Shall we talk Russian?

Introduction

2015-03-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

Dear friends! We welcome you on the pages of the blog of our Russian language center. In our blog we will share some useful and interesting information with you, here you may ask questions. We will discuss different things about Russia, Russians and Russian language.
Let's get acquainted. Please, introduce yourself or leave your questions HERE in this post.
Russia: the country, holidays, traditions, festivals, cinema, Sochi 2014, sport, cuisine
Russian language: language, grammar, idioms
Travel in Russia: information, Trans-Siberian railway, Moscow, St-Petersburg, Lake Baikal
Russian life in Hong Kong: Russian language center, activities, events, cinema club
Events in Hong Kong: Russian language Day, Russian Ball, Book-cafe
Opinion: diary of a traveller, Irina's writing, New-Moscovite

photo, video and many other interesting articles

Давайте говорить по-русски!

We already speak Russian, and you?

Hurry on to do good things ((c) Friedrich Haass)

2012-02-28T07:44:00.001-08:00

The Great Lent which has just started for the Orthodox Christians (and we remember that Orthodoxy is still the main religion in Russia). The fasting time is not only 'strange food without delicious things'. Indeed, the idea is not in gastronomical problems and how not to die from hunder, it is first of all the matter of spiritual sense. It is time, when people should be kinder and more attentive to each other, to what happens in your own heart. Time to help others, time to do someone good. As one of the famous Russian saints used to say, 'the problem is not WHAT you eat, the main thing is not to eat PEOPLE'.

So if you want to become more Russian, together with us let's try to learn to be more helpful. During all fasting time we will inform you about different needs of different people who ask for help. If you would like to help and do some charity things, just ... just do it) Hurry on to do good things ((c) Friedrich Haass)

Good night!

Story of a picture: Christ in the Desert, Ivan Kramskoy

2012-02-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

In 1872. Oil on canvas. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.

The desert from the picture gives the impression of icy cold space with no life. In the face of Christ, especially in the eyes, full of intense thought, a certain aloofness, absence of reality of this world is read. He is sitting with his back to the horizon turning pink, he can only guess the sunrise. Morning of the Revival has come, but the sun has not risen ...

In the picture there is no place to clear and joyful tones, as there is no place for light naive faith. His belief is acquired in agony of spirit, in opposition to the world and himrself.

Aesthetics of paintings is located in borders of the epoch.Created by Kramskoy, the image is not divine..Having the terrain shape, Christ embodies the idea of the invisible world, revealing at the same time the image of God.

by Tanais.info

Pancake week, Forgiveness Sunday and the Great Lent

2012-02-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

The last week was a week of Maslenitsa or Pancake week, you could learn about it in the post earlier. Each day of the week has its own name and traditions. Usually Russians visit each other during the whole week and cook and eat a lot of pancakes.
The pancake week's last day - Sunday - is so called Forgiveness Sunday. On this day there is a very kind tradition - we ask for pardon and forgive each other for all evil and wrong things we have done to each other. In such a way you 'become clean' from all your sins - when you receive an excuse and forgive those who did wrong to you.

In Russian we use to say the following
- Прости меня! - Forgive me
- Бог простит, и я прощаю, и ты меня прости! - God forgives you and I will forgive, please forgive me too!

Next day after the Forgiveness Sunday in Orthodoxy comes the Great Lent, the fasting time before the Easter which lasts 40 days and the Passion week.

Clean Week

The first week of Great Lent starting on Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent. The name "Clean Week" refers to the spiritual cleansing each of the faithful is encouraged to undergo through fasting, prayer.

Throughout this week fasting is most strict. Those who have the strength are encouraged to fast completely, eating only on Wednesday and Friday evenings, after the Presanctified Liturgy. Those who are unable to keep such a strict fast are encouraged to eat only a little, and then onlyxerophagy (uncooked food) once a day. Meals are served on Saturday and Sunday, but these are fasting meals at which meat and dairy products are forbidden.

At Great Compline during the first four days of the Fast (Monday through Thursday) the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is divided into four parts and one part is chanted each night (for further information about the Great Canon, see Fifth Week, below).

The First Saturday is called "St. Theodore Saturday" in honor of St. Theodore the Recruit, a fourth century martyr. At the end of the Presanctified Liturgy on Friday (since, liturgically, the day begins at sunset) a special canon to St. Theodore, composed by St. John of Damascus, is chanted.

The First Sunday of Great Lent is the Feast of Orthodoxy, which commemorates the restoration of the veneration of icons after the Iconoclastcontroversy, which is considered to be the triumph of the Church over the last of the great heresies which troubled her (all later heresies being simply a rehashing of earlier ones).

Russian winter

2012-02-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

via Bigpicture.ru

winter games in Kolomenskoe, Moscow

sunrise, the road between Krasnoyarsk and Mongolia, - 27 C

Book-cafe, 20 March (Tuesday) at 7pm – Leo Tolstoy, ‘The Kreutzer Sonata’.

2012-02-17T09:12:00.000-08:00

The Russian Language Center invites you to the 'book-cafe' to discuss the novels or poems written by famous Russian writers. We speak and think together. That's why we propose you to get prepared to the meeting and to read a book in advance in ANY language you want. The idea is to get acquainted with the book 'from the inside'.

20 March (Tuesday) at 7pm – Leo Tolstoy, ‘The Kreutzer Sonata’.

_____________________________________________________________

The Kreutzer Sonata (Russian: Крейцерова соната, Kreitzerova Sonata) is a novella by Leo Tolstoy, published in 1889 and promptly censored by the Russian authorities. The work is an argument for the ideal of sexual abstinence and an in-depth first-person description of jealous rage. The main character, Pozdnyshev, relates the events leading up to his killing his wife; in his analysis, the root cause for the deed were the "animal excesses" and "swinish connection" governing the relation between the sexes.

The Kreutzer Sonata (Russian) http://ilibrary.ru/text/1009/index.html

The Kreutzer Sonata (English) Book On-line or download http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/689 or http://www.ccel.org/t/tolstoy/kreutzer/

Admission is free, however please write to us (2teacher@rlc.hk) or call us (2598 8389) to book a seat.

VENUE: Unit 701, 7/F, Arion Commercial Building, No. 2-12, Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan,Hong Kong

Pancake week cinema club

2012-02-17T09:08:00.000-08:00

Soon comes Russian Pancake week or Maslenitsa, as Russians call it. It is amazing time when we eat lots of pancakes and have fun.

It is also the last week before the Great Lent. The last day of this week is Forgiveness Sunday, the day when Russians traditionally forgive each other for the wrongdoings of the previous year.

These and other traditions of old Russia are brilliantly portrayed in a famous Russian film The Barber of Siberia which the Russian Cinema Club will be screening on the 21st of February (Tuesday) at 7pm. The screening will take place at the following address:Room 701, 7/F, Arion Commercial Centre, No. 2-12 Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan.

Admission is free, however please contact us in advance to reserve a seat (2598 8389 or 2teacher@rlc.hk).

The Barber of Siberia

(Сибирский цирюльник, Sibirskij Tsirjulnik) 1999 Production: Russia, 180 min.
Genre: Melodrama.

Jane Callahan, a beautiful American, writes to her son, a cadet at a famous military academy, but who is he? Her memories take us back 20 years to when she arrived in Russia to assist Douglas McCracken, an obsessive engineer who needs the Grand Duke's patronage to sponsor his invention, a massive machine to harvest the forests. On her travels, she meets two men who will change her life forever

Cast: Julia Ormond, Oleg Menshikov, Richard Harris, Aleksey Petrenko, Vladimir Iljin, Marina Neelova, Anna Mikhalkova, Marat Basharov, Daniel Olbrykhsky, Avangard Leontjev, Nikita Mikhalkov, Evgeny Steblov, Leonid
Kuravlev. Director: Nikita Mikhalkov
______________________________________________________________________

СИБИРСКИЙ ЦИРЮЛЬНИК
(The Barber of Siberia) 1999

Режиссер: Никита Михалков
В ролях: Олег Меньшиков, Джулия Ормонд, Алексей Петренко, Владимир Ильин, Ричард Харрис, Анна Михалкова, Марат Башаров, Никита Михалков, Леонид Куравлев, Даниэль Ольбрыхский, Авангард Леонтьев
Жанр: Драма

Действие киноэпопеи "Сибирский цирюльник" происходит в эпоху императора Александра III, редкую для России, да и Европы, эпоху без революций, войн и потрясений. "Сибирский цирюльник" - фильм для зрителей, которым жить в XXI веке. Он не о прошлом, а о Вечном для каждого из зрителей: о Жизни и Смерти, о Любви и Вере в торжество Добра. В этом смысле "Сибирский цирюльник" - воспоминание о грядущем.

Hint: 5 Russian masterpieces (end of XIX - beg.of XX cent) to know

2012-01-15T09:42:00.000-08:00

Shall we talk about Russian art today? This is for sure one of the national prides as well. It is pleasant to know that many people - even those who do not learn Russian - could recognise famous paitings created by Russian artists. By the way, in Russian we say 'to write a picture' = писать картину, not 'to draw'

Let's see some great painting of the end of XIX- beginning of the XX cent. So hard to choose JUST five!

1. The Merchant's Wife, (1918) by Boris Kustodiev

Sitting comfortably, a young woman, lush, white-bodied, blue-eyed fair-haired drinks tea from the saucer, sitting on the balcony of a wooden house. In front of her rich still life: a huge, polished to a shine samovar, a teapot with portraits, embroidered towel, juicy watermelon, fruit and sweets. To her fancy shoulder purring cat sleek fawn upon. Right behind the visible area of the merchant with a cobblestone street, shopping arcade and the bell-tower of the church.

Kustodiev deliberately close-up highlights the shape and details of the merchant still life. He achieves this special transmission of the space in the picture, the lack of a gradual transition from the foreground to the distant. This compositional technique is focusing our attention on the woman, and stresses the importance of what is happening to her: tea - it's a ritual, an embodiment of the entire structure of her life. Anything else that surrounds it - only an additional narrative explanation of the image. The artist uses here the principles of popular images - popular prints, by studying different types of peasant art, and creatively reinterpreting them, it creates a vivid and unforgettable style

_____________________________________________________

2. Barge Haulers on the Volga, (1873) by Ilya Repin

It is a 1870–1873 oil-on-canvas painting by the Russian realist painter and sculptor Ilya Repin. The work depicts 11 labouring men dragging a barge on the Volga River. The men seem to almost collapse forward in exhaustion under the burden of hauling a large boat upstream in heavy, hot weather.

The work is both a celebration of the men's dignity and fortitude, and a highly emotional condemnation of those who sanctioned such inhumane labour. Although they are presented as stoical and accepting, the men are largely defeated; only one stands out: in the centre of both the row and canvas, a brightly coloured youth fights against his leather binds and takes on a heroic poise.

_____________________________________________________

3. Swan Princess (1900) by Mikhail Vrubel

Source of his inspiration, Mikhail Vrubel found in the Russian epos, national folk tradition. Drawing on myth, legend, epic, artist illustrated them, but created his own poetic world, the colorful and busy, full of triumphant beauty, and at the same time disturbing mystery, a world of fantastic heroes with their earthly misery and human suffering.

The girl turns around, thin, delicate face is sad, sad mysterious glowing eyes, they wrench alone. In the depths of your soul stare wide-open eyes of the charming princess. She seemed to see everything. Therefore, it may be, so sad and a little surprised elevated sable brows, lips are closed. She seems to be ready to say something, but she stays silent.
The composition is built in such a way that it seems as if we looked into the magic world, where suddenly appears and is about to disappear magic girl-bird, floating to the far shore of the mystery. The last rays of the sun playing on the rainbow colors. Shimmer turquoise, blue, emerald semi-precious stones patterned crown-kokoshniks, and seems as anxious that it merges with the glow of dawn glow on the crests of the waves and their ghostly light envelops the delicate features like a pale face, makes the rustling folds revive smoky white veil, holds a whiff of wind girlish hand.

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4. Vision to Youth Bartholomew (1890) by Mikhail Nesterov

The painting was done on the subject, taken from ancient hagiography "Life of St. Sergius". Youth Bartholomew, the future Saint Sergius, was not successful in studies, although he loved to read, and he often secretly prayed to God that he guided and reason with him. One day his father sent him to search for the missing colt. Under a tree in a field the boy saw a monk, the holy old man, "holy and wonderful, dignity of presbyter, handsome and kind angel, who stood on the field under a tree and diligently with tears, and prayed."Seeing him, Bartholomew first humbly bowed, then came and stood near, waiting for that to finish the prayer. The elder looked at Bartholomew, his sight inside their eyes, in front of him a vessel chosen by the Holy Spirit, and said to him: "What you're looking for and what you want, child?". Bowed to the ground, the boy with deep emotion told him her grief and asked the elders to pray that God would help him defeat the charter.
The elder, "Let us make prayer diligently," pulled out his "treasure" particle communion bread and gave it unto a young man saying: "Here you get a sign of God's grace and understanding of Scripture." And when the boy ate the holy bread, the elder said to him: "Know, that from now the Lord gives you a good knowledge of letters, more than your brothers."
After that, the old man wanted to leave, but Bartholomew begged him to visit his parents' house. During the meal the parents Bartholomew told the old man many signs that accompanied the birth of his son them, and he said: "And a sign of truth of my words for you is that after I leave the boy would be good in reading the sacred texts. And second sign - the boy will be great before God and man for his virtuous life. " Having said that, the old man turned to leave, and finally said: "Your son will be the abode of the Holy Trinity, and many people will follow him in understanding of God's commandments."

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5. The girl with peaches (1887) by Valentin Serov

Example of the Russian impressionism

The picture stands beyond the portrait genre, approaching the scene picture. However, her story at first glance, is the easiest. Girl in a pink blouse with black bow and a red carnation is sitting at a table covered with a white cloth, lay the knife, peaches and leaves thrown on the table, painted all the chairs, candle in the window and toy soldier in the back of the room plaque on the wall outside the garden in late summer days. But how much depth in this simplicity and wholeness, as in all of these "accidents" through the unique joy of life! Serov with the utmost expressiveness gave light pouring a silvery stream of the window and filled the room. That light shines on the wall and on the porcelain plate, reflected glare on the backs of chairs, gently falls on the tablecloth, slides on his face and hands. Flowing around the figure and all things, it creates the unified organic whole environment, which was the highest achievement of art young Serov.

for pictures and information thanks to web-sites 1 and 2

Christmas caroling

2012-01-06T09:31:00.000-08:00

You know well what is carol, right? Perhaps you didn't know that in Russia and Ukraine this tradition is also very popular.

The word 'Kolyada' (carol) is derived from the Latin «calendae», which means "the first day of the month." Long time ago the word "Carol" was used for "Christmas", but since that the meaning has changed, and the carols began to be called ritual songs, which treated the house on Christmas Eve. Kolyadnaya squad (mostly children and young people), went out into the street with a star and a creche (old folk puppet theater, Nativity scene) in the evening

Carols are always greeted warmly and generously. Be sure you have prepared some to gifts (cakes, cookies, candy, etc.), as well as the money .. Do not let the carols was a bad omen.

Few texts of Kolyadki (КОЛЯДКИ ( НА РУССКОМ ЯЗЫКЕ)
*   *   *
Вечно свято, вечно ново
Рождество для нас Христово.
Много лет из года в год
Праздник этот радость льет.
Славьте Бога, стар и мал,
Он Спасителя нам дал!

*   *   *
Коляда, коляда!
Ты подай нам пирога,
Или хлеба ломтину,
Или денег полтину,
Или курочку с хохлом,
Петушка с гребешком!

*   *   *
Коляда, коляда,
Кто не даст пирога,
Мы корову за рога,
Кто не даст пышки,
Мы тому в лоб шишки,
Кто не даст пятачок,
Тому шею на бочок.

*   *   *
Господин, господа,
Господинова жена,
Двери отворите
И нас одарите!
Пирогом, калачом
Или чем-нибудь еще!

Caroling

Christmas tide

2012-01-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

Christmas is followed by two weeks of holidays which are known as 'Svyatki' - "Святки" - or 'Twelve days of Christmas' or 'Christmas tide' which finish with the holidays of Epiphany, in Russian it is the 19th of January.

After the long Christmas fast, Christmas tide is the time when we have no fast at all, even Wednesday and Friday are free from fasting. It is the happy period as well as the Pancake week, you do many funny things like amusing games, sliding, skating, singing Christmas carols and caroling which we call 'kolyadovanie'. And 'fortune telling' as well! But indeed it is just the recall of very old pagan traditions.

As for the Christmas caroling, Russia and Ukraine are rich for the songs and melodies. Let us show you Rozhdestvenskaya which Pelageya is singing.

Как в Иерусалиме...

Как в Иерусалиме
Рано зазвонили.
Припев:
Радуйся, ой, радуйся, Земле!
Сын Божий народився!

Накрывайте столы
Да всё колымами!
Припев.

Доставайте калачи
С яровой пшеницей!
Припев.

С яровой пшеницей,
С ключевой водицей!
Припев.

Как придут до тебе
Три праздничка в гости.
Припев.

Как первый же праздник
Свято Рождество.
Припев.

А другой же праздник
Свято Василя.
Припев.

А третий же праздник
Святое Крещенье.
Припев.

А на тому слове
Бувайте здоровы.
Припев.

А за те Колядки
Просим шоколадки!
Припев.

One more tradition is to watch the very famous cartoon which is based on famous book by Nocholai Gogol 'The Christmas Eve'. This colourful and original cartoon shows the way slavonic people used to celebrate Christmas and Christmas tide

Christmas ...is coming to town

2012-01-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

First days of new 2012 year, New Year buzz is behind, Russians are still waiting for one more holiday, which comes in silent joy and tranquility.

That is ... Christmas

Yes, you should know that Russian being orthodox, celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January. Indeed it happened after the revolution when the calendar was changed to Gregorian in 1918, the church continued to live according to the Julian calendar and there appeared these ;old style' and 'new style' of counting the days.

Merry Christmas
С Рождеством Христовым!

painting by Elena Revutskaya

How to prepare New Year holiday in the Russian style in dozen days!

2011-12-31T08:30:00.000-08:00

It happened historically that the main holiday of the year in Russia, that one with presents and champagne and family party – is New Year. The most enjoying day is the 31 of December, when almost is ready, housewives complete ‘cutting salads’, there is ‘The Irony of Fate…’ showing on TV and some people, the last – search for presents and hurrying to the place where they plan ‘to meet the NY’

Day by day we will prepare to celebrate is, and I will tell you WHAT is important to do))) Here is our plan for the coming two weeks. Let your New Year be Russian!

20 Dec – writing a letter to the Father Frost

21 Dec - Thinking over the NY menu, buying champagne and tangerines and sparklers (‘Bengal fire’)

22 Dec – Watching Russian New Year comedies to create the mood

23 Dec – decorating the fir-tree

24 Dec – Writing postcards

25 Dec – Learning the NY song ‘ The forest raised a Christmass tree’

26 Dec - Meeting Father Frost and Snegurochka

27 Dec - Watching 'The Irony of fate'

28 Dec – Visiting ‘The Krelim fir tree party’ and playing snow games

29 Dec – Learning the Russian national anthem

30 Dec - cooking salad 'Olivie' and ‘Herring under fur-coat’

31 Dec – enjoying all we were preparing to

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 12

2011-12-31T06:59:00.000-08:00

31 Dec – enjoying all we were preparing to

23.55 Time to watch it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 11

2011-12-30T09:35:00.000-08:00

30 Dec - cooking salad 'Olivie' and ‘Herring under fur-coat’

The Olivier salad (Салат Оливье) is a traditional salad composed of diced potatoes, vegetables, eggs and ham bound in mayonnaise. Worldwide the Olivier is usially referred to as the Russian salad.

Ingridients

can of green peas
300 gr of bolied meat (pork, beef or chicken)
4 eggs
350 gr of boiled potato
150 gr of boiled carrot
100 gr of pickled cucumbers
150 gr of onion
mayonnaise

Cut all in cubes and mix with mayonnaise.
____________________________________________

Salad ‘Herring under fur-coat’

Ingridients
2-3 items of each vegetable (boiled potato, carrot, beetroot, egg and fresh onion)
1 can of herring
1 big an of mayonnaise

Grate potato, beetroot, carrot, ground eggs and cut onion.
Take a flat plate and the salad is put layer by layer. Start with herring and put the 'fur-coat' in the following order
(cometimes they start with potato) herring - onion - egg - mayonnaise - carrot - mayo - potato - mayo - beetroot - mayo.

Put it like a cake - to show the colourful layers.

from kuking.net

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 10

2011-12-29T09:17:00.000-08:00

29 Dec – Learning the Russian national anthem

This is how we celebrate the New Year, or as we say, we 'meet' New Year

After having New Year dinner, we wait for the President's speech which starts at 23.55. After that comes midnight with the Kremlin chimes striking 12. We count and then open champaigne and drink a glass of this sparkling joy congratulating each other. Then comes the national anthem which we traditionally sing - after that there start te fireworks on Red Square. So in order to feel the holiday - learn the words of the anthem

Россия - священная наша держава!
Россия - любимая наша страна!
Могучая воля, великая слава -
Твое достоянье на все времена.

Славься, Отечество наше свободное -
Братских народов союз вековой.
Предками данная мудрость народная.
Славься, страна! Мы гордимся тобой!

От южных морей до полярного края
Раскинулись наши леса и поля.
Одна ты на свете! Одна ты такая!
Хранимая Богом родная земля.

Славься, Отечество наше свободное -
Братских народов союз вековой.
Предками данная мудрость народная.
Славься, страна! Мы гордимся тобой!

Широкий простор для мечты и для жизни,
Грядущие нам открывают года.
Нам силу дает наша верность Отчизне.
Так было, так есть и так будет всегда!

Славься, Отечество наше свободное -
Братских народов союз вековой.
Предками данная мудрость народная.
Славься, страна! Мы гордимся тобой!

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 8

2011-12-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

27 Dec - Watching 'The Irony of fate'

The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath! (Ирония судьбы, или С лёгким паром!) is a Soviet comedy-drama directed by Eldar Ryazanov. The movie was filmed in 1975 at Mosfilm. Simultaneously a screwball comedy and a love story tinged with sadness, the film is traditionally broadcast in Russia and the former Soviet republics and satellite states every New Year's Day.

After the film appeared, it has become an attribute of the New Year Eve, as well as making favourite salads for the New Year table, and waiting for the guests and presents.

Plot - read here

Am           Dm           E
Мне нравится, что Вы больны не мной,
      Am         Dm            E
Мне нравится, что я больна не Вами,
          A               Dm
Что никогда тяжелый шар земной,
        F                E7
Не уплывет под нашими ногами. 
      Am           Dm             E
Мне нравится, что можно быть смешной,
    Dm     G7               C
Распущенной и не играть словами.
          A7               Dm
И не краснеть удушливой волной,
Слегка соприкоснувшись рукавами. 
Спасибо Вам и сердцем и рукой,
За то, что Вы меня, того не зная сами,
Так любите за мой ночной покой,
За редкость встреч закатными часами. 
За наше негулянье под луной,
За солнце не у нас над головами,
За то, что Вы, увы, больны не мной,
За то, что я, увы, больна не вами .

 Hm         G          Hm     D          A          D

По улице моей   который год звучат шаги, мои друзья уходят.

Em           F#         Hm  G             F#       Hm

Друзей моих бессмысленный уход той темноте за окнами угоден.

F#m             A                  D       Em                  F#

О одиночество! Как твой характер крут, посверкивая циркулем железным,

Hm               Em              C        G           F#

Как холодно, ты размыкаешь круг, не внемля увереньям бесполезным.

Дай стать на цыпочки в твоем лесу, на том конце замедленного жеста.

Найти листву и поднести к лицу, и ощутить сиротство, как блаженство.

Даруй мне тишь твоих библиотек, твоих концертов строгие мотивы,

И мудрая я позабуду тех, что умерли или доселе живы.

Hm  G            F#m        Em          A                  D

И я познаю мудрость и печаль, свой тайный смысл   доверят мне предметы,

Em         A              D      Em        G          F#

Природа прислонясь к моим плечам откроет свои детские секреты.


И вот тогда, из слез, из темноты, из бедного невежества былого

Друзей моих прекрасные черты появятся и растворятся снова.

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 7

2011-12-26T08:15:00.000-08:00

26 Dec - meeting Father Frost and Snegurochka

It's a very nice tradition - to meet Father Frost in Moscow before the NY Eve. This year Father Frost will be met in the Gorky park - the park of entertainment, where in winter almost all the roads become huge wonderful rink - for skating which is so popular in Russia. Father Frost will be met with the parade where the characters of fairy tale will appear.

Traditionally Russian Father Frost has a helper, it is not a deer or a snowman, but ... a snow girl called Snegurochka (Snow Maiden). She is granddaughter of Father Frost and usually accompanies him during the holidays.

picture by V.Vasnetsov

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 6. Learning the NY song

2011-12-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

25 Dec – Learning the NY song ‘The fir – tree was born in the forest’

‘The fir – tree was born in the forest’ or The forest raised a Christmass tree (В лесу родилась елочка) - is a famous children's New Year song in Russia by Raisa Kudasheva.

Author of song is Raisa Adamovna Kudasheva, teacher, librarian and poet. She wrote poems, tales and songs for children. The poem "Christmas Tree" was written in 1903 and published in the Christmas issue of Child magazine "Baby" (Малютка, Malutka). In 1905 the poem was set to music by an amateur composer Leonid Karlovich Beckmann who wrote this song for his daughter. The original text of Kudasheva had 56 rows. When writing a song poem was reduced.

There are translations of lyrics in Azerbaijani, Greek, English, Finnish and Ukrainian languages.

В лесу родилась елочка,

В лесу она росла.

Зимой и летом стройная,

Зеленая была.

Метель ей пела песенку:

"Спи, елочка, бай-бай!"

Мороз снежком укутывал:

"Смотри, не замерзай!"

Трусишка зайка серенький

Под ёлочкой скакал.

Порою волк, сердитый волк,

Рысцою пробегал.

Чу! Снег по лесу частому

Под полозом скрипит

Лошадка мохноногая

Торопится, бежит.

Везет лошадка дровенки

На дровнях мужичок

Срубил он нашу ёлочку

Под самый корешок.

И вот она, нарядная,

На праздник к нам пришла,

И много, много радости

Детишкам принесла.

В лесу родилась елочка,

В лесу она росла.

Зимой и летом стройная,

Зеленая была.

English lyrics by Arthur Durando and Irina Popov

1.The forest raised a Christmas tree,

‘Twas silent and serene

In winter and in summer

It was slender and so green.

2.The wind sang it a lullaby:

Sleep Christmas tree, sleep tight!

The snow was making clothes for it:

It was a pretty sight!

3.A trembling bunny put himself

Beneath its arms so wide;

The hungry wolf just passed him by -

A lovely place to hide!

4.Some sleigh bells rang throughout the woods,

The snow was crisp and clean,

A horsey brought a forester

To hew that tree so green.

5.And now it comes to visit us,

With lights and garlands bright,

While all the children dance and sing

To greet it with delight!

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 5. Writing postcards

2011-12-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

24 Dec – Writing postcards

Today we will help you to choose and write a New Year postcards.
The modern postcards are typical and to some extent standard enough, but nice for the fact that it is in Russian!
The most pleasant and dear are those which were born in Soviet Union. They are mostly about Father Frost and funny kind animals, but you may also notice the ideas and pride of that period - the space and all about the First Flight into space by SOviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin.
For example, from http://www.davno.ru/ ,

here on the right one you may see a popular 'element' of Russian winter, the snowman. We use to make it all together, usually three balls become body+head, a bucket is a hat, a carrot becomes the nose

Besides, new fashionable thing now is to recall pre-revolution times and use the esthetic of the Old Russia. Old Russia postcards congratulate not only on New Year, but of course on Christmas as well. Here are some postcards that suit the idea

New Year postcards

Christmas postcards

for postcards we are grateful to http://www.rusempire.ru/
Now when we have chosen our postcard, let's write some warm words!
Start from addressing people, we say 'Dear ... '

Дорогая Аня!

Congratulations on the New Year \ Christmas! or all together

Поздравляю тебя с Новым годом и Рождеством Христовым!

And we wish something like 'all the best', we use to wish health (здоровье), happiness (счастье), joy (радости) in the coming NY

Желаю тебе здоровья, счастья и радости в наступающем году!

Don't forget to write your name.
All the best!

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 4

2011-12-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

23 Dec – decorating the fir-tree

In Russia we use to call it New Year tree due to the political changes in our country long ago. But still they changed a lot in people's life.

The NY tree is usually a fir-tree - елка, real or artificial. An angel or star may be placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

The tradition to install and decorate a Ёлка (Yolka) dates back to the 17th century when Peter the Great imported the tradition from his travels of Europe. However, in the Imperial Russia Yolka were banned since 1916 by Synod as a tradition, originated in Germany (Russian counterpart during World War I). Wiki says, This ban was prolonged in the Soviet Union until 1935 (New Year tree was seen as a "bourgeois and religious prejudice" until that year).[The New Year celebration was not banned, though there was no official holiday for it until 1935. The New Year's tree revived in the USSR after the famous letter by Pavel Postyshev, published in Pravda on December 28, 1935, where he asked for installing New Year trees in schools, children's homes, Young Pioneer Palaces, children's clubs, children's theaters and cinema theaters. In 1937, a New Year Tree was also installed in the Moscow Palace of Unions. An invitation to the Yolka at the Palace of Unions became a matter of honour for Soviet children

In 1935 it became a fully secular icon of the New year holiday, for example, the crowning star was regarded not as a symbol of Bethlehem Star, but as the Red Star. Decorations, such as figurines of airplanes, bicycles, space rockets, cosmonauts, and characters of Russian fairy tales, were produced. This tradition persists after the fall of the USSR, with the New Year holiday outweighting the Christmas (7 January) for a wide majority of Russian people

And here is a very interesting tour to the WORKSHOP of New Year toys with details and photos of the whole process!

Moscow is ... Places to eat. Upside Down cake

2011-12-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

A very nice cafe, project of Isaac Correa, creator of Correa's restaurants, situated on Bolshaya Gruzinskaya, 76 in Moscow - is a paradise for candy man!
Based on English and american recipes menu offers you loads of cupcakes, tarts, pies, cakes. Cosy atmosphere in pastal colours and interesting design created a new type of city cafe which is worth visiting when in Moscow

To learn more about the cafe go to their web-site http://upsidedowncake.ru to enjoy the views of cafe and cakes

'The Irony of fate or Enjoy your bath' in the Russian cinema club

2011-12-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

«Совершенно нетипичная история, которая могла произойти только и исключительно в новогоднюю ночь»

“An absolutely untypical story, which could only occur on the New Year night”.

Russian language center invites you to the Russian cinema club

27 December, Tuesday, at 7 pm

'The Irony of fate or Enjoy your bath'

(1975, 184 min, Russia, with English subtitles)

This is a lyrical comedy about four friends going to the sauna in Moscow, as their annual tradition was, and having so much “heat” that Andrey Myagkov’s character ends up at the same apartment as his, in the same street, with the same furniture, only in Leningrad, where he unexpectedly interferes with the life of its lady-owner (Barbara Brylska)…*

Feel free to bring sweets and snack to enjoy the coming holiday!

Admission is free, however please write to us (2teacher@rlc.hk) or call us (2598 8389) to book a seat.

VENUE: Unit 701, 7/F, Arion Commercial Centre, No. 2-12, Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan,Hong Kong

*http://rusact.com

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 3

2011-12-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

22 Dec – Watching Russian New Year comedies to create the mood

There are plenty of films which are traditionally watched few days before and week after the New Year Eve. Not all of them are about New Year, but these films has become cult films. Here are they!

The Carnival Night (Карнавальная ночь) is a 1956 Soviet musical film. It is Eldar Ryazanov's first big-screen film, Lyudmila Gurchenko's first role and also one of the most famous films starring popular comedian Igor Ilyinsky.

It is the New Year's Eve and the employees of an Economics Institute are ready with their annual New Year's entertainment program. It includes a lot of dancing and singing, jazz band performance and even magic tricks. Suddenly, an announcement is made that a new director has been elected and that he is arriving shortly. Comrade Ogurtsov arrives in time to review and disapprove of the scheduled entertainment. To him, holiday fun has a different meaning. He imagines speakers reading annual reports to show the Institute's progress over the year, and, perhaps, a bit of serious music, something from the Classics, played by the Veterans' Orchestra.

Obviously, no one wants to change the program a few hours before the show, much less to replace it with something so boring! Now everyone has to team up in order to prevent Ogurtsov from getting to the stage. As some of them trap Ogurtsov one way or another, others perform their scheduled pieces and celebrate New Year's Eve.

______________________________________

Magicians (Чародеи) is a 1982 Soviet film directed by Konstantin Bromberg, loosely based on the science fantasy novel Monday Begins on Saturday by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky.

Film became a classic Soviet New Year's Eve romantic comedies, such as Irony of Fate (Ironiya sud'by) and The Carnival Night (Karnavalnaya noch).

Ivan Puhov (A. Abdulov) is in love with a young and pretty girl Alyona (A. Yakovleva). Little does know Ivan that Alyona is working as a witch. The marriage is already scheduled, but just one circumstance of "winter heart" magic induced by Kira Shemahanskaya (Ye. Vasilyeva), the institute director, who is convinced by Sataneev (V. Gaft), separates them. Her friends — magic wood masters, working in NUINU (Scientific Universal Institute of Extraordinary Services, a NIICHAVO subsidiary in Kitezhgrad; for NIICHAVO see Monday Begins on Saturday) - decides to interfere and help to save the love. They convince Puhov to return and save Alyona right now.

______________________________________

The Diamond Arm (Бриллиантовая рука) is a 1968 Soviet comedy film directed by slapstick director Leonid Gaidai and starred several famous Soviet actors, including Yuri Nikulin, Andrei Mironov, Anatoli Papanov. The Diamond Arm has become a Russian cult film.

The boss of a black market ring (known only as "The Chief") wants to smuggle a batch of jewelry into the Soviet Union by hiding it into the orthopedic cast of a courier. The contraband ends up in the cast on the arm of "ordinary Soviet citizen" Semyon Semyonovich Gorbunkov who gets mistaken for the courier while on a cruise shore excursion. He lets the militsiya know about this, and the militsiya captain uses Gorbunkov as bait to catch the criminals. Most of the plot are various attempts of two inept crooks, Lyolik and Gennadiy Kozodoyev,to lure Gorbunkov into a situation where they could have quietly, without a wet job, taken the cast off him.

______________________________________

and of course!!!!

The key to the plot is the relative uniformity of public architecture. This results in the entire planet being polluted with identical, unimaginative multistory apartment buildings - of the sort that can, in fact, be found in the suburbs of every city and town across the former Soviet Union.

Following their annual tradition, a group of friends meet at a banya (public bath) in Moscow to celebrate New Year's Eve. The friends all get very drunk toasting the upcoming marriage of the central male character, Zhenya Lukashin to Galya. After the bath, one of the friends, Pavlik, has to catch a plane to Leningrad; Zhenya, on the other hand, is supposed to go home to celebrate New Year's Eve with his fiancée. Both Zhenya and Pavlik pass out. The others cannot remember which of their unconscious friends is supposed to be catching the plane; eventually they mistakenly decide that it is Zhenya and put him on a plane instead of Pavlik. Zhenya wakes up in Leningrad airport, believing he is still in Moscow. He stumbles into a taxi and, still quite drunk, gives the driver his address. It turns out that in Leningrad there is a street with the same name (3rd Builders' street), with a building at his address which looks exactly like Zhenya's. The key fits in the door of the apartment with the same number (as alluded to in the introductory narration, "...building standard apartments with standard locks").

Later, the real tenant, Nadya, arrives home to find a strange man sleeping in her bed. Zhenya desperately tries to get back to Moscow, and Nadya herself wants to get rid of him as soon as possible. Thus the two are compelled to spend New Year's Eve together...

And now we invite you to watch it next week in our cinema club!

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 2

2011-12-20T11:40:00.000-08:00

21 Dec - Thinking over the NY menu, buying champagne and tangerines and sparklers (‘Bengal fire’)

What New Year holiday is possible without Soviet Champagne?

Well, it might sound strange, but in Russia we have our own champagne, which we consider to be really good. Besides, in such a way it has become the symbol of a holiday, especially of New Year. Now we can not imagine the wedding without 'rivers' of champagne or New Year without the sound of cork jumping out of the bottle when the Kremlin chimes strike 12!
So advice no 1 - buy few bottles in advance!

How to choose it?
There are 6 categories according to the amount of sugar in it
extra-brut, или ultra-brut (less 6 gr per liter ); brut (less 15 г/л); extra-sec, или extra-dry (12-20 г/л); sec, или dry (17-35 г/л); demi-sec, или semi-dry (33-55 г/л), doux, или sweet (more than 50 г/л).

Tangerines have a particular smell. It is a smell of New Year for most part of Russians. Due to the fact that some time ago the tangerines arrived to Russia exactly by the NY, it has also become a symbol of the holiday. Few kilograms should be enough... :)

Think over the menu in advance, in order to be sure that all is bought, as right before NY you won't find many of products - as we usually prepare for the celebration thoroughly

What is traditionnally found on our table (this tradition goes deep into soviet times)?

- sandwiches with red caviar
- 'Olivie' salad, which we consider to be French originally, still History doubts this fact..
- 'Hering under fur-coat' salad
- Fish dishes for those who fast
- Kholodets, or meat in jelly
- 'Mimose' salad
- pickled vegetables (tomato, cucumber) and mushrooms
- goose in apples
- stuffed pepper

And a very funny thing about all that. Do you know what is really MOST delicious next day after the holiday? - LAST YEAR salads! =)

С наступающим!
(congratulations on coming New Year)

Danny DeVito talking Russian! =)

2011-12-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 1

2011-12-19T08:27:00.000-08:00

20 Dec – writing a letter to the Father Frost

You all know that the symbol of the New Year in Russian is Father Frost or Grandfather Frost as we call him – Дед Мороз. He lives in the North of Russia and a small town called Great Ustyug Ded Moroz is often shown wearing a heel-length fur coat, a semi-round fur hat, and valenki or jackboots on his feet. Unlike Santa Claus, he is often depicted as walking with a long magical staff

In advance, before the NY children use to send letters to Father Frost where they share what is their dream. You may also send him a letter and hope that next coming year your dream will come true!

Address

162340, Россия, Вологодская область, город Великий Устюг, дом Деда Мороза

The diary of a traveller, entry 28. Suzdal

2011-12-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

29 November

In a bus now on my way to Suzdal. Today I think it is about –17oC . It certainly does feel very cold. Ivan was shocked but what I wearing in quite a patronizing way I felt. Although now, in retrospect, I think he was right. The air is so cold your chest tightens as you breathe. The has to be the coldest I’ve had so far on this trip. Arrived in Suzdal and after a bit of a mix up I got a Taxi to what I think is the central square. Despite the freezing temperature it is a truly beautiful day.

As my face was starting to turn numb I sought refuge in a couple of churches but they were both padlocked shut – surely not the best example of Christian charity. Finally found a café and ordered hot chocolate to keep myself alive. Got my bearings and summoned up the will power to venture out again. Headed towards the old Kremlin and the Suzdal History museum (I had some trouble sticking my used-ticket stub from the latter intro my scrap-book as my glue has frozen).

The best building so far in this incredibly attractive town in the church opposite the History Museum. Beautifully situated on an incline close to the small, meandering river with gorgeous blue & gold painted domes. The inside of all the walls and the ceiling are covered in icons and frescoes. It’s amazing considering how many of these scenes I’ve witnessed that still just as affected by seeing a new one. Spent the rest of my time in Suzdal photographing beautiful buildings and losing feeling in my fingers.

(c) Richard Breeson

Activities in Russia

2011-12-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

Traveling in the whole is not the only thing you may look for going to Russia. THEN WHAT ..especially in winter..?? - would you ask. I'd tell you then - FEEL FREE TO CHOOSE!

links lead to the resources with useful and detailed information about the tour, prices, reservation.

Hiking and fishing, winter hiking in the Urals (find the suitable tour, book a place)
Twin-hull rafting in Karelia (timetable for the tours with prices, books a place)
Fishing in Astrakhan'

photos by Sergey Dolia

Mountain skiing in Krasnaya Poliana (Caucasus), Elbrus, the Khibins, Kamchatka
Extreme jeep safari and helicopter tours in the Urals (for helicopter tours please go here)
Extreme hiking at the Lake Baikal (or here), Kamchatka and Caucasus
Visiting and exploring the furtherst and most unknown places like Commander Islands and the Kuril Islands
Eco-tourism in Karelia

else...
Dog safari
Horse tours
Bicycle tours

Enjoy it!

Hint: 5 Russian cities to visit. Part 1, European part of Russia

2011-12-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

We all know (I hope) that the capital of Russia is Moscow. So when you plan your trip to Russia, it goes without saying that you think of Moscow. That's right, of course. Moscow is still the heart of Russia, it's symbol, still life in Moscow has become quite different from that one in other cities and towns.

Then you think what else to see in Russia. And immediately remember 'the Nothern capital', 'the Nothern Venice' or 'the cultural capital' of Russia - so many epithets for St-Petersburg, dear St.Pete... That's also right. This city is famous by gorgeous museums, beautiful Nevsky prospect, weird yards and rock musicians.

And then,,, ?

You of course know that Russia is much bigger than just these two cities. Let me introduce some more interesting places to see!

1. Suzdal - Суздаль
small city, natural reserve, with the population around 10 thousand people, Suzdal is a part of so called 'Goldern ring', set of open-air museums of remarkable architecture.

Why to visit it? It is famous for the that almost the whole city is a museum itself. For example, here is NOT the full list of its places of interest ...

Суздальский кремль и относящиеся к Кремлю три церкви у крепостных валов:
- Успенская (XVII век)
- Никольская (1720—1739)
- Рождества Христова (1775)

Монастырские ансамбли

Ансамбль Торговой площади
- Торговые ряды (1806—1811, арх. А.Вершинский)
- Церковь Воскресения (1732)
- Церковь Казанской иконы Божьей Матери (1739)
- Церковь Константина и Елены (Цареконстантиновская) (1707)
- Церковь иконы Божьей Матери Всех Скорбящих Радость (1750—1787)
- Церковь Входа Господня в Иерусалим (1702—1707)
- Церковь Параскевы Пятницы (1772)

Памятники Посада

Памятники Заречной стороны
- Церковь Знамения на Мжаре (1749)
- Церковь Ризоположения на Мжаре (1777)
- Церковь Бориса и Глеба на Борисовской стороне (1749 г.)
- Церковь Ильи Пророка на Ивановой горе (1744 г.)
- Церковь Богоявления в Кожевенной слободе (1775)
- Церковь Рождества Иоанна Предтечи в Кожевенной слободе (1703)
- Церковь Тихвинской иконы Божьей Матери (конец XVII в.)
- Церковь Святого Николая у Покровского монастыря (1712)
- Церковь Петра и Павла у Покровского монастыря (1699)

Памятники слободы Скучилихи
- Церковь Смоленской иконы Божьей Матери (1696—1707)
- Церковь Симеона Столпника (1749)
- Каменный посадский дом (конец XVII в.)

Памятники близлежащих сёл
- Крестовоздвиженская церковь в Коровниках (1696 г.)
- Церковь Косьмы и Дамиана в Коровниках (XVIII век)
- Церковь Флора и Лавра в Михалях (1803)
- Церковь Михаила Архангела в Михалях (начало XVIII в.)
- Церковь Александра Невского в Михалях (начало XX века)
- Церковь Михаила Архангела в Ивановском (середина XVIII в.)

Памятники музея деревянного зодчества
- Преображенская церковь из села Козлятьево Кольчугинского района (1756)
- Воскресенская церковь из села Патакина Камешковского района (1776)
- Изба крестьянина-середняка из с. Илькино Меленковского района (XIX в.)
- Изба из д. Каменево Камешковского района
- Двухэтажный дом зажиточного крестьянина из д. Лог Вязниковского района
- Дом с мезонином из села Тынцы Камешковского района (вторая половина XIX в.)
- Ветряные шатровые мельницы из с. Мошок Судогодского района.(XVIII в.)
- Амбар-лабаз из села Мошок (XIX в.)
- Колесный колодец из села Кольцова Селивановского района. (XIX в.)
- Баня из с. Ново-Александрово Суздальского района (XIX в.)
- Два овина (XIX в.)

the official web-site of the city is here
on-line guide to Suzdal is this one
detailed guide to what to see there
gallery of its places of interest is Photo Suzdal
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2. Petrozavodsk - Петрозаводск
it is a capital of Karelia, the northern area in Russia. The city is nice, clean, full of interesting people and events, full of greenery - that is not striking as it is KARELIA, one of the most picturesque areas in Russia, one of the best places for hiking and kayaking.
My favorite place here is a beautiful embarkment of the Lake Onega, almost the centre of the city

Going to Karelia, you SHOULD see such places as Ruskeala\ Рускеала - unique marble canyon with its transparent emerald waters, Kizhi\ Кижи (for English) - to see the treasure of Russian wooden architecture, the open-air museums to see the way of life of people in 12 cent and to swim in the Lake Onega

The services and events in Kizhi (English)
Museums of Petrozavodsk
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3. Sochi - Сочи
Famous resort, city on the Black Sea and the place for Winter Olympic games in 2014, this 'summer capital' is worth visiting and relaxing there. For tranquil vacation - go to the seashore. For active life - don't miss a chance to go hiking or do the mountain ski to the mountains of Caucasus!

What to see there?
Dolmens of North Caucasus
Sochi Dolphin park
Sochi Ocean park
Krasnaya Polyana ('red valley')

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4. Nizhniy Novgorod - Нижний Новгород

This old city is worth seeing 'on foot'. Beautiful architecture, the Kremlin, small houses... the charm of Russian province. It is also an important port of river cruise.

Encyclopedia of NN
NN online
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5. Pskov - Псков

One of the oldest towns in Russia, Pskov is known since IX century. Still you may enjoy the views of the representatives of ancient architecture, like Krom (Pskov's Kremlin), cathedrals of former Ivanov's and Snetogosky's monasteries and old churches of St.Basil on the Hill and Kosma and Damian.

Old Pskov tour
Pskov fortress

The diary of a traveller, entry 27. Vladimir

2011-12-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

28. Nov – Vladimir

Said goodbye to Nizhny and my favourite host family yet which was a bit sad! Grandma gave me a big old kiss and Irena walked me down (actually made the sign of the cross as I got in the car which was a bit over the top but touching nonetheless). Definitely one of my best stops so far. Kind of place I’d actively make an effort to go back and visit again.

On the train heading to Vladimir now – not too far I think (about 3 hours which is a stone’s throw in this country). Everyone in the carriage is either asleep or listening to loud, bad music on their head-phones.

Made it to Vladimir – my last stop before I rendezvous with Sam in Moscow for a more traditional holiday. I’ve got a very nice cozy little room to stay in with more books in it than all my other apartments combined. If I had a little more than 3 days here this could be a good way to improve my reading. My hosts seem nice – Ivan is about 30 and his parents Elizaveta and Evgenii are in their 50s I guess. I have a lot of churches and museums to get through so better head off now.

I went to the Golden Gate museum which was a small but interesting museum of the city’s history. It’s getting pretty dark and cold here. I might have to buy some more clothes as people are constantly telling me. I bought some gloves. Black. Leather. Then went to the Assumption Cathedral (Успенский Собор) where I saw the frescoes done by Andrei Rublev in 1408. That was awesome! The cathedral has a great setting detached from the main road in a little square. Bright neon street lamps lead to the entrance and the back of the city sprawls out behind it. On the way back I called into an unassuming café on Moskovskaya for a coffee. Things seem to be a lot cheaper in Vladimir than in some of the other places – like Irkutsk and Novosibirsk for example.

Back at the flat now. (I missed my stop by some distance on the bus ride back and ended up walking for about 30mins – probably not a good idea in this cold). Had some food and a chat with Ivan. He’s a very smart guy I think – but glum as they come. Seems to act as though the whole weight of the world was on his shoulders. We spoke a bit about Russian poets and writers and he made the usual pretentious claim that it’s all untranslatable. He could receipt passages of Mayakovsky by heart which was quite impressive. Elizaveta is an editor of books – reviews the spelling and grammar content for articles being published through the university press. Apparently just completed 150 pages in 2 days – makes me feel quite embarrassed seeing as it takes me about 150 days to finish 2 books these days.

The diary of a traveller, entry 26. Interesting guy Maxim Gorky and how to become free from the group tour in a Russian museum...

2011-12-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

27. November

My watch stopped working at some point yesterday. Very annoying. I am the kind of person that starts to hyperventilate if they don’t look at their watch 300 times a day.

Irena and Grandma spend a long time fussing over me to make sure I get the right tram into town. Which I do. Was quite sweet really. Nice tram! Actually had heated seats. After a bit of searching I finally manage to locate the Maxim Gorky’s house and the museum therein. It was fairly interesting and similar to the Dostoevsky house I visited in St. P. Nice old dear showed me round the rooms speaking rapid Russian which I struggled to keep up with. Haven’t ever read any Gorky but maybe I should – seems like an interesting enough guy. After that I wandered back to Minin Square opposite the Kremlin and had a look around the market nearby. Couldn’t find a cheap watch to replace mine (which has stopped) so bought some shashlik spices instead. Then called into a smart café nearby for a coffee and a slice of salmon quiche which was really tasty. Neither is going to help me tell the time of course.

Later in the afternoon I visited the State History museum which is set in a big old former Russian aristocracy pad. Basically the antithesis of the Gorky House in every sense. Probably the kind of thing he was writing indictments about in fact. After paying the inflated price for my ticket for being foreign I suddenly found myself swept up into this massive tour group of old crusties (trans. pensioners) who entered the museum at the same time as me. I tried to detach from the group and wander around the museum by myself (as I am used to doing in museums) but some unpleasant little attendant told me to get back in the group and not to break rank again. I explained – in pretty good Russian I think – that I wasn’t part of the group. I then proposed that I wander around the museum at my own pace. But this proposition was met with a negative response. As it was, our tour guide, Olga, was actually very good. It was basically like going round the equivalent of an old English stately home – National Trust or suchlike. The type of thing Jane Austen fans and old people love. There were lots of ‘ooohs’ as we entered the ball room. In fairness it was pretty impressive – evocative of Tolstoy & co. The best thing was how good the restoration job was. Especially the paint-work. They had really managed to recreate what I assume was the original opulence of a place like that. I suppose people get a vicarious thrill from that kind of place: imagine themselves teleported into that lifestyle somehow. Beats grim reality in fairness. I would have liked to have learnt more about the building’s history. Like what happened to it under the Soviets.

On that note I called in to a café on Pokrovskaya with a CCCP theme. Actually a nice plain kind of place – not contrived and good value. The décor included a bust of Uncle Joe and loads of photos of all the major players including that freaky one of Lenin when he was a baby (even then it looks like he’s wearing a wig). Ordered Siberian beer and dried calamari.

Back home at the flat Yuri treated me to a slide show of every photo on the family computer. When we’d gone through those he fetched the old physical photos albums and we went through all of those. Pretty exhausting looking through 600 photos of people you don’t know but it was a good way to practice Russian. Lots of holiday shots from a place called Krim – near Yalta I think.

The diary of a traveller, entry 25. ' Different cultures and all that'

2011-12-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

26. November

Such a nicer place to be staying than the last one! Irena washed and folded all my clothes and I don’t even think she will be charging me for this kindness (a la Irkutsk). Alena came by for breakfast and we had a nice brief, chat. Although I’m not really sure about this fad of serving plain pasta with a frankfurter for breakfast. But then again, different cultures and all that. Had a chat with Yuri over breakfast about whisky (I like this man) and now setting off into town.

Alena gave me the number of her friend who wants to meet me and practice her English. I like it here. Makes me feel all the more sad that I the trip is coming to an end soon. Today the temperature is about 1 or 2°C. If it’s like this in Moscow I will be a happy bunny. Wandered down the pedestrian only Ul. Pokrovskaya which has lots of cool looking bars and cafes along it and some random statues too. Headed into the Kremlin which has a real mix of buildings – though mostly government and administrative I think.

Passed about 6 weddings having their photos taken then visited the Church of Archangel Michael which was small but beautiful. Lots of classical icons – I wished I could have taken a few photos but I suppose it’s a good thing that I can’t.

Then found the State/Fine Art museum. Had the largest collection of famous works so far but not as big as the museum in Novosibirsk. Saw some great paintings by Repin, Levitan, Rodchenko, Larionov, Kandinsky, Goncharova and Malevich. Now in a bar on Pokroskaya where they brew their own beer. Tastes pretty good. The Italian themed sausage I ordered was delicious.

Ilya Repin

I met up with Alena’s friend who wanted to chat in English for a bit. I think she’s a teacher here. Sorry to say her English wasn’t amazing. But the main problem was that she was just really boring which is a shame. Nice enough girl though – we walked around for about an hour down streets I’d already visited until I made my excuses and went home. My legs are knackered now.

Back at the flat I met Irina’s Mum (Alena’s grandma). She is a great grandmother already but seems to be completely together upstairs. I like Yuri a lot – he’s a positive guy. I’m sorry to say the family-TV-watching-session, which I was invited to partake in, wasn’t my thing at all! We watched some sickening concert by an apparently famous Italian-Canadian+something-else diva backed up by an equally famous Russian composer and full orchestra. (No idea who they were). I think it was live from a concert hall in Moscow. Imagine Celine Dion but even more smug (if that’s possible) performing a repertoire with the Russian equivalent of Andrew Lloyd Weber. I mean, I wasn’t expecting the Sex Pistols, of course, but even so. They seemed to love it though to I slapped on a fake smile and grinned through it. They kept asking me to translate the English lyrics which I politely declined to do. Even if I could have I wouldn’t have wanted to.

The diary of a traveller, entry 24. 'I have to say I am feeling nostalgic and sad already to almost be at the end of the trip...'

2011-11-30T09:47:00.000-08:00

24. November

Don’t feel like I’ve really done justice to Yekaterinburg but it’s difficult when you’re staying so far away from the centre and with a pushy host. Got pilmeni for breakfast which only served to highlight just how good yesterday’s lunch was. After some difficulty I finally managed to locate the baggage room at the station (kept mispronouncing ‘камера храрения’ every time I asked for directions). Baggage safely stored I set off back into town.

Ate a tasty pizza! Success! (~~Although it’s taken me the length of Siberia to get one~~). After that I went back to the café I visited on my first day. It’s called, imaginatively, New Bar or Art Bar – not quite sure which. Anyway, I like it here. 3^rd floor loft open plan; complete with a drum kit (and wifi) but with a surprisingly unpretentious feel. Kind of place I would like to hang out with my mates.

Back on the train now. Journey has been great so far. I have made friends with a charming devushka called Natasha. On her way back to home and husband in St. Petersburg after visiting family in Ekaterinburg. Intelligent, quiet and reserved. Taught herself English with incredible results – puts my Russian well and truly to shame (just in case it needed to be any further). 7 years of med school and now a psychiatrist but looking for a career change. The wages for doctors in Russia sound appalling! When you think about how well paid doctors are in the UK relatively. We continued talking for most of the evening until she got sleepy and I got hungry.

Visited the restaurant car and had what has to be the smallest cheese sandwich you can possibly get for 2 pounds. Reminded me of my friend Hugh’s idea to open a pub where the portions were so small they made the patrons feel like they were giants. I drew a to-scale drawing in my journal – length and width: approximately equal to that of an average male index finger.

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25. November – Nizhny Novgorod

Coming to the end of my last long train journey in Russia. Just 3 ½ hours to Nizhny Novgorod. And I have to say I am feeling nostalgic and sad already to almost be at the end of the trip. The trains have been brilliant. Everyone has run to the minute. Makes me despair for the state of trains in my home country. The equivalent distance of the entire length of Britain in a comfortable sleeping compartment here in Russia costs less than the 200kilometers 2.5hr journey (if you’re lucky) from London to Lincoln sitting on the floor of a cramped vestibule.

I met my new host, Alena and her teeny tiny husband Andrew (presumably Andrei), on the platform of Nizhny Novgorod station. They live near the Kremlin in central Nizhny but I am to stay with her parents not far from the centre. Not seen much so far but I am very grateful that the weather is nothing like as vicious as it was in the Urals. 6°C apparently. With 3 bedrooms this is the biggest flat I’ve stayed in so far. Got a feeling I’m going to like it hear. Time to venture out and have a wander. Need to find somewhere with internet to book accommodation for Moscow.

It takes about 25 mins walk to get into the centre of town. Went down Ul Gorkovo and to the edge of the Kremlin. Lots of nice smallish roads to wander down. Have all day Friday and Saturday to explore so no rush yet. Especially liked Ul Alekseevskaya where there were lots of uber-trendy cafes – think this could be a cool city to hang out in. Passed about 4 sex shops but no internet cafes. But despite that I still got a good vibe.

Headed back to the flat about 8. Still no sign of my hosts when I got back but they finally made an appearance about 9.30pm. Irena and Yuri – both are delightful! Guessing they’re both in their mid 50s. They fed me bread and cheese with homemade apple juice from their dacha. Think Yuri is an academic – not sure about Irena.

The diary of a traveller, entry 23. On the way to Europe

2011-11-30T09:27:00.000-08:00

23. November

Another culinary delight for breakfast. This time it was micro-waved, powdered mashed potatoes. Totally smothered in butter again of course. Quite disgusting. Today Andrei has organised a big excursion for us outside of the city to the old part of Yekaterinburg and to the monastery erected at the sight of the mineshaft where the Romanov’s remains were found. Slightly macabre.

Well it was a long old day and I saw lots of interesting things but I won’t be too sad to say goodbye to Andrei. He’s the most irritating host I’ve had so far – would much preferred to have explored Yekaterinburg myself. Anyways, first stop on our grand excursion was a little town called Nevyansk (Невянск). It has a leaning tower which is apparently quite famous. The town used to be famous as a large producer of cast iron (brought to mind that wonderful sequence in Andrei Rublev where they cast the bell). It was founded by Peter I in the early part of the 18^th century. There was an English clock mechanism in the top of the tower. Nice. There was also a smallish cathedral nearby which we had a quick tour off (an unknown man gave me a candle to light which was nice of him – I think I put it in front of the saint who represented grammatical understanding and knowledge).

After that we went to a Russian ceramic pot museum and shop which was everything you would expect from a Russian ceramic pot museum and shop. Highlight of the day was lunch which was delicious homemade pilmeni in a small village outside of the town. There was a blazing fire in the fireplace and also a small Old Believer’s church in the garden.

We drove on and got to the site where the Romanov’s bodies where found around 5pm. It is now a complex in the middle of the woods for the Church – monasteries, seminaries etc. Quite a nice spot actually. So bloody cold that we didn’t stay long though. I think it is more humid here in the Urals perhaps. The last stop was the Europe-Asia border which is a geographical border based on the gradient of the Ural Mountains I think. Took a photo.

photos are taken from Richard's archive

Hint: 5 Russian children's songs to sing even when adults

2011-11-30T08:55:00.000-08:00

Russian animation is another pride for Russians since childhood. We grow up watching cartoons, we learn what is good and bad through cartoons, we develop our music taste listening to the cartoons' songs and then, becoming older - still remember all of them!

Would you like to learn some? Here are 5 very famous and beloved songs!

1. 'Ничего на свете лучше нету..." \\ 'There is nothing better in the world...' (from the cartoon: 'Musicians of Bremen')

text

2. "Спят усталые игрушки..." \\ 'Tired toys are sleeping ...' (from the children's program 'Good night, kids)
this is a song for a good night for few generations of Russian people

text

3. "Кабы не было зимы ..." \\ 'If there were no winter ... ' (from the cartoon 'Winter in Prostokvashino')
the cartoon, the song and the voice - all create unique, cozy and warm Russian winter

text

4. "Луч солнца золотого... " \\ 'The ray of the golden sun ... ' (from the cartoon 'Musicians of Bremen')
this ballad has become a song of love

text

5. "Пусть бегут неуклюже ... " \\ 'Let them run ...' (from the cartoon 'Cheburashka and Gena the Crocodile')
it is our birthday song!

text

Poster. Kitchen and food

2011-11-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

useful posters to learn Russian

borrowed from УРЯ

продукты

кухня

The diary of a traveller, entry 22, Staying in Ekaterinburg

2011-10-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

22. November

Well there’s definitely a lot to see here in Ekat (Ekaterinburg). Am a bit miffed at my accommodation people (HOFA) for putting me so far away from the centre in two cities now. Andrei gave me an appropriately weird breakfast earlier. Consisted of biscotti, milky, sicky porridge and bread with a centimeter thick slab of butter on it which I assumed was cheese at first before taking a nice big bite. “He’s trying to feed me up”, I thought. I feel that my Russian has completely deserted me since I arrived. Had a difficult time trying to change money in the bank earlier (I made sure the notes were all crisp and clean in advance). Going to be difficult to form a constructive opinion of Ekat in the limited time I have so will have to prioritise where to go. Off to the Museum of Youth to start with.

I didn’t go to the Museum of Youth because it doesn’t appear to exist anymore. Instead I went to the very small photography exhibition which contained lots of pretentious snaps including a collection by an apparently famous photographer documenting the everyday existence of, of course, drug addicts. My overall impression was that the majority of the photos in the gallery were either of drug addicts or taken by drug addicts. Spoke briefly with a Polish girl who works at the gallery. She’d been in St Petersburg for 3 years, moved to Ekat 3 months ago and lurves it. She walked off mid-conversation which I thought was a tad rude.

Really can’t make up my mind about Yekaterinburg at the moment. It certainly hasn’t won me over yet. I reckon this is the coldest I have been so far. Might have to break out the thermal underwear soon. A lot depends on your first impressions and where you’re staying and all that. Time of year, who you’re with, who you meet. All these things factor into your opinions and experiences in a big way when you come to a new place.

Back at the flat. This sofa bed is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever attempted to sleep on. I think it must be older than Andrei. Everything in this place is old and crusty and stale – like the dried bread crumbs on the floor.

from 'Trans-Siberian Journal'

photos are taken from Richard's archive

Hint: 5 Russian great scientists to recognize

2011-10-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

Science and great scientists - is one more reason to be proud of Russia. Here is JUST 5 scientists (oh how difficult is to choose among all of them!!!) to recognize and appreciate

1. Dmitry Mendeleev (1834-1907)

Russian chemist and inventor. He is credited as being the creator of the first version of the periodic table of elements. Using the table, he predicted the properties of elements yet to be discovered.

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2. MIKHAIL LOMONOSOV (1711 - 1765)

Russian polymath, scientist and writer, who made important contributions to literature, education, and science. Among his discoveries was the atmosphere of Venus. His spheres of science were natural science, chemistry, physics, mineralogy, history,art, philology, optical devices and others. Lomonosov was also a poet, who created the basis of the modern Russian literary language. The first Moscow University was founded by him, now the МГУ (MGU = MSU), which is the main university of the country, is named after Lomonosov.

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3. SERGEI KOROLEV (1907-1966)

the lead Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1950s and 1960s. He is considered by many as the father of practical astronautics.

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4. MIKHAIL KALASHNIKOV (born 1919)

a Russian (formerly Soviet) small armsdesigner, most famous for designing the AK-47 assault rifle, the AKM and the AK-74.

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5. ZHORES ALFEROV (born 1930)

a Soviet and Russian physicist and academic who contributed significantly to the creation of modern heterostructure physics and electronics. He is an inventor of the heterotransistor and the winner of 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Hint: 5 Russian dishes to try

2011-10-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

Russian cuisine as well as everything that belongs to Russian culture is well-known not only within the country, but also abrod. Still if you ask any one 'What Russian dish you know?' or more than that - 'What Russian dish did you try?', the most usual reply will be 'mmmmmm.....'

Indeed, what is so special about the Russian food?

Russian cuisine is a par of a national tradition. Some dishes reflects the mentality of the nation, and of course the way of life. It's kitchen and the variety of dishes is mush more richer than it may seem from the first sight. Just imagine! What could YOU eat during the fasting periods - if you CAN NOT eat meat, milk, eggs, cheese and even sometimes fish? Or how to find food in the forest and enjoy your dinner after that? Do you think it's better to die instead? If you do - please, learn to cook Russian dishes!

Russia has a rich culture in cooking various savoury soups, it is famous for tender pies, and really talented in cooking and eating 'gifts of forest'- mushrooms!

Borsch, salads, beef stroganoff, tvorog, smetana, kovrizhka, rasstegay, kulebiaka.... Plenty of names worth trying! Let us today introduce 5 very speacial but not banal dishes!
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1. SOLYANKA
- kind of thick, spice and sour soup
For meat solyanka (traditional one) we take ingredients like beef, ham, sausages, chicken breast, and cabbage, together with salted mushrooms, cucumber pickles, tomatoes, onions, olives, capers, allspice, parsley, and dill are all cut fine and mixed with cream in a pot. The broth is added, and heated for a short time on the stove, without boiling

Nice recipe is borrowed from SRAS

Make broth by boiling the meat and bones. Remove the meat and bones and place to one side. String-cut the onions and fry them in butter (without letting them brown). Add them to the broth along with the tomato paste. Remove the skin from the pickles, slice into cubes, and add to the broth. Cook 4-5 minutes. Add the pepper kernels and bay leaf. Next, add all the various boiled meats, finely sliced into pieces about 2-3 mm thick and 2-2.5 cm long, along with the capers, and a few pitted olives. When serving, add olives, sour cream, and a slice of peeled lemon. You may also cook solyanka with chicken broth and smoked meats instead. But remember: the greater the variety of meat, the tastier your solyanka will be!

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2. SYRNIKI

fried cheese \ cottage cheese (tvorog) cutlets garnished with jam, sour cream or sweet condensed milk.

Russians indeed are fond of all types dairy products. From our childhood we learn to drink a cup of KEFIR to improve our diestion. And SYRNIKI are great for breakfast.

Recipe with photos is found on 'Cheating cook'

Ingredients: 2 cups of quark or creamy cottage cheese, 2 tablespoons white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 3 tablespoons of flour for dusting, 1 egg, canola oil or butter for frying.

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3. KHOLODETS

seems to be like meat in jelly. It is a sour spicy dish, usually goes as appetizer and ate with mustard, much more burning that anywhere else, or horseradish which in Russia is similar to wasabi in its taste.

Ingredients:

2 lb beef/pork leg bones (sawed in pieces)
1.5 lb beef meat
1.5 lb chicken parts (legs or wings)
Filtered water
Salt
1 big yellow onion , peeled or washed
Black pepper corns
Bay leaf
4-6 cloves finely sliced or chopped garlic (optional)

Detailed recipe with photo is in Recipe Studio

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4.CHICKEN KIEV or Cutlet a la Kiev
popular dish of boneless chicken breast pounded and rolled around cold garlic butter with herbs, then breaded and either fried or baked.

INGREDIENTS

4 oz (100g) Butter (At Room Temperature)
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Chopped Parsley, pinch of Nutmeg, Salt & Pepper
4 Chicken Breasts
White Flour (Seasoned with Salt & Pepper)
2 Eggs
Dried White Breadcrumbs, Sunflower Oil for Deep Frying

Detailed recipe is in Retro Food

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5. PRYANIKI

maybe translated as gingerbread or spicy bread.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg,½ teaspoon ground allspice, 1/8 teaspoon salt

2 egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup honey

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Detailes recipe is in Global Cookies

ПРИЯТНОГО АППЕТИТА!

(pri-yat-na-va a-pi-ti-ta)

The diary of a traveller, entry 21. Ekaterinburg - 'The start of European Russia as I understand it'.

2011-09-08T09:27:00.000-07:00

21 November

Didn’t sleep that well. Mainly because my two companions spent most of the evening giggling like little girls to the sitcom they were watching on the tele. It was really irritating in fact. Almost funny that they had these high-pitched ridiculous giggles but spoke in gruff, low voices.

Having a good chat with the remaining guy in my wagon. He’s from Krasnoyarsk. Like a lot of the good people I’ve met on the trains it seems – shame I am not visiting there on this trip. On his way to Tyumen and from there to Surgat I think. The train stopped for 20mins at Tyumen so I went outside for a smoke. Christ it was cold! Shocking that the sun can be so bright and there isn’t much snow but the temperature is so bloody cold. Asked the provodnitsa what the temperature was and she said -10C. Nothing apparently. Personal note: wear more clothes when going outside next time.

Got the wagon to myself now. But very hungry so might head the restaurant car and see if I can score some grub there in a bit. Still have that tasty sausage dish from last night in my mind. Would have bought something from the platforms but there was nobody there selling anything. Had a suitably greasy pork cutlet and fried potatoes in the restaurant car. Am in high spirits and looking forward to getting to Yekaterinburg. The start of European Russia as I understand it.

I called Andrei (my new host in Ekat) since he didn’t bother to reply to my text. He explained that “he no good speak English” but hopefully between my no good speak Russian and his English we have confirmed that he is going to meet me at the platform. Looking at the map it appears I’m staying a good distance from the centre of the town again.

Christ, I’m knackered. Well it has certainly been an eventful evening since arriving into Yekaterinburg. Met Andrei at the station who is the most interesting host I have had yet. I say interesting but by no means best. He is probably in his mid-50s. He speaks less English than I do Russian which I suppose is good practice although he isn’t exactly my first choice for a conversation partner. First thing he said when he met me off the train was that we were going to see an American jazz musician. Ok. When he said American he cast his hand across his face and said “black”. He wasn’t incidentally. He was called Steve Turre and he was superb! Apparently quite a famous Jazz trombonist, he also played the conch and had a collection of shells with specially cut mouthpieces, each for a different register. But I am digressing. Back to the train station. Andrei shepherded me along to the car where he introduced me to Evgeny who I assumed was his son at first. He wasn’t. 24. Nice guy. No English.

They took me on a mini guided tour of the city to kill time before the concert. It was bitterly cold and would be for the duration of my stay in Yekaterinburg. We blitzed throught the Romanov Cathedral which looked really interesting even though we were only in there for about 5 minutes. The assassinated Tsar Nicholas II and his family were recently made saints by the Orthodox church. Much of the tourist sites here seem to be dominated by the Romanovs as it was the place of their assassination. As we were driving Andrei pointed out the President’s residence which is apparently where Medvedev stays when he’s in town. It just looked like a Tsarist palace to me, ironically.

All the while this was going on Evgeny was cheerfully chauffeuring us along while I sat in the back seat trying to work out what the crack was. At one point Andrei got out to buy batteries. E. asked me if I was bored. I didn’t fully understand the question at the time so probably just said ‘Да’. I wasn’t bored. Just confused.

Anyway, we got to the venue which was a concert hall with a few different venues inside it. A bit like the HK Exhibition centre though smaller. The gig was in one of the larger halls and there was a good turn out for a Sunday night. It was quite a smart crowd with some people more glam than others – I fell into the latter category, naturally. The gig itself was great. Based on the programme notes I think Steve Turre is quite well known in jazz circles but then I know nothing about Jazz. He was backed by a 4-piece Russian band who I think he is touring the country with: piano, bass, drums, sax. He put on a great show and I really enjoyed it. Highlights being his ‘jazz battles’ with the saxophonist on soprano sax, his sea-shells and various mutes he used including a toilet plunger. After the concert Andrei insisted we go back-stage to meet Steve which I thought was a bit pushy but Evgeny and I indulged him nevertheless. I had a brief chat with Steve about Ronnie Scott’s in London and how it had gone down-hill as a venue. Andrei kept chirping in and wanted me to translate whatever it was he was blathering about. I just made something up and we left shortly before we outstayed our welcome.

Back at Andrei’s flat now. Turns out he’s an art dealer. Andrei and Evgeny chatted away over the tea and cabbage together for what seemed like hours with me now both bored and tired. I think they know each other through ‘work’ somehow. A little bit weired-out by everything as the setting and host are both quite strange. Every spare wall space in A’s flat is taken up by a really mixture of paintings ranging from old icons to modern portraits of Nicholas II to Holbein prints to modern crap. There’s a samovar on the table from 1892 and a bookcase filled with all sorts of junk behind it.

the photos are taken from Richard's archive

(c) Richard Breeson

Hint: 5 Russian books to read

2011-09-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

According to the top lists of best books in the world (The New York Public Library's Center for the Humanities, the Project '100 best books', data of 'Daily telegraph') , here are 5 books that you should read in order to be 'well-bred person'

1. Leo Tolstoi 'War and Peace'/ "Война и мир"

The work is published in 1869. The work is epic in scale and is regarded as Tolstoy's finest literary achievement, along with his other work Anna Karenina (1873–1877). War and Peace delineates in graphic detail events leading up to the French invasion of Russia, as seen through the eyes of five Russian aristocratic families.

Detailed retelling in wiki

Full text here (English)

2. Boris Pasternak 'Doctor Zhivago'/"Доктор Живаго"

The novel is named after its protagonist, Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet. It tells the story of Zhivago's life and how it is affected by the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent Russian Civil War.

Zhivago's poems from the novel here

3. Michael Bulgakov 'Master and Marguerite' / "Мастер и Маргарита"

THe books is a novel, woven around the premise of a visit by the Devil to the fervently atheistic Soviet Union. Many critics consider the book to be one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, and one of the foremost Soviet satires, directed against a suffocatingly bureaucratic social order.

Full text here (English)

4. Fyodor Dostoevsky 'Crime and Punishment'/ "Преступление и наказание"

rime and Punishment focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student in St. Petersburg who formulates and executes a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her money. Raskolnikov argues that with the pawnbroker's money he can perform good deeds to counterbalance the crime, while ridding the world of a worthless parasite. He also commits this murder to test his own hypothesis that some people are naturally capable of, and even have the right to do, such things. Several times throughout the novel, Raskolnikov justifies his actions by connecting himself mentally with Napoleon Bonaparte, believing that murder is permissible in pursuit of a higher purpose.

Plot, characters, structure etc in wiki

Text here (English)

5. Anton Chekhov 'Three sisters' / "Три сестры"

Three Sisters is a naturalistic play about the decay of the privileged class in Russia and the search for meaning in the modern world. It describes the lives and aspirations of the Prozorov family, the three sisters (Olga, Masha, and Irina) and their brother Andrei. They are a family dissatisfied and frustrated with their present existence. The sisters are refined and cultured young women who grew up in urban Moscow; however for the past eleven years they have been living in a small provincial town.

About characters here

Full text here

The diary of a traveller, entry 20. Back on train again

2011-08-26T02:59:00.000-07:00

20 November

Almost 3 weeks I’ve been in Russia now. Doesn’t feel that long at all. It’s been great so far! Certainly hasn’t been stressful at all but it’s not lounging around on a beach either. Novosibirsk is probably the first place I’ve visited I would like to live in. Went back to the art gallery again to see the permanent exhibition (I missed last time). Had a great display of photos submitted by people from all over Russia which was cool. Some kind of nation-wide competition I think. All the photos looked suspiciously professional to me – like they’d all been taken by people who had access to some really expensive kit. Indeed some of the captions said that they were in fact part of photo-shoots for magazines and suchlike. But there were some great shots there nevertheless. Like the ones of various protest marches and demonstrations.

Personal Note: don’t order hot chocolate in a café in Russia again. It is essentially a cup of melted chocolate you eat with a spoon and not the milky hot-drink I’m used to. Had a tasty колбаса (Russian sausage) for tea! Spicy with potatoes and cabbage. Good choice for my last proper meal before the train.

The Novosibirsk central station is a very attractive building.

I guess they have renovated it recently based on the freshness of the paintwork. Biggest I’ve been to yet I think. Back on the train again now: #1 Rossiya which is the top end in terms of cost and smartness but that’s just because they’re newer trains I think.

In fairness I don’t find this wagon anymore comfortable than any of the others I’ve been in. Just has more snazzy folding beds and compartments, thicker curtains and a TV tuned to show “Girl Who Played with a Dragon Tattoo” or whichever one it is. My companions are two middle aged gents who seem alright. Conversation hasn’t been particularly forthcoming as yet. Chiefly because I don’t speak Russian but also because I’m tired and can’t be bothered.

photos are taken from Richard's archive
(c) Richard Breeson

The diary of a traveller, entry 19. Novosibirsk and Akademgorodok

2011-08-26T00:34:00.000-07:00

19. November

Bulk of the day was spent on a round trip visit to Akademgorodok and meeting with the Novosibirks State Uni Russian Language dept. Met the admissions tutor (who spoke better English than most people in England) and the Director of the dept. Both were very nice and I got a good impression about the Uni. Only issue is that it’s in the middle of nowhere but that could be a good thing for studies. They’re going to send me a test to gauge my grammar level (brilliant!).

Akademgorodok airphoto

Grabbed a quick meal of pelmeni before heading off the Opera and Ballet Theatre for Cinderella. People certainly smarten up for the theatre over here which is nice! Thankfully they still let me in despite looking like I was about to go hiking round the Lake District. Tried some Russian champagne before heading to find my seat. The ballet was good but didn’t bowl me over – remember seeing it before in Hong Kong and I wasn’t overly impressed then. Don’t get me wrong it was an awesome way to spend 9 pounds and the view and the Theatre it’s self were both awesome! And Cinderella was brilliant as was the evil step mother. Liked her a lot.

Last day in Novosibirsk tomorrow then on to Ekaterinburg. It’s been a really good few days – possibly my best stop so far.

Shall we talk Russian?

Introduction

Hurry on to do good things ((c) Friedrich Haass)

Story of a picture: Christ in the Desert, Ivan Kramskoy

Pancake week, Forgiveness Sunday and the Great Lent

Clean Week

Russian winter

Book-cafe, 20 March (Tuesday) at 7pm – Leo Tolstoy, ‘The Kreutzer Sonata’.

20 March (Tuesday) at 7pm – Leo Tolstoy, ‘The Kreutzer Sonata’.

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VENUE: Unit 701, 7/F, Arion Commercial Building, No. 2-12, Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan,Hong Kong

Pancake week cinema club

Hint: 5 Russian masterpieces (end of XIX - beg.of XX cent) to know

Christmas caroling

Christmas tide

Как в Иерусалиме...

Christmas ...is coming to town

How to prepare New Year holiday in the Russian style in dozen days!

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 12

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 11

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 10

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 8

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 7

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 6. Learning the NY song

English lyrics by Arthur Durando and Irina Popov

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 5. Writing postcards

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 4

Moscow is ... Places to eat. Upside Down cake

'The Irony of fate or Enjoy your bath' in the Russian cinema club

VENUE: Unit 701, 7/F, Arion Commercial Centre, No. 2-12, Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan,Hong Kong

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 3

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 2

Danny DeVito talking Russian! =)

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 1

The diary of a traveller, entry 28. Suzdal

Activities in Russia

Hint: 5 Russian cities to visit. Part 1, European part of Russia

The diary of a traveller, entry 27. Vladimir

The diary of a traveller, entry 26. Interesting guy Maxim Gorky and how to become free from the group tour in a Russian museum...

The diary of a traveller, entry 25. ' Different cultures and all that'

The diary of a traveller, entry 24. 'I have to say I am feeling nostalgic and sad already to almost be at the end of the trip...'

The diary of a traveller, entry 23. On the way to Europe

Hint: 5 Russian children's songs to sing even when adults

Poster. Kitchen and food

The diary of a traveller, entry 22, Staying in Ekaterinburg

Hint: 5 Russian great scientists to recognize

Hint: 5 Russian dishes to try

4 oz (100g) Butter (At Room Temperature)1 tsp Lemon Juice1 tbsp Chopped Parsley, pinch of Nutmeg, Salt & Pepper4 Chicken BreastsWhite Flour (Seasoned with Salt & Pepper)2 EggsDried White Breadcrumbs, Sunflower Oil for Deep Frying

Detailed recipe is in Retro Food

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5. PRYANIKI

The diary of a traveller, entry 21. Ekaterinburg - 'The start of European Russia as I understand it'.

Hint: 5 Russian books to read

The diary of a traveller, entry 20. Back on train again

The diary of a traveller, entry 19. Novosibirsk and Akademgorodok

4 oz (100g) Butter (At Room Temperature)
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Chopped Parsley, pinch of Nutmeg, Salt & Pepper
4 Chicken Breasts
White Flour (Seasoned with Salt & Pepper)
2 Eggs
Dried White Breadcrumbs, Sunflower Oil for Deep Frying