NO. 13 (1805) САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГ-ТАЙМС WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 WWW.SPTIMES.RU ESME VIE / ALTAROMA

Aurora Fashion Week kicks off its program of runway shows today including a late-night presentation of Italian-based designer Julia Voitenko’s collection for Esme Vie, RAVISHING pictured above. Over a dozen major shows will take place at various locations around town through Friday alongside numerous ancillary events. See story, page 3.

LOCAL BUSINESS Nationalism Fears Trading In FEATURE Success Iceland And Stories Build Bridges Cooperation flourishes Natalya Podgoretskaya between the northern Expert questions City Hall’s helps companies break nations. Page 12. numbers. Page 2. into new markets. Page 8. LocalNews www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 2 Researcher Says Nationalists in Cahoots with Authority

By Sergey Chernov quite recently, now walk alongside Mi- THE ST PETERSBURG TIMES lonov and focus on ‘the perversions of More than 20 nationalist and extremist sodomites’,” Dubrovsky said. organizations are active in the city and “What’s interesting is that they are comprise around 1,300 active “sol- not only encouraged by people repre- diers,” St. Petersburg police chief Ser- senting the establishment now, but gei Umnov told the Legislative Assem- openly cooperate with them. This was bly when he presented his report for not the case in the past. That’s why it 2013 on Apr. 2. gives them a high degree of, if not total Dmitry Dubrovsky, a researcher at impunity, at least the feeling that they the Russian Museum of Ethnography belong to the mainstream. The powers and an expert on nationalist groups, said that be have offered them an amazing the numbers sounded as if they had been new agreement, and this agreement is minimized. He added that the terms conservative and xenophobic to a high used by Umnov were too vague. degree. All these slogans that we hear “It’s not clear how they count these now like “Russians, forward!’ are abso- individuals because it became evident in lutely nationalist.” 2011 and 2012 that this bunch could eas- According to Dubrovsky, the annex- ily mobilize 5,000 to 6,000 people at any ation of Crimea and pro-Russian pro- given time,” Dubrovsky told the St, Pe- tests in south-eastern elevated tersburg Times via Skype from Amster- nationalism to an official stance. dam this week. “[Nationalists] are facing a problem “It looks like [the police] seriously now,” Dubrovsky said. think that [these types of people] carry “Earlier, they fought against the au- membership cards and pay dues. [Um- thorities. Why did Putin’s rating soar? nov] does not know what ‘identity’ Because nationalists saw that their means. Apart from that, it’s not clear dreams were being fulfilled. ‘Donetsk, what Umnov’s definition of ‘extremist / SPT CHERNOV SERGEY and Kharkiv [both cities in eastern groups’ is either because there’s an inter- Deputy Vitaly Milonov with anti-gay protesters at the Rainbow Flashmob LGBT rights rally on the Field of Mars on May 17, 2013. Ukraine] will be ours, too.’ That’s why esting difference [in his report]. He’s it’s very interesting that the field of na- talking about around 1,000 nationalists by immigrants. “In such situations, any ures from. Either they have some means doned, so they quit, too. Before that, to tional socialism, nationalist fundamen- and around 1,300 extremists. Who are spark, any conflict can provoke large- of registration of questionable legality my surprise, it was the nationalists that talism, is reformatting now,” he said. the remaining 300? Are they football scale clashes,” Umnov was quoted by or they are pure fiction. My gut feeling is were a more active and quickly mobi- “They are going through a compli- fans or anti-fascists whom they also see the BaltInfo news agency as saying. [different]. The word ‘feeling’ is impor- lized group in St. Petersburg during the cated period; they see that the authori- as ‘extremist’?” “What it may lead to was shown by the tant here, because it’s not clear how and protests; unlike in Moscow, where ev- ties support them, so it’s time to be Russian President Vladimir Putin in- events of the past autumn.” whom to count. Whom do we take for erything was different. Then the protests friends with them. There’s no sense in troduced anti-extremism legislation in On National Unity Day on Nov. 4, one unit? A man who is prepared to use ended and the political transformation fighting against them, because Putin is 2008. Since then, it has been criticized as 2013 — a national holiday introduced by violence in the street? No less than a of discontent became effectively un- accomplishing the nationalist scenario being a means to fight political opposi- the Kremlin in 2005 as a replacement for thousand people took part in ‘Russian thinkable, due to current Russian legis- — the reunification of ‘Russian’ lands.” tion, while counter-extremism police the main Soviet holiday, October Revo- cleanups’ [nationalist raids against Cen- lation, and the only thing left for them to “The further development of the na- units launched the same year that are lution Day marked on Nov. 7 — an out- tral Asian street vendors in St. Peters- do was to return to past activities.” tionalist movement strongly depends on known as “Center E” were dubbed “Pu- break of ethnically-motivated violence burg in summer 2013], for example, According to Dubrovsky, national- the Kremlin’s next move in Ukraine and, tin’s political police” by the opposition. took place. where no direct violence was involved; ism in Russia is taking on new forms by as such, are almost impossible to pre- “Just about anything can be classified Following a rally called “The Patri- did they count them?” merging with the authorities. In St. Pe- dict,” Dubrovsky said. as extremism in Russia,” Dubrovsky otic March,” organized by the reformed The level of nationalist violence tersburg, Anatoly Artyukh, the local “Take, for example, the events in said. pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina soared in Russia in 2013, according to a leader of the nationalist organization eastern Ukraine. Will Russia take the “As [film director and human rights (Motherland), a number of “non-Rus- recent report by Sova, the Moscow People’s Assembly, is an aide to deputy next step? Will it send troops into activist] Alexei Simonov put it, ‘Extrem- sian-looking” foreigners were attacked based Center for Information and Anal- Vitaly Milonov, best-known for his law Ukraine, as it seems anxious to do? The ism is disagreement with superiors, ex- and beaten across the city by groups of ysis that conducts research and raises prohibiting the “promotion” of homo- level of radicalism within the country is pressed bluntly.’ That’s why they are nationalist radicals and at least one vic- awareness of nationalism and racism. sexuality to minors as well as anti-gay strongly dependent on the actions Putin earnestly following anti-fascists and tim, an Uzbek national, was killed. “If you look at their report, you see and anti-Western rhetoric. Milonov was takes outside [of Russia]. young liberals that don’t belong to offi- Dubrovsky dismissed Umnov’s ex- that there was a decrease in neo-Nazi seen among nationalists as they demon- “If Putin backs down and says, ‘OK, cially recognized organizations. So I planations concerning the increase in violence in 2011 and 2012, while 2013 strated against several recent LGBT Crimea is ours, now let’s negotiate,’ it would treat these numbers [with cau- immigration and crimes committed by was a renaissance year for them as they rights and anti-war events. will be one situation. But if troops are tion], I truly don’t understand how they migrants as “the usual fairy-tale” offered returned to the streets,” Dubrovsky “Of course, nationalists seek new sent into eastern Ukraine and a referen- arrive at them.” by the authorities, saying that national- said. “Sova called its report ‘The Right- ways to do things. Tesak, [a Moscow dum is held there, if it is taken from Police chief Umnov explained that ism was instead inspired to a large extent Wing Radical Straightened His Shoul- neo-Nazi], came up with the Occupy Pe- Ukraine, it will be a totally different situ- the increase in nationalist sentiment by a hardening in anti-immigrant rheto- ders.’ dophilia movement [to allegedly fight ation, a situation which is close to war. stemmed from a rise in immigration lev- ric used by officials. “This occurred because the protest against pedophilia], and many of those That’s when nationalists play a very im- els and an increase in crimes committed “I wonder where they take these fig- movement [of 2011 and 2012] was aban- who attacked the racially different until portant role.” РЕКЛАМА ALL ABOUT TOWN

Wednesday, Apr. 9 Friday, Apr. 11 23rd International Motor Show AmCham’s Joint Customs, Transpor- HR is the theme of the day at SPI- Auto World St. Petersburg, which tation and Taxation Committees BA’s Future of HR: Trends, Fore- started Apr. 9. Not only is it a po- meeting is scheduled for this morning casts and Research Results round- tential chance to recruit both do- in their office in the New St. Isaac Of- table discussion in the PwC office at mestic and foreign investors but it fice Center. Suggestions and com- Pereulok Grivtsova 4 this afternoon also highlights various product and ments on a draft law on amending the starting at 2 p.m. Ways that senior services as well as alternative-fuel Federal Law “On Special Economic executives can better manage per- vehicles, automobile designs and Zones in the Russian Federation.” sonnel as well as regional differ- accessories. Northwest Russia’s premier the ences in employee management are construction industry event, Inter- just some of the scheduled topics. Monday, Apr. 14 stroyexpo, kicks off today at Len- All attendees must register for the Italian cinema lovers will be ecstatic Expo and will be at the exhibition event on SPIBA’s website by Apr. to learn about Rodina Cinema Cen- center until Apr. 12. More than 10. ter’s Festival of New Italian Cinema 15,000 professionals from within the that began on Apr. 12 and continues various fields in construction will Saturday, Apr. 12 through Apr. 18. Some of the best converge to discuss the latest innova- Companies based in the HVAC and films to come out of the most vis- tions and materials available. swimming pool industry splash ited country on earth over the last down at LenExpo for a final day few years will be featured during Thursday, Apr. 10 during Aqua-Therm St. Petersburg the festival. Birgit Hansl, Lead Economist with 2014, which began on Apr. 9 and the World Bank’s Europe and Cen- concludes today. The brand is highly Tuesday, Apr. 15 tral Asia sector, is the keynote regarded and well known in the Celebrate the singing college and speaker at AmCham’s 17th Annual pool and heating world and the university graduates of the Rimsky- Meeting and Award Ceremony this event promises to be a platform for Korsakov State Conservatory at the evening at the Hotel Astoria. The discussing various related topics. 42nd Singing Competition begin- festivities kick off at 6 p.m. and at- ning today. Questions about the tendance is limited to two represen- Sunday, Apr. 13 event can be answered by visiting tatives from each corporate member Gear-heads will be disappointed the conservatory’s website or phon- one representative from non-profits. that today is the final day of the ing the venue. The St. Petersburg Times | www.sptimes.ru LOCAL NEWS Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 3 SKA Gets New Coach By Christopher Hamilton ticularly Artemy Panarin who was THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES sidelined with a wrist injury and Ilya SKA St. Petersburg dismissed Finnish Kovalchuk who was still recovering coach Jukka Jalonen on Apr. 4 and from an injury in Sochi that limited replaced him with former Russian na- his post- contribution to three tional team coach . goals and two assists in ten games. It was clear when the star-studded Bykov signed a two-year contract team failed to reach the Kontinental with a possible one-year extension Hockey League’s finals and immediately appointed his long- that heads would roll, and in the end term coaching partner Igor Zakhar- everyone would take the blame. In an kin as his assistant coach. extreme move, SKA fired all of its Bykov said his priority would be to coaches and general manager Alexei play “victorious” hockey. “I know a Kasatonov “in connection with unsat- lot of the guys and I know they really isfactory results,” according to a state- wanted to perform a lot better,” he ment released on the club’s website. said in a statement on the SKA web- SKA has experienced years of play- site. off disappointment, having never Bykov hasn’t coached since win- reached the Gagarin Cup finals despite ning the Gagarin Cup with Salavat very strong regular season performances Yulaev Ufa in 2011. He coached the and this year was no different, with the Russian national team from 2006- team getting eliminated by eighth- 2011 and led the team to back-to- seeded Lokomotiv Yaroslavl last week back gold medals in 2008 and 2009. in the Western Conference semifinals. He was a candidate to take over as The move came just six days after head coach of the Russian national SKA president Alexander Medvedev team, but the Russian said it was “obvious that the team Federation selected Dinamo Mos- played below its abilities.” Moreover cow head coach in- the hiring of Bykov also fits Russian stead. Ice Hockey Federation president Since 2011, Bykov and Zakharkin ’s desire for more have been coaching Poland’s na-

KHL teams to hire Russian coaches tional team and their duties with that CHRIS GORDON / SPT instead of showing a “preference for team will end at the IIHF Ice Hockey Left to right, Lionel Valeyre, Thibaut Fourriere and Jean Lefebvre at the opening of the new Andr Malraux School in St. Petersburg. foreigners.” World Championship, Division I, It was clear that injuries played a Group B, in Vilnius, Lithuania later role in SKA’s failure this year, par- this month. School Moves Into New Home THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES primary-school aged students, is a education in French are offered the The André Malraux school in St. Pe- branch of the Alexandre Dumas Ly- opportunity to study at the lycée in Ford Russia Venture In St. tersburg, named after the author who cée in Moscow. French lycée institu- Moscow, at a middle school in served for 10 years as the Minister of tions are well known around the or they can study remotely from St. Culture under then president Charles world, with 488 locations in 130 coun- Petersburg. De Gaulle, has opened a new location tries teaching 320,000 students to- Professional teachers work with Pete Slashes Staff, Output near the TYUZ theatre in the city day. students both in a classroom setting THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES employees, Bloomberg reported. It center on Apr. 3. The new location The new St. Petersburg location is as well as individually. The teaching is U.S. carmaker Ford’s joint venture in will also move to a single-shift pro- was opened by French Consul Gen- in a modern, central setting that structured for students learning Russia has decided to trim staff and duction schedule, Vedomosti said. eral in St. Petersburg Thibaut Fourri- promises to provide all the amenities French as a foreign language and not output at its two plants as the market The Vsevolozhsk plant produced ere, Director of the Alexandre Dumas and equipment necessary for students as a native speaker. is contracting and the ruble is losing almost 69,000 cars last year, down 36 Lycée in Moscow Jean Lefebvre and to thrive. While France endows the school, value. percent, while the Yelabuga plant Lionel Valeyre, Director of Ecole Students ranging from three to 10 tuition fees and contributions from Ford has taken one of the biggest produced 20,400 cars, up 300 percent, Française André Malraux in St. Pe- years old are taught in French, al- parents also provide funding. hits from the weakening demand. and 14,000 minivans, up 30 percent. tersburg. though they are also required to study Tuition rates vary depending on Sales of the joint venture, Ford In cutting staff, Ford Sollers is fol- The St. Petersburg school, which another foreign language. It is possi- nationality. While French citizens pay Sollers, plummeted 18 percent last lowing in the footsteps of AvtoVAZ, originally opened in September 2002 ble for children to study Russian too. the least, Russian students pay less year, compared to 2012, and has con- which also announced earlier this and only accepts kindergartners and Students who want to continue their than children from other countries. tinued to decline rapidly so far this year that it was downsizing its work- year. force in the wake of a dramatic drop “We regret that the company has in sales last year. to reduce personnel. However, this Yet, Ford Sollers sounded upbeat Aurora Fashion Week Russia Unveils New Looks measure is required to ensure the about the future of its Russian opera- company’s further development in tion, saying it still expected the coun- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Esme Vie, Lilia Kisselenko, Anasta- be discovered by fashion editors and current conditions,” Ford Sollers try to become Europe’s largest auto Aurora Fashion Week FW 14/15 un- sya Kizilova, Mark Fast and Artem buyers when they send their looks CEO Ted Cannis said in comments e- market in the longer term. veiled an updated look Monday in an Shumov. down the runway on Thursday as mailed by the company. The company commended itself aim to involve the whole city in its Ten up-an-coming Russian de- part of the final for the Grazia Maga- The joint venture is moving to sin- for tapping the fast-growing sport fashion festivities with a host of new signers will also have their chance to zine Young Designers competition. gle shift production at its plant in utility vehicle, or SUV, segment last events running in the week-long pro- ADVERTISING Vsevolozhsk, near St. Petersburg, as year by launching production of Ex- gram, which ends Sunday. of June, cutting 700 jobs, or about a plorer and Kuga in Yelabuga. This Along with 13 runway shows by third of the workforce, it said. The year, the company plans to start build- both Russian and foreign designers, plant, which makes the Focus com- ing the EcoSport small SUV and the guests are invited to attend Aurora pact car and the Mondeo sedan, new Transit commercial vehicle, it Market, the “first Russian fashion halted production on Monday and said. and beauty festival,” as the organiz- work will be temporarily suspended It is also on track to start produc- ers state on the event website. until Apr. 15, Itar Tass reported. The tion at a refurbished assembly plant Running during the last two days plant will again stop production from in Naberezhnye Chelny in Tatarstan. of the festival, Saturday and Sunday, Apr. 21 to June 8. The new Focus and all-new Mondeo visitors to Aurora Market will have a The pearl The other plant, in Yelabuga, Ta- go into production in St. Petersburg chance to copy their favorite runway tarstan, will lay off 250 temporary in 2015, it said. looks from the week as they mingle through stalls offering new, famous of St. Petersburg fish cuisine and popular fashion, beauty and ac- cessory brands with special promo- Man Charged With Stealing $9.3 tions and discounts on offer. Also on hand will be top fashion industry rep- DELICIOUS MOMENTS resentatives, ready to give advice and Million From Russian Footballer tips on the latest trends through a se- OF YOUR LIFE ries of tutorials and presentations. THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Kerzhakov is well known among Helping keep fashionistas fueled Investigators have charged a man sports writers for having gotten in- throughout the week is the Aurora with defrauding Zenit St. Peters- volved in a spat with a reporter Plate festival where participating res- burg striker Alexander Kerzhakov from The Guardian. The reporter taurants across St. Petersburg are out of 329 million rubles ($9.3 mil- used the striker’s surname as a verb giving ticket holders and guests of lion). to denote profligacy, after Kerzha- the festival special discounts and The suspect and his unidentified kov wasted a series of scoring dishes in between shows and parties. * accomplices obtained the money chances while playing for Russia A special mobile phone applica- St. Petersburg, from Kerzhakov under the false pre- in the European Championships tion has also been developed to allow 54 Ul. Marata, tense of financing the construction in 2012. users to easily locate their nearest Tel. (812) 764 44 13 an oil refinery in the Voronezh re- Kerzhakov responded to the put- restaurant and to keep up-to-date gion, the Investigative Committee down by saying he felt sorry that with the latest on what’s happening. www.mfh-spb.ru said in a statement on Apr. 4. English language needed to sub- Among the designers and labels www.m-tishina.com Every* Finesecond de Claire oyster №2; FREE №0 The accused faces up to 10 years sume his name because it was so showcasing their latest spring collec- behind bars if found guilty. short of words. tions include Walk of Shame, Benza, NationalNews www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 4 Foreign Spies No Match For Russian Security THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES He also added that Russia would MOSCOW — President Vladimir Pu- never allow non-governmental orga- tin said Monday that Russian security nizations to be used for “destructive agencies last year “foiled the activity purposes like has happened of 46 staff members of foreign gov- in Ukraine.” ernments’ special services and 258 He said NGOs were used agents.” in Ukraine to “finance nationalist He said that despite the achieve- and neo-Nazi organizations and mili- ment, “counterespionage operations tants who became the main force need to become more effective” as in the anti-constitutional overthrow last year “more than nine million” at- of the government.” tempts to compromise websites Russia in 2012 enacted a law and informational systems of the obliging all NGOs that receive for- Russian government were uncovered, eign financing and are involved state news agency Itar-Tass re- in political activities to register as ported. “foreign agents,” a term that oppo- Putin made the comments in an nents argued was synonymous with address to a meeting of the Federal “spy.” Security Service, the main successor The law, which, as proponents agency to the Soviet-era KGB. out, uses similar language to the He emphasized that “counterespio- United States’ Foreign Agents Regis- DENIS ABRAMOV / FOR VEDOMOSTI / FOR DENIS ABRAMOV nage has traditionally been one of the tration Act, has been used to suspend Dmitry Chernyshenko, at the opening of the official Sochi store at GUM shopping mall. most important activities of the Fed- the activities of several NGOs, includ- eral Security Service, and this is in fact ing the independent election monitor Sochi Head Boasts of Success a very serious area of combat.” Golos. By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber a six-time Paralympic champion the Games were some of the world’s Umarov-Led Terrorist Cell THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES in cross-country skiing and biathlon, top leaders, including U.S. President MOSCOW — Dmitry Chernyshenko, who served as the “mayors” of the Barack Obama, French President the head of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Olympic and Paralympic athletes’ vil- Francois Hollande, British Prime Stopped, Confirms FSB Committee, put his own spin on the lages, supported the general consen- Minister David Cameron and German Russian-language slogan of the Win- sus that the Games had been safe. Chancellor Angela Merkel. ter Olympics at a Moscow news con- “I have participated in 10 Olympic According to Chernyshenko, RIA NOVOSTI Chechen Republic where Umarov-led ference on Monday. Games and I can safely say that the Organizing Committee made MOSCOW — Aleksander Bortnikov, terrorist activities were concentrated, Declaring the Games a major suc- the conditions found at the Sochi about 5 billion rubles ($1.4 billion) the director of the Russian Federal claimed in January that intercepted cess, Chernyshenko joked that Games were unmatched,” Shilov said. in operating revenues, 20 percent Security Service, or FSB, confirmed communications between militants the Sochi slogan of “Hot. Cool. Yours” “The security system was set up of which will be invested in the devel- on Tuesday that the activity of had provided evidence of Umarov’s could be replaced by a new phrase: in such a way that it was simple opment of . Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov death. “Successful. Profitable. Ours.” and did not cause problems for ath- For comparison, the operating rev- has been stopped. “Umarov has been dead for a long A month and a half after the clos- letes and spectators. The security was enues of the Vancouver Organizing “As a result of operative military time. We are just searching for his ing ceremony of the Sochi Games, quick and friendly. Everybody felt Committee totaled nearly $1.9 billion, work, the activity of the head of Uma- body… I state officially that Umarov the Organizing Committee gave itself safe.” or about $500 million more than rov’s Imarat Caucasus organization poses no danger to the Chechen na- an unequivocally positive self-evalua- Chernyshenko did not directly ad- Sochi. has been stopped,” Bortnikov said at tion,” Kadyrov said. tion, leaving little room for introspec- dress any of the issues raised by the The Sochi Organizing Committee a meeting of the National Anti-Ter- The Islamic Caucasus Emirate tion or self-criticism. international community before also announced that it sold 1.1 million rorism Committee, or NAC. confirmed the death of its founder on “We have fulfilled all international and during the Games, including lo- tickets to the Olympic Games and that The leader of the North Caucasus Mar. 18, although the Russian NAC standards regarding the organization gistical concerns like unfinished ac- there had been no cases of counterfeit insurgency, whose group claimed re- said it had no information on Uma- of an event of this magnitude,” Cher- commodation for tourists and media tickets. Chernyshenko proudly said sponsibility for a string of deadly at- rov’s death and did not comment on nyshenko said. “The Sochi Games or isolated protests against Russia’s that there had been “no empty seats” tacks in Russia over the last several such reports. The U.S. National Secu- have also created new standards anti-gay legislation, which before at the Sochi Games, despite visual evi- years, was reported dead last month rity Council likewise told the press for future Olympic Games. We have the Games had raised doubts for many dence to the contrary. by a pro-insurgency website. the council could not confirm the re- nothing to be ashamed of.” as to whether Russia should be al- When pressed for clarification Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the port. In the lead-up to the Winter Olym- on his claim regarding attendance, pics, organizers and Russian authori- Chernyshenko said that the empty ties were the targets of heavy criticism seats that could be seen at venues or by human rights groups and the anti- on television had been vacated Kremlin opposition. ‘The Sochi Games by spectators who had left before CIA Used Doctor Zhivago Politicians including Boris have also created new the end of competition. He added that Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny re- the “show-up” rate was close to 100 ported that rampant corruption standards for future percent. As Weapon Against U.S.S.R. plagued Olympic construction con- Olympic Games. We The Sochi Organizing Committee tracts, something officials have de- also boasted that 2 billion people RIA NOVOSTI in 1957, another memo by the CIA nied, while rights groups decried have nothing to be tuned into the Games for at least one WASHINGTON — The U.S. Central recommended its staff members that the Games’ effect on the local popula- minute. Organizers said the Sochi Intelligence Agency, or CIA, was di- “Doctor Zhivago” should “be pub- tion and migrant construction work- ashamed of.’ Olympics garnered 200 million more rectly involved in publishing and dis- lished in a maximum number of for- ers. television viewers than the Vancouver tributing Boris Pasternak’s novel eign editions, for maximum free world Security analysts also feared that lowed to host the world’s largest cele- Games. “Doctor Zhivago,” which was banned distribution and acclaim and consid- terrorists from the North Caucasus bration of sport. According to organizers, Sochi in U.S.S.R. during the Cold War, ac- eration for such honor as the Nobel would strike during the Olympics, al- Instead, Chernyshenko said that provided the International Olympic cording to newly declassified CIA prize,” said the Washington Post. though the Games remained free the absence of a boycott of the Games Committee’s client groups with 26 documents published by the Washing- More than 130 internal CIA memos from attacks. was “very important” and showed percent more hotel rooms than had ton Post Sunday. on the agency’s secret involvement in President Vladimir Putin on Mon- the world’s “interest toward Russia.” been available in Vancouver in 2010. “This book has great propaganda the printing of “Doctor Zhivago” were day praised the work of the security “It is just silly when someone tries The Sochi Organizing Committee’s value not only for its intrinsic message disclosed at the request of the authors apparatus in keeping the Games safe. to talk about any kind of boycott,” assertion that the Sochi Games had and thought-provoking nature, but of “The Zhivago Affair,” which is to be “Now we can say that the inte- Chernyshenko said. “We had a re- outshone the Vancouver Olympics also for the circumstances of its publi- published June 17, the newspaper grated, multi-tier system for ensuring cord-breaking number of top officials was echoed by Shilov, the Paralym- cation: we have the opportunity to added. The names of the CIA officers security at the Olympics and other from different nations in Sochi com- pian champion, who hinted at more make Soviet citizens wonder what is and partner agencies mentioned in the events has proven its effectiveness,” pared to other Olympics.” mystical reasons behind the unique wrong with their government, when a documents were removed. Putin said, addressing members of the Thirty-two heads of states, 18 success of the Sochi Olympics. fine literary work by the man ac- “Doctor Zhivago,” by Russian Federal Security Service. “This is heads of government and 58 ministers “What differentiates these Games knowledged to be the greatest living poet Boris Pasternak, was first pub- to the credit and the immense effort of sport were present at the Sochi from the other ones I have partici- Russian writer is not even available in lished in 1957 in Italy. The novel takes of thousands of people — members Olympics, according to the official pated in is the soul,” Shilov said. “The his own country in his own language place in post-1905 Revolution Russia of the antiterrorist forces, border count. Sochi Games had a soul.” for his own people to read,” says a and tells the story of a physician and guards, operations personnel and ana- In February, Foreign Minister Ser- Russia finished at the top of the CIA memo dated 1958. poet Yuri Zhivago. The book was not lysts.” gei Lavrov said that heads of state medal count for both the Olympics The CIA was the one responsible welcomed by the Soviet officials and Organizers also lauded the security who were not attending the Games and the Paralympics in Sochi this year for publication of a Russian-language was denied publication in the U.S.S.R. setup at their news conference had “rejected an invitation from the after hitting rock bottom at the Van- edition of the novel in the Nether- due to its ambivalent stance on the on Monday. Alexei Nemov, the for- International Olympic Committee, couver Olympics in 2000, where the lands and other countries. October Revolution. Pasternak was mer gymnastics star and 12-time and not from Russia.” Russian team left with only three gold Shortly after the publication of the awarded the Nobel Prize for Litera- Olympic medalist, and Sergei Shilov, But among those who shunned medals. Italian-language edition of the novel ture in 1958. The St. Petersburg Times | www.sptimes.ru NATIONAL NEWS Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 5 Ukraine Protesters Call on Russian ‘Peacekeepers’

By Oleg Sukhov Former Georgian President Mikheil THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Saakashvili, a long-time critic of the MOSCOW — Anti-government pro- Kremlin, also warned of an imminent testers in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk invasion. on Monday announced a referendum “Three days ago I predicted in an ar- on joining Russia set for May 11 ticle that regional administrations in the and called on Russian “peacekeepers” eastern regions would be seized,” he to intervene in the country, triggering said on Facebook on Sunday. “If fears of a “Crimean scenario” the subversive groups hold on to them for Ukraine’s eastern regions. for 48 hours, the Russian Army will in- The move followed the seizure of the vade. This scenario is the same as regional administration buildings in Do- in Crimea — first a rally is held, netsk and Kharkiv and the security ser- and then, if it does not work, [adminis- vice building in Luhansk by pro-Russian trative buildings] are seized, and then protesters on Sunday. The takeovers Russia invades.” marked the biggest success of pro-Rus- Andrei Illarionov, a former aide sian activists in a series of protests that of President Vladimir Putin and cur- have shaken eastern Ukraine since pro- rently a member of the opposition, Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych shared this view, saying that a Russian was ousted in late February and new invasion was inevitable because popular leaders appointed. support for accession to Russia in south- The protests also come at a time eastern Ukraine was lacking. of heightened tensions between Russia “That is why the only way for Putin and the West over what European and Putinists to achieve their goals and U.S. leaders see as Russia’s illegal in the south and east of Ukraine is seizure of Crimea, which followed a ref- to use brute force,” Illarionov wrote erendum after appeals for Russian in- in a LiveJournal post Monday. “To tervention similar to those now being seize administrative buildings, assem- made in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lu- ble lawmakers under the barrel of a hansk. gun and ‘elect’ ‘popular leaders’ While president Vladimir Putin was and ‘people’s governments.’ And invite accused by Ukrainian Interior Minister Russian troops.” Arsen Avakov of orchestrating the “sep- Fesenko agreed with Illarionov’s aratist unrest” in Donetsk, Luhansk statement that although separatist sen- and Kharkiv, the president placed timent existed in eastern regions, most the blame elsewhere. people did not support joining Russia. Addressing Ukrainian and Crimean Fesenko agreed with Illarionov that, affairs at a meeting of the Federal Secu- / AP ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO though separatist sentiment existed rity Service on Monday, Putin urged Activists waving an old Soviet flag in front of a barricade set up at the regional administration in Donetsk on Monday. in eastern regions, most people did not the service to crack down on what he support joining Russia. He cited a Feb- described as the “destructive activities” netsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv, piling up tov, a key ally of Yanukovych, could be our country apart,” acting President ruary poll according to which only 33.2 of nongovernmental organizations. tires and preparing Molotov cocktails behind the protests. Oleksander Turchinov said, adding that percent of respondents in the Donetsk “This happened in Ukraine, when in a fashion similar to that of the anti- “Akhmetov is playing both sides,” “anti-terrorism” measures would be region, 24.1 percent in the Luhansk re- nationalist, neo-Nazi groups and mili- Yanukovych protests in Kiev earlier this he said, explaining that Akhmetov pro- used against protesters in eastern gion and 15.1 percent in the Kharkiv tants that were behind the anti-constitu- year. fessed loyalty to the Kiev government Ukraine. region backed the idea. tional coup d’etat were financed As tensions escalated, Crimean Russia’s Foreign Ministry, however, This represents a sharp contrast with from abroad through nongovernmental Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov said hit back with a statement and demanded Crimea, where more people were be- organizations,” he said. on Twitter that Yanukovych had ar- that the Ukrainian authorities in Kiev lieved to support joining Russia last The FSB would now “face the task rived in Donetsk, though he cautioned Russia’s Foreign “stop...blaming all the troubles of to- month. According to a poll taken of preventing former criminals and rep- that the report had not been con- Ministry demanded day’s Ukraine on Moscow.” in February by the Kiev International resentatives of various radical and ex- firmed. The statement said that if the politi- Sociology Institute, 41 percent tremist movements from getting Senior Ukrainian officials headed that Ukrainian cal forces in Ukraine “that call them- of Crimea’s population supported join- into government bodies [in Crimea],” to eastern regions to deal with the pro- authorities stop selves the Ukrainian government” con- ing Russia, and 96.8 voted for accession he said. tests. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov tinue to exhibit “an irresponsible atti- to Russia in the Mar. 16 referendum, ac- In Donetsk, the protesters set up went to Kharkiv, while First Deputy blaming Moscow. tude to the fate of the country,” the na- cording to the official results. a “people’s council” on Monday that de- Prime Minister Vitaly Yarema visited tion will face more crises and troubles. Though most people in Ukraine’s clared the creation of a “republic of Do- Donetsk, and Andrei Paruby, secretary while at the same time fomenting anti- Meanwhile, Daniel Baer, the U.S. eastern regions are Russian-speaking, netsk” and set a referendum on becom- of the Security Council, and Security government protests. ambassador to the Organization for Se- ethnic Ukrainians accounted for 56.9 ing independent and joining Russia. Service head Valentin Nalivaichenko “He has had the Donetsk region un- curity and Cooperation in Europe, said percent in the Donetsk region, 70.7 per- Pro-Russian demonstrators also seized went to Luhansk. Yuliya Tymoshenko, der his control for 15 years,” Fesenko Monday that Russia had amassed tens cent in the Kharkiv region and 58 per- the security service building in the city a leading candidate in the May 25 presi- said. of thousands of troops near the border cent in the Luhansk region, as opposed on Monday. dential election, flew to Donetsk. Some observers said the Kremlin with Ukraine “not in their normal peace- to just 24 percent in Crimea, according In Kharkiv, police seized control The relatively easy takeover of the was also involved in the protests time positions or garrisons,” Reuters re- to the 2001 census, which was the last of the regional administration building administrative buildings by demonstra- and that the events indicated a looming ported. He called on Moscow to take one conducted. on Monday morning but some pro-Rus- tors in the three cities prompted specu- Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine af- steps to de-escalate the situation. Another difference with Crimea is sian activists remained inside and re- lation by analysts that local authorities ter the occupation and annexation Fears of an invasion were also fueled that in eastern Ukraine a war with Rus- fused to leave. Pro-Kiev demonstrators and police may have been complicit of Crimea by Russia last month. by a report published Sunday on the sia is much more likely than a peaceful that support Ukraine’s new government in the riots and were cooperating with “Yesterday the second stage of a spe- Dnepr.com news portal saying that takeover by Russian troops, Fesenko also held a rally in the city but were dis- the Kremlin. cial Russian operation began, the aim a subversive group of seven men had said. The Ukrainian Army is not well- persed by their pro-Russian opponents Vladimir Fesenko, head of Ukraine’s of which is to destabilize the situation tried to storm a military unit in Dnipro- prepared for such a war, he said, adding after violent clashes. Penta think tank, said that powerful in the state, overthrow the Ukrainian petrovsk. The attackers were detained, that a guerilla war may also be launched Protesters set up barricades in Do- Donetsk-based tycoon Renat Akhme- authorities, disrupt the election and tear according to that report. in such a case. Communist Candidate Wins Novosibirsk Mayor Election By Vladislav Shayman uty and close ally of Communist Party on the assumption that people would Around the same time, Andrei the official, who asked for anonymity THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES chief Gennady Zyuganov, won in a not come to the polls,” he said. “Our Ksenzov, a former deputy governor because he was not authorized to talk MOSCOW — With 1.7 million resi- field of 11 candidates with 43.7 percent main goal was to disrupt this plan by in- backed by Tolokonsky, abruptly with- to the media. “No other ruling party dents, Novosibirsk is Russia’s third- of the vote, defeating ruling United spiring a belief in victory with voters drew from the mayoral race without politician enjoys sufficient popularity.” largest city with a nationally known Russia party candidate Vladimir Znat- and to overcome discord among expressing public support for another Karelin got a taste of local politics opera theater and nearly 70 local uni- kov, who polled 39.6 percent, the local the opposition.” candidate. He had been running two weeks before the election when he versities and colleges. It also is known electoral commission said Monday. The scene that preceded Lokot’s in solid third place at 12 percent. was appointed to head the mayoral as “the town of academicians” for host- Voter turnout was fairly low at 31.3 victory easily could have been mis- Meanwhile, Putin appointed Novo- campaign of Znatkov, the United Rus- ing the internationally known scientific percent. taken for a drama of Shakespearean sibirsk Mayor Vladimir Gorodetsky as sia candidate and acting mayor. center Akademgorodok. Duma Deputy Ilya Ponomaryov, proportions. A conflict had brewed acting governor. Gorodetsky, a Krem- The move significantly improved City inhabitants themselves are one of six opposition mayoral candi- for months between Governor Vasily lin loyalist who had served as mayor the standing of Znatkov, who had characterized by archetypal Siberian dates who quit the race in order to back Yurchenko and presidential represen- since 2000, has not said whether he will trailed Lokot by 10 percentage points warmheartedness and wit. Lokot, declared the victory as a sign tative Viktor Tolokonsky, who repre- run in the gubernatorial election when Karelin joined the campaign And last weekend they dealt a sting- that voters wanted change and be- sented different business elites and en- on Sept. 14. and ended up losing by less than 5 per- ing loss to President Vladimir Putin. lieved that it was attainable. joyed various pockets of political sup- But a local United Russia official centage points. Novosibirsk voters handily elected “The opposition’s enemy in Novosi- port in the presidential administra- said the Kremlin had few options Znatkov’s campaign was not with- a Communist candidate, Anatoly birsk was not so much the authorities tion. and might enlist Alexander Karelin, out controversy. The city court barred Lokot, as their next mayor, becoming but the apathy of residents who did not On Mar. 18, Yurchenko was fired a three-time Olympic wrestling cham- him from the race on Mar. 21 for not the latest big city to put an opposition- believe that change was possible,” by Putin for “loss of confidence,” be- pion and veteran United Russia law- relinquishing his duties as mayor dur- minded politician at the helm and set- Ponomaryov told The St. Petersburg coming only the second regional chief maker who was born in Novosibirsk. ing the campaign period — an unprec- ting the stage for a battle for the re- Times. executive to lose his post for this rea- “The bench is really short, and Alexan- edented measure toward a United gional governor’s office. “The regional governor…succeeded son after Moscow Mayor Yury Luzh- der Karelin may well be the only hope Russia candidate — but the regional Lokot, a veteran State Duma dep- in holding an early spring election kov in 2011. for United Russia in the region,” said court subsequently reinstated him. Business www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 6 VK Founder Pavel Durov Says Resignation a Prank THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES takte shareholders’ structure in April Just as the management of Russia’s 2013,” Durov said. biggest social networking site VK was Durov’s farewell letter had seemed preparing to elect a new chief execu- to confirm reports of an ongoing Cold tive on Thursday, the website’s founder War between Durov and the company’s Pavel Durov withdrew his resignation management after United Capital Part- from the position, saying the joke was ners, owned by businessman Ilya Sher- on those who had believed him. bovich, became the site’s biggest share- The board of directors at VK, for- holder in April 2013. merly known as Vkontakte, had been Critics have accused UCP of being scheduled to convene on Thursday to a Kremlin-linked company and of tak- elect a new CEO. But Durov, who an- ing over VK to oust Durov and make it nounced his resignation on Apr.1 in a yield to the authorities’ demands. In farewell letter published on his per- December 2011, Durov refused to sonal VK page, said Thursday the comply with the Federal Security Ser- move had been a prank. vice’s request to block the VK pages of “To those who thought I was actu- several opposition-linked groups amid ally resigning, happy April Fool’s,” large-scale street protests against vot- Durov said in a new post on his VK ing fraud in that year’s parliamentary page on Apr. 3, alongside a picture of a elections. smiling dog. Billionaire Alisher Usmanov’s USM Two sources close to the company Holdings, VK’s second largest share- said Durov also sent the board of di- holder with a 40 percent stake, pub- rectors a letter retracting his resigna- lished a statement on Tuesday saying FOR SPT tion on Wednesday night, Forbes.ru Durov had been forced to leave the From left to right: Magnus Henreckson, Vladimir Kvint and Torbjorn Becker attract media attention at a conference Apr. 3. reported Thursday. company due to “enormous pressure “Since it came to my knowledge exerted by one of the shareholders.” that my resignation at this moment can “We are sure that Pavel [Durov] is create unnecessary risks for our com- not indifferent to the fate of Vkontakte pany, I intend to remain and serve as and will continue to help. We wish him Conference Focuses on Unity the CEO,” said the letter, written in success,” the statement said, RBK re- English. ported. By Olga Kalashnikova the current situation in Ukraine has research and education,” he said. In the initial farewell letter, Durov Usmanov also bid Durov a personal THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES had a wide-scale impact and is re- “It is important to have good said he was quitting the post because farewell before Durov renounced his Every country needs to cooperate flected in the sales turnover between neighbors,” Becker continued. “One he found it “increasingly complicated resignation. “ I have supported and will with other countries in order for their Russia and other countries. of the key factors in development in to stick to the principles we once continue to support Pavel Durov. I economy to successfully develop. Be- “I think the conflict between Rus- history is that countries that had good founded our social site upon.” consider him to be a talented person cause of this, the introduction of vari- sia and Ukraine has created uncer- neighbors also developed themselves. “The CEO has significantly less and will do everything I can to ensure ous sanctions can lead to losses for all tainty for business people and inves- It’s in all of our interest that Russia freedom in managing the company af- his relationship with Vkontakte contin- sides. tors, both in Russia and Ukraine,” develops well, and it is in Russia’s in- ter the changes occurred in the Vkon- ues,” Usmanov said. This deduction was the focus of Becker said. terest that the European Union de- the discussion between Russian and “I guess we all hope we will have velops well.” Swedish participants during the re- some peaceful discussions that can It is only in this way that countries cent conference “Strategic Priorities produce a political solution that takes can benefit and improve the quality German Companies Remain in the Economic Development of into account the way life develops for of life for their residents. Russia and European Countries: regular people,” he said. “It’s a global job, we all depend on Prospects for Integration,” held Apr. The quality of life for people in each other,” according to Becker. Supportive of South Stream 3 in St. Petersburg. Russia and in the West was one of the “And that’s also very visible now. If “Economic development obvi- topics on the agenda. Different coun- you come back to the situation be- By Alexander Panin The statement followed an array of ously goes hand in hand with policy,” tries in Europe are at different levels tween Russia and Ukraine, no one is THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES sanctions imposed on Russia by the Torbjorn Becker, director of the of development. In terms of basic in- really happy because we have a con- While Russia’s standoff with the West West over Russia’s annexation of Stockholm Institute of Transition dicators, such as income per capita, flict. It’s better when Ukraine is doing over Ukraine may have caused Italian Crimea from Ukraine. Economics, told The St. Petersburg some countries are better than Russia well and Russia is doing well; then energy group Eni to distance itself Scaroni’s comments may have also Times. while others are worse, Swedish par- they can cooperate. That would be a from the huge South Stream gas pipe- been prompted by Italy’s own issues “It sets the rules: how companies ticipants concluded. better solution, I think.” line project linking Russia to Central with separatist regions. At the end of can interact, how they can grow, how An average European Union The conference continued a dis- Europe, partners from , March, 89 percent of voters in Italy’s they can employ people. All these country has a higher income level cussion that began in October 2013 in which is highly dependent on Russian Veneto region in an unofficial online things are important for the way peo- than Russia but there are lots of other Stockholm. gas, have stayed faithful. referendum supported independence ple’s lives develop. You need good indicators that are important, includ- Since then, a constructive dialogue On Apr. 2, German engineering from the rest of the country. Following businesses and good environments to ing lifespan, the number of children’s between the two countries has been conglomerate Siemens, and South the vote, hundreds of pro-indepen- live in. All these things are linked to deaths before the age of five and free- ongoing. Swedish participants shared Stream Transport, a consortium led by dence activists gathered for a demon- policies.” dom of speech. the experience of Sweden and the Russian state gas firm Gazprom, signed stration, waving flags of an old Vene- The political situation, however, “This is the whole range of issues U.S. in entrepreneurial pursuits and a contract to supply automatic control tian Republic. The protesters said should not negatively influence plans people care about and it goes beyond proposed measures for avoiding a systems and telecommunications equip- they had been inspired by Scotland for cooperation. Joint projects be- pure income measures,” Becker said. global crisis. Participants believe ment for the pipeline’s onshore control and Catalonia, who have also planned tween countries are aimed at improv- “Nowadays in Europe and Russia these meetings are important for both centers, Gazprom said in a statement. referendums for 2014. ing people’s lives, a priority for all na- we have discussions about the envi- sides. South Stream, which when built Despite Italy’s Eni doubts over the tions involved. Priority projects that ronment, and water and air purity. All “This is a way of exchanging ideas will bypass Ukraine by passing under future of South Stream, another major require cooperation with other na- these things are also important and I and experiences, and talking to each the Black Sea to Bulgaria and through stakeholder in the project, Germany’s tions are traditionally large invest- don’t think we should have a competi- other, I think when it comes down to Eastern Europe, aims to meet 15 per- Wintershall — owned by chemicals gi- ment projects. tion between Russia and Europe.” a personal level, there are very few cent of Europe’s gas demand by the ant BASF — has been, on the con- “It’s very hard to separate eco- “I think we can learn from each places where you have conflicts or end of the decade. trary, supportive of it and of other nomics and politics,” Becker said. “I other. We all know that Russian sci- feel that it isn’t useful to cooperate,” South Stream Transport, jointly joint ventures it has in Russia. think it is the idea of having a good entists are of a very high level. They Becker said. owned by Gazprom, Italy’s Eni, Wintershall told German business- political system that generates an en- can certainly help to develop Euro- “Such a personal interaction be- France’s energy giant EDF and Ger- men that they oppose economic sanc- vironment where both companies and pean countries. Russia can take some tween people from all of these coun- many’s oil and gas exploration com- tions against Russia. people can prosper.” inspiration from what’s being done in tries helps to build a better environ- pany Wintershall, in March concluded “Economic sanctions will not help Swedish participants believed that Europe. This includes development, ment for all of us.” a contract to build the first line of the anybody,” said Wintershall CEO South Stream’s offshore section, which Rainer Seele at the company’s annual will be composed of four parallel lines news conference in the German town laid under the Black Sea at a depth of of Kassel in March. more than 2,000 meters. Besides participating in the South McDonald’s Closes Doors in Crimea Construction of the first line is to Stream project with Gazprom, Winter- commence in the fall of 2014, ending shall is also involved in the Urengoi gas THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES in Ukraine, McDonald’s said Thursday it hoped to reopen its restaurants in 2015. Gazprom plans to begin deliv- field in western Siberia and is facilitat- McDonald’s has suspended operations in an online statement, without elaborat- in Crimea “when such an opportunity” eries of 15 billion cubic meters of gas ing further integration of the Nord at its three restaurants in Crimea in- ing on the reasons for the closure. arises. The offer of a relocation pack- per year through the first line in late Stream pipeline, another Russian pipe- definitely “due to manufacturing rea- The statement also said the com- age for workers suggests that the com- 2015. The pipeline’s full design capac- line supplying gas to Northern Europe, sons independent of McDonald’s,” pany had offered to cover relocation pany does not expect to do so any time ity is projected at 63 billion cubic me- with the European network. the Ukrainian branch of the U.S. fast- costs for workers and their families, as soon, however. ters per year, to be reached by 2018. Wintershall will invest four billion food giant said. well as housing for three months fol- About 500 people have been laid The fate of the project, however, euros in expanding its oil and gas busi- Restaurants in the cities of Sevastopol, lowing the transfer. off as a result of the closures, most was questioned in March when Eni’s ness, concentrating on Russia and Simferopol and Yalta have been closed Severance pay would be available of whom intend to look for new jobs CEO Paolo Scaroni called the future Norway, in the next five years, Seele but employees will be allowed to take up for those employees who declined in Crimea, Itar-Tass reported, citing of the pipeline “somewhat gloomy.” said in Kassel. their old positions at other branches to leave, the company said, adding that out-of-work employees. The St. Petersburg Times | www.sptimes.ru BUSINESS Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 7 Mikhail Prokhorov Ditches Yo-Mobile Hybrid Car By Anatoly Medetsky by Onexim, would begin mass produc- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES tion in 2015. Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov has But in February, the chief of the de- pulled out of a plan to build a hybrid partment for industrial policy at St. Pe- car, whose test model he showed off tersburg’s City Hall, Maxim Meiskin, to President Vladimir Putin, as said the project was on hold indefi- the weakening of the ruble has pushed nitely. up costs. First devised in 2010, the car was Branded the Yo-Mobile, the gas- scheduled to start rolling off the assem- electric car would have been the first bly line in 2012 but repeatedly ran hybrid vehicle developed in Russia — into engineering and component sup- and a stellar example of innovation. It ply hurdles. Yarovit Motors, a little- has collected more than 210,000 pre- known truck maker, was Onexim’s orders, but its production has repeat- partner in the project. edly been delayed. The car was to sell for no more The rising cost of potential assem- than 450,000 rubles ($12,500), but On- bly would have undercut demand exim said Monday the price would for the car, given the ongoing contrac- “inevitably” rise because the dwin- tion of the automobile market, a state- dling value of the ruble was driving up ment from Prokhorov’s investment the cost of required investment — company, Onexim, said Monday. Last a likely reference to the heavy reli- year, Russia’s car market shrank by 5 ance on foreign developers of compo- percent. Even so, the billionaire, who nents for the car. is also known for his ownership of the Competition in the low-cost seg- Brooklyn Nets basketball team and has ment is on the rise. Renault-Nissan Al- a hefty stake in fertilizer producer Ura- liance president Carlos Ghosn last lkali, refused to call the Yo-Mobile week presented the Datsun for the project a fiasco. Russian market, a sedan aimed at peo- “We did achieve a result — and it is ple who cannot afford to spend more a 100 percent success,” his spokes- / VEDOMOSTI MAXIM STULOV than 400,000 rubles ($11,300) on a car. woman Tatyana Kosobokova said Mikhail Prokhorov promoting the latest prototype of the Yo-Mobile, a gas-electric hybrid car, in June last year. Prokhorov is leaving behind the Yo- by phone. “Unique technology has Mobile idea, but he is intent on keep- been developed and it is staying in Rus- the technology developed for the Yo- Yo, which resembles a latin e with The 2.03-meter-tall Prokhorov, who ing one promise he made when he sia.” Mobile, but have been rebuffed by On- an umlaut, the vehicle once looked like usually uses a more spacious Mercedes tried, about two years ago, to dispel Onexim sold the technology, which exim, Kosobokova said. it had the blessing of one of the world’s to get around, followed in another Yo- doubts that his plan would work. He it developed for the project, to the Kosobokova did not say how much most powerful motorists. In April 2011, Mobile. gave his word at the time that ultrana- state-owned Central Automotive Re- Onexim spent on the car’s develop- then-Prime Minister Putin took a ride Prokhorov squeezed himself into a tionalist political leader Vladimir search Institute for a token price of 1 ment and the construction of a plant in one of the first prototypes of the Yo- Yo-Mobile prototype again at last Zhirinovsky, one of the skeptics, would euro in a deal signed last week. in St. Petersburg, which was set Mobile, after asking Prokhorov if it year’s St. Petersburg’s International once be able to drive a Yo-Mobile. The institute could use the informa- for completion later this year. But she was not likely to fall apart. Putin drove Economic Forum in an apparent effort The car is now undergoing testing tion for “a number of innovative proj- said the company could have recouped the car from his Novo-Ogaryovo resi- to send the message that the car proj- for certificates and will be ready to be ects,” said its spokesman Andrei Gar- the investment if it had sold its engi- dence outside Moscow to then-Presi- ect was moving forward, despite sev- handed over to him in the fall, Ko- mai, without elaborating. neering solutions for the car to one dent Dmitry Medvedev’s official coun- eral delays. sobokova said. A number of Asian and Western of the suitors. tryside home in Gorky-9 to attend Prokhorov said later that year that A Zhirinovsky spokesman, Yury companies have hankered after Named so after the Russian letter a Security Council meeting. Yo-Avto, a joint venture controlled Ryzhov, said, “We will be waiting.” Lithuania and Ban Russian TV Rosneft Hires 25-Year-Old By Liudas Dapkus The council said the decision was stantin Dolgov said on Twitter that Son Of CEO Igor Sechin ASSOCIATED PRESS prompted by findings of the Latvian Se- Latvia’s ban is “the latest attempt to THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES The salary for Sechin junior’s posi- Latvia is joining Lithuania in banning curity Police, which said events in censor inconvenient information and a Rosneft, the world’s largest publicly tion may range from 300,000 rubles Russian state television broadcasts be- Ukraine in several Rossiya reports last violation of fundamental rights on ac- traded company by output, has hired the ($8,480) a month to double that cause it found that several programs month were presented in a way that jus- cess to mass media.” 25-year-old son of its CEO Igor Sechin, amount. about the Ukraine crisis were tenden- tified “military aggression against a sov- The Latvian ban follows a similar sus- a news report said. Ivan received the job last month tious and not in the Baltic nation’s secu- ereign state.” It also said they were pension in neighboring Lithuania of Ivan Sechin has been appointed dep- and has already taken a tour with his rity interests. “dominated by the view that despite in- RTR Planeta’s broadcasts for three uty chief of one of the company’s off- father to Asia. During the tour, Ros- A three-month suspension of ternational law, the president of the Rus- months after the media watchdog in Vil- shore production units, Kommersant neft pitched numerous opportunities broadcasts of all Rossiya RTR’s pro- sian Federation has every right to use the nius found that a Mar. 2 weekly news reported Tuesday. for cooperation to companies in Japan, grams began Tuesday, following a deci- military in Ukraine to defend Russian program about Ukraine was biased. On Rosneft encourages these types of South Korea, Vietnam and India. sion by the Latvian National Electronic speakers. Monday, the Vilnius Regional Court up- dynasties provided two or more relatives Ivan Sechin, a graduate from Mos- Mass Media Council, the watchdog’s “The Russian Foreign Ministry en- held the council’s decision. don’t find themselves at the head office, cow State University, previously worked spokeswoman Sanita Blomniece told voy for human rights in Moscow de- Both RTR channels are owned by the company’s vice president Yury Kali- as an analyst at Gazprombank, the coun- The Associated Press on Monday. nounced the Latvian decision. Kon- Russian state broadcaster VGTRK. nin said. try’s third-largest lender.

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6+ BusinessFocus www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 8 Natalya Podgoretskaya: Exporting Success By Olga Kalashnikova based on results and we get results. THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Q: Is there any difference in the xport management is an attitude towards businesswomen in emerging and exciting Russia and in the West? business, says Natalya A: Yes, of course. Everybody is Podgoretskaya, the equal in Sweden, for example, while founder and the head of Kazakhstan has more of an eastern theE Direct business communications approach to business. One needs to agency. After only five years, Direct give more information about oneself has already achieved success, with and demonstrate their experience to branches of the company now in gain their partner’s trust. In Eastern countries around the world. The idea Europe, people are used to seeing of export management is new to the women younger than 30 as employees Russian market. Very few companies and the severe nature of Russian busi- in Russia dare to help their clients nesswomen is a little surprising to conquer foreign markets and develop them. their business abroad. Podgoretskaya is unafraid of the problems that arise Q: What is the secret to your suc- from such endeavors. In fact, she wel- cess? comes the challenge and makes the A: It is my team. My partner in most out of working in difficult cir- Europe, Martins Zemitis, is an excel- cumstances. lent salesman and an experienced Podgoretskaya spoke to The St. businessman. We constantly learn Petersburg Times about her company, from each other. I think I’m lucky what she had learned from the eco- with people. I would like to work as nomic crisis and what it’s like to be a long as it is possible with all of my woman in big business. current employees. I would like to help them just as they help our com- Q: How did the idea of Direct panies and me. They are excellent emerge? Was this your first business salespeople, reliable organizers and venture? they are responsible for our success. A: Yes, Direct is my first company. I just create the conditions for it.

In 2009, the agency specialized in PR FOR SPT and advertising. As time passed, more Perseverance, focus and a belief in what her company is doing has helped make Natalya Podgoretskaya a success. Q: Has the political situation and more of our projects led to mar- with Ukraine and Crimea had an in- keting. One of our foreign clients in structure are now in place and we tersburg this summer. We are inves- no delays in either information or ac- fluence on your business? 2011 inspired us to try export manage- have successfully found a solution. tors in this project and are responsi- tions. But the demands of foreign ment, when you handle a client’s busi- ble for its development, both organi- clients increase their opportunities in A: Yes, it has a certain impact. ness in a foreign region. This means Q: What is export management? zationally and financially. the Russian market. We can arrange But I cannot say that it is the nega- being completely responsible for mar- A: The main goal is to start selling work with this client. Foreigners tive one. Of course, many European keting and sales. Of course, we the client’s product in a foreign mar- Q: Are there lots of Russian com- have lots of illusions about the Rus- clients, with whom the negotiations learned a lot from working with for- ket. First, we provide the customer panies that tend to come to foreign sian market and its business and con- were on the pre-contract stage, have eign companies and some things we with prices for his product or for simi- markets? sumer culture. Even if businessmen stopped the process for March and learned on our own. lar ones to allow the customer to esti- A: Yes, lots of Russian companies are from Eastern Europe and they started just to observe the develop- mate their chances and choose a have the resources and the desire to speak Russian, it does not mean they ment of the events. Yet, during the Q: Your agency was created in country for their business. Second, we develop abroad. Moreover, Russian know the reality of Russia. last weeks we have signed a number 2009 during the economic crisis. Did research the chosen export market. companies working in the smaller of contracts and have won a competi- it have an impact on the development We gather information about the mar- markets are more professional than Q: What about Russian business tion with a number of companies of your business? ket and conduct the first negotiations European ones. This is not my opin- is unusual to foreigners? from Eastern Europe in Russia. Re- A: Sure. That experience was diffi- with potential partners to help our cli- ion but that of my European col- A: There are three things — the cently an agreement with a Ukrai- cult but I’m now grateful for it. It took ent make a decision about the devel- leagues. An average Russian com- scale, the customer’s viewpoint and, nian company was also signed. This away all my youthful pride before it opment strategy. Next comes more pany is comparable in sales volume to sometimes, the incredible unreliabil- company feels good about its pros- had a chance to develop. It’s like pour- negotiations with potential partners many European giants. It is not pru- ity of partners. pects here and is going to explore the ing cold water on yourself. During a abroad and the client chooses the best dent for them to remain in only one Chinese market. Russian companies crisis the client has higher demands ones and signs an agreement. country. It is interesting to work with Q: Direct has offices in Russia have become more actively inter- for the quality of services and is more regional retailers that have a range of and Kazakhstan. Are there close ties ested in export with the development aware of their budget. As a result you Q: What are the most remarkable outlets all over Europe. There is a lot between these two countries? of the situation in Ukraine, as they are in a situation where you are either projects you’ve worked on? of interest in Asian countries like A: Yes, there are lots of things see the benefit of being paid in for- the best or you fail. We’re still close to A: Although our Russian repre- China, Korea and Japan. The leaders these countries have in common be- eign currency. Because of this, we are many of the clients with whom we sentative office is the youngest in among our clients are companies spe- cause we have a long shared history. seeing a record number of applica- worked during this period. terms of employees’ age, the largest cializing in equipment, food and fast- But there are lots of nuances. People tions, as companies search for ways projects are undertaken here. The moving consumer goods. The size of in Kazakhstan adapt well to Western to explore foreign markets and need Q: Was it difficult to promote first project is with one of the world’s companies can vary and sometimes tendencies. It is easier to bring Euro- ready solutions that can bring guar- your business at first? include small businesses. anteed and relatively fast results. In A: It was not easy. We developed general, both we and our clients ac- the format and carefully investigated Q: Are there foreign companies tively work, but at the same time are the market. Export management was ‘Foreigners have lots interested in the Russian market? ‘You’re overwhelmed constantly ready to react to global quite a new industry at that time and A: There are too many to count. For changes. As the great military strate- people regarded it with suspicion. of illusions about the European companies, Russia could be- by the history, by the gists say, you should always have a Consulting companies in Russia pro- Russian market and come their main outlet market. architecture, by the plan “B.” vide information about the availabil- ity of the client’s desired export but its business and Q: Is export support very developed cultural aspects that This interview has been edited for they don’t guarantee business with consumer culture. one in Russia? Is there a high level of St. Petersburg offers.’ length and clarity. foreign partners. We give this guaran- competition in the market? tee if the client is deemed successful A: The area is not yet developed. and our foreign specialists give a posi- leaders in email marketing – Maili- We have not faced any competitors pean goods to Kazakhstan than Rus- tive forecast for the Russian compa- gen, which is based in St. Petersburg. on the market yet. For the moment, sia. They have a large segment of NATALYA PODGORETSKAYA ny’s prospects in that particular mar- Although we work in close coopera- one can get consultations from vari- consumers ready to pay more for Eu- ket. Moreover, we provide the client tion with the head office, most deci- ous sources, go on a business trip ropean quality. Recommendations in 2014-present: Co-owner, The with a private manager abroad, con- sions are made here. We are develop- abroad or research the foreign mar- business are rather important in Ka- Faceshop duct all negotiations and continue to ing email marketing in Russia with kets. As far as we know, nobody else zakhstan. But many products that are 2013-present: Co-owner, Mailigen. support and promote the company af- this project. It is hard to believe that provides complete export manage- represented in Russia are still absent ru ter their items start selling. only a year ago this business sphere ment. Custom brokers help large cli- in Kazakhstan. 2009-present: Founder, Direct in Russia was in its conceptual stages ents find partners abroad but they 2008: Graduated from St. Q: Which qualities helped you in and very few people realized what don’t work with smaller companies. Q: Is it difficult for you, as a Petersburg State University with a creating your own business? the difference was between email woman, to manage your own busi- degree in Public Relations. A: Perseverance and focus. We be- marketing, which earns billions for Q: You work a lot with foreign- ness? Are there any prejudices among lieved in our idea and bet on it. Until western companies, and spam. ers. Is it easy working with them? partners or clients? Favorite film: ‘1+1’ or ‘The recently we were dogged by opinions The second project has just What do you like about working A: It is a big advantage to be a fe- Untouchables’; like “nobody needs this” or “it’s out started. It is the cosmetic company with foreigners? Which of their male leader. All my working experi- Favorite Book: ‘The Pursuit of of our control” but we didn’t pay at- The Face Shop, which is a part of LG qualities are not appropriate for the ence has proved this. I do not feel any Happiness’ tention to it. The need to develop a Holdings. It is the leader of the Ko- Russia? discrimination. There are men who Favorite place: “Home is wherever non-raw materials market in Russia is rean market and we’ve already A: It is easy working with them, as look at me with surprise for the first my family is...” obvious even to uninformed people. opened four shops in Kazakhstan and they are very interested in our mar- five to seven minutes in negotiations Favorite restaurant: Park Guiseppe The requirements for export infra- will launch their products in St. Pe- ket and actively cooperate. There are but not longer. Deals in business are RealEstate www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 9 Stampede Into Crimean Real Estate Hits Hurdles By Delphine d’Amora THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Wealthy Russians, eager for a holiday residence by the idyllic Crimean sea- side, were burning up the phone lines of local real estate agencies even be- fore Russia officially declared its an- nexation of the Ukrainian peninsula. However, a host of uncomfortable practicalities — not least among them the likelihood that purchase agree- ments would not be internationally recognized — are for now holding the market in check. The surge in applications on online real estate portal Nadezhda-Krym be- gan about a week prior to the referen- dum on Mar. 16 in which more than 96 percent of voters in the territory supported joining the Russian Feder- ation, the website’s director Nikolai Pisarkov said Monday. Military forces widely believed to be Russian have been in control of the peninsula since late February. The nature of the applications has also changed, he added. While Rus- sians were interested in purchasing apartments and houses in the past, they are now also considering buying plots of land for further develop- ment. Over the last two months the por- tal has also noted an increase in ap- plications from certain regions of eastern Ukraine, such as Donetsk and Lugansk. “Prices on real estate are higher in Russia, so just as in any market,

people want to buy at a moment of cri- ALEXXX MALEV / FLICKR sis and sell when the prices go A view of the waterfront of Sevastopol. Russians have been in a rush to snap up property since the annexation but are facing administrative barriers. up,” Pisarkov said. Some Russian firms are already For now, it is impossible to buy or nian parliament concerning Crimea, already wrapped up in globalization, In February, prices in the Crimean seizing onto the new market. Good sell properties in Crimea. “We cannot described in the bill as a “temporarily with accounts in foreign banks,” capital of Simferopol stood at $1,030 Wood, a company specializing in the perform basic transactions, such as occupied territory,” declares: “Any Dubovenko said. per square meter for a single-room construction of log cottages, plans the sale of real estate, because we judicial transaction regarding real es- The question of legitimacy will re- apartment, $1,023 per square meter to invest $20 million in the region over have no registration database. Kiev tate that is made in violation of the main unresolved for at least half for a two-room apartment, and $841 the next two years, founder Alexander has blocked our access to it,” Temir- requirements of Ukrainian legislation a year, if not longer, and will put per square meter for a three-room Dubovenko said. galiyev said. is considered invalid from the mo- a substantial damper on the market, apartment, while houses sold for about The company is opening a sales of- Even once the database is re- ment of its signing.” said Ilya Volodko, general director $1,150 per square meter, according fice in the region and will begin con- stored, another bureaucratic trial is of real estate consultancy Macon Re- to online real estate listing system structing houses for customers with waiting — the registration of all exist- alty Group. REM Navigator. land in the region. They are also ing deeds of ownership with the Rus- In general, the peak in Russians’ The region’s transportation infra- searching for three large plots of land sian authorities. Russia’s business interest in the region may be no more structure is also severely underdevel- on which to build their own settle- Russia’s business ombudsman Bo- than curiosity and financial opportun- oped, Volodko added. Russia’s Kras- ments of cottages, which will go on sale ris Titov called land ownership ombudsman Boris ism, which will not survive the prag- nodar region on the Black Sea, an- in May 2015. in Crimea “a big problem” in an in- matics of investing in Crimea, he other resort area that will now be The peninsula’s new government is terview with television channel Titov called land added. in direct competition with Crimea, has anticipating a vast wave of develop- Rossiya 24. ownership in Crimea “We have no grounds to believe three international airports, while ment as Russian business enters the re- “Private owners will have to re- that the market is capable of growing Crimea has only one, 100 kilometers gion. register many assets, it will be a major ‘a big problem.’ quickly in the mid-term,” Volodko away from the coastline. “We are really counting on Crimea bureaucratic procedure,” Titov said. said. It is also impossible to access turning into a big construction site. We What is more, the legitimacy Even enthusiastic Good Wood will Investors cannot expect to make Crimea by car without driving through are inspired by the example of Sochi,” of any purchases will remain in ques- hold off on its plans until they are a killing snapping up real estate at de- the territory of Ukraine. the region’s new Deputy Prime Minis- tion so long as the international com- sure that the rights to the houses they flated prices, as property prices on the Aware of these issues, the Russian ter Rustam Temirgaliyev told RIA munity considers Russia’s annexation sell will be recognized abroad. Crimean coast are already fixed government could spend up to 100 bil- Novosti. of the territory illegitimate, a factor The international legitimacy at reasonable levels comparable lion rubles ($2.8 billion) developing Many grave systemic issues persist, that could significantly reduce de- of their properties will matter to po- to those of resort properties in Rus- the region’s infrastructure, Economic however, which are likely to hold mand among Russians. tential clients, who are for the most sia’s nearby Krasnodar region, he Development Minister Alexei Ulyu- the market in check for years to come. A draft bill passed by the Ukrai- part “young, modern people who are said. kayev said, RIA Novosti reported. Education & JobOpportunities advertising section Wednesday, April 9, 2014

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By Ingrid Burke a part. The tendency toward secession is THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES possibly on the rise.” He said the Crimea situation “highlights that this law is ei- nternational law is the weapon ther in flux or poorly defined.” of choice in the Crimea conflict, with adversaries using sections WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? of the United Nations Charter like artillery to bolster their own While Truman’s warning was important, Idefenses and target their opponents’ subsequent history suggests that the UN weaknesses. Charter should be viewed as a living But who will end up on the right side document. No fixed set of principles in- of history? terpreted literally can effectively address The fact that the international com- the countless conflicts the world will face munity has found itself gripped in a bat- over time. Principles can endure for gen- tle for legal supremacy might suggest erations, however, if given room that UN Charter drafters left the world to breathe and to embrace the times. with high hopes for enduring peace but Davids noted that dialogue in and without the means to achieve it. of itself is no reason for concern. “De- But, at the same time, legal contro- bates about when it is proper to use force versies, as vicious as they may be, can in- or intervene in a particular situation spire sorely needed progress and mod- would not be a betrayal of the principles ernization within the sphere of interna- of the UN, as noted by President Tru- tional law. man...unless it is merely a pretext for self- “The different sides to the [Crimea] ish gain and not connected to the need dispute have armed themselves with le- to prevent war and protect human gal justifications — a sign that the law is rights,” he said. taken seriously and cannot be ignored,” Through diplomatic conflict our said Joseph Davids, a lawyer with Studio world leaders and policymakers will — Legale Ghia in Italy and consultant for better or worse — usher in develop- for the UN Food and Agriculture Orga- ments in international law that will im- nization. pact the global community for the fore- The legacy left by the Crimea crisis seeable future. Their squabbling is as could prove either beneficial or detri- / AP MAX VETROV crucial as it is unnerving. mental. History is rich with examples The head of Crimea’s unrecognized Russian-backed government Sergei Aksyonov in Simferopol, Crimea on Mar. 29. Looking forward, Erlinder said, of the good that can come from diplo- the imperative of recognizing that inter- matic discord. At the same time, some community,” U.S. President Barack from the presumption of innocence lished with the goal of counterbalancing national law is still in its very early stages. analysts warn that the actions of power- Obama said in a Mar. 17 speech in the to the definition of aggressive war. the interests of the world’s most power- World leaders and policymakers must ful countries in cases such as this one can direct aftermath of the referendum. Eventually the conference culmi- ful nations. It has five permanent mem- continue to insist on the development prove catastrophic. Good or bad, In turn, President Vladimir Putin nated in key decisions about the court’s bers — Russia, Britain, the U.S., France, and support of the institutions of inter- the conflict will have a crucial impact lauded the referendum for its “full com- jurisdiction that would have a lasting im- and China — and each enjoys veto national law, he explained, and must re- on the development of international pliance with democratic procedures pact on international criminal law, but power over council decisions. frain from concluding that the job is law. and international norms,” in a Kremlin not before chief U.S. Prosecutor Robert Following the Cold War, the Security done. speech on Mar. 18. Jackson threatened the creation of a Council itself was largely dominated “What I object to vociferously is Putin accused the West of hypocrisy separate U.S. tribunal. by the U.S. and Britain. “Until Russia countries holding up international orga- THE BEGINNING in its approach to international law. “Led “Nuremberg really is the collective and China began exercising the veto, as nizations and international law as they Amid the ongoing devastation of World by the U.S., our Western partners prefer assertion of moral superiority on the part the Charter initially intended, to balance exist at this point, as some sort of end War II, the leaders of the Allied forces in their practical politics to be guided not of the Allies, including the U.S.S.R., the power of major nations, the UN, it- point, and as if these nations...are some- compromised on a solution that they by international law but by ‘might- and it is this moral superiority, based self was functioning as something like how the paradigm to which other nations dreamed would spare future generations makes-right’ law,” he said. “They have on their mutual sacrifices in the eradica- a ‘rogue’ institution,” Erlinder said. should be held, because hypocrisy is the catastrophic losses they were endur- come to believe that they are chosen tion of evil, that is supposed to form A similar point was recently made rife,” Erlinder said. He added that, “the ing. and exceptional; and that they have the basis of the new peaceful interna- by Dmitry Trenin, director of the Carn- most powerful countries, and particu- Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt met the license to decide the fate of the world; tional order centered on the UN,” Fried- egie Moscow Center, in a Mar. 19 op-ed larly the superpowers, teach all of the in Tehran in late 1943 with the primary and it is only they that can always be man said. for China Daily. “Essentially, the Rus- other countries how to behave by the purpose of forging wartime agreements right.” Another classic example of the battle sians believe that it is the interests of the way that they behave.” that would enhance their fight against On Mar. 27, the UN General Assem- for moral supremacy can be found in the various countries — the U.S., China, If the adversaries to the Crimea con- the Axis powers. bly adopted a nonbinding resolution de- International Control Commission, Russia and others — that inform their flict can rise to the occasion with fore- At the culmination of the four-day claring the referendum invalid, with 100 which was established in 1954 to enforce behaviors, and that it is the power rela- sight and awareness that the total out- conference, the three leaders signed votes in favor, 11 against, and 58 absten- the Geneva Accords and monitor the sit- tionships among the leading members come will be bigger than the immediate a declaration vowing on behalf of them- tions. The resolution was based generally uation in Indochina. of the international community which impact will be for any single country, ex- selves and “all the United Nations” on the UN Charter, and specifically “The ICC was made of one commu- set the rules of the game,” he said. perts said, governments will continue to build a peace that would “banish on Article 2 — which deals with nist country, one NATO country, and one The piece closed with Trenin’s senti- upping the ante on moral superiority, the scourge and terror of war for many the threat or use of force against territo- neutral — Poland, Canada, and India — ment that while Moscow has remained and future generations will be better off generations.” rial integrity. and both sides were endlessly trying unhappy with Western domination for it. Two years later, as the world came Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov bit to manipulate the ICC and use it to claim and other issues that followed the end With no apparent end in sight to this to terms with its losses, the delegates back on Mar. 29 when asked about the other side was the aggressor and prin- of the Cold War, it now feels “strong global sparring match, Truman’s warning of 50 nations convened in San Francisco the resolution. “I have seen a lot in my ciple violator of the Geneva Accords,” and confident enough to challenge of the selfish use of the UN Charter may to formally breathe life into the UN. time, but when serious countries throw Friedman said. them.” seem to be proving prophetic. History, Addressing the final session of the all their diplomatic power into ‘arm In many respects, the Cold War was Kushtrim Istrefi, visiting fellow of in- however, is replete with examples of the San Francisco Conference, U.S. Presi- twisting’ of the entire world, including fought with instruments of international ternational law at the Graduate Institute combative use of international law — dent Harry Truman lauded the initiative their close partners, expecting that they law. “It would be much harder to think of Geneva, pointed out that as a rule particularly between the East and West. as “a solid structure upon which we can will fall for the argument about inaltera- of any Cold War conflict in which inter- countries do not voluntarily admit to vio- “Given that the Cold War was as build a better world.” bility and of territorial integrity, ignoring national law was not invoked,” Friedman lating international law. “There has not much about moral superiority as military He then warned: “If we fail to use it, all the other principles of the UN Char- said. been any war, any annexation, any con- and economic superiority, both sides we shall betray all those who have died ter, well, such ‘agility’ puzzled me,” he Any example of this trend could be flict, where one side would say, ‘I am go- were constantly trying to claim the higher so that we might meet here in freedom said in an interview with the “Vesti” categorized as an example of the selfish ing against the UN Charter,’” Istrefi ground,” said Jeremy Friedman, a Rus- and safety to create it. If we seek to use it news program. use of the UN Charter. Some analysts said. sian history professor at Yale University selfishly — for the advantage of any one In the most recent iteration of these argue, however, that this squabbling it- To claim that bold actions are in line and associate director of the university’s nation or any small group of nations — clashes, NATO announced on April 1 self has often served to propel interna- with international law, countries occa- Grand Strategy program. we shall be equally guilty of that be- that it had decided to suspend all practi- tional law forward, allowing it to evolve sionally need to get creative with their Because Russia and the West were trayal.” cal military and civilian cooperation with in real time alongside a changing world. interpretations. However, Istrefi said both indispensable to the creation of the Russia. “We do not recognize Russia’s il- that creative interpretations tended post-World War II international order, legal and illegitimate attempt to annex to inspire scholars and stakeholders each has historically held a stake in main- THE CRIMEA CRISIS CONFLICT AND EVOLUTION Crimea,” a NATO statement said. IN INTERNATIONAL LAW to scrutinize issues of international law taining it. Fast-forward seven decades to the that might previously have fallen under The Nuremberg Trials illustrate this Crimea crisis. On Mar. 16, residents A HISTORIC BATTLE FOR MORAL Professor Peter Erlinder of William the radar. In other words, a certain de- quest for moral superiority, Friedman of the Crimean peninsula voted by a SUPERIORITY Mitchell College of Law stressed the im- gree of creativity in interpreting interna- noted. landslide to sever ties with Ukraine in fa- portance of dialogue in ensuring that tional law can force gradual progress. The decision to prosecute rather than vor of reuniting with Russia. Since then, Specifically, Kadri asserted that Stalin the UN functions as effectively as possi- Toward that end, the dialogue sur- summarily execute those deemed most the major powers’ respective interpreta- remained adamant that court decisions ble, suggesting that the Crimea crisis may rounding the Crimea conflict has the po- responsible for the Nazi atrocities that tions of international law have played would be imperative to avoiding the ap- in fact evidence a “return to a more nor- tential to impact the law surrounding se- defined World War II did not come eas- out like a global game of tug-of-war. pearance that the Allied powers were mal situation in which powerful nations cession, an area ripe for development. ily. In his courtroom-history book “The “I told President Vladimir Putin yes- simply seeking revenge against their op- must balance each other’s interests be- As Davids put it: “At present, the law Trial,” lawyer and journalist Sadakat terday, the referendum in Crimea was ponents. A 1945 pre-trial conference fore the UN Security Council can act.” is not clear on when it is permissible for a Kadri explained, “Nuremberg was con- a clear violation of the Ukrainian Consti- in London was characterized by an ever- The Security Council, the UN organ region or autonomous province to se- ceived in Moscow and came into being tution and international law, and it will widening chasm between the Soviet charged with maintaining international cede and become independent without despite the wishes of the Western Allies, not be recognized by the international and U.S. delegations on everything peace and security, was initially estab- the consent of the State of which it is rather than because of them.” DiningGuide advertising section Wednesday, April 9, 2014

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– 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, April 9, 2014 ❖ 12 Iceland and Russia: ‘Peace and Harmony’ By Olga Kalashnikova was,” said Grimsson. “For a few years THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES this argument looked strong but now we have seen how Spain, Greece, Ire- lafur Ragnar Grimsson, land, the Baltic countries and France president of Iceland, ac- have had difficulties in dealing with the knowledged St. Peters- financial crisis. Now we are back to our burg’s status as the previous position and it [EU member- northern capital of Eu- ship] is not in our interest. The major- ropeO last month during a press confer- ity of Icelanders are against joining the ence with visiting Russian journalists, EU now. emphasizing that no other city on the “As a result of both the current continent can lay claim to the title. state of the Icelandic economy and Iceland and Russia have enjoyed a where we are located in the North At- long relationship, officially celebrating lantic, it is better for us to instead ne- 70 years of cooperation last year. How- gotiate ourselves with all other coun- ever, the relationship between the two tries,” he said. countries can be dated back to the Iceland is also proud of the fact that Middle Ages. In addition, trade be- it has no standing army. Despite its tween the two nations, which began in proximity to Europe, the most milita- the second half of the 20th century, has rized region in the world, the Arctic been fundamental in the foundation of nation shines as an example of how po- the republic’s economy. tential military confrontation can be “In the early 1950s, when Iceland replaced with peaceful cooperation. expanded its fishing zone and the U.K. “This is important not just for us in put a trade embargo on Iceland, the the Arctic but also serves as an impor- stepped in and agreed to tant model for conflict regions in other buy Icelandic fish, which we could not parts of the world,” said Grimsson. “It sell on the British market,” Grimsson shows that things can be changed. If said at the press conference. you had told the people of my genera- “The Soviet Union also sold us oil tion in the 1960s, ‘70s and‘80s that the products and wood that we could use to situation would be as it is now, none of modernize Iceland. It became a historic us would have believed it.” turning point in our relations,” he said. Since the American military base “We sold fish to Russia and im- closed seven years ago, there have not ported Soviet cars. Many Icelandic been any soldiers in Iceland. The coun- families at that time drove Russian try’s society is instead based on trust cars. For example, I had a Volga and and the idea that everybody who comes my wife had a Russian car. You will to Iceland is a friend. find many families all over Iceland “Once you start believing that ev- who, at one time or another, had a Rus- erybody is a threat, until the opposite is sian car,” he added. proved, you start changing not only so- As well as playing a crucial role in ciety as well as civilization in a risky Iceland’s economic growth, Russia has way,” said Grimsson. “The arguments

also helped develop the country’s arts ISLAND.IS people use include political risks and scene. Many Soviet artists, including Relations between Iceland and Russia’s fishing industry are developing well, according to the former Russian ambassador. terrorism. Of course it’s true, but most musicians and singers, spent time in things we do are risky. Annually, 20 to the Nordic country and had a strong ambassador to Iceland (he was re- both directions, increasing the number The proposed church could become 40 people in Iceland die in car acci- impact on Icelandic culture in the sec- placed by Anton Vasiliev in March), of Icelandic visitors to Russia and Rus- the center of attention not only for dents but nobody is arguing that we ond half of the 20th century. told journalists that the relationship sian visitors to Iceland. Russian-speaking and Orthodox resi- should stop driving cars because of it.” The importance of the Arctic Circle between the two nations in the fishing In 2013, 800,000 people visited Ice- dents of Iceland but also for residents As evidence of this trust, Icelandic in the last decade has recently led to industry is developing well. land, 7,000 of which were Russians. from Latvia and Lithuania, as people officials, like those in other Nordic increased cooperation on policy mat- “I cannot say it is ideal, since there There are also approximately 500 per- from the two Baltic nations account countries, are famous for their accessi- ters between Russia and Iceland. are still arguments over some issues,” manent Russian residents in Iceland, for the majority of immigrants in Ice- bility. Grimsson met with Russian jour- Ten years ago, the Russian govern- Tsyganov said. “But I like that a certain mostly women married to Icelanders, land. Iceland’s borders are open to nalists for tea and cake without any ment didn’t consider the Arctic an im- tendency is predominant in our rela- as well as athletic trainers who arrived people from the Baltic nations due to kind of special security measures and portant enough issue for President tions — finding a decision through ne- in the 1980s and ‘90s to train Icelandic the Schengen agreement, which re- didn’t even request a check of the jour- Vladimir Putin to discuss with the Ice- gotiations, not military actions. There athletes and then decided to stay. moved restrictions on traveling be- nalists’ documents. landic president face-to-face. Grims- is a commission in the shipping indus- tween EU nations. “We should not use these risks as an son, who has served as the president of try that gathers annually to solve all is- However, Iceland is not a member excuse for distrusting everyone,” he Iceland since 1996, was instead forced sues,” he said. of the EU. The country applied for said. “Most people come with good in- to speak with regional governors about “I cannot say there are many prob- The importance of the membership in 2009, when it was al- tentions and want to live in peace and the issue. lems but there could be additional at- Arctic Circle has led to ready party to the Schengen agreement harmony.” “During this time, I have observed tempts made to allow companies to as well as a member of the European Icelandic landscapes dotted with lo- a change in viewpoint on this issue by operate more freely. Among the cur- increased cooperation Economic Area and European Free cal horses grazing peacefully further the president of Russia. In fact, in the rent issues being discussed is giving between Russia and Trade Association, but decided to sus- illustrate this harmony. Icelanders are last five to six years, he and the Minis- permission to Russian sealing vessels pend its application in May 2013. The very proud of their unique breed of try for Foreign Affairs have made Ice- to process fish onboard in the Iceland Iceland. EU’s policies on fishing and other trade horse, according to Grimsson. landic issues a priority now,” said economic zone. Giving this permission have heavily influenced Iceland’s deci- “Their ancestors were the Vikings’ Grimsson. will attract more Russian companies,” “Russians occupy various jobs here, sion to pursue its own route for eco- horses that could ride through rough “This is a very important and sig- he added. including working as hairdressers, en- nomic development. territories with no paths or roads,” he nificant change. The issues are still rel- The increased number of flights be- gineers, workers in the tourism and “When the financial crisis of 2008 said before adding, “I once said to evant and while I still continue discus- tween St. Petersburg and Iceland are construction industry as well as the came, there was an opinion that if Ice- President Putin that riding an Icelandic sions with regional governors, we now also an indication that there are many fishing industry,” Tsyganov said. “Two land had been an EU member, the cri- horse is a reason for him to come to have the additional dialogue with the travelers who use the island nation as a Russian teachers here also organize sis would not have been as difficult as it Iceland.” president of Russia, along with the midpoint on their way to the U.S. lessons for bilingual children.” prime minister and the minister of for- “In Sochi, I talked to Russian con- Plans are also underway to con- eign affairs,” he said. ductor Valery Gergiev and he told me struct the first Russian Orthodox The current issues being discussed he had traveled with his son from St. church in Iceland’s capital city, Reyk- between the two countries include an Petersburg to the U.S. through Iceland javik. City authorities have already agreement on outsourcing responsibil- and that this was the most comfortable come to an agreement for a plot of ity for rescues at sea, the risks regard- way to travel to the U.S.,” Grimsson land to be used as the church’s site but ing oil extraction in the Arctic and the said. a construction license has yet to be preservation of natural resources, and Grimsson himself visited Russia signed. IT and the installation of marine cables. during the Olympic Games and was “There is a hope that after the city Other key issues include the security of impressed by the facilities in Sochi. council elections in late May-early ships passing through the Northern Sea “My wife and I have skied in differ- June, a construction license will be Route and regular air communication ent parts of the world but we had never signed and we can get to work,” said in the Arctic. been to the Caucasus before,” he said. Tsyganov. “Russia has always been an impor- “I’m sure that in the next 50 years, lots “It is a very significant and impor- tant market for Iceland,” said Grims- of people will go to Sochi and the Cau- tant project; moreover, it is very beau- son. “We continue to be interested in casus to enjoy both the good hotels tiful from an architectural point of exporting fish products to Russia. there now and, of course, the extraor- view. We worked hard on the project, There is also a growing interest in Rus- dinary skiing facilities that have been trying to combine canonical architec- sia for Icelandic meat and agricultural built.” tural traditions of Orthodox churches products from greenhouses,” he said. The connection between the coun- with those specific to Iceland,” he ICELAND.IS Andrei Tsyganov, former Russian tries should also promote tourism in said. Icelanders are proud of their unique horses, which date back to the Viking era. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 ARTS & CULTURE PAGE 14 PAGE 15 PAGE 17 PAGE 20-21 in Yury Mamleyev Translated Chef Vincenzo Verdoscia Listings

THE SUBLIME TILDA SWINTON PLAYS A BOOKISH VAMPIRE IN JIM JARMUSCH’S NEW FILM ‘ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE.’ SEE PAGE 16. SONY PICTURES CLASSICS Arts&Culture www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 14 Pussy Riot Celebrate Freedom in Estonia Estonians, including the country’s President, weigh in on freedom of speech and creativity with Russian rebels.

By Sergey Chernov On the other hand, Alyokhina THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES spoke about Manifesta, a roving bien- nial that is due to open in St. Peters- ussy Riot packed the room burg in June. “Not so long ago, we at Music Week late signed a letter about Manifesta,” Aly- last month, while the pub- okhina said. lic listened attentively un- “We said that we believe it should til the very end even not be held it in St. Petersburg at this thoughP they did not play any music, moment and we urged [the organizers] but rather spoke about the current po- to hold it in Ukraine. We believe that litical situation and protest movements what happens in Ukraine can be an in- in Russia and recent events in spiration for Russia. It’s very important Ukraine. to support the Ukrainian opposition The annual music industry confer- and do everything we can so that it ence and festival took a look at the works out for them. If Russians see roots of rock and roll, which largely that the propaganda is all lies, and they started as manifestation of freedom will see it for sure if everything works and independence. out in Ukraine, changes will become Announced six days ahead of the inevitable in our own country.” festival, Pussy Riot’s appearance Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina summed brought events full circle cited Soviet dissidents such as Vladimir from March 2012, when Estonian Bukovsky, Anatoly Marchenko, Larisa President Toomas Hendrik Ilves be- Bogoraz and Natalya Gorbanevskaya came the first international politician when asked about their role models. to demand the release the group’s When asked about Jesus Christ, members, who had been arrested ear- they said they saw him as a role model, lier that month. too, adding that he would face criminal Two years later, Ilves met with Na- misconduct charges in Russia, similar dezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Al- to that they received for their “punk yokhina in person after they had prayer” in 2012, for the Cleansing of served nearly 22 months of the two- the Temple.

year sentences they received for an / SPT CHERNOV SERGEY Referring to the attacks and beat- anti-Putin performance at Russia’s Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina of Pussy Riot spoke with journalists and musicians at Tallinn Music Week. ings that Tolokonnikova and Alyokh- main Orthodox church, the Cathedral ina survived in Sochi on Feb. 19 and in of Christ the Savior in Moscow. tivists who fight for the rights of pris- on the eve of the session. All that the tion to events in Ukraine. Nizhny Novgorod on Mar. 6, a reporter Opening the festival as he does ev- oners in Russia and as dissidents more group had to do in order to appear at “We were shocked,” Tolokonnik- from the Delfi.ee news website asked ery year, Ilves — perhaps the world’s than as musicians. the largest music festivals across Eu- ova said. “In such moments, when them if they were afraid that they could only president with a competent In response to a question from rope, North and South America, Asia Russian troops invade another coun- be killed “like dogs” in Russia. knowledge of and sincere love for rock Troitsky, Tolokonnikova explained the and Australia was to transform them- try, I wish we had something like Ag- “I have such thoughts, but I want to music — stated that freedom and rock band’s stance and its choice of punk selves into a “real, practicing band.” ora, the Greek townsquare, where we continue my activities in Russia,” and roll went hand in hand, and set the rock as a vehicle for protest. “Pussy Riot started with illegal per- could gather and discuss what to do Tolokonnikova said. “Of course, I real- tone for the event as a celebration of “We wanted to return punk’s origi- formances in unexpected places, and next. We tried to do something like ize that it could end quite badly for me, freedom of expression. nal momentum which has since disap- we’re simply trying to explain that we this but, unfortunately, such attempts physically, but what can I do?” In his speech, Ilves said that rock peared because people started to want can’t remove the most important com- in Russia end with people being Alyokhina added that they would musicians suffered alongside may to perform on stage and get a lot of ponent from the idea behind the dragged into police vehicles.” not emigrate. “People who ask us other people in Estonia under the So- money for it,” Tolokonnikova said. group,” Tolokonnikova said. A Tallinn gallery owner, Olga Tem- about this should try to put themselves viet rule and referred to Elvis Presley, “It’s no secret that our music is “If we did, it would not be Pussy nikova, asked if the group had sacri- in our position,” she said. “Imagine if John Lennon and the , who so-so, but it was not our goal to create Riot anymore. But people are usually ficed their artistic freedom to be politi- something like what’s happening in were seen as offensive at their time in too fixated on a definite [assumption] cal. Russia now would start happening in the West. and it’s beyond their comprehension “If you have legal means to partici- your country. What our authorities are “That is the role played by rock ‘n’ why we could not just go and perform pate in politics [in Estonia], politics no doing is close to fascism. Would you roll,” he said. “To offend sensibilities ‘When you kill on stage. As obvious as it is for them longer attracts people who seek artis- leave, wouldn’t you do anything you enough to cause people, societal atti- that it can be done, it is just as obvious tic expression in other areas,” could to tell the world that your coun- tudes and government behavior to creativity, you kill for us that it should not be done. We Tolokonnikova said. try is different? That there ***is*** change.” the spark of life and refused, what else could we do? If we “In Russia, there is a lack of legal freedom there, and it exists within peo- Ilves said that before the Enlight- perform as Pussy Riot, we’re going to ways to protest. We are simply obliged ple who are different from the authori- enment, people who were creative the culture, of do it as we did in Sochi recently. We to use art as an intelligent means to in- ties. I am convinced that very many and different than others were de- recorded a song called ‘Putin Will fluence minds that have been invented would act like we do.” nounced to the wide approval of the science...’ Teach You to Love the Motherland’ in by man.” Speaking of Estonian President community, and were burned at the Sochi during the Olympics.” At a later press conference, Aly- Toomas Hendrik Ilves, a Swedish- stake because group-thought out- good music. We use the principle of Speaking on the international per- okhina and Tolokonnikova were asked born, U.S.-educated former journalist weighed the ideas of the lone individ- bad art, bad rhyme and bad music. The ception of Russia, Tolokonnikova and by a Latvian journalist whether for- with Radio Free Europe in Munich, ual. idea was as simple as a tank: Everyone Alyokhina urged the audience not to eign artists should boycott Russia over they said they would like to see him as “This is the ultimate tragedy of au- has to have an access to music and we confuse Russia and Putin. the annexation of Crimea. the President of Russia. thoritarian societies,” Ilves said on talk about it constantly; anyone can be “What we’re doing, and what the “We are absolutely convinced that “First of all, his speech was a perfect Mar. 28. Pussy Riot. Russian opposition is doing, is not an- they could [go to Russia],” Tolokon- example of humanitarianism which “When you kill creativity, you kill “Even if you can’t write music, you ti-Russian, it is pro-Russian,” Tolokon- nikova said. ended with the word ‘freedom,’ and it’s the spark of life and the culture, of sci- can still make music similar to what we nikova said, while Alyokhina de- certainly important for us to know that ence; you kill your scientists, you kill did. It’s extremely simple, it’s ex- scribed their visit to an Estonian somewhere near us, near Russia, there your artists. In doing so, you kill your tremely accessible because, first and prison, Viru Vangla, one of the two is a country where the president will society and also the chance to change. foremost, Pussy Riot is about political prisons they visited to examine the ‘What we’re doing, say such words and where he will come “When collective belief systems, be protest, while an illegal performance prison conditions in Estonia. to events that happen under the badge they Marxism-Leninism, Fascism, or in an unexpected place gives a louder “When we were leaving, several and what the Russian of freedom of speech and freedom of one or another religion that thinks it voice to this political protest,” [Russian-speaking] prisoners were artistic expression,” Tolokonnikova holds the unique key to truth, have Tolokonnikova said. playing basketball in the yard,” Aly- opposition is doing, is said. more of a say than the lone individual, Alyokhina added, “We find a stage okhina said. not anti-Russian, it is “That’s what we spoke with him the result is tragedy and the end of any in places for which we then pay with “They shouted for me to come and about,” said Tolokonnikova. “I admire hope for democracy, for freedom or our freedom.” The audience, com- say hello to them and then asked, pro-Russian.’ him for how courageous he was when for real art of any kind,” said Ilves. prised of local and international music ‘Why are you against Russia?’ I told he made a statement in support of us at Called “Culture Riot: Artists and industry people, reacted to their words them that I am not against Russia, that “There are many options, of course. the very beginning of our imprison- Musicians Against Totalitarian Rule,” with applause, as it did many times we are against Putin, which it is very People are free not to go there but I ment, when it had not yet become a the session with Tolokonnikova and throughout the session. important to understand. We would think it would be much more interest- commonplace, before or Alyokhina was hosted by Moscow mu- The popular misconception is that not like it very much if you and the ing to go and deliver your political anyone else. And he made this risky sic journalist and promoter Artemy Pussy Riot is a regular band and as citizens of other countries identify our message to the people who came to lis- move knowing that here, in Estonia, Troitsky who asked the questions, fol- such is obliged to play concerts, pro- country with this man, with Putin. ten to the music or watch a theater per- there is a decidedly conservative en- lowed by a Q&A session with the au- duce albums and go on tour. Maybe we are not heard very well, I formance. This is not so difficult, you clave that rushed to attack him for sup- dience as well as a shorter press con- Even Troitsky, a dissident journal- mean the opposition in Russia, but we only have to include a political element porting us. Despite this, despite the ference for the media. ist who has been a long-time supporter do exist. We protest and speak as in what you’re doing. You’ll connect threat of losing some political standing, Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina en- of Pussy Riot, expressed surprise at loudly as we can.” with the audience and it’s very likely he made this move, and this is tremen- tered to a packed conference room at the ease with which the group’s mem- Ruslan Trochynskyi, a Estonia- that those who came to your concert dous.” the Nordic Forum Hotel in Tallinn, bers rejected an offer of a lucrative based Ukrainian musician with the and respect you will see the weight of The announcement on Mar. 21 that where the festival’s discussions and world tour offered to them by a promi- band Svjata Vatra, asked Tolokonnik- your opinion. Of course, it would be Pussy Riot would be one of the festival panels were held, as human rights ac- nent international promoter in Tallinn ova and Alyokhina about their reac- great.” highlights elicited a hostile reaction www.sptimes.ru ARTS & CULTURE Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 15 from some in the ethnic Russian com- Riot are prisoners of consciousness, munity of Tallinn, which accounts for people who suffered for their anti- 38.5 percent of the population com- Putin views, [while] they’re effectively pared to Estonian’s 52.5 percent ac- criminal, blasphemous elements for Mamleyev Translated cording to the most recent census from very many of the Russians living in 2012. Estonia,” he said. Seminal novel given English translation for the first time. More than a third of ethnic Rus- On top of the controversy, RT (for- sians in Estonia hold Russian citizen- merly known as Russia Today), the By Gus Peters ship and more than half do not speak Kremlin-funded English-language THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Estonian. The main source of infor- television channel positioned for West- mation for the Russian community is ern audiences, suddenly showed inter- ostoevsky. Gogol. believed to be the Russian state tele- est in the event by calling the organiz- Mamleyev? vision channels. ers to be accredited to the meeting. While better known Predictably, in Russia’s 2012 presi- Tallinn Music Week director Helen in Russia than in the dential election, 85.91 percent of vot- Sildna answered the critics in her Western world for his ers with Russian citizenship in Estonia speech at the opening of the festival Dmetaphysical realism, dissident author voted for Putin. on Mar. 28. Yury Mamleyev’s most famous novel is Alyona Surzhikova, an Estonian “Over the recent days I have had about to be published in English for documentary film director of Russian to answer the question of whether Tal- the first time by Haute Culture Books. origin, gave an emotional interview to linn Music Week is a political event Mamleyev first began writing in the an Estonian Russian-language news now,” Sildna said. 1960s while teaching mathematics in web portal on Mar. 27 to speak against “My answer has always been the Moscow, where he cultivated an under- Pussy Riot, calling the group “political same: We are strong believers in free- ground following. He hosted meetings provocateurs that mock and disrespect dom. Tolerance, freedom of speech with other intellectuals to discuss phi- the Christian faith.” She described the and self-expression are the foundation losophy and psychoanalysis, and the group’s inclusion as a “spit into the of creativity. May I say that it has group began to refer to themselves as face” to both the Russian and Esto- nothing to do with politics here, but “sexual mystics.” nian peoples. everything to do with basic human Outside of this immediate circle of “I am mother and I am ashamed that values, with human rights. If the cre- fans, his literature started to garner at- guests like Pussy Riot are received at ative people don’t stand up for it in tention through Samizdat, the secret the top level in my country,” Surzhikova the society then who will?” circulation and publication of literature said. “I am ashamed that a president Unusually, a two-man police patrol in the Soviet Union. It was during this who speaks English dares to pronounce was stationed outside the hotel during period of time that he wrote his most the name of such a group aloud.” the Pussy Riot session, but no inci- famous work, “Shatuny,” or “The Sub-

The controversy did not stop there, dents were reported. The RT televi- limes,” as it is translated in Marian BOOKS CULTURE HAUTE with Tallinn-based Russian musician sion crew failed to appear, while the Schwartz’s English version. Yury Mamleyev’s book comes encased in a fretwork matryoshka. Ruslan PX who was the curator of the controversy died out as the festival It was a novel that stunned the un- Manka Boutique Pop Festival showcase continued. derground literary world of the Soviet “On the one hand, the novel may be at Tallinn Music Week speaking out From Tallinn, Tolokonnikova and Union. Part philosophy, part esoterica read as reflecting modern hell,” wrote against the appearance of Pussy Riot on Alyokhina traveled to Kiev to support and laced with humor, the book quickly Professor James McConkey of Cornell Estonia’s ERR television on Mar. 27. Ukraine and then continued on to became a cult classic and excerpts of it University. “However, very deep down, Ruslan PX, who admitted that he Brussels, where they spoke to the Eu- slowly leaked through the cracks in the this book offers, in fact, a religious vi- almost withdrew from the event after ropean Parliament on Apr. 1. From Iron Curtain. sion, and its comedy is earnestly lethal. hearing the news, said that Russian there they flew to New York, where Mamleyev emigrated to the United Yet, in view of its ironic estrangement and Estonian communities see Pussy they appeared on the Today Show on States in 1974 and and dynamic lure Riot differently because they watch Apr. 2, met with former Secretary of taught Russian lit- — another re- different media. State Hillary Clinton on Apr. 3 and erature at Cornell mainder of Dos- “For the Estonian-speaking orga- spoke at the fifth annual Women in University in New ‘The Sublimes’ stunned toyevsky — nizers of Tallinn Music Week, Pussy the World Summit on Apr. 4. York before return- the underground [‘The Sublimes’] ing to Russia in can be read as a 1993, now splitting literary world of the sort of ‘meta- his time between Soviet Union when it physical detec- Moscow and Paris. tive story’.” The book’s im- was first released.’ “His prose is pact on Russian lit- devoid of actual BOOKS CULTURE HAUTE erature is clear: Vladimir Sorokin and events…but it holds something else in- A detail of the intricate ‘box.’ Victor Pelevin both credit Mamleyev stead: an eternal thing that has forever as an inspiration and Grigory Ryzha- that has forever been part of man, but kov called the book “literature in its which nobody likes to be confronted boldest, art in its pure sense — uncom- with,” wrote Vladimir Spakov in The promising and limitless.” While not Petersburg Book Journal. “The mirror only bringing a relatively unknown au- he holds up to us has turned black, re- thor the credit deserved in the English- flecting our dark side. To do so, it needed speaking world, the new translation a writer capable of standing at the abyss hopes to inspire a generation of Eng- without falling or of telling the more lish writers. frightful among us who pretend to be The novel revolves around an assas- ‘civilized’: there are monsters hiding in- sin waiting for death but other charac- side of you!” ters include an intellectual group seek- Haute Culture offers handmade, ing immortality and a professor hoping uniquely designed and bilingual copies for salvation through more traditional of Mamleyev’s classic made of suede or methods. Many of Mamleyev’s charac- leather and housed in a 3D printed ma- ters are characterized as feeble-minded tryoshka. Part of the profits will go to- SERGEY CHERNOV / SPT CHERNOV SERGEY

men who often contemplate the incom- wards donating e-books to schools and BOOKS CULTURE HAUTE Estonian President Toomas Ilves speaking at the opening of Tallinn Music Week. prehensible. universities around the world. The suede cover of the new publication. the word’s worth A Real Coming Out By Michele A. Berdy literally, “his upper jaw juts out far over Sometimes выступать means that peo- (Recently she has made a lot of state- шего предложения (They were against his lower jaw”). ple go out together: Войска выступили ments about Crimea). our proposal). Выступать: to come out, literally Выступать is also used to describe liq- раним утром (The troops marched out Sometimes выступать is a fancy way You can also выступать (come out) c and figuratively. uids, human and nonhuman, that come early in the morning). Or that one per- of talking about behaving or acting in a предложением (with a proposal), с ини- out from wherever they usually hide. son breaks away from the crowd: Он certain way. Государство стремится циативой (with an initiative) or со сло- Выступать/выступить is a verb pair Пот выступил на лбу (Sweat stood out выступил вперёд и сказал: Я пойду. (He выступать в качестве организатора вом (with a speech). To avoid Russ- that translators like to kvetch about. on his forehead). Слёзы выступили у stepped forward and said, “I’ll go”). правил игры (The state tries to act as glish, cut to the chase and use active The basic meaning is to come out меня на глазах (My eyes filled with Or выступать can mean a perfor- the organizer of rules of the game.) Or verbs: to propose, to initiate or in some way, either literally or figura- tears). Вода выступает из берегов mance of some kind: На фестивале его just being: Исследователь и практик to speak. Представитель по правам tively. All in all, these are not the hard- озера (Water is overflowing the banks группа выступила последней (His часто выступают в одном лице (Often человека выступил с требованием рас- est words to translate. The only prob- of the lake). group performed last at the festival). the researcher and the practitioner are следовать обстоятельства гибели lem is that sometimes your brain seizes And it is also used to describe things The performance might be academic one and the same person). корреспондента (The human rights up, and you find yourself writing that appear, break out or become visi- or professional instead of creative: Он Often выступать is used with за (for) representative demanded an investiga- the worst sort of translationese imagin- ble. Из тумана вдруг выступил громад- выступил на конференции (He spoke and против (against) to describe tion into the circumstances of the cor- able. ный корабль (An enormous ship at the conference). Несмотря на воз- a point of view. This is where you can respondent’s death). First of all, выступать can be used emerged out of the fog). Выступила раст, он продолжал выступать в пе- fall asleep at the keyboard and start Or just cut: Мы выступаем за! (We’re to describe something that juts out, like плесень на потолке (Mold has grown чати (Despite his age, he continued copying the Russian syntax to produce for it!) body parts. У меня некрасиво высту- on my ceiling). Сыпь выступила на to be published). “we came out for/against” — not пает живот (My belly is sticking out руке (A rash has broken out on my Sometimes it means “to make one’s wrong, but not very colloquial English. Michele A. Berdy, a Moscow-based unattractively). У сына верхняя че- hand). views known,” place and manner un- Мы выступали за расширение прав translator and interpreter, is the author люсть намного выступает над нижней But when you combine выступать defined: В последнее время она очень (We supported the expansion of ‘The Russian Word’s Worth’ (Glas), (My son has a pronounced overbite, with people, things get interesting. активно выступала в связи с Крымом of rights). Они выступили против на- a collection of her columns. 16 ❖ Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ARTS & CULTURE www.sptimes.ru Record Companies Sue Jarmusch’s Vampires in Love Social Network for Piracy New film offers a look into the intellectual lives of a vampire couple.

By Delphine d’Amora The judge threw the case out, saying THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES that the administration could not be hree of the world’s largest held liable for content uploaded by us- record companies filed cases ers. against leading Russian so- While the music distributed on VK is cial media site VK on Apr. user-generated, the site creates “a whole 3, accusing the Internet gi- organizational system” that facilitates Tant of profiting from the free and illegal content-sharing: it is searchable, stream- distribution of copyrighted content. able and explicitly promotes popular “It is very, very clear that this is de- music, said Dan Pickard, acting general liberately designed piracy on a massive counsel to IFPI. scale,” Frances Moore, CEO of the In- The 50-million ruble ($1.4 million) ternational Federation of the Phono- sum the companies are seeking does not graphic Industry, or IFPI, said by phone reflect the full damage to the music in- Apr. 3. dustry. It is based on a small collection With more than 88 million registered of tracks, and is primarily meant to dem- users in Russia and 143 million users onstrate the industry’s seriousness worldwide, VK, formerly named Vkon- in pursuing this issue, Moore said. takte, has exploded to popularity as “We would hope that this would en- an open platform on which any regis- courage VK to become a licensed ser- tered user can upload and share their vice. If we do not see action, then we do favorite content with the entire VK not rule out that there could be other population. cases to follow … we are not backing The record companies –— Sony Mu- away,” she said. sic Russia, Universal Russia and Warner While it is difficult to estimate the to- Music U.K. — have filed three separate tal loss to the record industry from VK’s cases simultaneously in the St. Peters- activities, the site generated $172 mil- burg and Leningrad Region Arbitration lion in revenues in 2012. Court, supported by IFPI and Russia’s IFPI have been in contact with VK National Federation of the Music Indus- several times since 2010, when VK re- try. sponded to their first complaint by remov- They are claiming 50 million rubles ing a “negligible handful” of unlicensed

($1.4 million) in compensation for the tracks and links, Moore said. The federa- SONY PICTURES CLASSICS infringements and demanding a court tion’s second complaint was ignored. Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as Adam and Eve in Jim Jarmusch’s take on the vampire myth. order requiring VK to remove copy- Russia is the 23rd-largest music mar- righted tracks and implement technical ket in the world, with revenues of $69.4 By Tatyana Sochiva “Only Lovers Left Alive” is Jar- sioned romantics (“Interview with the measures, such as audio fingerprinting, billion in 2013. But given the size of the THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES musch’s first film based on a love story Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles”), to prevent users from re-uploading pro- population and prevalence of broad- but it is not without a twist, as might be rock stars (“Queen of the Damned,” tected content. band Internet, “it should be in the top ccording to Jim Jar- expected. The two lovers in this case “Suck”), and the drinking of blood, “We consider these complaints un- ten markets,” Moore said. musch, financing his lat- are ancient vampires played by Tom which is originally a symbolic represen- substantiated, since we have cooperated As for where to place the blame, as est film “Only Lovers Hiddleston, known for the role of Loki tation of sexual pleasure, began to re- with copyright holders in regard to the far as IFPI is concerned, there is no Left Alive” was a very in “Thor,” and Tilda Swinton, famous semble drug use (“The Lost Boys,” protection of their rights for a long question. difficult process. It took “The Addiction”). Jarmusch has used time,” a spokesman for VK said Apr. 3. “The scale is so massive that VK Ahim seven years to raise the money for all of these elements from popular cin- VK quickly deletes all tracks against alone is responsible for the situation the project. It seems surprising, given ema mythology. He did not destroy it which there are “valid claims,” and has in Russia,” Moore said. Jarmusch’s status as one of the most As a symbolic with unusual interpretations or unex- already introduced technical measures, The Russian music industry is al- sought after independent film directors statement about the life pected additions, but developed the al- including acoustic fingerprinting, to pro- ready seeing positive developments, and that each of his works has been legory logically, which is, in fact, atypi- tect copyright, he said. however, particularly in the growing destined for success. The director’s of artists on the fringes cal of his working method. According This is not the first time that VK has presence of legal music streaming sites vampire drama is no exception. The of society, the film is a to Jarmusch, vampires are imaginative ended up in court. In October, classic such as domestic free-to-user streamer film received its international premiere people. As a result, they can not be as- Russian record label Soyuz sued VK’s Yandex and international subscription at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013 real work of art. sociated with the living dead. The neg- administration for copyright infringe- service Deezer. Spotify, which has con- and, although it didn’t win the Palme ative role of corpses contaminating ment, seeking 4.6 million rubles tracts with Sony, Universal and Warner, d’Or, critics around the world unani- for her “mystical” roles, such as the blood as well as nature is held by hu- ($129,000) in damages, RIA Novosti re- is also expected to launch operations mously lauded the new “masterpiece” White Witch from “The Chronicles of manity, which Adam and Eve con- ported. in Russia within the year. by the cult director. Narnia” and a fallen angel in “Con- temptuously call “zombies.” Jarmusch stantine.” The attractive vampires are has repeatedly mentioned his sympa- named Adam and Eve and their alli- thy for marginalized artists and his sad ance is a perfect example of a harmoni- certainty that humanity will soon de- ous union of opposites. Adam is a bru- stroy itself in interviews. So “Only Lov- Court Takes Theaters to Task nette dressed mostly in black, and Eve ers Left Alive” offers a metaphorical sports white hair with a penchant for portrayal of the director’s vision. white clothing. He tinkers with old As a symbolic statement about the equipment and lives in a dying Detroit. life of artists on the fringes of society, Over ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ She uses an iPhone and chooses life in the film is a real work of art. It is an the exotic and beautiful city of Tangier. extraordinarily lyrical and beautiful He is a reclusive musician contemplat- movie, both visually and musically, Five cinemas in Novosibirsk hauled into court for ‘propaganda.’ ing suicide, while she teaches him to that displays Jarmusch’s recognizable enjoy life. At the same time Adam and style. The almost meandering narra- By D. Garrison Golubock However, the Novosibirsk Re- the situation as absurd: “Unfortu- Eve share many similarities: They are tive, full of scenes that would appear THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES gional Court on Friday sided with nately, the current law code is so con- both outcasts of a kind, bohemians meaningless in a more commercial ive movie theater chains the local branch of the narcotics con- fused and contradictory that pretty hooked on art and mankind’s greatest movie, a meticulous attention to detail have been fined a total trol service in finding the theater much anything could fall under any achievements. As a result, the names and the color palette of the film, the of 4 million rubles chains guilty under the Russian fed- kind of criminal punishment,” Vzg- of prominent figures from history such absence of dramatic effect through ($113,328) for showing eral statute outlawing the propagan- lyad business newspaper reported. as Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein, Percy camera movement or abrupt changes the Hollywood block- dization or idealization of narcotics The film “The Wolf of Wall Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron and Franz in music and, finally, the particular Jar- Fbuster “The Wolf of Wall Street,” use. Street” stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Schubert are heard throughout the muschian atmosphere all make sure which the central court of Novosi- Representatives of the theater a cocaine-snorting, pill-popping film. Not only are they mentioned but the audience knows it is watching a birsk deemed to be propagandizing chains maintain that the court and lo- stockbroker and financier who makes the English poet Christopher Marlowe, work of art. narcotics use. cal narcotics control service have no money hand over fist via dubious played by John Hurt, makes an appear- Despite this, the new vampire film In February, the Novosibirsk basis for their claims, as the film was methods before being busted and im- ance as a vampire as well as the author has one significant disadvantage. branch of the Federal Service approved by the Culture Ministry. prisoned. The film was released of works attributed to Shakespeare. “Only Lovers Left Alive” is a ravish- for Narcotics Control brought a case “The Culture Ministry bears respon- in December 2013 and has grossed Jarmusch’s attention to the canon of ingly beautiful film but is, at the same against six companies holding a total sibility for the content of the film,” more than $389 million worldwide. vampire cinema is understandable be- time, sadly predictable. Unfortunately of 10 movie theaters for showing said Yelena Dmitriyeva, director Novosibirsk law enforcement is cause the director likes to pull apart there is neither amazingly unusual im- “The Wolf of Wall Street,” saying of the Kinositi theater chain, Colta.ru not alone in criticizing the film: It has popular genres and create movies ages or events, nor any real philosophi- that the film “reflected a subculture reported. been banned entirely in Malaysia, about outsiders. Since their appear- cal or mystical depth in what is essen- of drug abusers” and idealized the use Kinoalliance, a nonprofit lobbying Nepal and Kenya due to its depiction ance in literature and cinema, vampires tially a romantic drama. Actually, of narcotics, Itar-Tass reported. organization working on behalf of sex, drugs and profanity. Scenes have always been strange characters, something more could have been ex- Viktor Ivanov, director of the Fed- of theater chains in Russia, an- were removed from the version dis- standing apart from the gray mass of pected from the author of the brilliant eral Service for Narcotics Control, nounced its intention to support tributed in India, and Singapore has humanity. Of course, over time their Western “Dead Man.” So far, Jarmusch said the order to pursue movie the- the defendants in appealing the deci- allowed the film to be shown only in a appearance has undergone some de- hasn’t created anything better. On the aters had not come from him, and no sion. Mikhail Shvydko, special repre- small number of theaters. In the U.S., velopment. The bloodthirsty aristocrat other hand, neither has anyone else. cases have been brought against the- sentative of the president for cultural animal rights activists criticized Count Dracula, famously played by aters for showing the film outside cooperation, also expressed support the film’s use of apes as cruel Bela Lugosi, has been gradually hu- ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’ is playing at of Novosibirsk. for the defendants and described and traumatic. manized and has even given up killing Angleterre in English with Russian sub- people. Vampires have become disillu- titles starting Apr. 10. Food&Drink www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 17 Vincenzo Verdoscia: Passion and Destiny With decades of culinary experience under his belt, Verdoscia is ready to call St. Petersburg home.

By Lana Matafonov in Germany as a teenager that he got THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES a chance to discover his passion for Italian cuisine. At 15, Verdoscia had talian chef Vincenzo Verdoscia moved to Germany with his two sib- has come a long way since first lings to finish their schooling and two arriving in Russia ten years years later, at 17, he started to look for ago. Accepting an invitation to work. Experiencing unsuccessful short work at Italian restaurant Ma- work stints, first at a factory then at a rioI in Moscow, Verdoscia arrived with department store, Verdoscia was then no knowledge of the language or cul- offered an opportunity to work at an ture. However, today, Verdoscia not Italian pizzeria in Berlin. “I ended up only speaks Russian but is also so im- working there for five years,” he re- mersed in Russian life that he is even called. “I got to do everything from comfortable with driving on the roads washing dishes to preparing meals — here. “I’ve always had a car so two it was excellent training.” and a half years ago, I made the deci- Returning to Italy only once to sion to buy a car in Russia. Now, after complete a short diploma in his new driving around in Moscow and here in field, Verdoscia worked in Berlin for St. Petersburg, I am used to the roads three decades before deciding he — I am like a Russian now,” he said needed a new challenge. “I was work- with a laugh. ing at a very popular and famous Mi- Having arrived in St. Petersburg chelin-starred restaurant called Ponte six months ago to take on a new role Vecchio. But after living there in Ger- as head chef of Il Lago, a new Italian many for 30 years, I was ready for a restaurant tucked away behind the change,” he said. bank of Lake Lebiazhie on Krestovsky Receiving offers to work in restau- Island, Verdoscia is enjoying the rants in both Italy and the U.K., it was change of pace and an offer from a culture from Rus- previous work sia’s capital city. colleague in “For me, the most Verdoscia worked Berlin that important thing of in Berlin for three sparked Verdo- course is to make scia’s interest sure my guests are decades before and sense of ad- happy and satisfied deciding he needed venture — that and I can see that being to join here in St. Peters- a new challenge. him to work at burg. Here people Mario restau- go out to enjoy themselves, they take rant in Moscow. “I had such a desire FOR SPT their time, they speak to you, ask to do something new that I accepted Verdoscia is preparing to serve his popular Italian menu on the new Il Lago rooftop terrace, opening this summer. questions, while in Moscow people the invitation straight away,” he said are more rushed — they go out just to before admitting the first years, espe- menu, revealing that guests can ex- pasta, cheeses, lamb, beef and his per- to choose, it would be something with eat and move on,” he said. cially the first few months, were diffi- pect a lot of fresh salads and grilled sonal favorite, fresh oysters. He even truffle,” he said before revealing that Soft-spoken, friendly and calm, is cult. meat and fish in the coming months. has baby goat delivered from Moscow when at home, he prefers a simpler it clear that Verdoscia has found his “Of course, it was strange and hard “The menu offers a standard clas- — meat, he says, that is not offered in meal made up from Italian sausage, calling in life as he passionately talks at first. I didn’t know a word of Rus- sic Italian cuisine and in addition, de- many restaurants in St. Petersburg. pasta, mozzarella, salad and a little about his work. sian but I was forced to learn quickly, pending on what fresh produce I have, “It is so important for me to provide wine. “I don’t count my hours because I as well as quickly understand and get there will be daily specials,” he said proper, traditional Italian dishes and in “I thought I would stay here [in enjoy what I do,” he said when asked used to the mentality and the people before adding that the restaurant will order for me to do that, I can only use Russia] for maybe five years maxi- how long his days are in the kitchen. — you have no choice. But when you also be opening a rooftop terrace with the best and freshest products. Quality mum but I got used to it here and ten “When you are truly happy and satis- don’t make an effort to learn the cul- an open kitchen over the summer. is so important,” he said. years later, I am still here,” said Ver- fied with your work, it doesn’t mat- ture and language, then it can never In order to keep the true flavor When it comes to his favorite meal, doscia. “I like it here and I am happy ter.” become your country,” he said. and quality of traditional Italian cui- Verdoscia insists he can’t decide, say- to be here now in St. Petersburg. Now However, for Verdoscia, becoming Now with the white nights ap- sine, Verdoscia admits to importing ing that if he didn’t like to eat or pre- I am looking forward to being able to a chef was never a childhood dream. proaching, Verdoscia has been busy up to 90 percent of his products from pare any dish, it wouldn’t be on the soon experience my first white Call it luck or fate, it was while living finalizing Il Lago’s new summer Italy including olive oils, truffles, menu. “I like all my dishes but if I had nights,” he added. THE DISH Long Island Diner: Fast Food Nation

Long Island Diner classic Pepsi machine behind the are not dripping with grease but they alongside is forgettable though but rubles, $11.10). Two halves of banana 8 Kanala Griboedova counter and a neon clock emblazoned do require several napkins before the the salad that crests the corner of the encircle scoops of vanilla, strawberry Tel. 924 3697 with the diner’s name watches over dish is polished off. plate has a nice, tangy dressing. and chocolate ice cream topped with Open 24 hours a day the central room. Even the bathrooms The appetizers do deviate from Since this is an American restau- a liberal dose of whipped cream. For Meal for two without alcohol, 2,235 rubles get in the act and two of the four walls the overall theme of artery-clogging rant, I kept it traditional with a ham- good measure, there are cherries on ($63) in the men’s room have large, faux- food with salads and soups available burger and fries, specifically the Ma- top. The dessert is generic, consider- 50s advertisements (as for the ladies’ and the French onion soup (210 ru- cho Nacho burger (375 rubles, $10.50) ing that it’s nearly 400 rubles, but the By Gus Peters room, I can’t say). bles, $5.90) is a deceptively large por- since it comes served with guacamole milkshakes are well worth the price THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES The menu takes some time to read tion. Topped with twin pieces of and guacamole makes everything bet- although, depending on which menu through, considering there are four of bread smothered with a layer of ter. Unfortunately, this is a dish that is you consult, they are either 280 rubles Long Island Diner’s exterior over- them: one for the food, one for the melted cheese, the soup complements somewhat overhyped by the picture ($7.90) or 300 rubles ($8.45). The looking the Griboedov Canal in the bar, one for milkshakes and smoothies the bread and cheese as they are en- in the menu. While the advertisement snickers milkshake tastes like a heart of St. Petersburg doesn’t pre- and another for cocktails, both with gorged by the swirling mass of sliced leaps off the page and leaves your melted Reese’s cup and the menu of- pare you for the blast of Americana and without alcohol. The menu too onions swimming in the lightly pep- mouth watering and stomach rum- fers several other candy-themed waiting behind the doors. After pass- has pictures of the food, which always pered broth. bling, the actual result is kind of bor- shakes along with the classic flavors. ing by the life-sized sculptures of Bat- leads to impossible expectations. In Another way Long Island Diner ing. Not that it doesn’t taste good but Considering the long bar menu man and Superman that stand guard the spirit of its American inspirations, sticks to its theme is in the size of their you start to wonder if more money (there are over a dozen different to the right of the entrance, diners are the food comes quick: the appetizers entrees. My Russian companion or- was invested in marketing than in kinds of Long Island iced teas), heart- greeted by rock ‘n’ roll, walls plas- were only half-eaten when the main dered the crab cake (425 rubles, $12), buying quality ingredients. The stopping food and central location, its tered with nostalgia and, if you go far course arrived. a dish she had never tried and, there- burger comes served with fries that likely this place will become a Mecca enough back, the fender of a teal Ca- The food itself is, for the most part, fore, she couldn’t appreciate how are forgettable. for the drunken masses as they stum- dillac bursting through the wall. standard American diner fare: Burg- enormous the thing was. A better While there are more adventurous ble their way from bar to bar during Diners can choose between sitting ers, sandwiches, French fries, etc. The name would be “crab pancake.” It’s items on the dessert menu like fried the never-ending summer nights. If at the red-leather booths or on stools onion rings (230 rubles, $6.50) are good, considering that any type of ice cream (300 rubles, $8.45), we de- the speed of the service is any indica- that seem to have been stolen from served on a triangular white plate with seafood is, by rule of thumb, to be cided to play it safe and go with the tion, then Long Island diner will be the set of “Happy Days.” There’s a a small dish of ranch dressing. They avoided in diners. The sauce served classic American banana split (395 ready for the crush. Travel www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 18 PEDRO VIZCAINO PINA / FLICKR PEDRO Founded by Russian General Alexander Suvorov, above, in 1792, Transdnestr has become a rebel region, functioning as a separate state with its own government, currency, passports, police and army. Tiraspol: Back in the U.S.S.R. By Thomas Marsden After crossing the unofficial border, sistance from Russia, which maintains presidential palace. Emblems on post- a memorial just outside, to experience THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES patrolled by Moldovan and Transdnestr a 1,200-member peacekeeping mission ers and buildings still feature the com- the legacy of the war and gain an under- soldiers, as well as Russian peacekeep- here and acts as the region’s main pro- munist hammer and sickle. standing of what makes this region tick. IRASPOL — The stuffy ers, the old minibus shuttles its resilient tector, providing subsidies and a coun- However you choose to describe Opposite the museum is the Soviet- minibus carrying passengers passengers onward toward Tiraspol. terbalance to the EU’s backing of Mol- Transdnestr — “non-state,” “breakaway style presidential palace with the impos- from the Moldovan capital, Through the window the landscape dova on the world stage. republic” or “frozen conflict zone” — ing statue of Lenin outside. Beside this Chisinau, cranks to a halt reveals clapped-out Ladas, propaganda Without this support, and with little visiting the capital of this heavily armed is the enormous Suvorov Square, with at the border with the self- posters proclaiming the republic’s inde- foreign investment, the export-oriented slice of territory to the east of the Dni- a statue of Russian General Alexander proclaimedT Transdnestr republic. pendence, and makeshift markets sell- Transdnestr economy would fall apart. ester River is like heading back to the Suvorov, who founded the city in 1792. A throng of Russians, Moldovans ing everything from clothes to spare car Local GDP in 2012 reached about $1 U.S.S.R. Walk back down Ulitsa 25 Ok- and Ukrainians jostle for position in the parts. It is otherwise gray and nonde- billion, or about $2,000 per head, equiv- tyabrya to find the neo-classical House passport control queue inside a small script. But there is a certain thrill at ar- alent to neighboring Moldova. WHAT TO SEE IF YOU HAVE TWO of Soviets, home to the city administra- hut just beyond the demilitarized buffer riving in a place you feel you should not The economy chugs along thanks HOURS tion, with a bust of Lenin outside, zone. be, where rumors abound of the mafia, to a few Soviet-era industrial plants and the National Theater. On the other side of the window sits weapons smuggling and the KGB. heavily dependent on the economic cli- Take a stroll down Tiraspol’s wide If you would rather not visit the main a curvaceous woman with long bleach- Recent history has generated this mate surrounding its trading partners, and mostly deserted main boulevard, sights, then you can relax and stroll blond hair wearing a khaki military uni- myth, which in turn is making Trans- but also thanks to Sheriff, an enormous Ulitsa 25 Oktyabrya, to really experi- in the tree-lined Victory Park or take form. Her face is expressionless except dnestr an increasingly popular place conglomerate with interests from filling ence the ex-Soviet enigma or open-air a tram ride from Tiraspol to the neigh- for the blood-red lipstick but she sud- to visit because of its very uniqueness, stations and supermarket chains to tele- museum many consider Transdnestr boring city of Bender, located just 20 denly comes to life on seeing a British particularly for those fascinated by dis- vision, mobile telephone networks and a to be. Call in at the Tiraspol National to 30 minutes away. passport, warning, “You need to leave puted territories and political black football club. United Museum (46 Ulitsa 25 Ok- by 9 p.m.” holes. Transdnestr’s strong links to Russia tyabrya; +373 5339 0426; tourism.mfa- WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE TWO Visiting Transdnestr, also known as As the Soviet Union fell apart date back to 1792, when Tiraspol be- pmr.org/tir_muz; Sunday to Friday, 10 DAYS the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, and Moldova swiftly promoted its own came an outpost of the Russian empire a.m. to 5 p.m.) to learn about the re- or simply the PMR, conjures thoughts non-Soviet national identity and lan- following one of the Russo-Turkish gion’s history and the War of Trans- Visit the Kvint factory (38 Ulitsa Lenina; of James Bond movies, heavy weaponry guage, the mainly Russian-speaking wars. The region was subsequently set- dnestr. Then wander around the He- +373 5339 6170; eng.kvint.biz) to see and one of the world’s most secretive diaspora to the east of the Dniester tled by a number of ethnicities including roes’ Cemetery, an open square with the home of the famous brand of Trans- states. River, forming Transdnestr, feared Russians, Ukrainians, Poles, Bulgarians, In reality, Tiraspol is the capital of a alienation and declared the region’s se- Jews and Germans. rebel region whose independence is cession from Moldova in September Since then, Transdnestr served as only recognized by two other only par- 1990. a strategically important military base tially recognized states, Georgia’s break- A conflict followed, taking the lives for the Soviet Union’s 14th Army, away regions of South Ossetia and Ab- of about 700 people, and despite a cease- which, following the Soviet collapse, left khazia. But despite the lack of formal fire being agreed in 1992, the region has the region heavily militarized. In a 2006 recognition, Transdnestr has its own remained one of several post-Soviet fro- referendum, the population overwhelm- government, currency, passports, police zen conflict zones manned by Russian ingly voted in favor of independence and army, and for all intents and pur- peacekeepers. The other areas are Na- from Moldova and an eventual union poses it functions as a separate state. gorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South with Russia. Transdnestr occupies a narrow sliver Ossetia. The Russian connection is particu- of land between Moldova to the west The war has left a heavy imprint larly evident in Tiraspol, where ethnic and Ukraine to the east. Its population on Transdnestr, as well as continued in- Moldovans are a disproportionate mi- of about 550,000 is evenly split between ternational isolation, much to the frus- nority forming only 15 percent of the Moldovans (32 percent), Russians (30 tration of ordinary people who struggle population. On a recent day, music blar- percent) and Ukrainians (29 percent). to get by. “It is all happening at the po- ing from a car carrying Russian peace- The two main cities worth visiting are litical level, but it is ordinary people keepers broke the silence on Ulitsa 25 Tiraspol, the Soviet-inspired capital, who suffer,” said a guide at the Tiraspol Oktyabrya, the city’s main boulevard.

and neighboring Bender, which has National United Museum. A statue of Lenin dominates the square VIZCAINO PINA / FLICKR PEDRO a more cultured, laid-back feel to it. Transdnestr survives on financial as- outside the red-and-white, Soviet-realist The region continues to survive thanks to financial assistance from Russia. Wednesday, April 9, 2014 TRAVEL www.sptimes.ru | The St. Petersburg Times ❖ 19

but was subsequently conquered and ex- WHERE TO EAT ros, dollars and Ukrainian hryvna can panded by Turkish ruler Suleiman be changed inside Transdnestr at the the Magnificent in the 1530s. It also Andy’s Pizza (72 Ulitsa 25 Oktyabrya, railway and bus station. There is only houses a small museum showing weap- among other locations; +373 5338 4252; one ATM in Tiraspol, so it is advisable ons and a diorama depicting its attack andys-pizza.com) is a fresh, modern- to have enough cash to cover your trip. by a Russian army. looking chain with three restaurants A meal costs about $7 and a taxi ride Six kilometers from Tiraspol, in the in Tiraspol serving a mixture of pizza, about $3. village of Chitcani, is the Noul-Neamts pasta, salads and steaks, and playing Taking pictures of certain govern- Monastery (2 Ulitsa Lenina; Chitcani host to everyone from local families ment, military and cultural sites, includ- village; open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 to members of the city administration. ing monuments and roads is not al- p.m.), which boasts four colorful 7 Pyatnits (Seven Fridays, 112 Ulitsa lowed, nor is drinking alcohol in public. churches and the highest bell tower 25 Oktyabrya; +373 5339 2210) is a res- Dress respectfully if you visit any in Moldova. The monastery was taurant located on Tiraspol’s main bou- monasteries or churches, as you would founded in 1861 by Romanian monks levard that is popular with members in Russia. Orthodox Christianity is fleeing increasing pressure from local of the Transdnestrian Supreme Soviet, an important part of life, particularly authorities. the republic’s parliament. It has an ex- in rural areas. The countryside north of Tiraspol is pansive menu covering Moldovan, picturesque and is known by the locals Ukrainian, European and Japanese cui- HOW TO GET THERE as the Kremlin Garden because the fresh sine, but the chicken in a honey There are no visa requirements for EU, produce was flown direct to Moscow and mustard sauce is most highly recom- U.S. or Russian citizens, who can enter during the Soviet period. mended. Main courses cost about $7. by filling in a migration card at the bor- If you prefer something a bit more der. local, then try Kumanek (37 Sverdlovs- Tiraspol can be reached easily WHAT TO DO WITH THE KIDS kaya Ulitsa; +373 5337 2034; kumanek. from Chisinau by taking a minibus If your children are sports lovers, take com), a highly rated restaurant serving from Chisinau’s central bus station. them on a tour of the FC Sheriff football traditional Ukrainian dishes, or La Pla- Buses run every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. complex, which includes Moldova’s cinte (75 Sverdlovskaya Ulitsa; +373 until 6 p.m. It takes about an hour and a most impressive stadium as well as train- 2226 5431; laplacinte.com), a Moldovan half to reach Tiraspol and costs just ing pitches, a rehabilitation center and a chain serving Moldovan national cuisine a few dollars. hotel complex. The tour is run for about $5 for a main course. The bus stops at the border with by Transnistria Tour (+373 6942-7502; Transdnestr, at which point passengers transnistria-tour.com) and prices start must hop out and fill in a migration card. at $20. WHERE TO STAY Border guards have had a reputation Perhaps surprisingly for a city with so for asking for bribes in the past, but this few tourists there is a decent range of ac- temporary visa is free and you should NIGHTLIFE commodation available, although it is not have to pay. Tiraspol has a reputation for good night- not as cheap as you might expect. You must keep the migration card life with a number of night clubs, bars At the top end, the four-star Hotel during your stay and then hand it back

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS and restaurants dotted around the city, Russia (69 Sverdlovskaya Ulitsa; +373 to the border guard as you leave. Pushkin — one of the many Russian references found throughout the city. although you will be unlikely to cross 5333 8000; hotelrussia.md) is the most If you plan to stay more than ten paths with many other tourists or Eng- luxurious option with a double starting hours, then the procedure becomes dnestr brandy and wine. Kvint is consid- lish speakers. at about $100. It is modern and glamor- slightly more complicated because you ALLA ered a national treasure here. A shop is Sverdlovskaya Ulitsa is home to two ously furnished with a cocktail bar in the need to register with the OVIR, or mi- MELNICHUK located nearby where you can buy Kvint of the most popular. The four-star Hotel basement. gration office, in Tiraspol (2A Ulitsa Director of the products. Tours can be booked in ad- Russia (69 Sverdlovskaya Ulitsa; +373 Ten minutes from Ulitsa 25 Ok- Kotovskogo; +373 5335 5047; open Tiraspol vance through local tour operator 5333 8000; hotelrussia.md) has a mod- tyabrya is another highly recommended Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), National United WorkTravelBusiness Ltd. (8 Vokzalny ern cocktail bar and nightclub in the four-star hotel named CityClub Hotel which involves providing the address Museum Pereulok; +373 7788 8508; discover- basement that operates from 9 p.m. to 7 (18 Ulitsa Gorkogo; +373 5335 9000; of where you will be staying. If you are and author pridnestrovie.com). a.m., while Plazma Disco (47 Sverdlovs- cityclub.md), which has spacious staying in a hotel, then the hotel should of the words Many tourists who do not speak Rus- kaya Ulitsa; +373 7790 2606) is a popu- and clean rooms starting at $90 for a do it for you. to the Tiraspol city anthem. sian seem to prefer guided tours, lar nightclub that only admits women standard double and a well-equipped Trains running between Chisinau and there are many tourist operators aged 25 and over and men aged 30 fitness suite. and Odessa, Minsk, St. Petersburg Q: Who is Tiraspol’s best- ready to help. Transnistria Tour (+373 and over. Slightly cheaper is the VVP Club and Moscow stop in Tiraspol every day. known resident? 6942 7502; transnistria-tour.com) runs Further afield, the nightclub Equator Hotel (26 Komsomolskaya Ulitsa; +373 The train ride from St. Petersburg lasts A: Soviet academic and or- a number of themed tours in Tiraspol, in Bender (11 Ulitsa Kalinina; +373 7773 5335 5545; vvpclub.com) with a standard just over 40 hours, with an economy- ganic chemist Nikolai Zelinsky, including: Soviet Tour; Classic Tour; 3205) comes highly recommended by lo- double from $52. The rooms here are class ticket starting from $127 one-way. who created the first working gas Ecotour; Art Tour; Brandy Tour; Foot- cals. small and cosy, but there is also a large If you arrive by train, you need to fill mask in 1915. We have a house ball Tour; Bicycle Tour. Tours cost $16 If clubs are not what you are looking outdoor swimming pool, billiard room in the migration form at the police sta- museum in honor of him. to $34, depending on the size of the for, then the City Palace of Culture (51 and cafe, and breakfast is included. tion located at the train station in Ti- group. Ulitsa 25 Oktyabrya; +373 5337 7756; raspol. Q: How has the city changed If you would rather stay clear tirascult.org) hosts symphony orchestras There is no airport in Transdnestr, so in recent years? of tours, then you can visit the Fortress and other cultural events, and the CULTURE TIPS the nearest international airport is A: The number of factories of Bender (Tighina) just across the Dni- Drama and Comedy Theater (130 Ulitsa Transdnestr has its own currency, in Chisinau. Air Moldova offer direct has fallen while the amount ester River from Tiraspol. It was origi- 25 Oktyabrya; +373 5339 2248; melpom- the Transdnestr ruble (roughly 9 rubles flights from St. Petersburg with one-way of shops, small traders, stalls nally a small Moldavian fort built to pro- ena-pmr.idknet.com) has a variety to the dollar), which is essential in order flights starting from $219, taking about and salons has simply up. tect medieval Moldavia’s eastern border, of theatrical performances. to pay for anything. Moldovan leu, eu- two and a half hours to reach Chisinau. The education system is more varied, and teaching is done in three languages: Russian, Mol- dovan and Ukrainian. The media also is more developed, with two television channels as well as newspapers and radio stations broadcasting in three languages.

Q: What is the legacy of the Transdnestr conflict on the city? A: Any military conflict in- volving tens of thousands of peo- ple cannot happen without con- sequences, especially of a psy- chological nature. The main feel- ing about those days is that we were attacked by people with whom we had studied, celebrated and grieved. We feel we were victims of a mass betrayal of ev- erything that we considered im- portant.

Q: What makes Tiraspol unique? A: People pay immense re- spect to all parts of Tiraspol’s past, its heroic chapters as well as the tragic ones, including the vic- tims of Stalin’s purges. Also, a particular mentality has formed here over the centu- ries of various nationalities living together peacefully. It is gener- ally accepted that a person is val- ued according to his trade, neigh- borliness and human qualities. Tiraspol has never experienced

any interethnic conflicts. DIETER ZIRNIG / FLICKR Built in the 1830s and then bombed during World War II, Chisinau’s main Orthodox church, Nativity Cathedral, re-opened again in 2000. 20 ❖ Wednesday, April 9, 2014 LISTINGS www.sptimes.ru

HOW TO USE THE LISTINGS: theater 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. Tel. 333 1069. Dance of the Vampires Director Cornelius 8 p.m. Dates and times are correct at the Baltus. Conductor Alexei Nefedov. Musical Rekevin Downtempo, acid jazz, lounge. time of publication, but last-min- Comedy Theater, 13 Italianskaya Ul. Tel. 210 Zoccolo 2.0, 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Prospekt. ute changes are not infrequent, 4316 8 p.m. so it’s best to check by contacting concert jazz & blues Chamber Music Taneyev, Shostakovich. Andrei Zimovets and Jazz Classic Trio the venue. COMPLETE LISTINGS can Mariinsky II, 4 p.m. Mainstream. Jazz Philharmonic Hall (Ellington be found at www.sptimes.ru Symphony Music Brahms, Schubert, Hall), 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, Schumann. Conductor Mikhail Tatarnikov. 764 9843. 8 p.m. (or scan the QR code below). Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall Andrei Kondakov Electric Project Fusion, Unless otherwise stated, stage jazz rock. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. events start at 7 p.m. saturday, april 12 All stage shows and ballet sunday, april 13 films are in Russian Le Corsaire Based on Byron’s poem. Conductor Alexei Repnikov. Choreographer rock, etc. unless noted. Pyotr Gusev. Mariinsky Theater Pizza Urban soul. Aurora Concert Hall, St. Laurencia A group of villagers take revenge Petersburg Hotel, 5/2 Pirogovskaya Nab.. Tel. on an abusive commander. Director Mikhail 907 1917. 7 p.m. Messerer. Choreographer Vakhtang Jenia Lubich, a St. Petersburg singer who gained notoriety for her work with Knuckledust / Next Round / Broken Fist STAGES Chabukiani. Mikhailovsky Theater French art-pop music project Nouvelle Vague, will perform at Erarta Museum of Hardcore punk. Dada B, 47 Gorokhovaya Contemporary Art on Saturday, Apr. 12. Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. opera Okayanniye Skazki Rock. Manhattan, 90 wednesday, april 9 La Traviata Verdi’s classic about a Nab. Reki Fontanki. Tel. 713 1945. 6 p.m. consumptive courtesan and her lover. Director Kate Fritz Scottish, Irish and old-time ballet Charles Roubaud. Conductor Boris Gruzin. Pirogovskaya Nab.. Tel. 907 1917. 8 p.m. fiddle styles. Mod, 7 Nab. Kanala Griboyedova. La Bayadere The story of a dancer in India Mariinsky II GIGS Tinavie Indie rock. Dada B, 47 Tel. 712 0734. 7 p.m. punished for her love of a warrior. Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. Adaptatsiya Alternative rock. Zoccolo 2.0, Choreographer Marius Petipa. Mariinsky theater Opa! Urban folk. Dada A, 47 Gorokhovaya 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Prospekt. 8 p.m. Theater PREMIERE! Scarlet Sails Based on Alexander wednesday, april 9 Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. Laurencia A group of villagers take revenge Grin’s novel. Music Hall Bystrov Zaitsev Lapin Shostak Improvised jazz & blues on an abusive commander. Director Mikhail rock, etc. music. GEZ-21, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. Big Blues Revival Blues. Jazz Philharmonic Messerer. Choreographer Vakhtang concert Nervy Pop rock. Aurora Concert Hall, St. 764 5258. 8 p.m. Hall, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, Chabukiani. Mikhailovsky Theater Symphony Music Strauss, Chopin. Petersburg Hotel, 5/2 Pirogovskaya Nab.. Tel. Anya Leto Tri Bryuneta Pop rock. 764 9843. 7 p.m. Conductor Emmanuel Krivine. Mariinsky 907 1917. 8 p.m. Griboyedov Hill, 2A Voronezhskaya Ulitsa. Tel. Sharon Clark and Alexei Cheremizov opera Concert Hall Kirov Alternative rock, progressive rock. Dada 764 4355, 973 7273. 9 p.m. Band Jazz, blues, soul, gospel. JFC Jazz Club, Madame Butterfly Puccini’s opera about a Harp Music Schubert, Debussy, Ravel and B, 47 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 Drugaya Nadezhda Spoken word, 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. soldier who leaves his wife. Director Yury others. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Small p.m. performance. Manhattan, 90 Nab. Reki Alexandrov. St. Petersburg Opera Hall Trio Super Heroes Covers. Jagger, 2 Fontanki. Tel. 713 1945. 7 p.m. Organ Recital Bach, Mozart, Handel. Paolo Ploshchad Konstitutsii. Tel. 923 1292. 8:30 Kosheen Trip-hop. Zal Ozhidaniya, 118 monday, april 14 theater Oreni. St. Yekaterina Evangelical-Lutheran p.m. Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. Tel. 333 1069. 8 p.m. Dance of the Vampires Director Cornelius Cathedral, 1a Bolshoy Prospekt V.O. Tel. 323 Electrozombie / Pulemyot Punk, rock, etc. Baltus. Conductor Alexei Nefedov. Musical 1852, 7.30 p.m. alternative rock. Manhattan, 90 Nab. Reki jazz & blues Valband Cover. Jagger, 2 Ploshchad Comedy Theater, 13 Italianskaya Ul. Tel. 210 Fontanki. Tel. 713 1945. 7 p.m. All Colors Sergei Dolzhenkov and His Band. Konstitutsii. Tel. 923 1292. 8:30 p.m. 4316 Mashina Vremeni Pop rock. Oktyabrsky Jazz Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Nazareth Hard rock, rock ballads. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg Vasily sunday, april 13 Concert Hall, 6 Ligovsky Pr. Tel. 275 1300. 7 Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Lensoviet Palace of Culture, 42 Barkhatov stages Michel Legrand and Jacques p.m. Jazz Dialogues David Goloshchyokin and Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt. Tel. 346 0438. Demy’s popular melodrama. Lensovet House ballet Tribal Party Spring Acts t.b.c. The Place, 47 Andrei Kondakov. JFC Jazz Club, 33 8 p.m. of Culture, 42 Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt, Ballet Evening Choreographer Anton Ul. Marshala Govorova. Tel. 331 9631. 7 p.m. Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. M. Petrogradskaya Pimonov. Mariinsky II, 8 p.m. Razniye Lyudi Rock. Zal Ozhidaniya, 118 jazz & blues Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. Tel. 333 1069. 8 Sergei Manukyan and Yoel Gonzalez concert opera p.m. saturday, april 12 Fusion. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Chamber Music Mendelssohn. Shostakovich Macbeth Verdi’s opera based on Tuta Karamba & Friends Rock. Zoccolo 2.0, Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. Philharmonic, Small Hall Shakespeare’s play. Director David McVicar. 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Prospekt. 8 p.m. rock, etc. Chamber Music Schnittke. Conductor Teodor Mariinsky Theater Leningrad Ska punk. A2, 3 Prospekt Currentzis. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main The Queen of Spades Tchaikovsky’s jazz & blues Medikov. Tel. 309 9922. 8 p.m. tuesday, april 15 Hall, 8 p.m. opera based on Pushkin’s short story. Leningrad Dixieland Band Jazz dancing. Vanilla Sky / Igrushki Pop punk. Symphony Music Mozart. Conductor Conductor Mikhail Tatarnikov. Mikhailovsky Jazz Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Dada B, 47 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 rock, etc. Christian Knapp. Mariinsky Concert Hall Theater Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. 7050. 8 p.m. Kvadrat Jazz Club Jam session. Griboyedov PREMIERE! Die Fledermaus Strauss’ Vladimir Shafranov Trio Mainstream. JFC Dyshite.ru Indie rock. Fish Fabrique, 53 Hill, 2A Voronezhskaya Ulitsa. Tel. 764 4355, operetta about a wife’s plan to regain the Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Tel. 272 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. 973 7273. 10 p.m. thursday, april 10 attention of her husband. Director Yury 9850. 8 p.m. Rock and Roll Birthday Party Johnny Music Battle Viva Las Vegas vs. Acid Looks. Alexandrov. St. Petersburg Opera Bach and his Moonshine Boozers, Messer Jagger, 2 Ploshchad Konstitutsii. Tel. 923 ballet Chups, Big Livers. Griboyedov, 2A 1292. 8:30 p.m. Napoli Conductor Henrik Vagn Christensen. theater thursday, april 10 Voronezhskaya Ulitsa. Tel. 764 4355, 973 Choreographers Nikolaj Hubbe and Sorella Dance of the Vampires Director Cornelius 7273. 7 p.m. jazz & blues Englund. Mariinsky II, 7.30 p.m. Baltus. Conductor Alexei Nefedov. Musical rock, etc. Dolphin Hip-hop, alternative rock. Kvadrat Jazz Club Jam session. Jazz Comedy Theater, 13 Italianskaya Ul. Tel. 210 Leonid Fyodorov and Vladimir Kosmonavt, 24 Bronnitskaya Ulitsa. Tel. 922 Philharmonic Hall (Ellington Hall), 27 opera 4316 Volkov Art rock. A2, 3 Prospekt Medikov. Tel. 1300. 8 p.m. Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, 764 La Forza Del Destino Verdi’s opera about a 309 9922. 8 p.m. The Casualties Hardcore punk, street 9843. 8 p.m. young man who kills his lover’s father. Director concert Shiva / Massface Alternative rock, nu punk. Mod, 7 Nab. Kanala Griboyedova. Tel. Svetamuzika & Pyotr Ivyshin Jazz fusion. Elijah Moshinsky. Conductor Mikhail Sinkevich. Symphony Music Saint-Saens. Conductor metal. Dada B, 47 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 712 0734. 8 p.m. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Tel. 272 Mariinsky Theater Andrei Danilov. Shostakovich Philharmonic, 983 7050. 8 p.m. Red Fang Stoner metal. Zal Ozhidaniya, 9850. 8 p.m. The Tsar’s Bride Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera Main Hall, 3 p.m. De/Vision Synthpop. Kosmonavt, 24 about a woman chosen to be Ivan the Terrible’s Chamber Music Brahms, Shostakovich. Bronnitskaya Ulitsa. Tel. 922 1300. 8 p.m. bride. Director Andrei Moguchiy. Conductor Mariinsky II, 5 p.m. Aetas Mea / My Drink / Siam / Soyuz Mikhail Tatarnikov. Mikhailovsky Theater Organ Recital Paolo Oreni. Smolny Sozidayushchikh Punk, alternative rock. Cathedral, 3/1 Pl. Rastrelli, M: Manhattan, 90 Nab. Reki Fontanki. Tel. 713 theater Chernyshevskaya. Tel. 271 9182 1945. 7 p.m. Dance of the Vampires Director Cornelius Symphony Music Beethoven, Berlioz. Odysseia Festival MGR, Tesa, A Storm of Baltus. Conductor Alexei Nefedov. Musical Conductor Emmanuel Krivine. Mariinsky Light, Bossk, Vanity. Mod, 7 Nab. Kanala Comedy Theater, 13 Italianskaya Ul. Tel. 210 Concert Hall, 8 p.m. Griboyedova. Tel. 712 0734. 5 p.m. 4316 Raphael Pop music, Latin ballad. Oktyabrsky Concert Hall, 6 Ligovsky Pr. Tel. 275 1300. 7 concert monday, april 14 p.m. Chamber Music Bach, Reger, Schumann and Majas World music. The Place, 47 Ul. others. Mariinsky II, 4 p.m. opera Marshala Govorova. Tel. 331 9631. 7 p.m. Organ Recital Bach, Reger, Boellmann and The Lefty Conductor Valery Gergiev. Elizium Ska punk, reggae, metal. Zal others. Bartolome Veni Vidal. Cappella Mariinsky II, 8 p.m. Ozhidaniya, 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. Tel. Symphony Music Mozart. Conductor Leo 333 1069. 8 p.m. Kraemer. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main theater EIMIC (Everything Is Made in China) Hall PREMIERE! Scarlet Sails Based on Alexander Postrock. Zoccolo 2.0, 50 korpus 3 Ligovsky Grin’s novel. Music Hall Prospekt. 8 p.m. friday, april 11 concert jazz & blues Symphony Music Vivaldi, Bach, Boccherini David Goloshchyokin and St. ballet and Mozart. Conductor Pinchas Zukerman. Petersburg’s Strings Mainstream. Jazz Giselle Choreographers Jean Coralli, Jules Mariinsky Concert Hall Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Perrot and Marius Petipa. Conductor Boris Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Gruzin. Mariinsky Theater ballet Marina Kapuro Beatles covers. JFC Jazz Napoli Conductor Henrik Vagn Christensen. La Sylphide Bournonville’s ballet about a Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Tel. 272 9850. 8 Choreographers Nikolaj Hubbe and Sorella Scotsman who falls in love on the eve of his p.m. Englund. Mariinsky II, 7.30 p.m. wedding. Mariinsky Theater Laurencia A group of villagers take revenge on an abusive commander. Director Mikhail friday, april 11 Messerer. Choreographer Vakhtang tuesday, april 15 Chabukiani. Mikhailovsky Theater rock, etc. concert In Extremo Medieval metal, folk metal. A2, 3 opera Chamber Music Bach, Gubaidulina. Prospekt Medikov. Tel. 309 9922. 8 p.m. L’elisir d’Amore Donizetti’s masterpiece Shostakovich Philharmonic, Small Hall #The Lost Fingers Gypsy jazz. Aurora about a con man who tricks a village into Piano Music Bach. Mariinsky Concert Hall Concert Hall, St. Petersburg Hotel, 5/2 Kosheen, a Bristol-based trip-hop/alternative-rock band featuring singer Sian believing his cheap wine is a love potion. Symphony Music Bellini, Chopin, Prokofiev. Pirogovskaya Nab.. Tel. 907 1917. 8 p.m. Evans and producers Markee Substance and Darren Decoder, will premiere its Director Alexander Petrov. Conductor Pavel Conductor Pier Carlo Orizio. Shostakovich Zero People Indie rock. Aurora Concert Hall fifth studio album, ‘Solitude,’ at Zal Ozhidaniya on Friday, Apr. 11. Bubelnikov. Mariinsky Concert Hall Philharmonic, Main Hall (Maliy Zal), St. Petersburg Hotel, 5/2 www.sptimes.ru LISTINGS Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 21

Parnik Art-Project. Kolaider: ARTem GALLERIES Vetrov. Painting, installation. An exhibition SCREENS of the artist’s psychedelic and surrealist work. Through Apr. 20 NEW! Barcelona Summer Night ARTISTS UNION OF RUSSIA EXHIBITION (Barcelona, nit d’estiu) (2013, Spain) Dani CENTER RACHMANINOV GARDEN de la Orden’s comedy starring Francesc 38 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Tel. 314 3060. 12 5 Kazanskaya Ul. Tel. 312 9558. Tuesday - Colomer, Jan Cornet and Joan Dausa. Dom p.m. to 7 p.m. —losed Monday. www.spb- Saturday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. www. Kino. Starts April 10. uniart.ru fotorachmaninov.ru NEW! 21st Century Polyrealism. Painting. Tracks of Lines: Oddvar Paulsen. NEW! Captain America: The Winter For the work exhibited, a commitment to Photography. The Norwegian Soldier (2014, U.S.) Anthony Russo and conventionality is necessary to present a real photographer’s work reflects on the illusion Joe Russo’s superhero film starring and recognizable world. Open Apr. 15 through of silence. Through May 3 Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan and Apr. 21 Cobie Smulders. Mirage Cinema, Velikan ROSPHOTO STATE CENTER OF Park. BOREY PHOTOGRAPHY 58 Liteiny Prospekt. M: Vladimirskaya, 35 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Tel. 314 6184. NEW! Calvary (2014, Ireland-U.K.) John Mayakovskaya. Tel. 275 3837. Tuesday - Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.rosfoto.org Michael McDonagh’s black comedy starring Saturday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. www.borey.ru A Woman’s Destiny: Dana Kindrova. Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd and Kelly NEW! The Middle: Kirill Ivanov. Photography. Nearly 100 photos of Reilly. Avrora, Dom Kino. Starts April 17. Photography. A series of portraits by the different European countries from the Leningrad-born photographer. Open Apr. 15 Czech photographer’s portfolio. Through NEW! Heart of a Lion (2013, Finland- through Apr. 26 Apr. 20 Sweden) Dome Karukoski’s drama starring Cinema and Fashion: Alexander Peter Franzen, Jasper Paakkonen and Laura ERARTA MUSEUM Vasilyev. Photography. Hollywood’s Birn. Angleterre. Starts April 9. 2, 29th Line, V.O. M: Vasileostrovskaya. Tel. biggest stars are captured through 324 0809. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Tuesday. Vasilyev’s lens. Through Apr. 20 NEW! Love Is the Perfect Crime (L’amour www.erarta.com est un crime parfait) (2013, France- Look Out: Natasha Van Budman. TRETYAKOV GALLERY ) Arnaud Larrieu and Jean-Marie Installation. A series of compositions 2 Pionerskaya Ul., M: Sportivnaya. Tel. 233 Larrieu’s drama starring Mathieu Amalric, representing a collective view of modern 1007. Tuesday through Friday 12 p.m. to Karin Viard and Maiwenn. Dom Kino. Starts Russian society. Through Apr. 9 7.30 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 17. NEW! Team: Vita Buivid. Photography, SaintPetroLenin-burg and Others: mixed media. An examination of collective David Plaksin. Graphics, installation. NEW! Yves Saint Laurent (2014, France) consciousness and isolation through images Plaksin’s ascetic qualities and interest in Jalil Lespert’s biopic starring Pierre Niney, of swimmers. Open Apr. 11 through May 12 the past are reflected in this exhibition. Guillaume Gallienne and Charlotte Le Bon. Shumotron: Media Art from Russia. Through Apr. 30 Rodina. Installation. Named after a device used by Paintings of pixellated swimmers floating in pools of gray serve as a metaphor state security in the Soviet Union, this for loneliness and isolation in ‘Team’ at Erarta Museum. exhibition focuses on digital culture and its effect on modern art. Through Apr. 14

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV APARTMENT SERGEY KURYOKHIN MODERN ART MUSEUMS MUSEUM CENTER 28 Zagorodny Prospekt, Courtyard. M: 93 Sredny Prospekt, V.O. Tel. 322 4223. Daily Dostoyevskaya. Tel. 713 3208, 315 3975. 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. www.kuryokhin.net ANNA AKHMATOVA MUSEUM AT THE Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nominees for the 2013 Sergey FOUNTAIN HOUSE Closed last Friday of each month. Kuryokhin Contemporary Art Award. 34 Fontanka River, entrance from 53 Liteiny Small Tragedy – Fatal Passion. Personal Photography, installation, mixed media. Artists Pr. M: Gostiny Dvor, Mayakovskaya. Tel. 272 items, posters. Dedicated to the 170th nominated for the award and their work are 2211. Daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed anniversary of the birth of the famed Russian honored. Through May 1 Monday; 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the last composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Through Wednesday of every month. www.akhmatova. Oct. 5 LOFT-PROJECT ETAGI spb.ru 74 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 458 5005. Daily 10 Times of the Year: Valery Valran. NIKOLAI ROERICH APARTMENT MUSEUM a.m. to 10 p.m. Painting. The artist’s self-described “magical 1 Line 18, V.O. Wednesday through Sunday, Golden Tortoise 2014. Photography. The abstractionism” challenges the viewer to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tel. 325 4413. www.roerich. winning photos selected from 15,000 entries consider art in a new way. Through Apr. 20 spb.ru from 77 different countries will be shown. Drovizms: Grigory Izrailevich. Sculpture. Light. Color. Form. Painting. Visitors become Through May 18 The Soviet artist’s work is on display. Through creators in this interactive exhibition Apr. 13 celebrating the non-conformist artists of MARINA GISICH GALLERY NEW! Chinese Puzzle (2013, France) Cedric Klapisch’s comedy-drama starring Romain Leningrad. Through May 18 121 Nab. Reki Fontanki, Tel. 314 4380. Daily, Duris, Audrey Tautou and Cecile De France. Angleterre (in French and English with DOSTOEVSKY APARTMENT MUSEUM Nikolai Roerich and Estonia. Painting, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday). Russian subtitles), Mirage Cinema, Rodina, Velikan Park. 5/2 Kuznechny Pereulok, M: Vladimirskaya. Tel. installation. Through Apr. 20 Closed Sunday. 571 4031. Daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Saving Venice. Painting, graphics, Monday and the last Wednesday of each STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM installation. The Parazit art collective is month. www.md.spb.ru. 1 Palace Square. M: Nevsky Prospekt. Tel. 571 coming to the rescue of the sinking Italian city. Paintings Mood: Alexander Malkin. 3420, 571 3465. Daily, 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (9 Through May 17 Photography. The St. Petersburg-based p.m. Wednesday). Closed Monday. www. photographer displays his atmospheric hermitagemuseum.org MART GALLERY landscapes of the city. Through Apr. 22 Symbols and Metamorphosis: Markus 35 Ul. Marata. M: Vladimirskaya, He Thought of Eternity: Grigory Lupertz. Sculpture. The German neo- Dostoyevskaya. Tel. 710 8835. 12 p.m. to 7 Izrailevich. Graphics, sculpture. An expressionist brings his work to St. Petersburg. p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Closed exhibition of the deceased sculptor’s Through May 25 Sunday and Monday. www.martgallery.ru portraits of writers, poets and historical Version 1.3: Igor Antonov. Painting. figures. Through Apr. 17 STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM Compilations of gaming art, comics and 2 Inzhenernaya Ul. M: Nevsky Prospekt. Tel. posters. Through Apr. 19 HISTORY OF ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM 314 3448, 595 4248. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Peter and Paul Fortress. M: Gorkovskaya. Tel. (5 p.m. Monday). 1 p.m. to 9 p.m on Thursdays. NEVSKY 8 EXHIBITION HALL 230 6431. Daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Closed Tuesday. www.rusmuseum.ru/eng 8 Nevsky Prospekt. Tel. 314 8081. Daily 11 Tuesday). Closed Wednesday. www. NEW! Nikolai Roerich. Exhibition. In honor of a.m. to 9 p.m. www.nevsky8.com spbmuseum.ru. the celebrated artist’s 140th birthday, 300 of NEW! Myanmart: Daria Shkeleva. Romanovs in St. Petersburg. Decorative his paintings and graphic works representing Painting. The artist’s displayed pieces convey art, photo, painting, graphics, installation. the entirety of his portfolio will be displayed. her impressions of Myanmar. Open Apr. 10 Through Oct. 8 Open Apr. 9 through June 1. through May 10 From Feather to Computer. Installation, new Russian Women’s Folk Costumes from NEW! Gloria (2013, Chile-Spain) Sebastian Lelio’s comedy-drama about a woman re- media. Through Sept. 7 the 18th - 20th Centuries. Exhibition. NEW MUSEUM GALLERY entering the singles scene once her kids have left home. Starring Paulina Garcia, Sergio Colorful dresses and clothes reveal a rich part 29, 6th Line, V.O. Tel. 323 5090. M: Hernandez and Diego Fontecilla. Dom Kino. Starts Apr. 17. MUSIC MUSEUM AT THE SHEREMETYEV of Russia’s cultural history. Through May 4 Vasileostrovskaya. Wednesday - Sunday 12 PALACE p.m. to 7 p.m. www.novymuseum.ru 34 Nab. Reki Fontanki. Tel. 272 4441. Open STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM: MARBLE Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. PALACE PERINNIYE RYADY ART CENTER Heavenly Line. Painting. The winning 5/1 Millionnaya Ul. M: Nevsky Prospekt. Tel. 4 Dumskaya Ulitsa. M: Gostiny Dvor. Daily 11 watercolors from a local competition for young 312 9196. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. a.m. to 9 p.m. Tel. +7 904 601 0000. www. artists depict St. Petersburg landmarks through Monday). 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. artcenter.su the eyes of children. Through Apr. 21 Closed Tuesday. Pop-Art Forum. Graphics, Installation. Contemporary Drawing. Drawing. Famous works ranging from Banksy to Andy VLADIMIR NABOKOV APARTMENT Traditional, conceptual and other drawing Warhol ask the viewer whether it is actual art MUSEUM styles demonstrate the art form’s function in or intended for simple shock value. Through 47 Bolshaya Morskaya. Tel. 315 4713, 717 contemporary Russian art. Through May 12 May. 25 4502. Daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends). Closed Monday. www. STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM: MIKHAILOVSKY PUSHKINSKAYA 10 ART CENTER nabokovmuseum.org (ENGINEERS’) CASTLE 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 5371. Open The Village is Like a Memory: Kirill The Kokorev Collection. Painting. An Wed to Sun, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. www.p-10.ru Sokolov. Paintings, graphics. Life in Russian exhibition of Russian paintings once owned by The Door. Nimfoteka: ARTem Vetrov. villages in the 1960s and ‘70s is used as a the wealthy 19th-century merchant before he Painting. An exhibition of the artist’s lens to examine Soviet society. Through May 4 sold them to the Romanovs in 1870. Through psychedelic and surrealist work. Through Apr. June 9 20 POLITICAL HISTORY OF RUSSIA MUSEUM Museum of Non-Conformist Art. The 2/4 Ulitsa Kuibysheva. M: Gorkovskaya. Tel. ST. PETERSBURG STATE MUSEUM OF Geometry of Nature. Painting. Pieces 233 7052. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed THEATER AND MUSIC inspired by Mikhail Matyushin’s themes are Thursday and the last Monday of the month. 8 Stremyannaya Ul. Tel. 764 1130. Daily 12 displayed in honor of the 100th anniversary of www.polithistory.ru a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Monday, Tuesday and last Vladimir Sterligov’s birth. Through Apr. 20 I Came to Your Country as a Guest. Friday of the month. Dates Without Numbers: VIK. Painting. NEW! Only Lovers Left Alive (2013, U.K.-Germany-France-Cyprus-U.S.) Jim Jarmusch’s Exhibition. The lives of anti-fascist German Theatrical Dynasties: Komissarzhevskiye. Optical effects and color variations are vampire romance starring Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton and Mia Wasikowska. Angleterre families in the Soviet Union are traced across Personal items, letters, costumes, posters, combined to infer artistic freedom. Through (in English with Russian subtitles), Avrora, Velikan Park. three generations. Through Apr. 9 photo, decorations. Through Apr. 12 Apr. 20 Tell the world about your business by advertising in the Real Estate online For additional information, call (812) 325-6080. Wednesday, April 9, 2014 E-mail: [email protected] RealEstate advertising section

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Nevskogo Pl. 8 Aleksandra Bloka Ul. 18 Suvorovsky Pr. Severnaya Stolitsa 36 Moika Emb. 18А Bolshevikov Pr. Alexander House 27 Kryukov Emb. Grand Hotel Europe Sweden House 11 Novatorov Blvd. Ambassador 1/7 Mikhailovskaya Ul. 1/3A Malaya Konushennaya Ul. 41А Grazhdansky Pr. 5-7 Rimskogo-Korsakova Ul. Helvetia 11 Marata Ul. 71 Zanevsky Pr. Andersen Hotel 4A Chapygina Ul. Holiday Club 2-4 Birzhevoy Per. RESTAURANTS 39 Kamennoostrovsky Pr. Angleterre 39 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Hostel life 1 Vladimisky Pr. Abrikosov 40 Nevsky Pr. 100-104 Ligovsky Pr. Arbat Nord Hotel 4 Artilleriyskaya Ul. Hotel SPB Vergaz 70 7-Liniya V.O. Bar Tranzit 85А Nevsky Pr. 45/2 Nevsky Pr. Arkadia 58 Moika Emb. IBIS Hotel 54 Ligovsky Pr. Baranka 5 Chapaeva Ul. 141 Savushkina Ul. Art Hotel 27-29 Mokhovaya Ul. Imperia Park Barcelona 26 Ulitsa Rubinshteina 29А Sredny Pr. V.O. Art Hotel Trezzini 21 Bolshoy Pr. V.O. 10 Akademika Lebedeva Ul. 9 Prospekt Chernyshevskogo 45 Yaroslavsky Pr. Aster 25 Bolshaya Konushennaya Ul. Lancaster 3-5 Fokina Ul. 1 Bolshaya Konyushennaya Ulitsa Mezonin 1/7 Mikhailovskaya Ul. Asteria 71 Fontanka Emb. M Hotel 2/22 Krylova Per. Begemot 12 Sadovaya Ul. Mollie’s Pub 36 Rubinshteyna Ul. Astoria 39 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Marco Polo 27 12-Liniya V.O. Bohemia restaurant Moskva 112-114 Nevsky Pr. Atrium Hotel 2 Ispolkomskaya Ul. Marmara 26-2 Novorossiyskaya Ul. 16 Teatralnaya Ploshchad Ocean 14 Dobrolyubova Pr. Austrian Yard 16 Furshtatskaya Ul. Marshal 41 Shpalernaya Ul. Britanskaya konditerskaya Old Customs House 1 Tamozhenny Per. Austrian Yard 45 Furshtatskaya Ul. Moika 22 Kempinski 80 Bolshoy Pr. Petrograd Side Ovsyanka café 11 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa Azimut 43/1 Lermontovsky Pr. 22 Moika Emb. 25 Grechesky Pr. Peoplecafe 2 Italyanskaya Ul. Baltic Star Hotel Holiday Inn Moskovskie Vorota Café Max 90-92 Nevsky Pr. Pervoe, Vtoroe i Kompot 3 Beriozovaya ave., Strelna 97A Moskovsky Pr. Coca Inn 13-15 Sadovaya Ul. 10 Zhukovskogo Ul. Belveder Nevsky Moika 5 5 Moika Emb. Coffee House Gourmet Petropavlovsky 85А Nevsky Pr. 29 Bolshaya Konushennaya Ul. Nash Hotel 50 11- Liniya V.O. 15 Vladimirsky Pr. Pizza Hut 96 Nevsky Pr. Brothers Karamazov Hotel Nautilus 3 Rizhskaya Ul. Coffee House Gourmet 71 Moika Emb. 11A Sotsialisticheskaya Ul. Neptun 93A Obvodny Emb. 86 Marata Ul. Pub Bulldog 20/16 Vosstaniya Ul. Comfort Hotel Nevsky 98 98 Nevsky Pr. Da Albertone 23 Millionnaya Ul. Pushka Inn 14 Moika Emb. 25 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Nevsky Breeze 12 Galernaya Ul. Dickens Pub 108 Fontanka Emb. Rossi 1/7 Mikhailovskaya Ul. Corinthia Hotel St. Petersburg Nevsky Central Hotel Dom Byta 12 Razezzhaya Ul. Saint-Petersburg 5 Griboedova Emb. 57 Nevsky Pr. 90-92 Nevsky Pr. Europe 1/7 Mikhailovskaya Ul. Sbarro 42 Nevsky Pr. Courtyard Marriott Nevsky Contour 88 Nevsky Pr. Evrasia 85А Nevsky Pr. Sever 46 Nevsky Pr. 61/30A 2-Liniya V.O. Francesco 47 Suvorovsky Pr. Shamrock 27 Dekabristov Ul. 166 Griboedova Emb. …and many other locations Grad Petrov Stroganoff Steak House Cronwell Inn Stremyannaya throughout the city Opinion www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, April 9, 2014 ❖ 24 Flawed U.S. Policy Led to New Cold War By Stephen F. Cohen their will directly by entering the building. Nor is it clear that Obama shares Putin’s grave concern he East-West confrontation over that militias are further destabilizing the coun- Ukraine, which led to Moscow’s annexa- try. tion of Crimea but long predated it, is Meanwhile, the White House insists that potentially the worst international crisis the annexation of Crimea was illegal and that Tin more than 50 years — and the most fateful. Moscow reduce its forces on Ukraine’s borders A negotiated resolution is possible, but time may and deal directly with the unelected Kiev govern- be running out. ment. Moreover, nothing the West has said sug- A new cold war divide is already descending gests that it no longer intends to expand NATO on Europe — not in Berlin but on Russia’s bor- to Ukraine; indeed, on Mar. 31, NATO’s political ders. Worse may follow. If NATO forces move chief, echoing Krauthammer from a decade ago, toward western Ukraine or even to its border declared that the military alliance’s “task is not with Poland, as is being called for by zealous cold yet complete.” Still worse, Brussels may use warriors in Washington and Europe, Moscow is the crisis to deploy troops deeper into Eastern likely to send its forces into eastern Ukraine. Europe, toward Russia. The result would be a danger of war comparable Even if these differences narrow, would Putin to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. be a reliable partner in such negotiations? “De- If NATO forces move near Ukraine, Moscow monization of Vladimir Putin,” former U.S. Sec- may invade eastern Ukraine. This could be worse retary of State Henry Kissinger recently wrote, than the Cuban Missile Crisis. “is not a policy.” Nor does it recall that the Rus- Even if the outcome is the nonmilitary “isola- sian leader has assisted U.S. and NATO troops tion of Russia,” today’s Western mantra, the con- in Afghanistan since 2001; supported harsher sequences will be dire. Moscow will not bow but sanctions against Iran in 2010; repeatedly called will turn, politically and economically, to the for “mutually beneficial cooperation” with Wash- East, as it has done before — above all, to fuller ington; generally pursued a reactive foreign pol- alliance with China. The U.S. will risk losing icy; and, as a result, been accused by harder-line an essential partner in vital areas of its own na- elements in his own political class of appeasing tional security, from Iran, Syria and Afghanistan the West. No, Putin is not an all-powerful “auto- to threats of a new arms race, nuclear prolifera- crat” and, yes, there are a high-level politics tion and more terrorism. And — no small mat- around him. ter — prospects for a resumption of Russia’s de- Much, therefore, now depends on Obama. mocratization will be terminated for at least He will have to rise to the kind of leadership ca- a generation. pable of rethinking a 20-year bipartisan policy Why did this happen, nearly 23 years after that has led to disaster — and he must do so the end of Soviet communism, when both Wash- in Washington’s rabid anti-Putin, Russophobic ington and Moscow proclaimed a new era atmosphere. There is a precedent. Three de- of “friendship and strategic partnership?” cades ago, the U.S.’ most Cold War president The answer given by the administration ever, Ronald Reagan, sensing in Soviet leader of U.S. President Barack Obama and overwhelm- Mikhail Gorbachev enough in common, re- ingly by the U.S. political-media establishment is solved to meet him halfway, despite protests that President Vladimir Putin is solely to blame. by close advisers and much of his own party. To- The claim is that his “autocratic” rule at home gether, those two leaders achieved such historic and “neo-Soviet imperialist” policies abroad evis- “accelerate” Kiev’s membership in NATO. actual civil war, Ukraine’s partition and worse. changes that both believed they had ended cerated the partnership established in the 1990s The fact that Russia’s political elite has long Tit-for-tat “sanctions” are mostly a perfunctory the Cold War forever. by Presidents Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin. This held this same menacing view of U.S. intentions sidebar that only exacerbates the situation. fundamental premise underpins the American makes it no less true — or any less consequential. There is a diplomatic way out. Putin did not Stephen F. Cohen, a contributing editor at The Na- mainstream narrative of two decades Formally announcing the annexation of Crimea begin or want this crisis. Among other costs, it tion, is professor emeritus of Russian studies of U.S.-Russian relations — and now the Ukrai- on Mar. 18, Putin vented, not for the first time, obliterated the achievement of his Sochi Olym- and politics at NYU and Princeton. He is the au- nian crisis. Moscow’s longstanding resentments. Several pics. Nor did he initiate the unfolding cold war, thor, most recently, of “Soviet Fates and Lost Al- But there is an alternative explanation, one of his assertions were untrue and alarming, but which was inspired in Washington years before ternatives: From Stalinism to the New Cold War.” that is more in accord with historical facts. Begin- others were reasonable, or at least understand- he came to power. Western policymakers should This comment first appeared in The Nation. ning with the Clinton administration, and sup- able, and not “delusional.” Referring to West- therefore take seriously the adage, “There are ported by every subsequent Republican ern — primarily U.S. — policymakers since two sides to every story.” Is Putin right, as he also and Democratic president and Congress, the 1990s, he complained bitterly that they were asserted on Mar. 18, that Russia “has its own na- the U.S.-led West has unrelentingly moved its “trying to drive us into some kind of corner,” tional interests that must be taken into account military, political and economic power ever closer “have lied to us many times” and in Ukraine and respected,” particularly along its borders? If to post-Soviet Russia. Spearheaded by NATO’s “have crossed the line,” warning: “Everything the answer is no, as it has seemed to be since ë‡ÌÍÚ-èÂÚÂ·Û„ í‡ÈÏÒ eastward expansion, already encamped in the has its limits.” the 1990s, then war is possible, if not now, even- three former Soviet Baltic republics on Russia’s We are left, then, with profoundly conflicting tually. But if the answer is yes, proposals made The St. Petersburg Times is a part of Sanoma Independent Media border — and now augmented by missile defense Russian-Western narratives and a political dis- by Putin’s Foreign Ministry on Mar. 17 could be CEO: Jean-Emmanuel de Witt installations in neighboring states — this biparti- course of the uncomprehending, itself often the starting point for negotiations. Board of Directors: Tatiana Shalygina, Tatyana Shishkova, Mikhail san, winner-take-all approach has come in vari- the prelude to war. Putin has been demonized Briefly summarized, those proposals call for a Doubik, Alexander Gukasov, Elena Razumova ous forms. for years, so little he says on Moscow’s behalf re- U.S.-Russian-EU contact group that would press Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Derk Sauer They include U.S.-funded “democracy pro- ceives serious consideration in Washington. His for immediate disarming of militias in Ukraine, Publisher: OOO “Neva Media” motion” nongovernmental organizations, which annexation speech, for example, was dismissed as as the Ukrainian parliament ordered on April 1; General Director: Tatyana Turikova were deeply involved in Russia’s internal politics; a “package of fictions” by former Secretary a new federal Constitution giving more autonomy Editorial: Christopher Gordon, Acting Editor-in-chief the 1999 bombing of Moscow’s Slavic ally Serbia, of State Madeleine Albright. Nothing in Washing- to pro-Russian and pro-Western regions; interna- Advertising: Ksenia Chiritsa, Ylia Yanchuk forcibly detaching its historic province of Kos- ton’s replies diminishes Putin’s reasonable belief tionally monitored presidential and parliamen- Subscription: Viktoria Borovkova Production: Alla Kalinovskaya ovo; a U.S. military outpost in former Soviet that the European Union trade agreement re- tary elections; and a “neutral military-political,” IT Department: Sergei Karasev Georgia, which along with Ukraine, was one jected by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych that is, non-NATO, government in Kiev shorn of Putin’s previously declared “red lines,” con- in November, and Yanukovych’s overthrow in Feb- of its extreme nationalist, or as some observers OOO Neva Media ì˜‰ËÚÂθ Ë ËÁ‰‡ÚÂθ – ééé “ç‚‡ å‰ˇ” tributing to a brief proxy war in 2008; and, ruary by violent street protests, leading to the cur- think “neofascist,” ministers; and maintaining Copyright © 2005 The St. Petersburg Times. All Rights Reserved. throughout, one-sided negotiations, called “se- rent “illegitimate” government, were intended Ukrainian-Russian economic relations essential Mass media registration certificate number èà ‹ îë2-8918 of November 30, 2007, lective cooperation,” which took concessions to sever Ukraine’s centuries-long ties with Russia to both countries. In turn, Moscow would recog- issued by the Directorate of the Federal Service for the monitoring of compliance with from the Kremlin without meaningful White and bind it to NATO. nize the legitimacy of the new government legislation in the sphere of mass communications and the preservation of cultural heritage House reciprocity and followed by broken U.S. After all, today’s crisis was triggered by the and Ukraine’s territorial integrity, thereby dis- of the North-West Federal District. ë‚ˉ ÚÂθ ÒÚ ‚Ó Ó Â„Ë ÒÚ ‡ ˆËË Ò‰ÒÚ ‚‡ χÒÒÓ ‚ÓÈ promises. EU’s reckless ultimatum, despite Putin’s offer of a avowing pro-Russian separatist movements well ËÌÙÓ χ ˆËË èà ‹ îë2-8918 ÓÚ 30 ÌÓfl · fl 2007 „Ó‰‡, ‚˚‰‡ ÌÓ ìÔ‡ ‚ ΠÌË ÂÏ î‰Â- All of this has unfolded, sincerely on the part “tripartite” agreement, which compelled beyond Crimea, though without returning the an- ‡Î¸ÌÓÈ ÒÎÛÊ·˚ ÔÓ Ì‡‰ÁÓ Û Á‡ Òӷβ ‰Â ÌË ÂÏ Á‡ÍÓ ÌÓ ‰‡ ÚÂθ ÒÚ ‚‡ ‚ ÒÙÂ χÒÒÓ ‚˚ı of some of its proponents, in the name of “de- an elected president of a deeply divided country nexed peninsula. It would also vote for a UN Se- ÍÓÏÏÛ ÌË Í‡ ˆËÈ Ë Óı‡ Ì ÍÛθÚÛ ÌÓ „Ó Ì‡ÒΠ‰Ëfl ÔÓ ë‚ Ó-ᇠԇ‰ ÌÓ ÏÛ Ù‰ ‡Î¸ ÌÓ ÏÛ mocracy” and “sovereign choice” for the many to choose economically between the West curity Council resolution affirming the settlement ÓÍÛ „Û. Издание предназначено для аудитории старше 16 лет. smaller countries involved, but the underlying and Russia, an approach since criticized by former and, possibly, contribute to the billions of dollars geopolitical agenda has been clear. During German chancellors Helmut Kohl and Gerhard needed to save the country from financial col- Отпечатано в ОАО «Первая Образцовая типография» филиал «СПб газетный the first East-West conflict over Ukraine, occa- Schr der. The EU’s proffered “partnership” also lapse. комплекс». 198216, СПб, Ленинский пр., 139. Заказ № 1364. sioned by its 2004 Orange Revolution, an influ- included little-noticed “security” provisions re- The Obama administration’s reaction to Mos- Подписано в печать: по графику в 1.00, фактически в 1.00. Тираж 20000 экз. ential Republican columnist, Charles Krautham- quiring Ukraine’s “convergence” with NATO cow’s proposals, which it has barely acknowl- Распространяется бесплатно. The St. Petersburg Times is a free publication. mer, acknowledged, “This is about Russia first, policies, without mentioning the military alliance. edged publicly, is less than adequate. While ac- democracy only second… The West wants to fin- Meanwhile, on both sides, belligerent rhetoric cepting the need for some kind of federal Ukrai- Address: 190000, Russia, St. Petersburg, ish the job begun with the fall of the Berlin Wall escalates, military forces are being mobilized nian Constitution and a presidential election, 4 Konnogvardeisky boulevard, Entrance 7, 3rd floor. and continue Europe’s march to the east… and provocations mount in Ukraine’s political the White House opposes new parliamentary Telephone/Fax: (7-812) 325-60-80. The great prize is Ukraine.” The late Richard civil war, with toughs in black masks, armed mili- elections, which would leave the existing parlia- ĉÂÒ ‰‡ÍˆËË: 190000, Конногвардейский бульвар, Holbrooke, an aspiring Democratic secretary tias, “spontaneous” secessionist demonstrations ment strongly influenced, even intimidated, by its д. 4, лит. А, подъезд 7, этаж 3 of state, concurred, hoping even then and extremist statements by some of Kiev’s ultra-nationalist deputies and their armed street Internet: http://www.sptimes.ru for Ukraine’s “final break with Moscow” and to would-be leaders. Anything is now possible — supporters, who recently threatened to impose

Учредитель и издатель – ООО «Нева Медиа». Главный редактор – Крис Гордон. Адрес: 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 Саверо-Западному федеральному округу. Издание предназначено для аудитории старше 16 лет. Отпечатано в ОАО «Первая Образцовая типография» филиал «СПб газетный комплекс». 198216, СПб, Ленинский пр., 139. Заказ № 1364. Подписано в печать: по графику в 1.00, фактически в 1.00. Тираж 20000 экз.