Russian Kafe

Russian Rocket Launches Clown Into Space

jim — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:19:58 +0000

Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Laliberte, became the 7th space tourist to be launched into space aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. As the US Space Shuttle nears the end of its working life, the Russian Soyuz rockets will be working overtime, that means Guy Laliberte may be one of the last space tourists for a while. Here are photos and video from NASA as well as an RT report from the launch.

Expedition 21 Soyuz Launch

Soyuz rocket launches into space LIVE on RT

The Soyuz TMA-16 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, carrying Expedition 21 Flight Engineer Jeffrey N. Williams, Flight Engineer Maxim Suraev and Spaceflight Participant Guy Laliberté to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

The Soyuz rocket is seen shortly after arrival to the launch pad Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 21 and a spaceflight participant on Sept. 30, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Russian security officers walk along the railroad tracks as the Soyuz rocket is rolled out to the launch pad Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 21 and a spaceflight participant on Sept. 30, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz rocket is rolled out to the launch pad Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 21 and a spaceflight participant on Sept. 30, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Links:
Ottawa Citizen photo gallery from the launch.

St. Petersburg’s Okhta Center Gets Approval

jim — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:12:37 +0000

The controversial Okhta Center has received approval from the St. Petersburg government to start construction. St. Petersburg governor, Valentina Matviyenko, signed a document allowing for an exemption to the long-standing rule that limits buildings in the St. Petersburg center to a height of 100 meters. The building, when completed, will be the tallest in Europe. Plans call for the tower to be finished in 2013.

Links:
Okhta Center official site
BBC: Architects reach for Russian sky
Inhabitant: Gazprom Tower Gets Green Light and Will Be Tallest Building in Europe
Wikipedia entry on the Okhta Tower

Soviet Monument to Russo-Georgian Friendship

jim — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:16:15 +0000

Steven G. recently posted some great photos of a Soviet era monument to friendship between Russia and Georgia. He wasn’t able to find out much information about this monument, which is located on Georgian territory, perhaps someone knows the story behind this unique structure? We found the colors in the photos to be amazing, be sure to click on the photos and check out the high quality versions.

Soviet Monument to Russo-Georgian Friendship II by Stefan G.

Soviet Monument to Russo-Georgian Friendship by Stefan G.

Photo: Leningrad State Pediatric Medical Institute

jim — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:00:10 +0000

Nurse with a six month old baby at State Pediatric Medical Institute in Leningrad – 1940s. Courtesy of The New York Public Library.

Photo: Pioneer Camp

jim — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:30:52 +0000

pioneer camp on Flickr.

Moscow Out: Kremlin inside the walls

jim — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:30:33 +0000

Martyn Andrews of RT continues his series on the most famous tourist destination in Moscow with this 12 minute video featuring the Moscow Kremlin. If you’re planning on visiting Moscow, we recommend watching this video. There are lots of interesting facts and beautiful sights to be discovered inside the Kremlin.

YouTube – Moscow Out: Kremlin inside the walls.

Borovsk, a very photogenic town

jim — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:00:00 +0000

We recently stumbled across a wonderful series of photos by Russian photographer Victoria Zaykina. The photos are of a small town near Moscow named Borovsk. These photos immediately captured our imagination and we wanted to share them with you.

We also asked Victoria to send us some commentary on Borovsk and her photos. Here is what she wrote.

Borovsk is an ancient city with a rich history (13th century), and even 150 years ago it was livelier than it is today. But, the city was a bit out of luck in the 20th century (or vice versa), as it was positioned somewhat away from the Kiev railroad and the Kiev federal highway. This is why the city is “asleep.” You arrive there and you fall into the 19th century. No, not the 19th, even earlier than that, into the 17th. Though the inhabitants of the city are dressed in modern clothes.

As any decent city of ancient Russia, it sits on the hills next to a river surrounded with picturesque nature of Russia. There are many churches (an unbelievable amount, 16 still intact, 11 destroyed and 2 monasteries) all very different architecturally. Borovsk is also considered a stronghold of Old Believers. Feodosia Morozova was killed here. In the 19th centery, 70% of the population were Old Believers.

Besides its historical value, there is a subtle atmosphere of something close to your heart, where you feel at peace and blessed. Near a monastery, if you sit down on a bench, you don’t want to leave, whether you believe in God or not. There is especially wonderful nature around. And pine trees. And fresh air!

Borovsk is loved by artists, writers, and poets. In the summer, students from the Moscow art schools come to work in the open-air. And by the way, many people have a similar story of love for Borovsk. They saw photos and thought “well, it is just an old city, so what?” … and then they come, see it in for themselves, fall in love..buy a house and build their lives there.

I met an interesting old man there. He had retired and moved with his wife from noisy Moscow to Borovsk. And then he started to take photographs!:) His series of photos about Borovsk was exhibited in St. Petersburg and even has won a prize at some photo competition in Germany. Unfortunately, I do not remember his name.

There are many stories like this. There is something special about Borovsk.

Borovsk is 30 minutes from where I live, so I visit quite often. I simply like to walk around Borovsk and soak in the ambiance of something very joyous, and I try to show it through my photographs.

We want to thank Victoria Zaykina for sharing her photos.
See Victoria’s entire Borovsk photoset on Flickr.

Moscow-City Construction Continues

Photo: On a bench

jim — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:38:50 +0000

Russian photographer Misha Maslennikov captured this photo in the Leningrad region of Russia back in 2007. We appreciated seeing this beautiful view of Russian life outside the big cities. View more of Maslennikov’s photos on Flickr.

On a bench – by Misha Maslennikov.

Photo: Soviet Toy Car

jim — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:11:15 +0000

Via Freedom Toast at Flickr

Moscow Out: Kremlin outside the walls

jim — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:05:32 +0000

This eleven minute show, which recently aired on RT, gives a nice overview of the sights around Red Square and the area near the Kremlin walls. If you’re planning on visiting Moscow, we recommend watching this video. If you’ve recently been to Moscow, you will see some familiar sights here and maybe have some of your questions answered.

YouTube – Moscow Out: Kremlin outside the walls.