November 29, 2018

Russian Fairy Tales of Royalty and Rappers


Russian Fairy Tales of Royalty and Rappers

Don’t know what’s happening in the Kerch Strait? Here’s a nice explainer that captures the main points of what may be a quick-to-change situation.

Rapper under Wraps

1. Rock on! One Russian rapper was jailed last Thursday for performing on his car, which he did after prosecutors prevented him from playing a gig. Russian prosecutors told local venues in Krasnodar that Russian rapper Husky’s work contained elements of extremism, which led to the whole playing-on-car situation. Husky is known for performing music that is critical of authorities and calls out police brutality. Luckily for Husky and his fans, the rapper was released Sunday, prior to a support concert being hosted for the artist.

2. What’s going on with the upside-down umbrella carrying several men over the Kremlin? Nothing, nothing at all says Russia’s Federal Protective Service (think Secret Service, but Russian). Well, you can judge for yourself, but, based on the video, we think there might be a secret plot to reincarnate Mary Poppins and bring her powers to Russia.

 

3. Think fairy tales don’t exist? Tell that to the Russian beauty queen who just became a real-life queen by marrying the king of Malaysia. Oksana Voyevodina, formerly Miss Moscow 2015, just became Rihana Oxana Gorbatenko and married King Sultan Muhammad V of Malaysia. The name change isn’t the only update: the bride also converted to Islam earlier this year. Regardless of religion, age, or whether status of pauper or prince, we offer this couple the same congratulations we offer any other: Поздравляем с днем свадьбы!

Malaysia and Russia United

Photo: Nursafhia

In Odder News:
Quote of the Week:

“Nothing unusual took place.”

— The Federal Protective Service, regarding something we think highly unusual

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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.

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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.

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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.

Survival Russian
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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.

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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.

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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 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.

 

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