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Showing posts with label Irina's writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Irina's writing. Show all posts
Saturday, 5 May 2012
The Victory Day is coming soon
Soon comes the great holidayer our country. The campaign 'Georgian ribbon' has started, the soldiers practice before the parade on Red Square, and we remember and respect those who made us a great gift - our lives and freedom!
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Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Hurry on to do good things ((c) Friedrich Haass)
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!
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!
Saturday, 31 December 2011
How to prepare New Year holiday in the Russian style in dozen days!
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
23 Dec – decorating the fir-tree
24 Dec – Writing postcards
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
31 Dec – enjoying all we were preparing to
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 5. Writing postcards
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
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 ... '
Congratulations on the New Year \ Christmas! or all together
And we wish something like 'all the best', we use to wish health (здоровье), happiness (счастье), joy (радости) in the coming NY
Don't forget to write your name.
All the best!
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!
All the best!
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 4
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!
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!
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Moscow is ... Places to eat. Upside Down cake
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
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
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 2
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)
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)
Monday, 19 December 2011
Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 1
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
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Moscow is... Places to visit. Part 1. TO EAT and DRINK. 'Chokoladnitsa'.
Шоколадница or 'Chocoladnitsa' is a chain of coffee shops, which in Russian are called 'кофейня'. It may be found all over Moscow in tiny lanes or crowded avenues like Tverskaya street, you may check the address here, but usually there is no need, as it happens usually like this: you walk on foot in the center, feel 'ready' for a cup of coffee and..usually you see it)
The design is very nice, recently, by the way, one of coffee shops won the prize for the best DESIGN of a coffee shops. And according to the hit-list, it is the best coffee-shop in 2011.
Let's visit one of the кофейня and choose a drink and dessert. MUST-TRY in Russia is coffee glace (кофе гляссе).Sounds French, but indeed it exists only in Russia. Usually is it a big cup of hot black coffee with few spoons of ice-cream upon it. While the ice-cream is melting, coffee becomes milky, ice-cream not so cold, and you drink coffee through this ice-cream foam. Very delicious! it used to be my favourite dessert everywhere in Moscow. In 'Chocoladnitsa' you may try a cup for 149 rubles (180 ml, around 37 hkd) or 179 rubles (270 ml, 45 hkd).
Traditional cappuccino and americano is also found here, you may check the prices in the coffee menu . Among latte the candy boys and candy girls are advised to choose Banana-Caramel Latte, which is 189 rubles for 160 ml (less then 50 hkd), 199 rubles for 250 ml (50 hkd).
Chocoladnitsa exists in Moscow for a long time. I remember well when at the age of 12 first time went there with my mum, who remembered classic choco-panckes exactly there. Now you still may try this dessert.
A portion of pancakes is around 50 hkd, traditional chocolate pancakes look like this
Besides, now you may found renewed lunch menu there, so enjoy not only sweets and desserts, but something else. It will cost you around 100 hkd.
Приятного аппетита!
The design is very nice, recently, by the way, one of coffee shops won the prize for the best DESIGN of a coffee shops. And according to the hit-list, it is the best coffee-shop in 2011.
Let's visit one of the кофейня and choose a drink and dessert. MUST-TRY in Russia is coffee glace (кофе гляссе).Sounds French, but indeed it exists only in Russia. Usually is it a big cup of hot black coffee with few spoons of ice-cream upon it. While the ice-cream is melting, coffee becomes milky, ice-cream not so cold, and you drink coffee through this ice-cream foam. Very delicious! it used to be my favourite dessert everywhere in Moscow. In 'Chocoladnitsa' you may try a cup for 149 rubles (180 ml, around 37 hkd) or 179 rubles (270 ml, 45 hkd).
Chocoladnitsa exists in Moscow for a long time. I remember well when at the age of 12 first time went there with my mum, who remembered classic choco-panckes exactly there. Now you still may try this dessert.
Besides, now you may found renewed lunch menu there, so enjoy not only sweets and desserts, but something else. It will cost you around 100 hkd.
Приятного аппетита!
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Memory Watch 2011
Today is the 22 of June. Why this day is important for Russians? not because it is one more day-off with no routs!
This day, 22 of June 1941 was the beginning of Great Patriotic War for the Soviet Union. The largest, hardest and memorable war in our history. Still sometimes it seems that whole Russian history is history of wars!...
And now we have got one more new, but already important and sincere tradition - the Memory Watch - Вахта памяти.
The idea of this activity is that the participants (usually the youth) meet at night and from different parts of Moscow (or other cities. Me myself, I participated once, it was in Moscow) different groups walk (on foot, at night) towards the center of Moscow, to Alexander's garden near the Kremlin, where is the Tomb of the Unknown soldier and the Eternal Flame.
Usually by 3 o'clock you are there. You get a flower (usually carnation) and a candle. Then at 4 o'clock - exactly when the War started - you silently walk to the Tomb to put the flowers there. Such a sincere and strong ceremony
This day, 22 of June 1941 was the beginning of Great Patriotic War for the Soviet Union. The largest, hardest and memorable war in our history. Still sometimes it seems that whole Russian history is history of wars!...
And now we have got one more new, but already important and sincere tradition - the Memory Watch - Вахта памяти.
The idea of this activity is that the participants (usually the youth) meet at night and from different parts of Moscow (or other cities. Me myself, I participated once, it was in Moscow) different groups walk (on foot, at night) towards the center of Moscow, to Alexander's garden near the Kremlin, where is the Tomb of the Unknown soldier and the Eternal Flame.
Usually by 3 o'clock you are there. You get a flower (usually carnation) and a candle. Then at 4 o'clock - exactly when the War started - you silently walk to the Tomb to put the flowers there. Such a sincere and strong ceremony
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Moscow is... Places to visit. Part 3. Entertainment
What you can visit in Moscow in the coming two months? Exhibitions, museums, events. Of course, no doubt that you SHOULD visit the museums, that Moscow is famous for, that is the Tretyakov Art Gallery of Pushkin Fine Arts museum, or Kremlin.
Here I will tell you about the new events, also worth visiting but less known especially abroad.
1—20 June 2011- Exhibition of photo by Segery Prokudin-Gorsky
He is famous for that he was the inventor of colour photo in Russia, one of the first in the world. The emperor sent him to make a collection of view of Russian Empire of the beginning of the 20 century. This is an exhibition of category 'MUST SEE'
Where:
Москва, Дизайн-завод FLACON, Адрес: ул. Б. Новодмитровская, д. 36,
тел.: +7 (495) 790-7901 , email: info@flacon.su
June - July 2011 - Open Air photo exhibition 'The world through eyes of Russians'
Where: Tverskoy boulevards, the center of Moscow, metro Pushkinskaya
Here I will tell you about the new events, also worth visiting but less known especially abroad.
1—20 June 2011- Exhibition of photo by Segery Prokudin-Gorsky
He is famous for that he was the inventor of colour photo in Russia, one of the first in the world. The emperor sent him to make a collection of view of Russian Empire of the beginning of the 20 century. This is an exhibition of category 'MUST SEE'
Where:
Москва, Дизайн-завод FLACON, Адрес: ул. Б. Новодмитровская, д. 36,
June - July 2011 - Open Air photo exhibition 'The world through eyes of Russians'
Where: Tverskoy boulevards, the center of Moscow, metro Pushkinskaya
8 июня—15 июля 2011 года - Nikolay Kulebiakin. Platinotherapy.
The exhibition of a master of 'nature-morte'
Where:
Россия, Москва, Галерея «Меглинская»,
Часы работы: 12.00-20.00, ежедневно, кроме понедельника
Адрес: Россия, Москва, 4-й Сыромятнический переулок, дом 1, стр.6,
Проезд: м. Курская; Центр Современного Искусства ВИНЗАВОД
Часы работы: 12.00-20.00, ежедневно, кроме понедельника
Адрес: Россия, Москва, 4-й Сыромятнический переулок, дом 1, стр.6,
Проезд: м. Курская; Центр Современного Искусства ВИНЗАВОД
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Moscow, places to visit - Part 2. To WALK. Kamergersky pereulok
Summer in the city! Besides it's time to think of the vacation, and perhaps you have already chosen Moscow or some other cities as a place to travel. Recently we gave you an example of some nice restaurants, and we will go on sharing this interesting info with you. For example, where to drink coffee and eat delicious cakes.
But today I'd like to tell you about one of my favourite places to walk in Moscow. Камергерский переулок - Kamergersky lane, see it on the map.
Kamergersky lane is a lane that leads from Bolshaya Dmitrovka to Tverskaya street, 2 more minutes - and you are near the Red Square. It is an old pedestrian lane closed for the traffic. Here are many beautiful old-style building of high cultural significance. Here lived such famous people as Leo Tolstoy (writer), Edward Bagritsky (poet), Mikhail Sholokhov (writer), Lubov Orlova (actress), A.Tropinin (artist), Sergio Prokofiev (composer) and many others.
Now the lane is also famous for that here is located one of the most known theaters in Moscow - МХАТ (Moscow Art Theatre). It is know not only because of good talented actors, famous actor's school, but also for that the plays of Anton Chekhov were staged there.
Besides, if you have read 'Doctor Zhivago' by Boris Pasternak, you of course remember the poem 'A candle burned upon the table, A candle burned...' SO according to the plot of the novel, Yura Zhivago wrote it when he was passing the Kamergersky lane and saw a candle in the window frozen by winter frost, there behind the window Lara and Pasha were talking.
But I'd love to focus on it in our next post...
Enjoy your walk!
Monday, 6 June 2011
Moscow is... Places to visit. Part 1. TO EAT, 'Drova'
Another place to visit and to eat - the restaurant 'Drova' (means 'wood'). As cafe 'Mu-mu' it seems to be a moderate variant to pay, to eat at and to try the Russian cuisine. Let's visit it!
The cafe organized in the same way as 'Mu-mu' which seems to be comfortable enough. It is like a buffet, but not self-serviced, but 'the waiter's-service'.
Business lunch now is 200 rub, which is around 50 hkd, including soup, salad and main dish with potato, rice or steamed vegetables. All comes with tea.
Nice thing to try there - the menu of pancakes and vareniki. Vareniki is a type of 'dumpling', but with potato or berries with cottage cheese. Those who have seen 'Christmas Eve', the film made by the story of Nikholai Gogol, may remember the moment when the wizard in the village was eating vareniki just with his eyes (he made the vareniki jump first into sour cream and then to his mouth).
Hot pancakes with salmon - 230 rubles (56 hkd),
hot pancakes with red caviar - 280 rub (around 70 hkd),
vareniki with cherry - 200 rub (50 hkd),
vareniki with potato and mushrooms - 200 rub (50 hkd),
dumplings with salmon - 250 rub (around 60 hkd),
dumplings with 3 types of meat - 250 rub (around 60 hkd).
The bar menu is also full of variety, besides in Russia in the cafe and restaurants you may order some drinks as wine, alcoholic cocktails and even wiski.
But please better try some Russian national and popular drinks as cranberry mors (vitamin juice) or kvas.
Enjoy your meal!
Приятного аппетита!
The cafe organized in the same way as 'Mu-mu' which seems to be comfortable enough. It is like a buffet, but not self-serviced, but 'the waiter's-service'.
Business lunch now is 200 rub, which is around 50 hkd, including soup, salad and main dish with potato, rice or steamed vegetables. All comes with tea.
Nice thing to try there - the menu of pancakes and vareniki. Vareniki is a type of 'dumpling', but with potato or berries with cottage cheese. Those who have seen 'Christmas Eve', the film made by the story of Nikholai Gogol, may remember the moment when the wizard in the village was eating vareniki just with his eyes (he made the vareniki jump first into sour cream and then to his mouth).
hot pancakes with red caviar - 280 rub (around 70 hkd),
vareniki with cherry - 200 rub (50 hkd),
vareniki with potato and mushrooms - 200 rub (50 hkd),
dumplings with salmon - 250 rub (around 60 hkd),
dumplings with 3 types of meat - 250 rub (around 60 hkd).
The bar menu is also full of variety, besides in Russia in the cafe and restaurants you may order some drinks as wine, alcoholic cocktails and even wiski.
But please better try some Russian national and popular drinks as cranberry mors (vitamin juice) or kvas.
Enjoy your meal!
Приятного аппетита!
Friday, 3 June 2011
Moscow, places to visit - recommendations from a native-moscovite. Part 1. TO EAT, 'Mu-Mu'
Being a Moscovite myself, I can tell you about some places in Moscow that are worth visiting. Besides, summer is in the world already, so it's time to think of the vacation, and perhaps you have already chosen Moscow or some other cities as a place to travel.
To eat.
if you have chance, of course you may visit any restaurant you see, but no guarantee that you leave there reasonable and not TOO MUCH money. So here are the recommendations of the 'medium' price
Mu-mu ("Му-му") is a cafe of Russian cuisine. The name is taken from the story by Ivan Turgenev, this sad story is about a dog. But the symbol of the restaurant is a cow, looks like funny. When you enter, you take the tray and then slide with it choosing the food. It is organised as a buffet, but the cookers help you to put the stuff. So you may ask them if you have questions about some dishes.
First come salads, then you may choose soup, then 'second course' or main dish and garnish to that. Bread, desserts are followed by drinks. Then you bring it to the cashier and pay. You are free to try all that.
When I was in the University, we sometimes had lunch there, still for students it was not the cheapest variant. But delicious!
Of course, it is impossible to try all that delicious stuff of Russian cuisine at once, so may be you may visit it few times?
My personal choice today would be the following:
egg-plant rolls with vegetables, 69, 50 rub
cold beetroot soup (nice summer variant!), 68,5 rub
fried meat dumpling (Russian style dumplings), 65,5 rub or maybe I try fried pancake with meat, 49,5 rub
and to finish my lunch with triumph I will take the dessert, today it is gateau 'Potato' (it is DESSERT, I promise), I like it since I first tried it at the age of 5 ! =)), 29,5
and maybe some tea, with dessert it comes 38,5
If you don't take the dessert, you may try some drinks, like kvas (29 rub), or Mors (natural organic drink or berries, 31,5 rub), or kissel, 44,5
Totally is 255,5, which is around 64 HKD. I am full till the evening, for sure! Or even more!
Приятного аппетита!
To eat.
if you have chance, of course you may visit any restaurant you see, but no guarantee that you leave there reasonable and not TOO MUCH money. So here are the recommendations of the 'medium' price
Mu-mu ("Му-му") is a cafe of Russian cuisine. The name is taken from the story by Ivan Turgenev, this sad story is about a dog. But the symbol of the restaurant is a cow, looks like funny. When you enter, you take the tray and then slide with it choosing the food. It is organised as a buffet, but the cookers help you to put the stuff. So you may ask them if you have questions about some dishes.
First come salads, then you may choose soup, then 'second course' or main dish and garnish to that. Bread, desserts are followed by drinks. Then you bring it to the cashier and pay. You are free to try all that.
When I was in the University, we sometimes had lunch there, still for students it was not the cheapest variant. But delicious!
Of course, it is impossible to try all that delicious stuff of Russian cuisine at once, so may be you may visit it few times?
My personal choice today would be the following:
egg-plant rolls with vegetables, 69, 50 rub
cold beetroot soup (nice summer variant!), 68,5 rub
fried meat dumpling (Russian style dumplings), 65,5 rub or maybe I try fried pancake with meat, 49,5 rub
and to finish my lunch with triumph I will take the dessert, today it is gateau 'Potato' (it is DESSERT, I promise), I like it since I first tried it at the age of 5 ! =)), 29,5
and maybe some tea, with dessert it comes 38,5
If you don't take the dessert, you may try some drinks, like kvas (29 rub), or Mors (natural organic drink or berries, 31,5 rub), or kissel, 44,5
Totally is 255,5, which is around 64 HKD. I am full till the evening, for sure! Or even more!
Приятного аппетита!
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Russia is... Food in gorshochek
Of course, all countries are proud of their cuisine! And Russians are not an exception. Some Russian soups are well-known (I hope so!), that is borsch. Or schi, for example. One day we will write about it as well. But those who had a chance to join the Russian cooking class know already, that borsch is red NOT because of tomato, but because of BEETROOT. But it is another topic to speak about.
Today we will tell you about soups or ragou in ... gorshochek (ГОРШОЧЕК). Gorshochek means small gorshok, which is a POT, usually made of clay.
As for me, for example, the smell of soup in gorshochek is a symbol of my childhood and youth, the symbol of home and our family kitchen.
Our traditional recipe of "мясо в горшочках" is (for 6 person - 6 small pots)
to each pot put some beef, potato, onion, carrot, mushrooms. Add salt, pepper, and hot water to cover all ingredients in the pot. And put it to the oven for 2-3 hours. Enjoy! The smell is incredible! When you try it, you will never forget this taste of home-made meat in pot.
Here in HK you may also enjoy it. For example, this is a pot I have found in one of the shops. Even simple potato with mushroom - it is also wonderful!
Приятного аппетита!
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Russia is... AUTUMN
To begin with ...and to be unusual... Russia is ... autumn. In Russian it is ОСЕНЬ (osen')
Sounds strange, n'est-ce pas? Let me explain.
Autumn is Russia is particularly beautiful. Not many countries are so lucky to feel all the beauty of this season. What is it for Russians?
1) it's a beautiful season. When the trees turn orange - оранжевый, yellow - желтый, red - красный. It is not so hot already, but not yet cold. Harvest, fresh air and blue sky of September, even rain of October. 'There is no bad weather, only bad clothes', this is what we use to say.
2) it helps us to feel the connection between nature and people. We use to say that the spring is the MORNING of our lives, summer is our DAY, autumn is our DUSK, winter is our EVENING.
And if you want to experience the feeling of 'waiting of spring' - you should spend winter in Russia. It's an incredible feeling, as happy as you when you were waiting for the presents in you childhood.
3) It is the muse to many Russian poets (autumn-poem), musicians, artists etc...
Sergey Esenin
Sounds strange, n'est-ce pas? Let me explain.
Autumn is Russia is particularly beautiful. Not many countries are so lucky to feel all the beauty of this season. What is it for Russians?
1) it's a beautiful season. When the trees turn orange - оранжевый, yellow - желтый, red - красный. It is not so hot already, but not yet cold. Harvest, fresh air and blue sky of September, even rain of October. 'There is no bad weather, only bad clothes', this is what we use to say.
And if you want to experience the feeling of 'waiting of spring' - you should spend winter in Russia. It's an incredible feeling, as happy as you when you were waiting for the presents in you childhood.
3) It is the muse to many Russian poets (autumn-poem), musicians, artists etc...
Sergey Esenin
The grove of golden trees has fallen silent, Отговорила роща золотая
Shorn of its gay leaves, in mute silhouette, Березовым, веселым языком,
And so the cranes in sad file past it flying И журавли, печально пролетая,
Have no cause any more to feel regret. Уж не жалеют больше ни о ком.
Shorn of its gay leaves, in mute silhouette, Березовым, веселым языком,
And so the cranes in sad file past it flying И журавли, печально пролетая,
Have no cause any more to feel regret. Уж не жалеют больше ни о ком.
For whom, for what? We are all rovers, starting Кого жалеть? Ведь каждый в мире странник -
Out, coming home awhile, then traveling on. Пройдет, зайдет и вновь оставит дом.
The hemp field's dreaming of all who departed Пройдет, зайдет и вновь оставит дом.
And there's a full moon gazing at the pond. С широким месяцем над голубым прудом.
The hemp field's dreaming of all who departed Пройдет, зайдет и вновь оставит дом.
And there's a full moon gazing at the pond. С широким месяцем над голубым прудом.
I stand alone, the bare expanses viewing, Стою один среди равнины голой,
While on the wind the cranes are borne away. А журавлей относит ветер в даль,
Remembrance of my merry youth pursuing, Я полон дум о юности веселой,
I find nothing I would relive today. Но ничего в прошедшем мне не жаль. more
While on the wind the cranes are borne away. А журавлей относит ветер в даль,
Remembrance of my merry youth pursuing, Я полон дум о юности веселой,
I find nothing I would relive today. Но ничего в прошедшем мне не жаль. more
Alexander Pushkin
Октябрь уж наступил - уж роща отряхает October has arrived - the woods have tossed
Последние листы с нагих своих ветвей; Their final leaves from naked branches;
Дохнул осенний хлад - дорога промерзает. A breath of autumn chill - the road begins to freeze,
Последние листы с нагих своих ветвей; Their final leaves from naked branches;
Дохнул осенний хлад - дорога промерзает. A breath of autumn chill - the road begins to freeze,
Журча еще бежит за мельницу ручей, The stream still murmurs as it passes by the mill,
Но пруд уже застыл; сосед мой поспешает The pond, however's frozen; and my neighbor hastens
В отъезжие поля с охотою своей, to his far-flung fields with all the members of his hunt.
И страждут озими от бешеной забавы, The winter wheat will suffer from this wild fun,
И будит лай собак уснувшие дубравы. And baying hounds awake the slumbering groves.
Emotionally about the stereotypes
We used to discuss the necessity of the stereotypes many times, it's funny of course, to read it or learn about it. Well, like all English drink tea at 5 o'clock, German are never late, French appreciate the wine, Italians are passionate etc ... ANd of course there are stereotypes about Russia. I wouldn't say 'many stereotypes' as when they speak about Russians, there are just few of them ... And they are very annoying! It is very very banal to think that Russia is ...
matryoshka balalaika vodka bear
Besides, in Russia we watch a lot of foreign series and films, Russians are interested in many other cultures and countries. And it might be funny sometimes when we see how do the foreign films introduce Russia. Of course, if they are more then 18 years old, you may understand why they do it in the following way. But what about the modern film?
Russia in MODERN films (after 2000):
red star, Stalin, GULAG, hat with ears, KGB, red star, red star and again red star
Is it possible that educated people or film directors or producers STILL do not know at least that the political system in RUssia has changed? That sounds strange.
But there is the thing that gives hope - there is still A LOT of people who is interested in the history of the world, who is broad-minded.
From now there would be a new tag in our blog: Russia is,.. where we will try to collect the things that are really worth appreciating about Russia. You may also participate and share you links and ideas.
matryoshka balalaika vodka bear
Besides, in Russia we watch a lot of foreign series and films, Russians are interested in many other cultures and countries. And it might be funny sometimes when we see how do the foreign films introduce Russia. Of course, if they are more then 18 years old, you may understand why they do it in the following way. But what about the modern film?
Russia in MODERN films (after 2000):
red star, Stalin, GULAG, hat with ears, KGB, red star, red star and again red star
Is it possible that educated people or film directors or producers STILL do not know at least that the political system in RUssia has changed? That sounds strange.
But there is the thing that gives hope - there is still A LOT of people who is interested in the history of the world, who is broad-minded.
From now there would be a new tag in our blog: Russia is,.. where we will try to collect the things that are really worth appreciating about Russia. You may also participate and share you links and ideas.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
'We are grateful to you for one more spring... '
This great day is the 9th of May - the Victory Day, the greatest holiday in Russia. 66 years passed already, we lose our dearest veterans from year to year, but we still remember well, WHAT is the 9the of May for all people of the former Soviet Union and we are very grateful to those, who gave us a chance to live that days - many many years ago.
Indeed, there is almost no families in former USSR, whose relatives - now these are not only grandfathers and grandmothers, but even grand-grand mothers and grand-grandfathers - did not participate in that Great Patriotic War. Many people grew up on the films about War, we all know the main dates and the main surnames which created the history in this way, still it was the Victory of ALL people of the country.
As we say, it is a holidays 'with tears on eyes', as remembering the Victory, we as well remember those who gave their lives to defend these MOTHERLAND.
'We are grateful to you for one more spring... '
Indeed, there is almost no families in former USSR, whose relatives - now these are not only grandfathers and grandmothers, but even grand-grand mothers and grand-grandfathers - did not participate in that Great Patriotic War. Many people grew up on the films about War, we all know the main dates and the main surnames which created the history in this way, still it was the Victory of ALL people of the country.
As we say, it is a holidays 'with tears on eyes', as remembering the Victory, we as well remember those who gave their lives to defend these MOTHERLAND.
'We are grateful to you for one more spring... '
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