Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

NO. 51 (1843) САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГ-ТАЙМС WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2014 WWW.SPTIMES.RU JULIA REMIZOVA / FOR SPT / FOR JULIA REMIZOVA

Skaters slip and slide on the rink in Pionerskaya Ploschad set up as part of a holiday fair that opened on Dec. 19 and will remain open until Jan. 11. The city offi- THE IRONY OF SKATE cially opened the holiday season on Dec. 20 with the lighting of the tree in Dvortsovaya Ploschad as locals prepare for the upcoming New Year celebrations.

NEWS NEWS Will Russia’s Facebook Ban FEATURE Economic Woes How to Hurt Other Disappear Countries? Forever

The St. Petersburg Times learns how it’s done. Weakening ruble causes Social media website blocks Page 16. recession fears. Page 5. pro-Navalny page. Page 3. News www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 2 World’s Biggest Clock Unveiled ALL ABOUT TOWN Wednesday, Dec. 24 people regret their decision to come By Irina Titova English teachers looking to bring in and try to match their intellectual THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES the holidays with grammatical cor- prowess against yours. The official presentation of the world’s rectness are encouraged to attend biggest clock, which was made at Rus- the British Book Center’s EFL Saturday, Dec. 27 sia’s oldest watch-making factory Ra- Seminar this evening conducted by Get cultural and material simultane- keta located in St. Petersburg’s suburb Evgeniy Kalashnikov, the British ously during the free classical music Petrodvorets, was held in the famed Council regional teacher trainer. concert at the Galeria shopping mall Central Children’s Department Store Register for the event, which begins in the heart of the city. Starting at 7 in Moscow on Tuesday. at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon, on the p.m., shoppers and mallrats will be The clock will join the list of the Book Center’s website if you wish able to hear the sounds of Tchaik- world’s top five mechanical clocks such to attend. ovsky and Strauss softly lilt over the as London’s Big Ben, Moscow’s Krem- Better understand the Christmas constant buzz of people bustling from lin Clock, Prague’s Tower Clock and traditions of other countries at the store to store, trying to get their shop- Guangzhou’s Clock in China. Good Luck! Language and Tourism ping done before New Year. Center’s International Christmas Party this evening in their office at Sunday, Dec. 28 118 Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki. Prepare for the holidays at the The mirror surface of Master classes, songs and competi- “Russian Winter” New Year’s Fair the clock creates an tions will be held in three different on Moskovskaya Ploschad, which languages to teach about the most concludes today after starting on amazing optical effect, wonderful time of the year. Register Dec. 22. Games and attractions as for the free evening by calling 812 well as numerous performances will and visitors will see 454 0193. be occurring for those looking to their reflection change get into the spirit while numerous Thursday, Dec. 25 vendors will be on hand to make in the pendulum. Make this Christmas a slam-dunk sure you get something for every- and check out BC Zenit St. Peters- one on your list. Raketa’s new clock is six to seven burg take on Nizhny Novgorod this meters in diameter. It has 5,000 parts of evening at the Sibur Arena on Monday, Dec. 29 up to four meters in size and a pendu- Krestovsky Island near the under- Learn how the Swedes celebrate lum of 13 meters. construction Kirov Stadium at 8 p.m. Christmas, or julen, as they call it in The pendulum’s diameter is three Tickets are still available on the their land of ice and snow, during meters wide and it has a swing time of club’s website for as little as 200 ru- “Swedish Christmas” at the Ler- seven seconds. Its mirror surface cre- bles ($3.30). montov Children’s Library this af- ates an amazing optical effect and visi- Spend your yuletide with Oleg ternoon at 4 p.m. Activities explain- tors to the store will be able to see their Basilashvili this evening at the Con- ing and demonstrating Sweden’s own reflection changing within the cert Hall near Finland Station on Ar- cultural traditions will be accompa- movement of the pendulum. senalnaya Naberezhnaya 13/1. The nied by traditional dishes and The weight of the mechanism, which legendary film and stage actor will sweets. is made of gold, aluminum, steel, cop- chat with fans, tell stories and share

per and brass, is five tons. The working FOR SPT memories of an extensive career that Tuesday, Dec. 30 mechanism is unique, as there are no Raketa’s new clock is six to seven meters in diameter, with a pendulum of 13 meters. has earned him acclaim throughout Today is the final day of the Christ- clocks in the world that have gear Russia. mas Market at the Europolis shop- wheels of such enormous size, the pany received from Gals Development Petrodvorets Watch Factory Ra- ping center on Polyustrovsky pros- press-service of Raketa said. is very important for the plant. keta was founded by Russian tsar Pe- Friday, Dec. 26 pekt. Get cannibalistic with your The manufacturers of the unique “All our team is proud of this proj- ter the Great in 1721, although it Celebrate Boxing Day by boxing in sweet tooth by chowing down on clock hope it will be seen as a work of ect, and we hope the clock will be a his- didn’t have the name of Raketa at your opponents on various game some gingerbread men, or attend art and one of Moscow’s leading toric one,” Jacques von Polier said. that time. It is one of the rare watch- boards during the British Book one of the master classes that can sights. The Central Children’s Department making factories in the world that Center’s Board Game Evening to- teach you about how to make beau- French businessman Jacques von Store, which is currently in its final produces all the components of its night at 5 p.m. Spread the Christmas tiful, festive decorations for your Polier, creative director of Raketa, said stage of reconstruction, is set to re- models, including hair-springs and cheer and goodwill by making other tree using only your hands. the order for the clock that the com- open next year. escapements. Kadyrov Names Islamic Militants Russian Senator: Use Disease That Must Be Destroyed Beets Instead of Lipstick By Allison Quinn Kadyrov, who soon took to Instagram that there was no need for violence in THE MOSCOW TIMES “In such a situation, the less peo- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES to declare that the family members of Chechnya today because, unlike in the A Russian senator has advised ple think about the foreign currency, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has militants should be held liable for fail- 1990s, it now offers inhabitants peace women to start using beetroot to the better for them — their health will described the Islamic militants that ing to stop the attack. and stability. Anyone who seeks vio- color their lips instead of lipstick to be stronger,” Chernyshev was cited as plague his republic as an incurable dis- Reports of subsequent arson attacks lence there, he said, is simply “going avoid the high price of imported saying, adding that “in such an unsta- ease, in comments to the Izvestia news- on several homes of people with sus- against Islam, his own people and the cosmetics. ble situation there is a great risk of paper, saying that the only way to deal pected ties to the militants thrust Kady- law” and will be “severely punished” “Well, if you really want to color making the people mentally ill.” with them is to destroy them. rov into the spotlight and pitted him for it. you lips — why not beets? They’re In the current conditions, he said, Emphasizing that Chechen authori- against the republic’s human rights activ- Chechen authorities are generally natural, no chemicals will wind up in it is necessary to come up with an al- ties have their own house in order, ists, who themselves then suffered an ar- known for taking a harder line with your body,” Igor Chernyshev, the ternative solution for companies who Kadyrov said the masterminds of a son attack on their offices in Grozny. militants than authorities in neighbor- deputy chairman of the Federation import goods to Russia that aren’t deadly Dec. 4 terrorist attack on Grozny In comments to Izvestia, Kadyrov ing Dagestan, where the insurgency is Council’s Social manufactured were from neighboring Dagestan and repeated earlier claims that the activ- estimated to be larger and much more Policy Commit- domestically. Ingushetia, not Chechnya. ists who came under attack had been active but authorities have tried tee, told regional Radio station “The number [of remaining terror- working for the U.S. State Department “softer” tactics in the war on terror, news portal Re- ‘In such a situation, Govorit Moskva, ists] changed, of course, after we de- and helping terrorists in order to desta- such as a rehabilitation program for in- gions.ru last the less people think or Moscow stroyed 20 shaitans [devils]. So about bilize Chechnya, saying they “should surgents. week. Speaks, reported 30 militants now remain. … Now we be driven out of Russia.” The program, which sought to re- “And our about the foreign on Dec. 14 that have information that those militants The outspoken leader also implied turn young men from the insurgency women will look certain stores had that got into Grozny came through the that Chechnya’s neighboring republics and reintegrate them into society, was more beautiful currency, the better begun pricing border with Ingushetia. We are check- were the real source of the Islamic in- thought to be relatively successful, but in lingerie from for them,’ goods in foreign ing Chechen territory, protecting it, and surgency in its current iteration. it was abolished when Kremlin-backed a Moscow fac- currencies to this process is practically never-ending. “Earlier, the danger was on the side Ramazan Abdulatipov took the reins tory than in Chernyshev said. avoid losses from In the forests and the mountains we of Chechnya, but now, as it turns out, of the republic in January 2013. French [under- the ruble’s pre- have our fighters working, regularly we have to look after our neighbors as Kadyrov also opened up about wear],” the lawmaker added. cipitous devaluation of about 40 per- carrying out ambushes,” Kadyrov said. well. I think that by using joint efforts what many have described as his “spe- Chernyshev’s styling tips came in cent against the U.S. dollar this year. “But what has happened has hap- with Dagestan and Ingushetia, we will cial” relationship with President response to news that small business Alexei Nemeryuk, the head of pened. Maybe we underestimated them be able to manage,” he said. Vladimir Putin, a relationship which association Opora Rossii might ask the city’s department of trade and or became too calm, relaxed, and for us As for what the interviewer de- saw the president appear to defend authorities to legalize pegging the services, denounced the practice, this is a big lesson. We can’t relax as scribed as the more “liberal” policies Kadyrov at his recent press confer- price of certain products to foreign calling it impermissible and against long as these devils are on the territory used against terrorists in Dagestan and ence against journalists critical of currencies — a move which would the law. of the Caucasus,” he said. Ingushetia, Kadyrov said such practices Kadyrov’s policies. see considerable price hikes in Rus- Russia’s Economic Development Fourteen policemen were killed in as rehabilitating militants could not “If I found out that there was some- sia, where inflation is raging due to Ministry also expressed disapproval the Dec. 4 attack, along with more than work because “they are sick.” one more devoted to Putin than me, I’d this year’s drastic devaluation of the for the move, saying it “confuses con- a dozen of the militants. Another 36 “They can’t be cured, they can only lose respect for myself,” Kadyrov said ruble. sumers” more than anything else. people were injured, according to be destroyed,” Kadyrov said, noting in comments carried by Izvestia. The St. Petersburg Times | www.sptimes.ru NEWS Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 3

IN BRIEF TV Channel Backtracks Facebook Bans Navalny Event Page ■ MOSCOW (SPT) — Russia’s state- By Alexey Eremenko owned Channel One conceded that THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES one of its most hair-raising reports Facebook complied with an official re- about Ukraine could have been a quest to ban a page in support of Rus- “sick fantasy.” sia’s leading opposition activist, trigger- In July, Russia’s most-watched ing a wave of censorship allegations. channel reported that the Ukrainian Prosecutors asked a judge on Dec. army had crucified a 3-year-old boy in 19 to jail Alexei Navalny for a decade Slovyansk, after the city was recap- on financial charges that his supporters tured from pro-Russian insurgents. claim were fabricated in retribution for The story was told on camera by a his scathing attacks on President Vladi- woman claiming to have been a refu- mir Putin and his inner circle. gee from Slovyansk, who demon- A Facebook page was promptly set strated a suspiciously insecure grasp up calling for a rally in Navalny’s sup- on the city’s layout. port. More than 12,000 people said The woman’s identity was never they were going as of Dec. 20, Interfax verified, and no independent proof is reported. available for the story. However, the Prosecutor General’s President Vladimir Putin was Office was equally prompt in request- asked about the story by journalist ing the page to be blocked in Russia. Ksenia Sobchak during his press con- The ban was enforced on Dec. 20, a ference last week. spokesman for the state media and In- Channel One presenter Irada ternet censorship watchdog, Roskom- Zeinalova conceded during a news nadzor, told Interfax. program on Sunday that the channel The page called for an “unsanc- had no evidence to back up the story. tioned” rally, the spokesman said. Since But she was unrepentant, accusing last February, websites in Russia have the Ukrainian army of committing been able to be blocked for such calls. many other comparable atrocities in The rally was not unsanctioned in

Ukraine’s war-torn Luhansk and Do- the sense of having been prohibited by / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS BOGOMOLOV.PL netsk regions. authorities, as the organizers have not Navalny, left, at a 2013 rally in Moscow. A Facebook page for an upcoming rally in his support was taken down by the website Sunday. yet applied for a permit, prominent op- position lawyer Artyom Fayzulin wrote Russia failed to return repeated re- the Middle East between 2010 and 2012. as the leader of large-scale anti-Krem- Bad Kitty on Facebook on Sunday. quests for comment on Sunday. However, authorities of affected coun- lin protests that swept Moscow be- Though Russian censorship law is The social network made a mistake tries had at the time preferred to block tween 2011 and 2013. ■ MOSCOW (SPT) — A female ti- technically limited to Russia, the Rus- that is “horrible precedent and bad for access to unwanted content themselves He has since faced four criminal ger released into the wild by President sian watchdog also demanded that business,” former U.S. ambassador to rather than have Facebook do it. cases and three defamation lawsuits, Vladimir Putin in the spring has Ukrainian news website Gordonua. Russia Michael McFaul wrote on his Navalny, a whistleblower who and is under house arrest, though that adapted to life in Russia, showing no com kill a story about the rally, by own Facebook page. claims to have uncovered billions of has not stopped his activism. desire to follow its littermates to threatening to ban the site in Russia. Facebook proved to be a crucial in- dollars’ worth of corruption among Pu- Another, yet-unblocked Facebook China and instead gorging on wild Facebook has so far kept silent on strument in organizing protests during a tin’s affiliates — though none of it has page for a rally in his support had 14,000 swine. the issue. A company spokesperson in wave of revolutions in North Africa and been confirmed in courts — emerged followers as of Sunday afternoon. Ilona the Amur tigress has settled in the Khingansky nature reserve in the far-eastern Amur region, the re- serve said on its website. Ilona has also killed at least three Putin Sure of Russian Recovery at News Conference times in the past two weeks, with all the victims being wild piglets. One did By Ivan Nechepurenko bound to bounce back, and that the cur- tinue the analogy, sometimes I think Ramzan Kadyrov vowed that families not even have time to wake up, as it THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES rent state of affairs will be behind us that maybe it would be best if our bear of terrorists in the republic would be was killed in its sleep. Beaming confidence and exuding a soon, with two years being the worst just sat still. Maybe he should stop deported and their houses would be The territory taken over by the big readiness to deflect blame, President case scenario. chasing pigs and boars around the taiga razed to the ground. Afterward, activ- cat was previously inhabited by a pack Vladimir Putin refrained from seizing But every cloud has its silver lining. and start picking berries and eating ists claimed that a number of homes of wolves who were forced to migrate, the opportunity to announce any The plummeting price of oil has given honey. Maybe then he will be left alone. were burned to the ground, many with the report said. It was unclear whether sweeping policy reforms with regard to Russia impetus to diversify its econ- But no, he won’t be! Because someone links to the alleged militants. their expulsion was violent. Russia’s economic crisis during his an- omy, something that it hasn’t managed will always try to chain him up. As soon Putin said at the news conference Ilona is part of a litter of five nual news conference on Dec. 18. to do for the past two decades owing to as he’s chained they will tear out his that Kadyrov’s comments had been parentless cubs found in the taiga two Hundreds of journalists from across the fact that oil extraction has tradi- teeth and claws,” he said. “emotional,” adding that the relatives years ago and nursed at a tiger rehab Russia and around the globe attended tionally proven more lucrative than In essence, Russia was forced to of terrorists are often aware of their center in Russia’s Far East. the event, many of whom were relatively other business endeavors, Putin said. adopt a more assertive stance in the in- loved ones’ plans. Amur tigers — the biggest cats in assertive with their questions this year. Putin asserted that Russia’s financial ternational arena, and was accordingly Still, the government must check if the world, along with Bengali tigers In the past, the atmosphere has of- recovery is linked to the global econ- driven to revamp its military forces. any people have been illegally forced — are an endangered species, with ten been sympathetic, spurring specu- omy, which he is confident will surge in to leave the republic, or if their houses only 450 estimated remaining. lation that questions had been selected the coming years, in turn creating an in- have been burnt down, Putin said. in advance. But this year’s reporters creased demand for energy resources. He went on to praise one of his tended to veer between the neutral and He praised the government’s han- ‘In the past, the closest allies, Igor Sechin, referring Oh, Deer the negative, with Ukraine agency UN- dling of the crisis thus far, admitting atmosphere has been to him as an “effective manager,” IAN’s Roman Tsymbalyuk brazenly that some measures — perhaps with though noting that he “doesn’t know” ■ MOSCOW (SPT) — Animal rights asking: “How many Russian service- reference to the Central Bank’s interest sympathetic... But this what he earns for running Rosneft. activists have been detained after men and units of equipment have you rate hike on Monday — could have Sechin won a lawsuit against Russia’s staging a creative protest in central sent there, and how many of them have been adopted more quickly. He also year’s reporters leading business newspaper Vedomo- Moscow that involved locking them- been killed in Ukraine? What would said the government must do a better tended to be between sti in August over an editorial that selves in a cage with a reindeer at a you as the commander-in-chief say to job tackling spiraling inflation, espe- implied he had the capacity to unlaw- holiday display on Tverskoi Bulvar. the families of the Russian servicemen cially in terms of gasoline and food. neutral and negative.’ fully influence state officials due to From inside the cage of Rudolph and officers killed in Ukraine?” his proximity to President Putin. Ear- the reindeer on Sunday, the activists During the event, Putin reiterated IT’S ALL THE WEST’S FAULT The situation in Ukraine was dis- lier Sechin also successfully sued unfurled banners reading: “We de- his view that the current economic crisis With regard to foreign affairs, Putin’s cussed at length with Putin largely dodg- Forbes Russia and daily newspaper mand that the animals be returned to — which has seen the ruble plummet message was consistently anti-Western. ing Tsymbalyuk’s question, which as- Komsomolskaya Pravda for referring normal conditions!” and “Animals over 45 percent against the U.S. dollar He accused the West of attempting to sumed the presence of Russian troops to him as Russia’s highest-paid CEO, are not decorations, stop abusing since January and is expected to spur contain Russia and crush its national and weapons in Ukraine’s turbulent east. and estimating that he earned $50 them!” inflation to 10 percent by the year’s end interests. He expressed his desire to see peace in million annually. The reindeer was on display as part — is only temporary and will end “in- “After the fall of the Berlin Wall Ukraine once again. “I hope that by en- Putin dismissed the possibility of a of a Christmas exhibition called evitably” within two years maximum. and the breakup of the Soviet Union, gaging in dialogue — and we are ready to palace coup in Russia, saying that he de- “Magical Forest,” which opened on With equal aplomb, Putin made Russia opened itself to our partners. assume the role of intermediaries in this rives his legitimacy from the Russian Tverskoi Bulvar in mid-December. clear his resolve not to cower to the What did we see? Direct and fully respect — we will succeed in establishing people themselves: “There are no pal- Apart from the reindeer, other ani- West, echoing his usual mantra that fledged support for terrorism in the a direct political dialogue, and by em- aces in Russia, thus there cannot be a mals taking part in the holiday display NATO and the U.S. provoked Russia, North Caucasus. They directly sup- ploying such methods and political in- palace coup.” include geese, roosters, a goat, a sheep first by expanding eastward and then ported terrorism, you understand? Is struments we will reach a settlement and The president went on to explain and an owl, Dozhd television reported by staging a coup in Kiev in February, that what partners usually do? I won’t restore a single political space,” he said. that there is a fine line between patri- late Sunday. overthrowing Ukraine’s former regime go into details on that, but this is an es- He expressed optimism that Ukrainian otic dissenters who are driven by a love The activists protesting the display to advance Western interests. tablished fact. And everyone knows President Petro Poroshenko wants peace for their own country, and members of were soon detained and transported Don’t Blame Me for Ruble’s Plight it,” he said, when asked about the eco- as well, noting that Poroshenko isn’t the the “fifth column” who work with other to a police station, where they faced Economy-related issues and the ru- nomic consequences of Crimea. only one making decisions in Kiev. states’ interests in mind. Putin failed to administrative fines. ble crisis took center stage throughout More recently, “unprecedented and provide a modern example to demon- The organizer of the holiday event the conference. Putin essentially de- clearly orchestrated attempts were LOYALTY AND LOVE strate his point. said in comments carried by the Rus- fended his own performance, saying made [by Western journalists] to dis- Putin took advantage of the occasion But it wasn’t all stern talk of eco- sian News Service after the incident the government would adopt measures credit our efforts to organize and host to reiterate his unwillingness to cover nomic resilience and national pride. On that she intended to file a complaint that had already been proven effective the Olympics,” he said. for his friends at the helms of Russian a surprisingly intimate note, Putin said with police over the activists’ stunt, during the 2008 financial crisis. He compared Russia’s aspiration of regions and state-run companies. that he is in love with someone who since they had allegedly fed the rein- He reiterated on several occasions preserving its nationhood to a bear de- In the aftermath of a 4 Dec. terror loves him back, and that he remains on deer a carrot. during the event that the economy is fending his turf. “You see, if we con- attack on Grozny, Chechen leader good terms with his ex-wife Lyudmila. 4 ❖ Wednesday, December 24, 2014 NEWS www.sptimes.ru | The St. Petersburg Times Insurgents Pledge Their Loyalty to Islamic State

By Allison Quinn from Syria, and how well-equipped THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES they are to bypass security mea- The leaders of the Caucasus Emir- sures, said Georgy Engelhardt, an ate’s Dagestan network have pledged independent expert on Islam. their loyalty to the Islamic State — at As for Dagestan’s Islamic insur- once defying the organization’s gents who have voiced loyalty to leader, putting to bed rumors of the Islamic State, Engelhardt said, group’s waning relevance and per- there will be “some activation on haps spelling disaster for Russia’s se- their part, though not exclusively curity services, which have sought to against civilians.” stop the spread of radical Islam in the “Major terror attacks against turbulent republic. Muslim civilians are unlikely, but

SSAVOSTYANOV / FLICKR SSAVOSTYANOV The Dagestan network is the most attacks against non-Muslims are a With colder weather rapidly approaching, relief organizations are scrambling to provide necessary goods and services. active branch within the Caucasus different issue,” he said. Emirate, an organization that seeks Varvara Pakhomenko, an inde- to establish an independent Islamic pendent expert on the North Cauca- emirate in Russia’s predominantly sus for the International Crisis Group, Muslim republics and expel Russian agreed that the Dagestani leaders’ Winter Afflicts East Ukraine authorities from the region. vows to al-Baghdadi could result in By Alexey Eremenko More than 20 people have starved Red Cross withdrew from eastern In a video released late Friday, “more brutal actions” from fighters in THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES to death in the separatist-held zones so Ukraine due to the violence, with one head of the Dagestan branch Abu the North Caucasus, with a “possible “Winter is coming.” The words of far, former rebel commander Igor staffer killed there in October. The or- Muhammad and one of the branch’s renewal of terrorist actions against the doom from the hit TV series “Game of Strelkov claimed in an article for the ganization’s activity in the region re- top commanders in Makhachkala, civilian population.” Thrones” spell as much danger for war- Novorossia news agency in December. sumed just this month, when it finally Abu Muhammad Agachaulsky, “Kebekov, while he doesn’t for- torn eastern Ukraine as they do for the Relief efforts remain ongoing: Aside seemed like a cease-fire agreed in Sep- took an oath to Islamic State leader bid men in the Caucasus from going fictional land of Westeros, according to from the Red Cross, Russia has tember was being observed. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and called to fight in Syria, speaks very nega- a senior official at the International mounted 10 humanitarian convoys, and The Red Cross has delivered food, on all insurgents in the republic to tively about Islamic State leader al- Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). pro-Kiev Donetsk tycoon Rinat hygiene supplies and medical items, follow suit. Baghdadi and advises those in the People in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Akhmetov has also been sending aid. glass and roofing to repair apartments The pair’s pivot toward the Is- North Caucasus who have sworn Luhansk regions lack the basic necessi- But those efforts are mired in con- damaged by the artillery fire, and even lamic State flies in the face of the allegiance to the Islamic State to go ties to get them through the cold sea- troversy: Pro-Kiev volunteer fighters, body bags for the Donetsk morgue. leader of the Caucasus Emirate, to Syria,” Pakhomenko said. son, said Pascal Cuttat, a Swiss national for example, stopped an Akhmetov They have loftier goals, such as Aliaskhab Kebekov, who has been “Kebekov has more moderate who heads the ICRC regional delega- convoy from entering the rebel-held vouchers and even cash donations for openly critical of Islamic State tac- policies, trying to win over support tion in Moscow. zone earlier this week. residents, Cuttat said. tics and famously called for an end from the local population, which “They lack the basic necessities — Delivery of humanitarian aid will “This way they would be able to buy to all violence against civilians. In a has become especially relevant for tap water, power, heating, hygiene only be allowed in exchange for the re- the necessities and not depend on sign that not all of Dagestan’s insur- the underground insurgency re- items,” he told The St. Petersburg lease of Ukrainian prisoners of war — someone else deciding what they need gents support Kebekov’s more cently, when there is such a mass Times in an exclusive interview. at the rate of two soldiers per truck — for them,” said the nine-fingered Red moderate line, Agachaulsky and exodus of fighters to Syria,” she The ICRC, along with the local Red the volunteers said, Akhmetov’s hu- Cross veteran, who has spent the past Muhammad follow in the footsteps said. Cross branches, has helped 10,000 peo- manitarian fund reported. 23 years working with the Swiss-based of Khasavyurt insurgent com- The recent attack in Chechnya ple in the area and 40,000 displaced in And as for the Russian convoys, organization. mander Suleiman Zailanabidov, was Kebekov’s policies in action, Crimea. Another 13,000 displaced in Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko But the ICRC has allocated only 6.9 who took a vow of allegiance to al- she said, with victims limited almost southern Russia and Belarus will re- said Tuesday that Russia was using million Swiss francs ($7 million) for Baghdadi in late November. exclusively to members of law en- ceive ICRC assistance in the near fu- them to ship fuel for rebel tanks, a Ukraine next year. Even with funds The news hints at a major rift forcement. ture, Cuttat said. claim that official Moscow has denied. from the organization’s in-country within the ranks of Caucasus Emir- Now, with Dagestan’s top insur- But this is nowhere near sufficient: Echoing persistent media allega- branches factored in, this is not enough. ate fighters, as several leaders have gent leaders throwing those more United Nations figures from mid-De- tions, Poroshenko also accused rebel But for the ICRC to contribute to spoken out against the especially moderate policies out the window, cember put the number of internally leaders of looting and hoarding the hu- humanitarian operations — i.e. Rus- brutal tactics used by Islamic State the landscape of militant activity in displaced Ukrainians at 540,000, with manitarian help. sian convoys — all sides need to agree fighters and expressed disapproval the republic is expected to drasti- another 560,000 refugees having left Cuttat said he could not confirm any on technical aspects of this process, of their actions. cally change. the country. looting, but found the insurgency lead- Cuttat said. He declined to predict Kebekov made waves this sum- “There’s a strong likelihood that A pro-Russian insurgency controls ers willing to work with the Red Cross when or if that would happen. mer by calling on militants to re- financial support for the Islamic a part of the Donetsk and Luhansk re- on the relief effort. “Part of the problem is that some- frain from hurting civilians in at- State will grow on the part of Dag- gions, including several big cities with a The Red Cross examined the first times, you mount what you think is a tacks, announcing an abolition to estan’s insurgency,” Pakhomenko combined prewar population of about convoy back in August, confirming that post-conflict effort, and it turns out to the “black widow” practice that said, a development which would 1.8 million. it only carried relief goods. be an in-between-conflicts effort,” Cut- saw the wives of dead militants likely see a spike in the extortion But the motley crews of rebels have But the organization was not in- tat said. carry out suicide bombings. Such schemes that militants there are so far struggled to organize a functioning volved with subsequent shipments be- “But if the violence does not resume, bombings have been devastating known for. government and pay pensions or salaries cause those convoys were not autho- the humanitarian emergency may be re- for ordinary Russians on more than Add that to the potential home- — so much so that famine looms. rized by official Kiev. solved within months,” he said. one occasion, including in both the coming of militants who’ve gone to

ADVERTISING Moscow metro bombings of 2010 Syria and returned with “significant and last year’s Volgograd attacks. battle experience, connections and Whether or not the shift toward more radical views on Islamist ide- the Islamic State means that more ology,” she said, and the security such attacks are on the horizon de- services will have their work cut out pends on how many fighters return for them. ALEXANDER POPOV / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS ALEXANDER POPOV Makhachkala, capital of Dagestan and home to a Caucasus Emirate network. Business www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 5 Will Russia’s Recession Go Beyond its Borders? By Delphine d’Amora Belarus last month cut its growth THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES forecast for 2014 from 2 percent to 0.2- As the clouds of recession gather over 0.7 percent due to Russia’s economic Moscow, Russia isn’t the only one pre- downturn, state news agency BelTA paring for a storm. quoted Belarussian Economy Minister Russia’s economic crisis announced Nikolai Snopkov as saying. itself to the world last week, when the About 10 percent of Kazakhstan’s collapse of the Russian ruble sent GDP is exposed to Russia, according spasms through currency markets across to the EBRD, but Kazakhstan has Central Asia and Eastern Europe. larger concerns. Some post-Soviet neighbors have al- “The oil price is much more impor- ready taken action to insulate them- tant than Russian performance by itself selves. Belarus on Monday temporarily [for Kazakhstan],” said Oleg Kuzmin, closed all over-the-counter currency ex- economist for Russia and the CIS at changes, adding to a 30 percent commis- Renaissance Capital. sion on purchases of foreign currency announced last week. Kyrgyzstan has CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL also closed down private exchange of- ASIA fices in an effort to protect its currency. While Kazakhstan’s $224 billion econ- Switzerland was the first European omy can weather a blow of two from country to act, last week placing a nega- without, many of its smaller Central tive interest rate on deposit accounts in Asian neighbors are not so lucky. an attempt to protect the Swiss franc’s These countries rely heavily on re- exchange rate from capital fleeing Rus- mittances, often via money transfers, sia and other emerging markets. from migrant workers in Russia. Further afield, the European bank- Remittances account for 29 percent ing system is looking on warily, as some of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP and a full 49 per- of its member nations have substantial cent of Tajikistan’s, according to the Russia exposure. EBRD. Armenia, Uzbekistan and

As low oil prices, Western sanctions Georgia, as well as nearby Moldova, SPT ALEXANDER BELENKY / FOR over the crisis in Ukraine and systemic depend on remittances too. Russia’s economic woes are likely to cause problems far beyond its own borders, especially in Belarus and Central Asia. internal problems push Russia into a But as economic activity drops, likely recession next year, neighboring there are less jobs to be had, and the pany Capital Economics said in a re- demand and, in Poland’s case, exports in the Russian banking system would economies will have their own host of ruble’s fall of more than 40 percent port late last week. to Germany, Jackson said. transfer to Europe and trampoline economic difficulties to contend with. agains the U.S. dollar this year means The Baltic states — which comprise from there to the world economy. Here are the countries that will feel that migrant workers’ wages are now Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — are EUROPE AND BEYOND Several European banks, such as the heat of Russia’s economic crisis in worth less in their home country. particularly vulnerable, as is Poland. Europe’s ties with Russia are nothing France’s Societe Generale, Italy’s Uni- 2015. The outflow of remittances from The Baltics all send between 10 and 20 to sniff at. The European Union is Rus- Credit and Austria’s Raiffeisen, have Russia to Central Asia shrank in the percent of their merchandise exports to sia’s biggest source of foreign direct in- significant Russia exposure. But so far, EURASIAN ECONOMIC first quarter of this year for the first Russia, while Poland sells more than 5 vestment and biggest trade partner, although these individual banks have UNION time since 2009, according to the percent of its exports there, the Econo- with 336 billion euros ($412 billion) of seen their share prices fall, there has Two countries stand out for their close EBRD. mist Intelligence Unit (EIU) reported. trade in 2012. been little transfer to their countries’ economic and political ties with Russia: The International Monetary Fund “A Russian recession could, in a bad As the Russian economy grinds to a real economies, according to the EIU. Belarus and Kazakhstan, who earlier this in October forecast that economic scenario, cause growth in the Baltics to halt, Western companies with Russia In short, Russia’s slowdown will have year signed an agreement to create the growth in the Caucasus and Central slow from around 2-3 percent to around exposure are scaling back business or its victims regionally, but on a global Eurasian Economic Union with Russia. Asia will slow to 5.5 percent in 2014-15, 1 percent. … It’s a significant headwind, cutting down on planned investments, scale economists expect the blowback Although the union is widely viewed down from 6.6 percent in 2013, largely but not a disaster,” Capital Economics Reuters reported last week. to be contained. Russia makes up just as a power play by Russia, the two post- due to slowing economic growth in analyst William Jackson told The St. Pe- On a global scale, the biggest hypo- 2.7 percent of world GDP and about 1.7 Soviet neighbors have undeniably Russia. tersburg Times. Both Poland and the thetical threat emanating from Mos- percent of world trade, according to strong ties with the Russian economy. Oil importers will be hit particularly Baltics are buffered by strong domestic cow is the possibility that a meltdown Capital Economics. About half of Belarussian GDP is hard, with growth falling from 5.6 per- tied to the Russian economy via trade, cent in 2013 to 4.5 percent next year, remittances and banking assets, the the IMF said. European Bank of Reconstruction and Former Minister Predicts Economic Woe Development (EBRD) said in a report CENTRAL AND EASTERN in September. EUROPE By Ivan Nechepurenko The comment enraged Medvedev, According to Belarus’ Foreign Min- Moving west, formerly Soviet countries THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES who suggested that Kudrin should resign. istry, Russia accounts for more than 40 with significant exports to Russia and Alexei Kudrin, former finance minister Since then, experts and pundits percent of Belarussian exports and Ukraine are the next in line to take a and one of President Vladimir Putin’s have speculated that Kudrin, who now more than half of its imports. hit from Russia’s impending recession. closest allies, predicted that the Rus- leads the Civic Initiatives Committee, a This high exposure leaves Belarus Central and Eastern Europe could sian economy will contract for the next think tank and nongovernment advo- vulnerable to declining consumer lose 0.3 to 1 percent of GDP growth two years and offered his own plan on cacy group, might replace Medvedev as spending power in Russia, a weakness next year due to slowing growth in how to alleviate the crisis at a news Russia’s prime minister. that has already taken its toll. Russia, macroeconomic research com- conference in Moscow on Monday. One of the long-time leaders of the Kudrin, who served as finance min- Russian opposition, Grigory Yavkin- ister from 2000 to 2011, steered clear of sky, went so far as to advocate Kudrin’s announcing any political ambitions but candidacy for the post of prime minis- Russia Struggles to Control sharply criticized the government of ter this December.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. RAZUMNY / VEDOMOSTI YEVGENY Kudrin has repeatedly dismissed “If oil prices go up to $80 per barrel, Ex-Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin. such rumors, focusing instead on offer- then GDP [gross domestic product] ing his own recovery plan for Russia’s Mortgage Interest Rates will go down by 2 percent or more next worked with Putin in the St. Peters- economy at Thursday’s conference. THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES has fallen 40 percent against the U.S. year. If the price stays at $60 per barrel, burg city administration — refrained Russia must find a way to compro- Russian authorities are mobilizing to dollar since January. the economy will contract by at least 4 from offering any direct criticism of mise with Western nations in order to clamp down on spiraling mortgage If the regulator keeps rates high, percent,” he said. the president, saying instead that he shake off the effects of the sanctions, costs as a looming recession erodes real mortgage interest rates will likely rise to For the first time since Putin came “understands the challenges that Rus- Kudrin said. wages and threatens to hammer home- 18-20 percent, online newspaper Gazeta. to power at the end of 1999, Russians sia is facing now, but he [Putin] prob- “Our partners within the BRICS na- buyers. ru cited the managing partner of Inter- will face a drop in their standards of ably does not have the full informa- tions are able to maintain their coun- Following the Central Bank’s bid to mark Savills as saying last week. living, according to Kudrin. tion yet.” tries’ sovereignty without cutting them- strengthen the flagging ruble by hiking Russia’s Housing Ministry on Mon- “People’s real incomes will go down During his annual news conference selves off from the outside world,” he the interest rate 7.5 percent earlier this day called on regional authorities to by 2-5 percent,” he said. last week, Putin radiated confidence, said, apparently referring to a comment month, rates on home loans have risen find ways to shield citizens from in- Inflation will have already reached saying that Russia would overcome the Putin had made earlier saying that the between 12 and 13 percent to an aver- creased costs and suggested creating a 9.4 percent by the year’s end, according economic storm in two years’ time in economic storm is the price Russia has age of from 15 to 16 percent, Maxim state-run “development institute” to to Russia’s state statistical service Ross- the worst-case scenario. to pay for its independence as a nation. Morozov, managing partner of real es- funnel money into housing construc- tat, and inflation is likely to reach 15 At the same time, Kudrin criticized Russia also has to improve the tate firm M9 Development, told the tion and mortgage lending, according percent next year, Kudrin predicted. the prime minister’s Cabinet for not structure of its budget, Kudrin said, Vedomosti newspaper. to news agency RIA Novosti. Worse yet, Russia’s credit rating will be taking the measures to fight the crisis spending more on health care, educa- Russia’s biggest lender Sberbank Last week President Vladimir Putin downgraded to junk, he said. “swiftly enough.” tion and infrastructure. said Monday that it would charge inter- asked banks not to raise rates and said Russia will import 40 percent less Kudrin quit the government over a Most of all, Russia has to shake off est of 14.5 to 16 percent on mortgages the government should help mortgage foreign goods, which will contribute to public argument with then-President its oil dependency by dramatically im- from Dec. 22, the Interfax news agency lenders. Russian lawmakers have said the ruble’s stabilization. Russia’s cur- Medvedev in 2011. During an interview proving the investment climate, he said. reported. they would introduce legislation to rency, which has depreciated by at least with journalists in Washington at the “Russia needs to say that $75 per The market-wide increases translate protect ordinary Russians from steep 40 percent this year, will likely stabilize time, Kudrin said he did not want to barrel is OK for us and we will learn to a 25 percent rise in loan repayments rate hikes. at the beginning of 2015 at its current work under Medvedev after it was an- how to make an effective economy at a time when real wages are being Every third property in Russia is levels, according to Kudrin. nounced that Putin and Medvedev with it, or even with $60 per barrel. We squeezed by rising inflation and a rapid bought with a mortgage, according to While warning of tough times would be swapping jobs after the 2012 must not go back to the old way,” devaluation of the Russian ruble, which the Housing Ministry. ahead, Kudrin — who previously presidential election. Kudrin said. Opinion www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 6 The Upsides to Russia’s Ruble Collapse By Chris Weafer Such a major collapse in most other countries would have led to a run on the banks and social n early December, President Vladimir Putin unrest. I worked in Bangkok in 1997 when the delivered his annual address to the Federal As- Baht fell — or was pushed — off a cliff and some sembly. I believe anybody reading this column banks closed as people took to the streets. The would have been able to shorten that speech to relative strength of Russia’s balance sheet and fis- Ijust one or two words; awful or really awful (I’m be- cal position would certainly be much worse today ing polite). It has certainly been the worst year for had the government had to use more of its savings the ruble since 1998 and also the worst for investors to stave off social unrest and a bank sector crisis. and businesses over the past 15 years. Britain’s wartime Prime Minister Winston Not because of the scale of the stock market or Churchill famously remarked that the United economic collapse — the second half of 2008 was States is a country “which can be relied on to do much worse for the former and 2009 worse for the the right thing after it has exhausted all other pos- latter — but because of the reasons for the collapse sibilities.” That comment is also applicable to Rus- and the uncertainty over what happens next. In 2009 sia. Crisis can, and often is, a catalyst for change. the issue was a relatively straightforward economic Unfortunately the last crisis, in 2008-09, did problem. As we head into 2015 it is the geo-political not last long enough to produce any meaningful overhang, which causes the greater concern. changes or reforms. This one will certainly have One of the reasons why 2014 has been such a that longevity and will provide the opportunity bad year for the markets and the economy is be- for a more serious effort to push reforms. The evi- cause the foundations upon which the economy dence of actions taken, and not taken this year is and asset valuations are supported were already encouraging that Putin is more focused on even- in a weakened state well before the events of this year piled on the pressure. I have written several times about the specific reasons for the decline in the economy through 2013, i.e. from 3.4 percent ‘The ruble collapse has not growth in 2012 to only 1.3 percent last year. been all bad... the ruble The summary point is that the country had lived too long on hydrocarbon export revenues, collapse has fully protected which totaled $3 trillion since 2000, without any serious effort to reform the economy and simply federal budget revenues ran out of time. To be exact, it ran out of growth this year and allowed for drivers as the consumer retrenched and capital investment fell. modest surplus.’ So 2014 was always going to be a difficult year and, in anticipation of that, this is why the stock tually getting back on an investment-led growth market and ruble both fell in 2013. They fell track than in expanding the confrontation beyond harder in January and February even though the the serious stage already reached. oil price held close to $110 per barrel and ahead Through his clear statements and the actions of of the Crimea referendum. the government, Putin has made it clear that there is Investor sentiment and business confidence is a very distinct line between political rhetoric and the also a big factor in how an economy and markets wish, actually need, to remain open for all sources of behave. In that respect, 2014 was probably the business and investment. If that were not the case, worst year ever for Russia, certainly if one counts McDonald’s on Pushkin Square would not have re- the number of international magazine covers opened, Russian bank cards would not work abroad which variously demonized Putin or predicted the and the Hong Kong flight from Frankfurt would al- destruction of the economy and the imminent ar- ready be several hours longer. rival of a color revolution. There have also been more visible positives By the time we got to the Crimea vote in mid- this year. Who knew that Russians understood March the extraordinarily disproportionate cov- irony? Recall the closing ceremony at the Sochi erage coming up to the start of the Winter Olym- games which made fun of the failure to light all of pics had firmly set the tone. Moving on to head- the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony? lines that claimed Russia was about to invade The games were also grudgingly accepted as be- former Soviet states was effortless. ing a success by those who predicted either a secu- The financial sector sanctions which, in combi- rity or administrative nightmare. nation with the falling oil price, collapsed the ru- The ruble collapse has not been all bad. True the The weak ruble, along with Russia’s self-im- The Sochi Grand Prix also raised many eye- ble not just past a few proverbial lines in the sand weaker currency is a big part of the reason why posed ban on food imports in August and on some brows — it seems few people realized there are but as a bulldozer through whole sand dunes. inflation will likely hit 12 to 13 percent in the first meats from earlier in the year, has also helped palm trees in Russia. The summer was also great, That also seemed almost inevitable in a year when half of next year and why interest rates will inevi- boost demand for domestic sourced goods. That of being warmer and seemingly longer than usual, nothing seemed to be in Russia’s favor. tably climb higher before, possibly, starting to roll course is only a limited positive as Russia makes albeit now a fast fading memory. But actually that is not quite correct. There back next summer. But the ruble collapse has fully relatively few consumer products and even where Every crisis is bad but not all crises leave a bad were a few bright spots and although the light at protected federal budget revenues this year and it does, a big portion of the parts are imported. legacy. Sometimes a crisis is useful to shake things the end of the tunnel is no more than a flickering allowed for modest surplus while spending has The other positive from the ruble collapse is up. But that’s for next fall … or next winter … or candle buffeted by a breeze, the light is still there. risen by more than 10 percent. the way people have reacted — they hardly did. the one after that.

COMMENT Kiev Needs Outside Pressure for Reform

By Robert Orttung groups, so there is little room for internal back- demonstrated their drive to put their country on such illicit activities is ensuring that younger tracking. a new track. Similar passion has produced mea- generations do not participate in corruption xternal pressure is the best way to Countries that are not under external pres- surable results in other contexts. within the bureaucracy or expect officials to reduce corruption. However, since sure to reform often end up stuck in a situation In India, a civil society movement known as seek bribes. Ukraine has no realistic prospect of where no change is likely because bureaucrats the 5th Pillar successfully changed expectations Ukraine may achieve similar results through joining the European Union in the and citizens alike expect the bribing culture to among bureaucrats and ordinary citizens. Citi- the potent cocktail of President Poroshenko’s Enear future, Ukrainian President Petro Po- continue. The consequence is that people have zens gave a “zero-rupee” note made by 5th Pil- recent Cabinet appointees, the government’s roshenko had to find a substitute if he hoped low expectations for achieving a different way of lar to corrupt officials instead of a bribe in order new reform plans, and a popular push to reduce to reduce his country’s extensive graft. Ac- living. to signal to officials that people will not pay corruption. cordingly, he appointed three prominent for- Placing the foreigners into the Cabinet bribes and to inform them about the organiza- Combining the pressure from above exerted eigners to his Cabinet. should break these patterns. At the highest tion and its mission. Officials were often shocked by the newly formed government and the The new members are Economy Minister level, it signals to both bureaucrats and citizens to receive such strong pushback and performed strong popular will from below should establish Aivaras Abromavicius (Lithuania), Finance that previous expectations will not stand. In the the necessary services without a bribe. compelling incentives for bureaucrats and citi- Minister Natalia Jaresko (United States) and effort to change overall expectations, Ukraine’s As the movement caught on, some officials zens to change the way that they interact with Health Minister Aleksandr Kvitashvili (Geor- unusual personnel policy will complement the even began to place the zero-rupee notes in their each other. Ukraine’s relatively open press and gia). They have promised radical reform. efforts to arrest the most egregious bribe-takers window to demonstrate their adherence to the history of free elections will augment the im- External influence is important because it and educational initiatives aimed at weaning the group’s principles. pact of these reforms. reduces the uncertainty and debate over what population away from relying on graft. Beyond these efforts, 5th Pillar also conducts Of course, it is too soon to tell what the ulti- institutions are needed to reform the economy To be effective against entrenched bureau- educational workshops for secondary school mate result will be, but by bringing foreigners and reduce corruption opportunities. The nec- crats, the foreigners need to stimulate a response and university students aimed at changing their into his government, Poroshenko has made a essary reforms are dictated from outside and from below in the form of direct action by mem- expectations about corruption. The 5th Pillar realistic step toward adopting meaningful re- have to be accepted by all-powerful domestic bers of civil society. Ukrainians have already organization believes the key to eliminating forms. www.sptimes.ru OPINION Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 7 Ignoring ‘Cold War II’ Won’t Make It Go Away

By Pyotr Romanov

f course, we could split hairs and ask: Are we on the brink of a new Cold War? Has a second Cold War already started? Did the first Cold War ever Oend? In my opinion, that is not the main point. The simple fact that we are even asking such ques- tions is far more important because it means that, regardless of which answer you choose, the situa- tion has gotten bad for absolutely everyone. However, it seems that some people still don’t realize the seriousness of the situation. A Russian friend who relocated to London a few years ago responded to a comment I made on Facebook concerning the start of the Cold War. With self- satisfied irony he wrote: “To be honest, the West does not really care much about Russia.” How strange! Of course, it is very possible that his British neighbors and friends are too preoc-

‘Ordinary citizens remain calm because of the simple fact that they typically do not know the full picture — nor do they try to know it. It is easier to live that way.’ cupied with their house, lawn, car, children, den- tist, etc. to worry about a Cold War with Russia. But what will happen tomorrow when the av- erage Westerner finally realizes that his whole life — his house, children, car and even his dentist — is under threat? What thoughts will run through his head when he comes to understand that the politicians he elected behaved in such an un- friendly way toward Russia that the Russian poli- ticians elected by the people of this country made equally unfriendly moves in response? And that everything simply went downhill from there? In fact, the world began living under the real commanded four Soviet submarines, each carry- proximity. Everything was relaxed and peaceful Things are not all black yet, but the world has threat of nuclear war long before the Cuban Mis- ing nuclear-tipped torpedoes — that, in the event until, sometime after nightfall, a U.S. plane ap- clearly entered a sort of twilight state. In fact, some sile Crisis, although that confrontation was one of of a U.S. naval attack, the individual submarine peared out of nowhere and dropped several in- observers argue that a new Cold War could turn the most dangerous moments of the first Cold commanders could launch the weapons at their cendiary devices without warning, apparently to out to be more hazardous than the first. One such War. And fortunately for mankind, sensible politi- own discretion. provide light to better photograph the sub. expert is Stephen F. Cohen, who wrote in The Na- cians always emerged who could put a stop to the The following true story provides evidence of By the time the eyes of the U.S. officers tion that “This Cold War — its epicenter on Rus- ambitions of the warmongers. the danger inherent in such situations. On Oct. 27, aboard the destroyer readjusted to the darkness, sia’s borders; undertaken amid inflammatory Former U.S. General and President Dwight D. 1962, when the U.S.-Russian crisis was already they saw to their horror that the Soviet subma- American, Russian and Ukrainian media misinfor- Eisenhower knew firsthand the horrors of war — quieting down, one of those four Soviet subma- rine was now pointing its nose and torpedo tubes mation; and unfolding without the stabilizing prac- unlike the hawks in his administration. When he rines carrying nuclear-tipped torpedoes — the directly at them. The commander of the Cony tices that prevented disasters during the preceding grew tired of their frequent calls to use nuclear B-059, commanded by Valentin Savitsky — slowly rushed to apologize to Savitsky for the idiotic Cold War — may be even more perilous.” weapons against the Soviet Union, Eisenhower re- rose to the surface as the crew of the nearby airplane pilot. Ordinary citizens remain calm because of the sorted to black humor, once quipping: “You can’t U.S.S. Cony, a destroyer, looked on in interest. Today’s generation owes a debt of gratitude to simple fact that they typically do not know the have this kind of war. There just aren’t enough bull- Then more U.S. naval vessels cruised into Savitsky for not losing his nerve in such a tense full picture — nor do they try to know it. It is dozers to scrape the bodies off the streets.” Later, range, one even greeting the Russians with a jazz situation. What if he had panicked and fired his easier to live that way. Just the same, it is time to then-U.S. President John F. Kennedy had to fight band. The U.S. soldiers asked if they could help torpedoes? wake up and recognize what is happening. This his own battles against Washington hawks. Where the Russians in some way. Savitsky initially de- Now my friend tells me that Westerners do not is no Hollywood blockbuster unfolding outside is the guarantee that today’s generation of nano- clined any assistance, but said the next day that he care much about Russia. Well, it would make our windows, but a force majeure of interna- politicians will exhibit the same good sense? would be obliged to them for some cigarettes and more sense if both Westerners and Russians woke tional proportions. True, it is not the first that Of course, both sides in the Cold War had their fresh bread. As they grew closer still, the Russian up and faced the mounting threat. Otherwise, the world has experienced, but knowing what own share of reckless adventurists. Take, for ex- and U.S. servicemen even began tying a cable they risk waking up to a truly unimaginable disas- hardships previous conflicts have brought to ample, Soviet Marshal Rodion Malinovsky, who, bridge between their vessels. ter later. mankind should motivate us to try to prevent in the heat of the Cuban Missile Crisis, gave or- For several hours the U.S. cruiser and Soviet any more from occurring. ders to Rear Admiral Leonid Rybalko — who submarine remained on friendly terms in close Pyotr Romanov is a journalist and historian.

COMMENT Putin’s Options Are Narrowing Down By John Lough While Putin and his advisers calculated cor- from further destabilizing Ukraine. It was diffi- Sixth, in an effort to rebalance relations with the rectly that Russia could easily wrest Crimea cult to imagine after the annexation of Crimea West, Russia is deepening its ties with China on hat made President Vladimir Putin from Kiev’s control, they appear to have gravely that European Union countries would find the terms that appear more advantageous to Beijing decide to annex Crimea continues underestimated the consequences. An easy tac- collective political will to impose meaningful than Moscow. Mortgaging Russia’s future to its to defy easy analysis. It is still un- tical victory has triggered the prospect of long- sanctions measures on Russia. These are contrib- eastern neighbor hardly looks like the action of a clear why exactly he chose to take term confrontation with the West that spells po- uting to serious economic problems, and there is country that claims to be challenging the Western- Wthis radical step, particularly when Moscow re- tential strategic disaster. a real danger that a decline in living standards will led international system to protect its sovereignty. tained powerful levers of influence for keeping First, the annexation of Crimea has done in- feed dissatisfaction with Putin’s policies. The most logical course open to Putin will be Ukraine weak and disorientated. calculable damage to Russia’s position in Fourth, Russia’s actions have reactivated to escalate the conflict with the West in the hope Putin himself has offered different explana- Ukraine. To an unprecedented extent, it has NATO’s core mission of collective defense. After of fracturing its newfound resilience before it tions for why he felt forced to act. These range consolidated Ukraine on an anti-Russian basis. two largely fruitless decades of trying to develop consolidates further. This escalation could involve from countering the threat posed by Ukraine’s Far from dissuading Ukrainians to drop the idea a security partnership with Moscow, NATO coun- testing NATO’s cohesion without resorting to new leaders to Russian speakers in Crimea to of putting the country on to a European path of tries are going back to the drawing board to re- military aggression. Given the narrowing policy preventing NATO from taking over Russia’s na- development, it has redoubled their efforts. configure their security and defense policies. options open to Putin in Ukraine, Western coun- val base at Sevastopol, and most recently, the Second, the Novorossia project, which was Fifth, Russia’s assault on Kiev has unnerved tries should steel themselves for the next stage novel argument that Crimea has “sacred mean- aimed at breaking Kiev’s grip on the country, failed other countries on its periphery, notably Ka- of the crisis. The irreconcilable pressures that ing” for Russians. to take off. It has left Russia with the responsibility zakhstan, and has highlighted Moscow’s unpre- Putin faces have created a situation that is be- It is difficult to fathom why Putin is advancing of propping up separatist entities in southeast dictable behavior toward close partners despite yond his control and is likely to encourage Rus- different rationales for his action beyond the fact Ukraine that bring no obvious value beyond in- treaty-based relations of alliance. This reduced sia further down the road of confrontation. that he needs to provide Russian audiences with flicting economic damage on the rest of Ukraine. level of trust will compromise Moscow’s efforts arguments that carry greater weight in response Third, Western countries have so far shown a to develop the Eurasian Union as a platform for John Lough is an associate fellow with the Russia to the increasing hardships they are facing. surprising level of resolve to dissuade Russia promoting Russia’s global influence. & Eurasia Program at Chatham House. Arts&Culture www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 8

city tales the word’s worth The 900 days, 70 Years Later ‘C’ Is for Crimea; By Gus Peters Alexander Werth, a British journal- remember spending a very hungry eve- ‘G’ Is for Googlik THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ist, interviewed survivors after the war ning with an old boy from the Radio and the stories they told gave a vivid Committee. He nearly drove me crazy By Michele A. Berdy (totalgia), nostalgia for some as- s the holiday season gets account of the horrors of every day life. — he would talk all evening about pects — sometimes imagined or ro- underway and Christ- Anna Andrievna, then the manager of Kant and Hegel.” Слова года 2014: words of the year manticized, sometimes not — of the mas trees pop up in the the Astoria Hotel, simply told Werth, The city would suffer from two 2014 totalitarian past. Or демодерниза- city’s squares and lights “You don’t know what it was like. more winters during the siege but ция (demodernization), a process in are strung across the “You just stepped over corpses in both paled in comparison to the hor- he people have spoken. which, in the words of project cura- Astreets, it’s easy to forget the terrible the street and on the stairs… Terrible rors of the first one. The city was un- OK, maybe not all the tor Mikhail Epshtein, “захлопыва- things the people of Leningrad suf- things used to happen. Some people prepared for the German invasion people, but the few hun- ется окно, прорубленное Петром в fered during the 872-day blockade went quite insane with hunger. And the and the local Communist Party was dred who vote on Rus- Европу” (the window to Europe cut from 1941 to 1944. While families this practice of hiding the dead somewhere unwilling to admit just how woefully sia’s слова года (words of through by Peter the Great is being year celebrate the incoming year and in the house and using their ration inept preparations were for the pos- Tthe year) have cast their ballots. slammed shut). outgoing one by gorging themselves cards was very common indeed.” sibility of a prolonged siege. The se- And the winner is: крымнаш New additions to keep an eye on on mayonnaise-laden salads and all Dmitri Likhachev, a survivor, re- ceding winters were more merciful (ourcrimea). next year are психократия (psycho- things pickled, this same time 73 years membered how “In time of famine because of the huge number of deaths Крым наш (Our Crimea) and cratia, a political regime that rules ago the inhabitants of Leningrad were people revealed themselves stripped in the first one, when it was so cold Крым — наш! (Crimea is ours!) are by whipping up hysteria) and шизо- barely surviving what would turn out of all trumpery. Some turned out that water pipes burst, leaving people ways of expressing that idea that an фашизм (schizofascism, a near-hys- to be one of the coldest winters in re- marvelous, incomparable heroes. no clean water to drink, and food was area of land belongs to us. But terical, purportedly anti-fascist posi- corded history. Others — scoundrels, villains, mur- so scarce that cottonseed and flax крымнаш — one word, lower case tion that conceals mercantile inter- It is estimated that 53,000 people derers, cannibals. There were no half seed became dietary staples. — is a thing, a meme, a mindset — ests and a fascist mentality). died in December 1941 alone. The measures.” So as you sit down to enjoy New everything connected with what There was also a run on prefixed ground was so cold that bodies could One staff officer in the Red Army Year and Christmas either in the some Russian speakers think was patriotism. You’ve heard of ура- not be buried and they instead amassed recounted his memories of the 900 comfort of your apartment with fam- the rightful return of Crimea and патриотизм (jingoistic patriotism), in various places throughout the city. days, as the blockade is referred to in ily or amidst the throngs stung by icy what other Russian speakers think haven’t you? Now there’s увы- Pets and stray animals disappeared alto- Harrison Salisbury’s famous account of winds in Palace Square, remember was its shameful annexation. Most патриотизм (alas-patriotism: patrio- gether as people ate anything they could the siege. “I don’t think I ever saw a that it wasn’t always like this. That it of the time it is used by the latter tism mixed with sorrow); угу- to survive another day, although the city person smile,” he recollected. “It was took an untold amount of anguish, folks about the former folks. патриотизм (yup-patriotism, patrio- zoo’s prize hippopotamus was spared, frightful. And yet there was a kind of suffering, blood and tears for the city Пусть он в крымнаш едет (liter- tism out of habit); бла-бла- fed on an ever dwindling supply of hay. inner discipline that made people carry to survive to this day. If you’re look- ally, “Let him go to ourcrimea”) could патриотизм (bla-bla-patriotism, de- Police records released years after the on. A new code of manners was ing for something to toast at mid- be deciphered as “If he thinks Crimea clarative patriotism without sub- end of the blockade showed that 2,000 evolved by the hungry people. They night, toast to the future, but don’t is so great and we had a right to it, de- stance); чур-патриотизм (keep away- people were arrested for cannibalism. carefully avoided talking about food. I forget to toast to the past. spite the world’s denunciation and patriotism, patriotism mixed with xe- sanctions — let him go there for his nophobia); цыц-патриотизм (shut- vacation.” Unspoken subtext: I’ll take up-patriotism, patriotism shouted to Venice — or St. Petersburg. drown out any opposing views). Sometimes крымнаш is even de- And a personal favorite: ленино- clined as if it were a masculine noun: пад (a Leninfall, that is, the tearing Великое событие у русских после down of Lenin monuments on a крымнаша! (It’s a great event for Rus- mass scale in Ukraine). sians after “ourcrimea”!) Or it can be Witty and quite wonderful is гу- used to describe someone with Rus- глик (googlik), one mention on the sian imperialist leanings: Он стал со- Internet, a kopek in the currency of всем крымнаш. (He’s turned into one web fame. Also, amusingly, for web- of the “Crimea Is Ours” people.) users is осетить (to publish some- And there is some lovely Rus- thing on сеть — Internet) and осете- sian wordplay in which the syllables неть (to be obsessed with the Inter- get reversed into нам крыш (trouble net). The neologism of the year was for us). Уже начали понимать, что another web-based notion, the pun- не крымнаш, а намкрыш. (People are ning банный день — not a day when starting to get that it’s not “Our you go to the баня (bath house), but a Crimea” but “Our can of worms.”) day when you ban (банить) everyone Not surprisingly, most of the you don’t like on Facebook. nominated and winning words of But it wasn’t all politics and Inter- the year were connected with poli- net. There’s a new kind of selfie in tics in 2014. They are not very town — вселфи — me and my friends, cheering, but often very insightful. that is, me and все-все-все. Now that’s

DEROR.AVI / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS DEROR.AVI Take the nomination тотальгия a good way to end the year. It is estimated that 53,000 people died in December 1941. The ground was so cold that bodies could not be buried.

THE DISH ë‡ÌÍÚ-èÂÚÂ·Û„ í‡ÈÏÒ The St. Petersburg Times is a part of Sanoma Independent Media CEO: Jean-Emmanuel de Witt Board of Directors: Tatiana Shalygina, Tatyana Shishkova, Mikhail Doubik, Alexander Gukasov, Elena Razumova Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Derk Sauer Publisher: OOO “Neva Media” Chabrets: Waiting for Andrei General Director: Tatyana Turikova Acting editor: Simon Patterson Advertising: Ksenia Chiritsa, Ylia Yanchuk Chaikhana “Chabrets” spite from the sweltering temperatures the parsley, but the lamb was surpris- Poppy tart was really more of a Subscription: Viktoria Borovkova Production: Alla Kalinovskaya 388 32 22 of the Asian landmass, on entering ingly succulent and tasty. cake, made with nuts and honey. IT Department: Sergei Karasev 161 Moskovsky Pr. Chabrets from the frost I was hit by the For the main course I opted for the The cake itself was delicious but OOO Neva Media ì˜‰ËÚÂθ Ë ËÁ‰‡ÚÂθ – ééé “ç‚‡ å‰ˇ” Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. fierce heat of the enclosed veranda. I Pork Shashlyk (420 rub., $7.70), having served in a bland, whitish sauce that Copyright © 2005 The St. Petersburg Times. All Rights Reserved. Mass media registration certificate number èà ‹ îë2-8918 of Meal for one (without alcohol) 1,760 rub. was seated and, fearing for my already seen them being served to a fellow I couldn’t identify for the life of me November 30, 2007, issued by the Directorate of the Federal ($32.60) thinning hair, I immediately asked the diner. They were well presented, two and, pending the lab report, will re- Service for the monitoring of compliance with legislation in the sphere of mass communications and the preservation of cultural waitress to turn off the hanging bar skewers served on a bed of lavash (flat main a mystery. The tea was fantas- heritage of the North-West Federal District. ë‚ˉ ÚÂθ ÒÚ ‚Ó Ó Â- By Simon Knapper heater above the table. bread) and herbs. I ordered a side dish tic — viscous with boiled raspberry „ËÒÚ ‡ ˆËË Ò‰ÒÚ ‚‡ χÒÒÓ ‚ÓÈ ËÌÙÓ χ ˆËË èà ‹ îë2-8918 THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES I was not out of place being alone, of Grilled Vegetables (230 rub., $4.20) and sugar syrup, and tangy from ÓÚ 30 ÌÓfl · fl 2007 „Ó‰‡, ‚˚‰‡ ÌÓ ìÔ‡ ‚ ΠÌË ÂÏ î‰ ‡Î¸ ÌÓÈ ÒÎÛÊ·˚ ÔÓ Ì‡‰ÁÓ Û Á‡ Òӷβ ‰Â- as many of the diners were portly single to go with them. They were served sliced lime and ginger, though I ÌËÂÏ Á‡ÍÓ ÌÓ ‰‡ ÚÂθ ÒÚ ‚‡ ‚ ÒÙÂ χÒÒÓ ‚˚ı ÍÓÏÏÛ ÌË Í‡ ˆËÈ Ë aving lost my wife to males with phones glued to their ears. promptly and were exceptionally good, nearly fell off my chair when the bill Óı‡ Ì ÍÛθÚÛ ÌÓ „Ó Ì‡ÒΠ‰Ëfl ÔÓ ë‚ Ó-ᇠԇ‰ ÌÓ ÏÛ Ù‰ ‡Î¸ ÌÓ ÏÛ ÓÍÛ „Û. Ikea queues and the On the large table next to me stood a the best shashlyk I’ve eaten indoors came and I realized that it cost as Издание предназначено для аудитории старше 16 лет. general fluster of crisis figurine of a jovial chap in Uzbek tradi- and well complemented by the ajika, a much as the main course. Отпечатано в ОАО «Первая Образцовая типография» damage limitation, I tional dress with a painted sign around hot spicy dip with which they came. I settled up and, feeling warm and филиал «СПб газетный комплекс». 198216, СПб, Ленинский пр., 139. Заказ № 1364. found myself on a his neck reading “Reserved for our es- The grilled vegetables were passable full, stepped out onto the white pave- Подписано в печать: по графику в 1.00, snowyH Moskovsky Prospect alone, en teemed guest Andrei.” but prompted me to make a note that ments of snow covered Moskovsky фактически в 1.00. Тираж 20000 экз. Распространяется бесплатно. The St. Petersburg route to the Chaikhana “Chabrets” For a starter, the waitress recom- in many restaurants here, grilled Prospekt, the red display of the neigh- Times is a free publication. (thyme) — a stylized central and mended the Shurpa Po Tashkentskii doesn’t necessarily mean less oily. boring exchange bureau bringing me Middle Eastern tea house/restaurant (290 rub., $5.35), a clear soup of lamb From the dessert menu the Poppy back to the new economic reality of Address: 190000, Russia, St. Petersburg, 4 Konnogvardeisky boulevard, Entrance 7, 3rd floor. specializing in Uzbek cuisine. on the bone (from the broad-tail) Tart (250 rub. $4.60) jumped out at what the press are now terming Telephone/Fax: (7-812) 325-60-80. Whereas an original chaikhana is a with vegetables. The soup was fairly me, and I ordered that with the “Black December.” Andrei never ĉÂÒ ‰‡ÍˆËË: 190000, Конногвардейский бульвар, run of the mill — oily and heavy on Raspberry Tea (420 rub., $7.75). The showed up. д. 4, лит. А, подъезд 7, этаж 3 place to slake ones thirst and find re- Internet: http://www.sptimes.ru www.sptimes.ru ARTS & CULTURE Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 9 Stupido After All These Years Head of Finnish indie record company looks back on 25 years of promoting the country’s most innovative acts.

By Sergey Chernov started to spread that we were also THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES putting out records, the bands who knew us began to ask us, “Hey, do you elsinki-based Joose Ber- have a record label? Could you also glund is the man behind put our single out on your label?” one of Finland’s leading And we thought, “Well, maybe.” Af- independent record ter we put out five or six singles we companies, Stupido Re- realized: we probably HAVE a record Hcords, which he founded with Jorma label, so we better start a company to Ristilä in 1989 as Stupido Twins, origi- run it. First we had the Fucking World, nally to release Estonian punk. Since Waltari (quite a few people still know then Stupido has expanded to include Waltari), and then we had Little Mary a record shop, a mail order service and Mixup, which was an all-girl band. We a publishing company. The label’s first started with Estonian records in 1989, record, “Tere Perestoika” by the artic- and the first Finnish record came out ulate Estonian punk band J.M.K.E. in 1990. soared to the Top 10 in Finland in 1989, being followed by the band’s debut al- Q: What releases by Stupido Records bum, “Külmale Maale” later that year are you especially proud of, or were Over the years, it has released hun- especially important or memorable, dreds of albums of a wide range of mu- apart from J.M.K.E.? sic, from indie rock to alternative A: I guess I should say the first al- metal, including such acts as Waltari, bum by Eläkeläiset, as we had such a Pelle Miljoona, Eläkeläiset and Aino long relationship with them. Also the Venna. At the recent Music & Media very successful 2012 debut albums by awards, Berglund received a special both Pää Kii and Aino Venna showed prize for discovering exciting punk and that we are still able to find and nur- independent music from Finland over ture new talent. the past 25 years. The St. Petersburg Times spoke to Q: How did you select bands for the Berglund in Tampere, Finland soon af- label?

ter the awards ceremony. / SPT CHERNOV SERGEY A: We took bands we personally Joose Berglund at Tallinn Music Week on March 28. Stupido records fi rst began when he met Estonian Villu Tamme. liked and thought that other people Q: I heard that the idea of Stupido might like and which were in some way Record was somehow connected with A: Because they could not get visas, Q: The album came with lyrics in Es- important to release. Nowadays it’s a Billy Bragg concert in Tallinn. Can I had a friend who worked for the youth tonian and a translation into Finnish also very much after my personal you tell us about this? organization of the Finnish Communist and English. Was it Tamme’s wish to taste. A: Yeah, it’s true. Back then I was party, and he asked the first secretary of be understood outside Estonia? also a journalist, so when Billy Bragg the party to write an invite. They had a A: Well, I guess it was my idea to Q: Speaking about your personal went to Russia for the first time, I big party celebrating 200 years of the include those translations, but I think taste, how would you define it? wanted to go with them and make a French Revolution, so this secretary of that Villu had the same view that it was A: I grew up with punk rock. But story about their trip to Russia. They the Communist party invited Villu over important for people to know what he we are not just a punk rock label. Some went to Moscow and Tallinn. That was and sent the invite to the Estonian Com- is singing about. Not too many people people say that we could have been in November 1987. It was my first time munist party, and then the J.M.K.E. understand the Estonian language. We probably more successful if we had in Estonia, not my first time in Russia; guys were asked to come to the KGB, Finns understand it partially, but not stuck to punk rock like Epitaph or I had been in Russia before but never where they were told that “our Finnish all of it. Burning Heart Records have been do- in Estonia. And on that trip I happened Communist friends want to have you ing, but I don’t want to be so short- to meet Villu Tamme (the frontman of over. This time we’ll give you permis- Q: What happened next? sighted. I release everything that could the Estonian punk band J.M.K.E.) and sion to travel to Finland and play those A: Simultaneously with “Tere Per- come under the “indie” umbrella, made friends with him, and later on we songs, but remember: your relatives will estroika,” we released a single by an- whether it’s indie pop, electronica, invited Villu over to come to Finland stay in Estonia!” other Estonian band called Babach. punk or whatever. No matter what the to play a show, but he didn’t get the The single was called “Russkaya genre is as long as the music is cool. [Soviet exit] visas, because Estonia was Q: “Tere Perestroika” was quite criti- Vodka” (Russian Vodka) and was also part of the Soviet Union, and the So- cal of Soviet policies, wasn’t it? political. Babach was a four-piece Q: What is your view of the current viet authorities said they were a bad A: It was mostly ironic, in a way. band, but two of those guys became Finnish music scene? What are your example of Soviet youth and couldn’t later on quite famous in Estonia. [Vo- most interesting recent discoveries? get visas. But we had a show set up, a Q: Actually, their whole album, “Kül- calist and guitarist] Hendrik Sal-Saller A: The current scene is quite thriv- club reserved, equipment rented, so we male maale” (To the Cold Country) – is still a leading rock singer in Estonia, ing with loads of independent talent took a Finnish band to play there and with the name referring to deporta- and the guitarist Mihkel Raud is an au- and good labels like us, Soliti and

decided to give all the money away to tions of Estonians to Siberia – was / SPT CHERNOV SERGEY thor and TV personality as well as a Gaea. Estonian youth. But we couldn’t just pretty anti-Soviet. Tamme sang that Villu Tamme of J.M.K.E. performs at musician. That single was not a really The major labels seem to have lost put the money in an envelope and send perestroika would end and repressions Tallinn Music Week on March 26. big hit in Finland and Estonia, but as I totally interest in the indie scene which it to Estonia, so we had to invent some- would follow. He did not believe in said later those guys got famous. The gives us more room to act. thing else. We had tapes of those Gorbachev’s glasnost/perestroika Q: And it probably was Estonia’s most third band we released from Estonia I am eagerly waiting for the second J.M.K.E. songs and we decided to campaign. important album from that era, wasn’t was [indie pop band] Röövel Ööbik. album by Pää Kii, but also what the ska release a 7” single, which was “Tere A: Not really. But, you know, those it? veterans the Valkyrians have to offer Perestroika,” which turned out to be a songs were written during the 1980s. A: This year, Eesti Ekspress, the Q: So at one time you only released on their fourth record. From other la- hit. Quite a few of those songs were writ- leading cultural newspaper in Estonia Estonian music? bels it’s exciting to see how the debuts ten even before the start of perestroika, had a vote on the most important al- A: Yes, in the beginning. But then by Hopeajärvi and Have You Ever Q: How did you manage to bring them so they are kind of a timeline of 1980s bum to come out of Estonia, and “Kül- again, people knew us as DJs and guys Seen the Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS? to Finland eventually? Estonia. male maale” won. putting on gigs, but when the word will turn out. Education & JobOpportunities advertising section Wednesday, December 24, 2014

job vacancies advertised All in The St. Petersburg Times newspaper can be viewed at www.sptimes.ru Food&Drink www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 10 Cook Your Way Out of the Crisis This Christmas, we’ve lined up a five course dinner that’s simple to make and easy on your ruble-stashed wallet.

By Sarah Crowther For the sauce: and put it in the middle of the dough, THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ¼ cup (60g) sour cream leaving a border of a few centimeters ¼ cup (60g) mayonnaise on all sides. he rapid devaluation of the 1 clove garlic, chopped finely 5. Flake the salmon and place it on ruble means more people Pinch of salt top of the rice. are having to postpone ex- 6. Take the hard-boiled eggs, peel pensive holidays abroad in 1. Preheat the oven to around 300°F and slice them, then place on top of the favor of entertaining at (150°C). salmon. Top with the remaining rice. Thome. But the dreary economic forecast 2. Make 5 thick slices of bread, then 7. Preheat your oven to 220°C shouldn’t mean foregoing Christmas en- cut each slice into long strips and place (425°F). tirely—quite the contrary: Russians are in a large bowl. Put the garlic in the 8. Now take your remaining sheet of famous for their lavish dinner parties. So bowl and add enough oil to coat the puff pastry and place it on top of the pie. we’ve lined up a five-course Christmas bread without making it soggy. Seal all of the edges, using the egg glaze dinner with a Russian twist. 3. Lay the unbaked garlic toasts as “glue.” If you want to get creative, cut onto a baking tray, while making sure thin strips from all sides of the pastry and THE MENU they don’t overlap. Bake them in the cross them over the top, making a kind Garlic Toasts (гренки с чесноком) oven for around 10 minutes, stirring of lattice pattern. Blini with Caviar and Sour Cream after about 5 minutes. 9. Brush the top with the remaining

(блины с икрой и сметаной) 4. While the toasts are in the oven, SPT BARKS / FOR POLLY beaten egg and put the coulibiac in the Salmon Coulibiac (кулебяка с лососем) mix together the ingredients for your Salmon coulibiac. This pie feeds six people with just one fi sh fi llet! oven for around 20 minutes. Then re- Honey Cake (медовый кекс) sauce: sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic duce the oven temperature to 180°C Sbiten (сбитень) and salt. ¼ tsp baking soda Pour one ladle of batter into the pan (350°F) and cook for another 20 min- 2 cups (250g) flour and tilt until the batter coats the bot- utes, making sure the top doesn’t burn. APPETIZERS Blini with Caviar and Sour Cream 2 tbsp vegetable oil tom. The blini should be very thin. Leave to cool. Garlic Toasts (гренки с чесноком) (блины с икрой и сметаной) ½ cup (120ml) boiling water 4. Let each pancake cook for about Garlic toast, or grenki, are classic Rus- There is nothing more Russian than ¼ cup (70g) butter 90 seconds, then flip and let cook for DESSERT sian bar food: cheap, filling, and good blini. With only slight modifications, another minute. Repeat with the re- Honey Cake (медовый кекс) with beer. Many families also like to these classic Russian pancakes are the 1. Beat together the milk and eggs with maining batter, adding more butter af- This one-bowl cake is as sweet and spicy make these toasts at home as a way of perfect addition to every meal: at break- a strong whisk. Stir in the salt and ter every third pancake. as gingerbread, and even easier to make. using up stale slices of Borodinsky bread. fast try adding sweet toppings, such as sugar, then add the baking soda. Mix 5. Put the blini onto a plate and It is perfect after a heavy Christmas If beer is not on the Christmas menu, you honey, jam, or condensed milk, and for well. Slowly stir in the flour, then add keep them warm with a clean towel on meal, or with the following day’s break- might like to try these as appetizers with lunch or dinner you might try adding the vegetable oil. top. Serve with red caviar and sour fast alongside a cup of strong tea. your Christmas cocktails, or with wine or savory caviar, as suggested here. 2. Slowly add the boiling water until cream, and champagne on the side. There is a lot of honey in this cake, so champagne, as you see fit. you have a very runny batter, then set be sure to choose a kind you like; buck- Ingredients: aside for around 20 minutes. MAIN wheat honey is particularly delicious. Ingredients: 2 cups (475ml) milk 3. Put a pat of butter in a small fry- Salmon Coulibiac (кулебяка 1 small Borodinsky bread loaf 2 eggs ing pan and heat the pan over medium с лососем) Ingredients: 4-6 tbsp vegetable oil pinch of salt heat. You’ll know the pan is hot enough Salmon might not seem like the most 1 ½ cups (190g) flour 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely 1 tbsp sugar when the butter starts to sizzle slightly. budget-friendly food at the moment, ½ tbsp baking powder but keep in mind that this pie contains ½ tbsp baking soda only one fish fillet and feeds six people ¼ tsp salt as a main dish. Don’t feel limited to the 1 tbsp cinnamon more expensive лосось (wild salmon). 1 pinch each ground cloves and all- Сёмга (Atlantic salmon) and горбуша spice (humpback salmon) will work well too. ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil And if you’re put off by the thought ½ cup (120ml) honey of making your own puff pastry, store- ¼ cup (60ml) sour cream bought dough is perfectly fine. 1 cup (200g) sugar Tip: Much of this recipe can be ½ tsp vanilla sugar made ahead of time. In fact, the whole 2 eggs, at room temperature pie can be made in advance and refrig- ½ cup (120ml) tea, cooled erated, covered in plastic wrap or foil, 1 tbsp lemon juice for a couple of days before reheating. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) Ingredients: and grease a loaf pan. 4 eggs 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 ½ tbsp (30g) butter flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt 1 fillet of salmon, approximately 250g and spices. Gently add the oil, honey, ½ red onion, chopped sour cream, sugars, eggs, tea and lemon 1 cup (200g) rice juice. With a wooden spoon, stir every- 1 ½ cup (400ml) vegetable or fish stock, thing together until it is just mixed. or water 3. Spoon the batter into the prepared ¼ tsp cinnamon pan and bake for around 45 minutes. 1 bay leaf The cake is done when the top springs Juice of ½ lemon back when touched lightly. Let cool Pinch of coriander slightly before removing from the pan. 1 egg, for glazing 1 package pre-made puff pastry TO DRINK Dill, for garnish Sbiten (сбитень) Sbiten is a lovely spiced honey drink, per- 1. First, hard boil the eggs (around 10 fect for cold winter days and anyone feel- minutes), then rinse under cold water ing under the weather. It is also extremely and set aside. easy, and uses ingredients you likely al- 2. Next, make the rice. Melt the but- ready have at home. Be prepared— it’s ter in a large saucepan over medium- very sweet. And full disclosure: this rec- low heat and cook the onion until soft, ipe comes from the most unlikely of around 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir places— Interfax news agency. to coat in butter, then add the stock. Turn the heat up and bring to a boil, Ingredients: then reduce the temperature and cook 4 cups (1 liter) of water until tender, around 15 minutes. 2 bay leaves 3. Meanwhile, bake the salmon fillet ½ cup (200 grams) honey in the oven for around 15 minutes. You ½ tsp cinnamon will know when it’s done because the ¼ tsp each ginger and nutmeg fish will be flaky, with uniform color. 1 small pinch of cloves 4. Now all you have to do is assem- 1 lemon, for garnish ble the coulibiac. The puff pastry will likely come in two separate squares. Boil the water and let cool slightly. Add Take both squares and roll out until the honey and boil for 20 minutes, then they are each about the length and add the bay leaves and spices and heat width of a standard magazine. Set one for 5 more minutes. Strain and add ADVERTISING piece aside. Laying one piece flat on a lemon slices. baking tray, take about ¾ of the rice С наступающим! www.sptimes.ru LISTINGS Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 11

HOW TO USE THE LISTINGS: Symphony Music Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov, The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet Tchaikovsky. St. Petersburg Symphony based on the story by Hoffmann. Rimsky- Dates and times are correct at the Orchestra. Conductor Ivan Kozhuharov Korsakov Conservatory. time of publication, but last-min- (Bulgaria). Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall, 8 p.m. opera ute changes are not infrequent, Christmas Eve Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera so it’s best to check by contacting based on a short story from Gogol’s ‘Evenings saturday, december 27 on a Farm Near Dikanka.’ Starring Olga the venue. COMPLETE LISTINGS can Savova , Gennady Bezzubenkov, Yekaterina be found at www.sptimes.ru. ballet Solovyova. Conductor Pavel Petrenko. Le Carnaval. Marguerite and Armand. Mariinsky Theater, 6 p.m. Unless otherwise stated, stage Two one-act ballets choregraphed by Frederick events start at 7 p.m. All stage Ashton and Michel Fokine set to music by Liszt concert and Schuman. Starring Ulyana Lopatkina and Symphony Music Weber, Grieg, shows and films are in Russian Yana Selina. Mariinsky Theater, 7:30 p.m. Mendelssohn. St. Petersburg Philharmonic unless noted. The Nutcracker Choreographer Nacho Orchestra. Conductor Pavel Bubelnikov. Duato’s humourous reimagining of Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall, 8 p.m. Tchaikovsky’s classic. Conductor Pavel Vocal Music Glinka, Dargomyzhsky, Bizet, Klinichev. Mikhailovsky Theater, 1 a.m., 7 p.m. AlbÈniz. Nadezda Khadzheva (mezzo-soprano). STAGES The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic Shostakovich Philharmonic, Small Hall. based on the tale by Hoffmann. Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. DAILY SHOW! Folk Show tuesday, december 30 Feel Yourself Russian! Two hours of traditional opera Russian songs and dance. Nikolayevsky PREMIERE! The Golden Cockerel Rimsky- ballet Palace, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. www.folkshow.ru Korsakov ‘s opera based on a tale by The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic Alexander Pushkin. Mariinsky II, 12 p.m. based on the tale by Hoffmann. Vaganova Carmen Concert performance of Georges Academy of Russian Ballet. Conductor Gavriel wednesday, december 24 Bizet’s opera. Starring Olga Borodina. Conductor Heine. Mariinsky Theater, 7:30 p.m. Valery Gergiev. Mariinsky II, 7:30 p.m. The Nutcracker Choreographer Nacho ballet Duato’s humurous reimagining of The Nutcracker Choreographer Nacho concert Tchaikovsky’s classic. Starring Angelina Duato’s humourous reimagining of Piano Music Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Vorontsova. Conductor Pavel Bubelnikov. The avant-garde jazz trio of pianist Andrei Kondakov (c), double bass player Tchaikovsky’s classic. Conductor Valentin Scriabin, Stravinsky, Prokofiev. Mariinsky Mikhailovsky Theater. Vladimir Volkov (l) and trumpeter Vyacheslav Gaivoronsky (r) will perform Bogdanov. Mikhailovsky Theater. Concert Hall, 3 p.m., 8 p.m. their classical-inspired set, “Bilingua,” at Cappella on Friday, Dec. 26.

opera FOR SPT opera Tosca Puccini’s powerful three-act opera about Khovanshchina Mussorgsky’s historical sunday, december 28 love, death, jealousy, murder and suicide. Starring Ivan. Fish Fabrique Nouvelle, 53 Ligovsky Separty Disco, pop pock. Fish Fabrique, drama about the years just before Peter the Tatiana Serjan, Marcelo Alvarez and Yevgeny Prospekt. Tel. 764 4857. 8 p.m. 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. Great became a tsar. Starring Olga Borodina ballet Nikitin. Conductor Valery Gergiev. Mariinsky II Helen Bledsoe / Alexei Lapin / Vladimir Gold Electronica. Fish Fabrique Nouvelle, as Marfa. Conductor Valery Gergiev. Carmen Suite. Le Jeune Homme et la Mort. Shostak Improvised, experimental. GEZ-21, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. Mariinsky Theater, 6 p.m. Alberto Alonso’s and Roland Petit’s ballets set to concert 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 5258. 8 p.m. Kshatriy / Ogni Videny Lucid Dream Cio Cio San Puccini’s tragic opera about an the music of Bach and Bizet – Shchedrin. Symphony Music R. Strauss, Kalman, Lehar, Alisa Rock. Kosmonavt, 24 Bronnitskaya Ul. Organization / Lunar Abyss / American soldier who leaves his Japanese wife. Starring Anastasia Kolegova. Mariinsky II. Offenbach. St. Petersburg Symphony Tel. 922 1300. 8 p.m. Hattifnatter Experimental. GEZ-21, Director Yury Alexandrov. St. Petersburg Opera. The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic Orchestra. Svetlana Monchak (soprano). Simba Vibration Afro rock. Mod, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 5258. 8 p.m. based on the tale by Hoffmann. Vaganova Conductor Vladimir Altschuler. Shostakovich 7 Naberezhnaya Kanala Griboyedova. Tsiolkovskaya / Zhvaka Galz / Gramm concert Academy of Russian Ballet. Conductor Gavriel Philharmonic, Main Hall. Tel. 712 0734. 7 p.m. Indie rock, experimental. Griboyedov, Piano Music Beethoven, Ravel, Rachmaninoff. Heine. Mariinsky Theater, 7:30 p.m. Vector Five World music. Yashchik Club, 2A Voronezhskaya Ul. Tel. 764 4355, Pavel Raikerus Mariinsky Concert Hall. The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic 50 korp. 13 Ligovsky Prospekt. 973 7273. 8 p.m. Vocal Music Rimsky-Korsakov, based on the tale by Hoffmann. Rimsky- Tel. 964 9637. 8 p.m. Alina Orlova Indie pop. Kosmonavt, Rachmaninoff, Schoenberg, R. Strauss, Korsakov Conservatory. GIGS Pop Punk Christmas Party Bzik, Svoboda 24 Bronnitskaya Ul. Tel. 922 1300. 8 p.m. Brahms. Galina Sidorenko (mezzo-soprano). Vazhneye Mody, Shokoladny Tort, Aim the Messer Chups Horror folk. More, 20 Malaya Shostakovich Philharmonic, Small Hall. opera Weekend. Zoccolo 2.0, 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Morskaya Ul. Tel: 957 0820. 8 p.m. Choral Music Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana.’ The Tale of Tsar Saltan Rimsky-Korsakov’s wednesday, december 24 Prospekt. Tel. 945 4305. 7 p.m. Cheekbones Indie electronica. VinyllaSky, Capella Choir and Symphony Orchestra. opera based on Pushkin’s tale about a tsar’s 81 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 6344. 8 p.m. Conductor Vladislav Chernushenko. Capella. lost son, who becomes king of a magical land. rock, etc. jazz & blues Liza Small Hip-hop. Yashchik Club, 50 korp. Mariinsky Theater, 11:30 a.m. Naadya Indie pop. Birja Bar, 4 Birzhevoi Leningrad Dixieland Band Jazz dancing. 13 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 964 9637. 8 p.m. La Boheme Arnaud Bernard stages Puccini’s Pereulok. Tel. 925 8806. 8 p.m. Jazz Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny City Rats Punk rock. Zoccolo 2.0, 50 korpus thursday, december 25 opera set in the Latin Quarter of Paris, tracing Intonema: KickGuitarSin1 Run, Oleg Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 3 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 945 4305. 7 p.m. the interwoven romances of a painter, musician Makarov, Alexander Markvart. GEZ-21, 7 p.m. ballet and philosopher. Mikhailovsky Theater. 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 5258. 8 p.m. Oleg Nasonov Project Neoclassical, jazz, jazz & blues The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic Svetlo / Nanka Pop rock. VinyllaSky, world music. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Fyodor Kuvaitsev Jazz Band Jazz dancing. based on the tale by Hoffmann. Starring concert 81 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 6344. 8 p.m. Ul. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. Jazz Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Oxana Skorik. Conductor Gavriel Heine. Piano Music Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Nick Chernikov Band / Way Out / Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Mariinsky Theater. Khachaturian, Shostakovich. Alexander Badmonkey Rock. Zoccolo 2.0, 50 korpus 3 Maxim Nekrasov and Her Band Harmonica Swan Lake Tchaikovsky’s magical three-act Yakovlev, Sofia Bugayan, Anna Vinnitskaya. Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 945 4305. 7 p.m. friday, december 26 night. Jazz Philharmonic Hall (Ellington Hall), ballet about love and deception. Rimsky- Mariinsky Concert Hall, 3 p.m. 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, Korsakov Conservatory. Symphony Music Franck, Ravel. The jazz & blues rock, etc. 764 9843. 8 p.m. Mariinsky Orchestra. Nicholas Angelich (U.S.) David Goloshchyokin Band Jazz. Jazz Homie Hip-hop. Backstage, 113 Ligovsky Camaradas Latin. JFC Jazz Club, opera and Mira Yevtich (Serbia). Conductor Valery Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Prospekt. Tel: 958 3888. 6 p.m. 33 Shpalernaya Ul. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. PREMIERE! The Golden Cockerel Nikolai Gergiev. Mariinsky Concert Hall, 8 p.m. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Shon / Kiskin Zhar / Pawspaws / Ruidos Rimsky-Korsakov ‘s opera based on the tale by Organ Music Bach, Handel, Purcell and Trumpets Summit Valery Ponomaryov and & Gu Indie rock. Dada (new location), Alexander Pushkin. Conductor Valery Gergiev. others. Daniel Zaretsky and the Russian Early Ivan Vasilyev. Mainstream. JFC Jazz Club, 109 korp. 3 Moskovsky Prospekt. sunday, december 28 Mariinsky II, 7:30 p.m. Music Ensemble. Shostakovich Philharmonic, 33 Shpalernaya Ul. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. Tel. +7 950 010 4320. 7 p.m. Main Hall, 8 p.m. Soyuz Kosmicheskogo Avangarda / rock, etc. concert Cello Music Brahms. Alexander Knyazev. Gramm Avant-garde jazz, experimental jazz Electro-Year Party Cold Distance, Toyz Day, Piano Music Scarlatti, Messiaen, Musorgsky, Shostakovich Philharmonic, Small Hall. thursday, december 25 punk. Fish Fabrique, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Kseile Rogve, Deimos Mode. Dada (new Ligeti, Retinsky. Antonii Baryshevskyi Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. location), 109 korp. 3 Moskovsky Prospekt. (Ukraine). Mariinsky Concert Hall, 8 p.m. rock, etc. Razbitaye Sertsa Patsana / Akute Post- Tel. +7 950 010 4320. 6 p.m. Symphony Music Mozart, Mahler. St. monday, december 29 Snimu v Kino Pop rock. Backstage, punk, alternative rock. Fish Fabrique Nouvelle, Radiomaniac / Crusiate_Sister Post-rock, Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Christian 113 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel: 958 3888. 7 p.m. 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 4857. 7 p.m. alternative rock. Fish Fabrique Nouvelle, Blackshaw (U.K.). Conductor Yuri Temirkanov. ballet Labirintum / Vyshe Kryshi / Bereg Yalty Recipes of Eternity 6 Rajfajh, Alexei Borisov 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall, 8 p.m. Jewels Ballet in three parts set to music by Indie rock, alternative rock. Dada (new andn Bogdan Pravda, Dark Voice of Angelique, Kantsler Gi and Bregan D’Ert Folk rock. Chamber Music Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Bach, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky, choreographed by location), 109 korp. 3 Moskovsky Prospekt. Glasberg, Opus Daemoni. GEZ-21, 53 Ligovsky Mod, 7 Nab. Kanala Griboyedova. Tel. 712 Beethoven and others. Horn Orchestra of George Balanchine. Starring Alina Somova, Tel. +7 950 010 4320. 7:30 p.m. Prospekt. Tel. 764 5258. 8 p.m. 0734. 8 p.m. Russia. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Small Hall. Anastasia Kolegova, Yana Selina. Conductor Electrosila Festival Equipage, Regine Rebel Dolls / Scarlet Jack / Rusty Styopa Sobolev and Odna Lyubov Pop Christian Knapp. Mariinsky II. Ollsenn, Gravitones, Konfekty, Sashiny Slyozy, Sharks Rockabilly. Griboyedov, rock. VinyllaSky, 81 Ligovsky Prospekt. 2A Voronezhskaya Ul. Tel. 764 4355, Tel. 764 6344. 8 p.m. friday, december 26 973 7273. 8 p.m. Otto Dix Dark wave. Zal Ozhidaniya, Morning Tea With Constables Indie rock. 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. ballet VinyllaSky, 81 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 333 1069. 8 p.m. The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic Tel. 764 6344. 7 p.m. Rap Trap New Year D. Masta, Oly, Sekta23, based on the tale by Hoffmann. Performance Leonid Novikov Acoustic. Yashchik Club, Mary S’N’B. Zoccolo 2.0, 50 korpus 3 by the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. 50 korp. 13 Ligovsky Prospekt. Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 945 4305. 7 p.m. Conductor Gavriel Heine. Mariinsky Theater, Tel. 964 9637. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Angel NeBes Alternative rock. Zoccolo 2.0, jazz & blues 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Prospekt. Alexander Latin Band Jazz dancing. Jazz opera Tel. 945 4305. 7 p.m. Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. PREMIERE! The Golden Cockerel Nikolai Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Rimsky-Korsakov ‘s opera based on the tale by jazz & blues Chizhik Jazz Quartet Crossover jazz. Alexander Pushkin. Conductor Valery Gergiev. Elvira Trafova and Pyotr Kornev Band JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ul. Mariinsky II. Music from films, shows and musicals. Jazz Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. Don Giovanni Mozart’s colorful opera directed Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. by Yuri Alexandrov. St. Petersburg Opera. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Iolanta One of Tchaikovsky’s most lyrical and Ruslan Khain Band Mainstream. JFC Jazz monday, december 29 poetic operas, based on the play ‘King Rene’s Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ul. Tel. 272 9850. Daughter’ by the Danish poet Henrik Hertz. 8 p.m. rock, etc. Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. Tikkey A. Shelyen Folk rock. Backstage, 113 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel: 958 3888. 7 p.m. concert saturday, december 27 Chamber Music Dvorak, Tchaikovsky. jazz & blues Mariinsky Stradivarius Ensemble. Conductor rock, etc. Big Blues Revival Jazz dancing. Lorenz Nasturica-Herschcowici (Romania). Mojento Hip-hop, funk, pop rock. Birja Bar, Jazz Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Mariinsky Concert Hall, 6 p.m. Moscow-based indie pop singer Naadia, who came to fame locally after 4 Birzhevoi Pereulok. Tel. 925 8806. 8 p.m. Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Piano Music Bach, Schubert, Liszt, appearing at Stereoleto music festival in July, will perform at Birja Bar on Ognelet Alternative rock. Dada (new Anna Chaikovskaya and Friends Vocal Tchaikovsky. Boris Berezovsky. Mariinsky Wednesday, Dec. 24. location), 109 korp. 3 Moskovsky Prospekt. jazz. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ul.

Concert Hall, 8 p.m. SPT FOR Tel. +7 950 010 4320. 8 p.m. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. 12 ❖ Wednesday, December 24, 2014 LISTINGS www.sptimes.ru

tuesday, december 30 Fortress was Imperial St. Petersburg’s main jail and this exhibition tells the story of the rock, etc. famous revolutionaries and opponents of the SunSay Acoustic. Zal Ozhidaniya, Tsar who were imprisoned there. 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. The Peter and Paul Cathedral and the Tel. 333 1069. 8 p.m. Great Princely Necropolis of the House of Romanov: The story of the last resting jazz & blues place of the Romanov Dynasty from Peter the David Goloshchyokin and His Band Jazz Great to Nicholas II, who was finally reinterred violin and organ night. Jazz Philharmonic Hall, here in 1998. 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, Balls Glittering and Raucous This 764 9843. 7 p.m. exhibition explores the history of St. Jerry Kim Band Modern jazz, original Petersburg’s celebrated balls and presents compositions. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya dozens of items connected with the revelry, Ul. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. from fans and luxurious dresses to posters and menus. Through Sept. 13, 2015. St Petersburg in 19th Century German Photographs. More than 80 rare photographs MUSEUMS made by German photographers who visited or lived in St. Petersburg, including portraits of ARTILLERY MUSEUM royalty and politicians, city views and important (Military Historical Museum of Artillery and civic events. Through January 15 2015. Engineers) 7 Alexandrovsky Park, Argutinsky-Dolgorukov Collection. M: Gorkovskaya. Tel. 232 0296, 610 3301. Diplomat, art historian and patron, collector Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vladimir Nikolaevich Argutinsky-Dolgorukov Closed last Thursday of each month. presented more than 600 items to the museum Samurai: 47 Ronin. More than a thousand at the beginning of 20th century which will be rare exhibits from private collections from displayed together for the first time. The around the world take visitors on a journey to collection includes drawings, watercolors, maps Japan through one of the country’s most and paintings connected with the history of St. incredible legends. Through Jan. 30, 2015. Petersburg. Through March 15, 2015. NEW! Arno Maasik: Orthodox Churches ALEXANDER BLOK APARTMENT MUSEUM and Chapels in Estonia. More than 100 Francis Bacon and the Art of the Past. Paintings by one of the 20th century’s leading artists hang alongside masterpieces from the 57 Ul. Dekabristov, M: Sadovaya, Sennaya photographs show old, new, ruined and museum collection in this landmark exhibition now showing at the General Staff Building of the State Hermitage.

Ploshchad. Tel. 713 8631. Daily, 11 a.m. to restored Orthodox places of worship scattered / SPT SHESTAKOV NIKOLAY 6 p.m. Closed Wednesday. across Estonia made by the famous Estonian The Kublitsky-Piotukh Family. This photographer and architect Arno Maasik. Her Imperial Majesty’s Hermitage. The STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM Yugra Period. Paintings, sculptures, graphics, exhibition includes personal belongings, Through Feb., 2015. exhibition tells the story of how the Hermitage 2 Inzhenernaya Ul. M: Nevsky Prospekt. photography and video art by contemporary family portraits photos, letters and documents collection, one of the finest in 18th-century Tel. 314 3448, 595 4248. Open 10 a.m. to 6 artists from Russia’s Yugra region (Western dedicated to several concurrent anniversaries HISTORY OF ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM: Europe, was built using the museum’s first p.m. (5 p.m. Monday). 1 p.m. to 9 p.m on Siberia and the Northern Urals) and other parts for the renowned relatives of poet Alexander RUMYANTSEV MANSION guidebook from 1794 as the foundation for Thursdays. Closed Tuesday. of the country. Through Jan. 19, 2015. Blok. Through March 24, 2015. 44 Angliiskaya Nab. M: Vasileostrovskaya, the show. Through May 10, 2015. www.rusmuseum.ru/eng Maria Agureeva: Garden of “The sky was gray and rain was falling, Nevsky Prospekt. Tel. 571 7544. Daily, 11 a.m. NEW! Expeditions: Archaeology in the Permanent Collection. The world’s finest Compromises. Featuring 17 works, many and trains were leaving for the to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Tuesday). Closed Wednesday Hermitage. Finds from recent archaeological and most extensive collection of works by exhibited for the first time, the exhibition also battlefield” First editions of poetry novels, and the last Tuesday of each month. expeditions to different the regions of Russia, Russian artists, from 12th-century icons to includes work from the artist’s projects ‘Those articles and almanacs dedicated to WWI by www.spbmuseum.ru Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, some of the latest movements in contemporary women that spoil our infinite’ and ‘Faster! St. Petersburg poets and writers. Photographs Portraits from the 19th Century. Painting. Kazakhstan and Italy, including Neolithic and art exhibited in the Mikhailovsky Palace and in Higher! Stronger! Commodification.’ Through and posters from numerous charity events The artistic styles of the era are reflected in Medieval discoveries from Europe and Asia. associated buildings listed below. Jan. 19, 2015. organized by Russian intelligentsia to support the depictions of famous figures. Through Feb. Through March 29, 2015. NEW! Monuments of Russian Icon- soldiers. Through May 26, 2015. 10, 2015 Stone and Metal in Contemporary Art. Painting and Ecclesiastical Art. About PUSHKINSKAYA 10 ART CENTER St. Petersburg Diary. More than 200 items Local artists explore the use of precious and 600 works illustrate the key phases in the 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 5371. Open DOSTOEVSKY APARTMENT MUSEUM including photographs, documents, uniforms, semiprecious stones in different styles, from building of the museum’s collection of Wed to Sun, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. www.p-10.ru 5/2 Kuznechny Pereulok, M: Vladimirskaya. personal items covers the period from the those referencing classic 19th century ecclesiastical between 1897 and 1914. Museum of Non-Conformist Art. Tel. 571 4031. Daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed beginning of WWI to March, 1918, when techniques to surprising contemporary styles. Through Feb., 2015. The Door. Monday and the last Wednesday of each Soviet Russia signed a peace treaty with Through March 8, 2015. Alexander Samokhvalov: 1894-1971. GEZ-21. Outbuilding B, 3rd floor. month. www.md.spb.ru. Germany ending its participation in the war. NEW! Inspired by the Hermitage. An The first exhibition in 40 years of the work of Tel. 764 5258. Daily, 3 p.m. to midnight. Witness: Pavel Adelgeim. This exhibition Through Apr. 12, 2015. exhibition of porcelain including painted one Soviet Russia’s most prominent artists is Kino-FOT-703. Office 703. Tel. 764 5353. traces the biography of one of Russia’s most plaques, vases, table services, porcelain dedicated to the 120th anniversary St. Petersburg Archive and Library of revered priests, who spearheaded the MILITARY MEDICINE MUSEUM figurines and multi-part installations made at of his birth and showcases the various Independent Art. Tel. 272 8222. Monday restoration of post-Soviet religious life while at 2 Lazaretny Pereulok. M: Pushkinskaya. the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory to mark mediums in which he worked: oil painting, and Saturday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. the same time criticizing the Orthodox Church’s Tel. 315 5358, 315 7287. Daily, 11 a.m. to the 250th anniversary of the Hermitage. Dec. graphics, sculpture, porcelain and alignment with the Kremlin and publicly 6 p.m., (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday). Closed 24 through March 23, 2015. architectural renderings. ROSPHOTO STATE CENTER OF supporting Pussy Riot. Through Jan. 19. 2015. Sunday. Through March 2015. PHOTOGRAPHY Soldiers of a Forgotten War: World War I STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM: GENERAL 35 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Tel. 314 6184. HISTORY OF ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM Medicine. Exhibition. Medical achievements STAFF BUILDING STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM: MARBLE Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.rosfoto.org PETER & PAUL FORTRESS from 1914-1918. Through Dec. 31. 6 Palace Square. M: Nevsky Prospekt, PALACE Tove Jansson: To Live, to Dream, to Fly. M: Gorkovskaya. Tel. 230 6431. Daily, 11 a.m. Admiralteyskaya. Tel. 571 3420, 571 3465. 5/1 Millionnaya Ul. M: Nevsky Prospekt. Photographs taken by Finnish author Tove to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Tuesday). Closed Wednesday. STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM Daily, 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (9 p.m. Tel. 312 9196. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Jansson’s close friend, photographer Carl Gustaf www.spbmuseum.ru. 1 Palace Square. M: Nevsky Prospekt. Wednesday). Closed Monday. Monday). 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Hagstrom, and her brother, Per Olov Jansson, Permanent Collection. The St. Peter and Tel. 571 3420, 571 3465. Daily, 10.30 a.m. to www.hermitagemuseum.org Closed Tuesday. document the life of the creator of the beloved Paul Cathedral, housing the graves of most of 6 p.m. (9 p.m. Wednesday). Closed Monday. Dada and Surrealism. The exhibition is NEW! Third Photobiennale of Moomin characters. Through Jan. 25, 2015. the Romanov dynasty; History of the Mint; www.hermitagemuseum.org organized in collaboration with the Drawn from Contemporary Photography. Including 319 NEW! Theo Frey. Swiss photographer Theo Museum of Old Petersburg; and more. Exhibits Permanent Collection. Three million items the collection of the Israel Museum, the photographers ó both established and Frey is among the definitive representatives of are housed in various locations in the Peter in six buildings along the Neva and around exhibition includes work by Duchamp, Magritte emerging ó from 53 cities and towns across straight photography who, with his incisive social and Paul Fortress. Palace Square. Unless otherwise stated, and Man Ray as well as other leading lights of Russia, the Photobiennale offers a forum to and political stance, created documentary The History of the Trubetsky Bastion temporary exhibitions are displayed in the the Surrealist movement. Through Feb. 15, discover and debate the latest tendencies in images that tread the line between reportage Prison 1872-1921: The Peter and Paul Winter Palace, the museum’s main building. 2015. photographic art. Through Feb. 2015. and high art. Through Feb. 15, 2015. Gifts from America: 1948-2013. 74 works NEW! Eduard Gudzenko. Around 70 ADVERTISING in diverse media presented to the museum in paintings and graphic works by Ukrainian celebration of its 250th Anniversary cover the painter Eduard Gudzenko are grouped by major movements and leading voices in the theme to show the artists key interests: SCREENS field of international Post-War decorative art. portraits, industrial landscapes, the world of Through March 8, 2015. theater and folklore, landscapes and still lifes. Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him Gifts from East and West to the Imperial Through Jan., 2015. (2014, U.S.) Ned Benson’s drama starring Court over 300 Years. Precious metal Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Isabelle works, porcelain, arms, coins, tapestries, STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM: STROGANOV Huppert. Angleterre (in English), Avrora, books, exotic objects and works of fine art PALACE Mirage Cinema. Presented to the Imperial court serve as an 17 Nevsky Prospekt. Tel. 571 2360. Open alternative history of Russia in this exhibition. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Monday). 1 p.m. to 9 Foreign Body (Obce cialo) (2014, Italy- Through March 8, 2015. p.m on Thursdays. Closed Tuesday. A branch Russia-Poland) Krzysztof Zanussi’s drama Francis Bacon and the Art of the Past. See of the State Russian Museum. starring Riccardo Leonelli, Agnieszka photo. Through March 8, 2015. NEW! Vladimir Sevostyanov. This Grochowska and Agata Buzek. Angleterre (in Marijke van Warmerdam: Time is exhibition includes more than 70 landscapes, English, Italian, Polish and Russian with Ticking.. Four short videos from 2010 still lives and portraits by Sevostyanov drawn Russian subtitles). created as part of van Warmerdam’s ëLife’ from private collections, including the artist’s cycle are shown alongside her tapestry works. own. Through Jan., 2015. Hector and the Search for Happiness Through Feb. 1, 2015. (2014, U.K.-Germany-Canada- South Africa) ADVERTISING Peter Chelsom’s adventure comedy starring Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike and Toni Collette. GALLERIES Angleterre (in English, French and German), Dom Kino. ARTISTS UNION OF RUSSIA EXHIBITION CENTER The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies 38 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Tel. 314 3060. (2014, New Zealand-U.S.) Peter Jackson’s 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. —losed Monday. fantasy starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman www.spb-uniart.ru and Orlando Bloom. Avrora, Mirage Cinema, NEW! Mikhail Devyatov. The paintings on Velikan Park. FOLK SHOW view by the renowned Soviet artist, professor at the Art academy and restorer include his Interstellar (2014, U.S.) Christopher Nolan’s AT THE NIKOLAEVSKY PALACE famous ëOctober Wind,’ for which he received sci-fi mystery adventure starring Matthew an award at the Brussels International Fair in McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica 4 Ploshchad Truda, St. Petersburg 1957. Through Jan. 11, 2015. Chastain and Michael Caine. Mirage Cinema.

Tel.: +7 (812) 312-55-00, 312-88-58 ERARTA MUSEUM Magic in the Moonlight (2014, U.S.) Woody www.folkshow.ru 2, 29th Line, V.O. M: Vasileostrovskaya. Allen’s romantic comedy starring Emma Stone, Tel. 324 0809. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Colin Firth and Marcia Gay Harden. Angleterre Tuesday. www.erarta.com (in English with Russian subtitles), Avrora. Tell the world about your business by advertising in the Real Estate online For additional information, call (812) 325-6080. Wednesday, December 24, 2014 E-mail: [email protected] RealEstate advertising section

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LANGUAGE LESSONS VISAS ART GALLERY MOVING/RELOCATION TRAVEL GUIDE

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MEDITERRANEAN cream. A supervised kids’ playroom INTERNATIONAL MEXICAN Palkin Côté Jardin and kids menu is also avaliable. Café Vienna Japanese dishes can be ordered from Tequila-Boom the adjacent “Sushi Lounge.” Open Sun-Thurs 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri- Hotel Novotel St. Petersburg Centre Sat until 1 a.m. 47 Nevsky Prospekt. 3a Ulitsa Mayakovskogo Delivery service available. Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg 57/127 Voznesensky Prospekt Tel.: (812) 703-53-71, Tel.: +7 (812) 335-11-88, 57 Nevsky Prospekt Tel.: +7 (812) 310-15-34 or 050. www.palkin.ru fax: +7 (812) 335-11-80 $$ Café Vienna is a daily dining restaurant www.tequilaboom.ru Open: noon to 11.30 p.m. www.accorhotels.com/5679 with international specialty dishes and We invite you to visit TEQUILA-BOOM PALKIN restaurant is located in Celebrate New Year at the best JAMIE’S ITALIAN offers wine from around the world. restaurant — the finest Mexican the very heart of St. Petersburg. French address in town! Treat yourself Also available is a wide selection of tea restaurant in Russia! Our constant search for new to our festive buffet spread of French blends and coffees along with Our head chef will prepare a flavors, by painstakingly and International specialties. This year speciality cakes from the hotel’s pastry delectable array of Mexican cuisine researching through old cook we prepared a Great Entertainment 2 Konyushennaya Ploshchad chef. for you: Fajitas Mixto, Burrito, Gringa, books, and strict standards Program — during the New Year’s night Tel.: +7 (812) 600-25-70 Open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight. flat cakes and steaks, while our regarding the use of our guests will be entertained by show http://ginza.ru/ barman will mix cocktails, such as ingredients, make Palkin one of ballet, Father Frost and his snowmen, Jamie’s Italian is an international chain $$ Strawberry Margarita, Mexican flag, the few places in the world amazing wandering dolls of Monsieur of Italian family restaurants, where the Mojito and Caipriina. From noon to 4 where diners can enjoy the Pejo, guests from outer space. More dishes are prepared according to p.m. finest dishes of aristocratic surprises to come: get fun with our Jamie Oliver’s recipes, and the highest KARAOKE BAR Monday to Friday a business lunch Russian cuisine in the elegant carnival battle with firecrackers and standards of quality are observed. Jelsomino (290 rubles) is available at the atmosphere of an upscale confetti or make the best balloon gift at It’s a lively family restaurant with the restaurant. establishment. An extensive our master class. An Italian fairytale typical Italian food that is served in Every evening we have live music, and wine collection is also on offer. starring Princesse Brambilla will bring a Italy every day. Little guests are always on Fridays and Saturdays there is a The opulent interiors include an true magic to New Year’s Eve night. Our welcome here. Kids’ room & menu. show program featuring the city’s best open fireplace. Smoking area DJ will be sure the guests get played On Thursdays and Wednesday there 5/29 Poltavskaya Ulitsa. musicians and Latin American available. their favorite songs. The price of New are cooking classes for adults. Tel: +7 (812) 703-57-96 dancers. Year dinner is 8500 rubles, beverages The average bill comes to 1,500 VIP reservations: +7 (812) 999-96-96 We will be pleased to see you! $$$ included. 50% discount for 3-12 years rubles. Wi-Fi. Open from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. old children. Paid-for tickets are non- Delivery service available. Amazing sound, modern visuals, $$ Russian Empire refundable. karaoke menu and professional vocal We welcome you on our all-inclusive $$ equipment. Business Lunch Buffet in our A fancy place to party for the famous RUSSIAN restaurant Côté Jardin — Monday to and beautiful. Appearances by Shokoladnitsa 17 Nevsky Prospekt, Friday, midday to 4 pm. Enjoy our FRENCH / MOLECULAR Russian stars and others in show Stroganoff Palace. mouthwatering salads bar, daily soup, Old Customs House business. Everything here is in good Tel: 571-24-09 favorite appetizers, main dish taste, fun and beautiful. The restaurant palace “Russian specialties, and indulgent homemade New menu! New interior, the latest Empire” is one of the most convenient desserts counter. The price is 790 RUB technology and a statement in places for holding business meetings per person inclusive of mineral water, fashion. at the highest – imperial – level. tea and coffee. New year night “Hot snow” - we are Hotline +8 (800) 100 3360 Russian Empire is located in the very Besides cozy lobby bar and deli- waiting for you at 01.00! www.shoko.ru heart of Petersburg, the palace of counter with homemade fresh pastries Shokoladnitsa is the largest chain of Count Stroganoff, and has convenient Novotel offers our business guests 11 1 Tamozhny per. $$$ coffee houses in Russia, and and spacious parking. The Russian modern fully equipped meeting rooms Tel: 327-89-80, 320-21-20 embodies the unsurpassed hospitality haute cuisine served at the restaurant with bespoke catering and conference The haute cuisine restaurant “Old of the Russian soul. and the luxurious atmosphere of the solutions for any of your business Customs House” is located in the BRASSERIE In St. Petersburg, there are 30 cozy palace will dazzle even the fussiest meetings and seminars — free parking center of St. Petersburg, on the spit of Palm cafés with individual design, but the gourmets. for our hotel guests. Vasilievsky Island. Belgian brasserie overall theme of warmth and You can always discuss the most Open daily for à la carte from 06:30— Perfection in every detail is the hospitality await you every day, and at important issues in the secret rooms of 22:45, breakfast 06:30—10:00, buffet foundation of the flawless service some of them, 24 hours a day. The Count Stroganoff, where many business lunch 12:00—16:00. Major and the feeling of comfort that we many Shokoladnitsa cafés are business agreements and decisions credit cards are accepted.. create for all our guests. located close to the main attractions have been made. The old brick arches, the fine wooden Tel. (812) 571-81-51 of the city and the culture of the From 24 December 2014 to 15 $$ furniture and the historic 29 B. Konyushennaya Ul. world - the Kazan Cathedral and the January 2015, we invite you to engravings on the walls create the vk.com/palmbrasserie Hermitage, Gostiny Dvor, and many celebrate Christmas at Russian ITALIAN unique style of the “Old Customs” facebook.com/palmbrasserie others. Empire. An exquisite menu and Restaurant Da Albertone House haute cuisine restaurant. Palm brasserie is just 20 paces from With its convenient location and pleasant compliments from our chef Despite the roughness of the Nevsky Prospekt, right in the center of extremely healthy cuisine using only await you. interiors, there is an atmosphere of Petersburg. We always offer our guests natural ingredients, Shokoladnitsa is

intimacy and comfort at the fresh mussels, prepared according to the best place for a delicious restaurant. And the dishes of French, classic and original receipes, dishes of breakfast with coffee or a hearty 23 Millionnaya Ul. auteur and molecular cuisine European cuisine, freshly-baked lunch of three courses. Tel.: +7 (812) 315-86-73, 962-08-29. made from the highest-quality fresh waffels, and over 80 types of Belgian For breakfast and lunch there is a To advertise, A popular Italian restaurant, located ingredients will amaze even the beer. Only at our restaurant can you special menu, with prices around 40% please call 325 6080 close to the Hermitage and with a fussiest gourmets. find exclusive beers from Palm lower than in the main menu! summer terrace. Its open kitchen, run Come and appreciate one of the oldest brewery. The brasserie accepts cash We wait for you every day for a cup of Find more information by head chef Luca Pellino and sous- haute cuisine restaurants in and credit cards, and offers free aromatic coffee and a slice of the most on our website chef Tiziano Valente, offers homemade Petersburg. parking and business lunches. delicious cake in Russia! WWW.SPTIMES.RU pasta, sausages, desserts and ice- $

– Banquet hall; – Breakfast; – Children’s room; – Credit cards accepted; – Dancefloor; – Live music; – Home delivery; – Non-smoking area; – Parking; – Wi-Fi zone. Average price of a two-course meal with an alcoholic beverage: $ – 500 to 1,000 rubles; $$ – 1,000 to 1,500 rubles; $$$ – more than 1,500 rubles Feature www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, December 24, 2014 ❖ 16 How to Disappear in the Internet Age By Alexey Eremenko From there I would know what cities THE. ST. PETERSBURG TIMES you have traveled to and I would contact the hotels that would be in your financial ver wanted to just vanish, to bracket. I would simply call and say, abandon everything and “Hello, I stayed in your hotel but lost my start your life from scratch? bill, can we take a few minutes and go Well, there is a man who can over the charges.” Not everyone will pro- Emake that happen — though he vide me with the information I request, charges eight times the average annual but I keep calling until I locate the person salary in Russia. who will provide me with the informa- Since 2001, the New York-born tion. When I have that person, I ask for a Frank Ahearn has been making a living copy of calls made from the hotel room helping people who need to disappear and request they fax over my IP history. or conceal some part of their lives — a The fax is a public fax machine, and I pay pretty tall order in a globalized, digi- a college student to pick up the fax and talized world. fax it to another location. The list includes plenty of Russian cli- These are simple examples, but this ents, said Ahearn, who describes himself is how information is extracted. The as “a privacy expert who disappears peo- fine art of lying! ple who have extreme privacy needs.” The description may evoke visions of Q: You mention that you employ other mobsters dreaming of a peaceful retire- people— lawyers, students to make ment or accountants on the run with calls. In general, how many minions corporate fortunes, but Ahearn insists do you use, and in what capacity? his job is not to aid and abet criminals. A: I do not employ them as employ- There are plenty of people interested ees, but I utilize them when there is a in “skip making” — as the disappearing language barrier, and rarely use the act is called — for legitimate reasons, same person twice. I need to make sure

including stalking victims and rich peo- FOR SPT they never know what type of work I ple who want privacy for their families. Frank Ahearn, who says he wears sunglasses “always”, offers to make clients disappear for a minimum of $50,000. am doing, therefore when I locate And the job is not easy to pull off in someone I use a service like Odesk. a modern country, including Russia, privacy measures or creating disinfor- Q: Can you give any particularly col- of the troubles. I disappeared the son, com, which is a third-party outsourcing where the state-of-the-art electronic mation that combats negative informa- orful examples of Russia-related jobs/ and he will never be located. company. I never contact them as surveillance system SORM-3 is being tion about them. clients (no names, of course)? Frank M. Ahearn. I utilize an alias introduced to outcry from privacy de- A: If anything, I would say the Rus- Q: How many people who want to dis- from a consulting company and request fenders, who say the system is so all- Q: What kinds of problems do your sian clients have been the most exciting, appear really need to? Do they disap- they do temporary work. encompassing and free of public con- Russian ex-U.S.S.R. clients tend to and at times [it] seemed like a spy novel. pear forever if they do? trol that it would make Edward have? One such client is extremely concerned A: I would say only a small number. Q: Has anyone ever tried to use you to Snowden’s blood run cold. A: I would say privacy is No. 1. The about his privacy, and his primary con- Sometimes people believe that disappear- get to your clients? In an interview with The St. Peters- new breed of wealth combined with on- cern is keeping his wife and children’s ing will solve all their problems, but that is A: I have been contacted by people burg Times, Ahearn avoided speaking line information has made the wealthy identity a secret. I never know when he not true. I try to work with clients to solve who think I disappeared their husband about the chances of taking on the and their families potential targets in is going to contact me and I will get a their problems and only disappear [them] or something but nothing beyond that. state-run SORM-3, but said he has a lot abduction and financial scams. call to be in Paris the next day and check if there is no other resolution. to offer private individuals. Someone who is worth 10 billion into “X hotel.” In the hotel are laptops, For some people who are the victim Q: What do you enjoy most in this line Ahearn attributes his professional euros does not want their child con- prepaid phones and other tools. He then of stalkers or other forms of violence, I of work? And least? success to the “fine art of lying,” but- nected to them on the Internet. provides me with three or four transla- suggest they consider disappearing for- A: The traveling and meeting clients maintains he works exclusively on the Therefore, with select clients I make tors, and I teach them how to create on- ever or until their predator dies. is the best part of my business. They right side of the law. He says he quit sure that no one can ever connect the line deception to protect his where- are fascinating people who live amaz- his earlier job as a “skip tracer” for family to the billionaire, be it via Fa- abouts, the schools his children go to Q: Your job deals a lot with stalkers ing lives, and I get to step into that life British tabloids when new legislation cebook or other social media. For ex- and his wife’s information. When we are who use the credit card or phone infor- for a short period and it is cool. began to shrink the legal operating ample, if the client’s son is named finished he sends a lawyer of his to the mation of the people they are stalking. I do not like it when lawyers get in- arena for that, edging practitioners Alexey Eremenko, I will build hun- hotel suite and we destroy the laptop How do they access this information? volved. They tend to think too conser- ever closer to lawbreaking. dreds of online profiles using that and cell phones by soaking them in a A: Good question. In society today, vatively and are afraid to take chances Now he charges a minimum of 40,000 name. This way, the client’s son’s in- certain type of liquid. people tend to view privacy and infor- when it comes to resolving issues. euros ($50,000) per disappearance, and formation is buried between 200 Or a different case. Without my cli- mation as an online issue. I say privacy his book, “How to Disappear,” co-writ- Alexey Eremenkos who live in all ent’s knowledge, his son went to an Afri- goes beyond the computer screen. Q: Your work is reminiscent of Win- ten with Eileen Horan, scaled the lower parts of the world. can country and bribed his way to a min- When hunting down a person you ston “The Wolf” Wolfe, the “cleaner” reaches of The New York Times best- ister’s office. His plan was to undercut always look for the information they character from the movie “Pulp Fic- seller list in September. Q: Are there any aspects of your work “Company X,” which provided the same left behind. Credit card charges, airline tion,” in that both you and actor Har- Only a fraction of the people who specific to your Russia-related opera- service as his father’s company. This $300 records and phone records. vey Keitel’s character do, in essence, think they need “skip making” really tions, compared with the rest of the million contract provides services for the Phone records are a big downfall for simple things to achieve extraordinary do, Ahearn said. The St. Petersburg world? Is anything harder to pull off, public. What the son did not know was people seeking privacy or disappear- results in privacy-related situations. Times spoke to him about those peo- or easier? that the minister he was trying to bribe ing. The problem is they have already How do you feel about the comparison ple, his business in Russia, ways of ob- A: There is nothing harder to pull off was taking bribes from “Company X.” In created a footprint before realizing — are there any other fictional char- taining phone and credit card records, with Russian clients. The work and meth- addition, his father and the owner of they want or need to disappear. They acters with whom you feel an affinity? and why he should be trusted at all. ods are usually similar. Getting Russian “Company X” were bitter rivals. The son may have used their phone to call a real A: I see myself as a specialist or a business clients to trust me is always the left the country right before the police estate broker in Nice, a lawyer in Bel- hired gun who enters a situation to re- Q: What is your modus operandi? challenge. My methods of solution are at came to arrest him for bribery. grade or hotel in Belize.Obtaining and solve what appears to be unresolvable. A: I search for all online and offline times bizarre and sometimes bold, and One night in Ibiza, the son was at a extracting information can be rather I do not find what I do all that extraor- information about my client. The infor- trust me, [they are] not an easy sell. I dis- restaurant when several men began easy for a social engineer such as my- dinary, I just do what I do and make mation I can delete, I delete, if I cannot, like wearing suits, I have long hair and a threatening him but avoided a fight. A self. Most countries have maybe 10 ma- sure it is done to the best of my abili- I try to deviate the information, change goatee, I always wear my sunglasses and few weeks later in Belgrade, the same jor mobile carriers, 15 major utility car- ties. Unlike Mr. Wolfe, I avoid dead Frank to Hank. I utilize offline and on- I specialize in deception. situation happened and nearly became riers and 15 major cable TV carriers. bodies and hit men. line social media to create misinforma- physical. A few weeks later in a differ- If someone hired me to find a person tion to make it appear my client disap- Q: What kind of Russia-related job ent city the same thing happened, and in Russia, I would locate a college stu- Q: You said this business will not last peared to Minsk but in reality is in St. would you never take on (e.g. hiding one of the men involved was from the dent and instruct them to call every one forever. Why? Petersburg. I teach my client how to be- someone from the security services, or Ibiza confrontation. It was obvious the of the phone, utility and cable TV com- A: When I am involved in the work, it come a virtual entity and exist with no helping the mafia or Islamists)? son was being stalked. panies and pose as you. He would ex- consumes me. I live and breathe that connections to anything physical. A: I would never work with some- My job was to figure out how the plain that he had an alcohol problem piece of work. Did I do this right, did I one who has murdered his wife and is predators were able to locate the son in and may owe money on an old account. leave a footprint here, what if this, what if Q: How many clients do you have, and now in hiding. Nor would I ever work different cities. My first action was to Once we located the companies where that, etc. — it takes its toll on the mind. I what countries do they come from? with a group looking to inflict harm on look into how his travel was booked, you had accounts, I would call and ask want to write books for a living and open A: The majority of my work comes a culture or society. However, some but I was unable to locate any breach. I to speak with an English-speaking per- a bookstore/cafe in Lisbon or Paris. from Europe, and the top countries at wealthy clients may have done ques- then figured out that one of the son’s son if they have one. I would explain present are Germany, Switzerland, tionable things in “Country A” but it is friends who traveled with him posted that I am being audited and need copies Q: If you’re so good at lying, how can Russia and Italy. not against the law in “Country B.” I on Instagram and Twitter. He posted of my phone records. Some companies we believe you when you say you can make sure that “Country A” does not photos where they were hanging out will fax copies of the records, others will pull off this disappearing act? Q: How many are from Russia and send someone to abduct them. and such. read off each phone call you made on A: It is like falling in love: You have the former U.S.S.R., and what kind of After taking down the social posting every bill. All you need to do is ask! to take a chance. … I have spent a life- people apply to you from this region? Q: How much do you charge the Rus- of the traveling, things got quiet. How- If I wanted to know where you have time hunting people all over the world. A: I have worked with about 10 sians you work with? ever, a few weeks later, the son was traveled to, I would contact every airline My primary expertise is hunting and Russian clients in the past two years. A: It depends on the work. It usu- physically attacked in a different city. and pose as you, asking for a history of my deceiving people. I know what preda- All of them are extremely wealthy and ally starts in the range of 40,000 euros The client knew “Mr. X” all too well frequent flier account. If you have one, I tors search for when they are in the were interested in creating extreme and can reach about 100,000 euros. and knew this attack was only the start will easily obtain your travel history. hunt, and I know the deception I need.

Учредитель и издатель – ООО «Нева Медиа». Главный редактор – Турикова Т.В. Адрес учредителя, издателя и редакции: 190000, СПб, Конногвардейский бульвар, 4, 7 подъезд, 3-й этаж. Свидетельство о регистрации средства массовой информации ПИ № ФС2-8918 от 30 ноября 2007 года, выдано Управлением Федеральной службы по надзору за соблюдением законодательства в сфере массовых коммуникаций и охране культурного наследия по Северо-Западному федеральному округу. 16+. Издание предназначено для аудитории старше 16 лет. Отпечатано в ОАО «Первая Образцовая типография» филиал «СПб газетный комплекс». Адрес типографии: 198216, СПб, Ленинский пр., 139. Заказ № 1364. Подписано в печать: по графику в 1.00, фактически в 1.00. Тираж 20000 экз. Цена свободная.