduating with the highest level of qualification. In 1974 she emigrated with her family to the U.S., where she worked until her retirement at the Engineering Societies Library. Since her retirement, she has written some forty autobiographical stories about life in emigration
Thomas Keane Thomas Keane was a nineteenth century translator of Russian literature who was among the first to translate the works of Pushkin into English.
Olivier Alluis MURIELLE RIBOT AND OLIVIER ALLUIS were born in the French Alps. Murielle studied biology in Toulouse, while Olivier studied applied sciences in Grenoble. they met on a ski slope in the Alps and now live in the South of France. They love nature and spend their free time biking, kayaking, skiing or climbing. Each new trip is for them an opportunity to satisfy their irrepressible passion for outdoor sports.
Murielle Ribot MURIELLE RIBOT AND OLIVIER ALLUIS were born in the French Alps. Murielle studied biology in Toulouse, while Olivier studied applied sciences in Grenoble. they met on a ski slope in the Alps and now live in the South of France. They love nature and spend their free time biking, kayaking, skiing or climbing. Each new trip is for them an opportunity to satisfy their irrepressible passion for outdoor sports.
Marina Tsvetaeva MARiNA TSVETAEVA (1892-1942) was a hugely gifted poet and prose artist whose life was filled with personal tragedy. Opposing the revolution, she and her husband, Sergey Efron, emigrated to Europe, but she was overcome by homesickness, poverty and loneliness. The family returned to Russia in the late 1930s. Efron was killed, her children were imprisoned, and she was barely allowed to work as a translator. Unable to get her creative work published, destroyed by personal tragedies, she took her own life.
Sergei Klychkov SERGEi KLYCHKOV (1889-1940) was the son of a shoemaker who was noted as a poet by early in the 20th century, but soon shifted mainly to prose. After the Revolution, he lived in Moscow and wrote several novels about village life which, after 1927, were attacked as reactionary. He was effectively sentenced to internal exile in 1934 and arrested in 1937. He died in prison.
Sergey Nikitin DR. SERGEY NIKITINmoskultprog.ru) and has organized Velonights – night time bike tours of architectural heritage – in Moscow and Rome. He is currently preparing the first Velonight in new York city.
Daniel Demers DANIEL DEMERS is a semi-retired businessman whose hobby is researching and writing about nineteenth and twentieth century history and personalities. He has published a number of historical articles about Fort Ross, including studies of princess Helena Pavlovna Gagarin Rotchev, the Fort Ross chapel, the Chapel Bells and visits to Fort Ross by Saints Innocent, Tikhon and Blessed Dabovich. He and his wife live in Guerneville, near Fort Ross.
Ekaterina Rogalskaya-Zeyen EKATERINA ROGALSKAYA-ZEYEN has been writing poetry since the age of 13 in her two native languages: English and Russian. Her lifelong fascination with word-craft has inspired her to become a translator and interpreter. She says that her inherent awareness of sound and rhythm drives her to carry the original poetic cadences into her translations. Ekaterina holds a BA in Literature from CCS at UCSB and an MA in Translation and Interpretation from MIIS, and also enjoys success as a painter, equestrian and competitive ballroom dancer.
Denis Osokin DENIS OSOKIN was born in Kazan in 1977 and educated in Warsaw, Kazan and Syktyvkar, with degrees in philology and folklore studies. He is the creator, screenwriter and director of a documentary film series on peoples of the Volga region. He received the 2001 Debut prize for his short story "Angels and Revolution. Vyatka. 1923." In 2008 he won the Zvyozdny Bilet prize for his story "Silent Souls" (Ovsyanki), which was made into a film directed by Alexei Fyodorenko.
Andrew Bromfield ANDREW BROMFIELD is a widely published translator of Russian fiction. He is a founding editor of the Russian literature journal Glas, and has translated into English works by Boris Akunin, Vladimir Voinovich, Mikhail Bulgakov, Irina Denezhkina, Victor Pelevin, and Sergei Lukyanenko (including the Night Watch series), among other writers.
Artyom Kostyukevich ARTYOM KOSTYUKEVICHis an illustrator and designer who was born in Omsk and educated in St. Petersburg and Hamburg, and his work, he says, is "a mixture of the Hamburg and Petersburg artistic schools – cheerful and upbeat in form, but a bit sad in content… I love to make my illustrations a bit mysterious and slightly unfinished.” He has illustrated childrens books for Swiss and French publishers, magazine articles for Russian, German and French publishers, and had his work exhibited in Italy, Japan and Korea. His website is here.
Alexey Kovalev ALEXEY KOVALEV is a Russian journalist currently based in London, UK. He reports for several national news outlets, regularly contributes to the Guardian’s Comment is Free and writes the Angry Russian column for The First Pint, a website run by journal- ism students and graduates of City University London. This editorial originally ran on the website journalism.co.uk.
Mikael Strandberg MIKAEL STRANDBERG is an explorer, writer and documentarian who has been traveling through the most forbidding reaches of our planet since he was 16. Among other things, he has cycled from Chile to Alaska, from Norway to South Africa and from New Zealand to Cairo. He has created three documentaries about his travels (including one about his trip through Kolyma). The true explorer, he says, “is unselfish, curious and ready to sacrifice his life in the quest of dis- covering unknown areas and human limits. An explorer’s life is a mission to make this earth of ours a better one to live in. For everybody.” His website is here: here.
Cindy Papish Gerber CINDY PAPISH GERBER is the producer for The Real Life Survival Guide, a radio program on The Connecticut Broadcasting Network (WNPR). Among other things, she has worked as an actress, house manager, filmmaker and PR consultant. For a decade she worked with ABC-TV on numerous news, sports and entertainment programs, including the 1984 Winter/Summer Olympic Games, which earned her an Emmy. She has written on everything from history, politics, entertainment and travel, to business, religion, food and weddings. Writing about the state of cardiac care in Northwest Russia for Russian Life, she said, was her most personally meaningful assignment to date.
Irina Bogatyryova IRINA BOGATYRYOVA was born in Kazan in 1982 and raised along the Volga River (Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Ulyanovsk). Since 2000, she has lived in Moscow and studied at the Gorky Literary Institute. Her works have been published widely in Russia, and in 2002 she became a member of the Moscow Union of Writers. Her first book, AutoSTOP came out in 2008. She was a Debut Prize finalist and winner of the Eureka, Oktyabr Magazine, and Ilya prizes.
Tamara Petkevich TAMARA PETKEVICH (born 1920) had a relatively privileged childhood in Petrograd, but when her father – a fervent Communist – was arrested, 17-year-old Tamara was branded a “daughter of the enemy of the people.” Her mother and one sister perished in the Nazi siege of Leningrad, and Petkevich was herself arrested, receiving a seven-year sentence of hard labor in the Gulag. While in the Gulag, she learned acting on the stages of camps across the Komi Republic. After her release, she became a successful professional actress. Her memoir was published in Russian (Zhizn – sapozhok neparny) in 1993 and her life story was the subject of a 2001 documentary of the same name by Marina Razbezhkina.
Nikolai Leskov Nikolai Leskov (1831-1895) was a master of the short story, yet he also wrote a novel, The Cathedral Clergy (1872), which quickly became a Russian classic. His style combines folklore motifs and mixes the language of poor townspeople with a sophisticated elegance and irony. The nickname of the protagonist of his story Lefty (Levsha), who shod a mechanical flea, entered the Russian lexicon to mean a highly-skilled artisan. Another of his stories, Lady Macbeth from Mtsensk, became famous as the plot of an opera by Dmitry Shostakovich.
Afanasy Fet AFANASY FET (1820-1892) was one of the finest Russian poets of nineteenth century, famous first of all for his wonderful evocations of the world’s natural beauty, but also for his poetic landscapes and love poems. He was criticized by his contemporaries for his poetry’s lack of political content, the very thing that made him especially dear to many poets and writers of the Silver Age and later.
Yasha Klots YASHA KLOTS is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Yale University.
Ross Ufberg ROSS UFBERG is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Columbia University.
Margaret Winchell MARGARET WINCHELL is a Slavic librarian and author as well as a translator specializing in Russian literature. A graduate of Indiana University, she published her first book, Armed With Patience: Daily Life in Post-Soviet Russia, in 1998 after several extensive stays in St. Petersburg during the turbulent 1990s. She is currently at work on a biography of one of that city’s islands, Vasily’s Island. Major translations, with co-translator Gerald Mikkelson, include Siberia, Siberia and Siberia on Fire, both by Valentin Rasputin. Her most recent translation, The Cathedral Clergy by Nikolai Leskov, was published by Slavica in 2010.
Vadim Belotserkovsky VADIM BELOTSERKOVSKY is a writer and journalist. He was born in Moscow, graduated from MGU, was a dissident against the Soviet regime, and, since perestroika, has stood in opposition to the Yeltsin-Putin regime. He now lives in the United States and maintains a website at belotserkovsky.ru. This article appeared in a slightly different form on vestnikcivitas.ru on June 21, 2011.
Dmitry Volodikhin DMITRY VOLODIKHIN received his doctorate in history from Moscow State University (MGU) and is a docent in MGU's Department of Source Studies in the History Faculty. He is the author of over a dozen monographs, textbooks, reference, popular scientific and scientific-literary books on Russian history. He specializes in Muscovy from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries.
Maximilian Voloshin MAXIMILIAN VOLOSHIN (1877-1932) was a poet and painter, a critic and translator. His home in the Crimea was a refuge for most of the Silver Age’s brightest literary and artistic talents. And yet, he is little known outside Russia. After his death, his residence in Crimea – Koktebel – became a famous summer resort for writers.
Konstantin Balmont KONSTANTIN BALMONT (1867-1942) was a prolific poet and translator of Russia’s Silver Age of poetry. Born into a noble family and raised with a love for languages, literature and theater, he had his first poems published at the age of 18. A leading light of the Symbolist movement, he was a tempestuous soul who was repeatedly at odds with the government, first of Tsar Nicholas, then of the Soviets. He and his family left Soviet Russia in 1920, and he lived out the remainder of his life in France.
John Givens JOHN GIVENS is associate professor of Russian at University of Rochester, New York, where, he teaches courses on Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and twentieth-century Russian literature and film. He is the author of Prodigal Son: Vasily Shukshin in Soviet Russian Culture (Northwestern UP, 2000), the co-translator of Vasily Shukshin, Stories from a Siberian Village (Northern Illinois UP, 1996) and editor (since 1999) of the quarterly translation journal Russian Studies in Literature. He is currently writing a book on the image of Jesus Christ in Russian literature.
Laura Givens LAURA GIVENS teaches Russian language at University of Rochester, New York. With John Givens she translated Vasily Shukshin, Stories from a Siberian Village (Northern Illinois UP, 1996). From 1997-2000 she was the translator for Russian Studies in Literature, a quarterly journal of translations from the Russian literary press.
Dmitry Mamin-Sibiryak DMITRY MAMIN-SIBIRYAK (1852-1912) was a Russian author best known for his stories and sketches set in the Urals, as well as for his novel The Privalov Fortune (1883). The children’s story in issue 16 of Chtenia is one of a series that Mamin-Sibiryak originally wrote for his daughter and later collected as Tales for Alyona (Alyonushkiny skazki, 1894-1896).
Natalia Klyucharova NATALIA KLYUCHAROVA was born in Perm and published her first novel, A Train Named Russia (2008), online before it was put into print and caused a stir in the Russian intelligentsia for its gritty look at modern Russian reality. The novel went on to win Russia’s prestigious Debut Prize and has already been translated into eight languages. Her second novel, Village of Fools, follows a similar track to her first, exposing in tight, expressive prose the eternal questions that have drawn Russian writers since the nineteenth century.
Zinaida Gippius ZINAIDA GIPPIUS (1869-1945) was a writer, poet and religious thinker, and one of the most influential Russian women of her age. With her husband, Dmitry Merezhkovsky, she founded the Symbolism movement. While she welcomed the February 1917 revolution, she was one of the first artists to publicly denounce the Bolshevik Revolution. She and her husband emigrated to Europe in 1919.
Yuri Rytkheu YURI RYTKHEU was born in Uelen, a village in the Chukotka region of Siberia. He sailed the Bering Sea, worked on Arctic geological expeditions, and hunted in Arctic waters, in addition to writing over a dozen novels and collections of stories. His novel A Dream in Polar Fog was a Kiriyama Pacific Rim Notable Book in 2006. In the late 1950s, Rytkheu emerged not only as a great literary talent, but as the unique voice of a small national minority – the Chuckchi people.
Kozma Prutkov KOZMA PRUTKOV was a literary persona created by Aleksey Tolstoy (the primary contributor), Lev Zhemchuzhnikov, Alexander Beydeman, Lev Latorio, and Pyotr Yershov. Their creation’s supposed works were published in the journals Sovremennik (“The Contemporary”) and Iskra (“The Spark”) during the 1850s and 1860s.
Ilona Yazhbin Chavass ILONA YAZHBIN CHAVASS was born in Belarus and emigrated to the United States with her family in 1989. In addition to Yuri Rytkheu, she has translated the work of Dimitry Bortnikov, Sergey Gandlevsky, and Ilya Brazhnikov. Educated at Vassar College, Oxford University and University College London, she now lives in London with her husband and two goldfish.
Jamie Olson JAMIE OLSON teaches in the English Department at Saint Martin’s University, just outside of Olympia, Washington. His translations have appeared in Cardinal Points, Crab Creek Review, and Ozone Park Journal. He writes about poetry, translation, and Russian culture on his site The Flaxen Wave.
Iosif Utkin IOSIF UTKIN (1903-1944) was a poet and journalist. Born in a remote Siberian outpost, he embraced the Bolshevik revolution early on and worked for many years as a journalist in Irkutsk and then Moscow, while also writing poetry. He fought at the front near Bryansk in World War II and early on was severely injured. However, he was soon back in the fight, as a journalist and poet-in-residence on the front lines. He died in an airplane crash before the end of the war.
Joseph D'Hippolito JOSEPH D’HIPPOLITOhas covered international sport since 1985 as a freelance writer. His work has appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Moscow Times and Kiev Post. Among his articles is a 1992 piece on the effects of glasnost and perestroika on Russia’s Olympic program for Volleyball Magazine. A graduate of California State University, Fullerton, in History and Communications, D’Hippolito visited Russia and Ukraine in 1992. He lives in Fullerton, California.
Yevgeny Maximyuk YEVGENY MAXIMYUK was born in Kaluga, but now lives in Moscow, where he works in construction. His chief hobbies are photography and motorcycles. Yet he only began to seriously pursue photography in 2008. His favorite genre is the stort of street portraits which are featured in Chtenia issue 16. “My heroes,” Yevgeny said, “are average Muscovites.” He considers his main achievement in life to be his family – his wife, daughter and granddaughter. To see more of his work, visit his photo album online.
Mikhail Mordasov MIKHAIL MORDASOV was born in Novgorod and educated as a lawyer. Yet, after taking up photography during his military service, he shifted his professional goals to photojournalism. Since 2009 he has lived in Sochi and worked as a freelance photographer in both the future Olympic city and the wider Caucasus region. He was one of two journalists on the recent Spine of Russia project.
Serge Elnitsky SERGE ELNITSKY was born in Moscow in 1967, and left the USSR in 1978. A few more of his translations can be found at his website
Andrey Silenginsky ANDREY SILENGINSKY lives in the town of Okha, on the northern tip of Sakhalin. A graduate of the Pacific State University (formerly Khabarovsk State Technical University), he began to write in 2005. His short stories have appeared in many Russian journals, including Tekhnika Molodyozhy and Nauka i Zhizn, and several collections. His most recent book is For a Pound of Soul, a collection of short stories (2011).
Konstantin Potapov KONSTANTIN POTAPOV was born in Moscow and is presently a student at the Moscow State University of Print Arts, Graphic Art Department; he will graduate next year. Before becoming an illustrator, Konstantin received an engineer’s degree from a technical university, but also worked as a baker, a salesman and a designer in various advertising agencies. His work has been published in Russian GQ, Kompania, Harvard Business Review, and CEO among others. His website is here
Vladimir Filonov VLADIMIR FILONOV was educated and employed for many years as an electrical engineer, while indulging his hobby in photography. In 1991, he turned his hobby into his profession, becoming a photographer at Moscow Magazine and, in 1992, at The Moscow Times. He has actively exhibited his works since 1970, participating in over 500 exhibitions in over 29 countries. He has received over 100 awards, and been published widely in books and magazines. He won the Moscow Prize in journalism (2003) for his “Faces of Moscow” project, and the Union of Journalists Prize (2002) for his book Reflections 1992-2002.
Nina Bogdan NINA BOGDAN is a freelance translator, writer, and independent researcher based in the San Francisco Bay Area. From 1984 to 2007, she worked as a Russian language analyst for the U.S. government. She holds degrees in political science, international relations, and Russian language and literature. Nina is the co-author of an Images of America series book titled Russian San Francisco. She is close to completing a new book which chronicles the 1000-year history of the noble Ukhtomsky family (website) and, in the course of her research, traveled by train, boat, and bus across Ukraine, Russia, and China.
Judson Rosengrant JUDSON ROSENGRANT is the translator and editor of several works of Russian literature, including The Rasputin File, by Edvard Radzinskii, His Butler’s Story, by Edward Limonov, and Lydia Ginzburg’s On Psychological Prose.
Vladimir Vysotsky VLADIMIR VYSOTSKY (1938-1980) was an iconic bard, poet and actor. His popularity as both writer and performer were enormous and virtually unparalleled during his lifetime, as his works were rich in social and political commentary, despite the stultifying censorship of the Brezhnev era. He died young, of a heart attack believed to be drug induced, and his death received only a short obituary in the papers, but his funeral filled the streets of Moscow.
Boris Fomenko BORIS FOMENKO is the author of 10 books, three booklets and more than 150 articles on the history of tennis. He is a member of the Tennis Writers’ Association (London) and an expert sports consultant to The Great Russian Encyclopedia. In 2003, he won the Parker Gold Quill contest; in 2008, he was awarded an honorary recognition award from Rossport “For Outstanding Service to the Promotion of Sports and Fitness.” In 2010, he received a special medal “For Extraordinary Contribution to Sports History.”
Mikhail Kondrashov MIKHAIL KONDRASHOV was born in Tambov. ?He studied journalism at Voronezh State University, and graduated with honors. For the next 10 years he worked as a correspondent for the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. He won a Russian Union of Journalists’ award for his research into the 1920-21 peasant uprising in Tambov region led by Ataman Antonov. Of late, his love for horses and photography has led him to work as a photographer for Golden Mustang and Horse Husbandry and Sport. He also is a professional equestrian, and enjoys researching the history of Russian horse breeding.
Julia Nemirovskaya Julia Nemirovskaya is a well-known poet, prose writer, and scholar who was associated with Moscow’s famed POETRY club. She currently teaches Russian literature at the University of Oregon. Her collection of poems, "Moya knizhechka" (My Little Book), appeared in Moscow in 1998.
Stephan Eirik Clark Stephan Eirik Clark’s short stories and essays have appeared in more than 20 literary magazines, including Ninth Letter, Witness, The Cincinnati Review, and LA Weekly, and been short-listed for the Fish Publishing Historical Fiction Prize and recognized in Best American Essays 2009 and 2010, among other honors. Born in West Germany and raised between England and the United States, Clark holds a Master’s degree in English Literature with a creative writing emphasis from the University of California, Davis and a Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California. A former print and radio journalist, he has lived in Russia and Ukraine, the latter on a Fulbright Fellowship. He is presently living and teaching in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dmitry Chen Dmitry Chen is a pen name – in the honored tradition stretching from Or- well to Le Carre to Bachman – for a Russian author who has been observing and writing about Asia for more than 30 years. He has published seven novels (and some short stories), mostly spy thrillers, some of them positively medieval. His Silk Road Trilogy was immensely popular in Russia and earned him a reputation as the most foreign writer in contemporary Rus- sian literature. His rich, descriptive style and his gripping plots are further proof that fine Russian writers can write wonderful stories about anything (not just Russia).
Maxim Amelin Maxim Amelin, born in 1970, is a poet, essayist, and translator, as well as a scholar and managing editor for the publishing house OGI. His transla- tions of Pindar and Catullus, as well as of Italian, Georgian, Ukrainian, and other poets have earned acclaim. He has won, among other prizes, the Antibooker (1998), the Novyi Mir Prize (1998), the Moscow Reckoning (2004), and the Znamya Prize (2010). He has released edited, annotated editions of Count Khvostov, Aleksandr Izmailov, and Sergey Neldikhen, and has edited numerous poetry anthologies. Amelin lives in Moscow.
Olena Bormashenko Olena Bormashenko was born in Kharkov, Ukraine, and her family emigrated to Canada when she was 11. She attended graduate school in mathematics at Stanford University and currently works at the University of Texas at Austin, as a math lecturer. She has been a fan of the Strugatskys’ fiction ever since childhood and started translating Roadside Picnic as a hobby.
Maxim Osipov Maxim Osipov was born in Moscow. After graduating from medical school he worked in several cardiology clinics, was a research fellow at the University of California in San Francisco, and wrote a book on echocardiography. In 1994 he founded a publishing company specializing in medical transla- tion. In 2005, he returned to medical practice in the small provincial city of Tarusa and started a charity fund to support the city’s hospital, where he still works. Since 2007 Osipov has written essays, short stories, novellas and dramas. He has published three collections of prose, which have brought him several awards, including the Kazakov Prize for the best short story of 2010. Osipov’s works have been translated into French, Polish, and English.
Margarita Meklina Margarita Meklina is a fiction writer and essayist born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia. She came to the United States as a refugee in the early 1990s and has been living in San Francisco ever since. She received the 2003 Andrei Bely Prize (Russia’s first independent literary prize, which enjoys a special reputation for honoring dissident and nonconformist writing) for her short story collection Battle at St. Petersburg and the 2009 Russian Prize, awarded by the Yeltsin Center Foundation, for her manuscript My Criminal Connection to Art. Meklina has also published interviews with Alessandro Baricco, Diana di Prima, Ursula K. Le Guin, and David Sedaris, among others.
Christian Wiman Christian Wiman was born and raised in West Texas. He is the editor of Poetry Magazine and the author of three collections of poems, Every Riven Thing (2010), Hard Night (2005), and The Long Home (1998), and one collection of prose, Ambition and Survival: Becoming a Poet.
Margo Shohl Rosen Margo Shohl Rosen’s poetry, translations and literary discoveries can be found in leading journals and presses, including (forthcoming) the Penguin Book of Russian Poetry, edited by Robert Chandler. With F. D. Reeve, Rosen produced the first English collection of Anatoly Naiman’s poetry, Lions and Acrobats (Zephyr Press). Rosen has taught Russian and Literature Humanities at Columbia University.
Derek Mong Derek Mong is the author of Other Romes (Saturnalia Books, 2011). His poems, translations, and prose have appeared in the Kenyon Review, the Missouri Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Pleiades, Cream City Review, Court Green, The Southern Review, and elsewhere. Mong and his wife Anne O. Fisher live in San Francisco, where they are currently working on the poetry of Maxim Amelin.
Boris Dralyuk BORIS DRALYUK holds a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures from University of California, Los Angeles. His work has appeared in a variety of journals, including The New Yorker, The Times Literary Supplement, and World Literature Today. He has translated and co-translated several volumes of poetry and prose from Russian and Polish and is co-editor, with Robert Chandler and Irina Mashinski, of the forthcoming Penguin Book of Russian Poetry (Penguin Classics, 2015). His translation of Isaac Babel’s Red Cavalry was published by Pushkin Press. He received first prize in the 2011 Compass Translation Award competition and, with Irina Mashinski, first prize in the 2012 Joseph Brodsky / Stephen Spender Translation Prize competition.
Marc Hauschild MARC HAUSCHILD was born in Buxtehude, Germany. He graduated with a degree in Philosophy and German Language and Literature from Hamburg University. He has worked in advertising, print, radio, film, theater and finance. Since 2007 he has lived in Moscow, teaching English and German and writing newspaper articles about art, literature, film and philosophy. His hobby is making short films.
Vadim Makhorov VADIM MAKHOROV is a photographer and chronicler of hidden Russia. When he is not traveling the country and infiltrating tightly-guarded locations, he earns his living as a professional photographer of architecture, interiors, and industry. He is a member of Photo Media Group agency.
Alexandra Odynova ALEXANDRA ODYNOVA spent several years working as a news reporter and editor at The Moscow Times. Now she works as a reporter at the RIA Novosti English Service, covering everything from crime to politics. She is also a student with Marina Razbezhkina’s School of Documentary Film and Documentary Theater in Moscow.
John Berry JOHN BERRY is a semi-retired accountant and long time baseball fan and history buff. A history graduate from the University of Colorado, with an emphasis in American and Far Eastern Studies, he learned many years ago from a college professor about a Russian who was a great professional baseball player in Japan. Thinking it might be an intriguing story, he decided to research Starffin’s story as a retirement project.
Pyotr Yershov Pyotr Yershov (1815-1869) grew up in the Siberian town of Tobolsk, in the family of a civil servant who was compelled to move quite frequently. This migratory lifestyle – among the people and places at what was then the wild frontier of the Russian Empire – equipped young Yershov with a deep appreciation for folk speech, humor, and storytelling, as well as exotic settings and characters. The Little Humpbacked Horse remains Yershov’s most famous work, beloved by generations of children and adults ever since its first publication in 1834. The tale has been adapted as a ballet (twice, in 1864 and 1958), an animated film, a live-action film, and, finally, an arcade game.
Pyotr Shiryayev Pyotr Shiryayev (1886-1935) was an anti-tsarist revolutionary before he became an accomplished translator, and then a writer. For his involvement in the events of 1905, he was arrested and exiled to Siberia, and after serving his sentence, emigrated to France, and eventually Italy. He first received critical acclaim for his translations of Italian short stories; Shiryayev’s first original work, “Scum” came out in 1925, and was soon followed by a series of novellas and a novel. Taglioni’s Grandson remains Shiriayev’s best known and most beloved book.
Nadezhda Durova Nadezhda Durova (1783-1866) is the first known female officer in the Russian military. Her memoir, The Cavalry Maiden, remains one of the earliest autobiographies in the Russian language and a fascinating exercise in creating a celebrity persona. In contrast to the story she tells in her memoir, Durova did not run away from her parents’ home to join the cavalry. She was married and had a son, but chose to edit these facts out of her memoirs. In the cavalry, Durova eventually drew the attention of Tsar Alexander I himself, and he became her patron, allowing her to serve and to continue rising through the ranks. After she retired from the army, Durova maintained her male persona, Alexander Alexandrov, in some areas of her life until her death.
Lev Brandt Lev Brandt (1901-1948) attained a law degree at Petrograd University after fighting in the Civil War, but then chose to pursue his interest in theater and literature instead. After obtaining his second degree - in theater direction - he stayed with the theater just long enough to find out he would never be successful as a director. At the Stage Arts Institute, Brandt also met his wife, choreographer Tamara Ender, who would become the indefatigable advocate of his work. Brandt published the bulk of his writing, including the novella Bracelet II (later adapted for the screen) in the 1930s, before he was arrested and exiled in 1937. He returned just in time to join the Soviet Army in defense of Leningrad in 1941. He was never allowed to live in Leningrad again, but enjoyed a short-lived career as the artistic director of a folk dance ensemble in Pskov, before succumbing to cancer at the age of 48.
Maria Kirillova Maria Kirillova (Featured Photographer) was born in Yaroslavl, about 200 miles northwest of Moscow. She is a lawyer by training and has been around horses for about fifteen years, the last five as a photographer. Horses are her main photographic subject: their nature, equestrian sports, and their relationship with human beings.
Mary Fleming Zirin Mary Fleming Zirin is an independent scholar-translator. Her research focuses on the lives and works of Russian women writers of the prerevolutionary period. Her translation of The Cavalry Maiden, excerpted in issue 19, won the 1990 Heldt Prize of the AWSS for the Best Book in Slavic Women’s Studies.
Alexei Zhemchuzhinov Alexei Zhemchuzhinov (1821-1908) was a poet, dramatist, essayist and literary critic, a cousin to Alexei Tolstoy and co-creator of Kozma Prutkov, the famous mid-nineteenth century comical literary character whose aphorisms appeared in Chtenia 16. Trained as a lawyer, Zhemchuzhnikov became a civil servant first at the Senate and then at the Ministry of Justice, but, bored with the “stupid mechanical routine” of these services, in 1858 he abandoned his career in order to write.
Sergei Shandin Sergei Shandin was born and raised in Moscow. His love of photography began at a very early age and he loves to experiment, though he also deeply values traditional photography shot on film and developed by hand. “I love photographs that tell a story,” he said “But in contrast to literature or paintings, which also can tell a story, but in an extended manner, photography tells the story of a moment in time. A fragment of time, sliced by the shutter of a camera, and preserved.” He loves to travel and has been teaching photography around Russia for the past ten years, considering the best evaluation of his work to be the fact that many of his students have themselves become fine photographers.
Claud Field Claud Field (1863-1941) was an author and translator of Russian and Arabic literature. Aside from translating many of the works of Gogol, his best known translations are the works of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, namely The Alchemy of Happiness and The Confessions of Al Ghazzali. He was also the author of Mystics and Saints of Islam, Heroes of Missionary Enterprise, The Charm of India, and Persian Literature, among others.
Viacheslav Kupriyanov Viacheslav Kupriyanov was born in Novosibirsk in 1939. His first published works were translations of poetry from German (Hölderlin, Novalis, Rilke, Hoffmannstal, Brecht, Grass, Enzensberger, Hans Arp, Erich Fried) and English (Walt Whitman, Carl Sandburg). He studied technical sciences in the High Navy School in Leningrad (1958-1960), and graduated in 1967 from the Moscow Foreign Language Institute (now Linguistic University), in the Mathematical Linguistics and German (1967) departments. He is a freelance writer, a member of the Moscow Writers Union, and a member of the Serbian Writers Union.
Irina Davis IRINA DAVIS is a graduate of Khabarovsk State Pedagogical University and New York University, where she received an MA in Studio Art. Her website is at irinadavis.com.
Alexei K. Tolstoy Alexei Konstantinovich Tolstoy (1817–1875), was a poet, novelist and playwright and second cousin of Leo Tolstoy. Many consider him the most important Russian historical dramatist of the nineteenth century, because of his dramatic trilogy The Death of Ivan the Terrible (1866), Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich (1868), and Tsar Boris (1870). He was also famous for his satirical works, published under his own name (History of the Russian State from Gostomysl to Timashev, The Dream of Councillor Popov) and under the pen name of Kozma Prutkov (which was actually three people, see Chtenia 16). His fictional works include the novella The Vampire (1841) – the first vampire story penned by a Russian (The Family of the Vudalak was the second), and the historical novel The Silver Prince (1862).
Natasha Karelskaya NATASHA KARELSKAYA is a Moscow-based photographer and reporter. She works for the weekly magazine Bolshoy Gorod and business daily Vedomosti. Educated as a graphic designer, she has participated in several group shows in Moscow.
Andrew Glikin-Gusinsky Andrew Glikin-Gusinsky is an attorney who lives and works in New York’s Hudson Valley. His translations and writing have appeared in a number of publications. He was the winner of Columbia University’s 2007 Pushkin Prize for poetry in translation.
Yevgeny Dolmatovsky YEVGENY DOLMATOVSKY (1915-1994) wrote some of the best known and best loved songs of the Soviet era, many of which are still performed. He rarely deviated from the party line, which helped him survive and remain in official favor even though his father, a prominent Moscow lawyer before the revolution, was arrested and shot in 1939.
Natasha Potts Natasha Potts was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and lived in Orphanage #2 from the age of 5 to 12. She was adopted in 2001 and now lives in Arlington, Texas. She is working full time and going to the University if Texas at Arlington part time.
Lev Ovalov LEV OVALOV (SHAPOVALOV) (1905-1997) may not be a household name in Russia, but in the Soviet era his character, Major Pronin, was widely known and wildly popular. He even achieved the ultimate Soviet accolade: a series of jokes about the cool, all-knowing spycatcher. Ovalov fought in the Civil War and began publishing in the 1920s. Just before the start of World War II, his Major Pronin stories achieved huge success. But then in 1941 he was arrested and spent 15 years in the camps and internal exile. Upon being exonerated in 1956, he wrote three additional Major Pronin novels.
Evgenia Nayberg EVGENIA NAYBERG is a Russian-born painter, illustrator and stage designer. Her illustrations have appeared in numerous magazines and children’s books as well as on album covers, book covers and theatre posters. She has exhibited her work internationally and her paintings, drawings, and poster art are in private collections worldwide.
Stella Naulo STELLA NAULO is an English and Russian Area Studies double major at Kenyon College. She has translated Rika Berman’s novel The Illusion of Madness from Russian into English, soon to be released in St. Petersburg, Russia. Currently, she is translating the author’s second book, Coma.
Sergei Mikhalkov SERGEI MIKHALKOV (1913-2009) worked in a variety of literary genres, ranging from children’s poetry and political satire to theater plays and the national anthem (three versions). His long life spanned early years in a Russian noble family and accolades from every leader from Stalin to Putin. Controversial to the day he died, his literary characters are among best known and best loved in Russian children’s literature.
Akhill Levinton AKHILL LEVINTON (1913-1971) was a literary critic and translator, a leading specialist in German literature. Arrested in 1949, he was released in 1954 and subsequently exonerated. He is an author of several songs, one of which may be A Glass Full of Pearls, numerous versions and variations of which became part of Soviet folklore.
Allison Geller Allison Geller is originally from Washington, D.C., and currently lives in St. Petersburg, where she works as a teacher and contributor to The St. Petersburg Times.
Arseny Zamostyanov ARSENY ZAMOSTYANOV is a Moscow-based historian and literary historian, with an advanced degree in linguistics. His books include A.V. Suvorov: the God of War, Russian Heroism, Truth and Legends about Russians and Hungarians, and others. He published the complete works of Major Pronin by Lev Ovalov and wrote several modern sequels, including Major Pronin vs. Enemies of the People and Major Pronin vs. Spies and Saboteurs. He writes the “Current Past” column for the Literary Gazette.
Andrei Sinyavsky ANDREI SINYAVSKY (ABRAM TERTZ) (1925-1997) was known as a literary scholar and critic when, in 1965, he, along with writer Yuly Daniel, was arrested for publishing his fiction abroad, under the name of Abram Tertz. The trial, in which Sinyavsky was sentenced to seven years of hard labor, was a watershed in Soviet political history. After his release, he emigrated to France, where he taught at the Sorbonne.
Donna Turkish Seifer DONNA TURKISH SEIFER was born in Detroit, of Belorussian parents. She has a degree in Russian and a Master’s in Russian cinema. She taught Russian at Lewis & Clark College and has worked an interpreter, translator and consultant.
Peter von Buol Peter von Buol is an adjunct professor of journalism at Chicago’s Columbia College. He has had a lifelong interest in Russian history and lives in Chicago with his wife and three daughters. His articles have appeared in publications such as BBC Focus on Africa, BBC Wildlife magazine, the Chicago Tribune newspaper, Hawaii magazine, Maui No Ka 'Oi magazine, Pacific Islands Monthly and Prologue, the magazine of the U.S. National Archives. Karl Ferdinand von Buol-Schauenstein, who served as the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s Ambassador to Russia in the late 1840s and later as his nation’s Foreign Minister, is a distant relative.
Marina Marshenkulova Marina Marshenkulova was born in Zaukovo, in Russia’s southern Kabardino-Balkarian republic. She was a FLEX program exchange student and graduated from high school in the US. She has an MA degree in Philology and TESL, and received a Fulbright to pursue a master’s in journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After working for a time as an editor on the paper Sovetskaya Molodezh in Nalchik, she moved to Moscow, where she now works as an English teacher, and as a freelance writer for The Moscow Times and other publications.
Ksenia Buksha Ksenia Buksha was born in 1983 in Leningrad. After graduating from St. Petersburg State University with a degree in economics, she worked in finance, marketing and advertising. She began writing poetry and prose at 14. Her first novels, Ernst and Anna (2001) and Probability (2002) were released by the renowned publishing house, Gelikon+. She has since published ten books. Her 2009 short story, There is No Night, was included in a 2012 anthology of the best women’s writing of the 2000s compiled by Zakhar Prilepin. She lives in St. Petersburg with her husband and children.
Polina Barskova POLINA BARSKOVA was born in Leningrad and began publishing poems in journals at age nine. She released the first of her eight collections as a teenager. She came to the United States at the age of 20 to pursue a Ph.D at UC Berkeley. She now lives in Massachusetts with her family and teaches at Hampshire College. Two books of her poetry in translation were recently published: This Lamentable City (translated by Ilya Kaminsky, Tupelo Press, 2010) and Zoo in Winter (translated by David Stromberg and Boris Draliuk, Melville House, 2011). She will be featured in the forthcoming anthology Relocations: Three Contemporary Women Poets (Zephyr Press, 2013), which includes the poems published here. In addition to English, Barskova’s poetry has been translated into French, Italian and Danish.
Elizaveta Aleksandrova-Zorina Elizaveta Aleksandrova-Zorina was born in Leningrad in 1984. In 2012, her novel Little Man was short-listed for the Debut Prize for young Russian authors. That year the novel was also short-listed for the NOS (“Novaya Slovesnost”) annual literary award for contemporary Russian fiction. She currently lives in Moscow, where she heads the literature section of the portal ThankYou.ru.
Liana Alaverdova Liana Alaverdova was born in Baku, Azerbaijan and graduated from Azerbaijan University. Her poems, essays, articles, and translations of English and native Azerbaijani into Russian have been published in Azerbaijan, Israel and the United States, where she emigrated to in 1993. In 1991, Liana received the Korchak Award for her cycle of poems about the teacher and humanist Yanosh Korchak, who was murdered with his students in Poland during World War II. She has had three bilingual poetry collections published. The most recent is From Baku to Brooklyn. She has also authored two plays. Liana lives in Brooklyn with her family and works at the Brooklyn Public Library.
Alexander Sherstobitov Alexander Sherstobitov grew up throughout the Amur region and is a portrait and food photographer based in Blagoveshchensk.
Maria Stepanova MARIA STEPANOVA was born in Moscow. She is active both in poetry – with nine books published since 2001, and in journalism, serving as editor-in-chief of OpenSpace.ru until its conception changed in 2012. She is currently chief editor of Colta.ru.
Tatiana Shcherbina TATIANA SHCHERBINA was born in Moscow and emerged in the 1980s as a spokesperson of the new “independent” culture. She is the author of a dozen books of poetry and eight of prose fiction and nonfiction. Her poems have been published in Dutch, German and French translations as well as in English-language collections in the bilingual The Score of the Game (Zephyr Press, 2002) and in Life Without (Bloodaxe, 2003) as well as in many journals and magazines. Her work appears in the anthologies Third Wave: The New Russian Poetry (University of Michigan Press, 1992) Lives in Transit (Ardis, 1995), In the Grip of Strange Thoughts: Russian Poetry in a New Era (Zephyr, 1999) and Crossing Centuries (Talisman, 2000). In 1994 she received the Bourse de Création award from the French Ministry of Culture.
Mariam Petrosyan Mariam Petrosyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia. After completing studies in graphic design, she spent 20 years as a cartoonist at the Armenfilm animated film studio in Yerevan and the Soyuzmultfilm studio in Moscow. Her first novel, The House in Which… became a bestseller in Russia in 2009. It was shortlisted for the Big Book Award and the Russian Booker Prize.
Marina Palei Marina Palei is a Russian novelist, screenwriter, journalist and translator. After completing studies in epidemiology at the Leningrad Institute of Medicine, she enrolled in the Maxim Gorky Literature Institute and began publishing fiction and literary criticism. In the late 1980s, she became involved with the Russian dissident movement and in 1995 emigrated to the Netherlands, yet continued to publish in Russia. Her novella, Cabiria of the Bypass Canal, was first published in the journal Novy Mir in 1991 to widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for the Russian Booker Prize. Her work has been translated into more than 13 languages.
Catherine Ciepiela CATHERINE CIEPIELA is a scholar and translator of Russian poetry who teaches at Amherst College. She is the author of The Same Solitude (Cornell 2006), a study of Marina Tsvetaeva’s epistolary romance with Boris Pasternak; co-editor, with Honor Moore, of The Stray Dog Cabaret (NYRB 2007), an anthology of poems by the Russian modernists in Paul Schmidt’s translations; and editor of the forthcoming anthology Relocations: Three Contemporary Women Poets (Polina Barskova, Anna Glazova, Maria Stepanova). Her translations of poetry by Polina Barskova and Marina Tsvetaeva have appeared in The Massachusetts Review, The Common, The Nation, Seneca Review and elsewhere, and she was awarded a Joseph Brodsky/Stephen Spender Prize for her translation of a poem by Barskova.
Yulia Yuzik Yulia Yuzik is a journalist and writer and the author of Brides of Allah, a book on Chechen female suicide bombers, which has been published in 10 countries, as well as Beslan Dictionary, which has been published in France, Italy and Germany. She has been working in the Caucasus for over 10 years and has written for GQ and Foreign Policy, on Chechnya, the Caucasus and terrorism. She is currently working on a book that is at once a collection of travel notes and a look at the mechanism whereby suicide bombers are created. It will describe in detail the methods that terrorists use to transform normal individuals into suicide bombers.
Ludmila Ulitskaya Ludmila Ulitskaya is one of Russia’s leading contemporary writers. Trained as a biologist, she started writing short stories and screenplays in the late 1980s. In 2001, she became the first woman to win the Russian Booker Prize. Her 2015 novel Jacob’s Ladder combines fiction, autobiography and materials from a family archive. Her works have received numerous literary awards in France and Italy, and in 2014 she became an Officer of France’s Legion of Honor.
Aigerim Tazhi AIGERIM TAZHI’s first book of poetry, “BOG-O-SLOV” (“THEO-LOG-IAN”), was published in 2003. She has received numerous literary prizes in Kazakhstan and Russia for poems in the collection. Her work has been translated into English, French, and Armenian, and published in prominent literary magazines, including Druzhba Narodov, Novaya Yunost, Apollinariy and Words Without Borders. She was one of the creators of a project of literary installations, “The Visible Poetry,” in 2009. In 2011 she was a finalist for the prestigious Debut Prize in poetry. Tazhi lives in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Marina Stepnova Marina Stepnova is an acclaimed prose and script writer. Her debut novel, The Surgeon (2005), was nominated for the National Bestseller Prize. Her 2011 novel, The Women of Lazarus, became an unprecedented publishing success with literary critics and the public at large; it went on to receive the Big Book Award and became a finalist for the National Bestseller Prize, the Russian Booker Prize and numerous literary awards. Stepnova is currently editor-in-chief of the men’s magazine XXL. She lives with her family in Moscow, where she is at work on her next novel.
J. Kates J. KATES is a poet, literary translator and the president and co-director of Zephyr Press, a non-profit press focusing on contemporary works in translation from Russia, Eastern Europe and Asia. He has received several writing and translation fellowships, and has published three books of his own poems. He is the translator of The Score of the Game and An Offshoot of Sense by Tatiana Shcherbina; Say Thank You and Level with Us by Mikhail Aizenberg; When a Poet Sees a Chestnut Tree and Secret Wars by Jean-Pierre Rosnay; Corinthian Copper by Regina Derieva; Live by Fire by Aleksey Porvin; and Genrikh Sapgir’s Psalms. Kates is the translation editor of Contemporary Russian Poetry, and the editor of In the Grip of Strange Thoughts: Russian Poetry in a New Era.
Lisa Hayden LISA HAYDEN is a translator and writer who lives outside Portland, Maine. Her translations have appeared in Two Lines and Subtropics, as well as anthologies published by Glas and Read Russia. Her blog, Lizok’s Bookshelf, focuses on contemporary Russian fiction. Lisa received an MA in Russian literature and lived in Moscow during 1992-1998.
Polly Gannon POLLY GANNON is a teacher and translator who has been living in St. Petersburg for 16 years. She is the translator of Max Frei’s The Stranger series for The Overlook Press and of Andrei Bitov’s The Symmetry Teacher for Farrar, Straus and Geroux. She is currently at work on Lilianna Lungina’s Podstrochnik, forthcoming from Word for Word press.
Sibelan Forrester SIBELAN FORRESTER is Professor of Russian Language and Literature at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She has published numerous poetic translations from Russian, including works of Elena Ignatova and Maria Stepanova and folktales about Baba Yaga; her translation of Vladimir Propp’s book, The Russian Folktale (Wayne State University Press) appeared in 2013.
Joy Neumeyer JOY NEUMEYER grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia and attended Brown University. After first coming to Moscow on a Fulbright grant, she spent several years there working as a journalist, writing about food, art, death, history, literature and pigeons. She is currently a PhD student in Soviet history at the University of California, Berkeley.
Polina Klyukina Polina Klyukina was born in Perm in 1986. Her short stories first appeared in Novy Mir in 2009, garnering her that year’s Debut Prize for young Russian authors. In addition to her two collections of short stories, her work has appeared in the anthology Squaring the Circle: Short Stories by Winners of the Debut Prize, compiled by Olga Slavnikova and published in 2010 by Glas. She currently lives in Moscow, where she works as a web editor and correspondent for Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Thomas Oles THOMAS OLES holds degrees in landscape architecture, urban and regional planning, and Slavic languages and literatures. He has practiced as a landscape architect and urban designer in New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Amsterdam. He currently teaches landscape architecture at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
Eugenia Sokolskaya EUGENIA SOKOLSKAYA came to the United States from Russia when she was four. In addition to a normal public-school education, she also received extensive instruction in Russian literature, film, and history from her parents. She is now a graduate of Swarthmore College and a freelance translator. In 2011, she was short-listed for the Rossica Young Translators Award.
Kenneth Lantz KENNETH LANTZ is Professor Emeritus of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Toronto and a specialist in nineteenth-century Russian literature. He is the author of The Dostoevsky Encyclopedia (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2004). His translation of Dostoevsky's Writer's Diary was awarded the AATSEEL Translation Prize for 1993.
Sarah Young SARAH YOUNG is a lecturer in Russian at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London. She previously held posts at the University of Toronto and the University of Nottingham. She is the author of Dostoevsky's 'The Idiot' and the Ethical Foundations of Narrative, and co-editor of em>Dostoevsky on the Threshold of Other Worlds. Her current projects expand her research on Dostoyevsky into new areas: she is writing a study of Russian labor camp narratives, and developing a literary cartography project, Mapping St Petersburg (mappingpetersburg.org). She blogs about her research and teaching at sarahjyoung.com.
Sergei Ershov SERGEI ERSHOV was born and raised in Moscow. Like many photographers, he got his start with a cheap film camera that he received as an early birthday present. He has been seriously developing his photographic hobby since 2005; his day job is in a large IT company in the capital. He specializes in cityscapes and landscape photography, seeking to capture a thought, a moment, an interesting composition of light. While he prefers to shoot in Russia, he frequently travels with his camera to Europe and the Far East. He blogs online at sergey-ershov.livejournal.com. He is the featured photographer for the 2014 Russian Life Wall Calendar.
Alexander Terekhov Alexander Terekhov was born in June 1966 in the provincial town of Tula, just south of Moscow. After graduating in journalism from Moscow State University, he was conscripted and served in the Soviet Union’s Internal Security Forces. After the army Terekhov worked as a reporter for the cultural sections of the journals Ogonek and Stolitsa, and then in various editorial positions. At the same time, he began to win acclaim for his literary dissection of military life and his depiction of the chaos that perestroika had ushered in across provincial Russia.
William Richardson William Richardson (1743-1814) was a Scottish classicist and literary scholar. His talent for languages led to employment as a tutor to Lord Charles Cathcart’s two sons. When Cathcart was appointed ambassador to Russia in 1768, Richardson travelled to Russia with the family. During these travels he described Russia through a series of letters, published in 1784 under the title Anecdotes of the Russian Empire.
Andrei Bely Andrei Bely (1880-1934), born Boris Nikolayevich Bugayev, lived in Moscow and became a novelist, poet, and literary theorist and critic. Vladimir Nabokov ranked Bely’s Petersburg one of the four best novels of the twentieth century. Bely’s prose and poetry were deeply influenced by both his theoretical constructs and, unusually, empirical analysis of his own and others’ work. Bely lived and worked in both tsarist and Bolshevik Russia, and, like many of his contemporaries, spent some years traveling and living in Europe.
Sigismund von Herberstein Sigismund von Herberstein (1486-1566) was a Carniolan diplomat, writer, historian and member of the Holy Roman Empire Imperial Council. He was sent to Russia twice (in 1517 and 1526) as ambassador of the Holy Roman Empire to arrange a truce and renew a treaty, respectively. His knowledge of Slovene allowed him to communicate with Russians. His ethnographic account of his time in Russia is one of the most extensive early European accounts of Russian life.
James Falen James Falen is emeritus professor of Russian at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His translation of Eugene Onegin is considered by many scholars and poets to be the finest interpretation of the work in English. He has also published a study of Isaac Babel, and has translated Pushkin’s dramatic works, a selection of Pushkin’s lyric poetry, Boris Pasternak’s My Sister Life, the Zhivago poems, as well as selected works by Akhmatova.
Nina Chordas Nina Chordas is an Associate Professor of English at the University of Alaska Southeast, and also works as a freelance translator. She translated Poems by Georgi Ivanov, and a series of lectures on “Soviet Civilization” by visiting Russian writer Andrey Sinyavsky, among others. In collaboration with Simon Patterson and Julia Kent she has translated and edited four books published by Glagoslav Publications.
Dmitry Zverev Dmitry Zverev was born in Moscow and is a member of the Russian Photographer’s Union. He has won the prestigious Silver Camera Award four times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011) and the Best Photographer Award in 2010.
Daniel O’Carroll Daniel O’Carroll is a pen name taken in honor of “a man of wonderful courage” by a grateful grand-nephew. Daniel O’Carroll taught both Irish language and mathematics for Dublin’s Jesuits. He was best known in Ireland for several “hair-breadth” escapes while working for the cause on Dublin’s Dorset Street. He later moved to Australia for health reasons, where he continued to pursue his lifelong interests in language and politics. He died of tuberculosis as a young man, on Christmas Day, 1924.
John Leafgren John Leafgren earned a PhD in Slavic linguistics at the University of Virginia in 1992. He is now a professor teaching Russian language and linguistics at the University of Arizona, publishing research in the area of Bulgarian linguistics.
Michael Wagner Michael Wagner worked as a physician before taking up a research career in biomedical informatics. Sanina and Wagner met by chance at a cafe a few years ago.
Mila Sanina Mila Sanina is the social media editor at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. She has worked at CNN International and the PBS NewsHour. Born and educated in Kazakhstan, she first experienced the United States in 2005 on a dairy farm in Chetek, Wisconsin, where she lived for a year as an exchange student sponsored by the U.S. State Department.
Simon Patterson Simon Patterson was born in New Zealand, but has been living in St. Petersburg, Russia for more than 15 years. He gained degrees in Russian Literature at Auckland University and Victoria University. Since 2001 he has been working as a freelance translator from Russian into English and from German into English, translating feature and documentary film scripts, articles on modern Russian literature, and literary works.
Maria Bloshteyn MARIA BLOSHTEYN emigrated from St. Petersburg with her family when she was eight years old and has always been fascinated with how different cultures interact and (mis)understand each other. She is a scholar of comparative literature and cultural studies with a special interest in Dostoyevsky’s impact on American literature (she authored The Making of a Counter-Culture Icon: Henry Miller’s Dostoyevsky). She is also a Russian-English translator (including Alexander Galich’s Dress Rehearsal) and lives in Toronto.
Nina Berberova NINA BERBEROVA (1901-1993) a writer and memoirist, was married to Vladislav Khodasevich. She gained fame for her stories about the life of émigrés in the Boulogne-Billancourt suburb of Paris but remained little-known outside the Russian émigré community. In 1985 her work was rediscovered and her novels, stories, and memoirs were translated and published to great international acclaim.
Alexander Bakhrakh ALEXANDER BAKHRAKH (1902-1985) was a journalist, critic, and memoirist who published widely in émigré journals and newspapers. During WWII he lived with Ivan Bunin, who sheltered him from the Nazis (Bakhrakh was Jewish). Bakhrakh worked in a pro-Soviet newspaper after the war, but in 15 the 1950s and 1960s worked for Radio Svoboda.
Yuri Annenkov YURI ANNENKOV (1889-1974) was an artist, illustrator, set and costume designer in theater and cinema, and writer (he wrote under the pseudonym Boris Temiryazev). He is probably best known for his brilliant illustrations to Blok’s poem The Twelve, which amazed Blok when he first saw them, but he was also an extremely accomplished portraitist and graphic designer, associated with the The World of Art group. An art director for many experimental productions and performances, Annenkov designed costumes and sets for many plays back in Russia, and was nominated for an Oscar in costume design in 1953.
Georgy Adamovich GEORGY ADAMOVICH (1892-1972) was a St. Petersburg poet who started out in Nikolay Gumilev’s Guild of Poets. He became one of the most important critics in emigration through the many regular articles he wrote for émigré newspapers and magazines. He was the chief proponent of the so-called “Parisian note” in émigré poetry. Among his critical targets were the young Nabokov and Marina Tsvetaeva. Adamovich was highly critical of his own poetry and published fewer than 140 poems during his lifetime.
Ivan Shmelyov IVAN SHMELYOV (1873-1950) was a Russian novelist and short-story writer, with a devoutly religious worldview. After his only son was executed by the Reds for being a former White officer, Shmelyov emigrated to France. He published in a collaborationist journal during the war, but later rejected accusations that he was a Nazi sympathizer. Shmelyov made many pilgrimages to various Orthodox holy sites and wrote about them at length. His most famous novel The Sun of the Dead, about the Bolshevik terror and famine in the Crimea, was translated into thirteen languages and praised by Thomas Mann and Rudyard Kipling.
Temira Pachmuss TEMIRA PACHMUSS (1927-2007) was a Professor of Slavic languages and literatures at the University of Illinois from 1961-99. She was born in Vask-Narva, Estonia, and educated in Germany, Australia, and the United States. She devoted her career to the work of Russian writers who fled the Soviet Union after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and took up residency all over the world. She is widely recognized for her work on Zinaida Gippius.
Irina Odoyevtseva IRINA ODOYEVTSEVA (pseudonym of Iraida Heinike, 1895-1990) was a poet, writer, and memoirist, as well as muse of her husband, the poet Georgy Ivanov. She achieved fame as a poet when she was a student at Nikolai Gumilev’s second Guild of Poets. She had a carefully crafted public image as "a little poetess with a huge bow" who would come up on stage and, in a lisping voice, read brutal ballads about murder and starvation. She began writing prose in emigration, but is now remembered chiefly for her two books of closely observed and beautifully written memoirs about poets and writers of the Silver Age, first in St. Petersburg right after the Revolution (On the Banks of the Neva [1967]) and then in Paris, between the wars (On the Banks of the Seine [1981]). She began to write a third book of memoirs, On the Banks of Lethe, but died before she could complete it.
Vladimir Nabokov VLADIMIR NABOKOV (1899-1977) is perhaps the best-known Russian-American author. His father was a member of the 1917 Provisional Government, which forced the family to flee to Crimea and then to Western Europe. Most famous for his novel Lolita, Nabokov wrote multiple highly acclaimed novels in English and in Russian, and went on to teach Russian poetry and literature. Early in his career he wrote under the pseudonym Vladimir Sirin.
Clare Kitson CLARE KITSON came to translation late, having spent thirty years in cinema and television, while learning Russian in her spare time. She has written two books, notably Yuri Norstein and Tale of Tales: an Animator’s Journey, and translated from Russian a variety of art-related texts. Her translation of Dina Yafasova’s "Don’t Call Me a Victim!" (in collaboration with Melanie Moore) will be published in 2014.
Sergei Lukyanenko SERGEI LUKYANENKO was born in Kazakhstan and educated as a psychiatrist. He began writing science fiction in the 1980s and has published over 25 books. The Watch series of novels excerpted in this issue have sold over 2 million copies worldwide and been published into 28 languages.
Maria Silina Maria Silina is an art historian currently working as a research scientist at the Research Institute for Theory and History of Visual Arts of the Russian Academy of Arts in Moscow. She is particularly interested in Soviet art and urban space, as well as the issues of public memory of the Soviet Union. She has written for a number of academic and popular journals.
Boris Zaitsev BORIS ZAITSEV (1881-1972) was a prolific writer, dramatist, and translator, considered by some to be the last surviving writer of the Silver Age. He knew Chekhov (who approved of his first stories) and was good friends with Bunin. He was the chairperson of the Russian émigré writers union in Paris for many years. He was deeply religious and his lyrical prose is imbued with a sense of a mystical-religious humanism, with which he counters the horrors of his times.
Maria Vega MARIA VEGA (pseudonym of Maria Volyntseva, 1898-1980) was a poet, translator, and song writer whose cabaret song Black Moth became a hit in Russian émigré communities all over the world and exists in countless versions. Missing Russia more and more as she got older, Vega accepted Soviet citizenship and returned to the USSR, where she published several volumes of poetry before she died.
Nadezhda Teffi NADEZHDA TEFFI (pseudonym of Nadezhda Lokhvitskaya, 1872-1952) was a literary superstar in pre-revolutionary Russia, whose witty, pointed, but unoffensive stories about the absurdities of life were memorized and quoted as soon as they were published, and whose legions of fans included all echelons of Russian society. In emigration she wrote about the many incongruities she observed in the Russian émigré community; these stories were pirated in Russia, where they were used to advance the thesis that the Russian émigrés were rotting away due to the emptiness and hopelessness of their lives. In response, Teffi wrote a public letter insisting that Soviets cease and desist; they did, but they also did not publish any of her stories at all for nearly fifty years.
Ilya Repin ILYA REPIN (1844-1930) was a prolific artist of the Realist tradition. He was the most renowned Russian artist of the 19th century, when his position in the world of art was comparable to that of Leo Tolstoy in literature.
Anne Marie Jackson Anne Marie Jackson lived in both Russia and Moldova in the 1990s. In Moldova, she was once shot dead by Chechen rebels in a Russian film. She studied translation at University College London and has since translated works by Maxim Osipov, Alexei Nikitin and Nadezhda Teffi, among others. She is the editor of Subtly Worded and Other Stories by Teffi, published by Pushkin Press in 2014.
Judith Hemschemeyer Judith Hemschemeyer is a retired professor of English who has been writing about and translating Russian poetry for several decades. Her Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova (Zephyr Press, 1990) is widely considered the finest English translation of the great poet’s works.
Sergei Gorodetsky SERGEI GORODETSKY (1884-1967) began his career as a Symbolist poet, working with themes drawn from Slavic folklore. In 1911 he rejected the mysticism of the Symbolists and, together with Nikolai Gumilyov, founded the Guild of Poets and the Acmeist movement. After the Revolution and Gumilyov’s arrest and execution, Gorodetsky repudiated his former friend and became a Soviet poet.
Ilya Ehrenburg ILYA EHRENBURG (1891-1967), born to a Jewish family in Kiev, became involved in the Bolshevik movement as early as 1905, in the wake of the first Russian Revolution. After his arrest and brief imprisonment by the Tsarist Okhrana in 1908, he was exiled to Paris, where he continued his political work and began his literary career as a poet and journalist in Montparnasse. Upon returning to Russia after the October Revolution, he grew temporarily disillusioned with the Bolshevik cause, put off by the violence he saw around him. He eventually reconciled with the regime, but preferred to spend his time abroad as a “cultural ambassador.” His lasting literary contributions are the pessimistic satirical novels he wrote in the early 1920s, most notably The Extraordinary Adventures of Julia Jurenito and his Disciples (1922). He will also be remembered for his work – alongside Vasily Grossman and members of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee – on the Black Book, one of the first documents to chronicle the horrors of the Holocaust, and for his novel The Thaw (1954), which lent its name to the period of liberalization that followed Stalin’s death.
Robert Bowie ROBERT BOWIE is professor emeritus of Russian at Miami University of Ohio. His translations of Ivan Bunin have been collected in Night of Denial: Stories and Novellas (Northwestern University Press, 2006).
Dorian Rottenberg Dorian Rottenberg was a noted translator of Russian literature, specializing in the translation of poetry (particularly Mayakovsky) and children’s books.
James McGavran James McGavran has taught Russian language and culture courses at Kenyon College, St. Olaf College, and Rutgers University, and he begins work as a lecturer in Russian at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 2014. His book of annotated translations of the poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, Selected Poems, is now available from Northwestern University Press, and he has also published articles and translations in Slavonica, Modern Poetry in Translation, and Slavic and East European Journal.
Kirill Levin KIRILL LEVIN (1892-1980) was a Soviet Jewish author who fought in the First World War and was held prisoner at both Austro-Hungarian and German POW camps. His experiences at the front and in captivity provided material for a series of popular memoirs and “documentary novels” published in the 1920s and 1930s.
Gary Kern GARY KERN earned his Ph.D. in Russian literature from Princeton University in 1969 and has taught Russian and world literature at the University of Rochester, the University of California, Riverside, and the University of Southern California. He has translated eight books from Russian, including Before Sunrise by Mikhail Zoshchenko (Ardis, 1974), The Education of a True Believer by Lev Kopelev (Harper & Row, 1980) and This I Cannot Forget: The Memoirs of Nikolai Bukharin’s Widow by Anna Larina (Norton, 1993). He is also the author of the critically acclaimed study The Kravchenko Case (Enigma Books, 2007), and A Death in Washington: Walter G. Krivitksy and the Stalin Terror (Enigma Books, 2003). He also wrote the play The Mad Kokoschka (1986), the memoirs Misfortune (1997), and Letters From Dwight (1998), all published by Xenos Books. His novel, The Last Snow Leopard (Ghost Dance, 1996), will soon be available from Xenos.
Valentin Katayev Valentin Petrovich Katayev (1897-1986) was a novelist and playwright. He showed remarkable political savvy, penning both works that satirized Soviet bureaucracy and that glorified Soviet achievements throughout a career that was both long and prolific. He is credited with suggesting the idea of The Twelve Chairs (1927) to his brother Yevgeny Petrov and Ilya Ilf, the price of which was that all editions of the book had to be dedicated to him.
Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939), the son of a shoemaker, was a highly influential and important painter at the turn of the century. During his earlier years, he developed his "spherical perspective": a unique twist that distorted the drawing as to represent the viewer high enough to actually notice the spherical curve of the globe. He used it extensively through his works like Death of a Commissar and In the Line of Fire, which make the observer seem more distant, but actually close.
Avrahm Yarmolinsky AVRAHM YARMOLINSKY (1890-1975) was born in what is now Ukraine and emigrated to the United States in 1913. He graduated from the City College of New York and earned his Ph.D. at Columbia University, later teaching Russian language and literature at both institutions, as well as heading the Slavonic Division of the New York Public Library. He wrote extensively on Russian literature and intellectual history, and translated many classics. He was the husband of poet Babette Deutsch, with whom he co-translated and co-edited anthologies of Russian and German poetry.
Donald C. Thompson Donald C. Thompson (1884-1947) was an iconic, adventure-seeking war photographer born in Topeka, Kansas. He was the first American photographer at Verdun, and war journalist Edward Powell said of him that he had “more chilled-steel nerve than any man I know.” Thompson repeatedly risked his life to capture the war on still and movie film, before returning to the US to share his experiences and images in public lectures, bringing the horrors of the war to US audiences. He supplied most of the footage for a 1915 film, With the Russians at the Front., and War as it Really Is (1916) among others. In late 1916 Thompson was sent to Petrograd with Florence Harper to cover the Russian side of the war for Leslie’s Weekly when the February Revolution broke out. His photographs from 1917 are a stark and rich documentary of events. The photos in this issue are taken from his 1918 book covering that period, Blood-Stained Russia.
Nikolai Tikhonov Nikolai Tikhonov (1896-1979) was born to petty tradesmen descended from serfs. Trained as a clerk, he volunteered for the army at the outbreak of WWI and served in the hussars, then served in the Red Army from 1918 to 1922. Devoting himself almost exclusively to writing and travel after 1922, Tikhonov became a founding member of the Serapion Brothers literary group, and was chair of the Union of Writers from 1944-46, a position from which he was dismissed by Stalin for being too tolerant of Zoshchenko and Akhmatova. He nonetheless remained influential in literary circles until his death.
Martin Parker MARTIN PARKER first translated A Hero of Our Time in 1947. The work gained esteem for not being on Nabokov’s list of mistranslations of Lermontov’s novel.
Ivan Goncharov IVAN GONCHAROV (1812-1891) was a writer, translator and, perhaps incongruously, a censor. He is best known for his three novels: A Common Story (1847), Oblomov (1859), and The Precipice (1869). He also wrote poems and theater criticism. Near the end of his life he wrote a memoir in which he accused other writers, especially Turgenev, of plagiarizing his works and thus keeping him from becoming as famous as he ought to have been. He was deeply admired by both Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky; Chekhov said that Goncharov was “ten heads above me in talent.”
Yevgeny Baratynsky YEVGENY BARATYNSKY (1800-1844) was a poet of the Romantic period who was hailed by Alexander Pushkin as Russia’s finest elegiac poet. Baratynsky was coolly received by the public, however, for his emphasis on thought at the expense of the pathos that characterized poetry at the time – a disappointment that contributed to the intense personal and professional isolation he experienced toward the end of his life. Long obscured by Pushkin’s shadow, Baratynsky was rediscovered in the early twentieth century by the Russian Symbolists, who revered his work for its intellectual strength.
Ivan Aksakov IVAN AKSAKOV (1823-1886) was a writer and journalist, the son of the far more famous writer and memoirist Sergei Aksakov, and son-in-law of the poet Fyodor Tyutchev. A noted Slavophile, Ivan fought in the Crimean War and later promoted Pan-Slavism during the Russo-Turkish War. There is a town in northeastern Bulgaria named for him.
A Z Foreman A.Z. FOREMAN is a translator and interpreter. He has been obsessed with languages and literature since the age of 12. He is self-taught in many of the languages he translates, though he also holds a bachelors degree in linguistics from the University of Chicago, and a masters degree in Arabic from the University of Maryland. He blogs at poemsintranslation.blogspot.com
Natalia Kopaneva Natalia Kopaneva took her degree in philology, but has mainly worked in the fields of history and museum studies. Presently a senior staffer at the Kunstkamera, her research work focuses mainly on the eighteenth century, with special emphasis on the history of the St. Petersburg Academy, the Kunstkamera, and connections between Russian science and culture with the West. She co-directed the exhibition Peter and Holland, which appeared in St. Petersburg and Amsterdam, and is a recipient of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Lilianna Lungina Liliana Lungina was a leading literary translator in the Soviet Union. She translated, among many authors, the works of Astrid Lindgren, August Stringerg, Henrik Ibsen, Henrich Boll, Knut Hamsun, and Boris Vian. The acclaimed director Oleg Dorman interviewed Lungina for a documentary film based on her life, which was released in 2009 and became one of the most popular television programs in Russian history. The documentary was then transcribed into a book, Podstrochnik, which was a bestseller, and which is has released in English by Overlook Press, under the title Word for Word.
Ivan Turgenev IVAN TURGENEV (1818-1883) was a novelist, playwright and short story writer born in Oryol. He burst onto the literary scene with his short story collection, A Sportsman’s Sketches (1852), followed by Fathers and Sons (1862). Most of his later life he lived abroad (both to avoid the stifling rule of Nicholas I and to pursue his love of Pauline Viardot), and he had testy or difficult relationships with both Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy (who at one point challenged him to a duel). The Diary of a Superfluous Man was written while Turgenev was still in Russia. Rudin was written after his emigration.
Stephen Pearl STEPHEN PEARL was a simultaneous interpreter at the United Nations for more than thirty years and was Chief of English Interpretation there for fifteen years. He is a graduate of St. John’s College, Oxford University with an M.A. in Classics. His translation of Oblomov was awarded the 2008 AATSEEL Prize for best translation from Slavic language to English.
Lydia Chukovskaya Lydia Chukovskaya (1907-1996) was the daughter of Korney Chukovsky and an accomplished author in her on right, most notably for her novel Sofia Petrovna, a harrowing tale of life during the purges. She wrote very personal chronicles of the horrors of Soviet totalitarianism, to which she and her family had fallen victim in the 1930s, was a close friend and chronicler of Anna Akhmatova, and publicly defended persecuted dissidents like Aleksander Solzhenitsyn and Andrei Sakharov.
Vladimir Britanishsky VLADIMIR BRITANISHSKY (b. 1933) is a Russian poet and prolific translator of American, British and Polish poetry (especially Zbigniew Herbert, Czeslaw Milosz and E. E. Cummings). His first poetry collection, published in 1958, was subsequently praised by Josef Brodsky. Britanishsky’s numerous publications over the last 15 years include From Whitman to Lowell, a collection of American poetry in Russian translation, and an anthology of twentieth century Polish poetry translated jointly with his wife.
Olga Bergholz Olga Bergholz (1910-1975) was a poet and journalist who lived and worked in Leningrad. Her successful literary life was interrupted by family tragedies in the 1930s and imprisonment in 1938. Exonerated in 1939, she went on to become the voice of hope for Leningraders during the Siege, encouraging the starving city’s residents with her speeches and poetry.
Arseny Berezin Arseny Berezin is a physicist, mathematician and nonfiction writer. His essays and memoirs about intellectual life in the Soviet Union have been published in Zvezda and Zarubezhnye Zapiski.
Konstantin Azadovsky KONSTANTIN AZADOVSKY (b. 1941) is a literary scholar and translator known for his translations of German literature, particularly the works of Rainer Maria Rilke, and his scholarly work on the Russian Symbolists. During the 1980s Azadovsky was sentenced to two years of hard labor in Magadan after refusing to testify against a journalist, and was subsequently rehabilitated in 1989. He serves on the editorial boards of the journals Zvezda and New Literary Observer, directs the executive committee of the St. Petersburg PEN chapter, and has been a juror for the Russian Booker Prize.
Carol Ueland Carol Ueland is a professor of Russian at Drew University whose research interests include twentieth-century Russian literature, women’s studies, poetry, and translation studies. She has translated two books of Alexander Kushner’s poetry, Apollo in the Snow (1991, reissue in 2015), and Apollo in the Grass (July 2015).
Evgenia Shcheglova Evgenia Shcheglova was born in Leningrad in 1951 and has emerged as a leading literary critic in St. Petersburg. Her frequent essays and reviews of contemporary Russian literature have been published in many of the country’s leading journals, including Zvezda and Novy Mir. An active proponent of the literary community, Evgenia is a member of the Writers’ Union of St. Petersburg and serves as Chief Editor of publications at the Russian Institute of Art History.
Izrail Metter Izrail Moiseyevich Metter (1909-1996) was a Leningrad poet and screenwriter who also taught mathematics. His writings and screenplays were noted for their truthful realism and his ability to show life as it really was. He worked for Leningrad radio during the Siege, and was one of the notable few who publicly stood in defense of Zoshchenko when he was being persecuted after the war.
KOBRA KOBRA was the pen name of the journalists Konstantin Bogolyubov (pseudonym N. Konstantinov) and Yuli Sharo-Rest (pseudonym B. Rest), who published a series of satirical feuilletons during the 1930s in the newspaper Literary Leningrad. Though lesser known than their peers, Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov, the duo produced a significant body of work that was eventually collected in The Tales of KOBRA, published in Leningrad in 1965. Bogolyubov was executed during the Great Purge in 1937, at the age of 32.
Lydia Ginzburg Lydia Ginzburg (1902-1990) was an important literary critic and historian. A survivor of the Siege of Leningrad, she went on to author many seminal works of literary criticism, including studies of lyrical poetry and psychological prose. Her journals, which she began to write in the 1920s and kept for the next 60 years, did not begin to be printed and published until the late 1980s. Since then, Ginzburg has come under increasing study as a major Russian literary figure of the twentieth century.
Alexander Belyaev Alexander Belyaev (1884-1942) was a leading figure in Soviet science fiction whose works from the 1920s and 1930s earned him the title of “Russia’s Jules Verne.” Belyaev wrote dozens of stories and 13 novels, including Professor Dowell’s Head and the well-known Amphibian Man, which were both later turned into films. He died of starvation in the occupied town of Pushkin, after refusing to evacuate while he was recovering from an operation.
Mikhail Ancharov Mikhail Ancharov (1923-1990) was a writer, poet, and one of the first Soviet bards to pioneer the country’s singer-songwriting genre. After completing his studies in oriental languages at the Military Academy of the Red Army, he was sent to the Far Eastern front during World War II to serve as a Chinese translator. In the latter half of his life Ancharov became a prolific screenwriter, writing the screenplay for the first Soviet television serial “Day After Day.”
Oleg Klimov OLEG KLIMOV was trained as an astrophysicist, yet has been working as an acclaimed photographer and photojournalist since the break up of the USSR. He documented the Soviet collapse, as well as the wars in Chechnya and the Balkans, and is presently working on a project about Russia’s water borders, and on liberty.su, a documentary photography network on the territory of the former USSR.
Alexander Kushner Alexander Kushner (b. 1936) is a poet from St. Petersburg who writes in classic, nineteenth century style. Josef Brodsky once called him “one of the best lyrical poets of the twentieth century.” He received the prestigious Pushkin Prize for poetry in 2001. Two of his many books of poetry have been translated into English and are published by Farrar Straus Giroux.
Kevin Reese Kevin Reese is a lecturer in Russian language and literature at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. He is currently working on a book about the role of astronomy and cosmology in the works of the Strugatsky brothers. His translations of excerpts from the Strugatskys’ Those Burdened by Evil and of Vladimir Savchenko’s story “Mixed-Up” will appear in the upcoming collection Red Star Tales, published by Russian Life Books.
Olga Larionova Olga Larionova (b. 1935) is one of the leading Russian science fiction writers of her generation. She is known for her novel Leopards from the Heights of Kilimanjaro, as well as dozens of short stories, and even a “cosmic opera,” often imbued with strong female characters. In 1987 she received the Aelita Prize for the best Russian science fiction, one of only two female authors to ever win the award.
Yvonne Howell Yvonne Howell is Professor of Russian and International Studies at the University of Richmond. She is the author of Apocalyptic Realism: The Science Fiction of Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (1994), as well as numerous chapters, articles, and translations. Her research centers on the question of how the relationship between scientific progress and humanistic thought is worked out differently in different cultures, with profound implications for national identity and state agendas. She is the editor of Red Star Tales: An Anthology of Russian and Soviet Science Fiction, published by Russian Life books in fall 2015.
Theo Elie Theo Elie (pseudonym for Fyodor Ilyin) (1873-1959) was a scientist, medical doctor and author of one of the earliest works of Soviet science fiction, The Valley of New Life, published under the pen name Theo Elie. After losing his vision completely at age 65, Ilyin continued to give lectures, dictate new publications and practice medicine. His antiutopian themes have been described as predecessors to the ides in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
Sergei Drugal Sergei Drugal (1927-2011) was born in Kazakhstan and trained as a railway engineer. It wasn’t until age 50 that he began to publish his first stories, combining his interests in ecology and pedagogy to create a series about a futuristic institute that perfects nature using the advancements of science. A recipient of the Aelita Prize for the best Russian work in the science fiction genre, Drugal’s writings have been translated into Polish, German and Hungarian. His story “Every Tree Has Its Bird” appears in the English-language anthology of Russian fantastical fiction Tower of Birds, published in 1989.
Kir Bulychev Kir Bulychev (1934-2003) was the pen name of Igor Mozheiko, a prolific Soviet science fiction writer who wrote for adults and children alike. He spent his professional career as an expert on Burmese history at the Institute of Oriental Studies in Moscow, penning hundreds of novels and short stories on the side. The author of more than 20 scripts, Bulychev is the Russian science fiction author who has been most widely adapted to film.
Stanislav Rosin STANISLAV ROSIN is a Russian-born illustrator and graphic artist who lives in Germany. He is a prolific and award-winning illustrator of science fiction literature. The black and white presentations of his illustrations inside this issue don’t do proper justice to his work, which features rich, vibrant colors and engrossing details. Be sure to visit his website at habitus.de.vu.
Muireann Maguire Muireann MaguireRed Spectres: Russian Twentieth Century Gothic Tales (London: 2012 and New York: 2013), a collection of previously untranslated short stories by Mikhail Bulgakov, Aleksandr Grin, Sigizmund Krzhizhanovskii and others; and Before I Croak (Prezhde chem sdokhnu), a novel by the Debut Prize-winning author Anna Babiashkina, published by Glas.
Dalia Truskinovskaya Dalia Truskinovskaya was born in Riga in 1951 and studied philology at the University of Latvia. Since the publication of her book of short stories, The Smell of Amber, in 1984, she has gone on to publish nearly a dozen novels and short story collections in the science fiction genre. She continues to live and work in Riga as a journalist and Russian-language author whose books enjoy great success in Russia.
J.M. Sidorova J.M. Sidorova is a Russian-born American biomedical scientist and author of speculative fiction. Her debut novel, The Age of Ice (Scribner/Simon & Schuster), was published in 2013, and her short stories appeared in Clarkesworld, Asimov’s, Abyss and Apex, and other venues. She is a graduate of the prestigious Clarion West workshop for writers.
Vladimir Kovner VLADIMIR KOVNER is an engineer, a journalist, and an EnglishRussian translator and editor, specializing in poetry, bard songs, ballet and idioms. He and Lydia Stone have been collaborating since 2005. Vladimir was an active participant in the bard movement and his article The Golden Age of “Magnitizdat” is a classic discussion of this era in Soviet history. He has contributed numerous articles to collections about Bulat Okudzhava, in addition to writing on other literary topics for books and journals in both Russian and English. He has also published two books of poetic translation, Pet the Lion, 2010, and Edward Lear. The complete limericks with drawings, a bilingual English-Russian book (2015). He and Stone are completing work on an English-Russian idiom dictionary.
Nadia Sablin Nadia Sablin is a freelance photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She won the Center for Documentary Studies/Honickman First Book Prize in Photography for her color photographs documenting time spent with her Russian aunts over seven summers, published in the Duke University Press book, Aunties.
Konstantin Dubkov KONSTANTIN DUBKOV was born in the closed city of Chelyabinsk-65. He moved to Sverdlovsk (now known as Yekaterinburg) to study at the Sverdlovsk Art School named for Ivan Shadr, and later at the Ural State Academy of Architecture and Arts. He got his start drawing the children’s page for a local newspaper, quickly turning it into a comics page with regular characters. It was a turning point in his career as a comic strip artist and he continues to draw comics and do commercial work, particularly that which can have a social impact. His website is at dubkovke.com.
Keith Blasing Keith Blasing became infatuated with Russian literature as a student at the University of Tennessee and pursued this infatuation to the PhD level at the University of Wisconsin. He wrote his dissertation on the works of Andrei Platonov and continues to be interested in the history and culture of the early Soviet period. He has translated a number of works by Platonov and other authors and works as a translator and editor based in Lexington, Kentucky.
Aleksandre Qazbegi Aleksandre Qazbegi is one of Georgia’s most beloved and revered writers. He came of age in Khevi, a mountainous region of northern Georgia, near the border with what is now Russia’s North Caucasus. He was briefly educated in St. Petersburg, but failed to complete his university studies, due to his father’s sudden illness and family debts. When Qazbegi returned to Georgia after his studies in Russia, he began living the life of a shepherd (as narrated in “Notes of a Shepherd”) before he settled in Tbilisi, where he became Georgia’s first professional writer and the author of daring short stories and novellas that challenged conventional morality and criticized Georgian society.
Ralph Matlaw Ralph Matlaw (1927-1990) edited many translations of Russian classics and taught at Harvard, Princeton, the University of Illinois, Urbana and at the University of Chicago.
Olga Koshansky-Oleinikov Olga Koshansky-Oleinikov was a professor of Russian at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
Peter Constantine Peter Constantine is a prolific translator from several languages into English. He was awarded the National Translation Award for The Undiscovered Chekhov: Thirty-Eight New Stories. His translation of the complete works of Isaac Babel received the Koret Jewish Literature Award and a National Jewish Book Award citation. He has also translated Gogol’s Taras Bulba and Tolstoy’s The Cossacks. He is a senior editor at Conjunctions.
Laurence Bogoslaw Laurence Bogoslaw earned his Ph.D. in Slavic Languages from the University of Michigan in 1995. He has taught Russian language, literature, and translation courses at Gustavus Adolphus College, Macalester College, Hamline University, the University of Minnesota, and Century College. He directs the Minnesota Translation Laboratory, a translation and consulting service that he co-founded in 1996.
Isaac Babel Isaac Babel (1894-1940) was a journalist, playwright, translator and short story writer whose works include the masterpieces Red Cavalry and The Odessa Tales. He was loyal to the communist party but did not restrain from criticizing it. As a result of his long-term affair with the wife of NKVD chief Nikolai Yezhov, Babel was arrested in 1939 and executed in a Soviet prison in 1940, after confessing falsely to being a foreign spy and Trotskyite.
José Vergara José Vergara is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His current research focuses on the intertextual relations between James Joyce and Russian writers such as Vladimir Nabokov and Andrei Bitov. He has published articles on Yury Olesha and the Czech multilingual poet Ivan Blatný, as well as a book chapter on Daniil Kharms.
Boris Slutsky Boris Slutsky (1919-1986) was a Ukrainian born poet who wrote in Russian. His experiences in World War II had a great impact on his coarse and conversational poetry, and he was one of the most important representatives of the “war generation” of Russian poets. Soon after Stalin’s death, verses that some attributed to Slutsky, and that were highly critical of Stalinism, circulated in samizdat. Slutsky never confirmed or denied his authorship.
Boris Poplavsky Boris Poplavsky (1903-1935) was an émigré Russian poet. Both of his parents gave up music to support the family by going into business. The family fled Russia in 1919 for Ukraine (where Poplavsky read his first poetry) then moved on to Constantinople and Paris, where Poplavsky was very active in émigré culture while also continuing his education. He died of a drug poisoning along with an acquaintance, S. Yarkho, which has been variously called suicide and murder at the hands of the suicidal Yarkho, who wanted someone to accompany him to the other side.
Victor Pelevin Victor Pelevin studied at Moscow’s Gorky Institute of Literature, and is one of the few novelists today who writes seriously about what is happening in contemporary Russia. His work has been translated into fifteen languages and his novels Omon Ra, The Life of Insects, The Clay Machine-Gun and Babylon, as well as two collections of short stories, have been published in English to great acclaim.
Julie Masis Julie Masis is a freelance journalist whose stories have appeared in the Guardian, Christian Science Monitor, Globe and Mail, Boston Globe, Montreal Gazette, and on the Reuters news wire. In addition to Ukraine, she has reported from the US, Canada, Cambodia, China, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Moldova. She has also taught English to Buddhist monks and organized guided tours to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. Her blog is online at juliemasis.wordpress.com
Álvaro Laiz Álvaro Laiz is an award-winning photographer whose work focuses on realities ignored by mass media. He sees photography as a tool that allows civil society in post-conflict zones to be heard. His work has been published in The New York Times, Forbes, National Geographic, The Sunday Times and many others.
Marian Fell Marian Fell was a prolific translator, particularly of the works of Chekhov, early in the twentieth century.
Vladimir Odoyevsky VLADIMIR ODOYEVSKY (1803-1869) was a prominent philospher, writer, teacher, critic and philanthropist. He is best known today for his authorship of The Russian Nights (1844), a collection of writings that interlaced stories and novellas with philosophical conversations, yet he was also a renowned music critic.
Isabel Hapgood Isabel Hapgood (1851-1928) was one of the earliest American translators of Russian literature into English. The daughter of a Boston inventor, she introduced Americans to the works of Tolstoy, Chekhov, Gogol, and others (including the French writer Victor Hugo), and to Russian epic songs. She also traveled to Russia frequently, did journalism, and knew Tolstoy personally. She was in Russia when the Bolshevik Revolution broke out and was one of the first to report on the murder of the Romanovs.
Vsevolod Garshin VSEVOLOD GARSHIN (1855-1888) was a Russian short story author whose works were primarily based on his experiences of serving as a soldier and being wounded in the Russo-Turkish War. Despite achieving early literary recognition, Garshin suffered from mental illness and eventually died after a suicide attempt at the age of 33. His story “The Red Flower” is often placed within the canon of Russian asylum stories that include Gogol’s “Diary of a Madman” and Chekhov’s “Ward No. 6.”
Maxim Dmitriev Maxim Dmitriev was born in 1858, in the village of Povalishno, Tambov Province, about 500 kilometers southeast of Moscow. Russia's first photojournalist, he made his career in Nizhny Novgorod, which now houses a museum honoring his life's work.
Evan Haddad Evan Haddad is an American writer, teacher and dating expert living in Moscow. He has written for The Moscow Times about local culture and immigrant experiences in Russia.
From the Ends to the Beginning TATIANA TULCHINSKY, ANDREW WATCHTEL and GWENAN WILBUR are translators for the online project From the Ends to the Beginning: A Bilingual Anthology of Russian Poetry, supported by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literature at Northwestern University. The aim of the project is to provide an intelligently chosen, well-translated, and comprehensive anthology of Russian poetry from its beginnings in the eighteenth century to the contemporary scene.
Roland Smith ROLAND SMITH was a member of the British Embassy in Petrograd, or modern-day St. Petersburg, during the period shortly after the creation of the Soviet Union. His translated collection of short stories by Vsevolod Garshin, entitled The Signal and Other Stories, was published by by Duckworth and Company in 1915.
Elena Pedigo Clark ELENA PEDIGO CLARK received an MA in Russian Translation from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is currently Postdoctoral Fellow of Russian at Wake Forest University. Her research interests include translation, poetic form, and depictions of Finland in Russian literature. When not occupied with her day job, she writes Slavic-themed fiction; her debut novel, The Midnight Land, has recently been released.
Mikhail Lomonosov Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-1765) was a physicist, chemist, astronomer and writer who is regarded as the leading figure of the Russian Enlightenment. After studying in Marburg, Germany, Lomonosov returned to Russia and became a strong proponent of developing higher education and scientific study in Russia. He went on to become a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and founded Moscow State University, which still bears his name. Lomonosov was also a poet whose writings influenced the development of the modern Russian literary language.
Alexander Levitsky ALEXANDER LEVITSKY is Professor of Slavic Studies at Brown University, where he previously served as Chair of the Department of Slavic Languages, specializing in eighteenth century and modern Russian literature, Czech literature, and Slavic Baroque. A native of Prague, Czech Republic, he became a political refugee in 1964 and since then has lived and worked in the West. His publications include a study of Russian Fantasy entitled Worlds Apart (Overlook Press, 2007) and poetry translations in the Anthology of Czech Poetry (Ann Arbor, 1973). His new translations of Russia’s leading eighteenth century poet, Gavrila Derzhavin, and of Mikhail Lermontov appeared in the Penguin Anthology of Russian Poetry.
Sofony of Ryazan Sofony of Ryazan was a boyar from Bryansk region who later became a priest and is the presumed author of the Zadonshchina.
Serge Zenkovsky SERGE ZENKOVSKY (1907-1990) was Professor Emeritus of Slavic Civilization and Literatures at Vanderbilt University, having previously taught at Indiana University, Harvard University, Stetson University, the University of Colorado, the University of Wisconsin, and Heidelberg University (Germany). Born in Kiev to a prominent economist, Zenkovsky fled with his family after the Russian Revolution and studied in Paris and Prague before finally entering American academia in 1950. He is the author of numerous studies of Russian history and literature, and his pioneering anthology Medieval Russia’s Epics, Chronicles, and Tales (1963, 1st ed.) is required reading in Slavic doctoral programs. Shortly before his death, Zenkovsky, along with his wife, completed a translation of the five-volume Nikonian Chronicle, a monumental work compiled in sixteenth century Moscow that traces Russian history from its earliest beginnings in the ninth century through the year 1520.
Vladimir Berezin Vladimir Berezin was born in Moscow and has degrees from Moscow State University (physics) and the Literature Institute. He worked for Ex Libris, a supplement to Nezavisimaya Gazeta, and Book Review newspaper. His fiction, criticism, and essays regularly appear in Russian literary and cultural periodicals. His works have been translated into English, German, French, Chinese, Polish, Serbian, and Norwegian.
Gleb Alexeyev Gleb Alexeyev was born in Moscow in 1892 and wrote his first story when he was sixteen. He fought in the First World War as a pilot, and was wounded. During the Civil War, he was a homeless refugee and ended up abroad, but in 1923 returned to Russia, by which time he was already a famous author. He was arrested in 1938 and died in prison. He was rehabilitated after Stalin’s death and in 1961 a one-volume collection of his works was published, yet it did not include Underground Moscow.
Sarah Richardson Sarah Richardson graduated from Davidson College with a degree in Political Science and Spanish.
Irina Polyanskaya Irina Polyanskaya was born in the family of a persecuted scientist who worked on secret nuclear projects in a Stalinist camp. She eventually graduated from the Gorky Institute of Literature, and gained public recognition as an actor, writer, and editor. The story in this volume was awarded the Yuri Kozakov Award for the Best Short Story of the Year in 2003.
Ivan Oshchepkov Ivan OshChepkov is a philosopher and freelance photographer. A graduate of Moscow State University, he is now doing graduate work studying Ancient Greek philosophy, Plato and his later dialectic. He travels frequently around Russia, seeking through his photography to convey the uniqueness of all the places he visits. More of his images can be viewed online at: Flickr
Alexander Kosarev Alexander Kosarev was born in Moscow and did his military service in Kamchatka and Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. He later graduated from the Mendeleev Chemistry and Technology University. His travels around the world inspired him to write many adventure novels; he is also a recognized authority on treasures buried during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. Kosarev is the author of many books, including four children books, historical non-fiction, and adventure stories. Cardboard Stars is his memoir of the Vietnam War.
Oleg Korionov Oleg Korionov was born in Samara and studied music very seriously until his parents diverted him to a different career path. He graduated with a degree in journalism from Moscow State University, and traveled the country as a newspaper reporter. He now lives in Moscow, from where he has traveled to many other countries, working for various communications agencies. He started writing stories in 2013. "Trash" was one of three pieces included in his debut publication in Russia, in 2016.
A.F.B. Clark Professor A. F. B. Clark translated several works by Pushkin in the 1930s. He taught French in the University of British Columbia and was an authority on English-French literary relations in the eighteenth century.
Vladimir Dal Vladimir Dal (1801-1872) was a renowned Russian language lexicographer who compiled the four-volume Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language (commonly known as “Dal’s Dictionary”), one of the founding dictionaries of the Russian language. The work was unique for including not only word entries but accompanying explanatory material on Russian everyday life, traditions, proverbs and beliefs.
Alexander Vygalov Alexander Vygalov is a artist who lives and works in Yekaterinburg. His website is: piat.ru
Aylmer Maude Aylmer Maude (1858-1938) was working in Moscow as director of the Anglo-Russian Carpet Company when he met and married Louise Maude (1855-1939), one of six children of the expatriate British businessman James Stewart Shanks, co-owner of a jewelry business and English store. The couple lived for many years in Moscow, became close friends with Leo Tolstoy, and spent the last 40 years of their lives translating and promoting his work from England. Tolstoy thought highly of the Maudes’ translations, saying better translators “could not be invented.”
Gerard Ledger Gerard Ledger is a retired professor of classics. Much of his academic work focused on Plato (e.g. Re-counting Plato, Oxford University Press), yet he has had an interest in Russian literature since his early twenties, and labored for many years to improve his knowledge of Russian. He lives in Oxford, England.
Natalia Karelskaya Natalia Karelskaya is a Moscow-based photographer and reporter. She works for the weekly magazine Bolshoy Gorod and business daily Vedomosti. Educated as a graphic designer, she has participated in several group shows in Moscow.
Maxim Gorky Maxim Gorky (born Alexei Peshkov, 1868-1936) achieved acclaim for searing autobiographical fiction (The Lower Depths, 1902) that revealed the seamy side of Russian life. Long active in politics and staunchly anti-tsarist, he spent a good part of his life abroad, including after the Bolshevik Revolution, when he dissented with the new regime, and yet was lionized by it. Convinced by Stalin to return to the USSR in 1932, he was coopted to serve the dictator’s ends, and helped found Socialist Realism.
Vladimir Dobrovolsky Vladimir N. Dobrovolsky (1856-1920) was an ethnographer, folklorist and lexicographer who is particularly known for his volume of studies on the language and traditions of his native Smolensk province. He was killed when a wagon that was giving him a ride through the Smolensk countryside came under fire.
Konstantin Makovsky Konstantin Yegorovich Makovsky (1839-1915) was an influential Russian painter affiliated with the Peredvizhniki (Itinerant) movement. Many of his historical paintings, such as The Russian Bride's Attire (1889), showed an idealized view of Russian life of prior centuries. He is often considered a representative of a Salon art.
Galina Ulianova Galina Ulianova is Senior Researcher at the Center for Studies in Russian History of the nineteenth Century (Institute of Russian History, Russian Academy of Sciences) and a member of the Advisory Committee of Russian Studies in History (USA). She has written several scholarly books on Russian history, including Female Entrepreneurs in Nineteenth-Century Russia; her articles appear in journals in the United States, Germany and Britain.
David Samoylov David Samoylov (born David Samuilovich Kaufman, 1920-1990) was an important Russian poet of the post-war era who also translated from Estonian, Polish, Hungarian and Czech into Russian.
Olga Romanova Olga Romanova is a renowned journalist and the executive director of the civil rights movement Russia Behind Bars (Rus’ Sidyaschaya). She became widely known in 1999-2005 for her analytical show on Ren-TV, 24 with Olga Romanova, followed by positions at Echo of Moscow radio, the newspapers Segodnya, Versiya, Vedomosti, and Novaya Gazeta, as well as The New Times and Slon Magazine. Her work as a human rights activist began after her husband was arrested in 2008 on politically motivated charges.
Ivan Rom-Lebedev Ivan Rom-Lebedev (1903-1991) was perhaps the leading cultural figure of Roma background during the Soviet period. A virtuoso guitarist, actor and writer, Rom-Lebedev became a founding director of the Gypsy theater in Moscow, Romen, in 1931. He devoted the rest of his life to the theater and wrote several dozen plays, some of which are still staged.
Carl Proffer CARL R. PROFFER (1938-1984) was an American publisher, professor, and translator of Russian literature. He was a renowned scholar and a major force in Russian-American literary relations from 1969 until his death. Together with his wife Ellendea Proffer, he was a founder of Ardis Publishing, the largest publishing house devoted to Russian literature outside of the Soviet Union, and co-editor of Russian Literature Triquarterly (1971–91). He also did numerous translations, and edited many anthologies of Russian writing.
Roger Cockrell ROGER COCKRELL graduated from the University of London’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies and received his Ph.D from the University of Exeter. He is currently an Honorary Fellow in Russian and the University of Exeter. His publications include Russian Views of Pushkin (with David Richards), The Voice of A Giant: Essays on Seven Russian Prose Classics (with David Richards), The Exeter English-Russian Dictionary of Cultural Terms, and Bolshevik Ideology and Literature, 1917-1927. He translated Mikhail Bulgakov’s novels The Fatal Eggs and The White Guard.
Hugh Aplin Hugh Aplin worked at the Universities of Leeds and St. Andrews before taking up his current post as Head of Russian at Westminster School, London. Among his many translations are Anton Chekhov’s The Story of a Nobody, Nikolai Gogol’s The Tales of Belkin, Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes From the Underground, Ivan Turgenev’s Faust, and Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We, all published by Hesperus Press.
Mikhail Gerasimov MIKHAIL GERASIMOV (1889-1939) was one of the original working class poets spawned by the Revolution. He initially embraced Bolshevism and took part in the effort to create proletarian culture, but in the 1920s his disillusionment grew, and his writings began to diverge from the official line. He was arrested in 1937 and died in prison two years later.
Rose France ROSE FRANCE is a Teaching Fellow at the University of Edinburgh. She has translated Lermontov, Teffi and Zoshchenko, among others, and researches literary translation and the works of Zoshchenko and Teffi.
Louise Bryant LOUISE BRYANT (1885-1936) was an American journalist. She married John Reed in 1916 and their coverage of the Revolution was noted for its sympathetic treatment of the Bolsheviks. After returning to the US, Bryant toured the country speaking in favor of recognition of the new regime and against US intervention in the Russian Civil War. After Reed’s death, she was married to William C. Bullitt from 1923-1930; Bullitt went on to become the first US Ambassador to the USSR in 1933.
Maria Bochkareva MARIA BOCHKAREVA (1889-1920) was born in Novgorod region. After the February 1917 Revolution, she established the Women’s Battalion of Death, leading 300 women to fight against the Germans. Largely illiterate, she had a prodigious memory and in 1918 dictated her incredible life story to Isaac Levine (which has been republished by Russian Life Books as Maria’s War). Two years later, in 1920, she was captured by Red forces during the Civil War and executed.
Vsevolod Ivanov VSEVOLOD IVANOV (1895-1963) was notable for creating adventure novels set in Eastern Russia during the Civil War, most notably Armored Train 14-69, largely informed by his own service in the Red Army. His works were criticized for being too pessimistic, but he continued to write, correcting himself. During World War II he was a war correspondent for Izvestia.
Louis S. Friedland LOUIS S. FRIEDLAND (1884-1955) and JOSEPH R. PIROSHNIKOFF translated a few books together, including a book on ethics by Prince Pyotr Koropotkin. Friedland was associate editor of the original The Russian Review journal (published 1916-1918) and a lecturer at New York City College. He was one of the first to translate Chekhov’s letters, in 1924.
Alexander Grin ALEXANDER GRIN (1880-1932), born Alexander Grinevsky, was best known as a writer of fantasy novels and stories of the sea (especially Scarlet Sails). His short stories after the revolution were extremely popular and he moved to Feodosiya in Crimea. But his romanticism came into conflict with the new regime and he and his wife sunk into poverty, alcoholism and illness. He died of cancer in Stary Krym.
Mirra Ginsburg MIRRA GINSBURG (1909-2000) was a Jewish Russian-American translator of Russian literature, a collector of folk tales, and a children’s writer.
James Womack JAMES WOMACK is a freelance translator from Russian and Spanish, and has translated authors such as Vladimir Mayakovsky, Sever Gansovsky and the Strugatsky Brothers. He also runs the publishing house Ediciones Nevsky, which produces Spanish translations of Russian books, and which recently has started to publish books in English. He has published one collection of poetry, MISPRINT (2012) and has another, ON TRUST, forthcoming in October 2017.
Donald Thompson DONALD C. THOMPSON (1885-1947) was a war photographer and filmmaker from Topeka, Kansas. He survived the Siege of Antwerp during WWII and moved east to in Petrograd in 1916 and then through Siberia. In the 1920s he filmed travelogues and made films in China, Turkey, and the Pacific. He also later photographed Italy’s war against Ethiopia in 1936. The images published in this issue are from his book, Blood Stained Russia (1918).
Gerard Shelley GERARD SHELLEY (1891-1980) was a British linguist, author and translator. He traveled around Russia before and during the Revolution – meeting with the empress and Rasputin on a few occasions – and later became an ordained bishop in the Old Roman Catholic Church in Great Britain, becoming its third archbishop in 1952. After WWII he translated works by many of the great Russian poets and writers.
Mikhail Kuzmin (1872-1936) was a Silver Age poet, musician and novelist. Born to nobility, he studied music under Rimsky-Korsakov (leaving it for poetry) and was influenced greatly by his travels to the Middle East and Northern Russia. Openly homosexual, he did not find the freedom he longed for in the new Soviet society. His classical, “emotionalist” verse found little resonance with the Soviet state, causing the poet to withdraw from the public eye.
Martha Kelly MARTHA KELLY is associate professor of Russian at the University of Missouri. She co-edited with Sibelan Forrester the book Russian Silver Age Poetry: Texts and Contexts (2015).
Malcolm Grow MALCOLM C. GROW (1887-1960) served from 1915-1917 as a regimental surgeon in the First Division of the First Siberian Army Corps in Galicia. He twice distinguished himself and received the Order of Saint Stanislaus, 3rd class, and the Order of St. George, 4th class. He left Russia after the February 1917 Revolution. He went on to a distinguished career in the US Army Medical Service, inventing light body armor, and serving as the first Surgeon General of the Air Force. The Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland is named in his honor.
Bernard Pares Bernard Pares (1867-1949) was a British historian and academic. Founder of the first School of Russian Studies in Britain, at the University of Liverpool in 1907. During World War I, he served as Britain’s official observer to the Russian army, and placed himself firmly on the side of the Provisional Government when the events of 1917 unfolded. So much so that he was banned from entry to the USSR until 1935. After the war, he returned to academia and was instrumental in the development of the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at King’s College.
Mikhail Prishvin Mikhail Prishvin (1873-1954) was a writer born into a merchant’s family who developed leftist leanings. Educated as an agronomist, he worked as journalist, publicist, and teacher. His first story was published in 1906, and he was particularly prized as a writer of works for children.
Yefim Zozulya YEFIM ZOZULYA (1891-1941) was a journalist and writer who was born and raised in Odessa. In 1923 he founded the journal Ogonyok with the writer Mikhail Koltsov. With the start of World War II, he volunteered to serve in the artillery, then became a military correspondent. Wounded in battle, he died at the front from gangrene. Unfortunately, much of his work has been forgotten; he was a master of psychological short stories that built on the best traditions of Chekhov.
Yevgeny Zamyatin YEVGENY ZAMYATIN (1884-1937) was a writer, critic and publicist. An “Old Bolshevik” who had been exiled to Siberia under the tsar, he is best known for his science fiction novel We, which in 1921, was the first work banned by the Soviet state. Zamyatin smuggled it abroad for publication and the ensuing outrage led to his exile in 1931. He lived out his life in France.
Alexei N. Tolstoy Aleksei Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1882-1945), nicknamed the "Comrade Count," was a Russian and Soviet writer who wrote in many genres but specialized in science fiction and historical novels.
Alexander Griboyedov Alexander Griboyedov (1795-1829) was not simply a great poet and playright, but also a composer and a diplomat. His Woe From Wit is widely recognized as one of the greatest works of Russian literature. Unfortunately, he died rather young, while serving as Russia’s ambassador to Persia, when an angry mob sacked the embassy and killed all the staff.
Jeremy Hicks Jeremy Hicks teaches Russian culture and film at the University of London, where he serves as Chair of the Department of Russian. His research focuses on Soviet literature and film of the 1920s-1940s. In addition to his translations of Zoshchenko, Hicks is the author of First Films of the Holocaust: Soviet Cinema and the Genocide of the Jews, 1938-46 (2012) and Dziga Vertov: Defining Documentary Film (2007).
Nikolai Karamzin Nikolai Karamzin (1766-1826) was a profilic writer, poet, critic and historian. Best remembered for his 12-volume History of the Russian State, he translated a good number of foreign works, introduced the "yo" to the Russian alphabet, and is considered the founding father of Russian conservatism.
Elena Kotova Elena Kotova was born in Novomoskovsk, Tula oblast. She grew and was educated in Saratov, graduating from the Saratov Art Institute with a concentration in painting. From 1991 to 2001 she worked in the city’s prestigious Souvenir photo salon as a photographer, mastering all aspects of film photography and doing body art. In 2015-16 her work was featured on the Instagram site Everyday Russia.
David Modell DAVID A. MODELL (1878 - ?) was a Russian-born journalist, editor and encyclopedist. A medical school gratuate, he served as an assistant editor of The Russian Review, and translated prose and plays by Turgenev, Kropotkin, Chekhov and others.
Dermot Tatlow Dermot Tatlow is an Irish photographer, writer and videographer who has lived in Hong Kong, Berlin, Bogota, and now, Washington DC. His editorial work appears in major international publications. His website is at dermottatlow.com
Far Eastern Journalists Collective The Far Eastern Journalists Collective is a group of writers and journalists who collaborate on articles about the defense of nature and the environment. Their articles are printed widely in local internet and print publications.
Rochelle E. Townsend ROCHELLE S. TOWNSEND was one of the unsung early translators of Russian works around the turn of the twentieth century. She translated works by Tolstoy, Pushkin, Andreyev, and Turgenev.
Charles Hogarth CHARLES J. HOGARTH (1869-1942) was a prolific translator of Tolstoy, Turgenev, Klyuchevsky, Gogol, Gorky, and Goncharov.
Anne Gutt Anne Gutt is a poet and artist. She was awarded the Gabo Prize for Literary Translation Summer/Fall 2017 for her translations of poems by Ganna Shevchenko.
Peter France Peter France was born in Northern Ireland to Welsh parents. He has written many studies of French and Russian literature (including Poets of Modern Russia, 1982), and is the editor of the Oxford Guide to Literature in English Translation and general editor of the five-volume Oxford History of Literary Translation in English. He has translated French and Russian prose texts as well as several volumes of Russian poetry, including Blok and Pasternak (with Jon Stallworthy), Mayakovsky, and in particular Gennady Aygi. His translated volume of poems by Baratynsky, Half-Light and Other Poems, was published by Arc Publications in 2015.
Shelley Fairweather-Vega SShelley Fairweather-Vega is a professional translator from Russian and Uzbek, who has translated two of Hamid Ismailov’s Uzbek-language novels in addition to several of his shorter works. Her translations have been published in Translation Review, Words Without Borders, and other journals, and she has published translations of poetry (2016), mystery fiction (2017), and popular science (upcoming in 2018).
Olga Ezova-Denisova OLGA EZOVA-DENISOVA (featured illustrator) is an artist, illustrator, and printmaker based in Russia. She prefers creating illustrations by hand, with ink or paint on paper, and likes to experiment with mediums in the search of the most exact “word.” Her favorite subjects are the forest and nature. Her work can be seen online at: ezovadenisova.ru.
Olga Sedakova Olga Sedakova was born in 1949 in Moscow and graduated from the department of philology at Moscow State University. While Sedakova began to write poetry at a young age, her poetry was not published until 1989, partly due to its deeply religious subject matter. She has published 27 books of verse, translation and scholarly research, and is the recipient of the Andrei Bely Prize and the Solzhenitsyn Prize, among others.
Nancy Gardner Prince Nancy Gardner Prince (1799-c.1856) was an African-American born free in Newburyport, Massachusetts. When she became old enough, she went to work as a servant for white families. In 1824 she married Nero Prince, a founding member of the first black Freemason’s Lodge in America. The couple relocated to Russia, where Nero served as a distinguished black footman to the tsar. They lived in St. Petersburg for nine years, witnessing the great flood of 1824 and the Decembrist revolt.
Catriona Kelly Catriona Kelly is Professor of Russian at the University of Oxford. She has published a wide variety of books on topics that include Russian modernism, gender history, and national identity. Her study of cultural memory in Leningrad/St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg: Shadows of the Past, was published by Yale University Press in 2014. She contributes frequently to The Guardian and has published translations of various Russian poets, among them Tsvetaeva, Mayakovsky and Olga Sedakova.
Hamid Ismailov Hamid Ismailov is an Uzbek writer whose work is forbidden in Uzbekistan. Since being obliged to leave his home country in 1992, he has traveled Europe, worked for the BBC World Service, and continued writing. His Russian-language novels include The Railway, The Underground, and The Dead Lake. Starting in 2015, new efforts have been undertaken to publish his Uzbek work in English.
Nina Iskrennko Nina Iskrennko (1951-1995) was an influential poet of the Moscow New Wave in the 1980s, and a member of the unofficial Moscow club Poetry. Following the 1991 putsch, she became a member of the Russian Writers’ Union. She published three books of poetry in 1991, and her work appeared in many journals. In 1995 she received the Yeltsin Award for her poetry. 13 Less than half of her works had been published when she died of cancer at the age of 43.
Dmitri Nizhegorodsky DMITRI NIZHEGORODSKY was an office worker when he decided to chuck his job and go on a walkabout, along the full length of the Volga River. He is currently writing a book about his adventure.
Nataliya Kienya NATALIYA KIENYA was born in Moscow and grew up in Russia and Latvia. She received a degree in international journalism from MGIMO and worked for Izvestia and Theory and Practice. She now works as editor-in-chief for ucheba.ru and her first book, The Mechanics Of Inspiration: From Culture To Brain will be published (in Russian) by AST in 2018. This is her first contribution to Russian Life.
Yuliya Ballou Yuliya Ballou has been a Russian language teacher for ten years. She was born and raised in Russia but now lives in Vermont.
Robert Krattli Robert Krattli is a member of the Founders Board of Russian Life. Now retired, he was formerly Vice President of the Pullman Corp., and former CEO of several companies with business connections in Russia.
Dmitry Kostyukov Dmitry Kostyukov has covered current events and in-depth stories in Russia, Ukraine, the Caucasus and Central Asia, including the conflict in South Ossetia in 2008 and the war in Afghanistan. Prior to going freelance in 2011, he worked as a staff photographer at Agence France-Presse (2008-2011). He is a winner at NPPA: The Best of Photojournalism in 2010 and 2013 and the Magnum Foundation and IdeasTap 30 Under 30 competition, a finalist at the Sony World Photography Awards (2011). He holds a degree in Journalism from Moscow State University, where he has been a frequent lecturer since 2010 to 2015. Dmitry is a regular contributor to The New York Times.
Susanne Sternthal SUSANNE STERNTHAL is a writer who lives in Moscow. She is currently researching a book on three Gulag camps in the Perm region that held Soviet dissidents. She received her Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Alexander Mikaberidze Alexander Mikaberidze is Hubert H. Humphreys Professor of History at Louisiana State University (Shreveport), where he teaches Russian and Soviet History. He has written extensively on Russia’s role in the Napoleonic Wars and is currently finishing his trilogy on the Patriotic War of 1812.?
Artur Demchenko Artur Demchenko is a professional freelance photographer who specializes in weddings and travel. He regularly shoots for the magazine Otdykh v Rossii (Vacation in Russia) and had an exhibition of his works at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
Maria Artemyeva Maria Artemyeva was educated as a philologist and has worked as a journalist and an editor at a Moscow publishing house overseeing the release of successful children’s books and periodicals. In recent years she has focused on her family and literature, under the motto “Curiosity is not a vice!” She is enthralled by horror, riddles and mysteries, and when it comes to literature prefers the mystical realm: magical realism, fantasy and detective novels. She is the author of two books collecting urban legnds: The Dark Side of Moscow and The Dark Side of Petersburg. In her spare time she loves to paint and draw.
Anna Starobinets Anna Starobinets is a journalist who writes on cultural issues for a number of Russian publications, such as Expert and Russian Reporter. She is also a scriptwriter and perhaps Russia’s preeminent author of horror fiction. The Awkward Age, her collection of short stories, has been translated into English by Hesperus. She is also the author of the novel Refuge F/A; Cold Spell – from which her story in this issue was taken; The First Squad. The Moment of Truth; The Living (also published in English by Hesperus); as well as two books for children. All of her novels have been nominated for the National Bestseller Prize. She lives in Moscow and is married to Alexander Garros, the well-known author of the international bestseller Headcrusher.
Elena Rodina ELENA RODINA was born in Kazan and moved to Moscow after graduating from university. There she worked as a journalist for Ogonyok magazine, and as a special correspondent for Esquire, traveling across Russia and around the world, writing reports from Hong-Kong to Cuba, from the Yamal Peninsula to the Far East. She received her Master’s degree from the University of Oregon and now lives and works in Chicago, as a freelance journalist and illustrator for Elle, Time Out Chicago, Esquire, Newcity, and others. When she is not drawing or writing, she is riding a tandem bike with her husband, exploring American roads from the point of view of a cyclist.
Dmitry Zlodorev Dmitry Zlodorev was born in Moscow. He graduated from Moscow State University’s journalism faculty, and since 1992 has worked for the ITAR-TASS newswire service, covering culture, sports, economics, politics, religion, energy and other issues. Since 2006, he has been senior news writer for ITAR-TASS in Washington, DC. In January 2013 he received a Silver Archer award (honoring PR and other efforts to enhance US-Russian relations), for a series of articles on Russian America.
Jonathan Reisman Jonathan Reisman was born and raised in New Jersey. After graduating from college, he worked and traveled in Russia for over a year, studying the international environmental movement and its impact on Russian business and politics since the end of the Soviet Union. He also conducted anthropological studies of native peoples of the Russian Far East. He then attended Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, and is currently a third-year resident in internal medicine and pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He also conducts ongoing public health research in the Arctic and in India.
Eric Niderost Eric Niderost teaches history at Chabot College, in the San Francisco Bay area. He has long had a fascination with Russian history and culture, and has written extensively on the subject. He is particularly interested in the life of the White Russian community in Shanghai, China, during the years between the World Wars, sparked in part because his wife is Chinese and from Shanghai.
Anton Orlov Anton Orlov was born in Moscow and moved to California in 1994. He received a B.F.A. in Photography from San Jose State University, has been working in the field for over a decade, and gives private lessons in traditional photography from his darkroom in San Diego. Currently he is traveling the country in a school bus converted into a darkroom and presentation area. While on the road, he offers Magic Lantern Shows as well as classes and demonstrations in alternative photographic methods. Visit his website at: thephotopalace.blogspot.com
Kris Farmen Kris Farmen is a novelist, historian, and award-winning freelance journalist. His books include The Devil’s Share, Weathered Edge (with Martha Amore and Buffy McKay) and Turn Again, a historical novel about the first generation of Russian-speaking kids to grow up in Alaska after the arrival of the Americans. He holds degrees in anthropology and archaeology, and his work has appeared in Alaska magazine, Mushing magazine, The Surfer’s Path, and The Anchorage Press. He lives in Alaska, dividing his time between Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula.
Anton Agafonov Anton Agafonov was born in Izhevsk, and graduated from Udmurt State University with a degree in English Language and Literature. After working as an English professor at his alma mater for five years, in 2013 he moved to the US, yet he still returns regularly to Russia. He is currently teaching Russian Language and Russian Culture as well as English Composition in colleges of the Southern Tier region in New York State, as well as in Erie, PA. He is always glad to share the wealth of his knowledge of two languages and two cultures.
Olga Kuzmina Olga Kuzmina is the managing editor of Chtenia. A Moscow native, she graduated from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill with degrees in Political Science and Slavic Language and Culture. She now lives in Washington, DC, where she works as a researcher on U.S.-Russia relations. She was shortlisted for the Rossica Young Translators Award in 2012.
Jennifer Utrata JENNIFER UTRATA, an award-winning sociologist of gender, first became interested in Russia while taking a Tolstoy class as an elective at the University of Chicago. She began studying Russian in the 1990s, while living with families and teaching English to high school students in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Since earning her Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley in 2008, she has been teaching at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Her first book, Women Without Men: Single Mothers and Gender Crisis in the New Russia (Cornell University Press), will be published in 2014.
Vladimir Gilyarovsky VLADIMIR GILYAROVSKY (1855-1935), also known as "Uncle Gilya," has been widely hailed as Russia's "king of journalists." After fleeing home at the age of 15, he worked in various professions for a decade before ending up in Moscow. From 1880 to his death, he worked as a journalist based in the capital, reporting on all layers of society, with a particular focus on the city’s seamy underbelly. His masterwork, Moscow and Muscovites, has just been translated into English for the first time.
James Brown JAMES BROWN is a Moscow based journalist and documentary maker with RT. You can watch his films about the VDV at rt.com (search on his name) and follow him on Twitter @jimbrownjourno
Mikhail Plotnikov Mikhail Plotnikov was born in Sochi and lives there to this day. Since childhood, he has loved his city and the amazing nature that surrounds it. He is an ecologist by profession and works at the Sochi Division of the Russian Geographical Society, where he is mainly involved in conservation, but also in development of eco-tourism and protecting the region’s biodiversity. He regularly organizes and lead trips and expeditions (including film shoots) into the area’s mountains.
Daniel Boltinsky DANIEL BOLTINSKY is a freelance journalist who was born in Toronto, Canada, and is presently a student at the University of King’s College in Halifax. His pieces have appeared in outlets including the Hindustan Times, the Chronicle Herald of Halifax, and the King’s College paper, The Watch.
Julia Naberezhnaya Julia Naberezhnaya was born in Sochi and lives there to this day. Since childhood, she has loved her city and the amazing nature that surrounds it. She is an ecologist by profession and works at the Sochi Division of the Russian Geographical Society, where she is mainly involved in conservation, but also in development of eco-tourism and protecting the region’s biodiversity. She regularly organizes and lead trips and expeditions (including film shoots) into the area’s mountains.
Diana Bruk Diana Bruk was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and emigrated to New York at the age of five. Her essays and short stories have appeared in The NY Times, the Paris Review, Salon, and many other magazines. She lives in New York City, but travels back to Russia frequently, both by plane and by books.
Elena Petrova Elena Petrova was born in a small town near Moscow, but now lives and works in Moscow as a programmer in a large Russian internet company. She has also worked as a freelance photographer, shooting landscape and travel subjects, for six years. In her spare time she likes to travel Russia by car with her husband and two baby daughters.
Joanie Conwell JOANIE CONWELL has traveled the Trans-Siberian railroad, practiced icon writing, and talked spy novels with a former KGB agent. When she’s not dreaming up international intrigue or scouting for kvas in a can, she’s at home in North Carolina, writing about culture and running the intercultural consulting firm, RTP Global.
Anna Mazanik ANNA MAZANIK is an historian of late-imperial Russia. She was born in Moscow, graduated from Moscow State University, and studied at Johns Hopkins University, TU Darmstadt and LMU Munich. She is currently researching the history of public health in Moscow at Central European University, Budapest.
Anton Trofimov ANTON TROFIMOV was born in Crimea. He graduated from university with a degree in philosophy, did some graduate work, and left behind an unfinished dissertation devoted to the Russian intelligentsia. He does photography, engages in social action and teaches philosophy. He recently spent a year on the Solovetsky Islands building the wooden ship, St. Peter. While there, he came to understand that he was a man, a Russian, and an Orthodox believer.
Rachel Nielsen RACHEL NIELSEN is a freelance journalist based in Moscow. Previously, she has been a business reporter and editor at The Moscow Times, covered business and technology at Dow Jones Newswires in New York, and wrote about housing policy, also in New York.
Dmitry Serebyakov DMITRY SEREBYAKOV was born in Moscow. For some strange reason he picked up a camera at the age of five and has not put it down since. Although he received a degree in genetic engineering, photography lured him away from a life in science, and he has since been photographing everything from political news to conflict zones. When he’s not roaming around with a camera, he’s probably on his bicycle.
Igor Sobolev Igor Sobolev was born and raised in Moscow. He began taking pictures at a young age and now focuses most of his photographic work on architecture and landscapes, especially in Moscow. His website is at sobio.ru.
Ekaterina Schulmann EKATERINA SCHULMANN is a Russian political scientist specializing in the Russian legislative process, and parliamentarism and decision making mechanisms in hybrid political regimes. She has a Ph.D. in political science and is a senior lecturer at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, and a permanent lecturer at the Moscow School of Civic Education. She is the author of Law-Making as a Political Process and is a regular columnist with the newspaper Vedomosti.
Arthur Bondar ARTHUR BONDAR is a freelance photographer from Ukraine who also creates his own documentary and artistic projects. He studied photography at New York University and participated in the Eddie Adams Workshop and NOOR-Nikon Masterclass. He has received several awards to support and honor his work, including the Magnum Emergency Fund, The Documentary Project Fund, National Geographic Grant and the Best Photographer of the Year in Ukraine. His projects have been exhibited as installations, exhibitions and screenings worldwide. He participates in the VII Photo Agency Mentor Program and is based in Moscow.
Alison Shuman Since receiving a Master’s degree in Photojournalism, ALISON SHUMAN has been working as a freelance photographer in the US and Russia. Her most recent project, Minarets and Onion Domes, which focused on relations between Muslims and Orthodox Christians in Kazan, culminated in a book of the same title and the production of a solo exhibition at the Tatarstan State Gallery of Modern Art in Kazan. She continues to travel the Russian countryside, photographing the patchwork of cultural enclaves that comprise this vast and varied land.
Vladimir Kozlov VLADIMIR KOZLOV is an author and filmmaker living in Moscow. His fiction and nonfiction has been long-listed for some of Russia’s top literary awards. He recently made a documentary on Siberia’s punk scene in the 1980’s, Traces in the Snow.
Maxim Edwards MAXIM EDWARDS is a student and freelancer from London, and an Editorial Assistant at openDemocracy Russia. He writes on inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations in Eurasia, with a particular interest in Russia and the South Caucasus. His articles have appeared in publications such as Al Jazeera, the Forward, openDemocracy, Roads & Kingdoms and Souciant Magazine, among others.
David Edwards David Edwards has worked at several newspapers as a reporter, copy editor and editor. He briefly served as news editor and chief copy editor at the Moscow Times and now works on the copy desk at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. A native of Spokane, Washington, he holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in international relations. He also does freelance Russian translation. Largely self-taught in Russian, he recently began studying his fourth foreign language, Turkish.
Alice E.M. Underwood ALICE E.M. UNDERWOOD is a PhD candidate in Comparative Literature at Stanford University, where she specializes in literary and ideological deviance in twentieth-century Russian literature. While her research keeps her busy with decaying bodies, masculinity, and signs of decadence in the pre-perestroika Soviet Union, she sometimes takes a break to dabble in the poetic world of the Russian soul. In addition to teaching courses in Russian language and literature, she pens the occasional blog and edits Russian Life’s popular e-letter, The Weekly Russia File.
Mikhail Cheryomkin Mikhail Cheryomkin was born in Yakutia’s Momsky District, and now lives and works in the village of Khonuu, the district’s administrative center. He is a traveler and widely acclaimed photographer and has received Global Arctic Awards and awards from National Geographic and the Photographic Society of America.
Eugenia Kuznetsova Eugenia Kuznetsova was born and raised in Moscow, and has worked as a journalist for seven years. She specializes in political journalism and is writing for a couple of foreign newspapers and magazines, including the Voice of America. In her spare time, she works on her “AUT” project, aimed at helping young people with mental disabilities.
Christopher Herwig Christopher Herbig is a Canadian-born photographer and videographer determined to find beauty and inspiration in all aspects of life. A firm belief that the thrill of exploration is still alive in the world has sent him hitchhiking from Vancouver to Cape Town, across Iceland by foot and raft, and through Europe on a bike. Currently based in Jordan, he provides photos from some of the remotest regions of the world, from the Pamir mountains in Tajikistan to the rainforests of West Africa, for publications including GEO, CNN Traveler, Geographical, and Lonely Planet. He has worked extensively with non-government organizations and development agencies in some of the poorest parts of the world to put a human face to their statistics and bring project proposals to life.
Rebecca Gould Rebecca Gould is Reader in Translation Studies and Comparative Literature at the University of Bristol in England. Her translations include The Prose of the Mountains: Tales of the Caucasus, from which excerpts are included here, and After Tomorrow the Days Disappear: Ghazals and Other Poems of Hasan Sijzi of Delhi (Northwestern University Press, 2016). She is also the author of Writers and Rebels: The Literature of Insurgency in the Caucasus (Yale University Press, 2016). She began translating Qazbegi when she move to Tbilisi in 2004 and fell so strongly in love with his work that she continued translating his stories until she had completed what became her first book length translation.
Edwin Trommelen Edwin Trommelen is a writer and documentary filmmaker with a lifelong fascination for all things Russian. His directing credits include Back to the Camp (about a Dutch woman who was imprisoned in Russia) and Behind the Black Mountains (about a Jewish boy from Amsterdam, Anton Devier, who traveled back to Russia with Peter the Great and became the first Police Chief of St. Petersburg). His most recent film Voices from the Tundra – The Last of the Yukagirs won three international prizes. He is also the author of Davai! The Russians and their Vodka (Russian Life Books, 2012), and is working on a book on the BAM Railway.
Ekaterina Golovina Ekaterina Golovina was born in St. Petersburg and graduated from the journalism department of St. Petersburg State University. She has written for domestic and international media outlets, concentrating on sports and travel, and has been traveling and living abroad for the last seven years. Golovina writes about life on the road in her blog: follow-wind.com.
Kevin J. McNamara Kevin J. McNamara is the author of Dreams of a Great Small Nation: The Mutinous Army that Threatened a Revolution, Destroyed an Empire, Founded a Republic, and Remade the Map of Europe (New York: Public Affairs, 2016). To write his book, shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union he traveled almost two thousand miles along the Trans-Siberian Railway, following the path taken by the Czecho-Slovak Legion. He is an associate scholar of the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, PA, and a former contributing editor to its quarterly journal, Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs. He lives in Philadelphia, PA.
Petr Shelomovskiy Petr Shelomovskiy is a Moscow born, Prague based freelance photojournalist. He graduated from Moscow’s Institute for Electronic Engineering with a PhD in Engineering. Published in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Sunday Times, and The Times of London, he has photographed civil protests and conflicts in Ukraine, Turkey, and Armenia. In his spare time he enjoys long distance motorcycle trips and backpacking through Southeast Asia.
Michal Iwanowski Michal Iwanowski is a Polish born, Cardiff based artist who teaches at the non-profit Ffotogallery. Iwanowski studied documentary photography at the University of Wales. His work explores the relationship between landscape and memory, marking the silent passing of otherwise insignificant individuals and histories. In 2009, he won the Magenta Foundation’s Emerging Photographers award, and received a Honorable Mention at Px3 Prix De Photographie, Paris. He has received Arts Council of Wales and Wales Arts International grants for his projects Clear of People and Fairy Fort Project; in 2012 he was in residency in Kaunas, supported by the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture.
Zinaida Burskaya Zinaida Burskaya graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in journalism and has worked at Novaya Gazeta newspaper since 2008. She writes about natural and man-made disasters, as well as the lives of ordinary people across the country. In 2014-15 she covered the war in Ukraine from both sides of the frontline. She lives in Moscow.
Jonathan C. Slaght Jonathan C. Slaght is the Russia and Northeast Asia Coordinator for the Wildlife Conservation Society, and authors a guest blog for Scientific American, “East of Siberia.” His writings and research have been featured on the BBC World Service, in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, and Audubon Magazine, among others. Slaght is the translator of Vladimir Arsenyev’s 1921 book Across the Ussuri Kray (Indiana University Press, 2016). This unabridged, uncensored, detailed account of Arsenyev’s 1902 and 1906 expeditions is augmented by several hundred annotations, two maps, and nearly 40 photographs..
Gregory Edwards Gregory Edwards is an art historian with an interest in the decorated urban environment, in particular in Art Deco architecture and mosaics of all kinds. He was born in Ottawa, Canada, but has lived for over 20 years in London, UK. It was in London that he discovered the mosaics of Boris Anrep. Edwards' first book, Hidden Cities, won a city of Vancouver Heritage award. More recently he has been publishing ebooks about London’s Art Deco architecture. He has also written an ebook about Boris Anrep and his mosaics.
Matt Traver Matt Traver is a filmmaker, photographer and creator of content relating to adventure, travel and culture. His filming locations have included the deserts of Uzbekistan, the steppes of Kazakhstan/Mongolia, the high mountains of Iran and Tajikistan, the Tuvan taiga forest, and the rivers of Siberia. His work has screened at 30 international film festivals in the UK, France, Italy, Czech Republic, US, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Australia. He is currently working on an adventure travel and cultural film series called Crossing Siberia, which aims to reveal untold stories from within the world’s largest expanse of wilderness.
Evgeny Sinitsyn Evgeny Sinitsyn was born and raised in Chelyabinsk. He studied journalism in Chelyabinsk and Information-Communication in Saint-Etienne, France. He began his journalism career as a writer, but has since moved to photography. He now works and lives in Moscow.
Vitaly Berkov VITALY BERKOV was born in Vladivostok. He is a landscape photographer, traveler, and activist for better copyright laws. He has been a finalist in Russia’s largest nature photography exhibitions, and is a six-time winner of the Look at Vladivostok contest, as well as the winner of the Russia-wide Travel at Home, Epson’s Planet of Colors, and Lucida Art. He is presently working on a book featuring his Russian Far East photography.
Yulia Atayeva JULIA ATAYEVA was born in Volgograd, where she still lives. Educated as a bookkeeper, she always loved cooking, no matter how difficult the dish; the main thing is that it be tasty and beautiful. About seven years ago she became interested in food photography and is now a self-taught professional, providing her work to various photo licensing sites. She also puts her photography to good use on her popular (in Russia) food blog and Facebook group, "Ya ne umeyu khudet" (“I don’t know how to lose weight.”) She is writing a book on low-carb cooking.
Darya Grebenshchikova Darya Grebenshchikova was born in Moscow to the unlikely couple of a white émigré father who returned to the Soviet Union and a mother who was from a family of Nizhny Novgorod merchants. She was educated as a stage artist at the MKhAT Drama School and worked at the Lenkom Theater as a costume artist before, in the 1990s, accidentally buying a house in a tiny village of Sheshurino with her husband, and then overcoming her fear of cows and dark forests. She has lived there ever since, enjoying the company of the last three remaining babushka neighbors.
Anastasia Byrka Anastasia Byrka graduated from Voronezh State University with a degree in journalism and worked at Communa newspaper as a staff correspondent and a newsroom editor from 2008 to 2014. She has contributed to The Moscow Times newspaper and Moskauer Deutsche Zeitung, and is a columnist in Uchitelskaya Gazeta, where she writes about how young children learn English as a second language. She lives in Voronezh.
Russell Working Russell Working has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The South China Morning Post, The Boston Globe, The Moscow Times, The Jerusalem Post and scores of other publications around the world. A former reporter for the Chicago Tribune, he is the author of two collections of short fiction, Resurrectionists and The Irish Martyr. After spending five years as an editor and foreign correspondent in Vladivostok, he now lives in suburban Chicago.
Asya Lisina Asya Lisina is an artist and illustrator who studied at the Moscow Art Lyceum and the Gerasimov State Institute of Cinematography. She works with the Art Lebedev Studio and especially loves to draw animals.
Marie Betteley Born and raised in Paris, Marie Betteley is a third generation jewelry dealer. As a teenager, she lived on the grounds of Hillwood Museum in Washington DC, where her father, Roy D.R. Betteley, was director. She began her career as a gemologist and Head of Christie’s Russian department in America, later starting her own business trading in Fabergé and jewels. Today, Marie consults for auction houses, museums and private collectors worldwide. She is writing a book, Beyond Fabergé Russian Imperial Jewelers, expected out in August 2017.
John Castellucci John Castellucci is a freelance writer who lives in Rhode Island. He studied Russian at Columbia College and Harvard University, then spent 30 years working as a newspaper reporter, 22 of them at the Providence Journal. A friend in Moscow, curious how an American reporter would react to the stories Sergei Dovlatov wrote for Soviet Estonia, introduced him to Dovlatov, recommending that he read the collection Kompromiss.
Marianne Ide Marianne Ide is an international school teacher and writer. At the suggestion of an excellent friend, she began playing cello as a hobby, studying with string players in Yemen and the Republic of Georgia. She considers herself incredibly lucky to have studied music for two years with the principal cellist for the Tbilisi State Conservatory. She now lives, works, and plays in Karachi Pakistan.
Divya Ryan Divya Ryan is an undergraduate student who studies at Pomona College, where she majors in International Relations and minors in Russian and Eastern European Studies. She grew up in Singapore, and has a passion for languages, books, food, and history.
Alex Van Oss Alex Van Oss was born in Kuala Lumpur to diplomats working in the US Foreign Service, and grew up in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the US. In college he majored in biology and began graduate studies in microbiology, but switched to journalism, working for years at NPR and as an independent reporter, producer, and editor. A lifelong painter and student of Russian, from 2003-2014 he coordinated Caucasus Area Studies at the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, Virginia.
Marina Pustilnik Marina Pustilnik was born in Russia’s northern Caucasus, but spent her teenage years in Massachusetts and Vermont, attending, in particular, Middlebury College. In 1998 she returned to Moscow and tried her hand at all kinds of trades, working as an internet project manager, newspaper columnist, TV producer, editor-in-chief of online media, at-home baker, bagel maker, and startup co-founder. Today she practices yoga, walks around Moscow, runs a small culinary blog on Telegram, and translates both English and Russian for a variety of causes and clients.
Yulia Skopich Yulia Skopich was born in Gryazi, Lipetsk region, and graduated from Yelets State University with a degree in journalism. Since 2012, she has worked as a journalist for many Russian and foreign publications, writing on a wide range of subjects, from society and culture, to sport and the environment. However, she prefers to write about the lives of ordinary people in Lipetsk region and her experience of traveling the world. She lives in Lipetsk.
Victoria Juharyan VICTORIA JUHARYAN is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Princeton University, where she is completing a dissertation titled “The Cognitive Value of Love in Tolstoy: A Study in Aesthetics.” She also has an MA in Comparative Literature from Dartmouth College, and a BA in Literary Editing from St. Petersburg State University in Russia. Her research interests include the relationship between philosophy and literature, nineteenth-century Russian literature, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, aesthetics, philosophy of emotion and cognition in literature, the theory of the novel, Bakhtin, Russian theater, poetry and translation.
Nicole Steinberg NICOLE STEINBERG graduated from Georgetown University in 2016 with a degree in Linguistics and Slavic Studies. She spent the last year in Zaporizhia, Southern Ukraine, as a Fulbright Fellow. She has also spent significant time in Russia, Latvia, and Kazakhstan.
Christopher Sandford Christopher Sandford graduated with a masters in history from Cambridge University. Having spent his childhood partly in the Soviet Union and partly in the United Kingdom, he now lives in Seattle. He is the author of 25 books, numerous magazine articles, and a play called Comrades. His most recent book, Union Jack: John F. Kennedy's Special Relationship with Great Britain, was described by National Review as "Political history of a high order... It is the Kennedy book to beat."
Igor Zalyubovin Igor Zalyubovin is a staff contributor at Snob magazine. He also writes for GQ and Esquire. In addition to writing about lighter than air ships, he has penned articles on Kuban wine, politics, society, and, of course, bitcoin.
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Snow Kandalaksha is located above the Arctic Circle, on the south end of the Kola Peninsula. Тhe city's population is thirty thousand. Many people are moving away, heading south. The climate is difficult here, with a long polar night and the lack of vitamin D. Some people come back, saying that the north is calling them home. Life in the Arctic is charming in its own way.
Ice A girl playing at a monument to the Great Patriotic War. Behind the tank you can see the lit windows of the city administration. On the pedestal, where the little girl is sitting, the spring thaw has formed flat sheets of ice - to the delight of local children.
Teacher Ludmila Pavlovna worked as a primary school teacher all her life in one of Kandalaksha's schools. Her family came here many years ago from the Urals - the father was sent north into exile.
Ice Fisherman Ice fishermen. Kandalaksha sits on the shores of the White Sea. Almost every family has a fisherman and every fisherman has his favorite fishing spot. The men usually go into the gulf in search of cod.
Hockey On the weekend there is always something to see. Here, an ice hockey match, Kandalaksha city versus Zelenoborsky village.
Volleyball As in many Russian cities, in the evening the school gyms are rented by adults. The city's female volleyball team trains.
Skiing The city has a lot of hills. You can ride down a slope right next to your house. People love not only sledding; the youth also do cross-country and alpine skiing, snowboarding, hockey, and winter motocross, because the snow here doesn't melt until May.
Cat A pregnant cat rests at a grocery store. In the north, there are relatively few homeless felines - the winters are too severe. But stray dogs - we have a billion of those.
Rink This is the ice rink of the Sports Palace, behind it is the stadium, and behind that the taiga. In lean years, bears show up on the outskirts of the city in search of food, wolves appear less frequently. Every second resident in the city has his own story about a bear. One day I was talking to a local taxi driver, and he showed me an image on his phone, in which he was feeding a bear cake directly from his hands.
Space "Pioneer" cinema hall. The space exploration theme remains important for Russians – everyone remembers that USSR was the first country to send a man into space. Despite the fact that the Russian space industry is developing much slower than in Soviet times, it's still a reason for people to be proud of their country.
Funeral My grandma's brother died and this was the funeral. I didn't know him very well, but he was a good man. The whole family gathers together for a last farewell. In the past, big families lived near each other and did a lot together, but nowadays they mostly meet only at weddings or funerals.
Store Anastasia Beznosova is the owner and founder of the Everyday Life Museum in Akademgorodok. Her aim is to collect artifacts and stories about people's life and to share them with guests and friends. There are a lot of events happening in the museum: celebration of numerous holidays, historical reconstruction, fashion events, etc. The museum has not existed for very long, but its already an important place in Akademgorodok's cultural landscape. In her "other life," Anastasia is a business woman and head of a branch of one of the biggest IT-companies.
Smoke The Ob River has it source in the Altai region and flows to the Kara Sea (on the Arctic Ocean). Novosibirsk was founded because of the Ob River as well. First it was a little settlement of railway builders who built a bridge across the river.
Train In the subway. The city's subway was built in the 1980s and changed the transport system drastically.
Magnify Sergey looks at the rare coin from his collection. This coin was found somewhere in Russia and dates to Nazi Germany times. Sergey studies sociology at Novosibirsk State University in Akademgorodok – a district of Novosibirsk which is in fact an another, scientific town. Sergey is numismatist, collecting coins and notes has been his hobby since childhood. He's also very interested in history, data analysis, etc. This is typical for Akademgorodok, which was founded by scientists and the spirit is still here.
Church St. Nicholas Chapel. This was the geographical center of the former Russian Empire. After the empire's fall, the center moved to the east. This chapel was destroyed in Soviet times and then rebuilt.
Carousel Park attractions covered with snow. They will start work again in the spring. Winters in Siberia are so cold because of the strong continental climate. The average temperature in winter is about -20°C, but sometimes it's -30 (like on this day) or even -40°C.
Tubing Tchaikovsky is known for its sporting traditions, particularly those during winter. While the sports centers attract professionals, locals are not that far removed from the professionals and ring in the New Year with active outdoor activities. From the first days of January, real Tchaikovsky residents are out on the cross country trails, skating, or hopping on their snowboards. The laziest among us will take to innertubes.
Ice Fisherman Winter ice fishing, one of Tchaikovsky residents' top winter passions. For many avid fishermen, the winter season begins with the first, thin layer of ice in fall, and ends with fascinating excursions on ice flows in the spring.
Snow Maidens The Children's Musical Collective prepares for the pre-New Year performance in a Tchaikovsky school.
Miass View of the Miass River in Metallurgical district. Without exaggeration, this is one the main waterways of the Southern Urals and the main river of Chelyabinsk. It's length within the city is 36 km.
Ural Kuznitsa Deep in the industrial hole. View of the plant Ural Kuznitsa. This is the largest Russian manufacturer of drop-forged products made of special steels and alloys. The plant produces the materials for rocket and space industry, aviation, oil and gas engineering, chemical, food and other industries.
Metallurgical Morning in Metallurgical district of Chelyabinsk. Even by standards of a region with such significant industrial history, this district stands out from other urban districts because of its industrial potential. Almost 40% of the industrial production in Chelyabinsk is concentrated here.
Playground Chelyabinsk is a million-plus city with an industrial background. A hard city, as many Russians like to say (however, nobody in Chelyabinsk likes the expression). This is a children's park in the Metallurgical district (founded 1947). A fabulous place.
Rocks 70 years ago this was the labor camp Bakallag. Most of the prisoners were Russian Germans resettled from the Volga region. They built many factories in Chelyabinsk (metallurgical, zinc, coke-chemical etc), and one of the camp places was the quarry. The worked hard, often only using their hands; the stones were used for road construction. In the 1970's, this quarry became a popular holiday destination for people in the Metallurgical district. Today it's a fishing spot for locals.
River A river view a la Shishkin. Kashtaksky Forest is one of the most beautiful and popular destinations for residents of Metallurgical district in the suburbs of Chelyabinsk. It's a natural monument of regional importance located on the right bank of Miass River.
Swans Generally speaking, I like to walk around Chelyabinsk industrial areas. Sometimes you can chance upon something unexpected. For example, fences with painted landscapes and swans.
Skyscrapers Skyscrapers in Chelyabinsk. The Metallurgical district where I live is quite removed from the main part of the city, and I don't visit the center very often. That's why I'm always amazed at the new buildings.
Matryona About 20% of residents are pensioners. Many of them spend all their time at home, and their main contact with the outside world is through newspapers and television. For example, a veteran of the Second World War Matryona Ivanovna (94 years old) loves to read the Evening Yekaterinburg newspaper, to watch the Wheel of Fortune, and Let's Get Married! TV shows. She moved to Yekaterinburg seven years ago from Kirov, to be near her daughter, when her husband died. Six months ago Matryona Ivanovna broke her leg, but fully recovered in just a couple of months. Can you imagine how strong the will to live is in such a woman?
Fire The burning of a scarecrow is an obligatory ritual that marks the end of Maslenitsa. Usually it turns into a feast for the whole day. It is also the so-called Forgiveness Sunday – a day when all ask each other's forgiveness for the harmful things they have done in the past year. It is an excellent opportunity to make peace with someone.
Cityscape Yekaterinburg is the capital of the Urals, the fourth largest city in Russia, and a big economical and industrial center. It had sought to host EXPO-2020, and it will host games in the 2018 World Cup. It is a Russian city that selected its mayor itself, thereby marking its freedom-loving character. The amount of skyscrapers here is starting to surpass the number of historical buildings, among which there are examples of Ural Constructivism. In 2015, the Third Ural Industrial Biennial of Contemporary Art will take place here. It is a city with a lot of cultural activities such as street-art, in particular, the works of Timofey Radya.
Michael J Yekaterinburg is a city of numerous and sometimes unexpected monuments. There are monuments to to Michael Jackson, Vladimir Vysotsky, Gena Bukin, a shoe seller from the TV series "Happy Together". To the worker who gets out of the well, and even to the credit card. You can meet them in any part of a city (not necessarily in the center), and also in business and shopping centers.
Maslenitsa Maslenitsa. Every family bakes pancakes and sets a table. At the end of the week, people burn a scarecrow, which marks the end of a long winter and the beginning of long-awaited spring.
Iset River The Iset river is a gathering place for Yekaterinburg residents at any time of the year. It doesn't freeze in winter and goes all the way through the very city centre, so you can take pleasure in feeding the local birds. The flow of the Iset river is controlled by a famous dam, situated on Lenin Street, forming a city pond.
Mark The desire to leave one's mark in history can appear in surprising places. If you drive from Yekaterinburg to Nizhny Tagil, such marks can be seen on the mountains along the road. Each stone is inscribed with the names of people who passed. It feels most impressive in one's childhood, because it is unclear how had they ended up here.
Snowboarder Yekaterinburg is surrounded by mountains, and winter here is very long. That is why everyone does winter sports from a young age: skiing, skating and snowboarding. Winter sport lovers, as a rule, don't leave their equipment at home, and are extremely avid.
Lenin The local statue to Lenin stands in Red Square. Locals joke that Lenin is pointing toward Korovniki jail. Which is true.
Theater Russia's first theater was founded in Yaroslavl in 1750, by Fyodor Volkov. The present building was built in 1911. At left is a monument to Volkov that locals call 'Bricks' because... of the shape of its buttocks.
Kommunalka One of a few remaining communal houses in Yaroslavl. It has a long corridor with small rooms, a general toilet and kitchen on each floor. They're very old and the local government has for many years promised to demolish them.
Cakes My grandmother making traditional Russian cakes stuffed with cabbage and apple. It takes half of day. She learned the recipe from her mother.
Play Making of decorations for the play, "A Month in the Village" at Volkov's Theatre. In this show, the audience will sit on the stage with the actors.
Fisherman Fisherman going out onto the ice of the Kotorosl River, in theh historic center of Yaroslavl. Legend has it that somewhere near here, a thousand years ago, the city's founder, Prince Yaroslav the Wise killed a bear that attacked him.
Granny Shura Granny Shura is 95 years old. With her big family she leaves in Tutaev – a small town astride the Volga river. There is no bridge and the ferry boat only crosses the river in summer. Locals are forced to make a 70 km trip via Yaroslavl's bridge to get to the other side of town.
Cats St. Petersburg's cats are relatives to Yaroslavl's cats because, after the Nazi blockade of Petersburg there were no cats left in the city on the Neva. So the government sent two railway cars full of cats from Yaroslavl to St. Petersburg, to take on the rodents.
Lenin There are many interesting episodes in Tyumen history concerning Lenin. During the war, his body was evacuated to here from Moscow. His sarcophagus arrived in Tyumen on July 10, 1941 and was stored in the building of the agricultural college. In addition, in 1979 the tallest bronze monument honoring Lenin – 15.5 meters – was constructed in Tyumen.
Flood Tyumen is located on the banks of the Tura river, which flows into the Tobol. Yermak's conquest of the Siberian khanate began from Tura. They say there are no fish in the river, which is 80-200 meters wide and 6 meters deep. Girls play on a flooded section of the embankment.
Books by Peter Aleshkovsky Peter Aleshkovsky has authored a dozen books. Three of his works (Skunk, A Life, and Fish: A History of One Migration, and Stargorod) and several of his articles have been translated into English. He has four times been shortlisted for Russia's most prestigious book award, the Russian Booker.
Gym Beslan. The gym in the old school No. 1 where hostages were taken on the morning of Sept. 1, 2004, during a ceremony held to inaugurate the new academic year.
Graffiti Graffiti featuring a replica of Yevgeni Khaldei's photograph, Raising the flag over the Reichstag, on the wall in an undercrossing in downtown Volgograd.
Couple Anastasiya Nikolayevna (89 years old) and Vasily Alexeyevich (87 years old) have lived together for 63 years as husband and wife. Vasily is an honorary railwayman, having devoted his entire life to this profession. Anastasiya worked as a paramedic all of her life. Now they live in a Gorkovsky township in the Sovietsky district of Volgograd.
Metrotram Metrotram was invented by Volgograd, the longest city in the European part of Russia – about 80 km. If you want to go from north to south, use the speed tram which transforms into a metro in the downtown.
Brewer This is Andrey @andreyashma. His band, Anabaena, became very famous in Volgograd. Then he moved to Moscow, where he was a barista at @ukuleleshnaya. After that he moved back to Volgograd and opened a craft beer bar named @alyaskabar. It is the best place in the city.
Cafe Having a rest in a cozy secret place with books and ginger tea. There is Apfelhaven cafe, which means Apple orchard in Danish. It is not so easy to find it among the monotonous buildings.
Orchard Newton would have liked this apple orchard in the centre of the noisy town. Apples constantly fall to the ground and nobody tastes them but the birds.
Petrovichi This is the village of Petrovichi, next to my hometown in Smolensk region. The stone marks the place where, in 1920, Isaac Asimov was born. His parents were Jewish millers, they left the USSR and emigrated to the US when Isaac was just three years old. Asimov grew up in New York, never spoke Russian and became a professor of biochemistry and of course a very famous writer. Almost all of the Jewish people who did not leave this region were killed by the Nazis during the Second World War. I took some red apples from a very old apple tree. ate one and put the others on the monument to commemorate the writer and his people.
Roof Six years ago my friends and I went up onto the roof of nine-storey house. We held a picnic with wine, fruits and a hookah, or shisha. Hardly had we started, when the door to the roof opened and giant pitbull appeared. It rushed at us, and we run away like mad... Well, today the very Tatiana took me to the roof of the same nine-storey building. She is a roofer, that means she likes to explore roofs. Once she spent a night in a tent pitched on a roof. Tatiana practices quiet and pacific urban exploration and never forces doors and locks. Today, Tatiana baked an apple pie and made an herbal tea, and we had wonderful five-o'clock tea on the roof.
Artist We had the good fortune to get to know a fine man and gifted artist, Anatoly Kovalev. We visited his uncommon studio in an ordinary 5-storey house. The artist was working on a scenic bas-relief to be mounted above a fire-place. He showed us his paintings and bas-reliefs, old furniture that needed to be restored, old-fashioned hanging clocks and a skillful embroidery. What a pleasure to live and to work among things having a very rich history.
Milk Machine This is a vending machine that sells whole milk in special way. You pay, then put a bottle under the faucet and then get your milk, which is pretty good. It costs 40 rubles (or 60 US cents) per liter.
Waiting Last week I visited a church to attend service and talk with a priest, but I found the church almost empty. A notice on the door said that service would be in another church. I ran there and saw hundreds of people staying in the sandy field. They were waiting for the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia; or the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. He was coming to consecrate a place in Smolensk where young Prince Gleb was killed 1000 years ago. According to the Chronicle, Gleb was murdered by his elder brother Sviatopolk during the internecine war for the Kiev throne. Saint Gleb and his brother Saint Boris (also killed) are the patron saints of all Russian princes. In the photo: waiting for the Patriarch.
Okhotsk Magadan is located at the opposite side from Kaliningrad of our great Motherland - in the Russian Far East. From both sides the city is surrounded by the Sea of Okhotsk.
Hills Magadan is surrounded by hills. Locals calls them sopki. Any direction you look, you see hills on the horizon. Or the sea.
Markets Chinese markets were really popular in Magadan (like at the whole Russian Far East). Now open-air markets are closing and salespeople are moving to markets inside buildings.
Ice Wall Ice wall on the Sea of Okhotsk shoreline. A freezing mountain stream creates a beautiful ice wall.
Clouds Ufa develops very actively. There are a lot of new buildings, hotels and modern districts, but still you can find ancient houses and buildings in the city center.
Lenin The Lenin square is located in the center of the city, in front of the building of the City Administration. All major events take place here - the New Year celebration, The Victory Day, all main concerts. Every day hundreds of people come here to spend time.
Children I met these children at last day of my visit to Ufa. They were lonely playing in the yard, far away from big politics and summits.
Wedding The most popular month for wedding in Bashkortostan is August (~6000), the most unpopular month is May (~1100). In 2014, more than 60.000 children were born in this region.
Christina If you walk along the quay you will definitely see this proud woman in the incredible dress. Her name is Christina and everyone in Uglich knows her. She sews all her clothes herself and likes to attract attention and to pose for photographers and tourists. Christina says that she is waiting for Prince Harry, who will one day arrive on a cruise ship to marry her.
Boats Uglich is a small and cozy town on the Volga river in Yaroslavl region. It's a touristy place, a lot of people include it (unnoficially) in the Golden Ring - a group of ancient Russia towns to northeast of Moscow. Every day (in the summer) you can see at least one cruise ship with tourists docked at the wharf. They come in the morning and leave at sunset.
Trinkets In the park next to the quaу there is small market specially set up for tourists. You can buy magnets, toys, antiques and different souvenirs. Some of them are locally made, but others are made in China, so you can find them in other Russian cities too.
Sleep The cheapest hotel in Uglich will cost you 350 rubles (about 5 euro) per night. For this price you get a bed, linen, towel and a shared shower. Lowly, but acceptable.
Church Uglich has its own Kremlin. You won't see a big wall, only two churches, a Duke's chamber and parliament. You can make out the traces of a moat, so it looks like Uglich Kremlin was on an island, surrounded by two small rivers and the Volga. In the photo you can see the Church of Prince Dmitry on Spilled Blood. It was built on the place where Prince Dmitry was murdered (or died of an epileptic fit) 1591. He was the last in Ryurikid dynasty, so his death led to the Time of Troubles.
Church and Tree A closer view of Vvedensky Sobor, which is currently the only working Orthodox church in the city.
Iconostasis The carved iconostasis inside Vvedensky Sobor. It was made in 1693 in the Moscow workshop of Grigory Ivanov. The icons themselves were painted by Stepan Narykov, a serf of the Stroganovs who studied abroad.
River Blagoveshchensky Sobor (Church of the Annunciation), construction of this complex stretched from in the second half of the sixteenth century into the end of the nineteenth century. Again, it was built with Stroganov money. The church is not currently active and is a museum.
Church Vvedensky Sobor (Church of the Presentation of the Virgin). A wooden church of this name was built by the Stroganovs in 1565, on the banks of the river Solonikha (Usolka). In 1685-93, a new stone church was built to replace it (actually its successor) higher up on the banks. It was the first building built in so-called Stroganov Rococco.
Trees There are many places in Voronezh that you can go for a walk and feel like you are not in a city at all.
Swimming Within the city limits there is no place where, officially, one can swim, since the condition of the water in the reservoir is less than optimal. The beach at Gorky Sanatorium is one of the few places where people are not afraid to swim, even though it is at the very head of the reservoir.
Parade At the beginning of June, Voronezh has an International Platonov Arts Festival. The city hosts modern productions by European and Russian theaters, musicians, exhibitions and a parade of street performers.
Yoga In the summer, the city parks host free sport activities. At one of our yoga sessions a pup showed up and gave us master class in downward facing dog.
Meat In small stores one can still find old Soviet counters and equipment. You feel almost as if you are traveling back in time.
Ice There is an island in the middle of the reservoir, which has a memorial cross, as well as picnic tables. Young couples often come here to get photographed. But you can only get there across the ice or in a boat.
Ship In the middle of the Voronezh Reservoir is a monument to the Mercury. It is barely visible from the shore and can only be visited by boat or, when the reservoir has frozen over, on foot. Unfortunately, vandals regularly damage it.
Bikers New Year's Bike Parade, in which locals gather for a costumed ride. Even a two week layer of snow did not stop them.
Snow Voronezh is in Russia's moderate climate belt. Yet a few times each winter there are serious snows, which essentially paralyze the city.
Bird's Eye View The private sector. Therae are many private homes surrounding the reservoir. Several of them have been there for hundreds of years, while others are torn down and restored. Historically, the city arose along the river, which later was turned into a reservoir.
Waiting If you enjoy doing photography of real life, it's all there at Kamchatka airport. Fresh air, people and a camera in your hands. Go for it!
Plane And when you are faced with leaving this gorgeous place, you try to remember the amazing curves of the volcanos, to suck down the fresh air and absolutely do not hurry leave this unforgettable place.
Long view There are few places like Kamchatka, where you want to forget about technology and just enjoy being one with nature.
Volcano view If you want to see the amazing beauty of fumarole and barrancos, you need to walk along the caldera to the cone of the volcano, then enter the heart of the crater. The most famous volcanoes are: Gorely-1829m, Mutnovsky-2323m, Klyuchevskaya Sopka-4853m, Koriaksky Volcano-3456m, Avacha volcano-2741m, Tolbachik-3682m.
Quiet moment Any travel tests your limits. Support and help from people you don't know give you strength. Everyone from our team passed all their Kamchatka tests.
Hike There were all sorts of interesting people on our trip: a USSR champion of track and field, an EMS doctor who saves people from hard to reach places, a postal worker, and an airport dispatcher. Such a rich collection of people our country has.
Hikers Hundreds of people from all over the world come to Kamchatka, especially in August as the region has a short summer. The region's unique natural beauty is in the good hands of volunteers and locals who make you feel safe and take good care of the land.
Sun worshipper Kamchatka's mountains are painted by Mother Nature with grass, snow, and sand. It blows your mind. It reminds looks like cow hides. Courageous snowboarders can ride here all year round.
Cellphone As Kamchatka is a peninsula, the connection with mainland is mostly by water or air. People living there wake up 9 hours earlier than people in the capital. Business in Kamchatka region is primarily based on the sea, very similar to our native Sakhalin island.
Volcano Raven Kutkh Father of Kamchatka. Flying over the water, Kutkh ordered his son to become the land, then he put on his ski and went along the surface. Where he went, different ravines, caves,valleys appeared. And the high mountains were at the edges of the earth. Kutkh breathed his warmth into the mountains as everything was saved and not frozen. The Great Raven covered with mysterious smoke this country and left to the distant Arctic Ocean. All this is only folk legend, but sometimes you can see the raven over Kamchatka, flying high in the sky.
Laundry It is interesting how people put their linen out to dry in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The water on Kamchatka is rich with minerals, hydrogen sulphid, and radon. There are both natural and developed hot springs here.
Waves They say that people who do not go into the Pacific Ocean and do not see a bear in the wild, they have not truly been to Kamchatka. Even now we hear the sound of the peninsula's waves and the scary sounds of the master of taiga (the bear) approaching.
Sleeping Sergey was born on Kamchatka. After graduation he entered the Suvorov Military school, after finishing there, he wants to return to the Far East, specifically Ussuriisk. When on vacation he works as tutor and guide on Kamchatka excursions with his dog Deyzee, who protected us from real bears. Sergey has great and bright future.
Plane view If you have not decided where to spend your summer vacation, consider Kamchatka, a land of wild nature, kind people, democratic prices, and emotions which will stay with you forever.
Bird How do people find one another? We met through Instagram, and we would like to thank all Instagram creators. One spring day, while looking through random photos, we found each other... just a little over a year later, on September 5, we got married. Accidents are never accidental.
Tent Hello everyone. One week ago we, Alexander and Anastasia, were married and we spent our pre-wedding trip was not in some warm place, but on Kamchatka. We'd like to share some photos from our trip with you. 0 0 1 51 291 Russian Life 2 1 341 14.0 Normal 0 false false false RU JA X-NONE [INVALID]
Why the E? You can often meet such a beautiful letter "E" in Krasnodar. The reason is that earlier Krasnodar was named Yekaterinodar, because Yekaterina the great presented these lands to Cossacks (though my teacher of history told it was more like sending them into exile). Not so long ago authorities wanted to rename Krasnodar as Yekaterinodar, but locals didn't want to. And now these "E"s are everywhere.
Winter Snow in winter is a rare occasion in Krasnodar, so when snow falls everyone hurries to put it to good use.
Bird man There is a place near Sennoy Market where you can rent an apartment for hours or days. Mostly elderly women are involved in this business but also you can always meet there this man. He feeds pigeons that sit right on his head, says that they like chocolate with coffee, says that people smile and take photos of him and what else - he offered to find me a good husband. Earlier there was a pineapple lying in a flowerbed nearby. I'm sure he had something to do with it.
Fight you will These are fantasy role players, whom you can meet in the Botanical garden near the Agricultural institute. Sometimes they organize big games.
Sennoy Market This is Sennoy market, where you can buy the freshest and the most delicious products. Points of interest: saleslady Venera, fresh pomegranate juice, and Georgian eating house near the entrance.
Carpet In Krasnodar people love to decorate their gardens. This is not the best example, but here there is a carpet and artificial lilies.
Eternal Flame Cadets are changing the guard at the eternal flame. Behind the flame there is the oldest cemetery in Krasnodar - Vsesvyatskoye. It was founded in early 1830s.
Yard The centre of Krasnodar is abundant in cosy old yards, many of which remind me of Georgia. There would be laundry drying in the wind, many doors would be left unlocked, with children playing by the water wells.
Homeward My short journey to Kabardino-Balkaria has come to the end. I am returning home to Vladikavkaz by minivan.
Market Markets are very popular, offering low prices and large variety versus shops and supermarkets.
Nostalgia The feeling of 90's nostalgia will never leave you in Nalchik. It seems that you've just made a journey through time and space.
Night Nalchik is situated in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains and one feature of its climate is wide daily variation in air temperature, especially in summer.
Nalchik Nalchik is the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria.It was founded in 1724. It is mountain resort town with many sanatoriums, health resorts, mineral springs and unique parks. The population of Nalchik is 238 000 and the major ethnic groups are Kabardinians, Balkars, Russians, Ossetians and others.
Sky Kabardino-Balkaria borders Stavropolskiy Kray in the North, Georgia in the South, North Ossetia in the East and in the South-East, Karachay-Cherkessia in the West.
Tower Kemerovo television center began being built in 1956 (studio and two buildings). In 1958 it began testing its television equipment. The first broadcast was the film "The Ulyanov family".
Statue The 12-meter high monument "In Memory of the Fallen Miners", by recently deceased sculptor Ernst Neizvestny. It is on Red Hill, on the banks of the Tom river, where the first coal was discovered here.
Cow This day started in the mining town of Berezovsky (30 km from Kemerovo). In fact it is several villages united into one administrative unit. But, as in the city, Berezovsky has a music school that is rightly proud of its graduates. Walking through the street by an apartment complex, cows are just a normal part of the local landscape.
Kids Girls are always girls. Whatever they are doing, they immediately sense a camera is near and begin to pose.
Freeway When you rarely leave your home city, and not for very long, you do not immediately notice the changes that occur in it day by day. But then one day you take a good look around and realize how much things have changed: the new high-rises, new transport interchanges and bypasses. The city is growing. Everything changes.
Bus Stop Bus stop at a villages of Berezovsky city. Residents arrive at their bust early, so as not miss the bus to the regional center. As a result, bus stops become places for meetings, discussions and rumors. There is talk of jobs, courtyards, children. Generally, people are busy and have no time to talk, but at the bus stop you can learn a lot from each other.
Vadim Markelov Businessman, producer of barbells and weight machines, Petrozavodsk I am not ready to give some sort of high-falutin answer. Patriotism – what is it? Love for one’s country, we love it; the government, not so much, because we can distinguish between the two. We love the place we live, and all of those who surround us. This is a fact. But what patriotism is, I don’t know... I just don’t know what patriotism is, truly. That is all.
Valentin Svatovoy Owner of Valentine’s bakery, Petrozavodsk Unequivocally. There’s no need to shy from this. I am a patriot of the land where I live, because I am proud of what was done before me, and I need to do things that those who come after me will be proud of.
Yakov Somov Co-founder and general director of Lektorium MOOC project, St. Petersburg In general, it's rude to ask a person if he is a patriot or not. I am a patriot of public education. But does that mean I am a patriot? I don't know. I work in my country, I work for it. I also work for the whole world. Yes, I am probably a patriot. In my circles, it is not proper to ask someone if they are a patriot or not. You either do good work, or don't do good work. I do good work for my country, including for the place where I studied. I graduated from this school in 2000, and have been working here for seven years. And so I am investing in the children who study here. And I work with the teachers who teach here. You've caught me off guard. You have, probably, a very well-formed question here.
Valeria Miloslavskaya Tea Sommelier, St. Petersburg I am a patriot of my country. Really, this is a very strange question. Can I have a moment? Because I truly love my country, my relatives, and they live here. And therefore I adore my country. I cannot tear myself away from my relatives, my work, my friends.
Sergei Troyanovsky Historian and deputy director of the Kremlin Museum, Veliky Novgorod This is a very difficult question. Because of “Country or Death,” as Fidel Castro said, when he conquered Cuba. To be a patriot does not mean to hate other nations, other peoples. To be a patriot means to love one’s own. I love my country a great deal. I am by birth half Belarusan and half Russian and have many relatives in Ukraine. And I cannot say that I am a patriot of the Russian Federation of today. I love people in general. That is what a patriot is, in my opinion.
Nadezhda Alexeyeva Director and artistic director of the Maly Theater, Veliki Novgorod Patriotism is a very personal feeling, just like religion. I don’t want to rank myself among the patrios that yell from every television, in all the mass media, that this is some kind of requirement. Yet recently I have been asking myself this question quite often. It has simply slashed me, because I pose this question to myself and answer that “yes, of course, I am a patriot and reside in that sphere of culture that is my motherland, and a reside among a sphere of people that truly comprises for me my small motherland.” From these small things the whole of everything is created. And my understanding of “motherland,” I repeat, is for me mainly tied to the people and and our culture. Therefore, yes. And in this regard, if I were answering a question about religion, I would also answer unequivocally. Unequivocal in the sense not becasue I don’t belive in God, but because this too is a very personal question. And nevertheless, I answer it, “Yes, of course.” But I don’t want to rank myself among patriots who yell about Russian lands. I want to rank myself among patriots who speak of Russian culture. First and foremost, this is people, our asset, human and rich. Оf course it is our people.
Vladimir Simonov Feldsher (primary care physician). Krasniye Stanki village I don't get it, why a patriot? I'm a typical person, doing his work honesty with respect to his people. Whether this is a patriot or not, I cannot say.
Alexandra Turchenkova Vocal student at the Gnesin Academy of Music, Moscow I am now am studying in the Gnesin Academy, an academy which has a really huge musical tradition. And for a musician, there should be no limits, a musician should create and be capable of expressing herself. And I, of course, am lucky to have been born in Russia, and to know Russian, to be able to interpret Russian music, because I can feel it. I feel that the main patriotism of a musician is to be able to perform Russian music. But, of course, to always seek to widen her horizons and be engaged in music more generally, that is in its broadest sense.
Marina Kozlova Jurist, single mother, mother of Lev and Marta, Moscow I cannot call myself a patriot. I believe [the author Sergei] Dovlatov said something about uniting people on the basis of nationality or the place where they live – that it is at the very least stupid. People should unite around and be proud of other sorts of things. I am not a patriot.
Valery Nikolaev and Larisa Ilyinikh University professor, Oryol (Valery) I am a patriot of my city and my country. Why? Of course there are many shortcomings and many problems in our country, but I probably don’t know a better country than Russia. Economist, Oryol (Larisa) I too am a patriot of my city and country. Most likely because I was born here and my famly and all of my life is here, and because I like it here.
Larisa Safronova Editor of the newspaper Elektron-TV, Krymsk I can say that I love Russia. But patriot, non-patriot, there are so many definitions of this word, both as a curse and as praise. Therefore I love my motherland and divide it into rulers and people, into what I have loved since childhood: school, parents, the city where I was born and raised, and in which I now live. That is everything that I love. But to be a patriot, does that mean to defend the national interests of one’s country? If they are just, then yes, I will defend it to the last. IF not, then I will also defend it. Perhaps that’s simply how we are built. Mine, ours. That’s all.
Ksenia Tsukareva Deputy Director for Marketing and PR, Sochi Hockey Club I can call myself a patriot, because I am committed to my family, my business. I give my full 100 percent not because that is what is needed, but because that is what I want. Because I truly believe that if it comes from within, then it is much stronger than any affixed stamp of citizenship or responsibility. Patriotism is that which comes from within.
Andrei Pletnev Professional yachtsman, boat owner, Novorossiysk Naturally, I can call myself a patriot. A patriot of my country, a patriot of the sport of sailing. And I make every effort so that everything I love lives, grows and prospers.
Shop Art Store in the Pryanichniy Trading Rows (the so-called Gingerbread Rows). At his dacha, my father makes rag rugs. He cuts up pieces of cloth that he hates to throw away, puts them into colourful balls and in one evening he makes a homey colourful rug, stitching it together with a needle. You can buy similar rugs in Kostroma as well as birchbark boxes, wooden spoons, matryoshka dolls, clayware, linen shirts and many other things.
Kids Dema Bilan, a Russian celebrity, visited our city. He invited kids with autism into his dressing room. Sasha, pictured, longed for it more than anyone – he was peeping through the hole onto the stage, shuddering when he heard footsteps. Tasya was starving and was weeping "Dema, help me." Lyosha was anxious and thought that everyone would have a stroke when Dema appeared. Vanya put his finger into the hole and it got stuck. Tanya knew all the lyrics by heart.
Pies Pies in Russia express hospitality and depth of the Russian soul. By tradition, pies are made on Sundays when all routine duties are done and everyone in the family can gather at the dining table. Secret recipes are passed from generation to generation. These are pies for a holiday celebration.
Baptism Andrey puts a crucifix necklace on his goddaughter during her baptism. At the St. John the Theologian Church.
Banya Sergey goes to the banya every weekend. Sometimes he goes with friends but mostly he goes alone. "It's quieter and I am able to think about what has happened during the week, to settle my mind. My inner world is in peace and quiet, so to say. My wife makes me mint tea with honey, which I bring in a thermos. I always buy an evergreen branch for lashing myself."
Ice Fishing Fishing on the Volga River near Ipatiev Monastery. "During my holiday I fish every day," the fellow says. "I get up early so that I am at the river by 6. Today nothing is biting and I have only managed to catch a few skimmer beams. I am heading home. On the weekend I caught a break: 2 kilos worth!"
Fish Grand Molochny (Milkwater) Trading Rows. If you arrive in Kostroma without a rod or net, no need to worry. There are two ways out. . First, I can point you to a street with a shop where you can buy anything from a boat to a worm. Second, there is this street where you can buy any freshwater fish you like.
Guard Lazhechnikova Street and its constant guard Vladimir Ivanovich Starikov, who has been playing the role of a nineteenth century policeman here for eight years. When he was offered the post, he didn't say anything to his relatives. His wife saw him just by chance and was astonished. Gradually she got used to her husband's popularity, but is now trying to persuade him to leave the post, due to his advanced age. But Vladimir Ivanovich can't imagine his life without his work; the booth has become his second home. He doesn't fear frost and heat, and he likes meeting new, interesting people. He may have his photos taken with 15-20 tourists a day; he is easily recognizable from his bronze face and gorgeous mustache.
Beach This beach on the bank of Kolomna River was officially closed for 12 years due to the horrible condition of the water. But it has been renovated by the city at the cost of 700 thousand rubles. From the beach one can take in the beautiful sight of Marinkina Tower. This tower has an interesting legend, connected with the name of the beautiful Marina Mnishek, the wife of two False Dmitrys, who wanted to become a Russian queen. She was imprisoned in Marinkina Tower, but then mystically disappeared from it. People said she was a kind of witch, who turned a black crow and flew away through a small tower windowr. Since that time, people see a huge black bird flying over Marinkina Tower.
Rita Rita, who live in the old part of town, takes her pets for a walk every day. Her goats Muze & Anechka were very hungry and ate all these leaves from the bushes while I was asking their names. Rita is fond of raising goats and poultry. Her home business gives her an income, as goat milk and milk products are healthy and popular. But Rita doesn't want to open an office or a shop - she thinks it to be too expensive and unprofitable.
Alexei For working out in Kolomna there are two specialized areas - in the central Park Mira and near the Skating Center. But Alexei Zhuravlev prefers a former military training area where there is still some sports equipment. He trains every day for about 2-3 hours. Workout competitions are held in Moscow. Alexei received silver and bronze medals in the gymbar category in the most recent Russian Championship.
Passage Not far from Kolomna Kremlin, is the town's only underground passage . Not a lot of people go through it, especially in winter, when the steps of the passage are covered with ice. It's more convenient to run across the street - but dangerous because of heavy traffic. All year round a lot of small shops are open in the passage. They sell glasses, pet food, sweets, icons, jewelry and other goods. But the shop selling shawarma is the most interesting. The smell is so tasty!
Dolls Many people know this house in Kolomna, though it is situated in the suburbs. It's impossible to pass it by: it is a true doll kingdom. And its queen is Margarita Lvovna Travkina, who has for many years collected dolls. She didn't intend to collect them until one day she saw a doll's legs sticking out of a garbage pail... Her soul couldn't pass it by, and she carried the doll home. There she washed it, brushed its hair and refurbished it. To this day she continues to collect and repair damaged toys. People bring old toys in various conditions, and she gives them a new life. Margarita Lvovna has two sons, grandchildren and a great grandson Vanechka. But she would also like a little girl, who would like to play with all these dolls...
Sculptor Very talented people live in Kolomna. Sculptor Vladimir Zamalin worked as an architect and his hobby was wood carving. But wood is an expensive material for a pensioner, so now Vladimir makes his sculptures with styrofoam. For six years he has been making life-size figures of animals. Each sculpture takes about a month. The giraffe is the largest figure in Zamalin's garden - it's 5 meters high. Nearby are white bears, camel, zebra, penguin... The sculptor also makes figures of people: especially he's interested in making figures of famous people. Pushkin is already standing in his arbor, Stalin and Lenin are coming soon.
Bus Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. It is quite cold on streets now. The streets are mostly empty. People are waiting for the long-expected hot summer sun. There was snow on June 5.
Hands In Lopatin lighthouse, located near the Nevelsk on the shores of the Tatar Strait. It was built by the Japanese. It is hard to explain the feelings that occur during the first climb to the top of the lighthouse. Fresh breeze, the sea, all the world is below you and even the seagulls fly beneath you. I want to come back there all time. I am a frequent guest of lighthouse and its residents the Komarov family. This time we met the son of the lighthouse keeper - Sergei. He spent his childhood at lighthouses. He studied on the mainland then served in the army, but still returned to Sakhalin and lighthouses.
Exit There is only one underpass in all Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. It is located under a railway platform. It was dug by the Japanese then repaired in the Soviet era.
Some Tea Mariya Fyodorovna has been dealing with the fishing industry for during 20 years. Now she sells fresh fish. Visiting her shop is like visiting a natural history gallery of the sea.
Sunbeam Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk railway station building. The front of this building was designed by Pacific Nation University teacher and architect Nataliya Savkova. The narrow-gauge railway goes from the capital to the north of Sakhalin and was built by the Japanese.
Family Portrait People say that citizens of Sakhalin Island differ from other people, I can tell you that real Island people are strong spirited, purposeful and kind. This is an apartment in the seaport city of Korsakov. It is rather typical. The Kuznetsov family lives in this flat. The home is not so big but all members of family live friendly together. You can feel cosiness and warmth in this place.
Fish Our island can get lost on a map of the Russian Federation and worldmap. Many mainlanders in Russia know only fairy tales about Sakhalin. That the island looks like a fish on map is symbolic: fishing industry is one of the island's main industries.
Flight Vzmorie village is located on shores of the Sea of Okhotsk. You can buy fresh crabs and very tasty bread here. The gate of a Japanese Shinto temple can be found in the village.
Car The village of Duye is where hard labor (katorga) began on Sakhalin. Currently, the village is closed. Residents were moved to other cities. This place has great historical value. Anatoly Yufkin was born in Duye. He worked in the mines and in the boiler room. He is not happy that he had to move to another city. He sincerely loves his old home.
State Seal In 1869 Sakhalin was declared a place of hard labor. Anton Chekhov visited Sakhalin in 1890 and did a great social and scientific work surveying conditions on the island. "Sakhalin Island" showed that the island was a place of unbearable suffering. In 1908, four years after Chekhov's death, the island was declared free.
Peekaboo Nogliki village. Workers in the oil and gas industry come here by train. After that they are sent to their work places. Indigenous people live in an area which is called "Kolkhoz."
Net A fisherman who is waiting for a school of capelin. Fishing is done by hoop nets and drifters along the coast, in the evening or at night. A school of fish is attracted to light from a lighthouse or lamp.
Wave What is an island without the sea? The sea is everywhere. It is our life. There are two seas washing Sakhalin: the Sea of Okhotsk and the Japanese Sea.
Birds Vladimirovka-Toyohara and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk are two names for one city in different times. The city is not so big. There are two main streets that run parallel to each other. Lenina Street and Mira Avenue. Interestingly, these parallel lines cross on one point and thus destroy all the laws about parallel lines. Actually there are a lot of strange things on our island.
Fisherwoman This is Rezeda Ravilievna and her son. She is a social activist, fisherwoman and beautiful woman. She says:"There is less water every year in the Volga. Many little rivers"Ilmen" got dry and those rivers I swam in when I was a child have become a swamp. There are fewer fish. People say even there won't be roach ("vobla") in the rivers next year. What should we do? Who can help?"
Sunset Sunset in the steppe. I live in the country. The village is called Starokucherganovka. Today, as in my childhood my friends and I stare after the sun on the steppe. But people complain because of a law of 2014 "About Regulation of the Time" it get's dark very early. This sunset was at 7:14 pm.
Fisherwoman This is Rezeda Ravilievna and her son. She is a social activist, fisherwoman and beautiful woman. She says:"There is less water every year in the Volga. Many little rivers"Ilmen" got dry and those rivers I swam in when I was a child have become a swamp. There are fewer fish. People say even there won't be roach ("vobla") in the rivers next year. What should we do? Who can help?"
Sunset Sunset on Lake Baskunchak, Astrakhan region. Behind Mount Bogdo, the highest point in the Caspian depression.
Eggplant The favorite product in the summer is eggplant. They are fried with tomatoes, seasoned with a garlic sauce, mayonnaise or cheese. Also on the table is caviar made from eggplant. Bon appetit!
Market I like walking through the market. This is Bolshie Isady. This market shows the contradictory feelings many locals have and see some of the problems that exist. You can taste the most delicious homemade cheese, marinated vegetables and the most important thing is you can eat in what I feel is the best cafe for Caucasian cuisine.
Village A typical Altai village. There aren't many big cities in the Altai Republic, most of the population lives in the villages. The first people started to settle in Altai region about 1.5 million years ago.
Seminsky Cows at the forest edge near Seminsky Pass, Altai Republic. Animals still graze in the pastures even after the first snow falls.
Tourists Tourists walking in the Altai foothills. Altai remains one the most popular places for tourism in Russia. Some people go hiking there, others prefer rafting, fishing or just admiring the beauty of its nature.
Katun Katun River, Altai republic. It begins near Belukha Mountain and flows through all of the Altai. Together with the Biya river, it forms the Ob River. Katun changes its color depending on season of the year. In autumn its water becomes turquoise. It looks beautiful. There are many rapids on the Katun and it is very attractive for water-rafting.
Fisherman A lonesome fisherman on the banks of the Katun River, Altai Republic. The population of Altai Republic is approximately 210 thousand persons, so you really don't often meet many people while exploring the wonders of Altai.
Hydro Chemal hydroelectric station on the Chemal River, Altai Republic. The hydroelectric station was built in 1937 with the help of prisoners of a nearby boot camp. Chemal sanatorium and several houses used the energy produced by the station. The Chemal station doesn't work as a hydroelectric station any longer, however; now it is a museum.
Hotel Room There are many hotels, guest houses and sanatoriums in the Altai Republic, everyone can choose where to stay according to their taste. You can choose a modern hotel with aquapark, or you can settle down in a cosy traditional Russian wooden house with Russian furnace, visit a Russian banya and drink a cup of tea with Altai herbals and honey afterards. In the photo is a room in a hotel in Altai Republic.
Cows Inhabitants of countryside in Altai republics mainly are engaged in farming: many of them grow vegetables and raise animals - sheep, pigs, cows and horses. Animals usually graze in the pastures under a shepherd's control, but very often you may see cows crossing the roads and they don't think about traffic regulations.
Horse A horse on the grassland near Seminsky Pass. Altai Republic. The height of the Seminsky Pass is 1717m. So the snow covers the ground here earlier, but horses and cows continue to graze even when there is some snow.
Chuysky Trakt The main road that leads to Altai is the Chuysky Trakt (Chuysky Path), which begins in Novosibirsk and goes through the regions of Novosibirsk and Altai to the border with Mongolia. Chuysky Trakt is considered to be one of the most beautiful roads not only in Russia but in the world. The road appeared some centuries ago, warriors and traders used it.
Apiary Apiary in the village of Kamlak, Altai Republic. Altai honey is the most famous Altai brand. Many tourists who travel across Altai buy honey and bring it home as a sweet and tasty souvenir. Locals sell honey here everywhere, but don't hurry to buy it in a first village that you visit. There are several kinds of Altai honey. They differ because of the conditions where bees gather honey. There is taiga honey, highland honey, meadow honey and field honey. Different types of honey differ in taste, color, smell and consistence. Beekeepers also make the traditional Russian drink medovukha from honey. It is an alcoholic beverage that is made with honey and Altai herbs. A new brand is cream honey - honey with berries and fruits whipped in a special manner.
Patmos There are lots of interesting places in Altai Republic and one of them is Patmos Island on the Katun River. It is a small rock in the centre of the river, not far from Chemal village. The only way to get to Patmos is over a pendant bridge. It received its name after a small Greek island Patmos. In the 19th century a small church was built there and it was destroyed in the 1920s. In the 2000s a new church was built there once again and now it belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church. Still it is interesting to visit Patmos no matter to what confession you belong to. Lots of people come to see Patmos, and sometimes you have to wait in a queue before you may enter the bridge, which can only have six persons walking over it at the same time.
Anniversasry Some of locals were volunteers during the Winter Olympics, and they gather in Olympic Park on the 7th of February, the anniversary of the games' opening.
Bike Mainly it's children who ride their bikes through this fountain, but grown ups also do it on occasion.
Gorki Gorod Krasnaya Polyana is famous for its wonderful mountains but also there are lots of places for entertainment, such as this aqua park in Gorki Gorod.
Gelendzhik Gelendzhik is a town in Krasnodar region, 250 km from Sochi. Life in coastal cities is concentrated near the sea. This picture was taken during the International Exhibition and Scientific Conference on Hydroaviation.
Sunbather Locals come to enjoy the sun and sea usually only in autumn and winter. The city has more than 300 sunny days per year.
Bus Districts of Sochi are located on average about 40 km apart, so people spend lots of time in buses.
Hiking Hiking is one of the best ways to spend time in Krasnaya Polyana, and swimming in a mountain lake is especially pleasant after a tough day.
Apples Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, August 2015.
Pillows Interior of a bedroom room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, 14.07.2014.
Fridge Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, August 2015.
Curtains Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, August 2015.
Darkness Interior of a bedroom room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, 14.07.2014.
Corner Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, August 2013.
Photo Wall Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia.
Television Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, August 2014.
Red Interior of a bedroom room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, 14.07.2014.
Bed Interior of a bedroom room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, 14.07.2014.
Light Interior of a bedroom room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, 14.07.2014.
Blue Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, August 2015.
Wall Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, 14.08.2015.
Radio Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, 06.07.2013.
Divan Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, August 2015.
Kitchen Summer kitchen, village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, 06.07.2013. Summer kitchens often exist as separate buildings adjacent to village homes.
Table Interior of the living room in a rural house in the village of Borki, Kursk region, Russia, 06.07.2013.
Sunbeam A rehearsal of "Kÿn Susy" ("Sunbeam”) dance ensemble, under the direction of choreographer Natalia Apunevich. This ensemble was created in Abakan in 2007. It is so popular that even in small areas of Khakassia it gives 2-3 performances per day. It has also performed abroad including most recently at the Venice Carnival in February 2016.
Abakan Abakan is the capital of Khakassia. 170 thousand people live there. Abakan railway station was first opened in 1925, when the “Achinsk-Minusinsk” railway was being built. Between the railway station and the Ust-Abakansk settlement, a housing complex was built, on April 30, 1932, that complex was officially transformed into Abakan city.
Constellation A rehearsal of the "Ülger" (Constellation) song and dance ensemble, founded in 1989. When asked why the ensemble is much more likely to work abroad than in Russia, its leader, Kuchen Aycharkh Sayn, jokes: “Perhaps in our country we all are tired of each other." Photo: Altyn Tan Tayas Tag Kharga (member of the ensemble) plays the Topcu-homyse – a two-stringed Khakass musical instrument.
Dam Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Station on the Yenisey River is the largest hydroelectric power plant in Russia. Its dam is the highest in the country (242 meters).
Born in Siberia Born in Khakassia. Timir (in the photo) and his wife Maria were born and raised in Khakassia. They live in Abakan now. Besides working in an office and raising two little children Timir and Maria have developed their own brand of clothes and accessories called "Born in Siberia" (@born.in.siberia).
Petroglyph There are a lot of ancient petroglyphs in Khakassia. These images were made by the prehistoric people thousands of years ago.
Road On the road from Abakan to Sayanogorsk you can see the panorama of snow-capped peaks of the Western Sayan Mountains.
Chests The Chests Mountains. This row of five peaks owes its name to the peak, the shape of which resembles a large stone cube - the chest. The Khakas name of this mountain is Hyzyl Haya (Red Cliff). The complex has several observation platforms, two versions of a "sundial," a calendar, a biography of the great warrior reflecting the mythology of the ancient inhabitants of the territory of Khakassia. The mountain range is a complex of archaeological sites that includes burial mounds, rock carvings and special facilities, which together are an astronomical observatory of the ancient people who lived here.
Fisherman A fisherman on the shore of a small pond at the entrance to the Shira urban settlement. Shira region in Khakassia is famous for its many lakes, the banks of which host a number of resort areas with sanatoria and tourist complexes. Shira's location is very conveniently located if one wants to visit Khakass points of power and points of interest.
Collapse After working for more than 30 years as the main architect in the Shira area of Khakassia, Lyubov Ilinichna is now retired. But she cannot be idle. Ilinichna stared doing business, mastered accounting, ran a sawmill, and opened shops... It was interesting, but she tired of this as well. One day an acquaintance from the local government invited her to become a guide and drive sightseers around the Shira region. For 20 years now she has been leading a fascinating tour of the surrounding mountains, caves, lakes and other local attractions. Photo: behind Lyubov Ilinichna you can see Tiumsky Collapse - a huge pit of technogenic origin on the site of an underground mine closed in 1954.
Menhirs When traveling to Khakasia, pay attention to the numerous standing stones - menhirs. They are scattered across the prairies, large and small, inclined and straight, dug around a mound of earth fence, or arranged in rows, circles, or all alone in the desert. Most often, menhirs are arranged around the perimeter or in the corners of small mounds hiding an ancient burial, which relates to periods of Tagar (VIII - III century BC) or Okunevskaya (II thousand years BC) cultures.
Memorial A memorial complex in memory of the fallen was recently opened on Samohval Mountain near Abakan. From here there is an excellent panoramic view of the city and the river Abakan flowing into the Yenisey.
Kichege According to ancient tradition, Khakass men wear long hair in a tight braid called kiӌege (Kichege). It symbolizes their strong connection with the sky, the Tengri world of spirits.
Kunja The road on the slopes of the ancient mountain Kÿn Tag, or Kunja, which in Khakassian means "Mountain of the Sun."
Igor A shepherd named Igor, but nicknamed Khakas, shows me pikulki (Siberian irises) flowers growing in the prairies and meadows of Khakassia. Igor is 46 and an ethnic Khakass. Since childhood everyone has called him Khakas. He considered it an insult until he was 14, when he learned it was the name of his nationality. The flock he oversees belongs to a Chinese guy who has been living in Khakassia since the 1980s. Everyone calls him Kolya.
School Students of School №11 in Abakan, dressed in Russian national costumes. In one of the underpasses on Pushkin Street, they record a mini-video for their school graduation celebration.
Horses Galloping and glazing horses in the Khakass open spaces. You can watch at this forever. The horse is one of the most common animals in Khakass open spaces. Breeding of horses, cattle and sheep has always been a traditional occupation among the Khakass people.
Hogwarts School No. 5. This is a castle built by businessman Sergey Mamaev for his wife Tatiana Mamayeva, she is the director of the school. Yoshkar-Ola is Mari for "red city." The castle was built of gray limestone. Over time, it will darken and will look like a real Hogwarts. Photo by @sky_system
Tower I traveled to Yoshkar Ola (Tsarevokokshaisk) to create a guide for foreign tourists. The capital of Mari El is very extensive and beautiful.Photo by @sky_system
Memorial Volunteer Aleksey Zagainov at the Memorial Museum of the History of the Gulag in Yoshkar-Ola. The local museum is unique for being located in the same building where prisoners where held, interrogated and tortured.Photo by @sky_system
Reflection The Republican Puppet Theatre - founded in 1942. The theater puts on performances in Russian and Mari languages. Its new building evokes the magic of Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland Paris, which, in turn, is stylized after Bavaria's Neuschwanstein castle.Photo by @sky_system
Street Street names around the city are written in Russian and in Mari. You can hear people talking Mari in museums, shops and cafés. In the republic both languages have official status.Photo by @sky_system
Beach In the evening, on the central beach. In spring the central beach is flooded. The weather is getting warmer the ice is melting, and the water level in the the Small Kokshaga River has risen.Photo by @sky_system
Volga River The odor of lighter fluid and shashlik fills the air as does loud music. One could start to feel dizzy. This is how holidays are here. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
Lake Long ago, Mescherskoe Lake, the largest lae in Nizhny Novgorod, was part of the Volga River. Now it's a favorite places for leisure, for romantic dates, and where people sing and play guitar all night long. It would be a totally wonderful place if were not for the litter on the lake shore. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
Kremlin The main tourist attraction in Nizhny Novgorod and its architectural landmark is the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. This is the most ancient part of the city, first mentioned in the Chronicles in 1221, although most construction took place from 1508 to 1515. Like all kremlins in Russia, it was a fortress. Today is houses museums and buildings of the regional and municipal government. The best way to view Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin is to go on a river cruise. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
Lenin There are at least 6000 Lenin monuments in Russia, and at least 49 city squares and 5167 streets named after him. The full length of Lenin Streets is approximately 8631 kilometers. This is equal to the distance between Nizhny Novgorod and South Korea. In Nizhny Novgorod there is one square, 17 memorials and one avenue named for Vladimir Ilyich. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
Rest Preparations are in full swing for Victory Day. Between rehearsals, parade participants take e a rest in the shadow of the Nizhny Novgorod kremlin walls. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
Formerly Gorky The famous Russian writer Maxim Gorky was born in Nizhny Novgorod. The city was renamed after him in 1932. In 1990, however, the name Nizhny Novgorod was returned to the city. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
Defense A school student defends his team's goal during a game of floorball. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
Cup Dreams In 2018 Nizhny Novgorod will be one of the Russian cities hosting the FIFA World Cup. I hope that our city will see many guests from all over the world. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
People I've been living in Nizhny Novgorod for ten years, but still can't understand what sort of people the locals are. Are they kind or evil, moody or joyful, ready to help a stranger or not? Nevertheless, I want to believe that more of them are kind and sincere. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
Olympian This guy's name is Sergey Gavrikov. He is 17, and has been blind for 10. He is a member of the Russian national football team for blind people and this year he will participate the Paralympic Games in Rio. He's an incredibly talented and cheerful guy. I'm proud to be acquainted with him. Photo by @misha_solunin from Nizhny Novgorod
Tryokhsvyatskaya Tver has its own “Arbat” – it’s the walking street “Trekhsvyatskaya” that crosses the no less beautiful boulevard “Radischeva”. Some time ago a tram ran from Lenin Square to the railway station. It was exciting to ride without a ticket from one end to the other, running from the conductor and leaping out at the stops. Then the rails were dismantled, and the streets filled with shops and pedestrians. Photo by @mnogolala from Tver
Tree ”Never give up!" My favorite tree. It grows between the garage and the fence. Photo by @mnogolala from Tver
Krug Tver is the hometown of the most famous chanson singer, Mikhail Krug. He devoted many songs to Tver and always performed happily at the concerts on Tver's "City Day". Once, during such a concert that was presented between two main bridges on a platform, he had begun to sing the song "My Dear City Familiar to Tears" and something happened to the sound equipment. The people standing on the embankments between the two bridges – about 20-30 thousand people - began singing the song with him. The show was unforgettable. Here he is much loved even among those who are not admirers of chanson.Photo by @mnogolala from Tver
Beach The beach on the Tmaka river, the river where I learned to swim. Twice, I almost drowned there and once fell through the ice. I remember my mother's words: "If you try drowning again, I'll kill you". It has a nice sandy beach, and in the summertime, there are some places where you can cross the river on foot.Photo by @mnogolala from Tver
Oscar Tver has own "Oscar," he stands in front of the cinema "Star." This year local social networkers joked that they would send their Oscar to Leonardo DiCaprio, if he did not win for his role in "The Revenant" Photo by @mnogolala from Tver
Town Sign Tver is located at the confluence of three rivers: Volga Tmaka and Tvertsa. The Tver sign meets and greets everybody at the pier, where large cruise ships moor up. Photo by @mnogolala from Tver
Stuffed On the way from Moscow to Tver one can find a taxidermist and buy a hedgehog, fox or elk. Photo by @mnogolala from Tver
Babushki Women talking on the bench against the backdrop of a Chinese style gazebo. Photo by @mnogolala from Tver
Courtyard This is a courtyard of my childhood. There is nothing special in it, the usual courtyard. I was surprised to find a familiar bench, where at the age of 12, I chatted with a boy from my class after he carried my bag. And a couple of teenagers who are just having a nice conversation with each other, enthusiastically looking at a smartphone. Already on a new bench of the new generation. Photo by @mnogolala from Tver
Goat This family has a lot of livestock; this is just one of their goats. They also have a donkey. @lyubeznikov @alexandra_ivanova
Father Frost's Mail This is the mailbox of Ded Moroz. Ded Moroz is Russia's Santa Claus. Many childrens write letters to Ded Moroz. @lyubeznikov @alexandra_ivanova
Baptism Church of Simeon Stylites. Baptisms take place every Saturday, but I was lucky to shoot this on a Sunday, because non-locals had asked to be baptized. Baptism takes place in a small, heated room with a baptismal font. @lyubeznikov @alexandra_ivanova
Skiing Children skiing in front of the Church of Nikola Gostunsky, in the center of the town. @lyubeznikov @alexandra_ivanova
Snowman Snowman melts in the courtyard of a house on Sovetsky Prospect, the town's main street. @lyubeznikov @alexandra_ivanova
Simeon Stylites The Church of Simeon Stylites is an Orthodox Church that is not very popular among tourists, because it is not in the center of the town (a 30 minute walk from the central square). Only the first level of the church is restored and open to visitors. It is one of the few functioning churches in Velikiy Ustyug. @lyubeznikov @alexandra_ivanova
Reindeer When you talking about Chukotka you can’t ignore indigenous people and reindeer. Their traditional occupation is still alive today. The word Chukotka comes from “chauchu,” which means deer horns. Sled driving deer usually have their horns trimmed so that they don’t disturb each other while running.
Smelt Alexey ice-fishes for smelt in the Anadyr river estuary. This fish has always been popular here; there was even a local holiday – Smelt Fish Festival. Back when Abramovich managed this region, people won incredible prizes - apartments, snowmobiles - in fishing competitions, and there were concerts by famous artists from Moscow. After the "Abramovich period" this holiday was officially ended, yet it existed well before Abramovich, as a welcome for spring.
Pylons Here you can see a feature of northern Russian cities: the houses stand on pylons that are buried 4-6 meters. There is no other way: permafrost floats on the surface in summer, the house walls would cracked. You can also see a fox tail hanging from the window sill. Nothing special!
Snowbound We used to see such homemade vehicles with tube wheels everywhere in the North. They had different names, depending on region: mandebas, dutik, karakurt. Due to bank loans, people can now afford snowmobiles and quad bikes, so this is something of a rarity now.
Snowmobile Chukotka is a region with a completely undeveloped road network. Shipping cargo to most parts of the region happens only in winter, and the passenger transportation to faraway villages is only possible by helicopter.
Anadyr This picture summarizes Anadyr for me. The capital of Chukotka is always colorful, the buildings and banners on the facades are painted in a way to bring diversity to an otherwise gloomy winter view. There is lots of snow on the streets: blizzards bring so much that the equipment can't clean the streets in time. In the capital, as you would expect, the quality of life is higher than in the rest of Chukotka, so the number of moms with strollers is great indeed.
Soot The layer of soot from Pevek heat and power station covers the surface deep in Chausy Bay. In the next few years there is a plan to close Pevek Heat and Power Station and build floating nuclear power plant. Pevek was the largest city in Chukotka, a strategic port on the Northern Sea Route. Today the city is deserted and the population decreased to 25% of its previous level. All of the many towns surrounding this city are abandoned. It is terrible to watch the devastation and to be aware of reality.
Winter road It's not easy to deliver cargo to Cupol. First it comes by sea to the town of Pevek and then it goes 400 kilometers by a winter road to the point of destination. I wasn't going to write a lot about this winter road but couldn't help as it's really unique. In Russia, winter roads are usually made with the help of scrapers but this one is filled in with water. It is frozen layer by layer like asphalt. The road turns very smooth and easy to repair. The speed limit here is 50 kilometers per hour.
Greenhouse Victoria is from the Chukchi town of Bilibino and she works at the mine. This is a greenhouse where vegetables are grown with the use of hydroponic technology. This station has been the only one for a long time in Chukotka and Victoria works as an operator at it.
Cutting Bair is a worker in economic and technical service. Most part of workers here are from Magadan because at first Kirnoss held mine called Juliette in Magadan region.
Fox 700 hundred workers are on duty in the mine at one time. For their living and leisure a comfortable camp has been built here using modular technology. As the mine is situated in the wild, nobody minds getting along with animals.
Gold Mine Cupol is the biggest gold mine in Chukotka which is being tapped by Canadian corporation Kinross. In the picture you can see a treated quarry where mining is carried out by underground methods. Here in the field they have built a gold extraction plant, residential complex, fuel storage, diesel power station and airport. The gold extraction plant processes ore also from the mine Dvoinoy which is situated 100 kilometers to the north.
Авто(рсвто)-биография Писать большую, развернутую биографию еще рановато. Герберт Уэллс начал свою в 65 и накропал толстенный том - много больше и тяжелее того кирпича, что укладывал от скуки в стену своей усадьбы сэр Уинстон Черчилль.
Aleshkovsky's Fish Entree The translator of Fish: A History of One Migration, Nina Shevchuk-Murray, interviews Peter Aleshkovsky about his novel.
Shopping Day In spring 2015 I made a photoshoot about life in the Polar Circle. This week I'm going to show it to you. Salekhard is the administrative center of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The city lives at the expense of the region. The main trade of the indigenous people called the Nenets is reindeer-raising. Deer are not only their means of transportation but also food, clothes and livelihood. In this picture you can see reindeer sleds standing near administrative buildings in the center of Salekhard. Deer are waiting for their owners while they are busy shopping.
Reindeer Breeder Day In the spring, the Day of Reindeer Breeder is celebrated widely on the Yamal Peninsula. All the reindeer breeders and their families gather together and sell frozen fish, clothes and venison.
Helmet On the Day of Reindeer Breeder this family rented their tent to the organizer of the festival. Everyone could go inside and learn their mode of life and share dinner with them. Almost every family of reindeer breeders has a snowmobile. On this holiday, parents usually buy presents for their children, whether toys or something useful, for example a crash helmet. Children liked helmets even more than electronic piano.
Snowmobile This reindeer breeder was the most handsome I had ever seen. But unfortunately, he didn't want to get acquainted with me though posed very impressively. During the holiday its participants boasted not only of their reindeer sleds, but also new snowmobiles. Reindeer breeders get their snowmobiles through a state reindeer support program. But life away from civilization often causes a problem with fuel, so reindeer are irreplaceable.
Cat and Goose Once this man from the village of Shuryshkary picked up a wounded goose. Now it lives with five cats and three dogs. On the chair there is muksun, which is a favorite fish of northern people. Its catch is limited because of a decline in its population. They eat it uncooked or frozen.
Nenets Despite the fact that northern people are resistant to severe frosts, the Nenets children can still get running noses. This boy was sitting in a sledge and waiting for his parents to collect their unsold goods and get ready to go home.
Two Guys These drunken guys are skating over the frozen Ob after the Day of Reindeer Breeder in the village of Aksarka. In body of Northern people there is no gene responsible for alcohol resistance. That's why they are prone to alcoholism. Russian conquerers took advantage of it, treat them with alcohol and then exchange fur and deer for little money. Part of the Nenets have left a nomadic life and live in flats, allocated by the state. The problem of alcoholism is very here. Partly because of the people who want to take away the flats of the Nenets.
Taxi Driver This is my childhood friend Pasha. Now he is a father of two children. He worked as a carpenter for eight years but at last he got tired of wasting time with wood, so now he is employed as a driver in a firm. As well, in the evenings he serves as a taxi driver. By the way, many people in Tara use their cars to earn money by giving rides.
Hockey The main sport in Omsk is ice hockey. The former governor of Omsk, region who held office for twenty years, was a devoted fan of Hockey Club Avangard Omsk Region. The team won the Russian Superleague in 2004. Many hockey players who were raised in Omsk play all over the world now. And youngsters play right in the streets, despite the frost.
Water Run The second biggest city in Omsk region is Tara. It is situated about 300 km north of the regional center. It has just 25 thousand citizens. This is where I come from... I am in love with old wooden houses, the simplicity of local people and the remoteness of the noisy megalopolis. Though, all the creature comforts are also far away. For example, citizens of Tara still take water from a standpipe.
Sunlight In Omsk there are many steam-heat and fabric pipes. The city is big and it needs proper heating. The most powerful ones belong to the Oil Plant. A long time ago, the son of famous Russian poet Lev Gumilyov took part in building this plant while serving his exile here. He was born in St. Petersburg. By coincidence, the bulk of the plant's taxes go to the Northern capital of Russia, because the Oil plant is a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft. Money flows away from Omsk while it suffers from the plant's pollution. That's why all the citizens think it's unfair.
Tractor Settlements close to the regional center are often deserted, as the youth leave them and old people live out their lives. Across the Irtysh, the taiga begins. The settlements here are more stable, because Omsk and its temptations is far away.
Tire Swing There are a lot of things for kids to do in winter. Icy roads serve as skating-rinks in most courtyards, severe frost extends vacations, and the snowdrifts are so big that you can jump from a garage roof into them (until their owners notice and kick you out).
Students Omsk is a city of students. There are lots of educational institutions and young people around. Some of them are going into the army. In the photo you see assembly point of Omsk region.
Kiss There is a lot of talk about crisis and inflation in Russia today, but still shopping malls are full of people. The most popular one in Omsk is Mega. On weekends all the roads in its direction are usually paralyzed with traffic jams. People head there not only for shopping but just to spend their free time. Some of them go on dates there, others stroll around, dreaming about future purchases or come inside just to warm up.
Snow The Mother Protector (Мать-Покровительница) Monument, by the sculptor Vladimir Nagornov. The height of the monument exceeds all monuments previously installed in Chuvashia. It's 46 meters including its plinth. At the bottom of the pedestal there is a plaque that reads, “Blessed are my children, living in peace and love” (Благословенны дети мои, живущие в мире и любви). The Orthodox Church criticized the monument because they said it resembles a pagan idol.
Pikalevo From a distance it seems like they are all alike - smokestacks, workers' quarters... what else? But actually each monotown has its own history, its vital rhythms, amazing destinies of very different people.
Boat Water is everywhere in Syasstroy. Rivers Syas and Valgomka flow here. Lake Ladoga and Old Ladoga channel are quite near this town as well. There was a trade route down by the river before, locals lived by fishing and Tsar Peter The Great built ships here. In Soviet times, the Syassky Pulp and Paper Mill was constructed here. But even now many locals have their own boats. The fishing is great here.
Pipes Alumina, aluminum hydrate and limestone are the main products of the BaselCement-Pikalevo Plant. Thus, the workshop area is very dusty. Dusty outside: trees around the factory are always of a fabulous gray-white color. Dusty inside: it's not recommended for a photographer to change his lenses while in the production area, if one doesn't want to ruin the camera's sensor with dust. On the other hand, the head of the town administration is proud that unemployment rate in Pikalevo was less than one percent in 2015.
Cross Perch Boys sitting on a cross. It was installed in Pikalevo in 2014 at the entrance to the city. Now the congregation of Krestovozdvizhenskaya Church (the Church of Holy Cross) is collecting money to build another church in their town, near this worship cross. Those making a donation of more than 500 rubles will receive a certificate for a "name brick" – a brick used to build the church will bear the donor's name.
Tower Chechens are a bit schizophrenic. On the one hand we are patriots of our republic and country and like to demonstrate our love openly. On the other hand, we are fond of foreign stuff that emphasizes our status and lets us glam things up. We have a particular weakness for everything French. That's why there are two miniatures of The Eiffel Tower in the city.
Cape of Love The Cape of Love is a popular place among lovers and newlyweds. From time to time city authorities pay to have it repainted, but the number of lovers doesn't decrease.
Tree The oldest oak tree in Chuvashia is 362 years old. It has the status of a natural monument and is situated in Ilinskoe forestry of Morgaushsky district.
Rocket A Soviet era playground. One of the most famous representatives of the Chuvash people is Adrian Nikolaev, born in the village of Shorshely, who was the third man in space. This may be why there are many rockets in local playgrounds. There is also a park named after Nikolaev and a Space Museum in Shorshely.
Bridge A pedestrian bridge across the bay in the mouth of the Cheboksarka river is a popular place among citizens for walking.
Sweepers The public service company Sursad keeps Grozny streets clean. It started working immediately after the first days of recovery after the Chechen War. Local drivers were so taken aback when they saw street cleaners for the first time, that they unintentionally hit them with their cars. So Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov established a one million ruble compensation to street cleaners who were hit by drives. Since that time, employees of Sursad, who are mostly women, have been called Million Dollar Babies.
Mosque The Grozny-City Towers and The Heart of Chechnya Mosque were the first postwar projects in the republic. Their construction was funded by investors and carried out by Turkish construction companies. The highest tower in the complex was damaged by fire. It was reconstructed and got a new name: Phoenix. All the concerts, big holidays, fairs and meetings in Grozny are held on this square.
Merchant Ramson season is in full swing. This wild garlic is collected in mountain regions in January, right after snow starts to melt. In Chechnya it's not just a snack, but a full course. It's sold by weight. After peduncles are cut, ramson is washed and stewed in milk or tomato sauce.
Dancer Magomed and his friends have been breakdancing for several years. He doesn't oppose modern styles to lezginka (traditional Caucasian dance), he just says that these are two different worlds. The guys perform at all kinds of parties and even weddings. They are going to start their own dance school.
Night Local authorities are trying their best to develop tourism, but tourists prefer to visit Grozny only on weekends. Tour operators complain that, because of the crisis, no more than nine groups come to the city in a day. The main item on tourists' to-do-list is buying souvenirs. The most popular ones are traditional Chechen fleece caps. Even if people don't buy them, the will make pictures in them for sure.
Beer factory This old factory was built in the early twentieth century. The oldest part of building is a protected federal architectural monument. The building is located in the centre of town, near the park.
Center Maykop's historic center is mainly filled with low-rise buildings built in the nineteenth century.
Mosque The only mosque in Maykop, which was opened in November, 2000. There are 44 mosques in the Republic of Adygea.
Waterfalls One of the most beautiful excursions in Adygea is the waterfalls on the River Rufabgo. In winter the waterfalls freeze, forming enormous icicles.
Five Falls There are sixteen waterfalls on the river, but only five can be approached on foot. This is the first waterfall, and it is a favorite place for photographers.
Belaya River The Belaya River is the main river in Adygea. It was named "Shhaguashhe" in the past, which in the Adyghe language means "Mistress of the Mountains."
Hill The first mention of the town in the annals refers to 1146. We can see it is just one year older than Moscow. Its name comes from the name of a small river Mtsna. At its confluence with the deep river Zusha was the town castle.
Hotel The only hotel in town. Sometime, there was next to another hotel, a bigger size. But about three years ago in this building made a furniture store.
Epiphany People say that real Siberian is not one who never gets cold, but one who dresses properly. Epiphany is an an exception. Here in Irkutsk even frosts of 30 degrees below zero cannot prevent people from jumping in the icy waters!
Grandma I was asked to share a picture of my cheerful grandmother. We did some shopping to choose gifts for our family and had a bit of fun. Smile with us!
Angara The main promenade zone is the Angara River embankment. Romantic students, exalted tourists, and families all stroll here no matter the weather. You can meet acquaintances, artists, and musicians here, or perhaps a horse or a deer. It is the only street in the city where snow is properly removed.
Water Water is the special pride of Irkutsk citizens. You can drink sweet water right from the lake Baikal, in Irkutsk tasty water runs from the tap. Villagers are a bit less lucky. Denis and Mikhail (pictured) live in the village of Vvedentshina. They drink and take water for cooking from the River Irkut. In their opinion, it is the most fresh and tasty water available.
Bear Paws There is a myth that every Siberian has a tamed bear at home. It is not so. But there is a good chance of meeting a bear in northern villages. How these stories end can differ. We do not eat bear meat. Almost all bear meat is infected with trichinellosis.
Icebreaker The icebreaker Angara is more than a century old, and thus is the oldest existing icebreaker in the world. She has lived through two world wars and a civil war, experienced several major accidents and restorations. Now she is a museum and sees only good things: in winter a skating rink is set up alongside the icebreaker, and Irkustskians like to spend their leisure time there.
Emergency Denis and Lera play Emergencies Ministry in school. There is a grain of truth in very joke: this summer and autumn there were widespread peat-bog fires in Irkutsk region and around Baikal forest. People worked together to combat the fires. No games.
Winter This year a true winter with deep frosts came to Irkutsk. For several years winter has not been like this. Locals usually snarl against the weather: in summer they miss the snow, in winter - grass. But we live in a sunny region, full of light, snow and frost.
Kivach Kivach nature reserve was the first protected area in Karelia and also one of the oldest in Russia. It was founded in 1931 and named for the waterfall of the same name. It is located 80 km to the north of Petrozavodsk. The main attraction of the reserve is Kivach waterfall on the Suna River. Water falls in four levels. The total height of the waterfall from the top to the bottom of the river is 10.7 m. For a long time Kivach was considered to be the largest planar waterfall in Russia and the second largest plain waterfall in Europe after the Rhine waterfall in Switzerland. Currently the waterfall has lost its due to the dam built upstream. Nevertheless Kivach is the most accessible and famous of Karelian waterfalls.
Canoe Who said that canoeing is only a summer activity? In Karelia, the tourist sphere is active year-round. Today Dmitry and Pavel, who are instructors in Karjala Park, have decided to raft a bit. They couldn't just miss such weather. "Cold frost and sunshine; day of wonder!" as Alexander Pushkin wrote.
Ermine An ermine spotted in the center of Petrozavodsk. I shot this cute guy 300 meters from Kirov Square, where the main Christmas tree in Petrozavodsk is installed. First I saw running mouse and a minute later this handsome animal. This is not the first time I have taken a picture of wildlife in the city.
Christmas On January 7, Orthodox Russians celebrate one of the major holidays of the year - Christmas. In the photo: St. Catherine the Great Church in Petrozavodsk on Christmas day.
Skating It's cold in Karelia now. This morning it was nearly minus 30 C in Petrozavodsk. Not extremely much for northern region. But nevertheless most citizens prefer to stay at home even on the weekend. There were only three people at the skating rink in the city center this morning.
Walkers Cold weather doesn't frighten hunters, fishermen and... Nordic walkers of all age. This kind of sport has become increasingly popular in Petrozavodsk. Nordic walkers like to stride along the embankment and in the forest on the outskirts of the city whatever the weather.
Ducks Dozens of ducks wintering in Petrozavodsk. They live in small city rivers where open holes in the ice remain unfrozen even in strong frosts. Birds have tough times now. But citizens try to help by feeding them every day.
Dvor Art Petrozavodsk - a courtyard on Pravda street. Car tires, stones, washbowls, barrels, old bicycle. Andrey Petrovich who lives here make these art objects from different old unnecessary stuff.
Fishing There are more than 60 thousand lakes in Karelia. As many as fishermen, I guess. This winter all fishing fans were waiting for ice to set. Finally we got it. Although today was 24 degrees Celsius below zero we went fishing. We were on the ice of one of the bays of Lake Onega from early morning. The man with ice on his mustache in the picture is Dmitry, a manager in the adventure tourism company, 36 years old. Dima moved to Petrozavodsk after 13 years of living in Moscow. Last year we took him to the ice for first time. This year he has got special sledge, fishing box and other fishing stuff. He also managed to interest his sons in ice fishing. Today not much was biting, but each of us caught some fish. As we say: we go fishing but not for fish.
Storm Petrozavodsk is a northern city. Cold winters used to be typical. But in recent years real winter comes only in the middle of December. Yesterday and today there was a strong snowstorm. The temperature lowed to 15 degrees Celsius below zero and strong wind was blowing all day long. The monument to Peter the Great, the founder of the city, is barely visible in this shot.
Night Blagoveshchensk was founded in 1856. It is the administrative center of Amur region and the fifth largest city in the Far East and has a population of 225,00. The city sits at the confluence of the Amur and Zeya Rivers. This is Blagoveshchensk in the morning, with the city thermal power station.
Road You can get to Amur region by plane, train or automobile. Travelling by car will give the strongest impression, because you will see how the terrain changes from plains to mountains, and be impressed by striking landscapes. Today, the region is crossed by two federal highways. The M65 Lena connects the settlement of Bolshoy Never and Yakutsk, and the M58 Amur connects Chita and Khabarovsk.This is part of the Lena federal highway in Magdagachinsky district, Amur region.
Cossacks Amur Region began to be explored by different people in the seventeenth century, but principally by Cossacks and runaways. In 1651 Yerofey Khabarov invaded the fortified settlement of the Daurian Prince Albazy. Today, this is on the territory of the city's northern Skovordinsky district. In 1665, Russian Cossacks settled here. A year later, their newly built fortress, Albazino, was surrounded by Manchu troops. The Cossacks didn't surrender. In the picture is a monument to the first Cossack settlers.
Zeya Zeya Dam is one of the oldest industrial objects in Amur region. In the beginning of December it was 40 years old. The station supplies almost half of the power used in the Far East and some neighboring regions of China. In the morning, a thick fog covers the dam because the water around it doesn't freeze. When it disperses, the trees are covered by hoar-frost.
Border Blagoveshchensk is one of only two cities in Russia that has a river border with a foreign city (the other is Ivangorod/Narva). Heihe, China is just 800 meters away across the Amur. This is the embankment in Blagoveshchensk and Heihe illuminated in the distance.
Tynda In the 1970s and 1980s, Tynda was referred to as the capital of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) and gained great fame. It was a starting point for construction brigades that left to laying railways all the way to Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Today, the city has lost its grandeur, as its population has declined from 60 to 30 thousand, but still it has its own charm.
Blaga-Vegas At first it was known as Blaga-Vegas and now it is called Tradeveshensk. Today, Blagoveshchensk leads the Far East in the number of shopping centers in the city. There are 38.
Market China, our closest neighbor, has a a great influence on the development strategy of the Amur region. Chinese-made goods are sold here and there and many pass through Amur region to the western regions of Russia. Every local settlement has its own Chinese market. Due to the instability of Russian ruble, many Chinese businessmen have left the region, but in Blagoveshchensk they keep working.
Vostochny The main object in Amur region and the Far East is The Vostochny Cosmodrome. In April 2016, a Soyuz-2 rocket will be launched from here. This is the launch pad of the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Tangerines A New Year symbol for people who live along the Amur (and indeed throughout Russia), is fresh tangerines. For locals, here, however, it's a bit less exotic, since they are merely brought across the border from China.
Tayozhny This is the Tayozhny district in the main town of The Baikal-Amur Mainline. A relocation project is underway, as people have been living in temporary housing for 40 years.
Old Town The Old Town of Norilsk. Norilsk is one of the biggest metallurgy centers in the world and it is also among the eight most polluted cities in the world.
Child Polar night is the period when the sun doesn't rise above the horizon. In Norilsk it lasts 45 days from the end of November till the middle of January. Lack of sunlight influences human body greatly and causes tiredness, emotional stress, insomnia and even depression.
Playground A lot of playgrounds in Kodinsk are adorned with metal figures of fairy tale characters. I failed to found out their origin and authors. Kodinsk citizens jest that it must be the work of a crazy welder and that their children are not afraid of anything now.
Skiing Winter sports are very popular in Kodinsk. On the outskirts of the town there is a big ski base with split-level tracks which go through a pine forest. The citizens often take part in local and regional contests.
Blizzard In the city house numbers are written in three- or six-meter figures for better orientation especially in snowstorms when visibility is low.
Translator Update #4: Translation, A Grubby Job, but Someone's Got to Do It Whenever I read about Constance Garnett, doyenne of Russian-to-English literary translation, sitting in the garden and banging out her work with scarcely a break for reflection (“She would finish a page,” D.H. Lawrence tells us, “and throw it off on a pile on the floor without looking up...”), I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The Tower of (Isaac) Babel July 13 is the anniversary of Isaac Babel's birth. Now celebrated as one of teh great writers of the twentieth century, he had a very difficult time gaining acceptance during his lifetime, and repeatedly suffered from antisemitism, official and otherwise.
Happy 158th Uncle Gilya! The first-ever English version of Uncle Gilya’s masterpiece, Moscow and Muscovites, translated by Brendan Kiernan and published by Russian Life Books, debuts today. It’s our way of saying “Happy Birthday” to Uncle Gilya (today is his 158th!). English-language readers around the globe win as well – this translation is at least 90 years overdue!
About Those Sogdians A few starting points for exploring and understanding the rich culture of Sogdia, homeland of the protagonist in The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas.
Glossary for the Novel Confused about a term which appears in the novel? Here is a useful list of foreign terms compiled by translator Liv Bliss.
Interview with the author Text of an interview Pet Hawk author Dmitry Chen gave to Moscow News, upon the release of the book in Russian, in 2007.
The History Behind the Novel To better appreciate The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas, it helps to know at least a snippet of history for the time when the novel takes place – a very significant turning point in history, the effects of which are felt to this day.
Mir Corporation American tour operator MIR Corporation has been specializing in creative, culturally immersive small group and custom-made journeys to Russia and beyond since 1986. MIR offers you the best of both worlds: all the assurances of working with a 26 year old American based company staffed by experts with first-hand travel expertise; plus all the benefits of on-site quality control from the MIR affiliated field office located in Western Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Translator Update #3: Making Sausage If even gently pressed, I will readily admit to belonging to the Just Do It school of translation. I have never been big on translation theory, not least from fear of suffering the fate of the centipede who, on being asked how he managed to walk with so many legs, promptly fell over.
Translator Update #2: Tightrope Walking If even gently pressed, I will readily admit to belonging to the Just Do It school of translation. I have never been big on translation theory, not least from fear of suffering the fate of the centipede who, on being asked how he managed to walk with so many legs, promptly fell over.
Translator Update #1: Getting to know Nanidat The first of a series of updates from Liv Bliss, translator of the Silk Road Trilogy, as she updates readers on her progress on the translation of Dmitry Chen’s Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas.
Middlebury College Russian School Middlebury College offers intensive instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels at the Russian School in Vermont (summers) and at the School in Russia in Moscow, Irkutsk, Voronezh, and Yaroslavl (September to June).
Russian National Orchestra What better gift than the gift of music? And surely you want to go with the best? The Russian National Orchestra is Russia's (some say the world's) finest symphony orchestra. You can purchase the RNO's recordings on their site here, read reviews and even sample some of the music. Orders ship from the US, so service is quick.
Indiana University Indiana University's Summer Workshop offers four and eight week programs in Russian (1st to 6th year). Also beginning Czech, Polish, Serbian/Croatian, Romanian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Azeri, Kazak, Turkmen, Uzbek I and II. Pending funding: Georgian and 2nd yr. Polish.
