Russian President Vladimir Putin: "Russian language will never become language of hate and animosity, xenophobia and isolationism"

May,2007

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"Russian days" on Sotheby's

The second day of Russian painting auction on Sotheby's brought in an income at the rate of 38 millions dollars. The sum total of "Russian days" auction came to 51 millions dollars. The most expensive lot was the painting of Nesterov "Vision of Saint child Sergiy", sold for 3,8 millions dollars. For 3 millions dollars was sold the canvas of Konstantin Makovsky "The happy Arkadiya". And these are only two samples of unexampled success of Russian painting here. Some participants underlined that appearance itself of Russian paintings became the very important occurrence, because most of them were kept for a long time in the private collections in the USA and were unavailable even for specialists.

April,2007

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Our congratulations with Easter!

On Sunday, April 8th all Christians will celebrate the Easter! Russian Language Centre congratulates you and wishes all the best!

April,2007

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Treasures from the Forbidden City go on display at the Kremlin Museums.

Last year Russia sent ballet, art exhibitions and President Vladimir Putin marked the official Year of Russia in China. This year it's China's turn, and the Chinese have returned the favor with films, art, orchestras and ancient relics as part of the Year of China in Russia, which commenced Monday. One of the flagship events of the festival is the exhibition "Treasures of the Forbidden City" at the Kremlin Museums. The 60 objects on display, on loan from the Palace Museum in Beijing, are in reciprocation for "Golden Russia: Treasures of the Moscow Kremlin," an exhibition held in Beijing last fall. Much like the Kremlin, the Forbidden City was an extravagant structure enclosed with high walls and tight security. It was built as a palace for the Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty in 1420 and remained the palace of China's emperors throughout the following Qing Dynasty, until the collapse of the Chinese monarchy in 1911.

April,2007

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The Head of China arrived to Russia

On March, 26th there were negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Head of People's Republic of China Hu Jintao. Chinese President arrived to Russia with 3 days visit due to participate in opening ceremony of the year of China in Russia, as well as for signing a number of economic agreements. In the context of the year of China in Russia more than 200 events will be carried out. In accordance with predictions of Hu Jintao by 2010 turnover between Russia and China will increase two times more.

March,2007

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President Vladimir Putin and Pope Benedict XVI met

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pope Benedict XVI met Tuesday in the highest-level Kremlin-Vatican talks in more than three years, a meeting that was expected to focus on ways of easing tension between Catholics and Orthodox Christians and finding common ground on moral issues. The meeting -- the first between Benedict and Putin -- is part of a visit that takes the president to Italy and Greece this week. Putin arrived at the Pratica di Mare air base near Rome on Tuesday afternoon. The pope's envoy to Russia called the meeting "a significant event" that should help Catholic believers in Russia.

March,2007

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Annual press-conference of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin

On Thursday February, 1st Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted his 6th annual meeting with journalists. "Big press-conference" began at noon and was broadcast by state TV-channels and broadcasting stations. The record number of Russian and foreign journalists (1232) were accredited to this conference. Putin answered 69 questions and it takes 3 hours 32 minutes. It's the longest conference of the Russian President. 18 questions were concerned to the foreign policy, 10 questions had the private aspects or touched upon the question of his political future.

February,2007

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Putin: Power engineering attitudes with all countries are moved on a market basis

Russia is making corrections in power engineering relationships with all countries and transfer them on a market basis "deprived current politics", Vladimir Putin has declared to foreign ambassadors. Its assistant Igor Shuvalov earlier has assured Europeans, that Russia was and will be their reliable partner.

January,2007

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Christmas in Russia

Around 150 million Christian Orthodox were celebrating Christmas according to the Julian calendar. The pope recalled “our beloved brothers and sisters of the eastern Churches” and “with affection” wished them “abundance of peace and Christian prosperity”. Russian Orthodox Christians of the Holy Land and of some other eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas as per the Julian calendar, 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, some Orthodox and the secular world. On 7 January, the secular and religious world in Russia meet, abstinence from meat, sweets and alcohol that started on 28 November is over and Christmas is celebrated as a national feast.

January,2007

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HAPPY NEW YEAR IS COMING TO RUSSIA

On December, 18th 70 thosands of Jack Frosts and Snow Maidens are gathered at the centre of Moscow to congratulate Moscovites and Russians on coming Happy New Year!

December,2006

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RUSSIA HAS WON THE DAVIS CUP

Marat Safin beat Jose Acasuso 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 in a nerve-racking fifth and decisive rubber before a capacity 10,000-strong home crowd at the Olimpiisky Sports Complex on Sunday,3rd to seal Russia's 3-2 victory over Argentina in the three-day final. "Safin played a key role in Russia's victory," echoed the business daily Kommersant. "First, he teamed up with Dmitry Tursunov to win the doubles on Saturday, then overpowered the dogged Acasuso to seal a great victory." Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev, who on Sunday became the first person to lead his country to two Davis and two Fed Cup titles, also praised Safin.

December,2006

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Russia joins WTO

Russia and the United States on Sunday signed the long-awaited bilateral deal that paves the way for Moscow's entry into the World Trade Organization after 13 years of diplomatic wrangling. The agreement, an 800-page document that calls on Moscow to lower import tariffs on a range of goods, including agricultural and technological products, by the time of its accession to the WTO, lifts the biggest remaining obstacle to the country's entry into the 149-member organization. Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "This document gives a favorable foundation for the resolution of all questions, including the sharpest international problems."

November,2006

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Bill Gates visited Russia

Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates arrived to Russia on November, 7th to speak at a conference in Moscow, Microsoft Business Forum 2006. Apart from the different themes,Gates was also expected to meet with IT and Communications Minister Leonid Reiman to discuss Russia's prospects in the global technology market and the founding of a "world-class" high-tech university in Russia. "For us, it is very important that this university allows us to pass on the experience of the world's best programmers to the Russian school," Reiman said in a press release. As he entered the meeting with Reiman, Gates stressed the importance of making the university attractive to students worldwide. "There is a shortage of [information technology] skills on a worldwide basis. Anybody who can get those skills here now would have a lot of opportunity," Gates said. Gates also discussed a touch-screen computer that in five or 10 years, he said, will cost a mere $200, cheaper for schools than a single set of textbooks, the agency reported. Olga Dergunova, chairwoman of Microsoft's Russian operations, declined to comment on Gates' trip or what the implications of the trip might be.

November,2006

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Vladimir Putin answered questions of Russian citizens

On October, 25th the 5th annual press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin was taken place in Kremlin. During 2 hours 54 minutes Mr.President answered more than 50 questions from Russian citizens. Last year the similar live broadcast took 2 hours 53 minutes. More than 2,3 millions questions were received. As a usual, Mr. President began his conference from the economic questions, satisfactory results of its development and growth of NGO. He noted that correlation between foreign debt and NGO was the one of best in Europe and growth of people incomes came to 11%, salaries-12,8%, pensions-6,1%. Mr.President listened to the complaints of citizens and promised to do all his best to fulfil all the requests as soon as possible.

October,2006

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100-years anniversary of Dmitry Shostakovich

100-years anniversary of great composer Dmitry Shostakovich was celebrated on September, 25th. This day memorable actions, devoted to the Composer were held in lots of theatres, concert halls and museums. The anniversary concert was held on September, 25th in Moscow conservatory. One of the most eminent learners of great composer Mstislav Rostropovich led the orchestra. Preparations for anniversary have begun long before day of its birthday. Solemn opening of the festival, devoted to Shostakovich was held on September, 7th in Tchaykovsky Concert Hall. Closing of festival is planned on December, 25th where the Symphonic orchestra of Mariinsky theatre under Valery Gergiev conducting will play.

September,2006

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The first part of Tzaritsyno reconstruction is finished

The so-called Khlebny Dom, or Bread House, of Tsaritsyno palace in southern Moscow was opened last weekend after a controversial restoration. Work began on the neo-Gothic palace in 1775, but the structure fell into disrepair after Catherine the Great decided she didn't like it anymore. Last year, Mayor Yury Luzhkov initiated a plan to turn the picturesque ruins into a working museum and cultural center, angering some preservationists. Khlebny Dom is the first part of the project to be finished, while work on the main palace continues. Photograph by Vladimir Filonov.

September,2006

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Madonna fans line up all night for Moscow concert tickets

About 300 Madonna fans gathered in central Moscow in the small hours of Tuesday to buy tickets for the pop diva's concert on September 11. The first fan appeared on Monday afternoon and by 7 p.m. (3p.m. GMT) people had started signing up to a long list for their chance to make it to the ticket office. About 2,000 cheapest tickets will be sold for the dance floor Tuesday for 1,500 rubles ($56), well under the European-low of $90, said Mikhail Shurygin, president of St. Petersburg's concert agency NCA organizing the concert. The other 40,000 tickets for the show, part of the controversial Confessions tour, fall into six price categories, from 3,000 rubles ($110) to 25,000 rubles ($935). Organizers of Madonna's tour in Prague, where the pop icon will perform on September 6, said the 36,000 tickets sold out in nine minutes.

August,2006

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Russia's Putin says happy with results of G8 summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday he was satisfied with the results of the Group of Eight summit near St. Petersburg and added that G8 leaders had adopted all planned documents with very few changes. "The Russian delegation is happy with the results of the summit," he told a news conference at the summit venue on the second day of the G8 forum. "All the set goals have been achieved. All the documents that we planned to sign have been adopted with virtually no changes." Russia's debut G8 summit in St. Petersburg adopted 12 documents, including on the Middle East, Global Energy Security, Education for Innovative Societies in the 21st century, Fight against Infectious Diseases, Trade, Update on Africa, Combating IPR Piracy and Counterfeiting, and Fighting High Level Corruption. The G8 leaders also adopted a G8 Summit Declaration on Counter-Terrorism and a G8 Summit Declaration on Strengthening the UN's Counter-Terrorism Program. The G8 leaders also adopted a G8 Declaration on Cooperation and Future Action in Stabilization and Reconstruction and a Statement on Non-Proliferation.

July,2006

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The opening of XXVIIIst Moscow International Film Festival.

XXVIIIst Moscow International Film Festival started on June, 23. Andrzej Zulawski, outstanding European director, agreed to chair the 28th MIFF Grand Jury. Besides the films, claiming for the main prize, the programme of Contest includes the out-of-competition films (about 118), Russian films, pioneering and experimental films of competition "Perspective". This year MIFF presents new programme. Audience will see 10 documentary films, which already won the international awards, such as "Oscar", "Emmy", etc.

June,2006

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Coelho makes the acquaintance of Russia and Russian people.

The famous Brazil writer Paulo Coelho keeps on traveling along Siberia. This two-week journey is a part of his round-the-world trip, that he will finish on June, 22. Litterateur dreamed of this trip since 1982. "…traveling along Siberia, I`ve seen the beauty of these places: the horizons, forests, lakes, making me remember my home. It is an amazing place and incredible sense of home", - tells the writer. He travels in a comfortable railway carriage along with his wife, publishers, and journalists. Along his way Coelho meets his readers and worshippers. The final point of his journey along the Trans-Siberian Railway - Vladivostok. Also he is going to spend several days in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk. On the lake Baikal he would like to meet with Siberian shamans.

May,2006

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Russian TV produces `Dr. Zhivago`

After a long wait, the first Russian-made screen adaptation of Boris Pasternak's novel "Doctor Zhivago" is set to air on Russian TV. The new interpretation of Nobel Prize-winning author Boris Pasternak`s novel, on Russian TV Wednesday night, was the first to be made in the Russian language, the Telegraph said. Director Alexander Proshkin`s production bares little resemblance to David Lean`s 1965 classic starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie. 'Lean made a wonderful film and I dare say most people only know about the novel thanks to it,' Proshkin told the Telegraph. 'But Lean produced a Zhivago that has very little to do with Russia or with Pasternak. 'Our adaptation does not just focus on the melodramatic aspects, but strives to answer different questions: Who are we? Where are we from? Where are we heading? 'In a nutshell, the film is about how to survive in Russia, how to remain true to oneself, to keep one`s integrity. It is about love as well as a sense of God and motherland.'

May,2006

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The Sixth Moscow Photobiennale

Temptation, travel and conflict had been announced as the three themes of the latest Moscow Photobiennale, which opened in April. This year's Photobiennale -- the sixth to be held since the inaugural event in 1996 -- encompasses more than 80 exhibitions in 40 venues, even though its main organizer, the Moscow House of Photography, is currently working from temporary accommodation while its building on Ostozhenka undergoes renovation. Full program of the Sixth Moscow Photobiennale you can find here.

April,2006

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Sharapova wins the battle of Russians

Maria Sharapova obliterated fellow Russian Elena Dementieva to win the Pacific Life Open on Saturday while James Blake shocked world number two Rafael Nadal to set up a men’s final against Roger Federer. Third seed Sharapova strolled to a 6-1 6-2 victory to pick up her first title since Birmingham last June. “It feels really great,” she smiled. “I’ve worked really hard the past few months to get past my (shoulder and rib) injury and to really believe in myself. It’s moments like these where the hard work comes into your mind.” After playing for nearly three hours to upset top seed Justine Henin-Hardenne in the semi-finals on Friday, fourth seed Dementieva couldn’t find the energy to run with Sharapova.

March,2006

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Four exhibits to open in Moscow as part of Ibsen Year

Four exhibitions paying tribute to famous Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen will open in Moscow as part of the international commemoration, Ibsen Year, marking the 100th anniversary of the writer's death. Yekaterina Geniyeva, the director of the Library of Foreign Languages, which will host the exhibitions, said, "This anniversary will make it possible to revive the readerships' interest in the great Norwegian author." The four shows, opening March 2 as part of the Intercultural Dialogue: Russia-Norway project, will feature artwork by contemporary Norwegian painter Frans Widerberg and Russian photographer Sergei Shiyan, as well as a host of books by and about Ibsen.

February,2006

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Russian faithful take icy dives to celebrate Orthodox Epiphany

Russian Orthodox Christians were defying subzero temperatures Thursday to celebrate Epiphany in traditional fashion, plunging into the country's icy rivers and lakes to commemorate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. To mark the festival, Orthodox priests traditionally bless water by casting crosses into lakes and rivers. Worshipers then plunge in to receive the blessing and cleanse their souls of sin. Russian church officials said the ritual of purification in Christ's baptismal water would remain part of this year's Epiphany celebrations despite the current spell of unusually cold weather. Air temperatures in Moscow and elsewhere in the country have dropped to minus 30 degrees Celsius and below in recent days.

January,2006

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Singing fir tree will decorate Moscow New Year

Anyone wishing to indulge in a spot of festive singing in the Russian capital this winter will be able to do so with an unusual backing singer: a huge, spinning, and dazzlingly colorful New Year's Tree. Although Russia's main secular holiday is New Year's Eve, the country shares one of the leading trappings of the Western Christmas celebrations, the fir tree or "yolka" as it is known locally, and the tallest in the city has already been set up on Poklonnaya memorial hill in western Moscow. "It is illuminated using new computer technology," Moscow authorities said. "Photodiode lamps will fill the tree with a whole range of tinges." However, not only will its multitude of decorations be the center of attention for children and adults alike, it will also provide karaoke soundtracks for people to sing along to their favorite seasonal songs.

December,2005

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Maya Plisetskaya's jubilee

A five-day jubilee festival to honor veteran Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya will opened at the Bolshoi Theatre and culminated in a Kremlin Palace gala on her 80th birthday, November 20th. Along with classics such as Swan Lake and Don Quixote, the festival featured the 1967 modernist ballet Carmen, revived especially for Plisetskaya's birthday by Cuban choreographer Alberto Alonso, the only non-Russian ever to choreograph for the legendary Bolshoi Ballet in the Soviet era. New productions was also on offer, including a production of Igor Stravinsky's Jeu de Cartes (Card Game) by Alexei Ratmansky, the Bolshoi Ballet's current artistic director. "I adore the Bolshoi Theatre stage and consider it the world's best. This is why I always have feelings of nostalgia for this stage, which is like no other," Plisetskaya said to reporters, adding that as part of the festival, she would perform a miniature act created for her by French choreographer Maurice Bejar to J.S. Bach's Ave Maria.

November,2005

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Visit Russia in the heart of Europe !

Europalia International welcomes the biggest country in the world to a new edition of its multidisciplinary and edifying festival. Russia is presenting its cultural treasures at the festival, from Swan Lake to 19th century Russian painting. A "Trans-Siberian Highway" exhibition will be dedicated to the traditions and ways of life of Russian peoples from the Baltic to the Pacific. The program of the festival, which will continue for about six months, includes 150 events, including 20 exhibitions and performances from eight symphony and thirteen chamber orchestras. Ten Russian theaters will stage performances and a 100 Russian and Soviet films will be shown.

October,2005

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Russia Today launches trial broadcast

Russia's first 24-hour English-language news channel, Russia Today, launched its trial broadcast. Chief Editor Margarita Simonyan said the channel employed 344 people, including 72 foreign experts. Former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze's granddaughter, Sofiko, is one of the staff members. Simonyan did not say when the channel would begin regular broadcasts, but said it had received permission to broadcast in Europe Wednesday. Russia Today is a nonprofit organization co-founded by RIA Novosti. The station will broadcast news in English in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa, with $30-million provided by the government and commercial banks.

September,2005

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Russia reveals its treasures to tourists

Be it banqueting like a Tsar in a palace, training to be a cosmonaut or downing a shot of vodka at the North Pole, Russia offers a virtually unlimited range of unusual leisure options to plucky tourists. Hordes of small tour operators busily tapped into offbeat possibilities in this giant land of adventure, which consists of so much more than just the Kremlin, the Hermitage Art Gallery and the Trans-Siberian railway. For a few thousand dollars daredevils can climb into the cockpit of a MiG jet fighter for a stomach-twirling spin to the edge of space. A number of operators run programmes at the Star City cosmonaut base by Moscow, where space buffs can don real suits and train in water tanks, fly on zero-gravity aircraft to experience weightlessness and ride centrifuges to simulate the strain of a launch in a Soyuz space rocket.

June,2005

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60^th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany.

World leaders whose countries fought each other in the Second World War have paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and millions of civilians dead, joining Russian President Vladimir Putin on Red Square for a lavish military parade commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. Putin emphasised the Soviet Union's massive sacrifice, but also thanked its allies for their role and called for unity against new threats, in a speech during a parade filled with Soviet imagery. Putin, flanked by US President George Bush, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, said his country would never forget the debt owed to the tens of millions of Soviet citizens who died to defeat Nazism. "I bow low before all veterans of the Great Patriotic War," said the Russian leader, describing May 9, 1945 - marked in Russia as Victory Day - as "a day of victory of good over evil, freedom over tyranny."

May,2005

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Russian fashion searches for its soul

Russian fashion, however, is still searching for its identity. As home-grown talents and designers from around the CIS showed off their latest collections at Russian Fashion Week. Alexander Shumsky, general producer of RFW, flatly denied that a specific local style exists. "There may be a Slavic aesthetic in some designers' work, and a distinguishable Ukrainian look in others, but there is no such thing as a 'Russian style.' Our designers are all different," he said during an interview in late March at the offices of the Artefact public relations agency.

April,2005

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"War and Peace" Ball in London

he 16th War and Peace charity ball was held in London late on Thursday night. About 360 guests, among them the descendants of the noble families which are well known in Russia' history, gathered at prestigious London hotel Dorchester. The guests wearing luxurious attires and suits many of which were copies of the fashionable garments of the early 19th century found themselves in a luxurious atmosphere similar to that which Leo Tolstoy described in his novel War and Peace. The program and menu of the ball were drawn up precisely after the patterns of the year 1812. As the founder and organizer of the ball, Count Andrei Tolstoy-Miloslavsky - a direct heir of the great Russian writer, told RIA Novosti, "it is a traditional ball which holds a special place in the calendar of similar events."

March,2005

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250th anniversary of Moscow State University

The 250th anniversary of Moscow State University will be widely celebrated on January 25, 2005. This is a traditional students' holiday, St. Tatiana's Day. A fundamental MGU library with 5 million units will be opened on this day. The Kremlin Palace will host the anniversary gathering. All in all, over 800 events will be dedicated to the anniversary, including the opening of the MGU museum and the congress of Moscow University graduates, Viktor Sadovnichy said.

January,2005

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New duet

One of the world's leading orchestras from Russia and a cultural icon from Singapore, violin virtuoso Min Lee are to combine their talents on stage in Shanghai. For its premiere performance in Shanghai on Saturday next week, the renowned Russian National Orchestra will be joined by young Singaporean violinist Min Lee in an all-Russian night of symphonic music. Conducted by Christian Gansch, the orchestra will present Tchaikovsky's "Violin Concerto" (with Lee as soloist), Shostakovich's "Festival Overture" and Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 4." As the first Russian orchestra to perform in the Vatican and in Israel, the RNO maintains an active international tour schedule, appearing regularly in Europe, Asia and the America. In addition, it is a frequent guest at major festivals, and since 1999 has given an annual concert series in the United States. Popular with radio audiences worldwide, RNO concerts are frequently aired by National Public Radio in the United States and the European Broadcasting Union.

03.12.2004

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A Ticket From Mars

For residents of the dead-end town in Anna Melikyan's new film, the lights of the big city might as well be planets away.The film's title refers not to the planet, but to a more everyday kind of ex-Soviet reality -- the town of Marks (Russian, of course, for Karl Marx) known as Mars by the time the action begins because the letter "k" has fallen out of the train station's name. For many of its residents, though, Marks might as well be on Mars, since Moscow and its perceived opportunities seem as remote as the furthest corner of the solar system. Champion boxer Boris (Gosha Kutsenko, in a much more sensitive role than in the two "Anti-Killer" films for which he is best known) arrives at random on a morning train, trying to flee a career of which he is obviously tiring. First impressions are confusing, particularly the surreal parade of enormous stuffed toys stretching down the platform. The town's main employer is a toy factory, so workers are paid in product, which they endeavor to sell for real money. (There is just such a town on the actual Moscow-Kiev train line, meeting early-morning travelers in a similar way.)

5.11.2004

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Kalashnikov launches liquid weapon

Lt. Gen. Mikhail Kalashnikov, who invented the AK-47 after being shot by German soldiers during World War II, said Monday he wanted to continue "the good name" of his gun. "I've always wanted to improve and expand on the good name of my weapon by doing good things," he told Reuters Television. "So we decided to create a vodka under my name. And we wanted that vodka to be better than anything made, up until now, in both Russia and England." Promoters of Kalashnikov vodka, which is 82 proof, say it is "made from grain harvested in Russia and water drawn from Lake Ladoga north of St. Petersburg" and is best drunk with friends.//cnn.com

24.09.2004

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15 Faberge eggs return to Moscow

The Easter eggs, treasures of intricately worked jewels and precious metals by jeweler Carl Faberge, are the highlight of the ''Faberge: Lost and Recovered" exhibit in the Patriarch's Palace Museum in Moscow's historic Kremlin.The collection includes nine eggs created for Czars Alexander III and Nicholas II as gifts for the Czarinas Maria and Alexandra. Only the Kremlin Armory has more, with 10 of the 50 existing eggs. The most valuable item -- the Coronation Egg -- is estimated by Sotheby's to be worth $24 million. Six eggs were made for others, including the British Duke of Marlborough.

28.08.2004

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US Librarian of Congress writes book about Russia

US Librarian of Congress James Billington published a book "Russia in Search of Itself" on Russian history and its modern comprehension. The well-known historian and author of several books on Russia, Mr. Billington told RIA Novosti that his purpose was to answer the question "what is Russia's culture, history and mission". The conflict in the Russian self-consciousness is that its people want both strong leadership and observation of human rights and main civil freedoms, Mr. Bellington said. The question is which way Russia will follow: a new version of authoritarianism or prevailing of democratic traditions, he noted. In his words, Russian youth sees hard times but gradually they are coping with difficulties. The more information this generation gets on the surrounding world and its past, which was recently neglected, the more possibilities there are for the domination of democracy in Russia, James Billington noted. On the day of his book's presentation Mr. Billington was awarded with the medal in honor of St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary by Russian ambassador to the US Yuri Ushakov. The medal was also handed to other American social figures.//RIAN

26.07.2004

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Russia won!

DORTMUND, Germany -- After 102 years, the World Figure Skating Championships return to Russia next year, a long wait for the most successful nation in the sport. At the conclusion of this year's championships, the Soviet Union and then Russia have 75 gold medals in the annual event, which is the most important in the skating calendar aside from the Olympics. Demonstrating their dominance of the sport, Russian skaters won three of the four events last week at this year's championships in Dortmund, Germany. Yevgeny Plushenko won gold on Thursday with a technically daring program and a level of artistry that no competitor could match. Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov of Russia won their first worlds ice dance title with an array of perfect 6.0 scores on Friday, while on Wednesday, Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin won the pairs title. During his performance Thursday, Russia's latest men's champion, Yevgeny Plushenko, pushed the sport's technical limits, p erforming two quadruple jumps -- including one in a three-jump combination. He also had a unique combination -- triple axel-half loop-triple flip -- the first time ever completed in a major competition. Plushenko received marks that included four 6.0s for artistry in his homage to ballet master Vaslav Nijinsky. He got technical merit scores that included ten 5.9s from the 14 judges. He got no score lower than 5.8. Plushenko previously won in 2001 and 2003. It was the seventh straight world title for Russian men. Next years' championships will be held in Moscow, March 14-20.
//www.moscowtimes.ru

2.06.2004

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Festival celebrates all things Russian

The Tolstoy Foundation was created in New York City in 1939 by Alexandra Tolstoy, the youngest daughter of author Leo Tolstoy. The center, with a mission to preserve Russian culture and traditions, aided Russian refugees escaping war and persecution. In 1941, a private philanthropist donated the Deed Farm in Valley Cottage to Alexandra Tolstoy. Refugees worked the farm and studied English there. The foundation's farm also provided care for elderly immigrants and orphaned children. It still houses a nursing home. The foundation later helped resettle other persecuted people, including World War II refugees, and in later years oppressed people from Hungary, Tibet, Vietnam and Cambodia. Liz Steward, webmaster for the foundation, said yesterday's event was one of several fund-raisers during the year for the Tolstoy Foundation's humanitarian and cultural preservation work. The Tolstoy Foundation work now includes a nursing home, a document preservation center, a 50,000 volume library and a small Russian Orthodox Church. Vendors also were selling jewelry, Easter baskets and artwork, most influenced by Russia. Marie and Anthony Dilluvio, owners of The Barracks Gate in Nyack, were selling Russian figurines made in St. Petersburg. Another vendor, Dave Rosen, was selling vibrantly colored framed prints on canvas, reproductions of pieces by Samuel Rothbert, a Russian-born American artist who was the grandfather of Rosen's wife. As a steady stream of people entered the house and others congregated on the lawn outside, a mixture of Russian and English conversations could be heard. Olga Strobet, 85, a resident of the nursing home on the grounds, was happy to be taking home some borscht, pierogis and chocolate cake. Strobet, a Russian who emigrated from Romania more than 50 years ago, smiled and said she enjoyed coming to the events.
//TheJournalNews.com

2.04.2004

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Russian Winners

BUDAPEST, Hungary - By the time Natalya Nazarova pushed up her chin and stood to attention for yet another rendition of the national anthem on Sunday, Russia was already celebrating an awesome pre-Olympic morale booster."Only gold is acceptable," 400-meter champion Nazarova said, before she did even better, adding Russia's third world record of the weekend when she anchored the 1,600 relay team to a massive victory. Russia finished with eight gold medals, six silver and five bronze for its best finish since it started competing as an independent country in 1993. No reason to get overexcited, said Russian athletics federation president Valentin Balakhnichev. "Let's cool down, forget about the victories and let's start preparations for the next season," she said.

12.03.2004

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Faces of Love

It opened on Monday on International Women's Day, bringing a welcome touch of love and affection to Moscow's late-winter gloom. And it also showcases some good films in the bargain. Tied together by cinematic reflections on life's most eternal theme, the "Faces of Love" competitive film festival will run through March 18 at three Moscow venues.Of the 16 films on show, only three originate from outside Europe: Indian director Nikhil Advani's "Tomorrow May Not Happen" (though the work is shot mainly in New York); South Korea's "The Classic," from director Kwak Jae-young; and "Zhou Yu's Train," directed by Sun Zhou and starring world-renowned actress Gong Li.

12.03.2004

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Pancake Party

For centuries, Russians have celebrated Maslenitsa by gorging themselves on pancakes and knocking back industrial-sized quantities of vodka. So the weeklong festival marking Orthodox believers' last chance to eat dairy products before Lent might not seem like the best time to promote physical fitness and sportsmanship. Nonetheless, the Moscow city government has decided that pancakes and sports are a match made in heaven. From Monday to Feb. 22, the city will host the world's first-ever Olympic Maslenitsa Town on Vasilyevsky Spusk, the stretch of land between St. Basil's Cathedral and the Moscow River,to promote Moscow's bid for the 2012 Olympics.
//www.moscowtimes.ru

25.02.2004

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Publishing first for Pasternak

The entire works of Russian writer Boris Pasternak, banned by the Soviet authorities for 30 years, are to be published in his home country. Pasternak was banned in 1958 from the Union of Soviet Writers after receiving the Nobel prize for literature for his classic love story Doctor Zhivago.The ban was lifted in 1988 under Mikhail Gorbachev's glasnost policy. All 11 volumes are set to be published by February 2005 to mark the 115th anniversary of Pasternak's birth.The first two volumes, including poems written between 1912 and 1959, have already been printed by Slovo publishers. The nine others will also be published before February next year.//bbc.com

25.02.2004

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10^th Anniversary of the Golden Mask Festival

In spring 2004 the National Theatre Award and Festival «Golden Mask» celebrates its 10th anniversary. February - March 2004: Anniversary touring program. This program marks the 10th anniversary of the Golden Mask Festival, and this year precedes the actual festival.Boris Eifman's ballet theatre, the theatre Meno Fortas of Eimuntas Nekrosius, the theatre "AXE", and the theatre "Derevo", Evgeny Grishkovets, the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Yakutian Drama Theatre, the theatre "Provincial Dances" and performances of the New Drama Project will take part. //www.goldenmask.ru

9.02.2004

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The Toys of War

60 years later, Maya Rudnitskaya's dolls are still her most precious possession. Dolls and stuffed toys belonging to children who suffered through the Nazi siege of Leningrad 60 years ago went on exhibit last Thursday in St. Petersburg. "These dolls were probably the nicest part of our severe and hungry childhood," said Maya Rudnitskaya, who contributed a girl and a boy doll -- Ira and Yura -- that she said helped get her through the more than two-year blockade as a child. "Children remain children in any situation. And they play with toys even during wars," said Rudnitskaya, whose dolls are among some 70 items on exhibit at the "Dolls of a Heroic Childhood" exhibit at St. Petersburg's doll museum. //www.moscowtimes.ru

9.02.2004

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Russian Movie Awards Under Fire
Nominations for Russia's top film award, the Golden Eagle, have been announced amid a torrent of criticism over this year's contenders.
Included in the shortlist is Andrei Zvyagintsev's The Return - chosen as Russia's foreign-language Oscar pick.
The father-and-son drama, which is screening at the US Sundance independent movie festival, won the prestigious Golden Lion award at Venice Festival in 2003. The second annual Golden Eagle awards ceremony takes place in Moscow on 31 January.

23.01.2004

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Merry Christmas!!!
To celebrate catholic Christmas becomes common for Russians more each year. And it's not because Russians changed the religion, but because more and more foreigners celebrate Christmas in Russia. Being very hospitable Russians make parties for their foreign friends that spend the main holiday abroad. They want to make guests feel like at home... it's very nice that usually foregners like tocelebrate Christmas twice - they also celebrate orthodox Christmas with Russians. Just to be equal:-)

10.12.2003

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Return of Solzhenitsin.
On the Thursday, 11th the Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsin had his 85th anniversary. He's famous all over the world for his works but they say that the best his best work is his own life... Now he lives in a country-side in Troitse-Lykovo. This day many people came to his house with a lot of flowers and books. Those who read unlegally his books in the darkness with the candle during the Soviet age 40 years later met in the family of the Nobel prize laureate. The head of the MGU Victor Sadovnichy told about the most serious loss in his life. When he was a student his teacher borrowed and didn't bring back "The one day of Ivan Denisovich". Nowadays, the one can read "Archipelago" even in the Japanese. Solzhenitsin received the Diploma of the honourable doctor of the MGU. And the present teachers said that Solzhenitsin is as the same as 60 years ago. At present he still works hard. Last year he edited a few big articles, 2 works are to be published at the beginning of the next year. The new book that imprisoned Soklzhenitsin wrote from memory without paper in the camp - 10 thousand lines by heart are "written in blood" - will come out soon. "When i was writing this book I didn't even dream of coming back to the free world."- said Solzhenitsin.

10.12.2003

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A person of a year - 2003
In the church mess' hall of the Christ the Savior Cathedral the ceremony of "Person of a year - 2003" awards took place on the 2nd of December. The most considerable people of politics, science, culture and business are awarded with this prize. The prize was established by the Russian biography institute 12 years ago. Following people became laureates: Religion - the Patriarch of Russia Alexei the 2nd for the distinguished enlightening activities. State and political activities - the president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for strengthening the Russian statement. Culture - the chairman of the cinematographic union Mikhalkov S. for revival of the Russian cinematograph.. The director of the Lev Tolstoi's house-museum "Yasnaya Polyana" Tolstoi V. for cultural building. Producer Bortko V., actor Mironov E., actress Velezheva L. for the film "Idiot" (sinematized of a Dostoevsky's novel). Science- the head of the MGU, academician Sadovnichy V. for the distinguished enlightening activities. Also the representatives of the following activities were awarded with the prize: economy, charity, sport.

10.12.2003

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Happy Russian's day!
Recently a new project was entered in a list of projects of State Duma.It is on celebrating a new state holiday - the Russian's day. One of the authors of the project Michail Medvedev said that we have to enlarge the list of the state holidays in Russia, it also will help to strengthen the citizeship and national solidarity with the Russians who live abroad - there are 25 million. They suppose to celebrate it each year on the second Sunday of December. So many historical events took place in this very month, therefopre they chose it. So, we hope that the Rusian's day will be recognized as necessary.

03.12.2003

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The Swedish literature prize for the Russian literature.
A Swedish translator from Russian into Swedish Lars Eric Blumquist was awarded with the Elsa Tulin's prize in Stockholm. Lars Eric Blumquist translates russian literature mostly, the most famous pieces translated by him are novel of M. Bulgakov "Master and Margarita", poetry of Marina Tsvetaeva, novels of Chingiz Aitmatov, etc. He has been a translator for alreday 30 years. Together with Hans Bjekegren he published an anthology of the Russian poetry called "From Derzhavin to Brodsky". Nowadays, Lars Eric Blumquist is a leader of the Literature translator courses in the Stockholm Sederton Higher School.

03.12.2003

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Dostoevsky is still alive.
On the 11^th of November there was a birthday of the greatest Russian writer Feodor Dostoevsky. It's hard to imagine a person in the world who doesn't know his romans. The most famous "The crime and punishment", "Idiot", "Karamazovy brothers" and many other masterpieces were written by him. The very important thing is that anyone can find an answer to any question about modern life in Russia. His thoughts help to figure out misterious Russian (and not only) soul. The the carachters in his works seem to be alive, they live in our mind and it explain many things about life too. The exciting scenes in the novels make us thrilling when we read them and always will be… as long as we read books.

19.11.2003

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The "father" of the Moscow TV tower was pictured on the medal for his achievement.
The portrait of an engineer from Tobolsk Nikolai Nikitin was pictured on the medal that filled up the collection of Tobolsk medals collection. There is a portrait of him on the one side of the medal and his famous "daughter" Moscow TV tower on another side. There is also coined a date - the 4th of October, 1967. In this very day the highest (at that moment) in the world TV tower in Ostankino signaled at first time. Nikitin is a creator not only of the tower but of MGU on Vorobievy Gory and a living house on the Ploschad Vosstaniya as well - two of the most famous Moscow skyscrapers. He also created a few projects in Warsaw. Siberian capitol Tobolsk is still remember and will never forget its famous citizen, they try hard to make us remember. That is what this medal is for.

14.11.2003

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