April 16, 2022

Refugees Aboard the Volendam


Refugees Aboard the Volendam
A luxurious and expensive floating device.  Pexels, Matthew Barra. 

Holland America, a well-known luxury cruise line, made a contribution to the humanitarian effort for Ukrainian refugees. In March, Holland America president Gus Antorcha was asked by Dutch government officials if any ships would be available to house Ukrainian refugees. This after the Dutch government committed to taking in 50,000 Ukrainian refugees. 

Antorcha said yes, and offered up the ship Volendam, captained by Ryan Whitaker, which will be able to provide shelter to approximately 1,500 Ukrainian refugees for about three months. The ship will be docked at Merwehaven port in Rotterdam. Not only is shelter being provided, but Holland America has vowed to provide hot meals, fitness facilities, housekeeping, and even internet access. 

The Volendam had been booked for three trips, which are now being canceled, and ticketed guests are being given other accommodations. The Volendam will resume its usual service on July 3.

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Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

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Fish: A History of One Migration

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.
At the Circus (bilingual)

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.
Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

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.
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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. 
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The Little Golden Calf

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Okudzhava Bilingual

Okudzhava Bilingual

Poems, songs and autobiographical sketches by Bulat Okudzhava, the king of the Russian bards. 
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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. 
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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.
Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

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