What makes the FSU so interesting?

[mendeleyev]

The lighter side of the Russian political protests from the Mendeleyev Journal:

Since December we've become accustomed to seeing citizen opposition to Vladimir Putin in full display. Some Russians apparently think he is full of it. You'll know what "it" is by the photo.



полное собрание обеЩаний в 54 метрах: (Putin's complete set of promises in 54 meters)


You can't help but laugh at this next one...in fact we're still laughing at it more than two days later.




Мы знаем что вы хочешь третий раз но у нас есть голова болит! (We know that you want a third time but we have a headache!)

Of course there are Russian citizens who believe very strongly in the need for Mr. Putin to be elected as President for a third term and we'll look at those folk in the coming days, as well as meet some of the other candidates for president.

[chivo]

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
Here are some more pre election photos 
 

[mendeleyev]

Thank you, Chivo. 

[mendeleyev]

Well this is a first. But some things are so interesting that you simply must write about it. Usually the world forces us to write about politics and the personalities of political power.

Once in a while you need a break and perhaps this is a good time for something different. Imagine waking up one morning and when looking out the window, this is what you see:




"Nastya (Anastasia), I love beans!" Well, alright then. Nastya is short for Анастасия (Anastasia) and we're left to guess whether there is some hidden meaning, or perhaps a young husband simply expressing his appreciate for Nastya's cooking.

настя, я  люблю фасоль is "Nastya, I love beans." Unless his nickname is "Beans" and he's saying "Nastya, I love you." Beans as a nickname? What do you think?

Perhaps he is apologizing for generating too much gas in her apartment. We doubt that explanation, however as real men don't apologize for gas.



Do you think Anastasia mixes sausage with her beans?

Should there be a run on beans at the local supermarket we'll be sure to follow up on this story.

[ML]

What; no green grass in the yard this time of year? 

[mendeleyev]

From the Mendeleyev Journal:


It has been a year since Metro officials began adding ticket vending machines in select Metro stations. Over 700 had been installed by the end of 2011 and officials now estimate that another 500 will be in operation by the end of next month. It is thought that one in four Metro cashier windows are not open during peak travel hours due to a shortage of cashiers. Metro planners hope that the vending machines will ease some of the long lines at Metro ticket windows during those times.


(Moscow Metro ticket vending machine.)

Metro will need to carve out additional space for the new machine and they plan to eliminate many of the present newspaper and magazine vending machines now found in Metro halls. Approximately 120 stations now have пресс (press) vending for newspapers and periodicals.



(28 rubles for one trip, 56 rubles for two. (photo credit: moya-moskva.livejournal.com))

To reduce congestion in the ticket selling areas the new vending machines will sell either one or two trip options, costing 28 rubles or 56 rubles (.94/$1.88) for riders who don't need longer duration options. Passengers who ride the Metro frequently can purchase multiple trip tickets at Metro cashier windows.




(Visitors can choose an English menu option. (photo credit: moya-moskva.livejournal.com)

No word on the fate of a small number of vending machines that sell caviar. Those machines were part of an experiment along Novy Arbat Metro entrances.

[Anotherkiwi]

From the Mendeleyev Journal:

...

(Visitors can choose an English menu option. (photo credit: moya-moskva.livejournal.com)...

Isn't it time they fired the guy whose first language is Russlish????

[mendeleyev]

Isn't it time they fired the guy whose first language is Russlish????

Kiwi, I've learned that as English speakers you and are aren't qualified to offer corrections. 

I used to offer suggestions for the press sites of the Prez and PM but was kindly informed that they had "experts" for such tasks. Note #2 and remember that they never seem to tire of scolding customers for failing to have correct change on hand.

[mendeleyev]

Russia has a very proud tradition of quality education and so the Mendeleyev Journal has begun a page dedicated to helping expats and potential students understand the education system. We'll start at the beginning...


Kindergarten
Kindergarten is called "Children's Garden" (детский сад) in Russian. It means the same in English as Americans have simply adopted the German "kindergarten" term.





- Here are addresses, ratings, and daily menus & announcements for Moscow are Children's Gardens: http://www.det-sad.com/new_detskie_sadi_moskvi
- Information on Children's Gardens in Saint Petersburg: http://www.det-sad.com/new_sp_sad
- Here is information on Children's Gardens in other cities across Russia: http://www.det-sad.com/new_rf



More coming soon...

[mendeleyev]

From today's Mendeleyev Journal--

Often he is the subject of photos but Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is a good photographer in his own right. Sometimes he jokes around and photographs the press. In many journalistic circles Mr. Medvedev is called Russia's "photographer-in-chief."


(Russian ski resort; photo by President Dmitry Medvedev.)

Over the years photography and reading have become his main hobbies. Well, in addition to caring for the fish in his office aquarium. He studied science and law and achieved a PhD in law and seems to have acquired the talent for taking photos from hours of practice and mastering techniques from others around him.



(Moscow winter scene; photo by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.)

Tonight our vkontake account (Russian social media similar to Facebook) held 9 more of his most recent shots, this one from the family's recent December trip to the ancient city of Vladimir (1,000 years old) where they spent the New Year holiday. Vladimir is a Medvedev family favourite as this was their second consecutive year in Vladimir for the annual New Year celebration.



(New Year in a Russian village; photo by President Dmitry Medvedev.)

For those wondering, Medvedev's photos are downloaded on his beloved Mac afterwards and he enjoys playing with Photoshop to create various effects. The President tkes a variety of pictures, from nature to Russian citizens and especially nature.



(Largest body of freshwater in the world--Russia's Lake Baikal; photo by President Dmitry Medvedev.)

Pulitzer Prize winning Sasha Zemlianichenko will tell you that Medvedev has an eye and understands the use of light and colour balance. Once on a presidential trip, Medvedev asked about Zemlianichenko's Canon as Medvedev was not happy with his Nikon.

While sometimes Medvedev can be seen with a professional Canon in his hands, on most days you'll find him sporting new Leica S2 and Leica M9 cameras. The cost of that Leica S2 medium format DSLR? $20,000+ and likely much more for the added accessories.

 
 








(On tour around Russia's "Golden Ring" just hours outside Moscow; photo by President Dmitry Medvedev.)

Many of his photos are taken on presidential trips during times of travel and also on holidays with his family. Medvedev's wife Svetlana and son Ilya admire his nifty camerawork as well.



Even if you don't understand Russian you will find this professional gallery display of President Dmitry Medvedev's photography to be very interesting.





(Russia from a train window; photo by President Dmitry Medvedev.)

This past August 2011 Mr. Medvedev got his chance to do some underwater photography when fishing on the Volga river in southern Russia with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. It was on that trip that the two men finalized the decision for Mr. Putin to run again for president in March 2012.


On most days he is the "focus" of a camera lens.


(Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is an accomplished skier, too. Photo: Presidential Press Service.)

Then there are days when the photographer can enjoy being on both sides of the camera as shown in the picture below.



(President Medvedev on presidential train inside China.)

Photographs: Dmitry Medvedev, the Presidential Press Service, the Mendeleyev Journal.

[mendeleyev]

The excitement of new beginnings!

Perhaps you do also, but I get excited about new beginnings. Something new is often accompanied with hope, opportunity, and the chance to do something different and unique.

That is how the staff of this new radio station much have felt at the very first broadcast for Сельское радио (Rural radio) in Ревда (Revda), a community in the Sverdlovsk Region:

www.youtube.com/watch?&v=nQqeMK-bZIk

Being a "radio guy" myself, it is heartening to see young people so excited about their craft! Who cares if the studio isn't finished or that their equipment is sparse at best? For now their enthusiasm will make up for the lack of soundproofing on the walls and fancy digital consoles.

We salute you, Сельское радио!

Let the show begin. 

[mendeleyev]

As published in the Mendeleyev Journal...


Today is February 23. Some will call it Red Army Day or just simply Army Day. Still others will say Defender of the Motherland Day or Defender of the Fatherland Day.

Today however many Russians speak of Defender Day. Not only Russians, but most of the former republics celebrate it too. Which of the above names is correct?





Over the years the name has changed. Many historians say that the day began when the government declared February 23 in 1918 as the day to honour the Red Army victory over the Kaiser’s German troops near Narva and Pskov. The day was declared to be День Красной Армии (Red Army Day).




Today it is often known simply as the Day of Defender. You see, back in 1918 the Red Army didn't win that battle. The Germans kicked their Russian butts but Lenin, Stalin and others at that early stage in Soviet leadership didn't want the Russian people to know of the defeat so they concocted a fake victory celebration.

The Red Army did stop the German Army at that location, eventually, two years later in 1920.






Whoever or whatever acted with fraud, the Supreme Soviet took up the issue many years later. But in 1949 the Soviet government was in no position to admit that Stalin was wrong, but they did change the name to День Советской Армий и Военно-Морского Флота (Soviet Army and Navy Day).


After the fall of the Soviet regime the name was changed to День защитника Отечества (Defender of the Fatherland Day) meant to celebrate men and women who served and/or now serving the Russian Armed Forces.






And of course these days there are women in active service, thereby the likeness of the Army "Smokinhotkova" who wants her recognition as well.






You'll also find Russians who speak of it as День Мужчин (Men’s Day), sort of like a companion to Women's Day on 08 March. Flowers are given to men sometimes or chocolates, cakes, kisses, etc.


Learning point in language:
In context it could be homeland, but for our native Russian speakers here is a interesting question for readers studying Russian language: Отечество or Отечествa? Some may say that Отечествa is a masculine noun with a feminine ending (like the word Papa, for example.) So let's ask our native speakers which is most correct. Should we say fatherland or motherland?












Whatever you decide to call it, we wish you a happy day!   tiphat

[mendeleyev]

There are two 40-day fasts in the ancient Christian calendar; the Nativity Fast before Christmas and the "Pashka" (Greek word meaning Easter) Fast prior to Easter. Right now we eat no meat, no eggs/poultry, no cheese/milk, no oil, etc.


Only fish on Wednesdays but everything else is vegetables & fruits only. Here are "ladybug" sandwiches for raw fish on Wednesday. Remembering that usually a "sandwich" in Eastern Europe and Asia is a single piece of bread, these sandwiches are very easy to make.



 


You will need: Bread, red fish (salmon, trout, etc), tomatoes, olives pitted, Parsley.


Preparation:
 - Separate the red fish from the bones and skin, cut into thin slices.
 - Cover with a piece of fish.
 - Take the tomatoes, cut them in half, lengthwise.
 - Make a ladybug's head with black olives, cut in half.
 - Spots for the ladybug are from tiny pieces of chopped olives.


For those who missed "forgiveness Sunday" here is our message from the Mendeleyev Journal: прощаю и ты меня за всё прости! (I forgive you and ask you to forgive me.)

[SANDRO43]

Remembering that usually a "sandwich" in Eastern Europe and Asia is a single piece of bread...

An 'open' sandwich then, as also elsewhere in Europe, which would make John Montagu (1718–1792), 4th Earl of Sandwich and thrice First Lord of the Admiralty, raise an eyebrow .

The modern sandwich is named after Lord Sandwich. Evidently John Montagu had been a very conversant gambler. He did not have time to have meal during the play, so he would ask his servants to bring him slices of meat between two slices of bread during his long hours playing at the card table. This habit became well known among his gambling friends and thus the ‘sandwich’ was born. Because Montagu also happened to be the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, others began to order "the same as Sandwich!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Montagu,_4th_Earl_of_Sandwich

[mendeleyev]

Those dang Europeans are copying the Americans again! LOL.

Sandro, were my retirement plan to be funded on how many open face sandwiches I've observed in Europe versus closed sandwiches with two pieces of bread, I'd be smart to bet on the open face most of the time. 

[ghost of moon goddess]

Learning point in language:
In context it could be homeland, but for our native Russian speakers here is a interesting question for readers studying Russian language: Отечество or Отечествa? Some may say that Отечествa is a masculine noun with a feminine ending (like the word Papa, for example.) So let's ask our native speakers which is most correct. Should we say fatherland or motherland?

Отечество - Fatherland, Отечества - the genitive case.
A general rule to form the genitive case for the neuter nouns  ending in O (which the word Отечество is):
"O" should be replaced with "A"

FYI: the Russian equivalent of the word Motherland is Отчизна (feminine noun)

 

[ghost of moon goddess]

Dear Mendeleyev, how about a leap year day, February 29?  Would you advise RWD gentlemen to avoid communicating with their marriage-minded  Russian GFs today?! What if they ask their BFs for marriage today?   
Or RW are still  superstitious about leap year weddings ?   

[ML]

Today would be a perfect day to get married.

Only have to pay for anniversary celebrations once every 4 years instead of yearly.

[mendeleyev]

Отечество - Fatherland, Отечества - the genitive case.
A general rule to form the genitive case for the neuter nouns  ending in O (which the word Отечество is):
"O" should be replaced with "A"

FYI: the Russian equivalent of the word Motherland is Отчизна (feminine noun)

Ghost of moon goddess,

You rock! Thank you for the clarification. 

[SANDRO43]

FYI: the Russian equivalent of the word Motherland is Отчизна (feminine noun)

Wasn't it this?

Another certainty shattered .

[SANDRO43]

Those dang Europeans are copying the Americans again! LOL.

Since Montagu was already 58 when the (US of) America were officially born, I think it is safe to assume viceversa .

[ghost of moon goddess]

The Russian equivalent of the word Motherland Отечество is Отчизна (feminine noun)

Wasn't it this?

Another certainty shattered .

[/quote]

Dear Sandro, you are right, as  ever 

Motherland -  Родина (feminine noun)

[mendeleyev]

...makes perfect sense now...

The National Anthem:

Славься, славься, родина-Россия! (Be glorious, be glorious, motherland-Russia!)
 Сквозь века и грозы ты прошла
 И сияет солнце над тобою
 И судьба твоя светла.

Над старинным московским Кремлём
 Вьется знамя с двуглавым орлом
 И звучат священные слова:
 Славься, Русь –  Отчизна моя! (Be glorious, Russia –  my fatherland!)

[Misha]

The use of the concept of rodina was central to Soviet propaganda posters as well.

[ghost of moon goddess]

Thought this article might be interesting to read

In Defense of Mother Russia and the Fatherland  By Michele A. Berdy, a Moscow-based translator:

"Великая Отечественная война: The Great Patriotic War, Russia's involvement in World War II.
My favorite Russian holiday is Victory Day (День Победы). I am always touched by the elderly veterans covered in medals, sometimes still trim and fit enough to wear their old uniforms, remembering the most terrible war with moments of extraordinary humanity and humility. The war is most commonly referred to as Великая Отечественная война -- usually translated as the Great Patriotic War.
This seems like a good opportunity to discuss the differences between three ways to describe one's homeland in Russian: родина, отечество and отчизна.
Anthropologists, linguists and sociologists have been exploring the subtle differences for years, mostly poking around along gender lines: родина is connected with the maternal line (рождение, роды -- birth; родильница -- birth mother; род -- kin, clan while отчизна and отечество are related to the word for "father" (отец). Things got overlaid with ideology during the Soviet years, when родина was propagandized as something sacred, involving duties and obligations. Still, родина for Russians is the word they use to describe their homeland in personal terms: the place where they belong, the motherland that nourishes them and loves them. Remember: Родина -- мать! (Your homeland is your mother!)
 In one survey, people described родина as "где всё родное, близкое, понятное и привычное" (where I feel a sense of belonging, where everything is familiar, where I understand everything and feel at home). The adjective for this is родной, meaning "what is native to me, what I belong to and what belongs to me." English doesn't let us describe this as neatly as Russian, and you have to struggle a bit to convey the sense: родной язык (native language родная страна (homeland родная земля (the land/place I was born). You can also use родной to describe any place or group of people that is like family: Я вернулся в родной коллектив (I went back to work in my old office, where I belong; literally, "I returned to my native workplace"). Родные describes not only relatives (родственники) but anyone you consider family. In English, the closest you can get is "nearest and dearest."
 Another focus group study carried out by the Public Opinion Foundation in 2001 shows the enormity of what Russians distill into the concept of родина. ""о место, в которое можно вернуться, и где тебя будут любить. Где тепло, где тебя ждут." (The place you can always go home to, where they will love you. Where you feel warmth, where you are always welcome.) "Родина -- это мать, которую не выбирают" (your homeland is the mother m you don't choose).
 This is the родина captured in the song by the group DDT: Родина! Еду я на родину! Пусть кричат ""родина!" А она нам нравится! (My homeland! I'm going home! Let people shout "Your homeland's a freak!" We like her that way!)
 When researchers questioned people about отечество/отчизна, they found that the words were considered synonyms, although respondents found отчизна a bit more high-flown and archaic. But both are perceived as more official than родина, that is they convey the sense of statehood. "Мне кажется, что 'Отчизна' -- это более высокий слог, более официальное, высокопарное" (I think that Otchizna is a more high-flown word, more official, grandiloquent). "Отечество для меня -- [слово] более политического характера -- вот государство." (The word "Fatherland" has for me a more political character -- it's the state.)
 So Russia's involvement in WWII is Великая Отечественная война -- the Great War to defend the Fatherland / the state. Translating it as the "Great Patriotic War" isn't too bad, since it captures the sense of patriotic duty. Still the translator wants to add a page of footnotes to explain the subtle connotations. This is when you have to console yourself that something always gets lost in translation".