NO. 38 (1830) САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГ-ТАЙМС WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 WWW.SPTIMES.RU DMITRY LOVETSKY / AP — BYE LANA! / AP — BYE LOVETSKY DMITRY

The iconic cruiser Aurora, which fired the salvo signaling the beginning of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, passes underneath the raised spans of Palace Bridge on Sunday BON VOYAGE while on its way to Kronstadt to undergo more than $3 million worth of repairs. This is the first time the cruiser has left its Petrograd mooring since it was last repaired in 1987.

ADVERTISING ARTS & CULTURE LOCAL NEWS Arts Square March for Peace Everywhere

Contemporary artists draw inspiration from public Thousands take to the streets spaces in St. Pete. Page 17. against war in Ukraine. Page 2. LocalNews www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 2 Thousands Unite Against War in Ukraine By Sergey Chernov St. George ribbon — repeatedly en- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES tered the crowd with a bodyguard Thousands protested against Russia’s and an aide, attempting to provoke involvement in Ukraine at the unau- the protesters by such statements as thorized Peace March in St. Petersburg “Homosexuals kill Russian children on Sunday. By the estimates of organiz- in Ukraine,” with the crowd reacting ers, between 1,500 and 2,000 protesters by chanting “Pozor” (Shame) to his were present at one given time, but a appearances. total of 5,000 overall made it to the rally, Due to the overwhelming majority which lasted for nearly four hours. of anti-war protesters, violent acts City Hall refused to grant a permit were few. Pro-Kremlin men threw for either the march or stationary rally mayonnaise into the face of one anti- that were initially planned as part of war protester and tore up the placard the all-Russian Peace March held of another, with the police failing to throughout the country on Sunday, in- react. There was an attempt to throw cluding in Moscow, where the autho- eggs at the demonstrators as well. The rized event drew between 25,000 and police detained several people from 50,000 by different estimates. In St. both camps mostly for failing to follow Petersburg, the organizers were the their orders, but refrained from mass parties and groups belonging to the arrests. Democratic St. Petersburg Coalition, “The main benefit of this march to including Yabloko and Solidarity, as me is that people overcome their soli- well as RPR-Parnas, the December tude,” said musician Mikhail Borzykin 5th Party and the Progress Party. of the rock band Televizor, who took The St. Petersburg authorities, how- part in the St. Petersburg rally. ever, told the organizers to move the “Having come to such events, people rally to the remote Polyustrovo Park in realize at least that they haven’t gone the northeast of the city, an option they insane – or gone insane alongside some turned down, calling on people to come 3,000 other people – and it lightens the instead to the march’s original starting soul of each of them, because we are be-

point near Gorkovskaya Metro. JULIA RUBAKOVA ing persuaded [by the pro-Kremlin me- Hundreds started to gather near An anti-war protester holds up a sign that reads “No to Russian Aggression in Ukraine!” during Sunday’s event. dia] that we don’t exist at all. This televi- Gorkovskaya Metro by 2 p.m., many sion myth is dispelled momentarily wearing Ukraine’s national colors of porters were spotted but they stood aside people near Kazan Cathedral. More Pro-Kremlin activists wearing the St. when you take to the street and talk to yellow and blue. Some brought yellow and did not try to obstruct the rally. placards were seen there, some read- George ribbons — which has been ad- people who think the same. and blue flowers or balloons. Although Between 1,500 and 2,000 people ing “This war is our fault. Drop your opted as a symbol of the Russia-backed “It was important that people the rally was not officially permitted, the walked about three kilometers to Ka- weapons,” “Forgive us, Ukraine,” military insurgency in eastern Ukraine – were not scared to take part in the police were few and did not intervene. zan Cathedral with no incident, al- “Don’t trust Putin,” “No to war came to Kazan Cathedral, occasionally march despite the lack of permission, People refrained from bringing post- though opponents left a truck painted against Ukraine,” “Shame on the ly- raising flags of the self-proclaimed Do- and we know that you can easily land ers or chanting but one man briefly raised with pro-Kremlin slogans and picture ing and corrupt media. No to war netsk People’s Republic as well as anti- in prison for several years for such a placard saying “Putin, get your dirty of a Russian bear growling at a bald against a brotherly people,” “War in American and pro-Kremlin posters while things. But despite this, several thou- hands off Ukraine” before quickly walk- eagle. “Our country – our rules,” the Ukraine is a crime of Putin’s regime” arguing with the Peace March protesters. sand people were present, and this ing away. However, several people had inscription said. and “Stop the aggressor.” Some held A few were dressed in Putin T-shirts. was very pleasant. On the whole, ev- slogans on their clothes or wore anti-war By the time of the arrival of small Ukrainian flags or wore yellow- Pro-Kremlin anti-gay lawmaker erything is not as bad as television badges. Small groups of pro-Kremlin sup- marchers, there were already many and-blue ribbons. Vitaly Milonov — who also wore a tells us about ourselves.” ALL ABOUT TOWN Zenit Extends Winning Streak to 12 Wednesday, Sept. 24 chandise shop on Nevsky Prospekt. AmCham’s Human Resources Com- Let Biblioteka restaurant on By Gus Peters marked in the middle, receiving a pass plishment in setting a new team re- mittee meets this morning to discuss Nevsky Prospekt teach your children THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES from midfielder Oleg Shatov and hav- cord but remained cautiously opti- Labor Market Trends in their office how to be proper gentlemen and la- Venezuelan striker Jose Salomon Ron- ing enough time to take a touch before mistic. “We made a significant invest- in the New St. Isaac Office Center on dies during “Etiquette for Children,” don bagged a hat trick and Rostov’s scoring his third of the day. ment leading up to this season and we Ulitsa Yakubovicha. The meeting a class for children five to 11 years of defenders contributed two more to the It was the club’s eighth straight win have a very strong club, but we have begins at 9 a.m. age that promises to help them be- score line as Zenit St. Petersburg con- to start the Russian Premier League and to remember that not all games are come the cream of society. The class tinued their perfect start to the Russian their 12th straight in all competitions, a going to be like this one today and Thursday, Sept. 25 starts at 5 p.m. and costs 600 rubles Premier League with a 5-0 win away to club record. Zenit remains at the top of any streak sooner or later comes to Learn more about tax controls on ($15.60). Call 322 2526 to reserve a Rostov on Sept. 20. the table with a six-point lead over the an end.” prices at AmCham’s Taxation Com- spot for your child. Rondon put the visitors in front in three teams tied for second place. On the other side, Rostov’s manager mittee Round Table Meeting this the 11th minute before Rostov defender “We won and are continuing to play Miodrag Bozhovich was terse in his morning at 9 a.m. Vladimir I Goli- Sunday, Sept. 28 Siyanda Xulu doubled Zenit’s lead when just as well at the start of the season,” post-game statements. He acknowl- shevsky, Acting Head of the Transfer For something different, head to the his attempt at a goal-line clearance midfielder Oleg Shatov said, according edged Zenit’s superiority but when Pricing Department of the Federal African Pride Event being held by ended up in the back of his own net. to an interview posted by Zenit’s Eng- asked about what exactly went wrong Tax Service of Russia, will be in at- Nick’s Walkabout Tours, who have The Venezuelan put the game out lish-language website after the match. in his team’s loss, his short reply was tendance to discuss amendments to also helped bring African tribal lead- of Rostov’s reach in the 57th minute “We aren’t going to stop either. Spar- “We didn’t come up with enough.” the Russian Tax Code. Register in ers for the celebration. Check Vkon- when a cross into the box fell kindly to tak, our rival, is up next and we plan on Zenit’s next game is a Russian Cup advance if you wish to attend by takte for more information. him, allowing him to score with ease. beating them.” game against second division Anzhi emailing [email protected]. Rostov’s second own goal of the af- “We’re really happy,” goalkeeper Makhachkala this evening in Dagestan Today is the last day to check out Monday, Sept. 29 ternoon came off a Zenit free kick in the Yury Lodygin added. “And I would say before they return home to face off “Inventing Everyday Life. Part III: Experience Baltic culture through 72nd minute when Vitaly Dyakov’s at- not only with the fact that we won, but with bitter rivals Spartak Moscow in St. Street” exhibition — one of Mani- the medium of drama during the Bal- tempt to put a loose ball out of bounds how we played. We had a really high Petersburg on Saturday. festa’s parallel programs on at 36 tic House Theater Festival, which instead put it into his own goal. level today, and we aren’t planning on “We aren’t focusing on records and Morisa Toreza Prospekt until 8 p.m. starts on Sept. 25 and continues Rondon added to the home team’s stopping there.” instead are concentrating on our main through Oct. 13. Not only are some misery and completed his hat trick a Portuguese manager Andre Villas- goal — winning the championship,” Friday, Sept. 26 of the region’s most famous dramatic minute later when he was left un- Boas was proud of the team’s accom- Villas-Boas said. Feel yourself Spanish for a little bit works planned for production but at Spain Day, a celebration of all the event acts as a creative laboratory things Iberian this evening at the for a future generation of dramatists. Derzhavin Mansion in the city cen- Check the event’s website for more St. Petersburg to Host Euro 2020 Matches ter. Speak Spanish during the open details about the festival. classes, practice your footwork on THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES that football authorities have persis- Like St. Petersburg, Rome, Baku the dance floor to the sounds of fla- Tuesday, Sept. 30 St. Petersburg has been selected as tently rejected. and Munich will each host a quarterfi- menco music or chow down on pa- Local neo-pagans invite all worship- one of the 13 host cities of the 2020 “Football is football, and politics nal game and three group stage ella while learning more about the ers to the dedication of a new Heart European Championship, UEFA an- are politics,” UEFA president Michel matches. country’s culture. Tree in Sosnovka Park, Gods’ Wood. nounced Sept. 19. Platini said, the Kommersant newspa- Two other Eastern European 4 p.m. Russia’s second-largest city will host per reported. “I don’t see why St. Pe- cities — Budapest and Bucharest Saturday, Sept. 27 The second MIFIC Expo begins a quarterfinal and three group stage tersburg should not have been able to — will also host elimination rounds Local KHL team SKA St. Peters- today at Lenexpo, providing an in- matches at the Zenit Arena, a 67,000- contend to host Euro 2020 matches.” and group stage matches. Copen- burg welcomes Vityaz from the Mos- teractive platform for industry ex- seat stadium currently being built ahead In honor of the tournament’s 60th hagen, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Brus- cow region this afternoon at 5 p.m. in perts and manufacturers. Accesso- of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. anniversary, UEFA decided in 2012 sels, Dublin and Glasgow will each a Western Conference showdown. ries, surfaces and interior decoration Some Western politicians have that the 2020 European Champion- host a handful of matches as well, Tickets are still available to the match materials are just some of the things called for Russia to be stripped of the ship would be held in several Euro- while the tournament’s final will be and can be purchased on the team’s that will be available for perusal at right to host the 2018 World Cup and pean countries instead of the usual played at London’s famed Wemb- website, at the arena or in their mer- the expo, which runs through Oct. 2. other large sporting events, a notion one or two host nations. ley Stadium. NationalNews www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 3 IN BRIEF Tatars Worry Peaceful Marches ■ MOSCOW (SPT) — Thousands of About New Muscovites marched through the streets of the capital Sunday to protest what they see as Russia’s role in fueling Leadership the Ukraine conflict. As in Moscow’s past protests, statis- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES tics of the event varied greatly among Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov has different sources. Moscow police esti- promised to address the concerns of the mated that some 5,000 protesters had peninsula’s ethnic Tatar minority, while taken part in the protest, while Russia’s in the same breath threatening to deport Union of Observers said that more them if they “pit people against each than 26,000 people had in fact taken to other on inter-ethnic grounds.” the streets. Organizers had hoped up Aksyonov’s comments, published in to 50,000 people would turn out to pro- an interview with Kommersant on Mon- test Russia’s policies towards Ukraine, day, came amid flaring tensions follow- which they described as “irresponsible ing official raids on Tatar properties in and aggressive.” the peninsula last week. Activists in more than 30 cities around The snap inspections were only the the world, including Kiev, Paris and New latest signs of friction between regional York, also staged protests against the authorities and the Tatar population Russian government’s approach to the since Russia annexed the peninsula. crisis in Ukraine on Sunday, coinciding Federal bailiffs in Simferopol seized with the United Nations’ International property on Sept. 18 belonging to a char- Day of Peace. itable organization founded by Mustafa Dzhemilyev, a former Tatar leader who

DARKO VOJINOVIC / AP VOJINOVIC DARKO was banned from returning to his home- Bombers Near Alaska Street musicians performing in Donetsk on Monday. Both sides have begun withdrawing heavy weapons from the region. land in April over what prosecutors saw ■ MOSCOW (SPT) — Two Russian as “signs of extremism.” Tu-95 strategic bombers and four other The current leader, Refat Chubarov, military aircraft flew within the vicinity has also been banned from the peninsula of the northern shores of Alaska last Cease-fire Holds in Ukraine based on similar concerns. week as part of Russia’s East-2014 mili- Both Chubarov and Dzhemilyev tary exercises, the Defense Ministry By Laura Mills On Monday, explosions were heard Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko have repeatedly warned of discrimina- confirmed on Sept. 20. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS in the north of the rebel-held city of pleaded with the public to give the tion against the Crimean Tatar commu- “Two strategic missile carriers Tu-95 KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Both govern- Donetsk, where fighting in recent peace deal time to work. nity since their own exiles. were following four Russian intercep- ment troops and pro-Russian rebels weeks centered on a government-held “Solving the war in Luhansk and Aksyonov seemed to shrug off con- tor aircrafts Mig-31 and two aerial re- began withdrawing heavy artillery in airport has caught many residential ar- Donetsk with military alone is impos- cerns of discrimination, however, saying fueling tankers Il-78,” a statement re- the east of the country, Ukrainian offi- eas in the crossfire. Later, smoke rose sible,” he said. “The more military the Crimean Tatars themselves had fre- leased by the ministry said, as quoted cials said Monday, a significant step to- over a neighborhood in that area and groups we have there, the more the quently tried to “humiliate Russians” by Interfax. ward implementing an effective cease- rebels blocked an Associated Press Russian army will send.” during their annual May 18 demonstra- The aircraft were also followed by fire in the region. photographer from traveling there. Poroshenko said that 65 percent of tion, which marks the anniversary of the U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft for Col. Andriy Lysenko, spokesman Lysenko said two Ukrainian service- military equipment deployed by Kiev 1944 deportation of the peninsula’s Tatar three minutes. for Ukraine’s National Security and men had been killed in the past day. in the east has been destroyed. During population. The Russian planes did not cross Defense Council, said Kiev’s forces had Ukraine, Russia and the Moscow- a trip to the United States last week, Aksyonov also expressed skepticism into American airspace, and the flights started withdrawing from frontline po- backed rebels last week signed an the Ukrainian president pleaded for regarding the legitimacy of the Crimean were conducted in strict accordance sitions. He said the rebels had also be- agreement to further the peace process lethal weapons for his country’s army. Tatars’ highest executive-representative with international norms, the state- gun their withdrawal of heavy artillery, by halting advances and pulling back The U.S. gave Poroshenko $46 million body, the Mejlis, which represents the ment said. although it was “not as massive as we heavy artillery, creating a buffer zone in security aid, but excluded lethal interests of the peninsula’s Tatar com- expected.” between them. weapons from the deal. munity and was recognized as legitimate “We are seeing a trend that (the The deal, supported by the Organi- Poland’s Defense Minister Tomasz by presidential decree in 1999. German Ship in Crimea rebels) are reducing their use of heavy zation for Security and Cooperation in Siemoniak on Monday confirmed that “From a legal standpoint, such an or- ■ MOSCOW (SPT) — A German-op- armed weaponry,” Lysenko told jour- Europe, also specifically bans flights by Poland is ready to sell arms to Ukraine. ganization does not exist for me,” he erated cruise liner has traveled to the nalists in Kiev. He said neither Kiev combat aircraft over the area of con- “Since July, there is no embargo on said, before conceding that the Mejlis Crimean port of Yalta in apparent defi- nor the rebels had completed their flict and setting up new minefields. arms sale to Ukraine,” he said in an in- still retains “relatively minor authority” ance of the Ukrainian government, which withdrawals, but said he hoped the reb- It could be a significant step forward terview with the radio station Zet, adding on the peninsula. has prohibited international vessels from els “will follow the example of the in finally bringing an end to the sim- that Poland and “many other countries” “We will keep our word and resolve calling at the Black Sea peninsula. Ukrainian servicemen.” mering conflict, although negotiators are prepared to offer their products. all of your issues,” Aksyonov reassured The “Ocean Majesty” docked in the A cease-fire imposed Sept. 5 has have not yet addressed the future sta- Siemoniak said that Ukraine is now members of the Crimean Tatar commu- port of Yalta on Sept. 17 and stayed for been riddled by violations from the tus of the rebel regions, the most politi- getting acquainted with the list of ar- nity. “But all actions aimed at a refusal a day, German broadcaster NDR.de start, adding civilian casualties to the cally controversial issue. maments made in Poland, but that the to recognize Russia’s annexation of reported Sunday. estimated 3,000 people who have been In an interview with Ukrainian news two countries have agreed not to dis- Crimea, will be prosecuted in accor- Most of the 500 tourists aboard the killed since the conflict began in April. channels released late on Sunday, cuss the details publicly. dance with the law.” “Ocean Majesty,” which is owned by a Greek shipping company but chartered by Germany’s Bremen-based Hansa Touristik, are likely to be German, the report said. Khodorkovsky Declares Sudden Political Comeback The docking comes after the Ukrai- nian government in June issued a di- By Ivan Nechepurenko law in the country, and improving its throughout the political landscape. his net worth was approximately $15 rective according to which the Crimean THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES electoral system, Khodorkovsky said in Open Russia will not be officially reg- billion, making him the richest man in ports of Kerch, Theodosia, Sevastopol, Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodork- a statement over the weekend. istered or have offices in the country. Russia at that point. Yalta and Yevpatoria have been closed ovsky declared his ambition over the In an interview published Sunday “The actions that he [Putin] takes According to Khodorkovsky’s state- to international vessels. weekend to play a leading role in steer- by French newspaper Le Monde, are clearly leading Russia along the pa- ment at the relaunch celebration, Open ing Russia down the path toward Euro- Khodorkovsky indicated his willing- triarchal Asian path to development,” Russia “does not get money from pean-style democracy. ness to lead the country through what he told Le Monde. America; our compatriots provide us American Revolutionary Khodorkovsky was released in De- he sees as its present crisis. Open Russia’s first electoral goal is with funds.” ■ MOSCOW (SPT) — From war-torn cember from a decade-long prison term “I would not be interested in be- to prevent “the most odious people” Many Russian political analysts and eastern Ukraine, a young American man stemming from tax evasion charges. He coming Russia’s president if my coun- from taking up seats in the State Duma pundits have argued that Khodork- named Hunter has called on his compa- kept a relatively low profile in the try was developing normally,” he said. in 2016. Speaking at the relaunch, ovsky’s arrest was driven by his ambi- triots and other foreigners around the months that have passed since his re- However, “if it appeared necessary to Khodorkovsky referred to the State tion to challenge the power of Presi- globe to come help the insurgents battle lease, but came out in full swing over overcome the crisis and carry out con- Duma as “a bulwark of reactionaries.” dent Vladimir Putin. Kiev government forces. the weekend, making bold political stitutional reform, so as to redistribute Khodorkovsky said the organiza- Notably, however, Putin himself In the three-minute video, posted on statements in interviews with several presidential powers in favor of the judi- tion is prepared to support any political signed the pardon that preceded the YouTube on Sunday by the pro-Russian European media outlets. ciary, parliament and civil society, I hopeful that advocates for Russian de- former oligarch’s early release, telling separatist group “Patriot Forces of Don- The former oil baron celebrated the would be ready to take on this part of velopment along the European model, reporters in December, “He has al- bass,” a man who refers himself as relaunch of his political foundation the work,” he told Le Monde. regardless of the candidate’s specific ready spent more than 10 years in Hunter tells viewers he came to eastern Open Russia in Berlin on Sept. 20. The Khodorkovsky believes the Russian political affiliation, whether that advo- prison. That is a serious punishment.” Ukraine from the American state of Illi- organization, which was essentially shut government is plagued by a lack of the cacy is: “informational, ideological, or- Following his sudden release, nois about a month ago to “help Nov- down in 2006 after a Moscow court froze sort of legitimacy that can only come ganizational, and of course where it is Khodorkovsky promptly flew to Eu- orossiya become an independent state.” its bank accounts, will work to coordi- from honest elections, he told the possible, financial.” rope and has not since returned. When “If people want to come here, par- nate between the scattered political and French paper. Khodorkovsky’s net worth was esti- he declined to attend his mother’s fu- ticularly from the West, the Western civic movements that comprise Russia’s He hopes to strengthen the coun- mated by Forbes Russia to stand at neral in August, he cited fears that if he world, it’d be good to come here. Espe- diverse opposition movement. try’s political dialogue by creating an $170 million in 2014, a sizable fortune, were to reenter the country, he may be cially if they have military experi- The organization will be guided by online structure that will aim to knit to- even if only a fraction of his former fi- deprived of the right to leave again. He ence.… U.S. military experience would the principles of orienting Russia to- gether opposition-minded groups and nancial glory. At the time of his 2003 currently resides in Switzerland with be very valuable here too.” ward Europe, strengthening the rule of individuals that are dispersed broadly arrest, the same publication reported his family. Business www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 4

IN BRIEF Russia Stays Online ■ SPT — President Vladimir Putin did not discuss plans to cut off the Rus- sian Internet from the global network in a security council meeting on Mon- day, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti. On Sept. 19, news reports said the plan would be on the table, as Russia deals with escalating Western sanc- tions in response to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. Instead, Peskov said, Putin and the Security Council discussed the threat posed by the IS militant group ravag- ing the Middle East and how to com- bat the spread of the Ebola virus. Business daily Vedomosti on Sept. 19 said the Russian government was interested in setting up a kill switch that would enable authorities to sever Russia’s Internet from the global net- work in the event of a cyber attack from abroad, war, or civil unrest at home. On the same day, Peskov denied

SBERBANK / SERGEI PORTER SBERBANK / SERGEI that Moscow was planning to cut itself According to Standard and Poor’s, more than 50 percent of Russian banks are affected by the current sanctions including Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender. off from the World Wide Web. He said the government was aiming to bolster its national security by ensuring the Russian Internet could function as a Banks Seek Funding as Sanctions Bite sovereign unit if the West removed it from the global network. By Howard Amos about $57 billion of external debt this “The march toward the financial and Poor’s said in a report released THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES year and next, according to estimates markets of the East will be successful Sept. 19. The head of Russia’s biggest lender, by Standard and Poor’s credit rating but long,” Andrei Kostin was quoted The sanctions could increase the IKEA Expansion Sberbank, said Sept. 19 that the bank agency. by Prime as saying in Sochi. “The situa- vulnerability of smaller Russian banks was doing a “colossal” amount of State-owned Sberbank was sanc- tion is changing. But in general it re- to funding shocks while deepening the ■ SPT — Swedish retailer IKEA work to reorient itself toward domes- tioned by the U.S. earlier this month quires painstaking work and time to dependency of bigger players on sup- plans to break out of a period of con- tic funding sources, as Western sanc- and is banned from buying or selling attract investment from the East.” port from the Central Bank, Standard solidation and invest 2 billion euros tions imposed on Moscow for its an- new bonds, equity or other financial Successive rounds of sanctions im- and Poor’s said. through 2020 on expanding its network nexation of Crimea and support of instruments with a maturity of more posed by the EU and U.S. on Moscow “Banks’ growing and durable de- of shopping malls across Russia’s re- separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine than 30 days in Europe. in March, July and September have not pendence on Central Bank funding in- gions, business daily Vedomosti re- begin to hit Russia’s banking sector. All major state-controlled Russian had any dramatic short-term conse- dicates that they are unable to maintain ported last week. Other top Russian bankers at an in- banks, including VTB, Bank of Mos- quences for large Russian state-owned a self-funded business model,” the By 2018, the company plans to build vestment forum near the Black Sea cow, Gazprombank, Russian Agricul- companies, but analysts and experts credit rating agency said. more centers in Moscow, St. Peters- warned that Asian money could not re- tural Bank and development bank warn that if the measures remain in A reliance on the Central Bank for burg, Voronezh, Perm and Krasno- place the loss of U.S. and European VEB face similar restrictions. place, the domestic financial system financing shows an inability to attract yarsk, Armin Mikaeli, the head of capital markets. Russia’s publicly listed banks raised will become more vulnerable and credit funds from elsewhere. A narrower fund- IKEA Shopping Centers Russia, said “Of course sanctions have had an almost half of their 15.8 billion euros ratings will be threatened. ing base makes the system inherently in a statement. impact on business conditions… In the for capital needs in the European “Funding and liquidity risks, to- more unstable and dependent on the fi- In recent years, the Swedish retailer finance and banking sector we are Union last year. Standard and Poor’s gether with deteriorating asset qual- nancial muscle of Russian state, which is refrained from opening new stores and feeling them in full. Practically all ex- has said that more than 50 percent of ity, will be the main triggers for nega- struggling to avoid recession amid slid- instead focused on developing the ex- ternal markets are now closed, and we Russia’s banking sector assets are di- tive rating actions on Russian banks ing oil prices and Western sanctions. isting ones. In 2011, the company said are now conducting a colossal amount rectly affected by sanctions. over the next few quarters. More than The Central Bank now funds 10 it was freezing investment in Russia of work to switch over to internal The head of VTB, Russia’s second two-thirds of our outlooks on Rus- percent of banks’ total liabilities, ac- because of excessive and unpredict- sources of funding,” Sberbank presi- largest bank, poured cold water on the sian banks are already negative. The cording to Standard and Poor’s, just 3 able bureaucracy in some of Russia’s dent German Gref said, the Prime idea Sept. 19 that U.S. and EU capital longer sanctions last, the more acute percent lower than at the height of a li- regions. economic news agency reported. Rus- could be quickly replaced with financ- funding imbalances and liquidity quidity squeeze in 2009 during the The “tolerance to corruption” dis- sian banks will need to refinance ing from Asia. pressures could become,” Standard global economic crisis. played by some of its own staff also

РЕКЛАМА contributed to the decision to stall ex- pansion efforts, the company said at the time. Mikaeli said IKEA had decided to Son of State Media Chief review its policies because the situa- tion has improved on both fronts. According to IKEA, more than 270 Named CEO of Vkontakte million people shopped at MEGA cen- By Anna Dolgov ital Partners, or UCP, had voted ters in Russia last year and the sales of THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES down Dobrodeyev’s appointment the tenants increased by 6 percent. Russia’s largest social network, this summer, but said it would re- Vkontakte, has appointed the son consider its stance if Mail.ru of a pro-Kremlin media executive dropped a lawsuit contesting its Currency Change as its new CEO, in the latest sign of ownership of Vkontakte stock. increased government control over The shareholders’ dispute ■ SPT —The Belarusian Central the Internet. ended earlier this week, when Mail. Bank said Monday it will remove all Boris Dobrodeyev, whose father ru announced Sept. 16 that it had 50-ruble notes from circulation by Oleg Dobrodeyev heads the state- bought out UCP’s 48 percent stake next year, as double-digit inflation in owned media holding VGTRK, has in Vkontakte for $1.47 billion and the authoritarian Eastern European been named the new chief of Vkon- now was a sole owner of the social country devalues the currency. takte having “de facto executed the network. The banknotes will no longer be powers of general director since The buy-out opened the way for printed from Jan. 1, 2015, because of April,” the company said Sept. 18 in Dobrodeyev’s appointment as “the inexpediency of the further use of a statement carried by Russian news Vkontakte’s new director, a Mail.ru this banknote in cash transactions,” agencies. spokesperson was quoted as saying the regulator said in a statement. The appointment comes two by news website Gazeta.ru. Fifty Belarusian rubles are cur- days after Russia’s leading Internet Dobrodeyev replaces Vkontak- rently worth about 0.4 cents, or ap- company Mail.ru Group, which is te’s whizz-kid founder Pavel Durov, proximately 18 kopecks. majority-owned by the country’s who sold his stake in the company The inflation rate in Belarus is one richest man Alisher Usmanov, and fled the country earlier this year of the highest of any former Soviet bought out a rival Vkontakte share- after a bitter shareholder dispute Union countries. Consumer prices rose holder and assumed 100 percent and what he said was pressure from 17.9 percent in the first eight months ownership of the social network. Russia’s security services to share of 2014 compared to the same period The rival shareholder, Moscow- confidential information about his in 2013, according to figures published based investment fund United Cap- network’s users. by the Belarusian National Statistics Committee last week. Opinion www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 5 Russia’s Short-Term Policies Risk Its Future By Mark Adomanis

ussian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov raised quite of lot of eyebrows last week when he stated that the government Rwould withhold $8.2 billion worth of money that was originally scheduled to be invested in the pension system. A large chunk of this money will be set aside to create a special “reserve fund” designed to offer financing to state- owned companies that have been fro- zen out of Western capital markets as a result of increasingly severe U.S. and EU sanctions. Less than a week earlier, Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyu- kayev made a less detailed but poten- tially even bolder announcement that the Russian government will use “all means” to support companies that have been hit by Western sanctions. Unlike Siluanov, Ulyukayev didn’t put a spe- cific price tag on this support, but he did speculate on the sources of money, which include the National Wealth Fund and the state budget itself. In one sense, the hundred billion rubles (roughly $2.6 billion) that has already been earmarked for aiding Rosneft, Sberbank and the other large state-owned companies is money that is not being invested in transport infra- structure, medical care or any one of a dozen other sectors in which Russia desperately needs to invest. Rather than long-term improve- sence of Putinism is that it is a series of other large country has a level of govern- omy: the problems (especially infla- lot less generous. There is simply no other ments to Russia’s economic competi- short-term tactical improvisations mas- ment debt that is as paltry as Russia’s, tion) have all grown more severe and way to make the math work. Maybe there tiveness, this money will be spent, in querading as policy. and even as the economy has slowed the upsides have grown more muted. is a better example of the tension be- business parlance, “just to keep the But in a broad sense, much of Rus- over the past two years the government Russia has sufficient resources at its tween the short and long terms, but I lights on.” There are many potential sian economic policy has actually been has constructed responsible budgets and disposal so that it can deal without can’t think of a more illustrative example uses of the money accumulated in Rus- focused on the very long term. If Putin run exceedingly modest deficits. Western financing, at least for a little than raiding the pension fund to give a sia’s sovereign wealth fund, but until was only thinking about the next six Unfortunately, though, U.S. and EU while. Precise estimates differ, but bunch of money to Rosneft. recently no one would have argued that months, he never would have assented sanctions seem to be driving Russian there is general agreement that Russia Russia can get away with such short- underwriting Rosneft’s operating ex- to the initial creation of the reserve policymaking in a direction that is ever will be able keep its largest companies term-focused policies for a while. As penses should be one of them. fund or to the early pay down of Rus- more focused on the short term over operating without outside financing for Adam Smith noted, there is a lot of The aid being offered to companies sia’s sovereign debts: He would simply the long term. Capital flight, always a at least two years. ruin in a nation, and even with all of hints at a much deeper issue: that of have spent all of the oil surplus in much problem even during the best of times, There will, however, be serious the mounting difficulties Russia will short- versus long-term priorities. Un- the same way that former Venezuelan has exploded to truly epidemic propor- costs associated with pursuing such a likely find a way to stumble through. der Putin, the Russian government has leader Hugo Chavez did. tions. Investment has also been on a course, and the costs will grow expo- But in mounting such a panicky and re- often been caricatured, unfairly I think, Instead, over the past decade and a worrying downward trajectory. Sanc- nentially more severe the longer they active response to U.S. and EU sanc- as a bunch of people with no long-term half Russia’s fiscal policy has been one of tions, in short, seem to be drawing out are incurred. tions, Russia is setting itself up for plans. In many analysts’ view, the es- the most prudent in the entire world. No the very worst parts of Russia’s econ- As just one example, consider pen- some really serious difficulty a few sions. Due to demographic changes that years down the line. COMMENT have seen the number of young adults halved, one of two things will happen: Mark Adomanis is an MA/MBA Russia’s pension system will need a lot candidate at the Lauder institute at the Russia’s Energy Sector Is an Insider’s Game more money, or pensions will become a University of Pennsylvania By Kirill Kharatyan ers Platon Lebedev and Mikhail Khodor- The fundamental difference be- kovsky, who were both imprisoned. It is tween Sistema and LUKoil is that remlin press secretary probably a “baseless and inappropriate” Vladimir Yevtushenkov has diversified Dmitry Peskov has said comparison to mention that house arrest holdings while LUKoil chief executive that any comparisons be- is actually the maximum penalty for a Vagit Alekperov has almost exclusively tween Sistema and the violation of Article 174. And it would be oil and gas assets. Yukos affair are baseless unseemly to note that the Yukos affair Also, Alekperov is not trying to Kand inappropriate. began shortly after the company’s man- make LUKoil public: to the contrary, It’s a good thing he said that, or else agement made the unpatriotic decision he is quietly buying up the company’s I might have been struck by the amaz- to deal with U.S. company ExxonMobil market shares. Sistema, meanwhile, ing parallels between the two. Both while the Sistema case was launched lists two of its companies — MTS and cases were initiated as challenges to the shortly after owners decided to hold a Bashneft — on the stock exchange and legality of how assets were privatized public offering for Bashneft on the Lon- had plans to list Detsky Mir and two — apatite deposits in one and Bashkir don Stock Exchange. more companies as well. fuel and energy in the other. Why do I say these comparisons are Perhaps it is unpatriotic to list com- In the Yukos case, a State Duma dep- “baseless and inappropriate”? Because panies on a stock exchange, especially uty lodged the complaint, and in the of the example of LUKoil. Like the a Western one. Would it be wrong to Sistema case, it was reportedly Bashkor- Yukos and Sistema cases, in the case consider Tatneft — headed by the pres- tostan President Rustem Khamitov: Af- concerning LUKoil the authorities also ident of Tatarstan — as a more suitable ter the Sept. 14 elections he publicly raised concerns about privatization and model for Bashneft? stated his attitude toward Bashneft’s 2003 shares-for-loans auctions, charges of Aside from old and Kremlin-loyal Партнер privatization, saying the republic’s budget tax evasion, the involvement of U.S. LUKoil, the only notable private oil received not even a penny from the deal. partners and the trading of vouchers on and gas companies still on the market Next, both cases invoked Article foreign stock exchanges — as Sistema are Novatek, owned by close Putin as- 160 of the Criminal Code on misappro- is charged with doing in a joint venture sociate Gennady Timchenko, and the priation and embezzlement and both with Bashneft, a company that investi- independent NNK company owned by referred to the involvement of large or- gators claim was obtained illegally. Eduard Khudainatov, former president ganized groups. Both cases also in- And yet, the authorities leveled no of Rosneft. voked Article 174 on money launder- charges of embezzlement or inappropri- It appears that outsiders are not ing, again allegedly involving large or- ate legalization against LUKoil. Does welcome. ganized groups. that mean some companies can work in Of course, Sistema owner Vladimir the oil and gas industry while others are Kirill Kharatyan is the deputy chief Yevtushenkov was only placed under not allowed? If so, then how to under- editor of Vedomosti. This comment house arrest, unlike former Yukos own- stand which companies have the right? appeared in Vedomosti. BusinessFocus www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 6 Eagle Travel: Success Against the Odds By Lana Matafonov Most people go into St. Isaac’s Ca- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES thedral but not that many know to go climb up the colonnade, which I think tarting a business in Russia as is great — and especially romantic for a foreigner is a challenge. couples as well. However, if you want Add into the mix Russia’s something completely off the beaten current political situation, track, do a tour of the rooftops! That’s with the increasing sanctions definitely a unique experience. Saffecting the economy and deterring Another thing to note is that at the people from doing business with Rus- Peter and Paul Fortress, you really sia, and it would seem that there are don’t have to go into the cathedral to enough red flags to make one hold off where the Romanovs are buried. All on the business idea, especially if it’s the sarcophagi (stone coffins above opening a local tour company. But for ground) pretty much look the same local St. Petersburg couple Doug and and it’s always very crowded. Instead, Olga Cardamone, they did just that — check out the prison, as it gives a good opening a boutique tour company in insight into the different periods of February this year called Eagle Travel. Russian history in quite a creepy way. Despite the long odds, Doug, an Amer- The biggest mistake a tourist can ican who has been living in St. Peters- make is going into the Grand Palace at burg for over seven years, and Olga, a Peterhof. If you have seen any other local who has been working in the tour- palace while in St. Petersburg, chances ism industry for over four years, were are you will not be impressed and in- still determined that their business stead just be pushed around by a large model and idea would survive despite number of tour groups. Meanwhile, other major tour companies in the city there are so many other amazing little being forced to close. pavilions in the surrounding Peterhof

With the peak tourism season now FOR SPT garden that are almost always empty coming to an end, Doug and Olga As a boutique tour company, directors Doug and Olga Cardamone were able to keep costs down without compromising and much more interesting to see. My spoke to The St. Petersburg Times on service or value to help survive the drop in tourist numbers this year as a result of Russia’s current political climate. favorite is Monplaisir — the private about the obstacles of not only starting residence of Peter the Great, which has a new business as a foreigner but how Doug: No, it was never really a con- say. I know steps have been taken in People tend to associate Russian archi- kept his bedroom intact as well as dis- they have overcome the added chal- sideration. Though we officially opened recent times to ease the process, but it tecture with Moscow and so when they playing a number of his personal items. lenges and succeeded so far, especially in February, the work of becoming reg- is still time consuming and expensive. come here, they leave saying that the in this political and economic climate. istered actually started much earlier. We city’s beauty does not compare with Q: You have been given a tourist knew we were entering a competitive Q: Looking back, would you do anywhere else they have been in the for 24 hours — describe your perfect Q: Now that the peak tourism season market even before the amount of visi- anything differently? world. Those that have been to Mos- one-day itinerary. is ending, how have you found your tors dropped, so we were careful to keep Doug: We should have had a better cow also leave with more favorable Olga: I would recommend meeting first season? Olga, having experience costs down as much as possible. The idea of the whole picture before we feelings toward St. Petersburg. Tourists with a guide after breakfast in Café in this industry, what was it like this comparative lack of tourists is a prob- started. A number of times we were is- are also impressed with the cleanliness Singer located on the second floor of year compared to others? lem for all tour operators but I think it sued a document and weren’t aware of the city and the reliability of the the city’s main and most famous book- Olga: We’re really pleased. For us, affects us less because we focus on high- that it was only valid for 30 days. While public transportation. store, Dom Knigi. Not only does it the biggest thing is finding out that ly-personalized, individual tours, and gathering other necessary documents, have a great view, the store also offers there are still a lot of tourists who are generally speaking, people who buy it expired, so we had to start again. Q: What about Russian food? Is discounts for books in the morning. interested in what we have to offer. It’s them really want to come here. That is probably my biggest piece of there any particular food tourists tend After that, walk down the canal to true that the number of visitors is down advice: Find out everything that is re- to love that surprises you? the Church of the Savior on Spilled across the country. However, we are a Q: St. Petersburg is already flooded quired before you start, which is quite Olga: Guests are generally sur- Blood. As most tour groups arrive later small firm and we work mostly with in- with tour operators — what does your difficult since the legal registration and prised with how much they like Rus- in the day, now is a less crowded time. dividual clients and small groups. We business do differently? the banking registration and reporting sian food, especially blini and borscht. Afterwards, enjoy a walk through don’t have to deal with half-empty tour Doug: We personalize the experi- are separate. However, guests are also interested in the Summer Garden and see other buses. We have also tried to increase ence. We’re in contact with all of our trying other regional cuisines, such as monuments, including the courtyard of our online presence and continue to guests before they arrive, mostly Q: What advice would you give for- Georgian and Uzbek. A couple weeks the Marble Palace with its unique and stay in touch with all of our clients. through Skype consultations. From eigners who may be thinking about ago, a guest was so impressed with me- intriguing sculptures; the beautiful Much of our business has been recom- there, we recommend and decide on the setting up a business in Russia? dovik (a honey cake) that she ordered Mikhailovsky Castle; Arts Square with mended by our former guests, and we activities — which may be well off the Doug: Anticipate that things will it in every restaurant. the famous Pushkin statue, and then are very appreciative of that. beaten path — and provide guides that take longer to get done than you prob- enjoy a traditional Russian, Georgian suit our guests’ personalities. Not every- ably expect. There seemed be a lot of Q: What are some places in St. Pe- or Uzbek lunch. Q: Did you get many cancellations one wants to see museums all day, so we unexpected bureaucratic setbacks — tersburg that tend to be missed on most The afternoon is a much better time as tensions rose between Russia and offer ballet nights, pub crawls, literary the workers in the registration offices itineraries but you recommend as a for visiting the Hermitage than the Ukraine? What were tourists most tours and romantic packages. Many are extremely pedantic — so don’t rush must see? morning. On Wednesdays, the Hermit- concerned about? guests have specific areas of interest and to rent an office or hire staff members. Olga: It’s hard to recommend just age is open until 9 p.m. and the crowds Doug: Yeah, a few, but probably less we can craft a tour that focuses on those one place. It really depends on the per- are much smaller. than you’d imagine considering the sta- interests. We’re also very picky about Q: In what ways can the city im- son. If people like art, I believe that they In the evening, a performance at ei- tistical drop in tourists this year. Others who we employ. There is no shortage of prove its facilities for tourists? What shouldn’t miss out on Erarta — the mod- ther the Mariinsky Theater or the who contacted us and expressed inter- highly knowledgeable guides in St. Pe- changes would you like to see? ern art museum on Vasilievsky Island. Mikhailovsky Theater is a must; Rus- est in coming decided to delay their tersburg, but we’re also concerned with Olga: St. Petersburg is not very ac- It’s a wonderful place where you could sian ballet and opera are famous plans. Ultimately, we do everything finding guides who have extremely good cessible for the disabled. We’ve had in- spend the whole day doing all sorts of in- around the world and St. Petersburg possible to make people feel safe when English skills and are also personable stances where we have literally carried teresting things and everything there is offers some of the best. they are here, like picking them up at and fun. Finally, we have a very wide ar- guests in wheelchairs up and down translated into English well. Then, to finish the night, take a ca- the airport and providing them with lo- ray of pricing options. Some people ap- staircases. Also, the availability of Eng- If people are traveling with kids, it’s nal cruise to watch the bridges open — cal cell phones. We try to assure them preciate being driven around in a luxury lish, especially well-written English, in worth seeing Grand Maket — a minia- a nice traditional, romantic way to end that the current political situation won’t car, and we certainly offer that service. museums as well as all over the city, is ture model of Russia, showing all the the day. have any effect on their trip but we do Others prefer taking public transporta- lacking. cities and regions, and spanning over understand their concerns. tion, having the same experience as lo- 800 square meters. You can easily For more information, visit: cals, and then using their money for Q: What are the most common mis- spend a few hours there. www.travelwitheagle.com Q: Were tourists interested in un- other things. conceptions about Russia that tourists derstanding the conflict or was politi- tend to have? cal talk typically avoided? Q: As a foreigner, what have been Doug: Aside from the typical and Olga: Almost all of our tourists some of the challenges in setting up a untrue stereotypes about bears and have been very interested in Russia, new business in Russia? vodka, people tend to think of Russia both in regards to history and contem- Doug: The bureaucracy — there are as being more dangerous than any porary issues. It’s actually amazing how a lot of hoops to jump through and it is other European country, which isn’t the polite all of our guests were. Most of difficult to find reliable, affordable help case. After going through the long pro- them were really interested in current to guide you through the process. We cess of obtaining a visa, something events, but they always beat around the used a number of different lawyers, ac- which they may not be used to, they bush and first try to make sure it’s okay countants, banks and notaries to get all then expect the difficulties to continue to talk about politics. They always say I the information we needed. Tourist com- while they are here. Thankfully this re- don’t have to answer if I don’t want to. panies have to also take additional steps ally isn’t the case. Our guests are also I think it’s great to discuss such things in order to be officially registered and often surprised with how affordable as these questions always lead to inter- have the right to send visa invitations. things are once they get here. esting discussions. Q: Do you think it has become Q: What are your tourists most Q: Did you ever consider postpon- harder or easier for foreigners to set up surprised about when they come to St. ing or forgetting about your business? businesses in Russia? Petersburg?

Why did you decide to still push Doug: As this is the first company Olga: Many are not really prepared SPT FOR through? we’ve opened, it’s really hard for me to for how beautiful St. Petersburg is. The company focuses on highly-personalized, individual tours. EducationSpecial www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 7 Young Entrepreneur Tackles Online Education

By Diana Kulchitskaya Peter Kutis, serial entrepreneur; $49), THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES “Roadmap to Successful IPO” (Arie Kravtchin, Bank of America Merrill elena Masolova may be Lynch; $99) and “Personal Productiv- only 29, but she has al- ity” (Eduson; free). Soon Eduson will ready convinced promi- introduce three courses taught by Ichak nent business consultants Adizes, widely acknowledged as one of like Ichak Adizes, Tim the world’s top management experts. YEnneking and Alexei Kapterev to join Masolova, who at the age of 27 was forces with her to revolutionize Rus- ranked among Russia’s Top 30 young sian education. Internet entrepreneurs by Forbes Rus- Sort of. sia, is herself a product of traditional Masolova, who has 20 start-ups un- education, graduating from Moscow’s der her belt, is aiming to bring premier Higher School of Economics. But in business education to Russia and other 2006 she completed an online educa- BRIC countries through Eduson.tv, an tion course from California’s Stanford education platform that just over a year University and discovered that, con- old but already well-known on the Rus- trary to widespread opinion, the qual- sian market of online education. ity of online classes was quite high. “Living in Russia, I understood that “I had world-class specialists as pro- it is possible to overstep the boundaries fessors, read tons of articles and books, of the country and create an interna- and submitted essays,” she said. “So tional company,” Masolova said in an this education did not differ much from interview at her office located at the an offline course. In my case it was hip Krasny Oktyabr business center. even better.” “Besides, I have always been inter- In addition, she said, this route ested in education,” she said. “My grand- saved money and time, giving it a key mother was a teacher and my mother advantage over classroom study. was also involved in teaching. So this Masolova was further inspired by project met all my personal interests.” Coursera, an education platform that

Eduson, whose name is a neologism partners Stanford and other top univer- SPT GUS PETERS / FOR combining two words: Edison and edu- sities to offer courses online for free. Eduson offers almost 800 video business courses in English, Russian, Chinese and Portuguese. cation, allows people to sign up for on- So in April 2013 she launched the line courses with tuition fees that range Eduson.tv website in English, adding ence as well as to people in the other realized that it is more useful to be a While Eduson targets BRIC coun- from free to $109. The classes have Russian, Chinese and Portuguese ver- BRIC countries of Brazil, China and In- b2b company,” Masolova said. tries, Masolova is considering narrowing names like “From $0 to $400 Million sions later. The site’s mission was to bring dia. The online platform now boasts Now the main focus is on companies the focus to Russians and U.S. citizens Gross Sales in 1.5 Years” (taught by top business specialists to a Russian audi- about 100 corporate clients and offers with more than 1,000 employees that after finding that they are the main users many classes in all four languages. pay an annual fee of $30,000 for access of the service. She would like to enter — “I find the concept very good,” said to all available courses. Firms with and conquer — the U.S. market one day. Tim Enneking, founder and director of fewer employees are charged $49 per Eduson’s Moscow office consists of Altima Asset Management, who month for the same service. In addition 10 people, while about 40 freelancers Moscow State University quickly agreed to teach two courses de- to training employees, Eduson provides work remotely around the world. The voted to negotiation skills and public companies with statistics on their stud- company also maintains a small office speaking at conferences when ap- ies and how they are progressing. in Silicon Valley in the U.S. Masolova Makes List of World’s Best proached by Eduson. “We truly believe in distance educa- said she tries to keep prices affordable “But I believe that Eduson will even- tion on demand. Eduson are pioneers and thinks current tuition fees are one THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES In all, 21 Russian universities tually have to include more interactive of the company’s competitive advan- Lomonosov Moscow State Univer- featured on the list, which ranked content in the courses,” he said. “This tages. The $50 to $100 fees for classes sity has placed 114th in the latest 863 universities worldwide. will make the content more appealing are on the lower end of online tuition World University Rankings compiled Joining MGU in the top 400 were and effective for the clients, much ‘The Russian online fees, and the $30,000 corporate rate is by British-based education special- St. Petersburg’s State University harder for pirates to steal and allow the education market is comparable to other offerings. ists QS Quacquarelli Symonds. (233rd), Bauman Moscow State business to be more profitable.” The Russian online education mar- The rankings, published Sept. 16 Technical University (322nd) Novo- Alexei Kapterev, the author of the young, and not all ket is young, and not all universities are widely considered to be one of sibirsk State University (328th), and books “Death by PowerPoint” and have embraced it. the definitive indicators of global the Moscow State Institute of Inter- “Presentation Secrets,” signed up to universities have “A tradition of online education has educational performance. national Relations (399th). teach a course titled “Art of Presenta- embraced it.’ not formed in Russia. That is why Moscow’s State University, or Topping the rankings for the tion: an Unforgettable Motivating emerging new online projects will not MGU, was the highest-ranked Rus- third year running is the U.S. Mas- Story” after four hours of back-and- in this space in Russia,” said Shahar have an immediate effect on the mar- sian university on this year’s 11th sachusetts Institute of Technology, forth talks on what he could offer Edu- Waiser, the founder of GetTaxi, an Is- ket of higher education in our country,” edition of the QS list, climbing six or MIT, which scored top marks son’s students. raeli-based company that allows peo- said Alexander Rozhdestvensky, rector places from last year. across the board. “I saw that the company had ambi- ple to order taxis online and via mobile of the Russian State Technological The university is the most widely Britain’s University of Cambridge tions to enter the international market, devices. GetTaxi, which entered Mos- University MATI, which offers its own acclaimed educational institution in and Imperial College London came and I found that interesting,” he said. cow in 2012 and counts Ukrainian-born distance-learning program. Russia and was ranked the country’s in second and third place, respec- Kapterev added that he believes the U.S. tycoon Len Blavatnik among its He said universities should not ignore best by Interfax news agency and tively, with the U.S.’ Harvard Uni- project has potential but needs time to investors, has also become a corporate the trend but classroom study should re- radio station Ekho Moskvy earlier versity and Britain’s Oxford Univer- mature. client. His employees take courses in main because it is more challenging to this summer. sity coming in fourth and fifth place. The online classes are simple. Cli- marketing, sales and management. educate technical specialists online. MGU was also cited among the The universities were ranked in ents may choose individual learning “I have found Eduson to be a great However, Dmitry Guzhelya, founder developing world’s top 10 universi- accordance with eight different cri- tracks and select any courses they like. source of professional growth,” he said. of Universarium, another platform for ties last December by the Times teria: research, employability, teach- Some of them are available offline, so Marina Aslanyan, 30, who works in online education, said a battle is brew- Higher Education BRICS & Emerg- ing, facilities, internationalization, one can learn at any place and any the Internet business, enrolled in her ing for leadership in online education in ing Economies ranking. innovation, specialism and access. time, wherever one’s computer is. The first Eduson classes after reading an Russia. “There are some successful courses usually are designed with a article about the website during an on- projects, but there are also significant two-screen interface, the first showing line search for sales and marketing difficulties. One of them is the lack of the professor and the second with the courses. “I think the platform is very big players in the game,” he said. presentation of the course. useful. Everything is designed in a Masolova hopes to be that leader. Her “At first we wanted to follow the comprehensible and interesting way,” goal is to have about 1,000 companies us- business-to-client model, but later we Aslanyan said. ing her platform by the end of the year. ADVERTISING ADVERTISING ALEXEY KLJATOV / FLICKR ALEXEY KLJATOV Moscow State University is the highest-ranked Russian university. 8 ❖ Wednesday, September 24, 2014 EDUCATION SPECIAL www.sptimes.ru | The St. Petersburg Times THE COCA-COLA COMPANY THE COCA-COLA COMPANY

Russia is one of the world’s largest consumers of Coca-Cola, a status that may be affected by the recent ban on Western goods implemented at the beginning of August. Learning How to Sweeten the Deal in Russia By Jonathan Melvin the ambition and the skillset to capital- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES EXPERIENCE ize on these opportunities. If you are used to a dynamic business environ- here is perhaps no time in a Education: ment, it is easier to operate here, even student’s life more ambigu- University of Pécs, Department of with some of the uncertainties and in- ous and fraught with uncer- Arts and Humanities 1986-1991, creased transaction costs that charac- tainty than the immediate MA & BA, English & History terize the environment. post-graduation period. Cranfield School of Management, ThisT is even more relevant for graduat- HR Management Programme, 1997 Q: Speaking of skillsets, what kinds ing students who had the unlucky cir- London School of Economics and of skillsets are desired in employees as cumstance of leaving their educational Political Science businesses look at their share of the careers behind in the midst of a global Global Msc. In Management, country’s emerging market? financial meltdown in 2008-09 when, Business Admin. and Management, A: In emerging markets what you subsequently, job markets around the 2012 - present need is speed, the ability to adapt to a globe collapsed. While the world econ- changing environment and changing omy has long since begun a slow but Interests: consumer needs. What worked yesterday steady recovery, those looking to break Digital Photography may not work tomorrow and vice versa. into their post-educational careers of- Member of the This requires the combination of the ten seek advice from those who have Corporate Leadership Council right mindset and the appropriate techni- successfully crafted outstanding profes- cal skills. That said, the technical skills sional careers for themselves. are more a hygiene factor, they make no in Russia when I was with British impact if they are present — as everyone American Tobacco, so it was a wonder- has them — but hurt if they are lacked. It ful opportunity for me. is the entrepreneurial spirit, the agility ‘I think it is more and the ability to make decisions fast that difficult to adjust to Q: What is your take on the current differentiate successful and non-success- job market in Russia? ful talent in the Russian environment. I the Russian reality A: As far as the job market is con- believe this is also true for companies; cerned, I can see multiple scenarios. there needs to be “space” in the organi- when you come from On the one hand, as companies poten- zation for local decision-making. Over- a Western country.’ tially optimize their operating costs centralization and control does not help. there may be a slowdown on the de- We are planning the launch of our high- One of those professionals is Jozsef mand side. However, if some compa- potential leadership development pro- Blasko, the Russia-based HR Director nies were to reduce the number of in- gram in our business unit to ensure we of the Coca-Cola Company for Russia, ternational staff based in Moscow as a equip our best talent with the skills, the Ukraine and Belarus. Blasko boasts an result, there could be new opportuni- knowledge and the mindset to be great impressive 19 years of international hu- ties for great local talent in these com- leaders in this environment. man resources experience, specifically panies. It is possible that employers in the fields of talent development and will become more cautious and more Q: What is the recruitment process successions programs in emerging mar- selective in hiring talent overall, but like at Coca-Cola? kets in Russia and across Asia and the there will continue to be very good op- A: At the company we use both inter-

Pacific. Currently enrolled at the Lon- FOR SPT portunities for talented locals. In other viewing and testing to “dig into” the hard don School of Economics, Blasko un- Jozsef Blasko has 19 years of international human resources experience. words, I see no fundamental change for skills and the soft ones to understand the derstands the importance of higher ed- talent on the job market. presence of technical skills, whether the ucation at a time when the job market manager, and shortly after that as HR pany took me to London, where I lived candidate in question is right for our cul- is volatile and more competitive. director. These were the 90s and one with my family for nearly five years. Q: What are some of the most signifi- ture and, most importantly, has the lead- The St. Petersburg Times sat down could climb the ladder quite quickly. After I left British American Tobacco cant obstacles and challenges working ership mindset we need. We want cre- with Blasko to hear what he has to say After Hungary, I embarked on my in- in 2011, I decided I needed a break and in the Russian business environment? ative and professional recruits who can about the job market here in Russia, as ternational track and became respon- a period to consolidate the experience A: I think the answer to this ques- be the ambassadors of Coca-Cola in ac- well as his opinion on what employers sible for markets in Central and South- I gained, so I enrolled in the Global tion largely depends on what country tion and in spirit. In the interview process are looking for in potential employees. ern Europe. I was working and living Executive Masters in Management at you come from. The perspective is dif- itself we attempt to combine our col- in Lausanne, Switzerland, and then in the London School of Economics. ferent from a saturated, mature market leagues from both the specific depart- Q: What has been your career history Amsterdam. In 2003 I was appointed The program especially suited me such as Western Europe, where execu- ment into which we recruit, but also from and how did you get to where you are as human resources director for Russia because after 20 years of learning the tives are not so used to growth and ex- other fields to assess candidates. We need today? and stayed in Moscow until the end of business by doing, I finally had a chance pansion as their economy has been flat to balance, however, the need for deep A: I started my career in Hungary in 2006. After this I had two full regional to formalize and consolidate what I for years. I think it is more difficult to insight into the individual with the speed 1992 in the town of Pécs, where my first roles: Asia-Pacific, based in Hong have learned. In May 2013, mid-way adjust to the Russian reality when you of the process. As I said earlier on, the employer, British American Tobacco, Kong, and then Western Europe. Brit- through the program, I joined The Co- come from a Western country and have market is fast and talent does not wait. set up a joint venture. After some time ish American Tobacco was a great ca-Cola Company as HR director of that mindset. In Russia, the market is as the information office manager, I company for me as it created a lot of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. I always dynamic and there is opportunity This interview has been edited for length was appointed as human resources opportunities. My last job in the com- loved the region and enjoyed working nearly everywhere. You need to have and clarity. The St. Petersburg Times | www.sptimes.ru EDUCATION SPECIAL Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 9 Standing Out Among the Higher Educated

By Gus Peters ness School in St. Petersburg, is one of jobs in consulting and investment THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES the men contributing to the rising rates banking, but if one takes a more ma- of higher education among future job ture and practical approach, this is also nemployment rates in seekers in Russia. A graduate of the St. IT, logistics and manufacturing. the European Union re- Petersburg Electro-Technical Univer- main extremely high in sity and once a research fellow at Hel- Q: Is a master’s degree important comparison to Russia. sinki University, the University of Cali- for getting a job? Do you find that it As of February of this fornia at Davis and the University of increases a person’s chances or hinders Uyear, unemployment in the EU topped Wisconsin at Madison, Yanchevsky not it, as it may delay them from entering 10 percent and by summer it was at an only imparts knowledge but also sits on their employment field? average of 11.5 percent across EU a number of academic and business ad- A: This depends on what type of member nations. visory boards. master’s degree you refer to. It is im- Meanwhile in Russia, the unem- Yanchevsky recently provided re- portant that before choosing a master’s ployment rate was almost half that at sponses to written questions submitted degree you have, more or less, a realis- 5.6 percent in February, and recent by The St. Petersburg Times on what tic idea of the future desirable employ- figures put the current rate at 4.8 per- companies want from their applicants, ment profile. If you decide you want to cent. To put these numbers into per- the difficulty of applying for jobs in undertake a master’s degree, select one spective, unemployment rates were 27 Russia compared to other European in accordance with your career plans. percent in Greece and 24.6 percent in countries and how to edit your CV for Spain in June of this year according to the job you want. Q: Is experience working overseas Eurostat, the statistical office for the beneficial? What about speaking an- European Union. Q: What do companies look for in their applicants? What do they con- sider to be the most important quali- ties in a potential hire? ‘The traditional CV According to a 2013 A: First and foremost, companies format is not a good study by the OECD, are looking for relevant professional experience in previously held roles, ei- way to present Russians are the most ther in the same industry or a similar yourself to a potential educated people in one. Relevant education degrees are also factored in, but in most cases, edu- employer.’ the world. cation is not a deal breaker except for entry-level positions. other language? Which languages are This low unemployment number in the highest demand at the moment? coincides with the fact that more and Q: What should students do to help A: Language abilities are really im- more Russians are receiving higher improve their CVs? What should they portant. For most professions English education. In 2013, the Organization put on their CVs and what should they is an absolute must. Proficiency in lan- for Economic Co-Operation and De- avoid mentioning? guages other than one’s native lan- velopment, or OECD, reported that A: The traditional CV format is not guage and English gives more degrees Russians are the most educated people a good way to present yourself to a po- of freedom and they are beneficial for in the world. The OECD was also tential employer. It is very important personal development. quick to note however that, “Reports that CVs are tailored to the position, suggest widespread corruption in the company and industry you are applying Q: What is your advice to people education system, including cheating for. This should be accompanied by a applying for jobs in Russia? on standardized tests, the sale of doc- cover letter. Both documents should in A: Try to understand what you are torates to politicians and the wealthy, fact be a “value proposition” made by best at and what your main talent is,

and fake thesis factories.” the candidate to the potential employer. FOR SPT and analyze which company can bene- Regardless of the desire of some It should focus not simply on what was Yanchevsky is Director of the Vlerick Business School in St. Petersburg. fit from your talent, in what way and people to rise above through illicit done but on what was achieved. Fur- how. Then make the company a value means, it’s impossible to ignore the fact thermore, it should not overstate com- A: In order to get a job in Russia, country to country just as it varies in proposition they cannot refuse. If it that more and more educated Russians petencies. Stating foreign language pro- and most places in Europe for that different industries. does not work the first time, do your are joining the job market, both in Rus- ficiency should match reality. Do not matter, one has to be eligible for em- homework, analyze what went wrong sia and internationally, and highly mention having a driving license — un- ployment in that specific country. Q: Which industries are hiring the so far and prepare better for your next trained individuals continue to flood the less you are applying for a taxi driver Apart from legal eligibility, and from most at the moment and which the attempt. market year after year. For example, position! It is the same for hobbies, un- my experience in Russia and the “geo- least? Which industries are most pop- HeadHunter, Russia’s largest online job less they have a direct relevance to the graphic upper belt” of EU countries ular with students? Q: Where are the best cities to work portal, receives over 14 million unique position you are applying for. like Benelux, Germany, Scandinavia, A: Highly qualified candidates are in Russia (aside from St. Petersburg visits a month and over 350 million page Finland, the recruitment process in this always in demand even during eco- and Moscow)? views a month, placing it among the top Q: How would you compare the region is on average substantially more nomic slowdowns. Most companies A: Depends on what you intend to five most visited career websites in Eu- process of applying for a job in Russia objective and more professional than look for talents in sales. The IT indus- do. Like Alice in Wonderland, if one rope, according to the statistics provided to other countries? Is it more difficult in Russia. If someone wants to get their try, specifically in ERP, CRM, business does not know where he or she wants by online recruiter The Network. in Russia to get a job than somewhere dream job, this will require a special ef- intelligence, big data projects are in to get, all directions are equally good. Alexander Yanchevsky, a professor else in Europe? Is it easier? Why do fort and the process can be difficult. need of professionals. Traditionally As for quality of life, I personally like and the Director of the Vlerick Busi- you think so? However, difficulty levels vary from popular among MBA graduates are Samara. ADVERTISING ADVERTISING

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www.sptimes.ru 10 ❖ Wednesday, September 24, 2014 EDUCATION SPECIAL www.sptimes.ru | The St. Petersburg Times Invaluable Lessons From Studying Abroad

By Gus Peters lot of tolerance, openness to learn dards, etc. I am lucky to have a diploma THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES more and to understand the actual from St. Petersburg State University. truth behind the conflict. I recommend to young people who hen Peter the Great I was asked a lot of questions about have the ambition to work or continue first hoped to learn the government and about social and their education abroad to research this about the West, he legal systems in Russia. I was impressed with special agencies. went to the Nether- to meet a few Dutch people who knew lands, working in a lot about Russia, Russian history and Q: What did you learn from your shipbuildingW yards alongside Dutch- could even speak Russian! With these time studying in different cultures? Do men who were unaware of the awe- people it was always interesting to dis- you think of education differently now some power their fellow worker held cuss all sorts of issues because it gave that you’ve not only studied in Russia in the palms of his giant hands. Marga- an opportunity to see the same thing but also studied abroad? rita Kachnova, or Margo, followed in from different points of view. A: I think it opens the horizons of Peter’s footsteps, studying at the Ny- However, the majority knew very your mind. Studying abroad, you learn enrode Business University in Breu- little about my country, its culture or its to see the different logic and discover kelen, a small town southeast of Am- history, and they were more familiar different ways of doing the same thing. sterdam, where she recently received with stereotypes and false perceptions. her MBA. I feel proud that during this year I Q: What advice can you give to This is not Kachnova’s first foray opened the wonderful world of Rus- people entering university or hoping to abroad. After receiving her bachelor’s sian literature to some of my fellow study abroad? classmates.

Q: What do you hope to do with ‘In Russia, it is an your career? Do you want to work in ‘The majority knew Russia or remain abroad? very little about my unwritten rule that if A: My dream was to do something you are not prepared, to connect the Netherlands and Russia. country... they were I grew up in St Petersburg and both it’s better not to attract places are historically connected. I more familiar with attention.’ know and understand both countries stereotypes.’ and would like to use this knowledge to in graphic design and a master’s in en- open the beauty of both countries up to A: I would say just do it. Studying vironmental design from St. Petersburg people. For now I think I will stay in abroad definitely is an incredible expe- State University, and working in an art the Netherlands, as I feel it would be rience. It is important to believe in studio in St. Petersburg, she worked in wise to gain more experience there. yourself. Vietnam for Rip Curl, the world-fa- I’ve already worked in Russia. Now I The Russian way of thinking; our mous surfing brand, while teaching in am looking forward to trying out my multitasking, ability to analyze things the evenings before ending up in the new knowledge and achieving success fast and be creative, is in high demand. Netherlands. in a foreign country. Once I was very surprised when my Kachnova took the time to answer professor introduced a topic of “TRIZ” The St. Petersburg Times’ questions Q: What would you say is the — a Russian technique to solve chal- about the differences in learning meth- most common stereotype of Russian lenging tasks. Everybody looked at me ods in the Netherlands and Russia, en- students? Do you think it is fair or and I couldn’t believe that a subject countered stereotypes and the impor- unfair? from my primary school could be inter- tance of studying in a different cultural A: To be honest I haven’t met with esting for my MBA class.

setting. FOR SPT any stereotypes from students particu- I also recommend remembering Kachnova studied both graphic and environmental design in St. Petersburg. larly. I heard from others that they had that what is easy and obvious for you Q: What is the most noticeable differ- problems with their documents, that can be a miracle for others. So work ence between studying in Russia and When I reached university I knew spect, and even help others to under- the level of education wasn’t recog- hard, be yourself and try as much as studying in the Netherlands? Are how to study on my own. However, in stand better. nized according to European stan- possible, and you will be noticed. classes more difficult in Russia or in the Netherlands I noticed that some of I believe that both educations were the Netherlands? my classmates just didn’t know how to great, and I am absolutely happy that I A: I believe that education in Rus- study the way I did. People came to the had an opportunity to study abroad. sia and the Netherlands are very dif- program from very narrow specialist ferent, and it is hard to compare them. fields. It surprised me that a lot of peo- Q: What did your fellow students In Russia I studied with only Rus- ple had superior knowledge in one field think or know about Russia? What sian students in my native language, but could not apply the same capabili- were the most common questions you whereas in the Netherlands I studied in ties to different areas. Therefore, as were asked about your country? English in a class with 17 different na- much as coming to learn, people came A: I studied in a very diverse class. tionalities. Therefore, it clearly is not to Nyenrode to broaden their perspec- People came to Nyenrode’s Interna- fair to judge which was more difficult. tives and discover diversity. tional MBA program to have this mul- For me, both educations were de- I also noticed that it is highly appre- tinational experience so we were all manding although I noticed some fun- ciated to be active in your learning. In interested in each other’s culture. Un- damental differences. In Russia, from Russia, it is an unwritten rule that if fortunately, I was studying during the elementary school you are taught to you are not prepared or simply don’t political conflict between Russia, study on your own. At school we were understand, it’s better not to attract at- Ukraine and Western countries. De- taught to multitask and help each other tention. In the Netherlands, questions spite that this had no impact on me, my but to be independent. It was important which can even let on your lack of un- classmates did ask me about the situa- to develop understanding, the “ability derstanding are still highly appreciated. tion — how it is presented in the Rus-

to think,” to see the connections and to There is a belief that if you ask ques- sian media, etc., as they were curious WIKIMEDIA COMMONS have a general idea of any given topic. tions, you show your interest and re- about my opinion. What I noticed is a Nyenrode Business University, where Kachnova studied.

COMMENT Russian Education is Cheap, But Often Bad By Andrei Panov campus is located in Balashikha, just students are actually working toward that low, the professors could not af- higher learning with its poverty-level outside Moscow, and boasts more than degrees in philosophy, economics, pub- ford to obtain a degree at their own in- wages and meaningless departments Russian university edu- 9,000 students — an enormous number lic administration, commerce and man- stitute, despite its low tuition fees. that have no connection to the insti- cation can come very when considering that Moscow State agement. Does RGAZU need 3,500 students tute’s stated specialty, with its thou- cheap. For example, a University, one of Russia’s largest uni- That means 40 percent of the stu- of management and economics? sands of students studying economics student working toward versities, has 38,150 students. dent body is majoring in fields with no Should the state support its philosophy and management, and with the govern- a biology degree and Now consider a few statistics con- more connection to agriculture than department and pay its employees pov- ment subsidizing it all. payingA full tuition at a state university cerning RGAZU, an institution that I higher mathematics or philology. erty-level wages? The country needs agronomists, must pay only 16,500 rubles ($484) per confess I had never even heard of until And here is another interesting fact: Alas, I think not. In 2012 the state steelworkers and teachers, meaning year and an economics student only recently. In my opinion, these figures 280 students will graduate with degrees allocated $11 million to RGAZU, with that institutions training students in 27,000 rubles ($791) annually. Thus, a perfectly illustrate the condition of in Information Technology. But who 208 million rubles ($5.4 million) going those professions should continue op- four-year degree costs a budding biolo- Russia’s system of higher education. will hire an IT specialist with a degree toward operational expenses and 150 erating. The problem is that Russia gist only $2,000 and a newly-minted Of the university’s 9,000 total stu- from an agrarian correspondence insti- million rubles ($3.9 million) toward lacks the brainpower and the willpower economist just a little more than $3,000. dents, 4,300 receive full scholarships tute? Will such a diploma increase their campus construction. I feel bad for the to implement the well-considered and Probably no other developed country based on their academic performance, future salaries? students, the instructors and for all of radical reforms its system of higher ed- in the world has comparable prices. while the remaining 4,700 — more than Their professors aren’t making that money wasted. ucation so urgently requires. Which Russian institutions of higher half of the student body — pay tuition much money themselves. The institute You might wonder why I single out learning offer such prices? For one, the fees ranging from $500 to $1,200 annu- employs more than 800 staff who this particular institute for criticism. Andrei Panov is an independent com- Russian State Agrarian Correspon- ally. It is particularly noteworthy that in earned an average of 17,144 rubles The answer is simple: it typifies all of mentator. This comment originally dence University, or RGAZU. The this agricultural university, fully 3,500 ($502) per month in 2012. With salaries Russia’s nonstandard institutions of appeared in Vedomosti. Wednesday, September 24, 2014 DiningGuide a d v e r t i s i n g s e c t i o n

EUROPEAN ITALIAN informal celebrations, including birthday KARAOKE BAR original glass. In addition, we also have TerraVino ITALY Bottega parties and corporate events. Tony’s Jelsomino a Brugge shop which sells a wide range Kitchen has all the amenties for an of beers, beer glasses, gift sets from enjoyable family outing as it has a Brugge and real Belgian chocolate. spacious children’s room with a nanny, coloring books and a children’s menu. $$$ 14 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul., Sunday is also officially family day at 5/29 Poltavskaya Ulitsa. 12-14 Admiralteiskaya Nab. Tel.: +7 (812) 944-0-300, italy-group.ru Tony’s, where creative workshops and Tel: +7 (812) 703-57-96 RUSSIAN (entrance from Kerchensky Pereulok) Open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to midnight; competitions for children are held. VIP reservations: +7 (812) 999-96-96 Tel.: +7 (812) 612-40-23, 612-40-25 Fri-Sat from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Open from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Palkin www.terra-vino.ru Breakfast served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. $$ Amazing sound, modern visuals, karaoke TerraVino is a classic European Enjoy fine Italian cuisine in ITALY menu and professional vocal equipment. restaurant with an extensive and Bottega’s small and cozy restaurant and Romeo’s Bar & Kitchen A fancy place to party for the famous and 47 Nevsky Prospekt. unique collection of fine drinks. It is soak in the atmosphere of Italy. A beautiful. Appearances by Russian stars Tel: (812) 703-53-71, perhaps the best place for those who welcoming interior and closely-placed and others in show business. Everything www.palkin.ru appreciate a delicious meal tables make a meal in ITALY Bottega feel here is in good taste, fun and beautiful. Open: noon to 11.30 p.m. complimented with interesting wines. like being part of a large Italian family. Tel.: +7 (812) 572-54-48 New menu! New interior, the latest PALKIN restaurant is located in The menu will particularly please those The menu features Italian classics and 43 Ul. Rimskogo Korsakova technology and a statement in fashion. the very heart who enjoy Russian and Mediterranean signature dishes. Homemade pasta www.romeosbarandkitchen.ru of St. Petersburg. cuisine as well as those looking for new created from old Italian recipes and The restaurant is a walking distance from $$$ Our constant search for new tastes. Neapolitan pizza dough baked using the Mariinsky Theater and has three flavors, by painstakingly Vintage brink vaults, comfortable Caputo flour are just some of the options spaces inside — restaurant, cafe and bar. PUB researching through old cook furniture, dim lights, soft music, proper available. This fall, guests can sample It offers customers: Breakfast; business BIRRERIA Gastro Pub books, and strict standards and almost homely service all contribute new items based on seasonal lunch (from 210 rubles), freshly baked regarding the use of ingredients, to a heartfelt and leisurely feast. ingredients. pizza, as well as desserts from our own make Palkin one of the few places One important point: All guests at Receive a 15% discount on any dish confectionery. in the world where diners can TerraVino are greeted with a good glass (excluding breakfast items) on weekdays Romeo’s Bar & Kitchen will also help you 19 Vladimirsky Prospekt enjoy the finest dishes of of wine. Bad wine, in principle, does not from noon to 4 p.m. or choose from a organize birthdays, weddings, parties Tel.: +7 (812) 943-60-04 aristocratic Russian cuisine in the exist here. separate set-lunch menu starting at 390 and any other special event. Fall has arrived and so too has a new elegant atmosphere of an upscale rubles ($10.55). seasonal menu at Birreria, located on the establishment. An extensive wine $$ $$$ second floor of the Vladimirsky Passage collection is also on offer. The $$ building. The kitchen is filled with hearty opulent interiors include an open INTERNATIONAL dishes for fall such as a meaty goulash, fireplace. Smoking area available. Café Vienna Restaurant Da Albertone MEDITERRANEAN guaranteed to satisfy all. The beer menu Côté Jardin is also the envy of all other St. Petersburg $$$ venues, with over 70 labels on offer, 20 different kinds of beer and two beers especially created by leading brewery Shokoladnitsa Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg 23 Millionnaya Ul. Hotel Novotel St. Petersburg Centre Russian AF Brew. There is also the 57 Nevsky Prospekt Tel.: +7 (812) 315-86-73, 962-08-29. 3a Ulitsa Mayakovskogo panoramic view of the Vladimirskaya Café Vienna is a daily dining restaurant A popular Italian restaurant, located close Tel.: +7 (812) 335-11-88, Church to enjoy too. with international specialty dishes and to the Hermitage and with a summer fax: +7 (812) 335-11-80 $$ offers wine from around the world. Also terrace. Its open kitchen, run by head chef www.accorhotels.com/5679 available is a wide selection of tea Luca Pellino and sous-chef Tiziano Novotel invites you to enjoy its Autumn Brugge Hotline: (800) 100-33-60. blends and coffees along with speciality Valente, offers homemade pasta, mushroom and berry promotion. Join www.shoko.ru cakes from the hotel’s pastry chef. Open sausages, desserts and ice-cream. us and celebrate these prized and Shokoladnitsa — more than just coffee. daily from 10 a.m. to midnight. A supervised kids’ playroom and kids indulging delicacies. With over 30 unique cafes in menu is also avaliable. Japanese dishes We welcome you on our all-inclusive St. Petersburg, the large coffee chain Pryanosti & Radosti can be ordered from the adjacent “Sushi Business Lunch Buffet in our with a sweet name has been operating Lounge.” restaurant Côté Jardin — Monday to in Russia and across the CIS for many Open Sun-Thurs 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri- Friday, midday to 4 pm. Enjoy our 22 Makarova Embankment, Vasilievsky years. Each cafe is designed with a Sat until 1 a.m. Delivery service available. mouthwatering salads bar, daily soup, Island (near Tuchkov bridge) relaxing interior and offers the same 3 Malaya Posadskaya Ul. favorite appetizers, main dish specialties, Tel.: +7 (812) 600-23-90 welcoming hospitality as well as the Tel. +7 (812) 333-46-33 $$ and indulgent homemade desserts Open daily from noon to 2 a.m. company’s excellent coffee, desserts Delivery: +7 (812) 924-75-46 counter. The price is 790 RUB per person www.inbrugge.ru and hot dishes from both European and www.ginza.ru TONY’s Kitchen inclusive of mineral water, tea and www.Italy-group.ru Russian cuisines. Large, bright and always delicious, the coffee. BRUGGE is a Belgian gastro pub. It’s a The aroma of roasted coffee beans, “Pryanosti & Radosti” restaurant on Besides cozy lobby bar and deli- great place for a relaxing lunch with along with a classic cappuccino topped Malaya Posadskaya is open 24 hours counter with homemade fresh pastries colleagues (there is a 20% discount on with soft foam accompanied by a slice and offers private dining sections for 88 Maly Prospekt V.O. Novotel offers our business guests 11 weekdays from noon to 4 p.m.) and to of gourmet Napoleon cake will set a two, comfy couches to relax on with Tel.: +7 (812) 988-80-20 modern fully equipped meeting rooms spend a fun evening with friends. Here romantic mood on any given day. A friends and spacious spacious tables for Tony’s Kitchen is a relaxed restaurant with bespoke catering and conference you can also watch sports broadcasts toasted club sandwich with chicken, big celebrations. Influenced by the taste that is equally perfect for a business solutions for any of your business while sitting back on big, leather couches. Felino salami, Maasdam cheese and and feel of Georgia, the restaurant has meeting or a romantic dinner. The meals meetings and seminars — free parking Guests can enjoy a variety of tasty dishes traditional rabbit-filled dumplings will been developed by brand manager Izo on offer take into account any and all for our hotel guests. such as pork ribs in honey-mustard also please guests with a hearty Dzandzav and the menu’s creative preferences. Italian, Pan-Asian and Open daily for à la carte from 06:30— dressing, Flemish lamb stew, a juicy appetite. Every day Shokoladnitsa European cuisine by Nikita Sechin. Japanese cuisine are all available along 22:45, breakfast 06:30—10:00, buffet burger and fresh mussels from the invites you to enjoy a coffee date across Babysitting available on Saturday and with a wide selection of wines, found business lunch 12:00—16:00. Major White Sea as well as the famous the northern capital. Sunday. displayed on shelves in the dining room. credit cards are accepted. Belgian waffles. A wide range of Belgian We look forward to serving you! The restaurant is located across two beers are also on offer — in fact over 90

$$ floors, which making it convenient for $$ unique varieties, each served in its $

– 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, September 24, 2014 ❖ 12 Election Monitors Linked to Extreme Right By Sergey Chernov cusing on international relations and “Democracy is great. But it has no THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES geopolitics that Piskorski co-founded in standards; it should take into account lo- 2007, led the group of monitors. cal peculiarities. We see how carefully group of international “Mateusz Piskorski is a former and effectively, with what tolerance and monitors, who hailed member of the neo-Nazi movement flexibility democracy is interpreted in the elections of the St. Niklot that existed in the 1990s and was your country,” Gudenus said. Petersburg governor later a member of the political party Such quotes were cited by pro- and municipal deputies Self-Defense of the Republic of Po- Kremlin and City Hall-owned media Aon Sept. 14 as fair and transparent, land,” said U.K.-based political scien- without specifying their political orien- were mostly European right-wing poli- tist Anton Shekhovtsov, who special- tation or what organization they ticians who have been involved in sev- izes in European right-wing organiza- worked for, referring to them only as eral disputed elections before the one tions, in an interview with The St. Pe- “international experts” or “interna- in St. Petersburg, according to a U.K.- tersburg Times on Sept. 18. tional monitors” and listing countries based political scientist. “In 2007, he formed the European they were from. Acting governor Georgy Pol- Center for Geopolitical Analysis, which Tatyana Dorutina, the chairwoman tavchenko, put forward by the pro- is involved in election monitoring, of the League of St. Petersburg’s Women Kremlin party United Russia, officially among other things. Mostly, it is such Voters, dismissed the presence of the

received a record-breaking 79.3 percent ‘strange,’ controversial, disputed elec- CITY HALL group of international monitors in the of votes, although the turnout was re- tions that happen in places like [pro- Newly elected governor Georgy Poltavchenko with foreign monitors on Sept. 15. city on voting day as fake. ported to be only 39.36 percent. Opposi- Moscow breakaway territories] South “The question is how and where they tion and independent Russian monitors Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transnistria or in elections, however corrupt, non-trans- invited to ruling coalitions; such things monitored the elections,” Dorutina told said both results were far from reality. Crimea. This organization is unambigu- parent and illegitimate they may be,” happen very infrequently. Far-right par- The St. Petersburg Times. Controversially, Poltavchenko’s ously pro-Russian. In my opinion, I be- Shekhovtsov said. ties are not treated seriously. But Die “For instance, OSCE monitors strongest opponent, A Just Russia’s lieve, Piskorski receives commissions Several monitors in the group were Linke, whose member Piotr Luczak was have their methodology of monitoring Oksana Dmitriyeva, was prevented from Moscow to legitimize such elec- from left-wing parties. Piotr Luczak is in St. Petersburg, is seen as a mainstream the elections. The elections start with from taking part in the elections. An tions, and their presence at any elections from Germany’s left-wing party Die left-wing party in Germany.” the nomination of candidates and they overwhelming number of violations indicates from the very start that they Linke, while Panikos Stavrianos be- The St. Petersburg elections, which oversee the entire election campaign. were also reported by independent would say that the election was normal, longs to the Progressive Party of Work- were widely condemned by the opposi- Our election is unfair because not all monitors during the municipal elections fair and transparent.” ing People, a Communist party in Cy- tion, receiving favorable reviews from the candidates were allowed to take held in the city simultaneously with the Apart from Piskorski, other members prus, described by Shekhovtsov as Piskorski’s monitors, who did not find part in the gubernatorial election. This gubernatorial election. Dmitriyeva con- included Fabrizio Bertot, a member of the rather neo-Stalinist, but the over- any violations during the election. is where everything starts. One can demned the election as a “crime.” Silvio Berlusconi’s right-wing party Forza whelming majority of monitors be- Speaking at a meeting of the group see at this stage that the elections Described by the Novaya Gazeta Italia, Frank Creyelman and Jan Penris of longed to the far right-wing parties. with Poltavchenko on Sept. 15, Piskorski would not be fair and honest, because daily as a “traveling circus,” many in the Belgium’s extreme right party Vlaams Be- “On one hand, there’s an ideological praised the reported turnout, saying it there is no competition, there are no group of foreign monitors took part in lang, Ludovic de Danne of the French element, because right-wing parties in “provides full legitimacy” for the actions candidates representing different the disputed Crimea status referendum right-wing populist National Front, Jo- Europe support the Kremlin’s policies, of the municipal and city authorities. groups of the public or different politi- on Mar. 16, where 95.5 percent of voters hann Gudenus of the radical right-wing but on the other hand, the pragmatic el- Creyelman said the elections were cal parties.” allegedly backed joining Russia. The populist Freedom Party of Austria and ement is that they are all are acquain- transparent and destroyed the Western “The first thing OSCE monitors do referendum, which was part of Russia’s Marton Gyongyosi of Hungary’s extreme tances of Piskorski,” Shekhovtsov said. media’s stereotype that there were no when they come is meet local activists annexation of Crimea, was not recog- right-wing party Jobbik, which has been “He came out from this field, and free elections in Russia, City Hall’s web- and public organizations that monitor nized internationally. criticized for being anti-Semitic and anti- even though he does not take part in po- site reported. “But there are Europeans the elections and ask them where weak The United Nations General Assem- Roma. In total, 22 foreign monitors were litical parties and organizations now, who think differently. We can make sure spots are. They do cooperate with pub- bly approved a resolution declaring the invited by the City Election Commis- they are all his acquaintances. So he in- that Russia is a country of culture, where lic organizations. Now there were in- Crimean referendum illegal and af- sion, Fontanka.ru reported. vites his acquaintances.” kind people live. I am ready to come to ternational monitors in the city and I firmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity. “Moscow needs western, European According to Shekhovtsov, most of you for the next elections with pleasure,” don’t know if anybody met with them. The monitors assigned by Russia, how- monitors to show that it all is legitimate, the parties that the monitors were from Creyelman said. Did political parties meet with them, ever, did not find any violations. but because not everybody in the West is face widespread criticism in Europe. Gudenus said he was “pleasantly did they ask how political parties moni- Both in Crimea and St. Petersburg, prepared to participate in such monitor- “Their reputation is not high in the surprised how well the electoral process tored the elections, did they speak with Mateusz Piskorski, a 37-year-old Polish ing missions, Piskorski selected such West,” he said. was prepared,” claiming that the St. Pe- public organizations, with St. Peters- right-wing politician and former MP, people who are known for either pro- “Far right parties are not treated very tersburg elections were more transpar- burg’s Observers about what kinds of who now heads the European Center for Russian or anti-American views and are well in the European Union, at least by ent and open than the elections to the violations they were to expect? In my Geopolitical Analysis, a think tank fo- ready to sign documents legitimizing the establishment. They are usually not European Parliament. view, it was a profanation.” Education & JobOpportunities advertising section Wednesday, September 24, 2014

MINI

MINI Arts&Culture www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 13 A Snapshot of Russia’s Colorful History Russian TV legend Leonid Parfenov pays homage to the pioneer of color photography in his new documentary.

By Igor Zinatulin of a massive Lutheran cathedral on the Moika river which in 1939 was trans- eonid Parfenov is widely formed into a dreadful House of Cul- considered to be the most ture. The main problem here is not ar- influential journalist in Rus- chitectural legacy; it’s a whole way of sia. His sense of the zeit- life. St. Petersburg needed a giant Lu- geist, combined with impec- theran church because most of the bak- Lcable style and use of language, made eries and pharmacies at that time were his current-affairs digest Namedni one owned by Germans. Laundries, for in- of the most highly-rated shows ever stance, were managed by the Chinese produced on Russian television. In 2004 immigrants. That’s why each picture the Kremlin shut down his program as has a strong internal message; it’s not part of a wider crackdown on dissent- just about buildings and landscapes. ing opinion, especially around the war in Chechnya. Parfenov has never made Q: Do you think that Prokudin- it back to news but instead turned to Gorsky’s images should be returned to making popular TV documentaries Russia to start a process of reconcilia- about crucial points in Russian history. tion between the two eras? His latest film, “Russia in Bloom,” is A: They would be better off online. dedicated to Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky, a Besides, the colors in his photographs pioneer of color photography in pre- look better and brighter on a screen.

revolutionary Russia. Speaking ahead JOURNAL THE CALVERT What’s more, most of the glass plates of his U.K. premiere of the film last Parfenov’s latest fi lm, ‘Russia in Bloom,’ explores the work of photographer Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky. that Prokudin-Gorsky left in the coun- month, Parfenov spoke about Russia try before fleeing Russia have been lost. then and now — and the future of inde- It would be safer to keep what is left in pendent journalism. the Library of the Congress, which con- siders his pictures to be the jewel of Q: Why did you decide to make a doc- their photography collection. These umentary about Prokudin-Gorsky? works should belong to the world. A: Because his work is the last living testament of a civilization which no lon- Q: You mentioned in the film that ger exists. It fascinates me both as a there have been different “Russias” on journalist and researcher. Pre-revolu- pretty much the same territory in the tionary Russia was the only country in course of one century. Would you agree the world which has been so thoroughly that the present country bears more re- documented in color — a fact that be- semblance to the Soviet Union, with came known quite recently when its ongoing resurrection of Soviet sym- Prokudin-Gorsky’s glass negatives were bols, party hierarchy and ubiquitous finally digitalized by the experts at the censorship? Library of Congress in Washington. A: We are still living in the transient period which started after the Bolshe- Q: In the film you depict Prokudin- vik revolution. The whole Soviet sys- Gorsky’s Russia as a sort of mythical tem was transient and this experiment Atlantis inhabited by alien people hasn’t finished. The fact that Putin’s who have nothing to do with modern Russia is very different to Yeltsin’s,

Russians. Do you think this accurately JOURNAL THE CALVERT that Brezhnev was governing a very reflects the historical reality? To make the fi lm, Parfenov and his team traveled to 11 regions in Russia, including Karelia, Bukhara and Vologda. different country to that of Stalin’s A: My task was to give points of com- reign, means that there have never parison so that people could make their been any institutions, any social con- own judgement. That’s how I see my tracts that would support a stable po- role in general as a reporter — someone litical formation. All our leaders think who presents facts rather than interprets that they are eternal but that’s utter them. I visited eleven regions, I fought nonsense. When these people go their with mosquitoes in Karelia and lan- legacy will be annulled almost immedi- guished in the heat in Bukhara, just to ately and we’ll go back to square one. find those spots and show them in their present state. Mission accomplished, in Q: You actively participated in the that respect. However, it was hard not to Bolotnaya protests after the disputed be amazed by the daily discoveries that parliamentary election in 2011 and we kept making. We were filming in my also spoke publicly against censorship native Vologda region in northern Rus- on Russian television. Is there any sia and found out that, at the beginning hope for freedom of the press in con- of the 20th century, there was a profes- temporary Russia? sional theater in the town of Chere- A: I’m not working as a daily reporter povets, which then had a population of anymore and I’m not covering political 13,000 people. Now there are more than events so I can’t say that my participation 320,000 people in Cherepovets without in the protest was a crime against my any theaters because there is no longer professional responsibility as a journalist.

any demand for them. We also learned JOURNAL THE CALVERT That said, I do believe that journalists’ that local hotels used to have telephones According to Parfenov, his fi lm reveals the fake attempts to build a new country not based on any historical legacy. mission is to report, not to climb the bar- in each room while, in the Soviet Union, ricades. Russian journalism reflects hardly anyone had a private phone until wider problems in society. If it crawls out the 1970s. You can draw your own con- from under the rotten log where it has clusions from that fact. been kept for more than ten years, then it will inevitably be twisted. Imagine that Q: Nevertheless, critics of the film you’ve been gagged for hours, for years have been quick to point out that it even — what would be your first reac- was your first documentary where your tion when the gag is removed? You’ll personal views have been expressed so start shouting and crying. So I don’t clearly. Do you personally feel nostal- blame journalists in both camps for not gic for that era? being meticulously objective. If the audi- A: I’m not interested in the past, I ence has no need for independent news- care about today, which in Russia can papers and TV stations, then it’s not the be characterized by one word — fake. journalists’ problem. Unfortunately I This film reveals how hollow and fake think it would take decades for any coun- the attempts are to build a brand new try to build from scratch a media industry country which is not based on any his- based on commonly accepted standards torical legacy. You have to be blind not that can consistently present different to notice that the new Voyentorg build- opinions. It doesn’t happen overnight. ing in Moscow, which replaced an art deco masterpiece from the early 20th This article first appeared in the online

century, is an eyesore. In St. Peters- JOURNAL THE CALVERT magazine The Calvert Journal, a guide to a burg, Prokudin-Gorsky took a picture ‘Pre-revolutionary Russia was the only country in the world which has been so thoroughly documented in color.’ creative Russia. www.calvertjournal.com 14 ❖ Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ARTS & CULTURE www.sptimes.ru Off the Beaten Path With Tchaikovsky A new outreach effort is bringing the arts to some of Russia’s more rural areas, much to the joy of eager locals.

By Galina Stolyarova teased as a “dreamer” and “wishful THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES thinker.” At the moment, however, the Philharmonic stands out as an example n Sept. 11, 2014, Tatyana that its counterparts in other cities Oshivalova, a resident might be interested in following. from the town of Kamy- “It is a grave mistake to think that shlov in the Yekaterin- people living in distant villages are in- burg region, spent most capable of understanding fine art and ofO the night without sleep, crying from classical music, and that they have no excitement after one of her long term appetite for it at all,” said Lyudmila dreams came true — she was able to fi- Samoilova, one of the visitors to an nally listen to a live performance of open-air concert in the village of Verkh- Gustav Mahler for the first time and in nyaya Sinyachikha in July 2014. “I was her own town. To be precise, the con- born and grew up in Pyshma, which is cert was a live online broadcast of the essentially a small town or even a vil- opening of the Third Russian Sym- lage, and I still feel that my soul and my phonic Forum from the Sverdlovsk set of humane values were formed Philharmonic in Yekaterinburg. Mahl- there — my heart still belongs to my er’s First Symphony was played by the home village. Truly, my great admira- Urals Academic Philharmonic Orches- tion for the arts and my love for music tra under the baton of Israeli conductor are rooted in the culture, in that rural Eliahu Inbal. environment that I was raised in. So we “I had read a lot about Mahler and I in the villages do appreciate the arts, we had been looking forward to that con- absolutely do.” cert for many months,” Oshivalova, the Kolotursky also points out that the director of the Kamyshlov Library Cen- motivation of those attending arts ter, recalled in an interview with Yekat- events consists of two main elements: erinburg Philharmonic TV. aesthetics and prestige. One of them The Kamyshlov library played host could prevail to any degree but both al- to one of the venues in the extensive ways coexist together. “To fill the halls network of virtual concert halls estab- today, both in big and small cities, we

lished by the Philharmonic. The Phil- PHILHARMONIC YEKATERINBURG have to create and sell artistic brands, harmonic’s virtual halls are mainly lo- Performances by the Yekaterinburg Philharmonic are broadcast throughout the region in villages and cities alike. which enhances the element of prestige cated in public libraries in small or very and makes the audience more willing to distant towns, where local audiences region. In 2000, the Philharmonic es- ingful culturally,” said Stanislav Shangin, Many of these people live in de- pay,” he said. can watch, free of charge, live or pre- tablished a system of regional branches the mayor of Alapayevsk. tached and economically very poor ar- These efforts appear to be working. recorded broadcasts of the Philhar- that currently incorporates seven con- Alapayevsk is home to the Tchaik- eas, where the nearest hospital — and Not only is there a distinct growing in- monic’s concerts. cert hall in the towns of Alapayevsk, ovsky Museum Estate, a house where the nearest theaters — may be located terest in the villages in the virtual con- Every year, between five and seven Asbest, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Za- one of Russia’s most worshipped com- hundreds of kilometers of away, a dis- cert halls, but the live concerts during new venues are added to the club, while rechny, Irbit, Kamensk-Uralsky and posers, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, who com- tance typically connected by bad the regional tours are selling better. the villages and towns hosting them Revda in the Urals region. In 2013, posed the score to the iconic Russian roads. Yulia Anikeyeva, the director of the range from very small, with only a few these concert halls hosted a total of 100 ballet “The Nutcracker” and the opera Some people in the Urals describe Alapayevsk Concert Hall, said that lo- hundred citizens, to relatively large, performances organized by the Yekat- “The Queen of Spades,” perhaps the the regions as being alienated from the cal entrepreneurs have become keen where the population may be around erinburg Philharmonic. most popular operatic piece in Russia center. They consider themselves to be to purchase tickets as rewards for their 100,000. Located 160 kilometers away from for many decades, spent 15 months neglected in many different ways, in- workers or as a special treat for their The Symphonic Forum, which was Yekaterinburg, Alapayevsk boasts a from 1849-50. The locals feel it is im- cluding culturally, and this is what up- business partners. “I have developed a held from Sept. 11 through 18 this year, is population of around 44,000. The city’s portant that the connection with the sets a lot of them. circle of dedicated customers [for tick- an important project for the Yekaterin- Yekaterinburg’s Sverdlovsk Philhar- ets], and I am very pleased to see that burg Philharmonic, as it brings together monic orchestra becomes a continued they are socially very different, from a symphonic orchestras from very different effort as they say it helps them young businessman in his early twen- regions of Russia and allows the audi- Many small Russian strengthen the Tchaikovsky connec- ‘Truly, my great ties who is buying tickets for his em- ences to get a fuller picture of what kind towns can only tion, which they value very much. admiration for the ployees to a local priest, and even the of environment exists for classical music “When you have a difficult day and leadership of the town’s branch of the in the Russian regions well beyond Mos- dream about hosting you are walking through the town’s old arts is rooted in the Communist Party of Russia.” cow and St. Petersburg. streets, exhausted or lacking energy, the What the Yekaterinburg’s Philhar- The vast majority of small Russian live performances by very thought that Tchaikovsky may rural environment I monic is doing in the Urals region is towns can only dream about hosting or symphony orchestras. have had the same walk many years ago was raised in.’ far more than simply promoting clas- seeing live performances of symphony does help revive your spirits,” said sical music. Ultimately it is creating a orchestras. According to official statis- cultural life revolves around the local Galina Kanakhina, the chairwoman of “The more concerts there are, the wholesome cultural environment by tics, only 60 percent of Russia’s cities in concert hall, which has established a the Alapayevsk City Duma. more it happens that the uninitiated lis- bringing together local residents and the Federation boast their own sym- connection with the Yekaterinburg’s “Local residents in different towns teners eventually turn into real admir- encouraging them to socialize around phony orchestras — and not all of them Sverldlovsk Philharmonic and is now where the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic ers, which grows into a knowledgeable a cultural topic that excites them. As a are enthusiastic about touring to re- operating as its own branch. tours regularly stress that visits from and appreciating audience,” Kanakhina result, it is restoring the people’s per- mote or small provinces. “The city of Alapayevsk has a com- the orchestra give them a much needed said. ception of Russia as a country of an One of the biggest supporters in this plicated and somewhat heavy history. In sense of unity with the capital cities that Alexander Kolotursky, the director enormous cultural and artistic legacy project is the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic 1639 it was built essentially by the pris- they refer to as ‘the mainland.’ It shows of the Yekaterinburg’s Philharmonic, — one that belongs equally to all of its in Yekaterinburg, which has been vig- oners from nearby colonies, and it does that they feel like they’re living on an admits that his initiative about the re- residents, regardless of where they orously setting up connections with make a lot of difference to know that the island and indicates how isolated they gional expansion was originally almost live, whether it be in St. Petersburg or concert venues in small towns across its town belongs to something very mean- are,” she said. laughed at, and the director himself was Verkhnyaya Pyshma. the word’s worth You’ve Got to Get the Hang of Russian By Michele A. Berdy села над собором (The moon hung висел над посадочной площадкой громкие крики (Loud screams could be an amulet of diamonds and sapphires). above the cathedral). (The helicopter hovered over the heard over the street). The other is a burden: На шее у него ви- Висеть: to be suspended, to hang Things attached to walls also hang: landing pad). Clothes can hang in three different сят студенческие долги (He’s got stu- Ещё Чехов писал, что если во время Things hover figuratively, too, but ways. They can hang on a hook or hanger: dent loans weighing him down). t’s been a while since I’ve in- спектакля на стене висит ружьё, оно for some reason, mostly bad things Платье висит в гардеробе (My dress is In English, burdens are often on an- dulged in my obsession with обязательно должно выстрелить (It hang over people or in the air between hanging in the closet). Part of them can other part of the body: Куда мои род- stance verbs — verbs like сто- was Chekhov who wrote that if a gun them: В воздухе висело слово, которое hang down: Платье странно висит сзади ственники пойдут! Повиснут у меня на ять (to stand), лежать (to lie) hangs on a wall during a play, then it все так боялись произнести (The word (The dress sags strangely in back). And шее! (Where are my relatives going to and сидеть (to sit) that are used absolutely must be fired). Над крова- that everyone was so afraid to say out they can hang on a person, either because go? I’ll never get them off my back). Iin what seem like whimsical ways to тью висел тяжёлый ковёр (A heavy loud hung in the air). Напряжение ви- they are too big or simply unflattering: When you have burdens like this, describe an immobile something or rug was hanging on the wall above the село между ними (There was tension Она так резко похудела, что платье про- you need to vent to a friend. That in- someone. There’s yet another way to bed). between them). Над нами его решение сто висит на ней (She lost so much volves some hanging, too: Мы весь ве- be immobile in Russian: висеть (to Sometimes the hanging things stick висело как дамоклов меч (His decision weight that the dress just hangs on her). чер висели на телефоне (We talked on hang). out or hang over: На стене над ней hung over us like the sword of Damo- Платье висит на тебе как мешок — не the phone — literally “hung from the Unlike in English, lots of things висел металлический шкафчик (On cles). На мне ещё долг висит (I’ve still идёт. (The dress just hangs on you like a phone” — all evening). hang or hang around in Russian. Any- the wall a metal cupboard loomed got a debt hanging over me). sack — it doesn’t suit you at all). thing suspended in the air is said to over her). Locks hang, too. На всех Threats hang: Угроза терроризма And things can hang in two ways Michele A. Berdy, a Moscow-based hang, especially things that provide дверях висят замки (All the doors are висит над всем регионом (The threat of around your neck. One is nice: На шее translator and interpreter, is the author light: Лампа висит над столом (A padlocked). You also use висеть for terrorism hangs over the entire region). у неё висел амулет из бриллиантов и of ‘The Russian Word’s Worth’ (Glas), lamp hangs over the table). Луна ви- things that hover in the air: Вертолёт And sounds, too: Висели над улицей сапфиров (Around her neck she wore a collection of her columns. www.sptimes.ru ARTS & CULTURE Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 15 Queerfest Opening Quashed by Attackers The annual LGBT festival’s beginning was marred by anti-gay protesters, uncooperative venues and threats.

By Sergey Chernov located opposite 3L on Zastavskaya THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Ulitsa, was also evacuated. “As far as we know, the police, ueerfest — an annual among others, contact the owners of the LGBT rights socio-cul- venues and warn them about riots and tural festival that opened put pressure on them, so that owners in St. Petersburg on Sept. pressure the venues that rent their 18 — was forced to cancel rooms from them,” Anisimova said. mostQ of its events following attacks, “Zona Deistviya [a co-working space pressure from authorities, bomb threats at Loft Project Etagi] was shut down al- and last-minute cancellations. A group together, so they create such conditions led by anti-gay lawmaker Vitaly Mi- that nobody should work with us at all. lonov tried to get into the venue where On Sept. 20 we held a closed, peaceful the invitation-only opening event was musical event without any advertising at held. After not being let in, the anti-gay 3L and it still received a bomb threat, so protesters blocked the entrances and at- even LGBT clubs fear working with us tacked the audience with an unknown under the circumstances.” gas and green dye, with the police not Parents’ Day, a meeting with parents immediately intervening. of LGBT people scheduled to be held on The festival’s opening event was Monday, was also canceled “due to the moved to Ziferburg cafe on Nevsky inability to ensure the safety of partici- Prospekt after the Kazanskaya 7 busi- pants. We fear for our parents; if we can ness center — where Queerfest’s sched- cope with the situation, they don’t have uled main venue, the art space Freedom, such strong nerves,” Anisimova said. is located — canceled the opening 90 Although Loft Project Etagi admit- minutes before its announced time. A ted reacting to a warning from the po-

representative of the owner annulled the SPT / FOR CHERNOV SERGEY lice, in most cases it was difficult to find rent agreement due to a “suspicion of Anna Anisimova, right, speaks during the opening of the LGBT festival. out from whom exactly the pressure damage to the integrity of the arch above came, because the owners of the prem- the main staircase of the building,” which ing, spraying green dye from syringes on As attacks went on outside the café, ises did not speak to the organizers di- did not prevent other events from being them. At one point, both entrances to the opening event was briefly held with rectly but instructed the management of held in there, Queerfest organizers said the cafe were blocked. One was locked foreign diplomats expressing their sup- the venues. in a statement on Sept. 19. from outside by attackers and the other port for the festival and the LGBT com- Anisimova said that the festival The event started with a nearly one- was held by security and volunteers to munity in St. Petersburg. would hold some lectures and a confer- hour delay at Ziferburg cafe after the prevent them from entering and attack- Attendees included Norway’s Consul ence for a small number of people at Queerfest exhibition of photographs ing people inside. General Heidi Olufsen, Sweden’s Dep- places undisclosed for safety reasons, was hastily moved and assembled there. “Milonov left just a couple of minutes uty Consul General Björn Kavalkov- broadcasting them on the Internet. The About 200 people, including foreign dip- ahead of the attacks,” organizer Anna Halvarsson, the Netherlands’ Deputy events on Friday and Saturday will be lomats, were gathered when Milonov Anisimova told The St. Petersburg Times Consul General Hugo Brouwer, Acting public with announcements made on the and between 15 to 20 anti-gay attackers on Sept. 21. “They met in the stairwell, or U.S. Consul General Courtney Nemroff festival’s website, assuming the situation tried to stop the opening. he passed the baton to them, but I can’t and U.K. Deputy Consul General Rob- does not deteriorate further, she said.

Milonov, the Legislative Assembly’s say for sure because the fact was that ert Kempsell. SPT / FOR CHERNOV SERGEY The festival’s closing event, a concert United Russia deputy and chairman of thugs came just after Milonov had left. On Sept. 19, Ombudsman Shishlov An anti-gay protester makes his called Stop Homophobia in St. Peters- the committee on legislation responsible They were not together at one time.” appealed to city council chairman Vy- sentiments clear on Nevsky Prospekt. burg featuring Swedish rock singer for the city’s 2012 law forbidding the A number of people felt sick because acheslav Makarov asking him to take Jenny Wilson on Saturday, will be held “promotion of sodomy, lesbianism, bi- of the gas and one or two were eventu- measures against Milonov, Zaks.ru re- prevent possible attacks against the fes- but the organizers may move it into an- sexuality and transgenderness amongst ally taken away by ambulance. Accord- ported. “The human rights of citizens tival’s future events. other venue that is less likely to be pres- minors,” led an anti-gay group to the ing Anisimova, some 20 to 30 members were severely violated as the result of Despite Shishlov’s appeals, the pres- sured by authorities and anti-gay activ- cafe, located on the third floor of the of the public had their clothes spoiled by violent actions,” Shishlov wrote. sure on Queerfest continued. An art ists — and would work on safety mea- Passage shopping center. green dye, including two representatives “I suppose that the active partici- workshop organized in cooperation with sures with security and in cooperation Showing his deputy identification, of the St. Petersburg ombudsman Alex- pation of a Legislative Assembly dep- the Manifesta biennale and the confer- with ombudsman Shishlov. Milonov tried to get in but was stopped ander Shishlov. She said that foreign uty in such actions discredits the city ence “Queer or What Is the Art of Be- According to Anisimova, attacks and by security guards. He ended up instead diplomats did not suffer. About 20 for- council and harms the reputation of St ing Yourself,” Queerfest’s first public pressure on the venues came as a sur- standing near the door, swearing and mal complaints regarding criminal as- Petersburg. I request that you assess events scheduled for Sept. 19, were both prise both to the organizers and the throwing insults while telling the guards saults were filed with the police. the actions of the deputy related to canceled after the art space Loft Project LGBT community. that ethnic Russians should not protect The police that were stationed in human rights abuses, as well as take Etagi refused to host the events one “It was unexpected for me,” Anisi- LGBT people. He described the audi- large numbers outside the building did measures for the code of ethics to be hour before the scheduled start. mova said. “After the May 17 [the Inter- ence as “pedophiles who rape children,” not intervene until Shishlov arrived and observed by Legislative Assembly On Sept. 20, the underground music national Day Against Homophobia] among other things. Attacks started urged the officers to protect the festival’s deputies.” club Zoccolo 2.0 canceled Queerfest’s rally and some other events went peace- minutes after Milonov left the building. audience, while Alexei Smyatsky, the Shishlov also urged St. Petersburg Independent Music Night event, which fully, it appeared that negative attention Having thrown vials containing un- chief of the city’s public safety police, police chief Sergei Umnov to personally was moved — in a shortened version — and homophobic aggression toward us known gas that smelled of rotting fish was seen speaking with Milonov in front supervise the investigation into people’s to the LGBT club 3L. At about 1 a.m. had subsided. Turns out it hasn’t.” under the door, anti-gay attackers pre- of the building at the time when the at- complaints and take legal action against the police evacuated the venue due to a vented visitors from entering and leav- tacks apparently began. the offenders. He also asked Umnov to bomb threat. The LGBT club Malevich, See www.queerfest.ru for updates. city tales Unraveling the Universe: Griffins’ Tower By Jonathan Melvin brick exterior that once brought many- In fact, the numerals are a lengthy in- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES a-tourist upon its secluded locale. ventory identification number for a gi- According to the legends surround- ant egg that was placed at the summit ucked away in one of St. ing the tower, William Pell was said to of the tower on May 1, 1994, by Alexei Petersburg’s hundreds of be more than a mere pharmacist. Kostroma, an artist linked with the cre- claustrophobic courtyards While the medicine man created tradi- ative association known as TUT-I- is a less well-known relic of tional healing concoctions by day for TAM. Symbolizing the purity of the the northern capital’s past. the most typical of illnesses and dis- city, the placing of the egg was inspired ThisT relatively well-preserved histori- eases, by night the pharmacist was al- by the overlapping of International cal monument, known as Griffins’ leged to have used the tower to incu- Workers’ Day and Orthodox Easter. In Tower, is perhaps one of the more mys- bate magical griffins. The griffins, un- short, those unfamiliar with Kostroma’s terious attractions that the city has to fortunately, were said to be invisible inventory-tracking practices simply offer, especially when considering the — save for a brief moment at midnight created the idea that the numbers were work’s intriguing origins. when the mystical creatures could be in fact the code of the universe. Located on Vasilievky Island and witnessed in the reflections of the win- Unfortunately, the giant egg no lon- roughly 11 meters high and two meters dows looking in on the tower from the ger adorns the tower: having been re- wide, the tower was built circa the 19th- adjacent buildings within the court- placed multiple times after being van-

century by a famous St. Petersburg yard. Few have ever claimed to witness FLICKR dalized, the association has given up. pharmacist named William Pell. The the magical beasts. Legend has it that the numbers, if solved, reveal the secret to immortality. Nonetheless, those wishing to witness tower was originally a part of Pell’s While the griffins were said to be this niche historical landmark can cer- pharmaceutical factory, in which he pro- invisible, the inscriptions plastering the the tower. Some locals allege that the Of course, for those out there who tainly seek it out, though local resi- duced various remedies and cures for exterior brickwork of the tower are as numbers are a part of some “master are more skeptical, there are other, dents, in what can only be alleged as the sick and unwell citizens of St. Pe- plain as daylight. Perhaps the most code” of the universe. Ostensibly re- more sensible explanations behind the having been fed up with constant visi- tersburg. While one might consider such mysterious aspect of the tower’s his- maining to this day unsolved, one who tower’s mysterious code of numbers. tors, have blocked the courtyard with a a construction merely commonplace, it tory, an extensive series of numbers — happens to stumble upon the numer- While some might obsess over the se- gate. Thus, if you do indeed seek the is the legend behind the tower and the each brick bearing its own numeral — als’ secret message shall discover the cret behind the numbers, the numbers answers to the universe, you will first mysterious inscription upon its aged snakes its way around the entirety of secret of immortality. are actually of a much simpler nature. have to be patient. 16 ❖ Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ARTS & CULTURE www.sptimes.ru Timeless Fashions Throughout the Ages A new book veers away from the commercial parts of clothing design to focus on greater historical influences.

By Galina Stolyarova The 350-page book contains more tries, cultures and religions in the THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES than 1,000 illustrations, through which world today.” Skulskaya educates the readers and “Fashion has the ability to resolve hat does a modern dispels some of the most common fash- conflicts between generations as well parka coat have in ion myths in an engaging and captivat- as between genders. Fashion blurs the common with a medi- ing way. Critics have already compared boundaries within society and serves as eval suit of armor? the collection of images to that of fire- a tool unifying the representatives of How likely is it that different social classes.” Skulskaya said Wthe outfit of Macbeth that William at the Meet the Writer session. “Fash- Shakespeare describes is the predecessor ion has a very liberal nature and it al- of the contemporary military camouflage ‘Only fashion is lows us to watch with the excitement of print? These are the kinds of intriguing a child how the most ambitious and questions at the heart of a new book capable of uniting creative fashion designers use images written by the prominent St. Petersburg people from different and ideas, juxtaposing Art Deco and fashion historian Marina Skulskaya. Rococo, military style and romanti- As the title of the book suggests, countries, cultures cism, Japanese kimonos and American “Fashion: The Most Humane of All and religions.’ denim, the exuberance of the East and Arts,” the aim of the book is to show minimalism of the West. Fashion is al- the “soft power” of fashion rather than ways around to brighten up our life, to examine its hard commercial drivers. works, where ancient paintings from soothe our sadness and to help each Skulskaya presented her book on the collections of the world’s most fa- and every one of us to establish our Sept. 16 at Hotel Indigo St. Petersburg mous museums fuse with images of the own unique personality.” Tchaikovskogo during one of its “Meet newest and most intriguing collections In the book, Skulskaya also offers an the Writer” sessions. The event also from the most internationally ac- unorthodox and very vivid way of pre- featured a presentation of the Ianis claimed fashion houses. senting the visual material to get her Chamalidy Autumn-Winter 2014/15 According to the Skulskaya, “only points across. For example, she con- collection and a makeup showcase fashion is capable of uniting and rec- trasts podium looks from the newest from the Estetista company. onciling people from different coun- fashion collections from the world’s leading fashion brands, from Armani to Chanel, to historic paintings from some of the world’s most prestigious art col- lections of the caliber of Paris’s Louvre and London’s National Gallery. The expert selection of images also makes for a stunning journey through the centuries, allowing the readers to cre- ate a wholesome picture of the develop-

ment of humankind through the means FOR SPT of fashion. It demonstrates a very an- The cover of Skulskaya’s new book on fashion and its infl uence. thropocentric nature of fashion, where at the start it was meant to follow the de- past 20 years, the Russian fashion scene audiences together over the topic of mands and needs of a human body or an has been a joy and a thrill to explore, fashion in a peaceful way. individual as a member of society. with a wealth of talent emerging and “My goal with this book is very sim- “All in all, everything that has any quite a few fashion designers establish- ple: Fashion knows no wars and no importance for a human being — so- ing themselves internationally, includ- borders, and I just hope that those who cially, physically or emotionally — is ing, for example, St. Petersburg’s Tati- read it will feel more kind, more toler- represented in fashion,” said Skuls- ana Parfyonova, Lilia Kisselenko and ant and more loving,” she said. kaya. “Through our dressing style we Ianis Chamalidy,” Skulskaya said. transmit our emotions, our self-identi- For Skulskaya, she hopes her book “Fashion: The Most Humane of All

FOR SPT FOR fication or our intentions.” will appeal both to those who love ma- Arts” by Marina Skulskaya will be The infl uence of ‘Girl With Peaches’ can be seen in its modern incarnation. Skulskaya also skillfully combines terial things and to those who admire available in local bookshops in early informative detours with a discussion the arts and, in the end, bring the two October of the current fashion trends, including, among other things, the predominance of male accessories and designs in women’s fashion. “Strictly speaking, St. Petersburg’s Hermitage fashion was originally all male-ori- ented, and in its foundation it has al- ways been masculine. Everything that exists was originally created for men, Ranked No. 1 in Europe including stockings and heels on shoes. THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES The Hermitage was the only Russian About the only thing that was purpose- museum to rank among the best in Eu- fully created originally and exclusively he Hermitage has been rec- rope. The museum is one of the oldest for women was the bra,” said Skuls- ognized as the best museum and largest in the world, founded in in Europe by TripAdvisor, 1764 by Catherine the Great. Currently, a popular publisher of tour- the 350 halls of the museum boast more ist guidebooks. than 3 million works of art — from the ‘Everything that has TThe St. Petersburg museum beat Stone Age to the modern era. out the Florence Academy of Fine Arts The museum first opened to the any importance for a and the Paris Musée d’Orsay to take public in 1852. Currently, five of the human being is first place in the ranking, titled the museum’s six historic buildings are ac- “Top-25 Traveller’s Choice.” It was cessible to visitors: the Winter Palace,

FOR SPT represented in compiled based on reviews of tourists Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Grigory Mitusov was setting contemporary fashion trends back in 1826. fashion.’ from all over the world. Hermitage and Hermitage Theater.

kaya. “Still, the flag of feminism is al- most always made with pair of trousers, which have become the symbol of so- cial equality.” According to Skulskaya, the first woman in history to demand equality was the ancient Egyptian queen Hatshepsut, who ruled in the 15th century B.C. and was the first fe- male pharaoh of Egypt. “Hatshepsut wore the traditional pharaoh’s suit and she observed the dress code down to the tiniest detail, which included wearing an imitation of a beard,” said Skulskaya. “She also de- manded to be addressed in a masculine form, as the Son of the Sun.” Special attention is also devoted to Russian designers in the book, whom Skulskaya hopes the book’s audiences LEV PANOV / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS LEV PANOV FOR SPT FOR will either share her fascination with or Tsarina Marfa Matveevna’s blood-red gown gets updated for the catwalk. be keen to discover. “For about the The Hermitage was the only museum in Russia to make TripAdvisor’s list. www.sptimes.ru ARTS & CULTURE Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 17 St. Pete Transforms Into City to Host Inaugural Global Media Forum By Gus Peters The Media Forum will feature pub- A Canvas for Modern Art THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES lic screenings of Russian and interna- tional films from this year, a showcase Art Prospekt, an international contemporary art festival, wel- he beginning of October of Russian television produced by the welcomes not only cooler country’s leading studios and television comes some of the most creative and thought-provoking pieces to weather but also the first channels, workshops to help non-pro- ever International Media fessionals break into the industry and come from the minds of over 50 artists from around the world. Forum to St. Petersburg, a panels discussing the most pressing uniqueT event organized by Roskino and topics in modern media development By Anna Frumkina which are hosting the events. Unfortu- the St. Petersburg City Government in Russia. Panel topics include the THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES nately, since the buildings, sidewalks that aims to provide “a cross-platform VOD market and content distribution and parks belong to a wide range of in- cultural initiative aimed at promoting a strategies, Internet piracy and the most If the general public is not stitutions, it takes a very long time to synergy of professionals and the general effective methods to utilize crowd- keen to become familiar with receive confirmation and some sites public while creating a communal meet- funding in film production. contemporary art, then con- have not been approved yet. ing place for representatives of the film Fifty premieres are scheduled for temporary art itself will take and TV industries, and also leading new the event, which begins Oct. 1 and con- the first step.” This is the Q: How have the projects been media start-ups,” according to a press cludes Oct. 10, and three separate pan- “motto for the staff at the international chosen? release for the event. els will judge the films: one consisting art organization CEC ArtsLink, which A: We select artists in two ways. St. “I am thrilled to welcome the lead- of bloggers, another of the press and a organized the third annual Art Pros- Petersburg artists were invited to sub- ers of the international media industry third made up of members of the view- pekt International Public Festival mit their project’s description. We re- to our city, which we hope will become ing public. opening in St. Petersburg tomorrow ceived more than 40 applications, from an important venue for business devel- The films are spread out over 10 dif- and running through Sept. 28. which we chose only 15 works. Some opment and interaction,” recently-re- ferent categories, including Locarno The four-day event will showcase St. Petersburg artists, already experi- elected governor Georgy Poltavchenko Local, a selection of the best from this more than 40 projects from over 50 art- enced in the field of public art, were said of the Media Forum. year’s Locarno Film Festival in Swit- ists from Russia, Australia, the U.S., also asked to create specific projects The Media Forum hopes to estab- zerland, Mamentum, featuring some of Armenia, Georgia and Finland, and for the festival. The foreign artists and lish Russia’s cultural capital as not only the best from this year’s iconic Cannes entry to all projects is free. artists from other Russian cities were the location of some of the world’s best Film Festival, and Kor-Kor, which fo- The St. Petersburg Times spoke to also invited by the curator Kendal museums but as a center for the devel- cuses on North Korean cinema. festival director Susan Katz in the lead Henry and CEC ArtsLink experts. opment of the international film and The film screenings begin on Oct. 1

up to the event. PROSPEKT ART television industries in Russia. and continue through Oct. 5, and films Street art is the emphasis of the Q: What audiences would the festi- The Russian film market is the can be seen in the Aurora, Angleterre, Q: What is the main idea behind Art yearly contemporary art festival. val appeal to? eighth largest in the world but the do- Velikan, Leningrad, Rodina and Khu- Prospekt Festival? A: With more than 40 projects and mestic industry lags far behind its west- dozhestvenny cinemas. The New Stage A: Art Prospekt is St. Petersburg’s cause of the important role of culture over 50 artists from all over the world, ern counterparts. For example, “Stalin- of the Alexandrinsky Theater and the only yearly event that provides the op- here and the need for and interest in the festival has something engaging for grad,” the Russian film released last Old Stock Exchange Building on portunity for Russian and international the development of contemporary art everyone. Among the festival’s high- year based on the battle for the south- Vasilievsky Island will also play host to artists to share their works with audi- forms and international exchange. lights are works created for children, ern city during World War II, cost $30 screenings. ences who rarely see contemporary art During this period we have conducted including a hands-on workshop utilizing million to complete and topped Rus- Over 1,200 media industry profes- projects. Initiated in September 2012, a large number of workshops and ex- recycled materials to make masks by sia’s box office, earning over $68 mil- sionals from around the globe are ex- the Art Prospekt Festival strives to change projects between foreign and Creative Manufacture P.T.H. (Masha lion worldwide. In comparison, pected to attend the Media Forum, in- promote the development of public art Russian artists, and professionals in Nebesnaya and Zhenya Isaeva) and gi- “Guardians of the Galaxy,” an Ameri- cluding Jay Penske, the founder of in St. Petersburg by sharing the best such fields as arts management, cul- ant inflatable puppets by Australian art- can blockbuster released this summer, “Variety” magazine, Lenfilm studio practices, strategies and techniques tural journalism, contemporary music ist Daniele Poidomani. The attention of cost $170 million to make and raked in head Fedor Bondarchuk, Hermitage with local artists, organizations and and contemporary art. Art Prospekt is adults can be captured by site-specific over $600 million worldwide. director Mikhail Piotrovsky and repre- government agencies. one such initiative. performances by an American theatri- In 2013, the Russian government dis- sentatives of such major players as The third Art Prospekt Festival is cal dance group Third Rail Projects and tributed $156.9 million to filmmakers Warner Bros, Disney, Fox, CBS, HBO presented as part of the Parallel Pro- Q: Did you have to overcome any Sever-7 from St. Petersburg. The festi- and the figure for this year is expected to and other companies. gram of the European Biennale of Con- obstacles this year in the festival’s val also features Russian artist Petr Sh- end up closer to $180 million, and the While this is only the first year of the temporary Art Manifesta 10. Curated organization? vetsov’s “Treehouse” and Georgian art- Russian government hopes to double the forum, Mtsitouridze has high hopes for by U.S. public art expert Kendal Henry, A: It is a very complicated process ist Kote Jincharadze’s “Talks in the amount of money available by 2017. the future of the event. “Culture repre- this year’s festival explores the ways in to organize and produce 43 art projects Darkness,” a tent constructed out of “The whole idea of the Media Fo- sents a bridge that unites nations and which artists address vast and complex and performances by more than 50 art- wood and light, promising to delight rum is to establish an exciting enter- people of good will and is especially rel- ecological problems. The audience en- ists from six countries. We are very and constantly engage audiences with tainment industry venue in St. Peters- evant in one of the most beautiful cities counters artwork highlighting serious fortunate this year to have the support play and conversation. burg,” Katya Mtsitouridze, CEO of of the world, one in which bridges are issues like climate change, energy, bio- of both the St. Petersburg Committee Roskino and one of the concept devel- drawn every night,” she said. logical and cultural diversity, conserva- for Culture and the Posadsky Munici- Art Prospekt Festival opens tomorrow at opers for the Media Forum, said. “We “In due time, an annual Forum will tion, resources and many others. pal District. Our partners at the Pos- 5 p.m. with introductions by festival or- went to great lengths in order to allow St. Petersburg to establish itself adsky Municipal District have taken on ganizers and performances in front of achieve our goal, devising a cross-plat- as an internationally in-demand area Q: Why has St. Petersburg been the routine job of obtaining permission the Third Regional Library at 1 Troitsky form concept, inviting the participants for the entertainment industry.” chosen as the venue of the festival? to place the finished works in public Ploschad, followed by a public tour of well in advance, preparing a list of films A: CEC ArtsLink has had an office spaces and have introduced us to local the festival art works guided by the cura- and panel discussion topics, picking out For more information about the event in St. Petersburg for more than 15 organizations including a nursery tor Kendal Henry. For more informa- an appropriate location for the film and a complete schedule, visit years. We chose the city as our base be- school, secondary school and library, tion, visit: www.artprospectfestival.ru market and many other things.” roskino.org

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” Sulo & Gulo: Georgian on My Mind General Director: Tatyana Turikova Acting editor: Lana Matafonov Advertising: Ksenia Chiritsa, Ylia Yanchuk Sulo & Gulo The menu is short and simple, with which led me to the Kharcho soup (200 caramel and a touch of sweet French Subscription: Viktoria Borovkova Production: Alla Kalinovskaya 44 Ulitsa Marata the dishes on offer lacking the all-too- rubles, $5.20) and the baby lamb ka- vanilla frosting, seemed as if it would IT Department: Sergei Karasev Tel. 798 5001 familiar mouth-watering descriptions. bobs (500 rubles, $13.00). My compan- have been delicious — had it come OOO Neva Media ì˜‰ËÚÂθ Ë ËÁ‰‡ÚÂθ – ééé “ç‚‡ å‰ˇ” Open daily: 11 a.m. to last customer My companion and I started with the ion’s fillet came perfectly cooked with fresh in the first place. To our disap- Copyright © 2005 The St. Petersburg Times. All Rights Reserved. Meal for two with alcohol: 2,000 rubles necessities: two glasses of traditional a crispy, lightly-oiled skin and a cara- pointment, the cake was slightly stiff Mass media registration certificate number èà ‹ îë2-8918 of November 30, 2007, issued by the Directorate of the Federal ($52.00) Kindzmarauli wine (200 rubles/glass, mel dipping sauce. Sprinkled with and dull, as if it had been sitting in the Service for the monitoring of compliance with legislation in the $5.20) over a large, steaming dish of lemon juice, the dish wasn’t anything refrigerator for too long. sphere of mass communications and the preservation of cultural By Jonathan Melvin khachapuri (180 rubles, $4.70). The to write home about, though it cer- Overall, the experience at Sulo & heritage of the North-West Federal District. ë‚ˉ ÚÂθ ÒÚ ‚Ó Ó Â- „ËÒÚ ‡ ˆËË Ò‰ÒÚ ‚‡ χÒÒÓ ‚ÓÈ ËÌÙÓ χ ˆËË èà ‹ îë2-8918 THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES semi-sweet wine complimented all of tainly did not disappoint. The Kharcho Gulo was enjoyable enough with satis- ÓÚ 30 ÌÓfl · fl 2007 „Ó‰‡, ‚˚‰‡ ÌÓ Sulo & Gulo is a Georgian-European our dishes that evening, but in all fair- soup and lamb kabobs were of a simi- fying dishes, reasonable prices and ex- ìÔ‡ ‚ ΠÌË ÂÏ î‰ ‡Î¸ ÌÓÈ ÒÎÛÊ·˚ ÔÓ Ì‡‰ÁÓ Û Á‡ Òӷβ ‰Â- establishment situated on bustling ness, it is really hard to not take a lik- lar nature. The Kharcho, served with cellent service. Nonetheless, it can re- ÌËÂÏ Á‡ÍÓ ÌÓ ‰‡ ÚÂθ ÒÚ ‚‡ ‚ ÒÙÂ χÒÒÓ ‚˚ı ÍÓÏÏÛ ÌË Í‡ ˆËÈ Ë Óı‡ Ì ÍÛθÚÛ ÌÓ „Ó Ì‡ÒΠ‰Ëfl Ulitsa Marata. The café-restaurant ing to Georgian wine. After being noticeably less attention to presenta- ally only be encapsulated in one word ÔÓ ë‚ Ó-ᇠԇ‰ ÌÓ ÏÛ Ù‰ ‡Î¸ ÌÓ ÏÛ ÓÍÛ „Û. boasts a small but comfortable interior shown by my companion the “proper” tion than the pictures I found on — mediocrity. The restaurant felt like Издание предназначено для аудитории старше 16 лет. with a clash of modernity and rural way to disperse the fresh-cracked egg Google in a quest to find the correct a typical Georgian haunt for those with Отпечатано в ОАО «Первая Образцовая типография» филиал «СПб газетный комплекс». 198216, СПб, European design, neatly-fashioned over the hot dish, the fresh bread spelling of the dish, was nothing spec- a fondness for the national cuisine, as Ленинский пр., 139. Заказ № 1364. wooden tables, draped curtains and a stuffed with Havarti cheese was the tacular while the fresh lamb was tender it was lacking true uniqueness and, as Подписано в печать: по графику в 1.00, wagon wheel or two adorning the plain perfect way to pave the way for the lat- and juicy, complimented by a side of far as we were concerned, anything фактически в 1.00. Тираж 20000 экз. Распространяется бесплатно. The St. Petersburg walls. The only part of the restaurant ter parts of our feast. dill-splashed onions. substantial that makes it stand out. Times is a free publication. that immediately breaks the flow of Moving forward on to the main There was one disappointing note However, mediocrity does not mean immersion is a glaring, widescreen course, my companion settled for the on the evening. To end, my companion plain and dull. Indeed, those looking Address: 190000, Russia, St. Petersburg, 4 Konnogvardeisky boulevard, Entrance 7, 3rd floor. television broadcasting, strangely fresh trout (450 rubles, $11.70) while I and I decided to try the caramel cake for an inexpensive and relaxing eve- Telephone/Fax: (7-812) 325-60-80. enough, beautiful scenery of every was more keen to indulge in the more (250 rubles, $6.50). The cake, a thin ning can certainly enjoy a night out at ĉÂÒ ‰‡ÍˆËË: 190000, Конногвардейский бульвар, place on earth except for Georgia. nationally-attuned dishes on offer, tower layered with light and dark cake, Sulo & Gulo. д. 4, лит. А, подъезд 7, этаж 3 Internet: http://www.sptimes.ru SpecialFeature www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 18 Worlds Apart, Sister Cities Celebrate 25 Years

By Lana Matafonov It was on Apr. 21, 1989, that an Kuzmina. “The delegation participated Also in 2009, a group of music stu- “While there are great differences in THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES agreement was signed between the un- in a lot of events during this time and dents from Melbourne left the Australian distances and geography, we should not likely pairing of the two cities — Mel- from there we decided that there should summer and traveled to St. Petersburg in stop that from exploring and discovering his year marks the 25th an- bourne and what was then known as be a Russian-Australian society for cul- February for a music tour and collabora- possible hidden opportunities between niversary of the sister-city Leningrad — to form a sister-city rela- ture and business ties. tion with the Rimsky-Korsakov State the two cities,” said Kuzmina. “We have relationship between St. tionship to “contribute better under- “Unfortunately we didn’t get much Conservatory. Here they were greeted by an opportunity for more student ex- Petersburg, Russia and standing and foster friendly ties be- of a response from Melbourne busi- snowy blizzards while deadly fires were changes, which is very beneficial as they Melbourne, Australia — a tween the people of the U.S.S.R. and nessmen — they did not see Russia as a destroying their home state from the ex- come here and learn that Russia is not landmarkT achievement that almost Australia,” according to the agree- potential market at the time. The dis- treme Australian summer. “February some ‘mysterious country’ on the other didn’t happen because of calls to cancel ment. This involved cooperation in the tances are scary…even though, you 2009 was a difficult time for Melbourne side of the world. They learn that people the relationship by the Melbourne gay fields of economy, culture, sports and know, the Soviet Union had extensive and Victoria,” said Petrova. “The bush- are normal and like them and can share community last year. education, with Melbourne the first ties with Australia, as they were buying fires destroyed major towns in Victoria, common interests. From there you can With St. Petersburg passing legisla- Australian city to form such a relation- horses, meat, and wool from Australia. many lives were lost and thousands of build relationships based on that. tion in 2012 banning the “propaganda ship with Russia. So instead we changed the focus and people lost their homes. The people of St. “I believe that it is these type of non- of non-traditional sexual relations,” a While both cities are considered cul- decided to start programs with school Petersburg were very supportive for the governmental organizations in the inter- petition was soon delivered to Mel- ture capitals in their own country and children and build relationships that members visiting from their sister-city national sphere that are extremely effec- bourne’s Lord Mayor with over 8,000 share similar population numbers, the way,” she said. “These types of pro- and the performance made during this tive in people-to-people contact as they signatures condemning the law and call- cities’ similarities on the surface seem to grams have turned out to be very sus- tour was dedicated to the fire fighters and are not politically biased, making them ing for the city council to sever all ties. end there. Perhaps for this reason, or for tainable and from there we have ar- the people of Victoria. more flexible. They are also a vital way What followed was months of meet- the distance between the two, for the ranged a number of roundtable meet- “Seeing many people from both cit- to keep a communication channel going ings, talks and negotiations with council next 14 years, little was done to develop ings with businessmen to explore other ies come together to help create these when others are closing,” she said. members from both cities along with the relationship, bar a few visits from opportunities. For example, Russia’s events in 2009 demonstrated the Next month, on Oct. 2, a celebration concerned citizens and local groups. delegations from both cities. mining technologies could be of inter- strength of the cultural, educational will be held in Melbourne to mark the Driving the campaign to preserve the “For many decades we didn’t even est to Australia and vice-versa.” and historical links between our two official celebration of the “Melbourne - relationship was Alla Petrova, a Russian have sturdy Australian representation A few years after this, Petrova took cities and inspired me to set up an or- St. Petersburg Sister City Association,” woman who moved to Australia 22 in St. Petersburg and so we never had an trip to Russia. It was during this trip that ganization to continue this dialogue which will coincide with the opening of years ago and has taken it upon herself opportunity to develop a proper unit to she had passion ignited in her to help with broader community participation. a photo exhibition displaying images of to not only keep the sister-city relation- help create stronger ties until 2003,” become involved in the sister-city rela- This has resulted in the creation of the St. Petersburg, shot by three award- ship but to revive and strengthen it. said Tatyana Kuzmina, Executive Di- tionship. “In November 2007, while ‘Melbourne - St. Petersburg Sister City wining Melbourne photographers. “Melbourne councilors listened rector for the Center for Intercultural holidaying in Russia, I was introduced Association,’” said Petrova. “We are planning more school ex- carefully to the arguments for and Communication and International Re- to Australia’s Honorary Consul in St. Since 2009, the two cities have en- changes, opportunities for music acad- against keeping the relationship and lations in St. Petersburg and head of the Petersburg. We discussed the relation- joyed hosting a number or exhibitions emies to play concerts together and eventually they decided not to suspend program for Russian-Australian Ties. ship between the two cities and decided and concerts by guest performance seeking partnerships between universi- the Sister-City agreement but instead “It was only just prior to that when Aus- we should do something for the upcom- groups and artists, as well as ambassa- ties,” said Petrova. support engagement and dialogue be- tralia opened an honorary consulate.” ing 20th anniversary celebration in dorial visits, music and student ex- “We also want to run monthly talks in tween the two cities,” said Petrova, It was in 2003 that the city of St. Pe- 2009,” she said. change programs and even a game of Melbourne on Russian art, literature, speaking to The St. Petersburg Times. tersburg celebrated its 300th anniver- What resulted after months of plan- the popular Australian sport cricket, music and culture as well as have guests “In these particularly difficult times sary and invited delegates from all of its ning and hard work from a number of when a Melbourne cricket team be- come from St. Petersburg to take part in with the relationship…between the 92 partner cities from across 60 coun- people in both cities was a program of came the first to play in St. Petersburg the number of festivals that run in Mel- West and Russia, it is important to pro- tries to take part in the celebrations. “A events in each city called “Days on Mel- when they took on a local expat British bourne. Sister-city relationships not only mote dialogue between our municipali- delegation from Melbourne came, led bourne” in St. Petersburg and “Days of team in June 2009. In 2013, the sister- create opportunities for the community ties and encourage youth and other by the Lord Mayor, and presented the St. Petersburg” in Melbourne, which fo- city relationship was commemorated but are also an important tool for diplo- exchanges to help improve relations city with a gift — three garden benches cused on ways to help, encourage and by the Perth Mint in Australia when macy. It helps improve relationships be- and understanding between people,” that can be still found in the Stary Mane- explore opportunities in both a cultural two special edition coins were released, tween our countries and create a platform she said. zhny Cad on Italianskaya Ulitsa,” said and economic sphere. featuring key landmarks in both cities. for international stability,” she added. Aussie Students Travel the Distance for the Ultimate Adventure By Lana Matafonov do. But for the rest of these students and February,” she recalled. “It was minus THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES their families, they decided to trust and 20 degrees Celsius in St. Petersburg find out more for themselves.” and in Melbourne it was almost 40 de- hen it comes to school This has been the case for Jemma grees Celsius — we were so excited to excursions, nothing Sbeghen, one of the students traveling in be going somewhere hot!” And just can be quite as adven- the group. “When you live so far away, like Russia’s stereotype with bears, turous as a two-week it’s easy to feel disassociated with these Gorelskaya admitted to researching trip to Russia…espe- areas but now that we are here, it is easy extensively about Australia’s famous ciallyW if you are from Australia. And to realize that the people here are just deadly nature beforehand. “We hear so despite the 26-hour plus travel time, like us. And if it was a significant prob- much about all the sharks, snakes and with warnings about such stereotypes as lem, we wouldn’t be here right now.” spiders but when we arrived in the city, bears in the streets and Russia’s current For fellow student Charlotte Offi- we realized there was nothing to be political situation, these factors did cer, she has also found the stereotypes worried about,” she said. nothing to deter eight 14- to 15-year-old about Russia’s animals comparable to “It was really interesting to find out students from Princes Hill Secondary Australia’s as well. “Everyone is really about the Australian lifestyle. Austra-

College in making the epic journey — in scared when they go to a different FOR SPT lian students have much more free time fact, it only encouraged them more. country no matter what,” she said. “I The visiting students from Melbourne out exploring St. Petersburg this week. than us. They study six subjects whereas Accompanied by two teachers, Si- think everyone at home thought ‘Oh we study 14 in Russia, so they spend mone Gatt and Sacha Kober, the eight no, Russia is really big and scary with far — you can make a friendship as style. “When I met my host father for more time doing their hobbies. In my students from the inner Melbourne bears,’ but people coming to our coun- close as you want it to be. With Skype the first time, he asked if I was scared host family, the girl played netball, school are part of a cultural exchange try are scared of all our sharks and and email, we have been able to keep of dogs as they have a German shep- which was interesting to watch as we program with School 606, a local St. snakes. But we don’t worry about them, and foster the friendship going for al- herd. I said I have spaniel and he asked don’t play netball in Russia,” she said Petersburg school in Pushkin that spe- just like they don’t worry about what most five years,” said Gatt. if we use it for hunting. I said no and before adding, “The first thing I told cializes in teaching English. Now in its we are told to be scared about. It’s in- The small group arrived in Moscow explained that not many people hunt in mom when I moved home was that I fourth year, the schools take turns each teresting to see how things are por- on Sept. 14 for what Gatt described as Australia and if you do, you need to get want to move to Australia! I now want year sending students over with this trayed here compared to how differ- “three days of intense walking, looking a special license and he was so sur- to see if I can study there in the future.” year being Melbourne’s turn. ently it is portrayed at home.” and learning.” Arriving in St. Peters- prised — he couldn’t believe we didn’t According to Elena Miklyeva, ex- “When times are tough, that’s when “So far, Russia is beautiful and dif- burg on Sept. 17, the group is now fo- use our dog like that,” she said. change program coordinator at School friendships are more important, so we ferent and not what I expected,” added cused on learning about the people, Despite the young age, political talk 606, it is this type of reaction and moti- travel even though it is a difficult time,” Sammy Kosky, another student. with weeklong homestays organized has also not been kept off the table vation that drives the staff to continue said Gatt. Kober agreed, adding, “Es- The special partnership between the with students from School 606. with students already engaging in dis- the program. “What gives us energy is pecially now, this is showing the kids two schools was developed through the “Coming here I was most interested cussions about the crisis in Ukraine on seeing the changes in the students after that whatever happens to our politi- sister-city relationship between St. Pe- in discovering how life is different,” said their first day at School 606. “It was re- each trip. They come back more fo- cians and leaders in our countries, we tersburg and Melbourne and, according Prani Patton. “Mostly what I was looking ally fascinating to discuss the Russian cused, more responsible and inspired. as people will always be friends.” to Gatt, driven by the passion from both forward to was meeting the family and a perception of things and see how they They also grow up a lot. I have so many However, in the lead-up to the trip, school principals who had a “mutual in- girl my age — someone so isolated, so far view what is happening with the situa- amazing stories of complete transforma- Gatt admitted some anxiety from some terest of looking beyond the immediate away —and comparing how we live, how tion with Ukraine and compare it with tions with our students.” parents and students. “This is our sec- school grounds and environment to we are similar and how it all connects.” what we are being told in Australia,” For Kober, this type of experience is ond year coming to School 606. Last make cultural connections for students Already, the differences, or lack of, said Tyler Wilkinson. also invaluable for his students but in a time we had a very large group travel- to understand what the world is like be- are evident. “It’s all the same, my fam- On hand helping the group is Vale- different way. “Our Australian kids think ing, 21 people in fact. This time, we only yond their own immediate world.” ily just speak a different language — ria Gorelskaya, a student from School they are so worldly, but actually when it have a group of 10,” she said. “We had Thanks to technology, the vast dis- there hasn’t been a major difference so 606 who took part in the exchange pro- comes down to it, they have quite a shel- one student coming and at the last min- tance has also never played a big factor far,” said Leyla Arrykova. gram in 2012 and 2013 — first hosting tered experience. You can really see they ute felt that she couldn’t and that’s okay, in developing the relationship either. Patton agreed but added there have an Australian student then flying over are a little wiser, having seen that a lot of everyone needs to do what they need to “When you have internet, nothing is been some evident differences in life- to Australia to be hosted. “We went in the world is not like inner Melbourne.” www.sptimes.ru SPECIAL FEATURE Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 19 Anniversary Marked With the Right Note An Australian medical orchestra charmed both the city’s theater stage and hospitals as part of a sister-city tour.

By Lana Matafonov the same thing can happen. We were cer- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES tainly sensitive to those views though, but I have to say that politics was rarely he life of a doctor can be discussed amongst us while we were full of difficult challenges here. Tensions were rising in Ukraine and decisions. However, while we were here but we felt none of when a leading doctor’s or- that tension or hostility towards us as chestra in Melbourne, Aus- Westerners in any shape or form. tralia,T was given an invitation to per- There was, however, one incident. We form in St. Petersburg to help celebrate had a couple of lawyers traveling with us the 25th anniversary between the two who met with some local lawyers at their sister-cities, the decision was for once university where they argued about the very easy and the challenge more en- rules of law and other matters. This ticing than difficult. Here was a chance turned into heated arguments about to test their musical skills and perform Ukraine and I am not entirely sure if it in one of the most culturally rich cities was triggered by the fact that one of the in the world…and for them, one that Australian lawyers was unintentionally happens to also be on the other side of wearing a tie that was blue and yellow. the world. Of course this was not deliberate, he just Founded in 2002 by cardiothoracic hadn’t realized what was going on and surgeon and violist Phillip Antippa, perhaps this became a little bit of a focus Corpus Medicorum is an orchestra for unintended angst by their hosts. comprised of doctors, medical students

and other health professionals at the FOR SPT Q: What were your visits and inter- Royal Melbourne Hospital. The Corpus Medicorum orchestra outside the Rose Garden Pavilion at the Pavlovsk Palace before the charity ball. actions like at the local hospitals? The group arrived in St. Petersburg A: We had one day where the group in June to perform twice during their was split to visit four different hospi- stay: one free concert at the Capella Hall tals. Some went to the large children’s on June 24 and at a charity ball at the hospital, which sounded terrific, well Pavlovsk Palace on June 25 to help raise facilitated with all the machinery, and funds for children with cancer. In be- our doctors had an opportunity to en- tween rehearsals and sightseeing, they gage with some of the children. also visited local hospitals to meet with A few of us, including myself, went medical teams and exchange ideas. to the cancer research institute out in Despite the tour finishing months Pesochny, where we met with some ago, the memories and impressions are other thoracic surgeons. still vivid for Antippa as he spoke to The These thoracic kindred surgeons had St. Petersburg Times from the Royal a more aggressive approach than us in Melbourne Hospital about the group’s Australia — we would favor utilizing tour experience and the impression left multimodality treatments, whereas our by both the city’s rich musical culture and Russian colleagues showed us many its struggling medical scene. cases of extended surgical procedures treated successfully in their hands.

Q: How and why did this tour come FOR SPT FOR SPT However, I did find it disappointing about? Surgeon and violist Phillip Antippa. Young patients at the Raisa Gorbachev Hospital for Children enjoying art therapy. that with the wealth of the city and the A: I was initially approached by a wealth of the Russian Federation, prominent figure in the Melbourne Q: Did you have any hesitations or a bunch of doctors, let alone amateurs, Q: Did you notice any similarities medicine was being left a bit behind music scene, a Russian lady by the major obstacles to overcome in orga- could come along and impress them with between the two cities? and perhaps not nearly as well sup- name of Alla Petrova. Alla had previ- nizing this trip? the quality of our music making. A: St. Petersburg is certainly one of ported or funded as the other activities ously taken a small orchestra to St. Pe- A: There was no way we could have The next day we played at the char- the great cities in the world, no doubt going on. I was told that some of the tersburg and approached us a few years been able to operate this tour without ity ball at Pavlovsk. It was fun to play about it. Whilst it is similar to Mel- population, if they have money or in- ago about whether we would consider the help of Alla. Doing business in for- in a lovely, charming hall in a beautiful bourne in terms of its population size, fluence, would actually head out of the doing a tour to St. Petersburg. eign countries can be difficult any- country setting. That was a great event perhaps also with its classical or, dare I country to Germany, Switzerland or The main impetus for this tour was where, but I think in a country where but unfortunately we didn’t necessarily say it, Victorian influence and Euro- even Israel for medical treatment, really about the sister-city relationship. such little English is spoken, having attract the biggest and brightest of St. pean architectural influence… I think which I think is profoundly disappoint- So with the support of Alla, along with Russian speakers is imperative. Petersburg’s society in terms of philan- that’s about where the similarities stop. ing in a country like Russia. our city mayor, the City of Melbourne Alla spent many nights on the phone thropy for donations. But in saying I also offered junior staff to come to and hospital board, it all just started to organizing arrangements and details, that, we had a good and healthy crowd Q: What can a city like St. Peters- Melbourne and spend time doing fel- happen. it was also a bit of a challenge and we had amazing support from the who enjoyed the evening. burg offer Melbourne? lowships with us and while this was I guess, knowing that the standards Rimsky-Korsakov conservatorium, A: I think St. Petersburg has a great considered at the time, I have yet to re- were going to be high as we know that which helped with organizing rehearsal Q: What surprised you about the deal to offer — its historic and cultural ceive an acceptance. the people of St. Petersburg take their studios and equipment. Clearly the lan- St. Petersburg music scene? interest is extraordinary. From a con- I think some of our other members music very seriously, especially during guage barrier was the major obstacle A: I think what was surprising for us cert point of view, the White Nights from the orchestra had similar experi- the time we were going — in the mid- and we had to rely heavily on Alla’s was the realization that whilst there is so Festival is phenomenal. Whilst we have ences but overall found it a great op- dle of the White Nights festival. Russian speaking abilities. But in the much music in St. Petersburg, with its a lot of visiting orchestras come to portunity to engage with the local med- We also wanted to represent the end, everything went well. We weren’t history of great conservatories, compos- Australia and our own orchestras are ical community. city. I think that Australians, and espe- let down by anyone at any time, so con- ers, ballet and opera companies, the am- very busy, I think it pales in significance cially Melbournians, are proud of their gratulations to all who assisted. ateur music scene seemed to us almost as to what’s on offer in St. Petersburg. Q: What are the future plans for the cities and achievements. Certainly, completely absent. Understanding this, I To have not only one but two Mariin- orchestra? Any plans to return to St. Melbourne being named the most liv- Q: How were your performances? guess, was in some ways a way for us to sky theaters, plus the Mikhailovsky Petersburg? able city in the world is not lost on any Were they well received? discover and learn about the Russian and two large concert halls and smaller A: Our future plans include travel- of us and I guess we were keen to rep- A: The first one was held at the mentality. That is, if you are a violinist, performance halls in one city, which ing to the rest of Melbourne’s sister- resent and do it proud. Capella Hall off Nevsky Prospekt and then you play the violin professionally, or are all well attended is incredible. I cities. We are hoping to organize a tour We were also interested in going attracted a good crowd of about 500 you teach and that’s that, no middle think if you live in St. Petersburg, you to Osaka, Japan, in 2016. from a medical point of view. We en- people. The concert hall is designed in ground. So that was interesting but some- wouldn’t know what to do to first. A return tour to St. Petersburg gaged with a local St. Petersburg char- the classic St. Petersburg style, as we what disappointing, I must say. would definitely be on the cards as long ity called Advita, which raises aware- were constantly reminded about along In Melbourne, we have a strong Q: Did Russia’s political climate we maintain our sister-city relationship. ness, funds and facilities for bone mar- with the majority of other architectural amateur music scene with up to 30-odd affect the tour or influence your im- We had an effort by one minority lobby row transplants in childhood cancer features in town by very proud Peters- amateur orchestras. Amateur musi- pression of the city? group in Melbourne to stop the sister- and leukemia. We always have a chari- burgers, but this concert hall was truly cians, I think, certainly know their A: I think the political situation at city relationship based on some of the table bent with our performances — delightful and when it filled with an au- place — we know we are not profes- the moment is unfortunate but I think anti-gay laws enacted in Russia last year. taking a philanthropic part of what we dience, the sound inside was a musical sionals and we actively support our if you spend time in Russia and cer- Thankfully that didn’t go through. do is important to us. instrument in itself. In Melbourne, we professional orchestras at home. We tainly in St. Petersburg, there is noth- I think anyone that says that there The opportunity to engage medi- have spent many millions designing are not seen as competition. ing like understanding the culture and isn’t a good bond between these two cit- cally was also very interesting, espe- very beautiful and expensive acousti- how this can influence your view. ies is being unjust — certainly from our cially the chance to visit some of the cally-designed concert halls like the Q: What was one of the highlights I certainly know that the news we re- point of view, a musical point of view, I hospitals and clinics. We have very lit- one that we play in at home — the Mel- for you on the tour? ceive in Australia is very Western, very think it would be a great thing to con- tle contact with Russia medically, as bourne Recital Hall — but this was a A: Possibly the greatest treat was American-centric and very biased. And tinue and remain in place. I am hopeful compared to many other countries, true hall of great musical taste and playing with the great Mikhail Gantvarg, while some of it is true, I know that much the people we met in St. Petersburg were even those where they don’t speak a lot character. It was a privilege to play in who joined us for Tchaikovsky’s violin of the sentiment is inaccurate. Certainly pleased we were there and that we of English. They all seem to be more and left one of the most lasting impres- concerto. That was an extraordinary from the perspective of Petersburgers, it helped in some way to make a difference, engaged with Western medicine than sions from the tour. treat, especially knowing that Tchaik- seems they feel they are being victimized and helped maintain the strong relations the Russians. So it was curious and in- Half a dozen members from the St. ovsky wrote the piece for Leopold Auer, on several levels. Firstly from the news between the two cities. I think the entire teresting to see what the system was Petersburg Philharmonic also came who was the director of the conservatory reporting we receive in the West, which orchestra would be happy to visit St. Pe- like and to see if there are ways we along and while I didn’t get a chance to and the most influential teacher for the may not be accurate, and secondly they tersburg again. I personally I would love could build links or bridges between speak to them personally afterwards, all of the violin schools in Russia, which are citizens in a country and their views to go back tomorrow if I could. our hospitals, or ways to encourage several of our other members did and Gantvarg was a part of. To play with may not necessarily be represented by trainees to come from Russia to Mel- they said some very nice, complementary someone in direct line, a descendant, was their government — just like in a fully This interview has been edited for length bourne for fellowship programs. things about us. They were surprised that phenomenal and an honor for us. democratic society like Australia where and clarity. 20 ❖ Wednesday, September 24, 2014 LISTINGS www.sptimes.ru

HOW TO USE THE LISTINGS: opera monday, september 29 Il Trovatore Verdi’s four-act opera starring Dates and times are correct at the Ekaterina Semenchuk, Tatiana Serjan and ballet time of publication, but last-min- Alexei Markov. Conductor Valery Gergiev. Swan Lake Tchaikovsky’s evergreen classic Mariinsky II, 7:30 p.m. about the fate of a swan princess, ute changes are not infrequent, choreographed by Marius Petipa. so it’s best to check by contacting concert Hermitage Theater, 8 p.m. COMPLETE LISTINGS Symphony Music Tchaikovsky, Weber, the venue. can Mozart. St.Petersburg Symphony Orchestra opera be found at www.sptimes.ru. and Alexander Ghindin (piano). Conductor PREMIERE! Eugene Onegin Vasily Alexander Dmitriev. Barkhatov’s new production of Tchaikovsky’s Unless otherwise stated, stage Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall, 8 p.m. setting of a text by Pushkin. events start at 7 p.m. All stage Conductor Mikhail Tatarnikov. Mikhailovsky Theater shows and films are in Russian saturday, september 27 unless noted. concert ballet Choral Music Britten’s ‘War Requiem’. Swan Lake Tchaikovsky’s evergreen classic The Mariinsky Chorus and Orchestra, about the fate of a swan princess, St Petersburg TV and Radio Children’s Chorus. STAGES choreographed by Marius Petipa. Starring Olga Conductor Valery Gergiev. Yesina. Mariinsky Theater Mariinsky Concert Hall, 8 p.m. Swan Lake Tchaikovsky’s magical three-act Symphony Music Lyadov, Gavrilin. Andreyev DAILY SHOW! Folk Show ballet about love and deception. State Russian Orchestra. Conductor Dmitry Feel Yourself Russian! Two hours of traditional Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, 8 p.m. Khokhlov. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Russian songs and dance. Nikolayevsky Main Hall, 8 p.m. The Fratellis, an indie rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, will perform at Palace, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. www.folkshow.ru opera Kosmonavt on Friday, Sept. 26.

La Traviata Verdi’s tragedy about a courtesan TOM OXLEY and her lover. Staged by Charles Roubaud tuesday, september 30 wednesday, september 24 (France). Starring Vasily Gerello. Mariinsky II. thursday, september 25 Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. Opera Gala St. Petersburg Opera soloists ballet 7 p.m. ballet perform arias from operas by Tchaikovsky and La Sylphide Lovenskjold’s classic ballet, rock, etc. Andrei Kondakov Electric Project Fusion, Cindrella Sergey Prokofiev’s 1945 score based Rimsky-Korsakov, and Shostakovich’s ‘Jewish choreographed by Bournonville, about a young BazilioBand Rock. Backstage, jazz rock. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ul. on the timeless children’s tale by Charles Perrault. Folk Poetry’ song cycle. St. Petersburg Opera Scotsman who falls in love with a beautiful 113 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel: 958 3888. 7 p.m. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, 7:30 p.m. sylph on the eve of his wedding. Dok Gregory and Pavel Mikheyev concert Mariinsky Theater, 7:30 p.m. Experimental electronic music. GEZ-21, opera Early Music Music of the German Baroque: 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 5258. sunday, september 28 The Rape of Lucretia Benjamin Britten’s Bach and Telemann. Soloists of the Mariinsky opera 8 p.m. tragic 1946 chamber opera is a shocking early Theater Orchestra and mezzo-soprano Eugene Onegin Tchaikovsky’s opera based Kuzma i VirtUOzy Punk, alternative rock. rock, etc. Christian tale, but is also a metaphor for wider Nadezhda Khadzheva. Mariinsky II, on Pushkin’s novel in verse. Conductor Valery Backstage, 113 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tricky Trip-hop. A2, 3 Prospekt brutality and inhumanity. St. Petersburg Opera Stravinsky Foyer, 3 p.m. Gergiev. Mariinsky II. Tel. 958 3888. 7 p.m. Medikov. Tel. 309 9922. 8 p.m. Piano Music Scarlatti, Prokofiev, Chopin, PREMIERE! Eugene Onegin Vasily The St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review Arch Enemy Melodic death metal. concert Schumann. Alexei Volodin. Barkhatov’s new production of Tchaikovsky’s Ska jazz. Dada, 47 Gorokhovaya Ul. Aurora Concert Hall, St. Petersburg Hotel, Piano Music Khudoley, Glink, Balakirev, Mariinsky Concert Hall setting of a text by Pushkin. Conductor Mikhail Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. 5/2 Pirogovskaya Nab. Tel. 907 1917. Scriabin. Valery Kuleshov. Tatarnikov. Mikhailovsky Theater Hugo Reggae, pop rock. Zoccolo 2.0, 8 p.m. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Small Hall. 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tikki Shelyen Folk rock. Backstage, Symphony Music Rachmaninoff. ‘Rhapsody sunday, september 28 concert Tel. 945 4305. 8 p.m. 113 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel: 958 3888. on a Theme by Paganini’ and a concert version Early Music Bach, Haydn, Mozart. Soloists of Tres Muchachos Latin. Backstage, 7 p.m. of the opera ‘Aleko.’ Conductor Alexandr ballet Mariinsky Theater Orchestra. Mariinsky II, 113 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel: 958 3888. 7 p.m. Morekorabli Indie rock. Fish Fabrique Chernushenko. Capella Swan Lake Tchaikovsky’s evergreen classic Mussorgsky Hall, 6:30 p.m. Cardio Beat Indie rock. Fish Fabrique Nouvelle, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. about the fate of a swan princess, Violin Music Handel, Bach, Grieg, Schnittke, Nouvelle, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. choreographed by Marius Petipa. Starring Olga Mozart, Rossini. Mikhail Gantvarg and Soloists Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. Andrei Makarevich and Ildar thursday, september 25 Yesina. Mariinsky Theater of the St. Petersburg Ensemble. Kazakhanov Acoustic. Jagger, 2 Ploschad Giselle Adolphe Adam’s ballet, staged by Nikolai Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall, jazz & blues Konstitutsii. Tel. 923 1292. 8:30 p.m. ballet Dolgushin, about the consequences of a young 8 p.m. Kirill Bubyakin and Real Jazz Quartet Russian Kolbussian Folk pop. Manhattan, The Flames of Paris Ballet based on the peasant’s love for a member of the aristocracy. Saxophone night. Jazz Philharmonic Hall 90 Nab. Reki Fontanki. novel ‘Les Rouges du Midi’ by Felix Gras. Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, 8 p.m. (Ellington Hall), 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 713 1945. 8 p.m. Choreographers Vasily Vaynonen and Mikhail Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 8 p.m. Televizor Rock, funk rock. Messerer. Mikhailovsky Theater, 7:30 p.m. GIGS Viktoria Urusova Band Original Zal Ozhidaniya, 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky’s evergreen opera compositions. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Tel. 333 1069. 8 p.m. classic, based on a tale by E.T.A. Hoffman. Le Nozze di Figaro Yuri Alexandrov stages Ul.. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. Diagens / Caries Punk rock. Zoccolo 2.0, Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, 8 p.m. Mozart’s beloved opera. Conductor Zaurbek wednesday, september 24 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Prospekt. Gugkaev. Mariinsky Theater, 11:30 a.m. Tel. 945 4305. 8 p.m. concert La Traviata Verdi’s tragedy about a courtesan rock, etc. friday, september 26 Symphony Music Rachmaninoff, and her lover. Staged by Charles Roubaud Radio Kamerger Crossover. Dada, jazz & blues Shostakovich. St. Petersburg Philharmonic (France). Mariinsky II 47 Gorokhovaya Ul.. Tel. 983 7050. 7 p.m. rock, etc. Tecora Rogers and the Chicago Orchestra and Nikolai Lugansky (piano). Uno / Transnadeznost / Alisafriendlix Deathcave Fest Inca Babies, Shortparis, The Spirituals Gospel. Jazz Philharmonic Hall, Conductor Yuri Temirkanov. Shostakovich concert Stoner. Dada, 47 Gorokhovaya Ul. Quartet of Bash, Scofferlane, Doppelganger, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, Philharmonic, Main Hall, 8 p.m. Violin Music Respighi, Mendelssohn. Tel. 983 7050. 7 p.m. Fanni Kaplan, Hapalochlaena_Maculosa. 764 9843. 7 p.m. Violin Music Mahler, Shostakovich. Mariinsky Stradivarius Ensemble. Conductor Big Sur / Seansy Nezhnosti Indie rock. Dada, 47 Gorokhovaya Ul.. Tel. 983 7050. Olesya Yalunina Band Vocal jazz. JFC Jazz Divertissement Ensemble. Shostakovich Lorenz Nasturica-Herschcowici. Zoccolo 2.0, 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Prospekt. 6 p.m. Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ul.. Tel. 272 9850. Philharmonic, Small Hall Mariinsky Concert Hall, 5 p.m. Tel. 945 4305. 8 p.m. Deux Furieuses / Propilli Propeller 8 p.m. Chamber Music Beethoven, Rachmaninoff Indie rock. Fish Fabrique Nouvelle, friday, september 26 and Babajanian. Sergey Khachatryan, Narek jazz & blues 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. Hakhnazaryan, Lusine Khachatryan. David Goloshchyokin and His Band The Fratellis Indie rock. Kosmonavt, monday, september 29 ballet Mariinsky Concert Hall. Jazz violin and organ night. 24 Bronnitskaya Ul.. Tel. 922 1300. 8 p.m. SEASON PREMIERE! Swan Lake Tchaikovsky’s Organ Music Bach, Mozart, Franck. Hans Jazz Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Krip-A-Krip and Liza Small Hip-hop. Mod, rock, etc. evergreen classic about the fate of a swan Davidsson (Denmark) and Heribert Metzger Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, 7 Nab. Kanala Griboyedova. Sweet Little 60s Rock and roll. Jagger, princess, choreographed by Marius Petipa. (Austria). Shostakovich Philharmonic, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Tel. 712 0734. 8 p.m. 2 Ploschad Konstitutsii. Tel. 923 1292. Starring Oxana Skorik. Mariinsky Theater. Main Hall, 8 p.m. Kondakov Volkov Bagdasaryan Pirate Day Garlic Kings, The Pauki, Zuname, 8:30 p.m. Swan Lake Tchaikovsky’s magical three-act Guitar Music De Falla, Rodrigo, Granados Original compositions. JFC Jazz Club, Britva, 9G. Zal Ozhidaniya, 118 Nab. ballet about love and deception. and others. Konstantin Ilgin 33 Shpalernaya Ul.. Tel. 272 9850. Obvodnogo Kanala. Tel. 333 1069. 7 p.m. jazz & blues Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, 8 p.m. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Small Hall 8 p.m. Feodoq / Kabuki Cool / Giallo Alternative Sergei Dolzhenkov Funk, fusion, soul. rock. Zoccolo 2.0, 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ul. Prospekt. Tel. 945 4305. 8 p.m. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. jazz & blues Susanna Aleksandra Veldi Jazz, tuesday, september 30 Latin, groove. Jazz Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, rock, etc. 764 9843. 7 p.m. Ze Fish Gypsy punk. Jagger, 2 Ploschad Old Fashioned B.P. and Elizabeth Allai Konstitutsii. Tel. 923 1292. 8:30 p.m. Blues. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ul. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. jazz & blues Yulia Mikhailovskaya and Her Quintet Vocal jazz classics. JFC Jazz Club, saturday, september 27 33 Shpalernaya Ul.. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. rock, etc. Fulldozer Fest 2014 Machinefabriek, Fyodor wednesday, october 1 Svoloch, Love Cult, PCP, Hidden Tribe. Dada, 47 Gorokhovaya Ul.. Tel. 983 7050. 7 p.m. rock, etc. Stereo Fest Ya Tochka Morya, KhPB, Reka Rock. Backstage, 113 Ligovsky Komsamolskaya Pradva, Redky Sluchai. Prospekt. Tel. 958 3888. 8 p.m. Money Honey, 28 Sadovaya Ul.. Russian Kolbussian Folk pop. Dada, Tel. 310 0549. 5 p.m. 47 Gorokhovaya Ul. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. Chyo Morale Gypsy folk, Balkan beat, funk. Xploding Plastix Acid jazz, Yashchik Club, 50 korpus. 13 Ligovsky electrofunk. Kosmonavt, 24 Bronnitskaya Ul. Prospekt. Tel. 964 9637. 7 p.m. Tel. 922 1300. 8 p.m. Distemper Ska punk. Zal Ozhidaniya, Dope Nu metal, industrial metal. Zal 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. Ozhidaniya, 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. Tel. 333 1069. 7 p.m. Tel. 333 1069. 8 p.m. Incognito Pop rock. Zoccolo 2.0, 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 945 4305. 8 p.m. jazz & blues 1900 Arseny Ivankovich, David Goloshchyokin jazz & blues and His Band. Jazz Philharmonic Hall, Bristol trip-hop legend Tricky, now on tour in support of their 11th album, ‘Adrian Thaws,’ will perform at A2 on Sept. 28. Leningrad Dixieland Band Jazz dancing. 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565,

A2 Jazz Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny 764 9843. 7 p.m. www.sptimes.ru LISTINGS Wednesday, September 24, 2014 ❖ 21

Monday). 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. LOFT-PROJECT ETAGI Closed Tuesday. 74 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 458 5005. SCREENS NEW! Beyond Figuration in the Russian Daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Art of Late 20th Century. More than 70 NEW! Ksenia Diodorova: Out in the Cold. NEW! Annabelle (2014, U.S.) John R. paintings and graphic works by Belutin, An exhibition of documentary photographs Leonetti’s horror starring Annabelle Wallis, Zubarev, Gribkov, Preobrazhenskaya, examines the theme of migration by following Alfre Woodard and Ward Horton. Safokhin, Ter-Gevondyan from The New Reality 24 families of migrant workers both in Russia Mirage Cinema, Velikan Park. studio founded in the 1950s examines the and at home in the Pamir mountains of Starts Sept. 25. changes that occurred in Russian art as Tajikistan. Through Nov. 18 society moved away from communism. NEW! Tim Mantoani: Photographs. 100 NEW! The Dark Valley (Das finstere Tal) Includes unique archive materials and portraits of legendary photographers with (2014, Austria-Germany) Andreas Prochaska’s photographs. Sept. 24 through Nov. 10. their masterpieces. Through Dec. 14 western starring Sam Riley, Tobias Moretti and Erwin Steinhauer. Dom Kino. STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM: PUSHKINSKAYA 10 ART CENTER MIKHAILOVSKY (ENGINEERS’) CASTLE 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 5371. Open NEW! The Equalizer (2014, U.S.) Antoine 2 Sadovaya Ul.. M: Nevsky Prospekt. Wed to Sun, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. www.p-10.ru Fuqua’s action thriller starring Denzel Tel. 313 4112. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. NEW! Timur Novikov. The exhibition presents Washington, Chloe Grace Moretz and Marton Monday). 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. a selection of rare photographs from the Csokas. Mirage Cinema, Velikan Park. Starts Closed Tuesday. archives of the renowned Russian artist made in Sept. 25. NEW! Andrei Martynov: 1768-1826. With the 1980s and 90s. Room 405. Tel. 272 8222. about a hundred works by the prominent Saturday 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Through Oct. 26 NEW! Jimi: All Is by My Side Russian painter, draughtsman, watercolorist and (2013, U.K.-Ireland-U.S.) John Ridley’s Jimi engraver on view, this exhibition features views RACHMANINOV GARDEN Hendrix biopic starring Andre Benjamin, of St. Petersburg and its outskirts alongside 5 Kazanskaya Ul. Tel. 312 9558. Tuesday – Imogen Poots and Hayley Atwell. images of Moscow and other important Russian Saturday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Angleterre (in English with Russian subtitles), towns and cities. Through Nov. 10 www.fotorachmaninov.ru Dom Kino. NEW! Time in the Rhythms of Light and ST. PETERSBURG STATE MUSEUM OF Shadow. The first personal exhibition in Lucy (2014, France) Luc Besson’s sci-fi action THEATER AND MUSIC St. Petersburg by photographer Boris film starring Scarlett Johansson and Morgan 2 Ul. Rossi (entrance from Ploschad Emelyanov, who is known for his black and Freeman. Angleterre (in English with Russian Ostrovskogo). M: Gostiny Dvor. Daily 11 a.m to white still life shots. Oct. 16 through Oct. 25 subtitles), Avrora, Mirage Cinema, Velikan 7 p.m (Wednesday 1 p.m to 9 p.m). Closed ROSPHOTO STATE CENTER OF Park. Tuesday and last Friday of every month. Tel. PHOTOGRAPHY 310 1029. www.theatremuseum.ru/en 35 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Tel. 314 6184. Daily The November Man (2014, U.S.) Roger Juarez Machado: Jazz Dance. The first 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.rosfoto.org Donaldson’s spy thriller starring Pierce St. Petersburg solo exhibition by the Brazilian NEW! War and Mercy. This exhibition Brosnan, Olga Kurylenko and Luke Bracey. painter and stage designer negotiates the dedicated to World War I displays photographs Avrora, Velikan Park. relationship between dance and Art Deco. showing the activities of the communities of Through Oct. 6 the sisters of mercy and military medics, NEW! On the Edge (Lev staekt) (2014, including surgical operations in the field, Denmark-Sweden) Christian E. Christiansen’s treatment of the seriously wounded and drama starring Cyron Melville, Jakob Oftebro GALLERIES recovering patients. Through Oct. 12 and Danica Curcic. Dom Kino.

ANNA NOVA 28 Ul. Zhukovskogo. Tel. 275 9762. Tuesday through Saturday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. www.annanova-gallery.ru Local young artists Maria Mamkayeva and Natalia Borzenko capture Italy’s Vlad Kulkov and Marya Dmitrieva: Zoas beautiful landscapes with their series of paintings now showing at Artmuza gallery. Records. Installation. Kulkov and Dmitrieva present their observations from a visit to Death Valley in the U.S. in the form of poetry, POLITICAL POLICE MUSEUM drawings, audio and video recordings. Through MUSEUMS 6 Admiralteisky Prospekt. M: Gostiny Dvor, Oct. 10 Nevsky Prospekt. Tel. 312 2742. ACADEMY OF ARTS MUSEUM Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to ARTISTS UNION OF RUSSIA EXHIBITION 17 Universitetskaya Nab. Tel. 323 6496, 5.30 p.m. CENTER 323 3578 M: Vasileostrovskaya. Wednesday For Loyalty: D.A. Bystroletov. Exhibition. 38 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Tel. 314 3060. through Sunday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The life and work of a sleeper agent who 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Monday. NEW! Retrospective: 1965–2014. More spent years abroad recruiting agents for the www.spb-uniart.ru than 100 mosaic works both large and small by Soviet Union before being imprisoned. NEW! Alexander Nitishinsky. The Paintings the Italian artists Marco Bravura, Marco De Luca Through Dec. 31 and pastels on view by Nitishinsky proclaim and Verdiano Marzi show the intense beauty of the artist’s love of nature and concern over its this rarefied artform. Through Oct. 13. PUSHKIN HOUSE RUSSIAN LITERATURE fragility. Sept. 30 through Oct. 5. NEW! Magic in the Moonlight (2014, U.S.) Woody Allen’s romantic comedy starring INSTITUTE NEW! Natalya Yashkina: The Wonders of Emma Stone and Colin Firth. Mirage Cinema. Velikan Park. Starts Sept. 25. ALEXANDER BLOK APARTMENT MUSEUM 4 Nab. Makarova, M: Vasileostrovskaya. Birch Bark. The exhibition focuses on 57 Ul. Dekabristov, M: Sadovaya, Sennaya Tel. 328 1901. Weekdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Yashkina’s works made of birch bark a material Ploschad. Tel. 713 8631. Daily, 11 a.m. to Closed Saturday and Sunday. the Russian artist has used to create a modern 6 p.m. Closed Wednesday. www.pushkinskijdom.ru take on an ancient craft. Sept. 30 through Oct. 5. NEW! The Kublitsky-Piotukh Family. This Treasures from the Lermontov Collection exhibition includes personal belongings, at the Pushkin House. Memorabilia, ARTMUZA GALLERY family portraits, photos, letters and antique books, autographs and documents 70, 13th Line, V.O. M: Vasileostrovskaya. documents dedicated to several concurrent connected with the life of Russia’s greatest Tel. 313 4703. 10 a.m to 8 p.m., daily. anniversaries for the renowned relatives of poet. Through Oct. 24 artmuza.spb.ru poet Alexander Blok. Sept. 25 through March NEW! Italy: Inside and Out. Paintings of 24, 2015. STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM Italian landscapes by two young artists from 1 Palace Square. M: Nevsky Prospekt. St. Petersburg, Maria Mamkayeva and Natalia HISTORY OF ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM Tel. 571 3420, 571 3465. Daily, 10.30 a.m. to Borzenko. Sept. 24 through Oct. 26. Peter and Paul Fortress. M: Gorkovskaya. 6 p.m. (9 p.m. Wednesday). Closed Monday. Tel. 230 6431. Daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.hermitagemuseum.org ERARTA MUSEUM (6 p.m. Tuesday). Closed Wednesday. Monologue in Praise of the Seashell. 2, 29th Line, V.O. M: Vasileostrovskaya. www.spbmuseum.ru. Decorative Art. Featuring more than 150 Tel. 324 0809. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Nikolay Evgrafov. The first exhibition of objects dating from 4000 BC to the present Tuesday. www.erarta.com Evgrafov’s work since 1941 is dedicated to day, this exhibition from the museum NEW! Interspace. A selection of Russian and 110th anniversary of the renowned Russian collection examines how shells have been British artists present their reflections on the painter and features paintings and graphics turned into works of art by skilled craftsmen concept of perception in context, including from the museum collection. throughout history. Through Jan. 11, 2015 Claire Wardman, Gemma Copp, Sax Impey, Through Nov. 9 Blue Bedroom. No information available. Maria Godovannaya, Alexander Podobed, Julia Through 11 June, 2015 Ivashkina, Alexandra Paperno, Denis Patrakeev, NEW! Zulu (2013, France-South Africa) Jerome Salle’s crime drama starring Orlando HISTORY OF ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM: Nadezhda Anfalova and others. Through Oct. 13 Bloom, Forest Whitaker and Tanya van Graan. Mirage Cinema. Starts Sept. 25. RUMYANTSEV MANSION STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM NEW! Alexander Kabin: Blow Up. 44 Angliiskaya Nab. M: Vasileostrovskaya, 2 Inzhenernaya Ul. M: Nevsky Prospekt. Severodvinsk-based painter Alexander Kabin Nevsky Prospekt. Tel. 571 7544. Daily, 11 a.m. Tel. 314 3448, 595 4248. Open 10 a.m. to exhibits a series of paintings of scenes from to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Tuesday). Closed Wednesday 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Monday). 1 p.m. to 9 p.m on everyday life inspired by Michelangelo and the last Tuesday of each month. Thursdays. Closed Tuesday. Antonioni’s film ‘Blow-Up,’ shrouding them in a www.spbmuseum.ru www.rusmuseum.ru/eng veil of post-adolescent romance and Soviet Portraits from the 19th Century. Painting. NEW! Gregory Pototzky. This solo exhibition nostalgia. Sept. 26 through Oct. 27. The artistic styles of the era are reflected in by contemporary Russian sculptor Gregory Engineers of the Arts. Dedicated to the the depictions of famous figures. Pototsky, whose works show a passion for artists belonging to the Engineers of the Arts Through Feb. 10, 2015 expressive modeling and the intensification of school that was part of Leningrad textures, combining traditions of Russian underground epoch of 1980-90s, the MILITARY MEDICINE MUSEUM academic art, Impressionism and the artistic exhibition features works from the 1990s by 2 Lazaretny Pereulok. M: Pushkinskaya. inventions of Antoine Bourdelle. Inal Savchenkov, Franz Rodwalt, Gregory Tel. 315 5358, 315 7287. Daily, 11 a.m. to Through Oct. 20. Strelnikov and Sergey Enkov, and 6 p.m., (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday). Closed Sunday. Valentin Sidorov: My Calm Homeland. contemporary work by new members of the Soldiers of a Forgotten War: World War I The exhibition brings together about 90 of the school: Agatha Savchenkova, Alexey Kuksov Medicine. Exhibition. Medical achievements artist’s works from the 1950-2000s, including and others. Through Oct. 13 from 1914-1918. Through Dec. 31 paintings and sketches from the artist’s studio NEW! Neophobia. This large-scale exhibition and from the collection of the Russian of melancholic paintings by St. Petersburg POLITICAL HISTORY OF RUSSIA MUSEUM Museum, The Institute of Russian Realism artists Alexey Semichov and Andrey Kuzmin 2/4 Ul. Kuibysheva. M: Gorkovskaya. (Moscow) and private collections. refers to a pathological fear of change, where Tel. 233 7052. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Through Nov. 3 phantasmagorical portraits of meek and sad Thursday and the last Monday of the month. creatures are contrasted with compositions www.polithistory.ru STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM: MARBLE featuring numerous subjects to reveal the BAM – The Rails of Time. Photos, documents. PALACE dichotomy between inner life and the NEW! Open Windows (2014, Spain-U.S.) Nacho Vigalondo’s action thriller Sasha Grey, An exhibition celebrating the construction of the 5/1 Millionnaya Ul. M: Nevsky Prospekt. aggressive hysteria of society at large. Elijah Wood and Neil Maskell. Mirage Cinema, Velikan Park. Starts Sept. 25. Baikal-Amur railroad. Through Dec. 26 Tel. 312 9196. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Through Oct. 27 Tell the world about your business by advertising in the Real Estate online For additional information, call (812) 325-6080. Wednesday, September 24, 2014 E-mail: [email protected] RealEstate advertising section

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Apartment of 120 12 Robespiera Emb. 4-room apartment in • Analytics, consulting sq. m., consists of one bedroom and living new building with concierge and parking, +7 (812) 340-00-48 www.ctinvestments.ru • Full legal support room, modern fully fitted kitchen, entrance near Tavrichesky Park, fitted, partly fur- www.OpenElite.ru +7 (812) 333 15 15 WWW.NIGHTSKYREALTY.RU with intercom system. For details contact nished, 200 sq. m. For details contact Olga, Olga, tel.: +7 (921) 963 74 54; e-mail: tel.: +7 (921) 963 74 54; e-mail: olestate@ [email protected], olga@ctinvestments. gmail.com, [email protected] Griboedova canal, 5 minutes from ru Nevsky Pr. 200 sq. m. apartment, Western APARTMENT BUILDING FOR RENT Apartment for rent. 3-bedroom appart- standard, architect design, 4 bedrooms, 3 FOR SALE Close to Summer Gardens. Sunny, cozy. ment, next to Tavrichesky Garden and the bathrooms, fire-place, view over the canal, Building for rent. 105 Moskovsky pros- 25,000 rub. per month. Evgenia. Tel: +7 biggest Art Center in Europe, fully fur- parking. For details contact Olga, tel.: +7 3-room apartment at Fontanka & Nevsky pect 1-minute walking distance to M. (921) 389 18 89. nished, open parking. Long term rent, (921) 963 74 54; e-mail: olestate@gmail. Pr. for sale by owner. 84 sq.m. Windows Moskovskie Vorota, 1st line. Total area 45 000 RUB./per month. Tel.: +7 (812) com, [email protected] facing Sheremet'evskii Palace. Please 848 sq.m.(4 stories + basement). Electrical 456 84 53, +7 (967) 530 87 13, +7 (911) e-mail for floor plan, pictures and details: power 100 kWt. Possible use of the build- 2-ROOM APARTMENT 240 43 70 [email protected] ing: office center, bank, hotel, trading cen- 5-ROOM APARTMENT ter, medical center, educational center, etc. 92 Nevsky Pr. Modern and quiet apartment Nevsky Prospect. Author’s design 3-room 28 Furshtatskaya Ul. 3-room apartment. Parking on the courtyard territory of 550 of 140 sq. m., fully fitted kitchen, furniture apartment in an elite residential building in 62 Moika. Newly renovated apartment of Modern apartment. 120 sq.m. Fully fin- sq.m. with the entrance from Moskovsky on request, secure entrance, parking. For the city center, fully furnished and 330 sq. m. with 5 bedrooms, secure ished. Historic center of St. Petersburg. 3 prospect. Can be rented by blocks: 1st + details contact Olga, tel.: +7 (921) 963 74 equipped, air conditioning, Internet, satel- entrance, parking, fully fitted kitchen, bal- bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully fitted kitch- 2nd story (+ cellar) or 3rd +4th story (+ 54; e-mail: [email protected], olga@ctin- lite TV, 24/7 security, underground parking. cony, river view. For details contact Olga, en. OPEN ELITE. Tel.: +7 (812) 340 00 48; mansard floor). Rent to be negotiated. No vestments.ru NIGHT SKY REALTY. Tel.: +7 (812) 333 15 tel.: +7 (921) 963 74 54; e-mail: olestate@ E-mail: [email protected] agency fee. Tel.: +7-921-992-1522, 15. E-mail: [email protected] gmail.com, [email protected] +7-812-325-3838, NEVSKY PROSTOR 54 Fontanka. Newly renovated apartment 6 Tverskaya Ul. Open space apartment. AGENCY, E-mail: rent@spb-estate, of 120 sq.m. with 2 bedrooms, fully fitted Griboedova River Embankment. Bright 22 Ul. Pravdy. Representaive-class apart- Penthouse 214 sq.m. Сity center with www.spb-estate.com kitchen, furnished, secure entrance, park- and stylish water view 3-room apartment in ment in a solid building close to Zagorodny access to the roof. View of the Smolny ing. For details contact Olga, tel.: +7 (921) the city center, Western standard renova- Prospect and green zone. Total area 256 Cathedral. Security, underground parking. 963 74 54; e-mail: [email protected], tion, fully furnished and equipped, Internet, sq.m. 2nd floor (lift). Comfortably divided OPEN ELITE. Tel.: +7 (812) 340 00 48; COMMERCIAL [email protected] satellite TV, video monitoring, parking. into 2 zones: entrance hall (31 sq.m.), sit- E-mail: [email protected] NIGHT SKY REALTY. Tel.: +7 (812) 333 ting room (41 sq.m.), kitchen (14 sq.m.), REAL ESTATE Zhdanovskaya Embankment. Brand new 15 15. E-mail: [email protected] study (31 sq.m.), guest toilet, second zone: B. Konyushennaya Ul. 90 sq.m.Eurostandard. author’s design 2-room apartment in an gym hall (31 sq.m.), 2 bedrooms (24 + 16 Evgenia. Tel: +7 (921) 389 18 89. 1 Tverskaya Ul. Commercial real estate. elite residential building, modern design, sq.m.), 2 bathrooms, hall (27 sq.m.), Business Centre, 1400 sq.m. with the ten- furnished and equipped, independent 4-ROOM APARTMENT sauna. Windows overlook quiet street and 2-room apartment near metro Pr. ant. Profitable rental business. OPEN heating system, ventilation, Internet, satel- green courtyard. Fully furnished and per- Veteranov. Total area - 50.3 sq.m. ELITE. Tel.: +7 (812) 340 00 48; E-mail: lite TV, 24/7 security, underground parking. 16 Zakharievskaya Ul. Newly renovated fectly equipped. Air conditioning. Freshly Living area - 30.2 sq.m. Green yard, [email protected] NIGHT SKY REALTY. Tel.: +7(812) 333 apartment of 230 sq. m. with 4 bedrooms, renovated. Respectable entrance. Garage windows on two sides. Ready to move- 15 15. E-mail: [email protected] 3 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, 2 balco- for 2 cars nearby. Photos on www.spb- in. From the owner. 4.4 mln. rub. Tel.: 5 Pushkinskaya Ul. Commercial space of nies, elevator, secure entrance, parking. estate.com. Tel.: +7-921-992-1522, +7 (921) 333-73-83, Alla. 62 sq.m. with tenant. Rental business. 5-min. walk from Gostiny Dvor. Total area For details contact Olga, tel.: +7 (921) 963 +7-812-325-3838 NEVSKY PROSTOR OPEN ELITE. Tel.: +7 (812) 340 00 48; 100 sq.m. Evgenia. Tel: +7 (921) 389 18 74 54; e-mail: [email protected], olga@ AGENCY, E-mail: rent@spb-estate, www. E-mail: [email protected] 89. ctinvestments.ru spb-estate.com

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WELCOME TO THE Indian Spices Shop WORLD OF RUSSIAN St. Petersburg Tourist • Wide range of seasonings LANGUAGE and spices Information Bureau Russian as a foreign • Top class, authentic language Indian and Ceylon teas Your choice for: Experienced teacher, conve- • High quality Basmati rice and huge International, domestic, Information pavilions: nient schedule, individual choice of beans local moving • Pulkovo airports (1 and 2) approach, for all ages • Marine Facade (Seaport) • Prepared traditional Indian dishes Project/office moving • Palace Square +7 (905) 224 47 25 22 Ul. Vosstaniya (M: Pl. Vosstaniya) • St Isaac’s Square Tel. +7 (812)579-09-66. Secure and heated storage • Rastrelli Square • Alexandrovsky Park Relocation services • Vosstaniya Square ART GALLERY MASSAGE Free tourist information service. Triple–A, Attentive, Accurate, All kinds of massage. Liza. +7 (911) 720 99 19 14/52 Sadovaya street, Welcome to the (pro)-Active!!!!! St. Petersburg, Russia, 191023, Art Gallery Paintmart Escort, erotic and classical massage. Tel.: +7 The mover that listens and 37 Sadovaya street, (965) 787 56 09. Eva St. Petersburg, Russia, 190031 speaks your language. 110 Nevsky Prospect Tel.: +7 (812) 310-28-22; 310-22-31; (at the end of the yard) +7 (931) 326-57-44; INTRODUCTION Your contact person: Norbert Fax: +7 (812) 310-28-22 Oil paintings (original work E-mail: [email protected] I would like to meet a single Russian lady, 25-30 Gooren, General manager by Russian modern artists years old, graceful, elegant, able to speak www.ispb.info Tel.: +7-812-4319919 and copies made from the English, and who has not been married, for a www.visit-petersburg.ru famous masterpieces), dolls long-term relationship. Contact: mdsina@ Email: [email protected] City Marketing Agency: gmail.com www.aaa-russia.com 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day 8 Shpalernaya street. LANGUAGE paintmart-art.ru LESSONS TAXI The St. Petersburg Times does not take responsibility for the information Native English-speaking tutor/governess: 8-952- printed on Classifieds and Real Estate pages. 273-26-46 +79-ANGEL-TAXI, http://angel-taxi.com/mos- cow-tour Modern English with Experienced Native Speaker/MBA. Tel.: +7-961-807-44-34 To advertise, please call +7 (812) 325-60-80, GUIDES Russian lessons individually designed for your write to: [email protected] needs. Flexible hours. www.ruslearn.com www.roads2russia.com or visit our web site: Russian lessons. Elena, +7 (812) 914 2200. Interpreter/Guide. Elena, tel. +7 (812) 9142200. www.sptimes.ru [email protected], www.guided-tour.spb.ru [email protected], www.guided-tour.spb.ru

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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.