Unique Accumulators to Be Produced

Novosibirsk plant of chemical concentrates will produce power lithium-ion accumulator batteries for ecologically friendly cars. The project was submitted by Russian TVEL company, the abovementioned plant and Chinese “Thunder Sky” company, which is the author of the unique technology. Batteries will be sent to China and installed on modernized public transport. Russia don’t have plans to switch public transport to electric batteries, however, everything may change. The programme also involves scientists from the Institute of Chemistry of Solids and Mechanochemistry, who developed nanostructural material for cathodes. The material, which is the mixture of lithium, iron and phosphate, has much better characteristics than Chinese cathode material currently used in batteries.

Carbon-Graphite Reactor Decommissioning Concept to Be Approved

Russian “RosAtom” corporation is going to approve a concept for decommissioning of carbon-uranium reactors, which produce weapon-grade plutonium. Worked-out reactors will be buried in deep mines by means of a special technique. Reactors are not dismantled, but wrapped in a protective material and left in a mine, thus providing safety for thousands of years. Burying of one reactor costs about 2 billion rubles. Reactors, 13 of which was left in Russia, are expected to be buried in 2020-2025. All works will be funded by the Russian government.

Petersburg Wants Money from Tourists

A small tax for tourist stay in Saint Petersburg is planned to be established in the city; the assets will be used mainly for protection of the historical centre and restoration of architecture monuments of Saint Petersburg. The Governor of Petersburg Valentina Matvienko assigned officials at the sitting of the city government to consider the possibility of imposing such a tax. The point at issue is about an amount not more than 2 euro per person – it is already practiced in some European cities, however the Russian law has never had such norms before. As the governor says, “for St. Petersburg, which can receive up to 5 million tourists a year, the amount of, let’s say, 10 million euro is quite substantial, whereas for tourist such a tax will not be burdensome”.

Mstislav Zapashny Removed from his Position as Head of Russian State Circus

On December 25, 2009 Mstislav Zapashny was removed from his position as the head of the Russian State Circus due to financial violations. According to directors of the leading Russian circuses, the activities of Mstislav Zapashny as the head of the Russian State Circus have thrown the development of the Russian circus art to dozens of years back. The entire system of the Russian State Circus has turned obsolete and needs to be reformed. From 2003 Mstislav Zapashny (1938) - a representative of one of the oldest circus dynasties – was the head of the Russian State Circus that is the country’s major body for managing circuses and distributing state budgets among them.

Russian “Stealth” to Appear in 2030

Russian scientists are working on a new advanced long-range aircraft family, which will replace Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3. New aircrafts will replace both long-range and strategic bomber aircrafts. Engineers have a strong intention to use stealth technology in their new developments, though new advanced aircraft won’t be totally invisible. In Russian stealth technology was first time used on Tu-160 and included new composite materials, deflecting reflection angles of radar beams and effective reflecting surface. However, this project wasn’t finished due to collapse of the Soviet Union.

Quarter ton red caviar confiscated from the aircraft of diamond mining company

220 kilos red caviar without any papers has been confiscated in the airport of Yakutsk. Counterfeit product has been detected in the aircraft belonging to the ALROSA Company Limited, one of the world’s leading companies in the field of diamond exploration, mining and sales of rough diamonds, and diamond manufacture. The transit police of Yakutia is dealing with a subject of initiating a criminal case now. First of all they are going to make it clear if the crew members are tied with contrafact. One airline employee, supposed to carry out the load of the bootleg cargo is already arrested. The red caviar was retrieved from the aircraft’s rear end. The product was not prepacked. However, the gourmet item questionable quality was intended for sale. It has bypassed all the necessary examination procedures of the Aviation Security Service. No wonder, there were no relevant documents by this cargo. ALROSA accounts for 97% of all Russia’s diamond production. Its share in the global rough diamond production is 25%. The company has not yet given any comments. Get Russian visa support without much ado. All you need is to send us information required for applying for Russian visa using the form.

42 accommodation units in the city of Blagoveshchensk (Russian Far East) were left with no heat and hot water yesternight because of the emergency on the heating line. Moreover, 2 nurseries, a school and hospital were also injured. Some of the objects were wired up to the heating via other lines, but not all of them. The consequences of emergency are being liquidated. The works are supposed to be completed by today evening. By the way, it is -25 degrees Celsius in Blagoveshchnsk now. Booking apartment accomodation in Russia's largest cities is easy with Russia-IC Apartments For Rent service.

Black Lightning Goes on Screen

The last day of this year will see the new Russian blockbuster Black Lightning produced by Timur Bekmambetov go on screen in Russia. A top-secret soviet flying car turns an ordinary guy into a Super Hero who initially rescues separate representatives of the humanity and then the entire Moscow, which is about to be exploded by a nasty villain who discovered… a diamond field under the city. The idea to make a film about the pride of the soviet car industry occurred to Timur Bekmambetov. The first film director is his friend Aleksandr Voitinsky, the music video director and ex-producer of the band Zveri. The second film director is Dmitriy Kiselev, who was in charge of action and visual effects in Bekmambetov’s movies.

Russia Will Benefit From Global Warming

A Russian scientist, the author of the “Economy of Climate Change” monograph, recently received the Academician Varga Award for his work. Monograph of professor Boris Porfiriev had a great effect on estimates and discussions of natural risks, caused by climate change. The book contains analysis of climate change effects on development and modernization of global economy. Main conclusion of the study is that Russia would rather benefit than suffer from global warming. Climate change will favour Russian fuel and energy complex and communal services by reducing heating season and saving fuel and energy resources. Possible negative consequences include drop of wind energy potential, excessive pipeline loads and worsening of safety conditions of buildings and other constructions due to flooding and deformations.

Interactive Exhibition of Unusual Pictures Open in Moscow

The Tretyakov Gallery at Krymsky Val opens the exhibition Mirrors in Russian Art of the 18th - 20th Centuries. The curators have gathered together paintings, which have mirror reflections of people or objects depicted in them. The mirror in Russian painting for a long time remained just a detail of the interior. It was probably due to the superstition that considered looking into a mirror sinful - that belief lasted till the 17th century. The exhibition displays around 100 works of art from the funds of the Tretyakov Gallery and artists’ studios. The exhibition runs till February 21, 2010.

EdF may let Gazprom enter the French market

EdF, a European energy and electricity supplying company, is ready to let the Russian gas monopolist in the French market in exchange for a share in the South Stream gas pipeline project. The Russian company is expected to get supplied with electric power as a payment for gas; besides it may obtain a stake in some French NPPs. The South Stream project is aimed at strengthening the European energy security. The project provides for South Stream’s offshore section to run under the Black Sea from the Russian coast (Beregovaya compressor station) to the Bulgarian coast. The total length of the offshore section will be around 900 km, maximum depth – over two km and full capacity – 63 bcm.

Helicopter Carrying Ship to Appear in Russia

Russian enterprises are ready to produce helicopter carrying ships of French “Mistral” type. Engineers negotiate with France, the Netherlands and Spain on buying necessary technologies. Russian authorities claim that since Russia holds second position in arms delivery to the world market, our country doesn’t need to buy ready-made military vessels. “Mistral” helicopter carrying ship has 21 ton displacement, maximum length of 210 metres, full speed of over 18 knots, and enormous cruising range – up to 20 000 nautical miles. The “Mistral” vessel can carry five times as much crewmembers and combat equipment, as similar Russian vessels. USA authorities urge NATO and European Union members not to sell large weapon systems and offensive weaponry to the Russian Federation.

Artificial Heart to Be Created

Scientists from three research institutions of Ural Region are involved in the joint project with German colleagues, aimed at creating artificial heart. First stage of the project is developing an accurate model of a heart for studying its activity and pathologies. The model needs mathematicians, since heart muscle fibers only seem to have no order in structure. Researchers have been working on a model, which is a retractive model of one or two heart muscle cells, for less than a year. Project’s super-task is creating an artificial heart.

Artificial Heart to Be Created

Scientists from three research institutions of Ural Region are involved in the joint project with German colleagues, aimed at creating artificial heart. First stage of the project is developing an accurate model of a heart for studying its activity and pathologies. The model needs mathematicians, since heart muscle fibers only seem to have no order in structure. Researchers have been working on a model, which is a retractive model of one or two heart muscle cells, for less than a year. Project’s super-task is creating an artificial heart.

Enamels of the World 1700-2000 on Display in Moscow

The State Hermitage Museum has opened the exhibition Enamels of the World 1700-2000. The exposition introduces works of enamel art by masters of Europe and the Far East. More than 300 items have been brought to the capital by the collector David Khalili. One of the most unusual exhibits is a silver wine vessel made in one of the early techniques. Masters would make special cavities in the metal surface, and then filled them with enamel powder. Afterwards the object was baked and polished. It was the so-called champlevé enamel. Other known technologies are relief enamel and partition enamel. Platters decorated in such methods were used in Old Rus during important receptions to served bread-and-salt. The exhibition is times to the 245th anniversary of the Hermitage Museum. It runs till March 14, 2010.

Explosion in the mine in Sverdlovsk Region: 9 died

An explosion happened in the mine of Yestyuninskaya in Sverdlovsk Region, not far from the city of Nizhniy Tagil on Wednesday, December, 23. At the moment of the explosion 123 persons were in the mine. 114 were evoked, 9 died. According to the declaration of the mine’s owner, the families of explosion's victims receive 1million rubles compensations. He also sponsors their funeral. The explosion is supposed to be caused by detonation of ammonite being transported in the special metal mine cars. There were 4 kilos ammonium-nitrate explosive there. The day of December, 25 is declared a day of mourning in Sverdlovsk Regiom.

Scandal Unfolds about Mosque Put Up for Auction in Russia

For the first time in the history of Russia a mosque was brought under the hammer. The biggest Muslim mosque of the Nizhni Novgorod Region was put up for auction. The businessman Faiz Gilmanov built a mosque in his native settlement Medyana. The mosque is the biggest one in the region, while the region itself is one of the foremost Islamic centres of Russia. Surprisingly, nobody was there to buy the minarets at 628 million rubles. Most probably the building will become the municipal property. Apart from the mosque, the entrepreneur built a cultural centre, a café and a clinic in his native village. They are also put up for auction

Fireworks outside the law?

The Moscow Duma is going to increase the fines for illegal exploiting of the fireworks considerably, to 1 million rubles. The intention is tied with celebrating the New Years Day which is usually accompanied with the fireworks. The fines for organizations will be blown up fantastically and supposed to reach 1 million rubles. Such astronomical sum doesn’t look strange after the tragedy in the Perm club Lame Horse, which was caused by incorrect exploiting pyrotechnics. What about the real rates, the fines for the individuals exploiting fireworks beyond the places they are allowed to be exploited, increase from 1, 500 to 5, 000 rubles, fines for the officials will amount to 50, 000 rubles (earlier in was a sum of 2, 000 rubles) and fines for the organizations will be 1 million rubles, instead of 3, 000 they had to pay previously.

Viktor Pelevin - Most Influential Intellectual of Russia

By results of an internet poll the writer Viktor Pelevin has been recognized the most influential intellectual of Russia. Other places in the top ten were given to the journalist Daniil Shepovalov, the journalist Leonid Parfyonov, the former head of UCOS Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the publicist Konstantin Krylov, Cyril I of Moscow, the scientist Sergei Kapitsa, the TV-host Aleksander Gordon, the writer Boris Srtrugatsky, and the writer and politician Eduard Limonov. Altogether more than 40 thousand RuNet users took part in the poll. The users could select five candidates out of a hundred and also add someone, who was not on the list. Thus, 250 more names suggested by participants were added to the voting list.

Critics Named the Best Russian Film of the Passing Year

From the point of view of Russian critics, the best Russian film of the year 2009 is Vasili Sigarev's drama Wolfy (Volchok). It was awarded the prize of film critics and press – the White Elephant. The awarding ceremony took place in the Moscow House of Cinema. About 100 feature films released this year contended for the title of the best Russian film of 2009. The film director of the year is Aleksey Balabanov with his Morphine based on Mikhail Bulgakov’s story. Aleksei Mizgiryov is acknowledged the best scriptwriter (the film Buben, baraban), and Alisher Khamidkhodjaev is recognized the best cameraman (Tale in the darkness (Skazka pro temnotu). The best actor of the year is Oleg Yankovsky Tsar), and the best actress is Natalya Negoda (Buben, baraban), who returned to filming after 20 years of “silence”.

A trolley-bus ran into a house in the centre of Irkutsk

A trolley-bus has run into a house in the centre of Irkutsk today, on Tuesday, December 22, 2009. Nobody was hurt, reports the RIA news newsperson. The trolley-bus N 8 was going down the Lenin Street, crosstown road of Irkutsk. Suddenly the vehicle run off the road to the pavement and ran into a house. Happily there was nobody on the pavement. It emerged that the driver was suddenly taken bad. She has switched off and lost control of the vehicle. There were 15 passengers in the trolley-bus, but nobody was hurt. The driver got slight concussions. A maintenance gang is transporting partly damaged trolley the depot. We can offer you fast transfer service to and from any Moscow airport, railway station and bus station.

Air services between Russian and Georgia to be renewed before New Year

Georgian air carrier of Air Zena is ready to renew charter voyages to Russia at December, 26. Moreover, the air carrier can begin regular flights in January. The initiative belongs to the air carrier, and Air Zena is waiting for the answer from Moscow. According to Nino Giorgobinai spokesperson of Air Zena, the matter in question is every day charter flights Tbilisi – Moscow, supposed to take place from the December, 26, 2009 till January, 15, 2010. Moreover, the air carrier has made a request about renewing regular flights since January, 5, but hasn’t got yet any answer. However, the Russian administration declares there are no obstacles disturbing renewing of the air services. Booking apartment accomodation in Russia's largest cities is easy with Russia-IC Apartments For Rent service.

Unique Bronze Treasure Unearthed

Archeologists unearthed ancient decoration items, made of bronze, in the Kaliningrad Region. The treasure consists of 12 bronze items, which date back to 6-4 centuries BC – 5 ribbon bracelets, 3 woven necklaces, a cuff-like bracelet, a single wire bracelet and a pin with a spiral knob. The treasure of local and Scandinavian origin was unearthed in the Baltic forest of Svetlyi urban district of the Kaliningrad Region. Scientists say that such findings in this area are quite rare. These unique items will help forming a new point of view upon historical processes, which took place in Prussia long time ago. The style of some items shows that local population had close relations with South Scandinavia in 6-4 centuries BC. Ancient ornaments were restored by Kaliningrad archeologists and forwarded to local museum of history and fine arts.

Alexandra Olenderek-Smith, Poland

Polish student, lives in Australia, studied Russian history in Moscow for about six months.
My Russian experience
I have spent past 5 months in Moscow and I must say i loved it!!!
The beginnings were hard as there was so much bureaucracy at the arrival, but within a week things started to look brighter.
Moscow is an excellent place for a student with its numerous theatres, concert halls and clubs it is the best place on earth!!
What I liked the most was the opportunity to meet all the great people, and the possibility to get to know Russian culture and the language.
I recommend this place to everyone who would like to enhance his cultural life and at the same time explore the unique Russian Culture.
Ola

Top Moscow events playbill. Dec.21 – Jan.10

Russia is famous all over the world for its ballet and circus traditions as well as for its folk songs and dances, and everyone who comes to Russia wants a chance to see the live performance of Russian theatre. But many people who come to Russia for a short-term visit only know about the Bolshoi theatre, where tickets are usually hard to get and attendance fees for top performances (such as “Swan Lake” or “the Nutrcacker”) can be quite high.
But there is much more a foreign tourist can see in Russia during his or her visit, and this new series of articles will be devoted to introducing you to the top events that take place in Moscow during the near future. This first article is mostly dedicated to various Christmas and New Year performances that will take place between December 21, 2009 and January 10, 2010
Opera and Ballet:
- Nutcracker and Snow Queen at the New Ballet Theatre. 26-27.12, 3-5.01, shows at 12pm and 3pm (read more...)- Nutcracker ballet at the Kolobov Novaya Opera, 3-6.01, shows at 12pm and 4pm (read more...)- Hansel und Gretel opera at Yauza Palace, 24.12, 9-10.01, 7pm (read more...)
Circus:
- New Year’s Tale at Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy boulevard, 24.12 – 10.10, shows at 11am, 2pm and 6pm (read more...)- Sadko by Zapashny Brothers Circus in Luzhniki, 25.12 – 10.10, shows at 11am, 3pm and 7pm (read more...)- Sails. Circus of dancing fountains Aquamarine. 25.12 – 10.10, shows at 12pm and 6pm (read more...)
Ice shows:
- Nutcracker on Ice, show by Tatiana Tarasova in Luzhniki. 22.12 – 10.10, shows at 11am, 2:30pm and 6pm (read more...)- Bremen Musicians on Ice in Megasport Arena, 29-30.12, 2-3.01, shows at 2pm and 6pm (read more...)- By a Wave of a Wand. Ice Symphony with stars of Russian figure skating in Olimpisky Arena, 27.12 – 5.01 (read more...)
Musicals:
- Beauty and the Beast at MDM theatre 29.12 – 10.10, shows at 2pm and 7pm (read more...)- Monte-Cristo at Moscow Operetta theatre 22-30.12, 7pm (read more...)- The Producers at Et Cetera Theatre 30.12 – 9.01, 7pm (read more...)- The Sharp-toothed Nurse at Yauza Palace, 2-8.01, shows at 2pm and 6pm (read more...)
Other notable performances:
- Musical plays in Romen theatre – the only professional Gipsy theatre in the World (read more...)- Performances at the world-famous Kuklachev Cat Theatre (read more...)
Organ music concerts in
St.Peter and Paul Cathedral (read more...)St. Andrews Anglican Church (read more...)and Glinka Museum of Musical Culture (read more...)
Dance theatre Gzhel with Russian folk dances in Pillar hall of Unions (19-20.12, 7pm) and Stanislavsky Music Theatre (28.12, 7pm) (read more...)
Jazz nights at Union of Composers Jazz Club (read more...)
The full schedule of Moscow events in English is available at http://www.innshopping.ru/en/tickets. To request additional information and to order tickets please contact INnSHOPping ticket service by e-mail info@catalonix.ru or by phone: +7 (495) 989-7061

Moscow Has No Money for Boris Pasternak Monument

The unveiling of the monument to the notable Russian poet Boris Pasternak in Moscow expected in 2010, has been shelved because the capital’s budget has no appropriate amount for that. The monument project was approved by the Moscow City Duma as far back as May 2007. It was expected to be set up at 14, Volkhonka, where the future Nobel Prize winner had spent his student years and where the Pushkin Museum now stands. However, it is not clear if the monument will appear there in the near future. Let us recall that presently Russia has only one monument to Boris Pasternak – it is located in Perm (the city became a prototype for the town named Yuryatin from Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago).

Legal protect for the sacred objects of Tyva shamans

A law protecting sacred objects of Tyva Republic from the illegal use different type is to be passed in the republic. The particularity of the region is that there are many such objects there. The peoples, living in this republic, profess mainly ancient shaman cults (and Buddhism), the objects of which are mountains, springs, forests, grooves and the whole landscapes, where the worship is conducted. A place pretending to be a sacred one needs to pass historical-cultural expert operation. Republic of Tyva is a region with wide possibilities for heritage tourism, and much of them are being put into practice. This magic land is famous for its unique nature reserves, traditional festivals and customs (wrestling, throat-singing, etc.) and a mixture of Buddhist and shamanist beliefs of its people. Get Russian visa support without much ado and visit all the places interesting for you, including Tyva. All you need is to send us information required for applying for Russian visa using the form below .

Genome of a Russian Man Sequenced

Russian scientists successfully sequenced a human genome, and it took them as little as six months. This is eighth full sequenced human genome in the world. Now geneticists can compare Russian genome to genetic portraits of an American, a Korean, an African and some other nationalities. Knowing the sequence of human genome has many applications, but main and most important one is in medicine. Genome-based analysis can show what genes are responsible for various hereditary diseases. Nanotechnologies made genome sequencing by Russian scientists faster and cheaper than previous works of their foreign colleagues. The slowest part was mathematical calculations, since human genome consists of about 20-25 thousand genes, however, supercomputer of the Kurchatov Institute, where the research is based, was of a great help.

Stand of USA and European Union to Destruction of Monuments to Fighters against Fascism Shocks

The USA and all the EU countries did not support the resolution for protection of monuments to fighters against Nazism from destruction. Their stand is shocking to Russia. On December 18 the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly approved of the Russian project of the resolution, which declaims against glorification of Nazism and desecration of monuments to fighters against fascism. “It is a bewildering and pitiful fact that the USA voted against the resolution supported by the majority of UNO countries, whereas some countries, among them all the EU countries abstained from voting the project” – a message of the RF Foreign Policy Department reads. Earlier Russia had repeatedly fulminated against the policy and action of certain countries, including Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine, on glorifying aiders and abettors of Nazism, as well as destruction of monuments to Soviet warriors – liberators from fascism. The last event of the kind happened in Georgia, where a memorial to warriors of the Great Patriotic War was destructed.

Transaero contradicts reports of Israel press about incident in the Tel-Aviv airport

The air carrier of Transaero denies reports of the Israel mass media, stated that an incident with the air company’s aircraft happened in the airport of Tel-Aviv. It was reported that pilot managed to land the aircraft at the third attempt only, directed by controllers of Ben-Gurion. It was also reported that he was putting in danger the lives of the crew, passengers and the people who was not in the aircraft. According to the air company’s press relation service, the flight UN 301 Moscow (Domodedovo) – Tel-Aviv (aircraft Boeing-737-400) with 102 passengers on board was preparing to land in the airport of Ben-Gurion on the strip, pointed by the flight service. At the moment of the landing approach a new command was received by the pilot. The command was to alter the course and land on the other strip. The aircraft has made a landing under routine operation. According to the Transaero, the crew kept a tight rein on the situation. Nobody was hurt. We can offer you fast transfer service to and from any Moscow airport, railway station and bus station.

Sergei Rachmaninoff Museum to Appear in Moscow

In spring 2010 a museum of the outstanding Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff will be opened in Moscow. The museum will be located in Bolshaya Ordynka Street, in a building, which is now being restored. The museum will display Rachmaninoff’s traveling music-rack and his grand piano that is often played by young musicians nowadays. The exposition will also introduce a collection of the composer’s photos sent from all over the world. In addition to that, one will find numerous documents that precise and complete his biography. In particular, the documents ascertain that during his life he transferred several million dollars to needy musicians in the USSR, and also sent parcels to the frontline for soldiers during the Great Patriotic War. The museum mansion will be also housing a music hall, a library, a record library and a research centre.

New Version of Mathematical Software Developed

Russian software developers added new useful tools to mathematical software Nigma. New version of Nigma mathematics is able to solve problems, where acceptance region should be determined, and to perform integration and derivation. Users can now solve equations with acceptance region, inequalities, fractional rational inequalities with modules, calculate acceptance region of superposition of functions and etc. Developers will soon add tools for graph plotting with full function study. Russian mathematical software works better than its foreign analogues, American WolframAlfa, for instance, since Russian developers have extremely high qualification

Are We Ready for The Olympics?

Terrible storm almost totally destroyed new seaport in Sochi, built for the Olympic Games 2014. The raging Black sea destroyed constructions of a new cargo seaport, built in the mouth of the Mzymta river. Experts estimate losses to reach tens of millions of rubles. The crew of the diving boat “Nord” was reported missing. Mzymta cargo seaport is one of the most important Olympic objects, being built in the city of Sochi. The port will receive construction materials of future ice stadiums, where hockey, figure skating, skating, short track and curling competitions will take place in 2014. The seaport was expected to start operation early in 2010, but now no one can tell anything for certain. According to local scientists, the main reason of the catastrophe is that construction works were performed with numerous violations.

First tour of high-speed Sapsan train

The high-speed Sapsan train which was being tested during 7 months by the Russian and German specialists makes its first routine tour today. The train is found absolutely safe. Its main distinction from the forerunners is the speed. Sapsans high speed amounts to 300 km/h, but it will be exploited with lower one, 250 km/h. It is enough to cover the distance between the Russian capitals in 3 hours 45 minutes. The service, comparable with the flight on the plane in the price (the cheapest ticket costs 2, 400 rubles) and time (by plane it takes you 1, 5 hour in the air and some time for transfer to and from the airports, but the railway stations in both cities are in the centre) turned out to be extremely popular. 602 places from 604 provided in the train were bought the day before. The passengers, having bought return tickets enjoy 10 % discount. The tickets for all the Russian trains can be bought securely online through this site. The booking form is to be found here. What about train masters and stews, they have completed their training in Aeroflot on the base of the Aircraft Staff Training Center. They were learning foreign languages, immediate treatment, service and elementary psychology.

Exhibition of Vasily Yegorov Open in Moscow

All the world and Soviet political elite has been represented in informal pictures at The Lumiere Brothers Photogallery. An exhibition of Vasily Yegorov (1914 – 2007), one of the most well-known TASS press photographers, who covered nearly all the major events of the 20th century, has been opened there. The brilliant reporter spent on photography more than 60 years of his 90 years of life. He was one of the first soviet photographers, whose skills were appreciated by western editors and … the British Queen. Humour, observation, emotionality are the distinctive features of Yegorov’s best pictures, as well as perfect composition, rhythm and precision of details. His works are evidences not only of his visual gift, but of his marked individuality also. The exhibition runs till January 2010.

Exhibition Distribution of Homeless Pets on December 20 in Petersburg

50 dogs and 100 cats dream of meeting the New Year in their new families. The action “Take me Home!” for adoption of cats and dogs from animal shelters will be held in Loft-Project ETAZHI on December 20. It is already the third time this year that the centre for modern arts Loft-Project ETAZHI holds the action to save homeless pets. This time it will take care of animals from four pounds at once: the Centre for helping homeless animals Poteryashka, and animal shelters Drug, Rzhevka and Noev Kovcheg (Noah’s Ark). The action for adoption of stray pets will be held from 12 am to 8 pm in the venue Sini Pol (1st floor) of the Loft-Project ETAZHI at the address 74, Ligovski Prospekt, by the Ligovski Prospekt metro station, St. Petersburg

Human rights activists of Memorial back in Chechnya

Human rights activists from the centre Memorial are going to return to Chechnya and renew their activities stopped this summer in July because of the murder of Natalya Estemirova, one of the members of the organization. Human rights activists are referring to the people who anyway need their help. According to Yulia Klimova, Memorial’s spokesperson, they are going to resume human rights monitoring in the region first of all and carry out legal assistance to the injured people, e.g. legal support of the applications to the European Court of Human Rights. Relationship between the members of Memorian and administration of the Chechen Republic, especially with Ramzan Kadyrov, the president of Chechnya, are badly strained relations last time, after one of the members of the organization said Kadyrov was guilty in Natalya Estemirova’s death. Booking apartment accomodation in Russia's largest cities is easy with Russia-IC Apartments For Rent service.

Top Moscow events playbill. Dec.21 – Jan.10

Russia is famous all over the world for its ballet and circus traditions as well as for its folk songs and dances, and everyone who comes to Russia wants a chance to see the live performance of Russian theatre. But many people who come to Russia for a short-term visit only know about the Bolshoi theatre, where tickets are usually hard to get and attendance fees for top performances (such as “Swan Lake” or “the Nutrcacker”) can be quite high.
But there is much more a foreign tourist can see in Russia during his or her visit, and this new series of articles will be devoted to introducing you to the top events that take place in Moscow during the near future. This first article is mostly dedicated to various Christmas and New Year performances that will take place between December 21, 2009 and January 10, 2010
Opera and Ballet:
- Nutcracker and Snow Queen at the New Ballet Theatre. 26-27.12, 3-5.01, shows at 12pm and 3pm (read more...)- Nutcracker ballet at the Kolobov Novaya Opera, 3-6.01, shows at 12pm and 4pm (read more...)- Hansel und Gretel opera at Yauza Palace, 24.12, 9-10.01, 7pm (read more...)
Circus:
- New Year’s Tale at Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy boulevard, 24.12 – 10.10, shows at 11am, 2pm and 6pm (read more...)- Sadko by Zapashny Brothers Circus in Luzhniki, 25.12 – 10.10, shows at 11am, 3pm and 7pm (read more...)- Sails. Circus of dancing fountains Aquamarine. 25.12 – 10.10, shows at 12pm and 6pm (read more...)
Ice shows:
- Nutcracker on Ice, show by Tatiana Tarasova in Luzhniki. 22.12 – 10.10, shows at 11am, 2:30pm and 6pm (read more...)- Bremen Musicians on Ice in Megasport Arena, 29-30.12, 2-3.01, shows at 2pm and 6pm (read more...)- By a Wave of a Wand. Ice Symphony with stars of Russian figure skating in Olimpisky Arena, 27.12 – 5.01 (read more...)
Musicals:
- Beauty and the Beast at MDM theatre 29.12 – 10.10, shows at 2pm and 7pm (read more...)- Monte-Cristo at Moscow Operetta theatre 22-30.12, 7pm (read more...)- The Producers at Et Cetera Theatre 30.12 – 9.01, 7pm (read more...)- The Sharp-toothed Nurse at Yauza Palace, 2-8.01, shows at 2pm and 6pm (read more...)
Other notable performances:
- Musical plays in Romen theatre – the only professional Gipsy theatre in the World (read more...)- Performances at the world-famous Kuklachev Cat Theatre (read more...)
Organ music concerts in
St.Peter and Paul Cathedral (read more...)St. Andrews Anglican Church (read more...)and Glinka Museum of Musical Culture (read more...)
Dance theatre Gzhel with Russian folk dances in Pillar hall of Unions (19-20.12, 7pm) and Stanislavsky Music Theatre (28.12, 7pm) (read more...)
Jazz nights at Union of Composers Jazz Club (read more...)
The full schedule of Moscow events in English is available at http://www.innshopping.ru/en/tickets. To request additional information and to order tickets please contact INnSHOPping ticket service by e-mail info@catalonix.ru or by phone: +7 (495) 989-7061

No Russian Plutonium for NASA

Russia won’t supply any non-weapon-grade plutonium-238 for power sources of NASA’s space ships, 5 kilos of which were expected to arrive to the US in 2010. Order for the same amount of plutonium for 2011 also won’t be fulfilled. Russia and NASA are working on new conditions for signing a plutonium contract. If Russia won’t supply any plutonium after 2011, then the United States would have to reconsider launch programme for automatic space stations, NASA officials say. NASA recently announced its need for 30 kg of plutonium for three orbital missions, scheduled to start for 2020. USA doesn’t produce this element since late eighties of the previous century, preferring to use Russian plutonium, which is known to be of better quality.

Crossover fallen into Neva River being looked for

St. Petersburg, December, 14. The divers keep working on the bottom of the Neva River, on the place where a crossover fell down to the river and disappeared. Although crossover is a rather big thing, the vehicle is not jet detected. The incident took place on the December, 13, in the evening. Driver of a speeding jeep lost a control of the vehicle, it swept away 15 meters of iron barrier which didn’t stop it, and fell down into the river of Neva. It kept on the float some time, and after that sunk. The driver didn’t manage to leave the vehicle. Neither his body, nor the car is found till this moment. The searches begun yesterday and were interrupted for the night. The searchers move slowly down the river. The stream of Neva is rather fast and the vehicle’s speed was high as well. Both these forces could move a vehicle downstream. It is hard to tell, what has become the reason for such accident. The street is absolutely straight here. However, this case is not the first one. A similar case happened two years ago not far from this place. A truck fell into the river and was drawn out with a crane. If you still want a Russian visa, you find all the information here.

Suppliers for New Aircraft Announced

Companies to supply main systems for new Russian middle-range aircraft MS-21 were recently announced. Avionics systems will be supplied by Russian “Avionics” company and American “Rockwell Collins” corporation. Integrated command system of the aircraft will be produced by joint venture of Russian “Aviapribor-Holding”, French “Goodrich AS” and American “Rockwell Collins” corporation. As for propulsion power plant, American Pratt & Whitney’s advanced reduction motor PW1000G satisfied MS-21 designers. Moreover, MS-21 programme will utilize engines, developed by domestic engineers. MS-21 programme includes construction of short and middle range aircrafts, first of which is expected to start flying in 2016.

Airbuses A320 to land in Siberia

Airbus A320 will fly from Paris to Tokio via Siberia. This trans-Siberian flight became possible after France received agreement in principle for cross-country flights from the Russian appropriate authorities. Now it’s time to form an infrastructure which would be adequate to the Airbus A320. At the moment there are only two airports, Domodedovo in Moscow and Pulkovo in St. Petersburg able to receive Airbus A320. The reconstruction of the air strip of the Novosibirsk airport for huge liners is in process, the airports of Krasnoyarsk and Vladivostok pretend to do the same and also serve Airbuses. The works are still in process, so we cannot yet inform you about schedule of the trans-siberian flights, but we are offering train tickets for Trans-Siberian Railroad. It is a one-third globe journey, and tickets for different destination points you can buy here.

Sberbank to change corporate colour

Russia's Savings Bank, also known as Sberbank, is ready to undergo a large-scale rebranding including change of its corporate colour and logo, reports the Kommersant newspaper. Soon all Sberbank offices will take up the new light-green colour instead of dark-green used at the moment. As for the logo, it's not going to change a lot, just the colour. Earlier it was reported that Fitch was appointed to redesign the Sberbank brand. The cost of the service is not announced,t hough Kommersant's experts say it may come up to $1 million.

Matryoshka Doll surpassed Double-headed Eagle as National Symbol

The new survey conducted recently showed that 12% of Russians see Matryoshka Doll as the national symbol of the country. Meanwhile, the official state symbol of the Russian Federation is the double-headed eagle (only 3% of respondents). The survey revealed that most of the Russians have their own idea of the thing held worthy of representing Russia abroad. 8% of people believe that the bear could become the national symbol, but some of them think of the brown bear, while the others see the polar bear as the symbol. About 6% of Russians named vodka, 4% - the national flag, 3% think of the Russia-made weapons (Kalashnikov automatic rifle, battle tanks, fighter jets, etc.). Among other answers given are a balalaika, a sickle and a hammer, an ear-flapped hat, a table glass, blini (pancakes) with caviar and some others.

Monitor Your Stress

Young Russian scientist suggests a device for predicting health crises and monitoring psychoemotional situation. The inventor from Saratov presented his development during Second All-Russian Convention for Young Innovators. The device can be used in medical centres and sport schools and during reserve training, since it can detect possible collaptoid complications without any effect on patient’s skin. Other interesting projects included extraction of biological polymer chitosan from crustacean shells and business-project on helping young researchers to make their work more commercial.

Bulat Okudzhava Museum Might be Closed

The Museum of Bulat Okudzhava in Peredelkino might be closed due to lack of financing. The problem is that the museum changed its status from federal to regional, the museum director Olga Okudzhava reported to the Echo of Moscow radio station on December 14. Regional financing was not received so far. Olga Okudzhava says that she is not going to look for private investors. According to her, she addressed official letters to the President, Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, but did not get any response from them.

Global warming as a laughingstock

Severe frosts have settled all over the Russia except maybe only Chukotka. The temperature is 7 – 10 degrees Celsius lower in comparison with Climatological Norms. Snow showers attacked Krasnodar Territory on the south of Russia and all the streets stuck in traffic jams. The pedestrians were walking slowly as well, because of snow-drifts grown in the streets during the night. The snow showers were awaited since Friday, but the workers of public services with all their equipment don’t manage to remove them in time, because it is still snowing. Snow showers are not something special for Vladivostok (Primorsky Territory), lying on the Japan Sea coast. But the frosts have made the wet snow a problem. The roads covered with rain crust and driving turned into extreme sports, so the amount of the car crashes increased to 120 ones (!) a day. They say that it wasn’t only the weather, but public services of Vladivostok, whose activities are not very active. Some drivers say they do nothing. It is not snowing in Moscow; it is simply very cold here. – 20 degrees Celsius and sunshine are impressing especially after the December rains. As it would not be enough, fall of temperature is awaited this night, on the December, 15. According to the meteorologists, the temperature will return to norm on Sunday. The norm is -8 or -10. Republic of Karelia is promised the descent of the temperature till -45 C. The regions like Perm Territory, Komi Republic and Yamalo- Nenets Autonomous Area are supposed to have the same. Since we believe it is not for ever, we offer you Russian visa support service, which lets you to obtain a Russian visa without much ado.

Google Advertisements Made to Express Social Protest

Unknown social activists have altered Google broadsheets placed at bus stops in Moscow. The original versions of the posters under the logos of the famous search engine had several request fields. The altered billboards had such texts of the queries: “STSI without bribes”, “Government for citizens”, “Building without kickbacks”, and “Alternative at elections”. Under the print there was a provocative inscription saying: “You will find in on the Web. But will you find it in your country? It depends on you!” Since the design of the two versions of billboard was almost the same, the substitution had not been noticed till the display period finished; so the posters could express protest for three weeks only.

5 kilos amphetamine confiscated in St. Petersburg

Law enforcement officials have confiscated 5 kilogram amphetamine in St. Petersburg. They did it arresting the person which was trying to pass it out. He is a director of some profit organization in northern capital of Russia. It was reported by press relation service of Chief Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation for the north-western federal district. According to police investigators, the arrested person is suspected in institution of a criminal group, engaged in the producing and passing out synthetic drugs on an especially large scale. A criminal case has been initiated. What about St. Petersburg, we offer you guided excursions around the city.

Romanticism

Romanticism
From the 1840s literature experiences the growth of moral and metaphysical anxiety that finds a theoretical expression in romanticism. Artistic persons feel uneasy in life, as if in a wrong place. The theme of 'a needless man' arises in literature: M.Y.Lermontov gave an unforgettable picture of the spiritual sensations of that time, the mix of exaltation and doubts, in his famous novel The Hero of Our Time. N.V.Gogol with his bright satire specified the religious and moral topics in Russian culture, which became the prevailing problematic throughout the 19th century. At the same time another peculiar feature of Russian art becomes apparent - that is the inseparability of an artist's creative development from his/her personal destiny

Church influence and early literature

Church influence and early literature
For centuries church literature remained the major spiritual and moral pabulum for the Russian people. In that way it was influencing the formation of the national character. Later the Russian scribes provided a theoretical foundation for the idea of the unity of the Russian land and the national and religious originality of the Russian realm. So, the Russian literature once and for all marked its connection with the development of the nation and the state. Even so, it was never limited by the national frames, due to plentiful translations.
The most important scriptures of the Kievan period are the teachings by metropolitan Ilarion (11th century), Povest Vremennykh Let (11th-early 12th century, the oldest chronicle), teaching by Prince Vladimir Monomakh (11th - early 12th century), Lay of Igor's Warfare (12th century), Wanderings of Daniel (12th century). All these texts are examples of vivid poetic creation. This was the epoch of extensive literary activities, which gave rise to patterns of literary forms and genres for the following centuries. Russian literature of the late Middle ages is remarkable for its feeling of Russia being the chosen one (the theory of Moscow as the third Rome). Inner upheavals of the 16th - 17th centuries imparted to literature certain features of religious and political publicism. In some cases these works arise to a high artistic level. Such are the Messages of Ivan the Terrible and The Life of Avvakum Petrovich, originally blending the church and bookish language with lively folk speech. At the same time, folk-lore poetry attained real power, beauty and expressiveness; however, scribes of the Old Rus hardly ever resorted to this plentiful source. The late 16th century saw rapid development of the secular story of manners, which often interpreted the 'wandering' plots of the western and oriental literatures.

Folk poetry

Folk poetry
The national epos expressed in folk poetry had three stages of development: mythological, heroic and historical. Slav mythology has been much interfered with later Christian influences, yet we still can perceive something about the beliefs of this people through certain pieces of spoken lore, kept till this day. These can be observed in sacral songs, which were used to accompany pagan rites and symbolized the interaction or fighting of various forces of nature. Mythology is also obvious in olden fairy tales, which, however, were much altered with later additions of plentiful details. Olden beliefs can also be traced in spells, riddles, proverbs and sayings.
Bylina (coming from the word 'byl' or something that really happened) is a heroic epic speaking about bogatyri (mighty heroes), who protect the land of Rus from enemies and act for its unifying. They possess certain supernatural powers and have something in common with the Greek mythological heroes, though seem to have real prototypes. The images of bogatyri, such as Mikula Selyaninovich or the ideal mighty peasant Ilya Muromets, bespeak the high moral values of the Russian people. Bylinas are a poetic memorial of the past that present interesting types and paragons of personal and social virtues.
Later bylinas gave way to historic songs, more precise reflections on stormy historic events of the Tatar yoke, the unifying of Russia by Ivan the Terrible, etc. Lyric songs reveal the inmost thoughts and feelings of the Russian people. The general mood of folk lyrics, peculiar for its poetic gentleness and tenderness, is remarkably sad and wistful, at times jumping to wildly hilarious and even riotous. Such features can be accounted for by the harsh yet beautiful nature of this enormous land as well as the hard conditions of life. Listening to lingering, plangent and spacious sounds of a Russian folk song can probably give the insight into the 'mysterious Russian soul'.
The imagery and vivid style of Russian folklore bear comparison with the best specimen of European literatures. Church influence and early literature
For centuries church literature remained the major spiritual and moral pabulum for the Russian people. In that way it was influencing the formation of the national character. Later the Russian scribes provided a theoretical foundation for the idea of the unity of the Russian land and the national and religious originality of the Russian realm. So, the Russian literature once and for all marked its connection with the development of the nation and the state. Even so, it was never limited by the national frames, due to plentiful translations.
The most important scriptures of the Kievan period are the teachings by metropolitan Ilarion (11th century), Povest Vremennykh Let (11th-early 12th century, the oldest chronicle), teaching by Prince Vladimir Monomakh (11th - early 12th century), Lay of Igor's Warfare (12th century), Wanderings of Daniel (12th century). All these texts are examples of vivid poetic creation. This was the epoch of extensive literary activities, which gave rise to patterns of literary forms and genres for the following centuries. Russian literature of the late Middle ages is remarkable for its feeling of Russia being the chosen one (the theory of Moscow as the third Rome). Inner upheavals of the 16th - 17th centuries imparted to literature certain features of religious and political publicism. In some cases these works arise to a high artistic level. Such are the Messages of Ivan the Terrible and The Life of Avvakum Petrovich, originally blending the church and bookish language with lively folk speech. At the same time, folk-lore poetry attained real power, beauty and expressiveness; however, scribes of the Old Rus hardly ever resorted to this plentiful source. The late 16th century saw rapid development of the secular story of manners, which often interpreted the 'wandering' plots of the western and oriental literatures. Search for national originality
From the late 17th century Russian culture is invaded with West European values. The overturn of the world outlook that coincided with the language and spelling reforms resulted in the cultural crises of the 18th century. The writers of that time waver between sheer imitation of the French specimen and looking for their own subjects, language and style. The aspiration for national originality can be observed throughout the whole period: V.K.Trediakovsky and M.V. Lomonosov create a theory of Russian prosody; A.V. Sumarokov, along with the tendency to be the Russian Racine and Voltaire, creates folk-style songs; D.I.Fonvisin writes comedies on Russian everyday life and uses lively colloquial speech; Derzhavin anticipates the 'sacred genre' of the later Russian lyric poetry. Drama and poetry firmly stand first in the hierarchy of genres. The Russian language found its definite form in the creations of N.M.Karamzin, V.A.Zhukovsky, and A.S.Pushkin.
The epoch of Alexander I was the time of great creative effort; the time when Russian writers experienced the joy of independent creation, original and authentically national in spirit and style. The highest expression of it is certainly the creative work of Alexander Pushkin. European culture was assimilated and reflected upon; later generations develop Slavophil opposition, not only national and psychological, but also cultural and artistic one. Romanticism
From the 1840s literature experiences the growth of moral and metaphysical anxiety that finds a theoretical expression in romanticism. Artistic persons feel uneasy in life, as if in a wrong place. The theme of 'a needless man' arises in literature: M.Y.Lermontov gave an unforgettable picture of the spiritual sensations of that time, the mix of exaltation and doubts, in his famous novel The Hero of Our Time. N.V.Gogol with his bright satire specified the religious and moral topics in Russian culture, which became the prevailing problematic throughout the 19th century. At the same time another peculiar feature of Russian art becomes apparent - that is the inseparability of an artist's creative development from his/her personal destiny. Great reforms and social issues
The 'great reforms' epoch of the 1860s - 1870s drew the attention of literature towards social issues. The issue of overcoming the tragic loneliness of a person in this world is solved by writers in search of this or that form of harmonious social communication, mainly in joining the life of common people. At the same time there teethes a painful breach between the new coming aesthetic rise and the new philosophic and religious awakening. Two creative mainstreams start taking shape in Russian literature. The adherents of 'pure art', such as A.Grigoriev, A.V.Druzhinin and A.A. Fet stand against the utilitarian moral function of literature, while Leo Tolstoy aims at 'destruction of aesthetics' for the sake of moral transformation of people by means of art. Religious reflections upon the Russian experience found expression in works by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, who showed with great artistic power, how isolated and proud human freedom results in slavery or self-destruction. The prevalence of philosophic topics in literature conditions the hey-day of Russian novel. However, philosophic motives sound distinct in the lyric poetry as well (F.I.Tyutchev).Silver Age
The pre-Revolutionary years see a new uplift in literature, to be called the 'silver age'. The feeling of life itself alters. 'The sensation of extremity is growing more and more.' (Alexander Byeli). New depths open up in a person, sometimes these are dark abysses. Stern apocalyptic rhythm can be felt in the events.
A new blossom of Russian poetry starts in the 1890s. Symbolism has become not only a literary movement but also a new spiritual experience. Poetry and literature again acquire special vital importance, as a way to faith and eternity via art. It was a recurrence of romanticism in Russian consciousness. In a contradictive mixture of rebel and fatigue, self-affirmation and melancholy, artists strive to go 'beyond good and evil', to transcend the ethics with aesthetics. '
The mysticism of V.S.Soloviev finds a genius poetic commentary in work of Alexander Block. The religious exaltation of symbolism perceiving a poet as a medium of higher, irrational forces, meets the reaction of acmeism (Nikolay Gumilev, Anna Akhmatova, Osip Mandelshtam) with its orientation on reasonable will in poetic creation. At the same time Anton Chekhov and Ivan Bunin develop the classic line of Russian literature, enriching it with new achievements in form. 20th century: post-revolutionary
The revolution of 1917 brought an artificial division of Russian literature into domestic and emigrant literature, with the most outstanding writers finding a safer place abroad. However, literature retained its unity, based on belonging to the traditions of classical Russian culture, in this or that way present in creations by Ivan Bunin, Vladimir Nabokov, Ivan Shmelyov, Vladimir Khodasevich, Osip Mandelshtam, Mikhail Bulgakov, Boris Pasternak, Mikhail Gorky, and others. It is this line of Russian literature that got universal acclaim in the 20th century.
At the same time, following the traditions did not exclude the search of new forms. Post-revolutionary prose and poetry demonstrated an incredible variety of stylistic and other novelties. Great paragons of Russian prose were created by Alexander Solzhenitsyn who managed to give the second breath to the classical Russian novel. In poetic sphere the worldwide acknowledgment belongs to Josef Brodsky.
The development of Russian literature in the 20th century speaks of its imperishable universal meaning and inexhaustible creative capabilities.
Russian literature has become an integral part of the world culture and has been appreciated by most outstanding men of letters all over the world.

1 January — Happy New Year!

This is what people say to each other this time of the year throughout the world. This is what we say to you! Happy New Year!
What is so special about celebrating New Year in Russia? Here New Year usually associates with tangerines, Champaign, salad, president’s speech at five minutes till midnight on December 31, striking of a clock in one of the Moscow Kremlin’s towers, and fireworks afterwards.
Note that New Year in Russia is the main national holiday. It is considered such not only by regular citizens, but by the Russian government also, which decided to cut the number of days spent on other holidays and added a few more days off to the New Year holiday.
A bit about traditions. On this holiday people put up firs in their houses and decorate them with tinsel, ornaments, and lights just like Christmas Tree in Catholic countries. The first New Year’s tree incidentally appeared in Russia on New Year’s Eve 1700 when New Year was celebrated on January 1 for the first time in Russian history. Up till then new year started on September 1.
In Russia the host of the New Year is Ded Moroz (Father Frost), he is always accompanied by Snegurochka, his granddaughter. She helps him deliver the presents and entertain children. Ded Moroz comes on the first night of the new year and leaves his presents under the New Year’s Tree. He is dressed in a red costume, which resembles that of Santa Claus, he has a huge white beard, large bag with presents inside, and a staff. Snegurochka is dressed in light blue coat and usually has a long braid. They live in Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Region, since 1998, earlier they used to live somewhere more to the North, but Moscow Mayor agreed with the Government of Vologda Region that Ded Moroz should live in Veliky Ustyug.
There is a tradition in Russia: while the clock strikes twelve on December 31 people make their wishes, which are supposed to come true during the coming year.
We hope all your wishes come true and this will be a really happy New Year for you! Happy New Year!

Read More about RUSSIAN NEW YEAR

Discount air carrier of Ryanair in close proximity to Russian frontier

The Irish low-cost air company of Ryanair announced opening of a new air service to Dusseldorf from the Finnish border town of Lappeenranta. They will begin with two flights a week. Lappeenranta is situated in 25 km from the Russian border and in 210 km from St. Petersburg. According to the experts, the service is focused on the Russian passengers. The tickets for the first flights are already available on the air carrier’s web-site. Minimal declared cost of the ticket is 27 euro for a roundtrip ticket. Transporting of one place baggage costs 15 euro, paying with Visa and Mastercard increases the cost in 10 more euro. All in all, the value of flight with all the payments for one passenger with a suitcase will amount to about 67 euro, or 3, 000 rubles. A bus ticket St. Petersburg – Lappeenranta costs 500 rubles (about 11 euro). Moreover, the high-speed train service St. Petersburg – Helsinki, which begins functioning in 2010, is supposed to stop over in Lappeenranta. The railway journey from St. Petersburg to Lappeenranta costs now 1200 rubles. Anyway, getting to Dusseldorf from St. Petersburg using this flight from Lappeenranta, including all the extra charges you would pay a half-price in comparison with a direct flight St. Petersburg – Dusseldorf. This offer can be useful not only for the people flying from St. Petersburg, but for the foreigners who wants to visit the second capital of Russia. We offer you to buy the train tickets for all routes within Russia, the CIS and beyond.

Scientists of Russia, India and China to Cooperate http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/9361/

Participants of 9th science conference “Russia-India-China” decided to create joint expert groups for solving burning international problems. Working groups, to be created on the basis of scientific institutions of three countries, will try to find solution for world economic and political problems, discuss issues of ecology, environmental protection and education. For instance, Russia, India and China have similar opinion on Afghanistan problem – military operations are not a cure-all. Since mentioned three countries have mighty influence on finding solutions to key international problems, international working groups can work out some advice on the issue.

Moscow Sets World Record in Hanukkah Celebrations

About thousand four hundred candles on seven-branched menorahs were lit in Moscow yesterday night. The action to mark the beginning of Hanukkah celebrations was held by Jewish youth. One of the aims of the action was to beat the world record and be officially listed in the Guinness Record Book. The celebration on occasion of the start of the great Jewish holiday was held in the Moscow club Zona. 365 representatives of Jewish youth took part in it. The action was held with support of Hillel – the world’s biggest international Jewish student organization.

Unfair playing of the captain-poacher

Sakhalin frontier guards affirm that Sergey Tolkachev, the captain of Kitami Maru fisherman, suspected in illegal harvesting of the sea urchin was trying to escape and sink the vessel. The incident took place on the December, 8 late in the night in the area of Zeleniy Isle. Fisherman was crossing the Russian state border to take over the cargo of sea urchin, harvested illegally in the territorial waters of Russian for the transportation to the Japanese ports. Having noticed the cutter, the captain sailed a boat towards the Japanese waters, directly on the isles of Lisyi and Shishki (which are specially protected natural objects), endangering the sailors’ lives and scuttled, having made an attempt to sink the vessel. After that he left a boat, having footed on the rubber raft. Other crew members had to save themselves jumping overboard. Frontier guards managed to board, preventing an accident an environmental pollution. The crew members were rescued from the waters, which are rather cold in December. The captain Tolkachev was arrested. It was not the first time for him, when he is followed for the poaching. Get Russian visa support without much ado. All you need is to send us information required for applying for Russian visa using the form below.

The first quarter of 2010 may become the least profitable for the Moscow hotels, say experts. The price on a cheapest room in a good hotel is likely to halve and is not expected to exceed 3000 rubles – the six-year low. The beginning of the year has never been moneymaking for the hotel business. The major part (about 90%) of hotel guests are the people coming to Moscow on business, but had to move from expensive apartments to cheaper ones, since their companies cut expenses over the crisis. As a result, the first quarter of 2010 may show the worst figures for the past six years.

Russian Archeological Expedition unearthed unique stone age sites at Socotra Island, Yemen, located 200 kilometres eastwards from Africa. Unearthed archeological monuments belong to so-called Oldowan period, which is an industrial complex of stone tools used by prehistoric hominins of the Lower Paleolithic – 2.5-1.4 million years ago. Numerous findings – mainly silicon tools – allowed making some sensational conclusions about occupation of the island and active exploitation of its resources by ancient human beings during menti0oned period of time.

High-speed train service St. Petersburg – Helsinki appears next year

High-speed trains Pendolino begin running between St. Petersburg and Helsinki, Finland in the autumn, 2010. 450-km distance between the cities will be covered in 3 hours. It means, that the train journey Moscow – Helsinki would take you less than 7 hours, if you go from Moscow to St. Petersburg by Sapsan trains. Now some sections of the railway are being reconstructed, improving the infrastructure and reestablishing of the goods traffic to another line. Customs clearance and boarder management will be carried out without stopping the train. Legal formalities making it possible, are being carried out. We offer you various kinds of guided excursions around Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Train tickets for all routes within Russia, the CIS and beyond can now be bought securely online through this site and sent to you anywhere in the world, delivered to you in Moscow or St Petersburg, or even provided as a voucher by email which you can exchange for your actual tickets at almost any train station in Russia.

Butterflies at the ISS

Crew of the International space station performed a successful experiment on growing butterflies under zero gravitation. Butterflies were born at the station. This is not the first time experiments with living beings are performed in space – scientists have asked cosmonauts to conduct experiments on grapevine snails and planarians (turbellarian worms). Worms spent 10 days at the ISS – parts of their heads were cut off, and worms showed full regeneration, normal behavior and eating activities. As for grapevine snails, before arriving to the ISS they lost part of a tentacle with optic vesicles. Snails were kept in special biocontainers with filtration system, which prevented excretions from leaving the container. Snails spent 116 days under zero gravity.

Monument to Poet Rasul Gamzatov and Singer Muslim Magomayev to Appear in Moscow

Monuments to poet Rasul Gamzatov and singer Muslim Magomayev will be set up in the capital of Russia. The decision was taken at a sitting of the Moscow City Duma Committee for Monumental Art. The initiator of the monument to poet Rasul Gamzatov is the International Social Foundation in his name. The Committee supported the initiative and decided to set up the bust monument on the corner of Arkhangelski and Potapovski Lanes. The genre sculpture composition in memory of Muslim Magomayev will appear near the house where the singer used to live, not far from the Embassy of Azerbaijan.

Renault set to start production of Duster in Moscow

Renault is going to use its Moscow facilities located at Avtoframos plant to produce Duster 4x4 in addition to Logan and Sandero models, which are already being assembled. Duster 4x4 is based on B0 platform developed by Renault-Nissan alliance. The company also launched production of Duster 4x4 in Romania in December of 2009. Renault's plans to extend the car model line in Russia is due to successful sales of Logan – over 250 000 cars of this model have been sold in Russia since the middle of 2005. In 2009 Logan topped the list of best-selling foreign cars on the Russian market.

Moscow hotels may slash down prices to 6-year low

The first quarter of 2010 may become the least profitable for the Moscow hotels, say experts. The price on a cheapest room in a good hotel is likely to halve and is not expected to exceed 3000 rubles – the six-year low. The beginning of the year has never been moneymaking for the hotel business. The major part (about 90%) of hotel guests are the people coming to Moscow on business, but had to move from expensive apartments to cheaper ones, since their companies cut expenses over the crisis. As a result, the first quarter of 2010 may show the worst figures for the past six years.

Unique Archeological Findings of Oldowan Culture Unearthed

Russian Archeological Expedition unearthed unique stone age sites at Socotra Island, Yemen, located 200 kilometres eastwards from Africa. Unearthed archeological monuments belong to so-called Oldowan period, which is an industrial complex of stone tools used by prehistoric hominins of the Lower Paleolithic – 2.5-1.4 million years ago. Numerous findings – mainly silicon tools – allowed making some sensational conclusions about occupation of the island and active exploitation of its resources by ancient human beings during menti0oned period of time.

High-speed train service St. Petersburg – Helsinki appears next year

High-speed trains Pendolino begin running between St. Petersburg and Helsinki, Finland in the autumn, 2010. 450-km distance between the cities will be covered in 3 hours. It means, that the train journey Moscow – Helsinki would take you less than 7 hours, if you go from Moscow to St. Petersburg by Sapsan trains. Now some sections of the railway are being reconstructed, improving the infrastructure and reestablishing of the goods traffic to another line. Customs clearance and boarder management will be carried out without stopping the train. Legal formalities making it possible, are being carried out. We offer you various kinds of guided excursions around Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Train tickets for all routes within Russia, the CIS and beyond can now be bought securely online through this site and sent to you anywhere in the world, delivered to you in Moscow or St Petersburg, or even provided as a voucher by email which you can exchange for your actual tickets at almost any train station in Russia.

http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/9360/

The Irish low-cost air company of Ryanair announced opening of a new air service to Dusseldorf from the Finnish border town of Lappeenranta. They will begin with two flights a week. Lappeenranta is situated in 25 km from the Russian border and in 210 km from St. Petersburg. According to the experts, the service is focused on the Russian passengers. The tickets for the first flights are already available on the air carrier’s web-site. Minimal declared cost of the ticket is 27 euro for a roundtrip ticket. Transporting of one place baggage costs 15 euro, paying with Visa and Mastercard increases the cost in 10 more euro. All in all, the value of flight with all the payments for one passenger with a suitcase will amount to about 67 euro, or 3, 000 rubles. A bus ticket St. Petersburg – Lappeenranta costs 500 rubles (about 11 euro). Moreover, the high-speed train service St. Petersburg – Helsinki, which begins functioning in 2010, is supposed to stop over in Lappeenranta. The railway journey from St. Petersburg to Lappeenranta costs now 1200 rubles. Anyway, getting to Dusseldorf from St. Petersburg using this flight from Lappeenranta, including all the extra charges you would pay a half-price in comparison with a direct flight St. Petersburg – Dusseldorf. This offer can be useful not only for the people flying from St. Petersburg, but for the foreigners who wants to visit the second capital of Russia. We offer you to buy the train tickets for all routes within Russia, the CIS and beyond.

At her concert in Moscow the American singer Whitney Houston dedicated one of the songs from her new album Look To You to the people perished in the fire in the Khromaya Loshad club in Perm. “I would like to sing this song in memory of those who died in the Russian city of Perm” – the Life News cites her words. The horrendous fire in the night club Khromaya Loshad occurred on December 5. According to the latest data 141 people died and over 100 injured persons are kept at hospitals.

Viktor Vekselberg

Viktor Feliksovich Vekselberg was born in 1957 in the town of Drogobych, Western Ukraine. In 1979 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineering. Since 1990 Viktor Vekselberg has been the chairman of Renova, the leading Russian asset management company.
In 1996 Viktor set up OAO Siberian and Urals Aluminum Company (SUAL) and performed as the president of the company up to 2003, when he became the chairman of the board of directors of SUAL Group.
In 1998-2002 Viktor Vekselberg was known as the deputy of the chairman of the board in Tyumen Oil (TNK), later he formed a joint venture with British Petroleum. Today he is a member of the board of directors of TNK-BP.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky

In 1989 he established MENATEP, one of the first Russian commercial banks. Took control of Yukos and made it a profitable company,the leader of the world power market, with capitalization of US$40bn.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky was born 26 June 1963 in Moscow to an ordinary family. His parents were engineers at a Soviet plant (Kalibr). The family never had spare money and lived in a so-called shared apartment till 1971, when they were provided with their own home.
As a boy Mikhail was fond of chemistry and later entered Moscow chemical-engineering university. Due to the poor family situation Mikhail didn’t find it possible to be supported by this parents and being a first-year student worked as a carpenter. His job wasn’t an obstacle to getting good education – Mikhail performed as the best student of the course. Despite excellent knowledge, skills and joining Komsomol (Young Communist League) Khodorkovsky couldn’t calculate on a good position after graduation from the University – his origin played a trick on him, his father was a Jew. The Soviet authorities made it impossible for Jewish people to work at researching institutes or get easily promoted >>>

Trans-Siberian Railroad and the wars of 20th century

The longest railway on the earth, going through the Europe and Asia, connecting the Far East with central Russia and European countries is in an important thing from the economical point of view and strategically as well. Trans-Siberian Railroad figures in all the main military conflicts have taken place on the Russian territory from the first years it’s functioning. >>>

The Trans-Siberia Railway: Moscow to Beijing

Crossing a dizzying ten time zones and two continents, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the world. Built during the Tsarist era of Russia, between 1891 and 1916, the railway connects Russia to the Far-East, and has become iconic as the ultimate train journey, with one of the best views in the world from your train window.
An Historic Journey
The ‘Trans-Siberia Railway’ is actually the name for three different routes – the original route connects St Petersburg to port Vladivostok. For a true change of scenery, the route from Moscow to Beijing has become popular in recent years, and in the 1920s the Soviets added a third route to China’s capital via Mongolia, offering the chance to experience the desolate plains and rugged mountains of one of Asia’s least visited countries.
Travel on a Budget >>>

Eminent Russian Physicist Awarded

Vladimir Gavrin, doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, received Skobeltsyn gold medal for outstanding contribution into solar neutrino studies and discovery of neutrino oscillations. The scientist is employed in the Institute of Nuclear Research of Russian Academy of Sciences. Vladimir Gavrin performed a cycle of fundamental studies on gallium-germanium neutrino telescope. Results received showed that solar neutrino were deficient in all energy ranges, which allowed concluding that neutrino oscillations existed. Vladimir Gavrin is a world-famous outstanding researcher, who contributed in development of radio-chemical techniques for detecting solar neutrino, technologies for extracting individual atoms form large targets, and in construction of the first gallium-germanium neutrino telescope in the world.

A curfew for juniors imposed on Sakhalin

Children and teenagers aren’t allowed to visit the public places since 10 o’clock p.m. till 6 o’clock in the morning any more on Sakhalin. Streets, parks, public gardens, entrances of dwelling houses and internet-cafes and game clubs as well are to be understood under the public places. Moreover, the places with liquor license, cinemas, discos and night spots also refer to the category of the public places. The children and teenagers may not be in the public transport, railway stations and airports without parents. The parents who don’t control their children and administrations of the places would be fined.

Unfair playing of the captain-poacher

Sakhalin frontier guards affirm that Sergey Tolkachev, the captain of Kitami Maru fisherman, suspected in illegal harvesting of the sea urchin was trying to escape and sink the vessel. The incident took place on the December, 8 late in the night in the area of Zeleniy Isle. Fisherman was crossing the Russian state border to take over the cargo of sea urchin, harvested illegally in the territorial waters of Russian for the transportation to the Japanese ports. Having noticed the cutter, the captain sailed a boat towards the Japanese waters, directly on the isles of Lisyi and Shishki (which are specially protected natural objects), endangering the sailors’ lives and scuttled, having made an attempt to sink the vessel. After that he left a boat, having footed on the rubber raft. Other crew members had to save themselves jumping overboard. Frontier guards managed to board, preventing an accident an environmental pollution. The crew members were rescued from the waters, which are rather cold in December. The captain Tolkachev was arrested. It was not the first time for him, when he is followed for the poaching

From Russia with … Fake? Find Authentic Souvenirs!

Russian Folk Arts and Crafts, embodying original artistic traditions of multi-national Russia and centuries-long experience of aesthetic perception, undoubtedly make an integral part of world culture. Today there is a growing interest in revived craftsmanship traditions both in Russia and abroad.
What can make a better gift or souvenir from Russia and convey this country’s true spirit better, than an authentic work of folk Russian applied art? read more

A bus collided with a truck in the Primorsky Territory: three died

Three persons died on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 in the Primorsky Territory because of the car accident. A transit bus collided with a truck on the track. The serpentinous road was greasy, so the bus swung over because of collision. Three persons including the truck’s driver died, the driver was hospitalized and now is in intensive care. According to the preliminary data, 17 persons got hurt in this accident. State of the roads in the region is insufficient now, because not all the consequences of the severe snow showers have been liquidated. Three monthly norm of precipitation fell on the Primorsky Territory last weekend. Driving in the mountains is rather dangerous. The drivers are suggested to be very careful or, better, not to drive at all.

Stalin Painted Over Nudes in Works by Russian Artists

The soviet dictator Joseph Stalin censored and “corrected” works by Russian artists of the 19th century with his own hands. In the mid December there will be an exhibition with reproductions of paintings by Serov, Ivanov and Surikov, on which Stalin painted over nude places and wrote viperous comments. Thus, for example, in one of the portraits Stalin painted underpants to a nude man and wrote: “Do not sit your naked ass on stones! Join Komsomol and Rabfak! Give the guy a pair of drawers! J. Stalin”. As a journalist from La Repubblica supposes all those remarks testify either homophobia or hidden homosexuality of Stalin. The organizers exhibitions have not revealed the source of the reproductions so far, but handwriting examination verified their authenticity. For the 130th anniversary since Stalin’s birthday 19 paintings bearing his “imprints” will be exhibited in the Marat Gelman Gallery in Moscow. According to the curators of the exhibition the drawings were found in a private collection, but the name of its owner and the history of the file with Stalin’s “graphic art” are kept secret so far.

Tips for renting a flat in Russia

Foreigners coming to Russia on business or for sightseeing have to decide where to stay: in a private apartment or a hotel. On the one hand hotels are reliable and, what's more important, they are in charge of registering your visa upon your arrival. On the other hand, the price they want for a room, no matter single or double, is often too high for the service given. Renting a flat turns out to be more beneficial if you travel with friends, besides, many people see it as the way to be more independent.
Here are some tips, which can make the procedure of renting a flat easy and safe.
1. Rental Agreement
Although there are lots of rental agencies in Russia, just a part of them can be called trustworthy, so the first thing you should examine before signing any documents and paying money is the Rental agreement. The agreement is to include the information on the following:
1. the address of the flat rented and the tenant and landlord's passport details
2. the responsibility the Tenant takes to keep the flat in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted
3. the rental period, the size of the fee and ways to pay (by credit card, cash, etc.)
4. the number of utilities and services furnished by the Landlord
Also, it's a good idea to ask the landlord about the document confirming his real estate right of possession.
2. Price
The rule saying “the closer your apartment to the city centre, the more you'll pay for it” usually works. So, if you are offered a cheap variant “looking down the Kremlin”, you have good reasons to find the deal suspicious. Look through the average prices on apartments in the city you're going to visit beforehand – this will help you to find the best value for money. On our website you can see the list of apartments with details and book the one you like.
3. Building
In Russia most apartments are rented in blocks of flats and just some of them are new. If you want to be sure in your neighbours, look at the area at the entrance and near the elevator. Dirty floor, bad smell and shabby walls obviously mean the people living here should not be trusted. Think twice before renting a flat in such a building even if it's really cheap.
4. District
The location of the district is exceptionally important for all foreigners. If you are a tourist and going to spend a week or two in one city, then the historical centre is for you – most tourist attractions are located close to it. If you are in Russia on business, picking the district is easier: choose one which is closer to your office, but never forget about criminals – they often find their victims in residential districts when it's getting dark.
That's probably all you should remember before renting a flat in Russia, but if you still have questions, you can leave a comment below, we'll do our best to answer it.

Electronic Card Instead of a Passport

Russians can soon obtain electronic cards as additional identification documents, the government announces. The smart card will not replace existing passports. It will have a number of useful properties, such as a link to owner’s bank account, ability to use it as payment option for various goods and to pay for public transport, or to use various government services. The Russian government claims that this card will be issued free of charge for all Russian citizens and will operate throughout the country. However, electronic ID card is not compulsory, and government has no plans to abolish common passports.

Suzdal

Suzdal is located on the river Kamenka 35 km north of Vladimir. It was first mentioned in the chronicles due to an uprising there in 1024, but was only a small settlement until the mid-11th century. The name shows its Fino-Ugric origin. Vladimir Monomakh’s son, Prince Yury Dolgoruky, made Suzdal his capital in 1125. But he built a new palace and fortress at Kideksha, 5 km from Suzdal, where the church of St Boris and Gleb still stands. After he died, Andrey Bogoliubsky moved the capital to Vladimir to escape the rebellious boyars. This increased the rivalry between the two towns. Suzdal was destroyed along with the other main Russian towns in 1238 by the Mongol invaders. By 1328 the rebuilt city was strong enough to lead in the struggle against the rising power of Moscow Finally Grand-Prince Vasiliy annexed it to Moscow. The city remained a religious center. During this period there were many monasteries founded. Among them were the Deposition of the Robe, the Holy Trinity, St Alexander, the Intercession of the Virgin (1364) and St Basil. In the late 17th and 18th centuries, wealthy merchants paid for 30 gorgeous little churches, which still adorn the town.