Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts

Monday, 24 June 2013

Coco Chanel and 'Slavic charm'


Габриэль Шанель: «Кто-то сказал, что «в жизни каждой женщины должен быть румын». Я бы добавила, что любая уроженка стран Запада должна сделать всё возможное, чтобы понять, что же такое «славянский шарм». Я была просто очарована русскими. Их вечное «все моё – это твоё» просто опьяняет. Все славяне обладают какими-то удивительными отличительными чертами, оставаясь при этом абсолютно естественными, и даже самый скромный из них не выглядит обычным».

Une petite anecdote plus amusante :
En 1920, le grand-duc Dimitri, cousin du tsar Nicolas II, fait la connaissance de Coco Chanel et en tombe amoureux. C’est réciproque et leur passion va durer plusieurs années, jusqu’au mariage de Dimitri avec une riche américaine, ce qui rend Coco Chanel furieuse. Le grand-duc n’a sûrement pas eu beaucoup de mal à séduire mademoiselle Chanel car voici ce qu’elle écrit :
" Tout occidental doit avoir succombé au « charme slave » pour savoir ce que c’est. Tous les slaves sont distingués, naturels, et les plus humbles ne sont jamais communs."
Donc, en 1920, Coco Chanel vient d’acheter une petite Rolls bleue et elle propose à Dimitri de partir à Monte-Carlo. Au cours de leur voyage, Dimitri décide d’aller à GRASSE pour présenter Ernest Beaux à Coco Chanel. Ernest Beaux, un des meilleurs parfumeur au monde, était le parfumeur de la Cour de Russie. C’était là que le grand-duc Dimitri l’a connu. Après la révolution, il est venu s’établir à Grasse. Ernest Beaux présente à Coco Chanel quelques échantillons dans des petites fioles avec des
étiquettes : n° 1, n°2. n° 3, n°4, n°5. et c’est la cinquième fiole qu’elle choisit. Elle décide de garder le numéro de l’étiquette et c’est ainsi qu’est né le N° 5 de Channel.
Le grand-duc Dimitri a dessiné le flacon en s’inspirant des flasques de vodka que tout officier emportait avec lui. C’est donc à un grand-duc russe que vous devez, Mesdames, le fameux N°5 de Chanel !










source

Saturday, 14 July 2012

Common mistakes in Russian that native speakers often do or  Проверь себя!

Do you think that Russian is difficult? And always wonder how do the RUssians manage to memorize ALL THAT ?

Well, today I will make you happy. Russians MAKE mistakes in their native language. Here is the list of most common mistakes nowadays

99% of  the users of BКонтакте (Russian Facebook) often do the following mistakes  

1. You doubt how to spell 'to come' - "приДТи" или "приЙТи"? Remember right now  - "приЙТи". 

2. ordered "экспрессo'? by the way, coffee is called "ЭСПРЕССО"! 

3. TO say 'I win' - what's the right variant  "ПОБЕДЮ" или "ПОБЕЖДУ"? None!! the verb "победить" has no form of 1 person singular (perfective) Options:  "Одержу победу", "сумею победить" 

4. Careful! There is no word  "вообщем" neither "вобщем"! There are "ВООБЩЕ" (actually) и "В ОБЩЕМ" (so, generally) 

5. In the document we put "ПОДПИСЬ" (signature),  but the fresco on the wall in a cathedral is a "РОСПИСЬ". 

6. Indeed the combination "самый лучший" (sounds like 'the most best') is nonsense, as well as "более красивейший" (sounds like 'more beautifulest') 

7. "В_течениЕ" (while, during), but "в_течениИ" (the current, flow of the river). 

8. What would be the imperative form for 'ехать' (to go)  "едь" или "ехай" или " езжай"? None of that! The only correct variants are  "ПОезжай" или "ЗАезжай", "Приезжай". Usage of "езжай"  without prefixes is possible but not desirable in colloquial language 

9. The way to write 'Excuse me' ("извЕни" instead of "извИни") is so rude that it'd be more correct to make a penalty for breaking this law! 



Thursday, 12 July 2012

Useful information about the help to those in need in Krymsk after the flood

Famous charity-worker and a doctor Doctor Liza writes in her blog what exaclty is needed now in Krymsk. You may send the stuff. If you are in Russia, Russian Post says tat they send stuff for Krymsk FOR FREE (proof link http://www.russianpost.ru/ and http://www.russianpost.ru/rp/collective/ru/home/vnimanie).

  • MEANS OF PROTECTION (rubber gloves, Working gloves in different sizes, Insect repellent, adhesive tape, means for repelling mosquitoes and rodents, Gauze bandage, respirators, Mosquito nets, gauze)
  • MATERIALS AND TOOLS FOR CLEANING
  • COTS, Bedding, BABY FOOD, FOOD, WATER

Here you may find information who exactly need help and what exactly they need http://flood.rynda.org/pomogite

Huge list of what is needed as well (In Russian. Feel free to ask our assistance for translation) http://krimsk-help.livejournal.com/1057.html#comments

Here is the list of point of collections the stuff (Moscow) http://slon.ru/russia/kak_pomoch_postradavshim_ot_navodneniya_den_pyatyy-810485.xhtml

Information from their web-site
NEEDED: Toys and stationery for children (inflatable balls; bubbles; crayons, coloring books; puzzles; paint; picture books).


Now we are clearifying WHERE exactly you may send it, if you want to send some stuff. Perhaps the best way would be to send it to 'friends of friends', so the volunteers who live in the nearest towns and may carry all things themselves. 


As for the money, you may transfer it through the charity foundation Predanie http://predanie.ru/blago/104710/

Krasnodar Department of Red Cross
р/с 40703810330000000106, 
в отделение № 8619 Сбербанка России, г. Краснодар, 
к/с 30101810100000000602, 
БИК 040349602, 
Краснодарское краевое отделение Общероссийской общественной организации «Российский Красный Крест», 
ИНН 2309030678 КПП 230901001. 
Назначение платежа: добровольное пожертвование гражданам, пострадавшим от наводнений в Краснодарском крае в 2012 году


If you want to help but not really inderstand how, please feel free to ask us here or in facebook in our group Learning Russian in Hong Kong


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!






from vk.com

Sunday, 22 April 2012

Samara

Samara (Самара) is the sixth largest city in Russia. It is situated in the southeastern part of European Russia at the confluence of the Volga and Samara Rivers on the east bank of the Volga. 




see on the map 
source 

Friday, 17 February 2012

Russian winter

via Bigpicture.ru


winter games in Kolomenskoe, Moscow



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



Thursday, 29 December 2011

Celebrating New Year in Russian style, step 10

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!

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! 






Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Activities in Russia

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

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 ... 

  • 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 
 _______________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________
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') 




_____________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________


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