What makes the FSU so interesting?

[Muzh]

just came across this article... what do you guys think?


http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/why-many-russians-feel-they-are-nothing/456823.html

I just posted it on a separate thread. (Starting out)

[mendeleyev]

Ed and Muzh,

I've seen it a lot.

Sometime ago the Moscow Times ran a profile on Dr. Murray and as part of the interview, she is the person who Mike Tyson calls "Mom" because of her counseling with him.

[mendeleyev]

In the Mendeleyev Journal...

What a thrill it was yesterday for Russians to experience the formal consecration and reopening of the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Kronstadt! The Naval cathedral of Saint Nicholas, built in 1903–1913, was the main temple of Russia's Baltic Fleet and dedicated to the memory of all fallen seamen.





A marvel of modern technology at the time, the cathedral was equipped with an independent central heating and a central vacuum cleaning system using a complex network of pressurized manifolds and valves and an electrical lighting system requiring 5 thousand light bulbs.

The Soviets closed the cathedral in 1929 and it was used for decades as offices and later as a museum. Video before the rehabilitation of Cathedral interior:



Yesterday Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill along with President Medvedev and his wife Svetlana attended the consecration ceremony of the Naval Cathedral. The ceremony was led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.





Patriarch Kirill led President Medvedev to the front of the Cathedral.



(Inside the Baltic Fleet Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, Kronstadt. First lady Svetlana Medvedeva serves actively on the Board of Trustees for the restoration.)

The Naval Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Kronstadt is the main temple of the Russian Navy, founded in 1902 by decree of Emperor Nicholas II in honour of the 200th anniversary of the Russian Navy by Peter the Great. In 1929 the Cathedral was closed and desecrated by the Communists.

In 2009 a board of trustees was established to restore the cathedral which is expected to be fully restored in time for the 100th anniversary of its first consecration, which will be celebrated in 2013.


Modeled after the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sophia (6th century AD) in Constantinople, the exterior walls are covered with granite, gray and yellow brick and decorated with polished frames and columns of portals with Terra-cotta ornaments, and mosaics. In May of 2011 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia toured the restoration efforts along with Russian First Lady Svetlana Medvedeva.










(As was the custom during the time of the Tsars, President and Mrs. Medvedev, stood in a special place during the liturgy.)

The Cathedral can accommodate 5,000 worshipers and its unfinished restoration was a theme of some military opposition groups during the political rallies after the Duma elections in December 2011 and Presidential election of March 2012.

After the ceremony, President Medvedev addressed the dignitaries and Naval officers present for the ceremony.





(President Medvedev): Your Holiness, residents of Kronstadt, friends,

Today is a great day in the history of Kronstadt and our country: the Naval Cathedral of Saint Nicholas has just been consecrated. I am very glad that it happened during the Bright Week. I would like to sincerely congratulate all of you on this very important event.

The Naval Cathedral has a very complicated history, in which, like in a drop of water, the dramatic 20^th century history of our nation is reflected. It was built and consecrated in the beginning of the century; this was done by popular demand of sailors, who were personally involved in collecting donations and contributed to the construction of the cathedral in cooperation with the Admiralty. St John of Kronstadt also participated in the cathedral’s consecration. Unfortunately, because of subsequent events, the cathedral was desecrated and for a long time the building was used for other purposes. But a city like Kronstadt, a city that is home to Russia’s naval base, must have its own large naval cathedral.

I am truly happy that through the blessing of the Patriarch, the hard work of so many people and the substantial donations, this pearl of Russian ecclesiastical architecture has been restored to its original glory. I will say even more: as His Holiness and I have just noted, the cathedral looks better than it did 100 years ago. And that is wonderful because Kronstadt has its own, special naval traditions. Our naval base is located here, our sailors live here, and everything breathes the history of the great Russian fleet. Therefore, immediately after the consecration, the sailors will be able to come to the cathedral to pray and remember their comrades, and to receive blessings for future feats of arms. Nothing strengthens the army and navy as much as spiritual unity.

Citizens of Kronstadt, friends, for decades we looked at the cathedral and thought to ourselves: when will it again become as beautiful as it used to be? Now it has happened. Thank you to everyone who took part in this initiative. My heartfelt congratulations to you on this historic occasion.



(Photo: LIfeglobe.net)

Restoration Board of Trustees:

Svetlana Medvedeva (First Lady of Russia), deputy head of Presidential Administration Alexander Beglov, the Orthodox Metropolitan of St. Petersburg Ladoga Vladimir, the head of the Federal Service for Supervision cultural heritage projects Kibovsky Alexander, the presidential envoy in the Northwestern Federal District Ilya Klebanov, Saint Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko, and State Duma deputy Leonid Slutsky.




Russian readers can read more about this historic cathedral at http://lifeglobe.net/blogs/details?id=538.
                 

[mendeleyev]

During the Soviet period two comrades died within 5 days of each other and both went to hell.
 
Upon approaching hell the second guy noticed two entrances, one marked "Hell for Capitalists" and the other marked "Hell for Communists."
 
There was no line at the first entrance for Capitalists and to enter would mean clear sailing inside. However the second line, 'Hell for Communists' had a very long line of guys waiting to enter hell. About that time he noticed his friend standing in the long line so he walked over to say hello and inquire about the two entrances.
 
"What is the difference inside?" he asked.
 
"Oh, really none at all" his friend replied. "Both have the same punishment--you are cut with sharp knives, burned with scalding hot water and boiled in oil."
 
"Oh My! But why is there no waiting over at the 'Hell for Capitalists' entrance and why is the line here at 'Hell for Communists' so long?," the guy inquired.
 
"Ah ha, some things never change" said his friend. "The factory that makes the knives seems incapable of meeting their quotas, there is hot water only on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we're six months behind on oil deliveries."
                   

[Eduard]

During the Soviet period two comrades died within 5 days of each other and both went to hell.
 
Upon approaching hell the second guy noticed two entrances, one marked "Hell for Capitalists" and the other marked "Hell for Communists."
 
There was no line at the first entrance for Capitalists and to enter would mean clear sailing inside. However the second line, 'Hell for Communists' had a very long line of guys waiting to enter hell. About that time he noticed his friend standing in the long line so he walked over to say hello and inquire about the two entrances.
 
"What is the difference inside?" he asked.
 
"Oh, really none at all" his friend replied. "Both have the same punishment--you are cut with sharp knives, burned with scalding hot water and boiled in oil."
 
"Oh My! But why is there no waiting over at the 'Hell for Capitalists' entrance and why is the line here at 'Hell for Communists' so long?," the guy inquired.
 
"Ah ha, some things never change" said his friend. "The factory that makes the knives seems incapable of meeting their quotas, there is hot water only on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we're six months behind on oil deliveries."
                 

[mendeleyev]

This afternoon (Tuesday) daughter Kseniya defends her thesis at Moscow State University. It is a big and important day for her. Looks like the next step could be traveling to America to continue her studies in American and Indian (South Asian) religions & philosophies for a doctorate. Join us in praying and hoping for her success. She is prepared and ready.
 
 

[Eduard]

This afternoon (Tuesday) daughter Kseniya defends her thesis at Moscow State University. It is a big and important day for her. Looks like the next step could be traveling to America to continue her studies in American and Indian (South Asian) religions & philosophies for a doctorate. Join us in praying and hoping for her success. She is prepared and ready.

Hope everything works out great, lot's of luck and success to her, Jim!

[mendeleyev]

Ed, thanks so much.   

She feels that it went okay and I'm confident based on the amount of preparation she invested.

[Gator]

This afternoon (Tuesday) daughter Kseniya defends her thesis at Moscow State University. It is a big and important day for her.

Yes it is a huge day!
 
Sounds like a smart and interesting young woman.
 
So what happened?

[mendeleyev]

Thank you, Gator!

She feels that it went very well. I'm so proud of her attitude and preparation...she has a desire to be the best at what she does.

[mendeleyev]

From the Mendeleyev Journal:

Approximately 30 Million was the death toll from 1941-1945 sustained across the Soviet Union and includes civilian and military casualties. Every year on 9 May the countries of the former Soviet Union observe Victory Day and if you've never been, this is the premier event of the year. It is almost equal to the New Year but is celebrated in a much different spirit of course.

This week preparations for the Russian festivities formally began as Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed an Executive Order On Awarding the Ushakov Medal to Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America. The list of foreign veterans decorated for their personal valour and courage during World War II while taking part in the northern convoys includes 190 Australian, New Zealand, and US citizens.




The Medal of Ushakov was a Soviet military award created on March 3, 1944 by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in honour of Russian admiral Fyodor Ushakov (1745–1817). During his life of service in the Navy Ushakov never lost a battle and after his death was proclaimed a patron saint of the Russian Navy.




(American and Russian/Soviet soldiers.)

[Anotherkiwi]

...This week preparations for the Russian festivities formally began as Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed an Executive Order On Awarding the Ushakov Medal to Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America. The list of foreign veterans decorated for their personal valour and courage during World War II while taking part in the northern convoys includes 190 Australian, New Zealand, and US citizens.

The Medal of Ushakov was a Soviet military award created on March 3, 1944 by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in honour of Russian admiral Fyodor Ushakov (1745–1817). During his life of service in the Navy Ushakov never lost a battle and after his death was proclaimed a patron saint of the Russian Navy.

We had a very interesting documentary on TV here last week, about the men of 151 Wing of the Royal Air Force, lead by Wing Commander Gynes Isherwood-Ramsbottom (I'm not kidding!), a New Zealander despite the very English name.  The two squadrons which made up this Wing delivered Hurricane fighters to the Soviet Air Force via the Murmansk convoys in 1941, and stayed for four months.  They fought against the Luftwaffe whilst training the locals, many of whom were already tremendously experienced pilots.
 
What was incredible about this mission was that four men, including the Wing Commander, were awarded the Order of Lenin.  They were the only British servicemen so honoured in the entire Second World War.  The only higher honours possible are the Order of Victory (awarded only to Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery) and Hero of the Soviet Union.
 
Read a good version of the story here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1181390/Stalins-British-heroes-The-discovery-forgotten-medal-reveals-extraordinary-courage-RAF-aces-fought-Soviet-Union.html
 
The documentary was made by the Wing Commander's great-nephew, who went to Murmansk a much easier way - 36 hours by train from Moscow!  It was shown here on April 25, which for those of us in New Zealand and Australia is known as ANZAC Day.  The acronym stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and the day is when we remember all those who have given their lives in the service of our countries.
 
The first services were held in 1915, remembering those who fell in the Boer War in South Africa as well as the first few months of World War 1.  Now we also remember those who never returned from other conflicts - World War 2, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars and, most recently, Afghanistan, where one of our peacekeepers died just two weeks earlier.   Many thousands turn out at ceremonies all around the country - this year's dawn service at the Auckland Cenotaph had 15,000 present, ranging from elderly veterans of the Second World War to babes in arms.
 
The most famous commemoration overseas is at Gallipoli in Turkey, where tens of thousands of (mainly young) New Zealanders and Australians gather together with locals to remember the horrendous military defeat of the Allied Forces in 1915, which was the catalyst for the original services.  Now it has grown far beyond anything those people could ever have imagined.

[mendeleyev]

AnotherKiwi, that sounds like a great program. Do you know if it is available as a link to view...perhaps from YouTube or one of the networks? I'd enjoy watching it as perhaps others too.

[Anotherkiwi]

AnotherKiwi, that sounds like a great program. Do you know if it is available as a link to view...perhaps from YouTube or one of the networks? I'd enjoy watching it as perhaps others too.

Sorry Mendeleyev, but it doesn't seem to be.  I can't find anything on YouTube and the network where it played, while free to air, is a subsidiary of our Sky channel.  Unlike our free to air networks it doesn't have an "on demand" service where you can watch programmes that you missed.
 
I'll give them a call today and see if I can find anything.

[Anotherkiwi]

I've spoken to the programming department at the TV network - unfortunately the documentary is not available for showing outside New Zealand.  Such a pity, as the subject matter was utterly fascinating, even if the presentation was not quite up to the standard of David Attenborough!
 
The only chance to see it now would be, I imagine, if someone was able to put it on YouTube.

[mendeleyev]

Thank you for checking.

I'm sure that someday it will be on YouTube.

[Lily]

The deeper into Russia, the bigger are the gators 

[Anotherkiwi]

The deeper into Russia, the bigger are the gators 

Forget the gators - how come the power poles are at such a crazy angle?  Or are the gators around Chelyabinsk ones which like to rub against power poles when they have an itch? 

[Vasilisa]

The deeper into Russia, the bigger are the gators 

you made my day!!!

[gabrielly]

I can tell about Russia,but not there.If someone wants to talk with me about Russia,write here  http://travelandate.com/gabriellali/profile

[mendeleyev]

One FSU wedding tradition is to visit places for toasts after the ZAGS ceremony and before the dinner party. For most Moscow couples that includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier just outside Red Square along the Aleksandr Gardens side of the Kremlin walls. Another popular spot is this one, the observation point on Moscow's Sparrow Hills. There are seven hills overlooking Moscow and not only is Sparrow Hills the home of Moscow State University, it is where many of the wealthiest of Moscow families reside.

So enjoy this video of a wedding couple and their dance with limo and toasts!





At the end of the video the crowd cheers горька (GOR-ka) meaning that the wine is bitter and naturally the only way to make wine taste sweet again is by long periods of kissing while the crowd cheers. You'll learn this custom at your wedding and frankly, all that kissing is a very cool tradition!


Things you may recognize if you've been to Moscow:

- You may be familiar with the location. This video was shot on the Sparrow Hills observation area looking down on the centre of Moscow and just across the road from the main entrance to Moscow State University.

- There is an active ski lift and you can see it to the right of the video in several shots.

- If you've watched the movie "A Driver for Vera" then you may recognize this spot.

- Luzhniki stadium, the largest of the Moscow venues built especially for the Olympic Games in 1980.

- To the left of the screen in several shots was the beautiful old Church of the Holy Trinity (green complex), a neoclassical gem.


Were you to be standing there yourself you would also have viewed the Smolensky Sobor (Smolensky Cathedral), a part of the famous and beautiful Novodevichy Convent that is located near the stadium. In the distance you'd have seen the new "Moscow City" business centre.

               

[erikmagenta]

I saw that video somewhere else and I was under the impression that those were Putin supporters??  Doing a challenge or whatever to people who don't like Putin?

Either way it is an amazing video!!  I love the music and the song--"Puttin on the Ritz".

If it was for a couple, they must be wealthy to afford that kind of a production!!

[mendeleyev]

I can understand why some might think so. It is quite a production, however it lacks all the aggressive signage, banners, and tagged clothing associated with a political campaign. It is also devoid of the typical horde of FSB handlers that are so obvious at a Putin event.

One of the most difficult parts of English for a Russian speaker to learn is the "ing" we put at the end of words. The Russian г ("geh") isn't used that way so it is common for Russian speakers to sound 'putting' as 'puttin" instead. Plus, I believe the original English version is "Puttin' on the Ritz."

You have a very good ear because there is a difference between PUTTIN and Putin if spoken correctly and so what you picked up is the accent of Russian speakers singing English. My take is that because of the accent what they're singing indeed sounds more like Putin that Puttin'.

On the other hand, for us English speakers to say Путин (Putin) correctly we need to clearly get the "Pooh-tin" (as in Winnie the Pooh) spoken correctly.
         

[erikmagenta]

This is the comment which I read before when I first saw this video which made me think it was some sort of flash mob in favor of Putin (the other reason is that I think they spelled it Putin with just one t :-))):

Because this video was produced by Putin as a propaganda vid and released two weeks before the elections. It had ALL the resources of the new version of the KGB but frankly Charlotte I don't give a damn , cause it rocks like a mofo !!!

pestleman1951 in reply to SupaPotterhead7 3 weeks ago

Now after watching it more carefully I am convinced that it was a surprise wedding present and celebration for the bride and groom, probably planned for and paid for by the groom himself who is probably a wealthy man.  I especially enjoyed hearing "Gorka" when they were kissing, which you told us to listen for!!  As in: (the wine is) bitter!! (you must kiss some more!!!)

Thanks very much for this really entertaining and excellent bit of Russian culture, mixed with the famous song Putting on the Ritz which most Americans have heard and loved for decades!!

[erikmagenta]

this comment also added to my speculation:

This is not a real flash mob. Nothing spontaneous in their actions, it was very well prepared and directed beforehand. Other than that, a vivid performance. "Putin molodyets" ("Putin is great!") instead of Putting on the Ritz is sung at the end, though. It was a political advertisement.

DeadnWoon 1 month ago

However this time I listened very carefully, and I could not hear Putin molodyets, I only heard Puttin' on the Ritz.

Somebody else made the comment that "it was better than waiting in a long line for toilet paper"   

And somebody else said that it was "Putin on the Fritz", as in Vladimir Putin breaking down...

I wonder, is he "breaking down", or break dancing to his victory :-)))