MARCH | 2007 | issue # 03 www.passportmagazine.ru Paradigm Shift for doing buSiness in russia iStanbul through russian eyeS one day when women can demand anything contents. Publisher’s Letter 2 reaL esTaTe wine & dine The bottom Line New international dimension Thomas Koessler 36-37 Foreign Passport holders to Moscow’s leading residential realtor 26 A Very Special 8th of March Recipe should read this! 4 for the Ladies 38 Editor’s Choice 6 Novikov’s latest creation stimulates What’s On in Moscow in February 8-9 palate 39 Moscow Museums and Galleries 10 Kids ‘n’ Culture 11 Venues 11 Cover sTory Serviced Apartments grow in number and variety as an alternative to Moscow Hotels 28-29 feaTure Asian Fusion Match 40-43 Asian Fusion 44 CommuniTy Toys for Nostalgia 50 One day when women Postcard from Belarus 50 can demand anything 12-15 Mac vs PC (Or Soar with the Eagles) 51 business Community listing 52 Leaders & Changes 16 Distribution list 53 Paradigm Shift for doing business ouT & abouT in Russia 17-19 Forum to highlight Russia-Singapore business ties 20 From the primordial religion of the great arT hisTory mother to sacred contemporary The silver age of russian art in the oriental art 30-31 pre-soviet period 21 Fighting Fit 32 TraveL performing arT Johnnie Walker Black Label Black Ball 54 Dancing the night away 54 CERBA & Russo-British joint meeting 55 IWC Evening of Excellence raises cash for charity 55 The LasT word Istanbul through russian eyes 22-25 80 Years Young 34-35 Eric Kraus 56 PASSPORT | MARCH | 2007 | issue # 03 .letter from the publisher GeNeral DiRector and PuBlisHeR John Ortega, 784-2834 [email protected] Editor-iN-CHIEF John Bonar, 959-2873, 8-96-544-8073 [email protected] Assistant Editor Anna Kulyagina, 959-227 [email protected] Arts and Entertainment Editor Marina sinitsyna, 959-2342 [email protected] WiNe and DiNing Editor Charles Borden [email protected] CONTRiBuTiNG eDiTOR Daniel Klein [email protected] n this issue we welcome back our Editor-in-Chief, John Bonar, after his sojourn in hospital BusiNess WRiTeR undergoing major surgery. He has bounced back as enthusiastic as ever and is pressing James Blake [email protected] ahead with our plans to develop Passport Magazine. I ContriButors Our cover story this month is on Ladies Day, the fabulous 8th of March, when women can James Alexander, Valeria Cheshko, Anne Coombes, demand anything, and usually get it! Ian Mitchell debuts in Passport Magazine with this topic. Natalia Dementeva, susan Hetherington, linda lippner, ian Mitchell, Olga slobodkina, Glenn Walters, James logan Thomas Koessler is a young Austrian chef who has made his mark on the Marriott Avrora COPY eDiTOR Hotel and in this issue he shares with us some of his ideas and motivations and offers a linda lippner mouth watering recipe for Ladies Day. Proof ReadeR We continue to explore the world of Arts and Entertainment and our Editor’s Choice, stephen lapeyrouse where Marina Sinitsyna selects the ‘must see’ items from our What’s On in Moscow in March Design is an essential review. lev Marzeev, 8-926-524-8645 [email protected] The continuing confusion over the registration of foreigners’ stays in Russia is explored PhotographeRs in the Bottom Line and in our Business Section, Andrew Logan charts the changing empha- liza Azarova sis in foreign investment in Russia. We preview the important Russia-Singapore Business [email protected] Jason Platt Forum which will take place on the 6th of March where Russian business leaders, politi- [email protected] cians and legislators will be exploring how Singapore an expertise and investors can ben- WebmasTeR efit Russia’s 21st century development. In Real Estate we look at how serviced apartments Alexey Timokhin are filling an accommodation gap in Moscow left by the 5,000 budget-priced hotel rooms [email protected] Advertising & Sales ManageR removed from the market under the city’s hotel renewal plan. Atif Qayum, linda Mills Our travel article takes us to Istanbul, that magical city on the Bosphorous, where Olga Accounting and legal serviCes Slobodkina looks at the ancient city through Russian eyes, giving a new perspective to this Vista Foreign Business support popular destination. Trubnaya str. 25/, Moscow, +7 (495) 933 7822 We are now into Lent, the period of pre-Easter fasting and Susan Hetherington reveals how the Anglican Church in Moscow is making this a special period of renewal. Nabi is an Asian Fusion restaurant which you can enjoy, provided you are not seeking a Lenten Menu. Unlike many restaurants who retain their customers with special Lenten Circulation 40,000. Readers 80, 000. Published by OOO Passport Magazine dishes in this season, Nabi stands aloof. All rights reserved This publication is registered by the Press Ministry The Last Word is provided by the outspoken and enthusiastic Russophile, Eric Kraus of No. 77-8639. 08.0.04 the Nikitsky Fund. editorial Address: Ozerkovskaya embankment, 50 Bldg. Office 55. 5th floor On that note we leave you to prepare for Spring. 115054 Moscow, Russia Tel: +7 (495) 959-2332, Tel: +7 (495) 959-2875 Tel: +7 (495) 959-227, Tel: +7 (495) 959-2873 John Ortega Fax: +7 (495) 22-2677 www.passportmagazine.ru Owner and Publisher PASSPORT | MARCH | 2007 | issue # 03 2 Бумага “Балет”. прекрасное исполнение PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IP_AdA4_Russian.indd 1 10-08-2005 14:52:03 .the bottom line yacheslav Postavnin, Deputy Head of the Federal Migration Service, was Vthe featured speaker at an AmCham briefing on Feb. 8. He spoke to a capacity audience of 250 members about the recent changes in the Russian Federation's migra- tion law. Passport was there to glean the lat- est on the registration process which has led to widespread confusion in its application. The 250 nervous and confused ex-pats and Russians (who work for companies em- ploying ex-pats) gathered to hear about the new rules that were enacted in mid-January relating to city registration of visas. During So- viet times in order to monitor, control and dis- courage free movement, a system of registra- tion was established whereby Soviet citizens were required to register if they moved to a foreign passporT hoLders new location. Russian’s still had to do that up until last year. The rule that was abolished last shouLd read This! year meant that Russians traveling from, say, Tver or St Petersburg to Moscow could stay up Mr Postavnin know at the AmCham event. main differences is that according to the to three business days and if they stayed lon- The event was quite timely as it was held prior practice it seems that the immigration ger they had to register with local authorities on a sort of emergency short notice basis, card and city registration stamps were only a document confirming they were staying in a mere one week after the enactment of relevant if one was “carded” on the street; someone’s apartment (it had to be in a land- some of the new regulations. As the new whereas the airport was only concerned if lord’s apartment not in a tenant’s apartment), rules were hardly understandable to anyone, the exiting passport holder had a valid non- or in a hotel. According to the revised law all those who tried to leave the country or expired visa and a valid entry stamp; even of last year that period is now three months comply with the new system were very frus- to the extent that the airport officials would for Russians, but still remains three working trated. This frustration was loudly vented at not be bothered if there was an absence of days for foreigners. So a Russian could come the meeting and Mr Postavnin and even Mr an immigration card. It seems that accord- to Moscow from another city for two months Somers were being attacked and criticized ing to most local legal experts, that exiting and 29 days, take a one day trip to a city 100 from all sides. The official was not the drafter foreigners were not checked to see if they kilometers from Moscow by train and return, of the new rules but was receiving the brunt were properly registered in the various cit- and then would reset the clock for another 3 of all complaints. He offered anyone to send ies that they traveled as of the date of entry months. Some claim that the easing of the re- a fax to his office with specific questions and into Russia. According to the new system striction for Russians is one reason that there complaints and that his office would try to however, it appears that the computer will has been a noticeable increase in the number address them. One attendee which did not show the exiting passport checker if the for- of Moscow inhabitants. The latest traffic swells attack either the Minister or Mr Somers went eigner had a good and clean chain of title are testimony of this new rule. so far as to spend over five minutes to thank (ie didn’t have any “city registration gaps” The new legislation basically regulates and recognize the courage of Mr Postavnin during their Russian sojourn). foreigners in Russia, their entry, their exit, for being brave enough to answer hard All Passport Magazine readers and for- and their right to work here. questions and respond to harsh criticism of eign passport holders are hereby advised to While the three day rule still applies to the new regime. pay close attention to the new rules, keep a foreigners, some would argue that foreign- A transcript of the meeting is available from watch on the local press, and ask their legal ers now have a more simplified procedure the chamber’s web site www.amcham.ru.