It's An Expat's Life: Новороссийск - Novorossiysk, Russia

Hurricane Winds in Novorossiysk February 7, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:07:00 +0000

The next day - roofing torn and
advertising boards ripped off their posts.

It is proving to be a very busy period weather-wise in Novorossiysk. The bora winds on 27 January, heavy snow last weekend and now hurricane winds. More snow is on the way. Novorossiysk is experiencing exceptional weather just now.
The hurricane caused damage from Novorossiysk to Gelendzhick with roofs, 18 wheeler trucks, and debris strewn about.

For YouTube video coverage "cut & paste" this search term: ‎Ураган в Новороссийске

More roofing missing.

I have uploaded a couple of videos to YouTube, see my channel: BluesRock4Boo3

So far 74 people have been injured and there have been no reports of deaths as yet. 70% of the city of Novorossiysk had no power but this is now fully restored. Our local supermarket was fully functioning all day today including taking credit cards, phew!

Icing from sea spray at the esplanade.

Roofers getting to work repairing the roof damage.

Remembrance Day for a Hero City

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:38:00 +0000

Remembrance Ceremony at малая земля

February 3rd 2012 saw the people of Novorossiysk head over to малая земля or Minor Land. The naval procession started in the town and headed out to малая земля.

There was a re-enactment of the defence of this area during WWII against the occupying Germans in 1943. It was pretty impressive in the dark.

Please see my previous posting "A Visit to 'Minor Land' - малая земля" for further details and links.

I will add this particular wikipedia link below in remembrance of Caesar Kunikov, the commanding officer who lead the local naval infantry to defend Novorossiysk. He was posthumously awarded the title "Hero of the Soviet Union" for his heroic actions.

Caesar Lvovich Kunikov

Novorossiysk went on to be named Hero City of Russia and has a plaque in recognition near Red Square, Moscow, at the nearby "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier".

Remembering the fallen at the epitaph

My First Bora in Novorossiysk

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:11:00 +0000

Balcony windows lost in the wind, 27 January 2012

Returned to Novorossiysk in time to experience the bora - a wind system unique to certain areas in this part of the world. The plane ride to Anapa airport was very interesting in that the pilot had to repeatedly rev the engine on approach to landing and once landed the brakes were vigourously employed. Descending the steps from the plane in such windy conditions was a challenge and, for me, also unexpectedly freezing cold. Had enough ballast from my very heavy cabin bags but my winter coat was not adequately warm enough, more suited to UK winter weather.

See: Wikipedia - Bora - Novorossiysk is mentioned in this article.

To expand, the unequal temperatures between the icy cold air on higher mountains and the warmer air of the lower bay area eventually come together causing the colder air to rush down the sides of the mountain to find its natural position below the warmer air. This condition creates very strong hurricane force winds which are freezing cold and causes icing of anything in its path, particularly near bodies of water. There is a phenomenon called "the beard" locally in which the clouds sitting at the top of the mountain range start descending down the sides of the mountain with the colder air. I missed out on seeing that one by a day, so next year perhaps.

"Steaming of sea and icing of vessels" a meteorological term here in Novorossiysk for the side effects of the bora.

"Steaming of sea" - Novorossiysk, 28 January 2012

Vessels are usually advised to go further out to sea to avoid the icing and the strong bora winds.

"Icing of ...." - Novorossiysk, 27 January 2012

The strength of the bora wind is apparent in the sideways icing of the pebbles on the beach.

Sideways icing phenomenon

Another website with some interesting photos http://englishrussia.com/2012/02/15/icy-aftermath-of-storms-in-novorossiysk-and-yalta/#more-92482

Advance Notice - Maslenitsa Russian Festival in London

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:42:00 +0000

Mentioned this festival last year on this blog. The Russian Maslenitsa Festival in London 2012 will be held between 19th to 26th February and I shall miss it again this year. It is in celebration of the beginning of spring, saying good-bye to winter and eating lots of pancakes.

There will be a fashion show at the V&A, Russian chef masterclasses and the Trafalgar Square celebration. See: programme for the week

Also in Time Out London: http://www.timeout.com/london/around-town/event/250486/maslenitsa-russian-festival

счастливы старый новый год ! - Happy Old New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:55:00 +0000

The Russian "Old New Year" follows the Russian Orthodox's Julian calendar and per the Gregorian calendar falls on 14th January. It is no longer recognised by a public holiday but is still celebrated nonetheless.

Wishes of happiness and health are traditional:

Счастья и здоровья!

St Basil's in Red Square

Old New Year's Eve sees fortune-telling and carol singing - kolyadki with a 'trick or treat' twist.

Fortune-telling:

I can understand this but the spoon thing ... spoons are left on the table when everyone goes to bed. Everyone remembers their spoon and next morning inspects how it is laying, if it is as you left it the night before, one's New Year will be fine, but if the spoon has somehow turned upside down, one should take care of one's health and watch out for trouble!

Kolyadki:

Having prepared oneself with a kolyada or two and singing boisterously, as a group I hasten to add, something like “Kolyada is at the door, open the door!” Then, “if you do not give me cake, you’ll get in the neck!” Don’t forget the sack for all that cake and then enjoy.

The Feast:

The feast for the “Old New Year” must be better than that for the “New New Year” - 1st January. Dishes to include a variety of salads, roasted meats and don’t forget that enormous pie of either meat or fish with added garlic clove for the lucky recipient’s New Year blessings.

Cultural fix: Russian Culture by wikipedia.com

Nearly Time for Mumming Kolyadki

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:50:00 +0000

Дед Мороз (Ded Moroz) & Снегурочка (Snegurochka) at “New, New Year” & святки (Sviatki) with “Old New Year”, explained:-

Firstly, we have the Santa equivalent Дед Мороз (Ded Moroz), wearing his валенки (valenki - Russian felt boots), carrying his trusty staff and travelling across Russia in his тройка (troika - 3 horse-drawn sleigh). Together with his assistant Снегурочка (Snegurochka - the Snow Maiden), they leave gifts for good children beneath the New Year’s tree. So New Year, New New Year that is in Russia, is more important these days than Christmas. С Новым годом!

The Russian Old New Year, Старый Новый год, is on January 14th per the Julian calendar, during Christmastide and marked with carols, fortune telling and a large meal.

Счастливое святки! - “Happy Sviatki!”

Russian Orthodox Church’s 2 week celebration of Christmastide, 7 - 19th January following the Julian calendar. The 7th being Christmas day whilst the 19th January marks Epiphany, the baptism of Jesus and when certain Russians dip into icy rivers and lakes. Brrrr!!

PLAY > Kolyadka carol - Monks and Choirs of Kiev Pechersk Lavra: Chants of the Russian Orthodox

A time for mumming колядки (kolyadki) or caroling winter Russian folk songs, traditionally sung by costumed mummers. Referenced in many Russian classics, including:

Pushkin’s “Eugene Onegin”

Tolstoy’s “War & Peace”

Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Christmas Eve Act II, Scene 3, m. 176” said to have been inspired by:

Nikolai Gogol’s ‘Collected Tales’:
“Among us, to go caroling means to sing songs called kolyadki under the windows on Christmas Eve. The master or mistress of the house, or anyone staying at home, always drops into the carolers’ sack some sausage or bread or a copper coin, whatever bounty they have. They say there used to be an idol named Koliada who was thought to be a god and that is where the kolyadi came from...”

The kolyadki in Gogol’s Christmas Eve are ritually more pagan than Russian Orthodox.

Trendy Valenki

The Bells of Kazan Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:16:00 +0000

Finally managed to find a way to include mp3 files on my blog and as we approach Christmas thought I'd include a quick posting here. If you're in Moscow and lucky enough to be there at the right time, you'll be able to see the bell ringer in the tower, on the left in the photo below, using his feet and hands to work the bells.

Kazan Cathedral with its pretty kokoshniki

Listen below to the bells of Kazan Cathedral during a ceremony:

Skiing in Sochi This Season?!

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:32:00 +0000

Ski Slopes at Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi

With the 2014 Winter Olympics not far away, Crystal Ski, a UK based holiday company, have added Sochi to its books this year. With new and updated infrastruture in place and still ongoing, Sochi is now a very interesting alternative from the usual ski areas around the world. The powder is apparently amazing and I have yet to experience the après-ski and restaurants but I don't expect the usual glühwein and fondue, more caviar and vodka.

Crystal Ski 0871 231 5655, crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/russia-ski-holidays. Currently, seven nights B&B costs £1,129pp, including flights from UK via Istanbul. Then there's Istanbul, another must-do!

See earlier posting for Nissan Russian Adventure Freeride World Tour Sochi 2011 where a couple of Russian contestants took part, including Igor Ilyinh who came 10th.

Is Krasnaya Polyana ready for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics? The pistes are more or less ready and the resort Rosa Khutor has the concrete strutures for shops and eateries which still need to be fitted out. It is all coming along nicely. See further: Alpine test for 2014 Sochi Games called a success

Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2012/02/13/3088440/alpine-test-for-2014-sochi-games.html#storylink=cpy

An Exhibition in London - Constructivism

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:31:00 +0000

Building the Revolution: Soviet Art & Architecture 1915-1935

Recreation of Tatlin's Tower
at Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London

Visited the Royal Academy of Arts today on Piccadilly for the exhibition "Building the Revolution: Soviet Art & Architecture 1915-1935" taking place between 29 October 2011 and 22 January 2012.

Link: Royal Academy of Arts: "Building the Revolution"

It showcases avant-garde art forms, constructivism, Popova's 'Painterly Architectonics', photos of architecture during that period and a recreation of Tatlin's Tower in the courtyard to the front of the Academy. Examples of avant-garde architecture covered: state, communications - Shabolovka radio tower, industry, housing, education, recreation and health, including the Voroshilov sanatorium in Sochi - I shall be looking out for the sanatorium on my next visit to Sochi. The exhibition ended with the various construction phases of the Lenin mausoleum, from a temporary plywood structure to the current day granite mausoleum.

Constructivism was suppressed in the 1920's with the new Soviet leader Stalin, who went on to demolish churches and build huge statements to his ruling years, namely the Stalin skyscrapers: the 'Seven Sisters' in Moscow.

I would recommend a visit if you are at all interested in the early Soviet era, as Russia invited Europeans, Le Corbusier amongst them, to help them construct a new Russia.

Time Out London review

Propoganda Kiosk by Gustav Klutsis

Recommended reading:

"We" by Yevgeny Zamyatin about citizens of the One State living in a condition of 'mathematically infallible happiness'. Banned from publication in Russia in 1921.

"The Foundation Pit" by Andrey Platonov, a dystopian novel describing lives of some Soviet workers who believe they are laying the foundations for a radiant future but as they work harder and dig deeper ...

Recommended Reading: "We" & "The Foundation Pit"

LINK: Interesting presentation of the Russian avant-garde era.

Autumnal Moscow

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:23:00 +0000

" ... a melancholy season, bewitchment for the eyes ..."

- Alexander Pushkin (1799- 1837)

Golden Leaves of Autumn - Pushkin's Favourite Season

In Moscow for a few days and flying into Sheremetyevo airport afforded views of some beautiful autumnal colours, mostly golden from the birch trees contrasting with the evergreens. Moscow is now much colder at 4 degrees centigrade today, a good 15 degrees cooler than Novorossiysk.

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

A Visit to 'Minor Land' - малая земля

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:55:00 +0000

Commemorative Monument in Novorossiysk for малая земля

This weekend we visited an unusual structure along the sea front which caught our eye. This monument has an interior with steps up to the 'pointy end' and steps down again down the other section. On the walls are plaques to the heroes in their defense of 'Minor Land' and at the 'pointy end' an interesting display of, well I can't really describe it - looks like a shell or heart to me, bathed in a glowing red light. Then there's the sombre music and narration!

In 1942, against strong German forces the marines, headed by Major Caesar Kunikov, bravely defended the 'Minor Land' area of Novorossiysk holding its position and preventing the Germans from using the port for supply shipments. Being one of the most strategic ports in Russia, the defence of this port was vital. The Red Army eventually landed and liberated Novorossiysk in February, 1943.

малая земля - Minor Land 1943

Major Caesar Kunikov, a Soviet-Jewish World War II hero, was posthumously awarded the highest Soviet World War II title: "Hero of the Soviet Union". He died in 1943 defending Novorossiysk against the Germans.

Naval Infantry defending Minor Land

Novorossiysk was awarded the title "Hero City" in 1973. In 2003 President Putin signed a decree to set up a naval base in Novorossiysk and work on the base and its infrastructure is still ongoing today.

View from the other side.

There is a plaque for Novorossiysk near Red Square by the Kremlin walls in Moscow commemorating the Hero Cities of Russia. It is very near the Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. See photo below:

Commemorative Monument in Moscow to
Novorossiysk, A Hero City

Gagarin in Britain

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:05:00 +0000

Statue of Yuri Gagarin
at the British Council in London

Managed to see the statue of Yuri Gagarin on the Mall last week. The statue and exhibition are in celebration of Gagarin's visit to the UK after his 'first man in space' flight 50 years ago. It is a replica of a statue designed by Russian sculptor Anatoly Novikov sited in the town of Lubertsy, just outside Moscow, where Gagarin trained as a foundry worker in his mid-teens. It will be here on the Mall outside the British Council for one year and is a gift from the Russian space agency Roscosmos.

The British Council on the Mall, London

Conceptualism?

Russian Film "Faust" Wins Golden Lion

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:31:00 +0000

"Faust" by Russian director Alexander Sokurov won the Golden Lion for 'Best Film' and was praised by US filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, head of the Venice jury, who presented the award in the 68th Venice Film Festival ceremony on Saturday, 10th September.

“There are films that change you forever after you see them, and this is one of them,” Aronofsky said, adding that the decision had been unanimous.
Producer Andrey Sigle said of "Faust", "The film has no particular relevance to contemporary events in the world, it is set in the early 19th century but reflects Sokurov's enduring attempts to understand man and his inner forces." Sigle goes on to say, "The film is a big Russian cultural project and for Putin that is very important. He saw it as a film that can introduce the Russian mentality into European culture; to promote integration between Russian and European culture."

The film is loosely based on the legend of Faust, Goethe's German classic, set in the 19th century , where a scholar makes a deal with the devil for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures in exchange for his soul. The dialogue is in German.

Sokurov's "Faust" is the final installment of his cinematic tetralogy, comprising of "Moloch", "Taurus" and "The Sun", depictions of Hitler, Lenin and Horohito, respectively.

68th Venice Film Festival

"Faust" has also won two alternative awards in Venice: the SIGNIS prize from the World Catholic Association for Communication and the Future Film Festival Digital award.

It is now in Toronto for the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

And if You Are in London - 14 July to 14 September 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:06:00 +0000

"Gagarin in Britain" - London to be exact!

Yuri Gagarin

A statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, will be unveiled on the Mall, opposite the statue of Captain Cook and outside the British Council offices headquarters, on Thursday 14 July 2011, to mark the 50th Anniversary of Manned Space Flight.

The statue is a gift from the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) to the British Council. It will be installed on the Mall for a period of 12 months.

The British Council will be showing an exhibition in its headquarters on the life of Gagarin and the early Soviet space programme.

Link: http://www.britishcouncil.org/arts-gagarin-in-britain.htm

Please note the opening times for Gagarin in Britain are from 4-5pm on Tuesdays and Fridays ONLY. Due to security restrictions at the British Council offices, all visitors must pre-register their visit by emailing us at gagarin@britishcouncil.org
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the First Manned Space Flight and the installation of the Yuri Gagarin statue on the Mall, the British Council presents Gagarin in Britain, an exhibition on the life of Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and the early Soviet space programme, from 14 July to 14 September 2011 at British Council headquarters.
The exhibition showcases some extremely rare space items from the Vostok('East'), manned space programme rarely seen in Britain: the first space suit – SK-1, including the padded inner lining, blue rubberised pressure-suit and outer orange layer; and an ejector seat of the model used by Gagarin when he parachuted out of Vostok 1 at an altitude of 7km. These exhibits are complimented by Soviet posters from the Moscow Museum of Cosmonautics; a film made by Roscosmos showing original footage of the early training programme and the 1961 launch itself; a model of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite in the world, launched in October l957; an array of space food; and one of the earliest dog space suits, used prior to man’s first spaceflight to test the capacity of living creatures in space. As there are few items from the early Soviet space programme on view in the UK, this is an exceptional opportunity to see some of the earliest space items, which marked the launch of man’s venture into space.
Accompanying the artefacts is a photographic exhibition telling the story of Gagarin’s life, featuring over 80 photographs from the Gagarin family archive and other sources, many never been published before. They show the small town of Klushino where Gagarin was born; the devastation brought about by the Nazi occupation; and the tale of a young man of modest beginnings gradually becoming a pilot, then a cosmonaut, then – within an instant of his return to earth – the most famous man on the planet. A special section is devoted to Gagarin’s visit to Britain from 11 to 15 July 1961, with photographs of the extraordinary welcome given to him by the British public, and of his meeting with politicians and people alike.

Listen to Elena Gagarina, Yuri Gagarin’s elder daughter, in a rare interview with Andrea Rose, who curated the Gagarin in Britain exhibition
Watch an amazing video message from the International Space Station recorded to mark the unveiling of a statue of Yuri Gagarin in the Mall in London

Exhibition AdmissionThe British Council is a working office building, and will be open to the public on Tuesday and Friday afternoons only, from 4.00-5.00pm. Entry is by registration on a first come first served basis, and members of the public are invited to register at: gagarin@britishcouncil.org

Gagarin in Britain
14 July – 14 September 2011
British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN

Look to the Night Sky in September for Comet Elenin

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:47:00 +0000

Comet Elenin [C/2010 X1 (Elenin)] was discovered 10 December 2010 by astronomers, showing up as a faint fuzzy speck on a telescopic CCD image taken by Leonid Elenin of Moscow. See link: ISON-NM Observatory (H15).

In astronomic terms, the comet was around a magnitude of 19 when the image was captured. During the month of September 2011, the comet should become bright enough to be an easy target for the backyard astronomer. Its coma exceeded 200,000 kms this month, so September will be interesting, coma-wise. Even at a magnitude of 10, in July 2011, it is about 25 times fainter with the naked eye, so get out those powerful binoculars or maybe a telescope would be a better option. It is travelling at 42,000 kilometres per hour!! Early October, it should be visible with binoculars as it will bee nearest the earth at this time.

I shall not be commenting on all the doom and gloom scenarios out there on the internet but you might want to check out the ‘tweets’ for ‘elenin. This link however, should alleviate those concerns : NASA's take on Comet Elenin

Google Celebrates St Basil's Cathedral 450th Year of Construction

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:41:00 +0000

St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow celebrates its 450 year anniversary of final construction and Google has helped celebrate this with a new doodle.

For further details see:
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/st-basils-cathedral-celebrated-in-russian-themed-google-doodle-50004384/

It has been renovated over the last 10 years which is reported to have cost as much as 8 million GBP.
See also Wikipedia for full details on the history of St Basils: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Basil's_Cathedral

Cathedral of Christ The Saviour
Another cathedral in Moscow well worth a visit, either in person or via Wikipedia is the Cathedral of Christ The Saviour in Moscow.

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Moscow

The original Christ the Saviour was destroyed in the early 1930s during the Stalin era. It was reconstructed in the 1990s and consecrated in 2000, as have many churches and cathedrals in Russia.

Kazan Cathedral in Red Square is another rebuild, with beautiful pealing bells at 6pm.

Kazan Cathedral with its pretty kokoshniki

Listen below to the bells of Kazan Cathedral during a ceremony:

Woohoo!!! We've Arrived in Novo!

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:02:00 +0000

View from our hotel out to the bay area.
Construction, bottom left, NovoCity - mall?

Yes, we have finally arrived and to weather very much like Houston's. It is 35 degrees centigrade and very humid but there is often a good breeze from the Black Sea to make it bearable. Lots of people around enjoying the sun and sea. There is an hydrofoil which apparently plies the waters between Anapa and Sochi, stopping at Novorossiysk as well, thankfully.

We will be in our apartment this weekend and busy settling in for the next week or so.

Now I just need lessons in the Russian language, a must here in Novorossiysk!!

F1 2011 Australian Grand Prix - Vitaly Petrov Comes 3rd

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Thu, 26 May 2011 23:10:00 +0000

Well done Vitaly Petrov (Lotus-Renault GP) for making it to 3rd place in the first leg of the 2011 Formula 1 race in Melborurne, Australia. Petrov achieved a time of 1:30:00.759 and 15 points, making this a great start and an exciting prospect for Russia's first foray into F1 racing with the 2014 F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
Unfortunately, Robert Kubica of Poland, lead driver for Lotus-Reault GP was seriously injured in the Ronde di Andorra rally in Italy in February this year and any racing in 2011 looks doubtful. His replacement, Nick Heidfeld of Germany, came in 12th place in Melbourne.

Lotus Renault GP launched their new livery for 2011 as Lotus is now sponsoring Team Renault:

http://www.formula1.com/

Nissan Russian Adventure - Freeride World Tour Sochi 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:52:00 +0000

Just preparing for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, so excuse me this indulgence. Women's ski jumping has been added to the 2014 Winter Olympics! Also, ski half-pipe, biathlon mixed relay, figure skating team event and luge team relay are new events for the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. -- 1,000 days to go!!

The International Olympic Committe Coordination Commission for the Sochi Games praised the progress being made by local organisers in Sochi. Led by Chairmain Jean-Claude Killy, who said "It is awe-inspiring work that is being undertaken in the Sochi region." For further details click on this link.

Olympic Organisation website for Sochi 2014

Nissan Russian Adventure - Freeride World Tour Sochi 2011

There were a couple of Russians taking part in the 2011 Nissan Russian Adventure - Freeride World Tour Championships but no videos of them skiing in Krasnaya Polyana. Russian, Igor Ilyinyh came 10th in the Sochi championship.

Flo Orley (Austia) - 1st Place Snowboarder in Sochi by FreerideWorldTourTV

For a list of the Free World Tour 2011 Rankings

Facebook for Sochi 2014 Winter Games

50th Anniversary of First Man in Space

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:44:00 +0000

12th April 2011 marks the 50th anniversary

of the first man to travel into space.

Russian cosmonaut, the diminutive
27 year old Major Yuri Gagarin, in his Vostok 1.

Major Yuri Gagarin, (1934 - 1968) was the first human to travel into space and orbit the earth, a round trip of 108 minutes. Unfortunately 7 years later, Gagarin died during a routine training flight whilst piloting a MiG 15 jet which crashed.

The film below commemorates Gagarin's space flight in Vostok 1. It represents what Gagarin would have experienced on the original orbiting flight, in real time. The audio is from the original mission.

http://www.youtube.com/user/firstorbit

Some Trivia:

- Gagarin had a backup on the day of the Vostok 1 space-flight:

Gherman Titov, who later went onto to become the second human to orbit the Earth, but with 17.5 orbits this time, in Vostok 2.
- Gagarin left earth a lieutenant and returned a major.
- Gagarin was not a cosmonaut.

Credit: http://www.space.com/11346-photos-yuri-gagarin-vostok1-human-spaceflight.html

Some interesting Gagarin-Vostok 1 links:

http://yurigagarin50.org/
Gizmodo's "Why Everyone Loves Yuri Gagarin, the First Human to Reach Space"

Wikipedia's 50th Anniversary Tribute

Time LightBox - First Man in Space

Vostok 1 - Wikipedia
Space.com - Gagarin/Vostok 1 spaceflight Info

Radio:

BBC World Service: Discovery - 50 Years of Human Spaceflight (BBC's iPlayer may be required)

One of many official postcards
commemorating the mission.

And if You Are Still in London - The Tsar's Bride

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:56:00 +0000

"The Tsar's Bride" by Russian Composer
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov

Link: The Tsar's Bride at the Royal Opera House in London

Now playing at the Royal Opera House in London until 2nd May, with talented young Russian soprano Marina Poplavskaya who won the Maria Callas Grand Prix in Athens back in 2005.

Marina Poplavskaya now has a loyal fan base who refer to her as "Pops" and she is playing the part of Ivan the Terrible's third wife in this opera. As an eager understudy in some operas, she is always ready for that lead soprano role for those moments when a diva is throwing a tantrum, though Pops appears to not be immune to the odd one herself!

The soprano to watch, Maria Poplavskaya

A journalist for the Guardian newspaper wrote about this rising star in his Sunday column.

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/apr/10/marina-poplavskaya-opera-russian-tsars-bride?CMP=twt_fd

Giant Megawatt Batteries for Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:21:00 +0000

Batteries waiting to be
shipped to Sochi

Giant megawatt batteries are being made as backup power for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Being made by Ener1, who make lithium-ion batteries primarily for cars, these batteries will be housed in shipping containers, shipped out then wheeled to their final destination. These will also provide the city of Sochi and the huge influx of game participants and spectators with power lost to the Olympic games and will then be used to provide Russia's ever increasing energy requirements until its national grid is brought up to date to meet demands.

Shipping container being used
to house the batteries.

Each container of batteries will provide one megawatt-hour of power, enough for 1,000 homes for an hour.

Ener1 is mostly owned by the Russian paper mogul, Zingeravich and in association with a Russian chemical engineer, Novak but the company is based near Indianapolis, USA.

The cost? $40 million!

See Engadget.com for further details

(Credits: Indy Star, Engadget, Gadget Reviews EU, etc)

And If You Are in London - Russian Festival in Trafalgar Square, London, March 6th, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:23:00 +0000

Part of Flyer for the Russian Festival

I shall have to remember this festival for next year if I am in London. For original flyer, see http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Maslenitsa.pdf

There are a number of new Russian restaurants sprouting up in London, including the Caucasus region being represented. As the population of Russian expats in London increases, this is to be expected and adds to London's already very cosmopolitan and dynamic restaurant scene. See "Time Out - London: Restaurants - Russian Cuisine" for further details.

There is a "Time Out - Москвa", but it is in Russian only at the moment. I had better get on with learning the Russian language!! By the way, the 'Google Chrome' browser does a good enough job of translating the pages, saves a lot of copying and pasting into 'Google Translator'.

Russian Grand Prix 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 19:27:00 +0000

Wonderful to hear the news that Russia is to host the F1 Grand Prix from 2014. The new racing venue will be in Sochi. Something else to look forward to!

2010 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix

at Sakhir, where Petrov retired after 13 laps.

During our last assignment in Bahrain, we were able to see our first F1 race in 2009, and in 2010 F1's 60th anniversary, when Bahrain was first to start the 2010 racing season. Russia's Vitaly Petrov debuted in the 2010 Bahrain F1 race, becoming a member of the Renault team. Robert Kubica, of Poland, is Renault's lead driver for 2010.

Vitaly Petrov making his debut in F1 racing
for the Renault F1 team. Above, in his 2010 racing colours and helmet.

I am looking forward to attending the inaugural race in Sochi.
Ticketing procedures ... ?? Now this could be interesting!

Link: Official F1 Grand Prix Racing Website

International Film & Performing Arts Awards for Russia

noreply@blogger.com (Roving Expat) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 06:10:00 +0000

Three 'Silver Bears' for the Russian film "Как я провел этим летом" or "How I Ended This Summer" at the 2010 Berlinale International Film Festival. The film was directed by Aleksei Popogrebsky and depicts two men working in a psychologically challenging environment, the Artic Circle. The awards went to Grigori Dobrygin, Sergei Puskepalis and Pavel Kostomarov.

2010 Berlinale International Film Festival - awards Russian film

"Как я провел этим летом" : "How I Ended This Summer"

The film has also won the 'Gold Hugo' for Best Film at the 2010 Chicago International Film Festival. See also, Chicago Time Out.

Now the film wins the best film award at the 2010 London Film Festival today.

Yulianna Avdeeva wins Chopin Piano Award

Russian musician, Yulianna Avdeeva wins 2010 Chopin Piano award in Warsaw, Poland. The first woman in 45 years to win this.