Святки - Christmas Days

Svyatki - Святки (saints, holidays, winter holidays, holy days) - twelve days of Christmas - Рождество (Christmas tide) to Epiphany - Крещение. All the days are filled with amazing joy of Christmas.

picture from the animation 'Christmas Eve' (1951) based on the story of N.Gogol

From the interview with priest Alexander Ilyashenko, (father of 12 children and grandfather of 31 grandchildren) These days are ideal for devoting it to friends, family, children and parents, and those lonely people who have no family. "Behold what is good or what is nice, but let brothers live in peace" - says the prophet David.

Christmas - is a children's holiday, and the joy of these days will pass on to children. How subtly noticed Dostoevsky, even if life unfold person in the other direction, in a difficult moment, as an inspiration, it will stir childhood impression and it turns out to be life-saving - it will help to make the right decision.

«Знайте же, что ничего нет выше, и сильнее, и здоровее, и полезнее впредь для жизни, как хорошее какое-нибудь воспоминание, и особенно вынесенное еще из детства, из родительского дома. Вам много говорят про воспитание ваше, а вот какое-нибудь этакое прекрасное, святое воспоминание, сохраненное с детства, может быть, самое лучшее воспитание и есть. Если много набрать таких воспоминаний с собою в жизнь, то спасен человек на всю жизнь». (Ф.М. Достоевский «Братья Карамазовы»).

Orthodox Christians at Christmas have always tried to find time for charity. These days, are perfect for sharing the joy of Christmas with the people of Christ, making them something good. Many people attend these days hospitals, orphanages, organize Christmas concerts, congratulations.

Traditionally, looking back to ancient times, we learn that this holiday had a lot of entertainments, not all of them are still popular.

People used to say about this period:

• At Christmastime wolves marry. На Святках волки женятся 
• From Christmas to Epiphany to hunt animals and birds sin - the hunter misfortune happens. От Рождества до Крещения охотиться на зверей и птиц грех — с охотником несчастье случится  
• Christmas passed, sorry to separate, Shrovetide comes  - tie to ride" - «Прашли Святки, жаль расстаться, пришла Маслина — кататься» (воронеж.).

Mythological significance  of Christmastide determined their "borderline" character - this time the sun turns from winter to summer, daylight moves from darkness to light, the old ends and a new year is born the Savior of the world, and chaos followed by divine ordering.

These days are also perfect for caroling - колядование

Carol ( Kalyada, Koleda,- Коляда) - traditional celebration of the Slavic people, associated with the winter solstice, and later dedicated to Christmas and Christmas time. Inherent attributes of the holiday is changing - ряжение (mummers using skins, masks and horns), caroling, Christmas carols songs, bestowing, youth games, fortune telling.

Here is a nice episode of caroling on Christmas Eve of the famous story by Nicholay Gogol 'Christmas Eve' - "Ночь перед Рождеством"

Here is one of the most famous carols, 


And in Jerusalem early ringing
Rejoice, rejoice  earth, the Son of God's was born

Come marvel at the star of the Miraculous
Rejoice, rejoice but earth, the Son of God's was born 

How to sing it

Text is below 

А в Иерусалиме рано звонили, 

 А в Иерусалиме рано зазвонили
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
Выйди подивися на звезду чудесну
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
Звезда возсия над вертепом ста
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
Трём царям дорогу в вертеп показа
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
Цари приидоша дари принесоша
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
Имут бо приити три праздника в гости
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
Первый убо праздник - Рождество Христово
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
А вторый же праздник - святого Василия
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
А третий же праздник - святое Крещение
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
И на этом слове бывайте здоровы
Радуйся, да радуйся земле, Сын Божий народися
Христос Бог народися 

Few words about ... Russian rock and rock'n'roll music

Chaif

A song which has become a 'must-sing' during every kitchen-party with a guitar 

Zemfira

A genius woman who 'opened' a new current in our music - 'female rock'. Fresh strong music, extravagant words, excentric appearance and divine voice - this is all about her

Bi-2

His strange voice can irritate, but as once you listen to their song, you will fall in love with some mystery they bring with them

Nochnie snaiperi

Emotional female rock music, interesting videos and men-like ladies

Splean 

DDT

Legend of Russian rock, authority and harisma of their leader Jury Schevchuk, and more than 20 year of truimph 

Few words about ... Russian pop-music

T.a.t.u

girls band that was like a flash in early 2000's, excentric and shocking. Still they gain popularity not only in Russia, but also in China and Europe. The band took part in the Eurovision and were 2nd. Now the group doesn't exist anymore, girls are busy with families and solo projects.

Alsou 

Appeared at the age of 16, she was fresh and new and almost symbolised the 'renaissance' of Russian pop-music. She took part in the Eurovision and took the 2nd position, it was a real Victory after many years of Russia's failure in this music comeptition

Dima Bilan

Very famous and very pop. Rare case, when a singer participated twice in Eurovision, but he did and even won the competition. 

Otpetie moshenniki

The 'hoologan' band, popular in late 90's and early 2000's

Zvery 

Pop-rock group was on the peak of popularity in late 90's - early 2000s

In the city, experiment in St-Petersburg

Check up your Russian!
Here is an experiment held in St-Petersburg. Three gentlemen asked the way in the city. First one is from Azerbaijan, second is a londoner, the third is a Russian guy from province.
They had to ask the following
1) как доехать до нужной станции метро (in the metro)
2) как пройти от Гостиного двора до Исаакиевской площади (in the street)
3) взять такси до нужного места (take the taxi)

Несмотря ни на что, туристов в Петербурге все равно достаточно много. И не ко всем, как мы выяснили, местные жители относятся одинаково гостеприимно. Например, в Москве найти нужную ветку в метро или кратчайший путь на улице -- очень сложно. Многие прохожие сами, как говорится, не местные, а москвичи, то ли из нежелания, то ли по другим причинам на вопросы отвечают так абстрактно, что приходится еще не раз обращаться за помощью.
Питерские журналисты решили это проверить и выбрали три туристских типажа: западноевропеец, представитель южных регионов СНГ и россиянин из провинции...

Sky lanterns in Moscow on the 1st of June

Yesterday, on  the 1st of June - the Day of  children's defense - in Moscow there was a flash-mob 'Sky Lanterns'

Thousands of sky lanterns were released into the sky. This event broke Guinness' record!
Let's see a photo-report and some video

all photos by malinovskaya for Moscow walks
more photos at the community 

Famous films about the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945

THe Victory Day 9 of May is coming. THis day we always watch a lot films about the War, remember the deed of our grandmothers and grandfathers, cry and respect them. 

Here is just a small collection of Soviet films about the War 1941-1945


"Великий перелом"
"Небесный тихоход"

watch it here

"Встреча на Эльбе"
"Баллада о солдате" - Ballad of a soldier, 1959

watch it here 

"На семи ветрах" - 'On seven winds', 1962

Аты-баты, шли солдаты, 1977 

Летят журавли. - The cranes are flying, 1957 

watch it here

А зори здесь тихие - The Dawns gere are quite, 1972 

Они сражались за Родину. - 'They fought for Motherland' 1976

watch it here

"В бой идут одни "старики"" - 'Only 'old men' go to battle', 1973

"Дважды рожденный" - Born twice, 1983

"Офицеры" - 'Officers', 1971

"Женя, Женечка, Катюша"  - "Eugene, Jane and 'Katyusha'", 1967

watch it here

to be continued 

Smuglyanka (Смуглянка), song from the film Only «Old Men» Are Going to Battle, soon in the RLC

Smuglyanka (Смуглянка "the girl with swarthy skin", also Смуглянка-Молдаванка Smuglyanka-Moldovanka "the dark Moldovan girl") is a Russian song written in 1940 by Yakov Shvedov (lyrics) and Anatoliy Grigorevich Novikov (music)

It is written in the mood of a Moldovan folk song.

The song was intended as glorifying the girl-partisans of the Russian Civil War. The lyrics tell how the singer met a pretty girl gathering grapes and fell in love with her, but she answers that she is a partisan, and convinces him to join the partisans as well.

Later is was taken as a reference to the then-contemporary Soviet partisans of the Great Patriotic War (WWII).

Smuglyanka was used in the 1973 Soviet film Only «Old Men» Are Going to Battle (В бой идут одни „старики“), an "easy movie about love, airplanes and girls". In the film, a young fighter pilot introduces the song to his squadron and so gets nicknamed "the dark girl". 

The film was first shown on 27 December 1973. Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Pokryshkin was reportedly wiping his eyes as the lights came back on. The film became a blockbuster, seen by 54 million viewers within five months, and Smuglyanka as a consequence became known throughout the Soviet Union, entering the standard repertoire of Russian folk songs.

The full text of the song.

Как-то летом на рассвете

Заглянул в соседний сад,
Там смуглянка-молдаванка
Собирает виноград.
Я краснею, я бледнею,
Захотелось вдруг сказать:
"Станем над рекою
Зорьки летние встречать".

Припев:
Раскудрявый клен зеленый, лист резной,
Я влюбленный и смущенный пред тобой,
Клен зеленый, да клен кудрявый,
Да раскудрявый, резной!

А смуглянка-молдаванка
Отвечала парню в лад:
"Партизанский молдаванский
Собираем мы отряд.
Нынче рано партизаны
Дом покинули родной,—
Ждет тебя дорога
К партизанам в лес густой".

Припев:
Раскудрявый клен зеленый, лист резной,
Здесь у клена мы расстанемся с тобой!
Клен зеленый, да клен кудрявый,
Да раскудрявый, резной!

И смуглянка-молдаванка
По тропинке в лес ушла.
В том обиду я увидел,
Что с собой не позвала.
О смуглянке-молдаванке
Часто думал по ночам...
Вдруг свою смуглянку
Я в отряде повстречал!

Припев:
Раскудрявый клен зеленый, лист резной,
Здравствуй, парень, мой хороший, мой
Клен зеленый, да клен кудрявый,
Да раскудрявый. резной!

Few years ago the popular radio station 'Our radio' organised a New Year concert where many rock and rock'n'roll stars of Russian music sang old songs. So 'Smuglyanka' was renewed by Moldovian group Zdob si Zdub 

The information is taken from the Wikipedia and from the web-site about Leonyd Bykov

Hint: 5 wonders of Russia

To know more about Russia ... 


1. Lake Baikal (о́зеро Байка́л, Mongolian: Байгал нуур, Baygal nuur, meaning "nature lake") 


is the world's oldest and deepest lake at 30 million years old and with an average depth of 744.4 metros.

Learn more about Baikal here. 

Travel to Baikal here

Read the diary if a traveller about visiting Baikal here 

Enjoy the view here

2. The Valley of Geysers (Долина гейзеров) 

geyserfield in Russia, and has the second largest concentration of geysers in the world. This 6 km long basin with approximately ninety geysers and many hot springs is situated on theKamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, predominantly on the left bank of the ever-deepening Geysernaya River, into which geothermal waters flow from a relatively young stratovolcano,Kikhpinych. Temperatures have been found to be 250 °C, 500 m below the caldera ground.^[1] It is part of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, which, in turn, is incorporated into the World Heritage Site "Volcanoes of Kamchatka". The valley is difficult to reach, with helicopters providing the only feasible means of transport.

Read 'what actually happened there' here

3D model of the Valley here

All about the Valley here 

3. Mamayev Kurgan (Мамаев Курган) 

dominant height overlooking the city of Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) in Southern Russia. The name in Russian means "tumulus ofMamai"

The original Mamayev Kurgan was a Tartar burial mound 102 metres high. The current formation is dominated by a memorial complex commemorating the Battle of Stalingrad (August 1942 to February 1943). The battle was a decisive Soviet victory overAxis forces on the Eastern front of World War II and arguablythe bloodiest battle in human history. At the time of its installation in 1967 the statue named The Motherland Callsformed the largest free-standing sculpture in the world.

Official web-site here

Mamayev Kurgan 3D model here

Panorama here

4. Mount Elbrus (Эльбрус) 

inactive volcano located in the western Caucasus mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, near the border of Georgia. Mt. Elbrus's peak is the highest in the Caucasus, in Russia. While there are differing authorities on how the Caucasus are distributed between Europe and Asia, many sources agree that Elbrus is also the highest mountain in all of Europe.Mt. Elbrus (west summit) stands at 5,642 metres (18,510 ft); the east summit is slightly lower at 5,621 metres (18,442 ft).

Computer generated summit panoramas North South.

The photo gallery of the mount here

Space view here

Info and photo are taken from Wiki

5. The Manpupuner rock formations (Man-Pupu-Nyer; Мань-Пупу-нёр) or the Seven Strong Men Rock Formations or Poles of the Komi Republic 

set of 7 gigantic abnormally shaped stone pillarslocated north of the Ural mountains in the Troitsko-Pechorsky District of the Komi Republic. These monoliths are around 30 to 42 meters high and jut out of a hilly plateau formed through the weathering effects of ice and winds ^[1].

According to a local legend, the stone pillars were once an entourage of Samoyeds giants walking through the mountains to Siberia in order to destroy the Vogulsky people. However, upon seeing the holy Vogulsky mountains, the shaman of the giants dropped his drum and the entire team froze into the stone pillars

Panorama here

The photo gallery here

Video report here

Text and photo are taken from the Wikipedia