EDUCATION SPECIAL

NO. 7 (1799) САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГ-ТАЙМС WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014 WWW.SPTIMES.RU CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP

The XXII Winter Olympic Games came to a close on Sunday with a tearful goodbye from one of the Sochi mascots. Widely regarded as an success, the games saw FAREWELL Russia grab the most gold despite early predictions to the contrary. Sochi is now preparing to host the Paralympic Games, which are due begin on Mar. 7.

ADVERTISING EDUCATION BUSINESS Taking Charge Market Favors St. Petersburg Hotels

New data suggests 2013 was a great year for local hoteliers. Page 6. Changing attitudes key to education in Russia. Page 10. LocalNews www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 2 Local Protesters Acquitted in Maidan Event By Sergey Chernov He confronted the view that Maidan THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES protesters were nationalist. St. Petersburg artist Pyotr Pavlensky, “I was at Maidan in December and charged with disorderly conduct fol- talked a lot with the people who were lowing a protest in support of Ukrai- there,” he said. nian protests that he and a group of “It’s not some group of fascists or activists staged in central St. Petersburg neo-Nazis. There is an ultra-right-wing on Feb. 23, has been acquitted, his legal subculture there, but it’s only about representative Dinar Idrisov reported. five percent. They are a group of foot- Dzerzhinsky District court judge ball hooligans and some nationalists, Larisa Brazhnikova closed the case due but they are few in number. to the lack of evidence after a 10-hour “Mostly it’s just ordinary people hearing late on Monday, Feb. 24. there; they are old men, women, chil- Pavlensky and a group of activists dren, students and businessmen. There held a protest in support of the Ukrai- were even homeless people there. Peo- nian protesters by re-enacting a portion ple from every social stratum [took of the events at Maidan, as Kiev’s cen- part]. This is what Maidan is about. tral Independence Square is known. At But the media, especially the Russian about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, they raised media, show it as if it is mob of undis- both Ukrainian and black anarchist guised fascists. This is a lie. To be able flags, set fire to about 50 car tires and to speak about it, you should go and began banging on sheets of metal. see it [for oneself]. Held on Maly Konyshenny Most, a “What people on Maidan are bridge near the Church on the Spilled against is imperial chauvinism, which is Blood in central St. Petersburg, the the true fascism. These are people who protest event was called “Freedom” want to have their own state.” and was organized to show solidarity One of the participants of the Free- with the Ukrainian protesters and urge dom event who was not detained said it social revolution. was important for Russian left-wing ac-

“Burning tires, waving Ukrainian MAXIM ZMEYEV tivists and anarchists to show support and black flags, and the rattle of blows Artist Pyotr Pavlensky and a group of activists set tires alight in the city center on Sunday in support of Ukrainian protesters. for Maidan. on iron is a song of liberation and revo- “Not only the Russian state media, lution,” the activists said Sunday in a hour, according to the participants, un- ruling. If it’s a prison term, they’ll find demonstrate society’s obedience in the but also some left-wing activists see statement posted on Avtonom.org, the til firemen and the police arrived. me,” he said before learning of his ac- face of growing repression and the Maidan as a right-wing protest,” said website of Libertarian Communists. Pavlensky was detained on the site, quittal. The activists faced fines or a country’s turn toward a police state. If the activist, who asked not to be named “Maidan is spreading irreversibly and along with activists Yaroslav Gradil brief prison sentence of up to 15 days. charged and found guilty with criminal in print. enters the heart of the Empire. The and Maria Alexandrova. They were Pavlensky is currently a suspect in a misconduct, he faces up to seven years “Even if there are right-wing peo- struggle against imperial chauvinism charged with Part 1 of Article 20.1 (dis- criminal case opened in Moscow fol- in prison. ple, nothing prevents left-wing activists continues. We are fighting for freedom orderly conduct) and Part 5 of Article lowing his protest performance in Red On Jan. 20, investigators visited the from seizing the agenda and creating — yours and ours. On this day, when the 20.2 (violation of the rules governing Square timed to coincide with Police offices of the Dozhd television channel their own social revolution. We brought state urges to celebrate the Defenders of the holding of a public event). Later in Day on Nov. 10, 2013, when he nailed in Moscow and seized video footage of a black flag alongside the Ukrainian the Fatherland Day, we call everybody to the day, Pavlensky’s apartment was re- an interview with Pavlensky to conduct flag to show that revolution is in our stand for the celebration of Maidan and portedly visited by the police. what they termed “expert psycholin- heads and hearts. We also wanted to in defence of their freedom. The bridges While Alexandrova was released guistic analysis.” honor the memory of those who per- are burning and there is no way back.” later on Sunday, Pavlensky and Gradil ‘I was at Maidan in Speaking late on Monday Pavlensky, ished [in Kiev]. Our comrades and Further on in the statement, they were held overnight in police custody who spent two weeks in Kiev on Maidan good friends were among them.” warned Ukrainian protesters against and were taken to Dzerzhinsky District December and talked last December, said his protest was ded- Despite being acquitted, Pavlensky nationalism and appealed to the Rus- court on Monday afternoon. a lot with the people icated to the protesters in Ukraine. said the protest also attracted attention sian people, predicting a similar future Speaking to The St. Petersburg “This is a gesture of solidarity with from both the counter-extremism Cen- for Russia. Times late on Monday, Pavlensky said who were there,’ said people who stood and keep standing ter E and the criminal investigations “We face our own ‘Maidan,’ a more the activists spent seven hours in the on Maidan, and of course with those department. fearful and bloody one,” the activists courtroom. Human rights activist Di- Pavlensky. who perished there; the people who On Monday, the Fontanka.ru web- said. “Putin will sacrifice even more peo- nar Idrisov, who defended Pavlensky, died for freedom,” he said. site reported that traffic police had re- ple [than overthrown Ukrainian presi- filed numerous motions to throw out his scrotum to the cobblestones and sat According to Pavlensky, the site for ceived instructions to “pay special at- dent Viktor Yanukovich] to preserve his the case, which the judge consequently waiting for the police to unfasten and the protest near the Church on Spilled tention to cargo when inspecting suspi- influence and not to be torn away from turned down. arrest him. The performance was called Blood was chosen deliberately. “That’s cious vehicles in order to exclude the his oil feeding trough. Long live Free- Pavlensky said that he left the court “Fixation.” where the assassination of the emperor, possible transportation of used car tires dom! Long live social revolution!” at around 8:30 p.m., when the judge In an interview with The St. Peters- Alexander II, took place, and so we set or other highly inflammable materials At least five people took part in the took a 1 1/2 hour break to prepare the burg Times in Nov. 2013, Pavlensky a Maidan in the heart of the empire,” with the aim of using them in any un- event, which lasted for about half an ruling. “They will inform me about the explained the performance aimed to he said. authorized rallies.” РЕКЛАМА ALL ABOUT TOWN

Wednesday, Feb. 26 floor. Check their website for more arena next to Prospekt Bolshevikov Business owners interested in ex- information. metro station. panding their business into Western Europe shouldn’t miss the seminar Saturday, Mar. 1 Monday, Mar. 3 Belgium: Food for Thought at the You may have been able to talk your Are you the type of person who can’t Belgium Consulate. Organized by way out of why you didn’t have a help clicking on links to adorable kit- the Economic and Commercial Rep- Valentine’s Day gift for you signifi- tens? Then check out artist Olga resentation of Flanders, those wish- cant other but you certainly won’t be Pavlova’s ongoing exhibit Let’s Be ing to have their products appear on able to avoid International Women’s Cats at the Republic of Cats museum Flemish shelves are encouraged to Day on Mar. 8. Don’t worry though: at 10 Ulitsa Yakubovicha. Famous attend. Expocenter Eurasia’s Gifts for Wom- scientists, writers, actors and fictional en’s Day begins today and runs until characters are reimagined as furry Thursday, Feb. 27 Mar. 5. Local businesses will be on felines. Pavlova’s work will be on dis- Nissan Russia’s human resources di- hand to make sure you give the right play until Mar. 20. rector Yaroslava Vasilieva will be the impression in a week’s time. honored guest at SPIBA’s Breakfast The Begin Grad and MBA Fair is Tuesday, Mar. 4 with the Director, a new series of today in the Kempinski Hotel Moika SPIBA’s ongoing series of Look@It events that invites local business 22. Recent graduates and those still Tours continues today with Look@ leaders to sit down and talk about in school are encouraged to attend Russian Standard Vodka, one of St. their respective industries and per- and learn about the many opportuni- Petersburg’s biggest brands and a sonal successes. The meeting will be ties offered to young professionals in name synonymous with excellence held in SPIBA’s office and those Russia. around the world. Meeting at 3 p.m., wanting to attend should confirm participants will have the opportu- their participation by Feb. 26. Sunday, Mar. 2 nity to experience the vodka pro- Get over the Olympic hockey hang- duction process with Events Direc- Friday, Feb. 28 over by securing tickets to SKA St. tor Didier Garcon as well as ask AmCham’s Taxation Committee Petersburg’s first home game in more questions about the company’s busi- Meeting is today at their office in the than a month as they take on eastern ness tactics. Those interested should New St. Isaac Office Center at 24 conference rival Avtomobilist Yeka- confirm by Feb. 28 if they wish to 16+ Ulitsa Yakubovicha on the third terinburg at 5 p.m. in the Ice Palace participate. The St. Petersburg Times | www.sptimes.ru LOCAL NEWS Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 3 Court Rules Polar Bear Day Promotes Conservation By Olga Kalashnikova Polar bears themselves are also be- TV Station THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ing used to promote their own conser- International Polar Bear Day, an vation. Siku, a polar bear born in a awareness-raising event created by Po- Scandinavian wildlife park two years lar Bear International, the world’s larg- ago and raised by zookeepers, is used Drop Legal est polar bear conservation group, to as an ambassador for his less tame rela- honor the might and majesty of one of tives living in the Arctic Circle and re- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Earth’s most iconic creatures, is being minds people to reduce their carbon Media regulator Roskomnadzor has celebrated Feb. 27 this year. footprint and save energy. found that the Russian telecoms opera- The Leningrad Zoo, whose logo in- Leningrad Zoo has been a leader in tors that removed independent televi- cludes a polar bear, celebrated the day polar bear breeding programs since the sion channel Dozhd from their pack- this past weekend, offering visitors an 1930s. The polar bears there, Uslada ages last month did not break the law. interactive exhibition and the opportu- and Menshikov, reproduce every two Several operators, including Tri- nity to watch live feedings while chil- years. Their 16th cub was born in De- color and Beeline, dropped the channel dren made toys for the popular bears. cember 2013. Only Menshikov cele- in January after it ran a poll that asked Polar Bear International suggests a whether Leningrad should have been variety of ways to celebrate Polar Bear surrendered to Germany in World War Day. The first and easiest thing is to II to save lives. turn the thermostat down by at least Leningrad Zoo Despite being scrapped quickly, the two degrees and try to make tempera- poll caused a scandal and lawmakers ture reductions a habit. PBI also wants has been a leader asked prosecutors to examine the chan- its supporters to take photos of them- nel for possible extremism charges. selves “bundled up” for polar bears in in polar bear Dozhd’s management said the poll their now-colder homes and share had been used as a pretext to shut down them on the organization’s website. breeding programs the channel, known for giving airtime to PBI hopes this will build support since the 1930s the activities of Kremlin opponents. and inspire others to think about the Though no charges were brought problems these bears face in a warming against the company, the move by op- Arctic environment. The ice that once brated Polar Bear Day this year, how- erators resulted in a dramatic drop in covered the surface of the Arctic Ocean ever, while Uslada stayed in their den Dozhd’s audience. is rapidly melting and polar bears are nursing a newborn cub. The Kremlin’s human rights council finding it more and more difficult to Although the gender of the bear asked Roskomnadzor to check whether hunt and breed. As a result, scientists cub is still unknown, the zoo will hold a the operators were guilty of violating predict they could become extinct competition to determine the cub’s the Constitution, Russian media law within the next 40 years. name once its gender has been an- and consumer rights. “Our research shows that two-thirds nounced. According to the zoo’s pre- However, the regulator said in its re- of the world’s polar bears will be gone dictions, Uslada and the cub will ply to the human rights council that it by the middle of the century unless we emerge from their den in May. At the had found no evidence of wrongdoing take action to greatly reduce green- moment, the zookeepers observe the and will not carry out unscheduled in- house gas emissions,” said Dr. Steve bears in their den using a closed-circuit spections of the operators, Lenta.ru re- Amstrup, PBI’s chief scientist. video feed. ported Monday. “The Thermostat Challenge raises The population of polar bears in Roskomnadzor said the decision to awareness of how our daily actions im- Russia is estimated to be anywhere air a channel depends on the “economic pact the polar bear’s sea ice habitat. By from 5,000 to 7,000 bears, approxi- relations between the channels and op- taking part in this initiative, we can lower mately a quarter of all polar bears

erators in question” and that it does not our carbon emissions and show our com- believed to be still alive in the LENINGRAD ZOO have jurisdiction over such matters. mitment to action on climate change.” world. Uslada, seen here in a picture taken before the birth of her 16th cub.

РЕКЛАМА City Celebrates Maslenitsa By Irina Titova Skazkin Dom (Fairy Tale THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES House), one of St. Petersburg’s chil- Maslenitsa, the weeklong celebra- dren’s museums, is organizing daily tion of Shrovetide leading up to programs throughout the festival the start of Lent in the Eastern week. A similar program is being Orthodox calendar, began this held for schoolchildren on Yelagin year on Feb. 24 and will last until Island at the Kirov Central Park of Sunday, Mar. 2. Numerous events Culture which will introduce the are scheduled throughout the city, history of the celebration every day culminating in the traditional at 10 a.m. burning of straw-filled effigies on Interactive excursions are being Sunday. held all week long at the Benua Traditionally blini, which sym- Family Museum, focusing on the bolize the sun, are cooked and eaten traditional celebrations of the holi- throughout the week mark the end day among the Russian nobility. Ex- of winter. cursions are offered daily, starting This year, the fourth Interna- at 11 a.m. The museum will also tional Festival of Traditional Cul- host an exhibition of children’s ture, which is dedicated to Maslen- drawings dedicated to Maslenitsa. itsa, will be held on Yelagin Island The Mariinsky Theater is also at the Kirov Central Park of Culture getting in on the act with a week- on Mar. 1 and 2. The program is ex- long celebration of the holiday with pected to last from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. a focus on drumming. Percussion and will feature performances by for Maslenitsa includes master folk music groups from different classes, jazz performances and an Russian cities and offer a traditional 80-minute tour around the world crafts fair. through rhythm. The Peterhof Museum Reserve One of the largest celebrations in the suburb of Petrodvorets will of Maslenitsa in Russia is held in hold its own Maslenitsa celebra- the nearby city of Pskov. Located tions on that town’s Palace Square about 300 kilometers south of St. beginning at 1 p.m. on Mar. 1. The Petersburg, Pskov is the country’s lineup includes theater perfor- official center of Maslenitsa cele- mances, interactive games, con- brations. tests, fireworks and, of course, This year Pskov’s All-Russia pancakes. Maslenitsa Festival will present a The Babushkina Park of Culture 10-meter-high effigy to be burned will host celebrations on Mar. 1 and on Mar. 2, according to the Pskov 2 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a fire Information Agency. show and the launching of Chinese Maslenitsa is celebrated 56 days paper lanterns from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. before Easter and normally falls in on Mar. 2. the second half of February or early As Maslenitsa is particularly be- March. The last day of the week- loved by Russia children, many of long celebrations is also called For- the city’s museums and parks have giveness Sunday, when people re- created thematic festival programs ceive the opportunity to ask for 16+ for them. forgiveness for past offences. NationalNews www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 4 Mansion Sweep Reveals Riches Gorbachev Hopes For THE ASSOCIATED PRESS KIEV — Cash: $12 million. Decoration of a dining hall and tea room: $2.3 mil- Resolution in Ukraine lion. Statue of a wild boar: $115,000. “A bribe”: $4,000. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Sharjah, which sits along the Persian These are some of the expenses de- SHARJAH — The political turmoil Gulf coast just north of Dubai. tailed in financial documents found in in Ukraine looks like “a real mess” In his speech Sunday, he said the ousted Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanu- but it is important that the country political tumult in Ukraine was ulti- kovych’s abandoned residence, which hold together in the battle for influ- mately the result of the government’s was occupied by protesters after the ence between Russia and the West, failure to act democratically, engage leader fled the capital. former Soviet leader Mikhail Gor- in dialogue and fight corruption. As thousands of Ukrainians contin- bachev said Monday. Demonstrators first began pro- ued to tour Yanukovych’s opulent es- The 82-year-old Gorbachev testing late last year after now tate outside of Kiev on Sunday, evi- made the comments during an inter- ousted leader Viktor Yanukovych dence was uncovered of lavish spend- view in the United Arab Emirates abandoned an agreement that would ing in an economy that is teetering on city of Sharjah. have strengthened his country’s ties the verge of default. He emphasized the need for out- with the EU in favor of seeking Yanukovych left Kiev on the night of side mediation to ease tensions in closer cooperation with Moscow.

Feb. 21 after opposition protesters took / AP EFREM LUKATSKY Ukraine, which became an indepen- “It looks like there is a real mess control of the capital and the national An ornamental horse outside Yanukovych’s countryside residence near Kiev. dent country following the 1991 dis- there and that the leaders of Ukraine parliament in the wake of deadly clashes solution of the Soviet Union that he proved unable to reach a kind of con- with police last week. More than 70 Ukrainian investigative journalist for The documents were sure to fuel once led. sensus in the country, in Ukrainian people were killed and hundreds were the Ukrainska Pravda website and more anger among protesters. Ukraine today is deeply divided society. And that is why those issues injured. Hromadske.tv online news channel. Yanukovych’s residence in Mezhy- between largely pro-Russian eastern became so acute,” Gorbachev said. While visitors gawked in awe and Other respected Ukrainian news out- hirya Park, about 140 hectares of for- regions and western areas that long “There is a new Ukraine and it outrage at Yanukovych’s luxurious lets also reported on the documents. ested hills along the Dnieper River, had for closer ties with the European should find its own niche.” mansions, ponds and exotic animals, One was a receipt for $12 million in become for many Ukrainians a symbol Union. Ukraine’s acting government is journalists combed through heaps of cash. Another invoice was for a pay- of a corrupt administration. “No one wants it to come apart. I seeking the arrest of Yanukovych, documents that appeared to show a ment of $10 million. Some 80,000 euros After Yanukovych’s departure from think that today it is important not whose whereabouts are uncertain, leader who basked in extravagant ($110,000) went for curtains in a room Kiev, the estate was taken over by the to tear it apart,” Gorbachev said of over accusations of mass crimes wealth while his country sought bail- called the “knight’s hall.” Another 1.1 opposition’s self-defense units, which Ukraine. “I recently appealed to the against protesters. Snipers fired on outs from both the West and Russia. million euros ($1.5 million) was spent opened it to visitors and deployed ac- leaders of the U.S. and Russia to act demonstrators last week during the Many of the financial and other on plants. Wooden decor for a handful tivists to maintain order and prevent perhaps as mediators. And that bloodiest violence in Ukraine’s post- documents were burned, while others of rooms cost $2.3 million. any looting or property damage. would also include the EU.” Soviet history. were dumped in a lake before Yanuk- Notably, $115,000 was spent for a Ukrainians, many bringing their The mediators, he continued, Gorbachev suggested Monday ovych fled his closely guarded resi- statue of a “running boar,” possibly in- children, rushed to tour the parks. They could play a role in ensuring “that that no single outside power could dence, flying to the eastern city of tended for Yanukovych, who is an avid reacted with wonder and revulsion at the crisis we see in Ukraine does not dominate Ukraine’s future. Kharkiv, where his support base is hunter. the opulence, including Yanukovych’s result in this kind of dramatic “If the EU wants to have things strongest. Divers were able to retrieve One page listed expenditures, and private golf courses, pig farm and a breakup. Let us give the people a its own way, the U.S. wants to have many of the documents, and activists next to item No. 47 on the sheet was a small zoo with ostriches and peacocks. chance to agree on something.” things their own way, and Russia laid them out to dry. payment of 32,580 hryvna ($4,000) for Some have called for turning the Gorbachev was in the Emirates wants to have things its own way, I Photos of the documents were what was described as a “bribe” used in site into a hospital, sanatorium or even to address the International Gov- think that would be wrong,” he posted online by Mustafa Nayem, a top a bidding process. a “museum of corruption.” ernment Communication Forum in said.

РЕКЛАМА Ukraine Begins Worrying About Tension with Russia By Delphine d’Amora bills anyways. So if you raise the price, THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES that would worsen the situation,” Ko- As Russia ally and former Ukrainian rchemkin said. president Viktor Yanukovych fled and Naftogaz itself owed Russian en- a new government took over in Kiev ergy giant Gazprom about $3 billion in this weekend, Russia awoke to unpaid 2013, although a Ukrainian official said debts and a question: how to deal with last week that the company has paid its neighbor’s government not only po- $1.28 billion of the funds owed. litically, but economically. Combined with two large bonds “The main channel of influence on that will mature this year — one from the Russian economy will be the price Naftogaz — Ukraine’s outstanding at which Russia delivers gas to debt renders a default almost inevita- Ukraine,” said Yulia Tseplyayeva, chief ble unless it receives external aid economist for Russia and the CIS at Almost half of all Russian gas deliv- BNP Paribas. eries to Europe pass through Ukraine, The Russian government had previ- eliciting concerns that continental Eu- ously lowered gas prices for Ukraine rope, which received 30 percent of its from $400 to $268.50 per thousand cu- gas from Gazprom last year, could see bic meters in a deal brokered in the af- shortages if Russia cuts supplies as it termath of Yanukovych’s decision to has during previous political spats with abandon a planned association agree- its western neighbor. ment with the European Union, which Gas reserves in Europe are fuller led to months of anti-government pro- than normal thanks to a temperate tests throughout Ukraine. winter, however, so Europe should stay The deal, along with plans for $15 warm even if Russia does cut gas to billion in aid that accompanied it, will Ukraine, Reuters reported. be honored, Prime Minister Dmitry Russia has previously obstructed Medvedev said Monday, adding that trade with Ukraine to make a political gas terms will be renegotiated. point and appears to be doing so now. The agreement “has concrete time In late January, as protests raged in periods for implementation. What will the capital, Ukraine’s international happen after these expire is a question trucking association said that Russia for discussion with the leadership of had tightened customs control and was Ukrainian companies and the Ukrai- holding shipments by up to 15 days nian government, if one emerges there,” while their paperwork was processed. Medvedev said, Reuters reported. For the teetering Ukrainian econ- “We hope that the price will be sta- omy, further obstacles to Russia-bound ble,” Ukraine’s acting Energy Minister exports could be disastrous. The coun- Eduard Stavytsky said Monday. try is Ukraine’s second-largest export It would not make sense for the Rus- market, buying up to $17.6 billion in sian government to change the price of goods, or a quarter of Ukraine’s total gas for Ukraine now, said Mikhail Ko- exports, each year. rchemkin from consulting company While it remains to be seen how 16+ East European Gas Analysis. Russia will deal with the new govern- Naftogaz, the Ukrainian state oil ment, preliminary signs are not encour- and gas monopoly, “is not paying its gas aging. The St. Petersburg Times | www.sptimes.ru NATIONAL NEWS Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 5 U.N. Council Unite Over Syria Resolution By Edith M. Lederer “levers” that lead to change on the THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ground. UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The While the resolution focuses on the U.N. Security Council united for the humanitarian situation, it also strongly first time on a resolution on Syria’s hu- condemns the increased terrorist attacks manitarian crisis on Feb. 22, demand- by al-Qaida and its affiliates and other ing that President Bashar Assad’s gov- terrorist groups, calls on the government ernment and the opposition provide and opposition to defeat the terrorists, immediate access everywhere in the and “demands that all foreign fighters country to deliver aid to millions of immediately withdraw from Syria.” people in desperate need. Churkin said Russia will ask the The fate of the Western and Arab- council to quickly move to discuss a backed resolution rested with Russia, draft document on combating terror- Syria’s closest ally, and China, another ism in Syria. supporter. ‘More than ‘According to the anything, the United Nations, 9.3 conflict needs to end million Syrians are so that people can in need of begin to rebuild humanitarian their lives.’ assistance.’ The resolution also emphasizes After two weeks of negotiations “that the humanitarian situation will and a watering-down of the original continue to deteriorate in the absence text, they decided to join the rest of the of a political solution.” 15-member council in sending a strong It demands that the government message, especially to the Assad gov- and opposition work toward “a genu-

ernment, that food, medicine and other / AP MATTHEWS BEBETO ine political transition that meets the essentials must not be blocked to civil- The U.N. Security Council voted on a resolution on Syria’s humanitarian crisis at the U.N. headquarters on Feb. 22. legitimate aspirations of the Syrian ians caught in the three-year conflict. people and enables them indepen- “Today the council has finally have been necessary” because “human- lances and wheelchairs for people with The Security Council did come to- dently and democratically to determine shown that whatever its political differ- itarian assistance is not something to be special needs. gether in October to approve a weaker their own future.” ences over Syria, it was not entirely in- negotiated — it is something to be al- The main Western-backed Syrian presidential statement on the worsen- In her statement on Feb. 22, Amos different to the devastating humanitar- lowed by virtue of international law.” opposition group, the Syrian National ing humanitarian crisis. stressed that ordinary people who have ian crisis,” Britain’s U.N. Ambassador “Half the country’s people need ur- Coalition, welcomed the resolution say- But Amos, the U.N. humanitarian been bearing the brunt of the violence Mark Lyall Grant said after the vote. gent assistance,” he said. “Host coun- ing the international community should chief, said last week that the presi- must be protected. According to the United Nations, tries need support in caring for more guarantee “full implementation.” dential statement has not delivered “More than anything, the conflict 9.3 million Syrians are in need of hu- than 2.5 million refugees.” It added in a statement that the the results that are critically needed, needs to end so that people can begin manitarian assistance and 6.8 million The U.N. chief said it is “profoundly council should be ready to take calling progress on the humanitarian to rebuild their lives,” Amos said. have fled their homes but remain in the shocking...that both sides are besieging “needed legal measures if Assad’s re- front in the last four months “limited, “Syria is in danger of losing a genera- country. civilians as a tactic of war.” gime tried to evade or procrastinated uneven and painfully slow.” She tion of its children. Children are the The resolution does not threaten “Some 200,000 people are under in the implementation.” backed a council resolution if it had future. We must protect them.” sanctions — Russia insisted that this siege in government-controlled areas РЕКЛАМА reference be dropped from the original — and 45,000 in opposition-controlled text. Instead, it asks Secretary-General areas,” Ban said. Ban Ki-moon to report to the council Russia and China had vetoed three every 30 days on implementation and previous resolutions backed by West- expresses the council’s intention to ern nations that would have pressured take “further steps” if the resolution’s Assad to end the conflict, which ac- demands aren’t fulfilled. cording to activists has killed more All Security Council resolutions are than 136,000 people. legally binding, but what remains to be Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly seen is whether this resolution has an Churkin said Moscow supported the impact on the ground, especially since humanitarian resolution because it doesn’t have real “teeth.” “many Russian considerations were U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie borne in mind, and as a result the docu- Amos expressed hope in a statement ment took on a balanced nature.” that it “will facilitate the delivery of aid He accused the resolution’s sponsors to people in desperate need in Syria.” — Australia, Luxembourg and Jordan Calling the resolution a “long over- — and its supporters of raising the hu- due” measure “to alleviate the worst hu- manitarian crisis in the council “only manitarian crisis of this generation,” U.S. after it became clear that attempts to Ambassador Samantha Power said that use a deterioration of this humanitarian as hard as it was to win council approval, situation in order to carry out a regime the harder issue is implementation. change was unsuccessful.” “The world now needs to stand Churkin also insisted that efforts to united on behalf of implementation so get humanitarian access in Syria “al- that there are no more broken promises, though not as quickly as we would no more delays, no more coupling mi- have liked is getting positive, concrete nor concessions with cruel and shame- results.” less attacks on civilians,” Power said. China’s U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi France’s U.N. Ambassador Gerard strongly urged all parties to implement Araud said implementation “depends the resolution “in good faith.” on the goodwill of the Syrian regime “China is gravely concerned at the and the opposition.” worsening humanitarian situation in If the resolution’s demands aren’t Syria,” he said. “We deeply sympathize fulfilled, he said, France will propose with people and we hope to see an “further measures.” early and prompt amelioration of the The resolution demands that all situation in Syria.” parties, especially the Syrian govern- Syria’s U.N. Ambassador Bashar ment, “promptly allow rapid, safe and Ja’afari Syria told the council that since unhindered access...across conflict lines the beginning of the crisis “the Syrian and across borders” for humanitarian government was keen to improve the aid, and it calls on both sides “to im- humanitarian situation of the people” mediately lift the sieges of populated and “it has continued to work day and areas.” night in order to perform all the hu- It demands that all parties “cease manitarian needs of its citizens.” depriving civilians of food and medi- Ja’afari added that the Syrian gov- cine indispensable to their survival.” It ernment is providing 75 percent of the also demands a halt to all attacks humanitarian assistance in the country against civilians, including indiscrimi- while the U.N. and other organizations nate shelling and aerial attacks using have supplied only 25 percent. He ac- barrel bombs in populated areas. cused some unnamed countries of po- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki- liticizing the delivery of humanitarian 16+ moon told the council immediately after aid, misleading international public the vote that the resolution “should not opinion, and refusing to provide ambu- Business www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 6 Banks See Profitability Fall as Loans Turn Bad By Alexander Panin The four banks mentioned in the THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES report that specialize in individual Banks that have been profusely lend- loans have already had to allocate half ing money to Russians will have to of their operational revenue to cover pump up reserves to offset growing possible losses because of overdue losses, according to a banking forecast loans, up from only 6 percent in 2011 for 2014. and 26 percent in 2012, the analyst After a borrowing binge, people’s said. ability to service their debts are being S&P estimates that the banking sys- squeezed as the economy continues to tem on average will have to hold re- flounder. Meanwhile, banks’ profitabil- serves high enough to cover possible ity is falling and the share of unsecured losses worth 30 to 35 percent of their debt on their books is growing, said the operational revenue, up from 8 percent forecast, released by Standard and in 2012. Poor’s on Feb. 20. This would put a burden on the And good news is not on the hori- profit margins, lowering the average zon — Feb. 20 also saw reports of nega- return on equity to 13 to 15 percent, tive economic growth in January and a down from about 18 percent in 2011, steep fall in capital investment. the analysts said.

YEKATERINA KUZMINA / VEDOMOSTI YEKATERINA The consumer loan market boomed Banks will have lower profit mar- The Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg was one of several luxury hotels to open in St. Petersburg in 2013. in 2012 and 2013, growing 30 to 40 per- gins not only because of ballooning cent annually. This year it will begin to overdue loans, but also due to falling cool, increasing by a still considerable demand for their services and tighten- 20 to 25 percent, S&P analysts said. ing fiscal policy by the Central Bank, Hoteliers Reflect on Success At first glance, the debt burden in said Egor Dvinyanin, head of the East the economy is moderate — loans to + West = Invest financial conference’s By Olga Kalashnikova is an important milestone in the devel- tain guests were squeezed into lower individuals constitute only 14 percent analytical center. THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES opment of the industry. Occupancy segments. Still, with an overall growth of gross domestic product. This figure Banks could cope with the flagging 2013 has been acknowledged by St. Pe- rates typically fall to 20 percent in the in RevPAR of 17%, it was another is 21 percent in Turkey, 34 percent in economy and the overdue loans, he tersburg hotels as their most successful autumn and winter from a high of 90 great performance. Poland and 30 percent in China. said, but the “cleaning” of the banking year to date following the difficult times percent during the summer season. The positive dynamics of the hospi- “But the number does not fully rep- sector that has been aggressively pur- the industry has faced since 2008. The “This was an exceptional summer tality industry have led to the expan- resent all the potential risks,” said Ser- sued by the regulator since fall of last revenue per available room, or RevPAR, season for the city and there was an ad- sion of operators’ range in St. Peters- gei Voronenko, senior analyst at S&P. year is severing the trust people had in in local hotels has increased to upwards ditional boost in September as the city burg. The opening of luxury hotels “If we subtract secured debt from this financial institutions. of 15 percent across all categories from hosted the G20 meeting,” said David confirms the attractiveness of the city value we would be left with 8 percent Over 30 mid- and small-size banks economy- to luxury-class properties. As Jenkins, Head of the Hotels and Hospi- to both the hospitality industry and of GDP, which are unsecured loans. had their licenses revoked last year, a result, hoteliers and owners seem up- tality Group for Russia and the CIS at tourists with deep pockets. This means the majority of loans taken and eight more have been shut down in beat heading into 2014 and beyond. Jones Lang LaSalle. “RevPAR in Sep- In early 2000, there were just four out by individuals are unsecured.” 2014. By the end of 2013, the hospitality tember was almost double the usual rate international operators on the local Another factor alarming the ana- The febrile atmosphere generated industry of St. Petersburg included 134 for many hotels — evidence that as a market; nowadays there are 12 interna- lysts is the concentration of risk in a will lead to a redistribution of funds to- hotels operating in the city with a total host city for major events, St. Petersburg tional players and new ones are ex- few institutions. Four major banks — ward safe, state-controlled banks, of about 19,200 rooms, according to has an adequate amount of accommo- pected to join. It is a good indicator for Russky Standart, Vostochny Express, Dvinyanin said. data from Colliers International. This dation for each level of quality.” St. Petersburg, Colliers International OTP Bank and Home Credit Bank — But this is already happening. Ac- figure does not include mini-hotels, The highest average daily rate analysts believe. According to their which specialize in individual loans cording to S&P, in 2007 state banks ac- government-run hotels or hostels. (ADR) growth was observed in the forecast, there will be at least 14 interna- have more than tripled their combined counted for 43 percent of all assets in Four new hotels opened in St. Pe- luxury segment and exceeded 11,300 tional operators by 2015. Operators that portfolio in the last three years. These the banking sector. Last year this figure tersburg in 2013, three of which were rubles ($317). already have several hotels in the city banks now account for 10 percent of rose to 57 percent. five-star properties. Four Seasons Ho- “With the Four Seasons hitting the will expand their presence here as well. all individual loans in the country. The Central Bank’s latest data on tel Lion Palace St. Petersburg was the market fully in 2014 it is unlikely to Three brand hotels are planned for They also hold almost a quarter of all the movement of individual deposits first to open, quickly followed by the challenge the overall occupancy rate in opening in 2014 in St. Petersburg, in- overdue private debt in the banking shows that December saw the weakest Hermitage Hotel, which is the official the segment but it could help boost cluding Hampton by Hilton ExpoFo- system. growth in deposits for 13 years. Of the hotel of the State Hermitage Museum. overall ADR,” said Jenkins. rum (the opening may be moved to “We estimate that all banks will fewer funds deposited in the banking The boutique hotel Trezzini Palace The luxury segment in St. Petersburg 2015), Park Inn Pulkovo Airport and have to increase their reserves to cover system, over 90 percent went to the rounded out the new offerings at the demonstrates the gulf in rates within the Indigo boutique hotel by IHG, its first possible bad loan losses,” Voronenko country’s biggest lender — the state- top end of the spectrum, bringing the upper upscale segment – the difference in Russia. said. owned Sberbank. total number of rooms across all three reaches 50 percent, while in Moscow the The key change in the city centre hotels to 367. gap between the two segments of the will be the refurbishment of the Azi- “2013 was a successful year for the hotel industry is 30 percent. mut Hotel – with a new lobby and hotels in St. Petersburg, including W According to Colliers International meeting facilities planned for opening St. Petersburg,” Mario Habicher, the data, the room rates for St. Petersburg in May 2014. Economic Crime Afflicts General Manager of W St. Petersburg, hotels approximately increased 5-6 “This, along with a number of new told The St. Petersburg Times. percent in comparison with 2012. The guest rooms that were already opened “International events such as the upscale segment, usually represented in 2013, will somewhat ‘awaken’ this 69% of Russian Firms Economic Forum, the Stars of the White by four-stars hotels, showed a 13 per- sleeping giant and should make some Nights [a festival at the Mariinsky The- cent growth in rates and they now aver- impact in the MICE segment as well as THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES business organizations rose 9 percent ater], the international Gumball 3000 age 6,850 rubles ($192) per night, ac- compete more effectively than before,” More than 60 percent of Russian com- since 2011 to 45 percent, the report motor rally and others helped make the cording to Colliers International. said Jenkins. panies say that they have been victims paid particular attention to internal summer such a success,” said Habicher. However, it was the middle segment New hotels hope to find their niche of economic crimes like bribery, a re- fraud and profiled a stereotypical Rus- “Honestly, even the winter season ex- that demonstrated the highest RevPAR on the St. Petersburg market such as port said. sian business “fraudster.” The compos- ceeded all our expectations. St. Peters- growth with 19 percent in 2013. Middle capsule hotels, originating in Japan, Worldwide, the incidence of fraud is ite character was a college-educated burg has become a fashionable winter class establishments include three-star which are arriving soon in the northern much lower, with 37 percent of compa- man in his 30s holding a position in destination for Europeans.” hotels, which can cost up to 4,000 ru- capital. nies having come into contact with it, middle or senior management. Overcoming seasonality, to which bles ($112) per night. This led to a three “Two new hotels, part of the Simple according to research by Pricewater- The proportion of economic crimes St. Petersburg is particularly sensitive, percent increase in occupancy as cer- Hostel chain, are planning to open in houseCoopers released late last week. committed by senior and middle man- 2014. The average daily rate and aver- The most common crime faced by agement in Russia, 82 percent, has age city occupancy are slowly growing. businesses in Russia, identified by 69 risen by 9 percent in the past three These factors allow us to regard the St. percent of respondents who said they years. The PwC report, however, sees Petersburg hospitality market as a po- had been victims, was theft of assets by hope in the fact that Russian compa- tentially lucrative one,” said Eugenia directors and employees, ranging from nies have higher rates than the global Tuchkova, the deputy head of Colliers the embezzlement of cash to stealing average for informing law enforcement International St. Petersburg’s consult- company equipment. The second most about and issuing warnings to perpe- ing department. common was bribery with 58 percent, trators of fraud. They also dismiss more In 2014 Colliers International ana- more than double the 27 percent world internal fraudsters than the global av- lysts predict that another 1,300 rooms average. erage, and show less tolerance for deal- will be available, a significant number Forty-one percent of Russian exec- ing with external sources of fraud. of them being in the four – and five-star utives told PwC that they had been Of the more than 100 Russian orga- hotel segment. asked to pay a bribe, and 42 percent nizations surveyed, 54 percent were The hotels themselves are more said they had lost out on an opportu- private companies, 40 percent were cautious though in their forecasts for nity to a competitor who they think publicly listed companies and 2 percent the year. paid a bribe, higher than a respective government sector entities. Thirty-nine “We are keeping our 2014 plans a 18 and 22 percent worldwide. percent of respondents worked in com-

W ST. PETERSBURG / STARWOOD PETERSBURG W ST. secret since competition in the city is While the number of companies re- panies with more than 10,000 employ- W St. Petersburg cites international events as helping keep occupation rates up. higher than ever,” said Habicher. porting fraud by persons outside their ees worldwide. The St. Petersburg Times | www.sptimes.ru BUSINESS Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 7 YoMobile Car Postponed Forecast Plans Divide Economists By Alexander Panin Indefinitely THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES According to government predictions, Production of the YoMobile, a state companies’ spending plans are long-planned Russian hybrid likely to pull the economy out of stagna- gas-electric car sponsored by bil- tion toward the end of the year. Other lionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, has economists, however, remain skeptical of been delayed indefinitely, an of- these forecasts. ficial told reporters Feb. 20. Figures for January released last Production in St. Petersburg week did not give grounds for optimism, will be delayed due to “major and recent news reports have said that difficulties” in creating the car, Russia may be headed into a recession. said Maxim Meyksin, a spokes- Government officials remained hope- man for the city’s industrial poli- ful despite State Statistics Service data cies and innovation committee, showing that direct investment slumped Vedomosti reported. 7 percent compared to the year before Speaking at an auto investment while analysts expected a 1.5 percent conference, Meyksin did not spec- growth and retail sales growth slowed to ify the reasons for the delay, but 2.4 percent against 3.8 percent growth in said that developing the car re- December. quired a large amount of funding. “Unfortunately, the economy contin- As of 2011, investment in the Yo- ues to stagnate, but we anticipate an end Mobile was estimated at about 260 to this stagnation will come in the second million euros ($356 million). or third quarter,” said Deputy Economic The car’s development and Development Minister Andrei Klepach, production by Yo-Auto, partly PRIME Business News Agency reported owned by billionaire Mikhail Friday. Prokhorov’s Onexim group, have Several economists interviewed by

been repeatedly delayed since the The St. Petersburg Times disagreed with / VEDOMOSTI– MAXIM STULOV vehicle was announced in 2010. this relatively rosy outlook. Some economists are skeptical of certain predictions the Finance Ministry is making for 2014. YoMobiles were scheduled to start “Judging by the falling levels of in- coming off the assembly line in vestment and production output, we are tive behavior,” Siluanov said, PRIME Gazprom’s approved investment pro- would result in any significant improve- 2013. The most recent announce- likely entering a recession,” said Valery reported. gram for this year stands at just more ment of the general economy. ments had pegged production to Mironov, deputy head of the Higher Meanwhile, many state companies than 800 billion rubles ($22.4 billion), 22 “Overall, we expect low investment start at the beginning of 2015. School of Economics’ Center for Devel- investment plans are scheduled to con- percent less than it was in 2013. activity and a decrease in consumer con- At the end of January, Prok- opment Institute. tract and significant investment activity “How can state companies, Gazprom sumption growth this year,” said Alexei horov deflected questions from “Usually a local recession lasts for two is only evident in the plans of Russian for instance, invest, if the prices for gas Vedev, head of the Gaidar Institute’s reporters about the car, viewed to three quarters. So in the third quarter Railways. have been frozen? Of course the com- Structural Research Center. as a symbol of innovation in Rus- we should be talking not about an end of According to a plan approved in No- pany has reserves but will not invest If there are investments, they are sia, preferring to focus on the stagnation but about coming out of a re- vember, the company will invest 1.2 tril- them just to show how bad the effect of more likely to be seen in the manufactur- upcoming Winter Olympics. cession, which either has already started lion rubles ($33 billion) until 2016, mainly the tariff freeze was,” Mironov said. ing industry, which will benefit from the The vehicle, propelled by its or will start soon,” Mironov said. to improve rail infrastructure in Siberia The Economic Development Minis- frozen tariffs on gas, electricity and trans- catchy name and its promise of One driver for the reverse trend, and the Far East. More than 390 billion try estimated that the effect of a tariff portation, Mironov said. renewal and innovation in the Klepach said, will come from state com- rubles ($10.9 billion) will be spent in 2014 freeze for Gazprom would result in fall- Some growth could come from the moribund domestic car industry, panies like Gazprom, which saw a sharp and 411 billion rubles ($11.5 billion) in ing revenues totaling 600 billion rubles private sector but it would require stimu- attracted widespread attention drop in investment two years ago. 2015, as compared to the 411 billion ru- ($16.8 billion) over the next three years. lative measures from the government, after developers said that the cars Speaking before investors in Hong bles in spending approved for last year. A slimdown also awaits the power said Dmitry Plekhanov, a senior analyst will cost 350,000 to 450,000 rubles Kong, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov To help the company complete its in- company Russian Grids. The company’s at the Institute for Complex Strategic ($9,800 to $12,700) and be able to echoed the words of his colleague on vestment plan, 300 billion rubles ($8.4 investment program, scheduled for ap- Studies, a Russia-based economic policy travel 400 kilometers on one tank Feb. 21. billion) will come from state coffers. proval in March, may decrease to just think tank. of gas. The minister said that although state But the government is not planning more than 980 billion rubles ($27.5 bil- The government’s positive forecasts In July 2013, the production companies did decrease their invest- to support two other state-controlled lion), down 21 percent from the 1.2 tril- are meant to calm down the market and target for the YoMobile was cut ments, this effect was only seen in 2013. companies which, like Russian Railways, lion rubles planned. the people, he added. “But we saw that from 90,000 to 40,000 cars per “And in 2014, private investments will have also seen their prices frozen. Gaz- But even if investment programs of claims made in the beginning of 2013 year. continue to grow and investments of prom and Russian Grids’ investment state companies were to be revised and were very different from the actual re- state companies will show a more posi- strategies are scheduled to contract. grow, analysts are still doubtful this move sults achieved by the year’s end.” Education & JobOpportunities advertising section Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Learning Russian easy and fun with the authors of famous Looking for a job? Russian coursebooks! Now you have a chance To place your MINI-RESUME In the Job Opportunities section 1,180 rubles for 4 issues Please contact Inna Klyavlina At 325 60 80, ext. 338 e-mail: [email protected] BusinessFocus www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 8 Spartak Sobolev: Raising Risk Awareness By Olga Kalashnikova of currency is to pay attention to the cepted as normal. At the same time, the THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES risks, and the professionals can help de- desire for a quick profit is still there. One termine what those risks are. should always try to improve their life he Russian ruble has hit but, as I have already said, one should historic lows this year, Q: Can any investment be non- understand there are certain risks and dropping to exchange rates risky or is this impossible? be prepared for them. Almost everyone of more than 48 rubles to A: Every asset is at risk of losing can learn the basics of the financial mar- the euro and 37 rubles to value. Real estate is considered to be ket but their success depends more on theT U.S. dollar. While Russians scram- the most dependable investment. I how emotional they are. ble to buy currency, however, Forex agree with this assessment; there is a analyst Spartak Sobolev warns against lack of residential real estate so more Q: What qualities should a person making rash decisions. will be built. But there is always a risk, have to successfully operate in the fi- Despite his youth, Sobolev’s advice nancial markets? on how to balance budgets and manage A: Financial investments are stress- finances on the open market is well ful. A person should be calm, disci- heeded. He sat with The St. Petersburg ‘Financial investments plined and patient. It is very hard, psy- Times in the Forex Club office, opened chologically, to take responsibility for a his laptop and continued to follow the are stressful. A person decision. We determine what we think market throughout the conversation. should be calm, is the correct decision and give our rec- Sobolev explained why the layperson ommendation. should be careful and not believe cer- disciplined and tain financial forecasts regarding cur- Q: Are market analysts supersti- rency exchange, the qualities needed to patient.’ tious? succeed in finance and why analysts are A: Sure. There are rules to follow as superstitious as the next person. even with real estate, that it may lose but psychology is just as important. value. I don’t think there are any truly Anyone can learn the basics but they Q: While the euro and dollar have re- non-risky assets in the world. have to deal with all the chaos as well. mained stable over the past several The most important thing is to know years, the ruble has rapidly weakened Q: Do ordinary people have a when to cash out. People have earned since the beginning of 2014. Why is chance to learn the basics of the fi- outrageous profits but lost everything this and what can we expect from it? nancial market? What do you do to because they could not stop when they A: There was a moment of stability teach these people about the financial needed to. There needs to be a strong when the rates were at 34 rubles per markets? sense of self-control. dollar and 43 to 44 rubles per euro. A: The main thing to understand is Many people used this situation to buy that we cannot make everyone a bil- Q: Is there any sense in a person cheap euros. One of the main reasons lionaire. Otherwise, we would be bil- with only $200 or $300 to spend in- for the current weakening of the Rus- lionaires ourselves. There are, in fact, vesting in the financial markets? How sian currency is the attempt by the very few high-stakes investors. The much would someone have to play Central Bank, our regulator, to make available options are not very efficient; with in order to make the most of their the ruble a freely floating currency, al- otherwise no one would share them. investment? lowing foreign markets to determine its Our task is to take the rose-tinted A: In this case it would be better if value. Very few people predicted such glasses from our client’s eyes and ex- they spent the money rather than in- a high exchange rate for the euro. As plain the things we strive for and ex- vesting it. In our opinion, investors analysts, we try to remain cautious plain are risks. How far we get depends should have at least $10,000 if they when making forecasts. We were more only on the person. want to start investing in the market. surprised by the speed at which the euro reached 47 - 48 rubles rather than Q: How is Russia different in this Q: What is your forecast for the

the fact that it did so. Banks started FOR SPT regard? ruble? buying currency and people hurried to Spartak Sobolev, 29, is a respected financial advisor despite his youth. A: Russia is very inexperienced in A: The current trend will continue. convert their savings. We always advise this area while the U.S. is very devel- When the exchange rate for the dollar not to do these things in a rush. Everything depends on the individual, there was a desire to keep money in the oped. In Russia, people have fallen for is 33 or 32.5 rubles, that is when it will however. If a person has extra money, local currency. However, the situation various pyramid schemes, which causes be profitable to buy currency. If you Q: Did you predict the ruble to they’ll want to put it somewhere either has changed: Foreign currency deposits fear and distrust. We need at least ten want to buy euros, I would wait until weaken? to earn more or to save it. Many people are profitable for those who have from years before this aspect of business is ac- the rate is back at 43 to 44 rubles. A: If you have followed the ruble don’t necessarily understand what they one to three million rubles to save. But since 2009, you will have noticed that want most. On the one hand, they want you need to know when to convert it. If despite its stability, it has been weak- to keep their money safe but they also someone decides to stick with only one ening constantly. At the current mo- want to earn money. These people often currency, they should ensure they’re ment, it is important to realize that make a decision when it is too late and aware of when they can earn money by Russians Saving More in trying to convert savings into a for- then there are risks that they may lose converting it. eign currency is risky. For example, their own money. There was a similar Russians are now paying 35 rubles per Q: Are people in St. Petersburg fi- dollar, but it could fall back to 33.5 nancially savvy? Rubles Than Dollars rubles per dollar during the first quar- A: We have clients with various fi- RIA NOVOSTI Meanwhile, Russia’s central ter of the year. If a person wants to ‘In our opinion, nancial backgrounds. Some are people Russians are increasingly saving bank expanded the upper limit for buy foreign currency, they should wait without any experience who do not re- money in rubles rather than dol- the ruble trading corridor again until the situation stabilizes, when investors should have ally understand how the system works. lars, despite the declining relative Monday. The bank raised the upper currency rates will be at their most at least $10,000 if they There are people who already under- value of the domestic currency, Fi- limit of the target corridor, the advantageous. Only then can a person stand something but do not know how nance Minister Anton Siluanov bracket within which the regulator make money. We can say that we ex- want to start investing to make a profit from their knowledge. said Friday. attempts to keep the ruble through pected such a situation to occur but it in the market.’ An observer can already follow the The value of the ruble has fallen market interventions, by 10 kopecks is impossible to recognize a trend if market and make a forecast, but it is substantially since late last year and to 35-42 rubles against the euro- you don’t follow the financial news situation in February 2009, when the difficult for them to make the decision reached a historic low against the dollar basket. constantly. dollar rate was 36.4 and the euro was whether or not to invest. Most people euro on February 19 of more than The central bank has said it will selling for about 46 rubles. If a person just do not understand what is really 49 rubles. It also fell to more than conduct unlimited interventions to Q: Is it the financially uninformed had been saving money to buy a flat and happening. 35 to the dollar, its lowest rate since bring the ruble back within its tar- who suffered most from the current decided instead to convert their savings the financial crisis of 2009. get range if it strays outside of the situation? into foreign currency, they risked a lot. Q: Why is this? The slumping exchange rate corridor. A: Yes, it is a lack of information Shortly after February, the dollar was A: It is not their fault. People often prompted claims that people would The corridor’s upper limit has in- that causes people to suffer. Those who selling for only 32 rubles. listen to professionals without fully real- switch their savings into foreign cur- creased by 1.95 rubles so far this know the market wait for an opportune izing that no one can accurately predict rency rather than rubles. But offi- year. It increased 1.4 rubles during moment to convert currency. But even Q: How can people protect them- the exchange rate. They can only esti- cials urged the public to continue to the whole of 2013. a housewife can be financially savvy. selves? mate what it may be. If someone trusts hold their savings in rubles, the cur- The ruble has been one of the Yes, she won’t have a lot of knowledge A: To protect yourself, the profes- these advisors without taking into ac- rency they earn and spend, arguing fastest fallers amid emerging mar- about the market, but she will be able sionals often recommend dividing your count the potential risks, they may not that they could lose more money by ket currency declines this year. The to recognize the trends. savings into three different currencies make the best decision. This is the most exchanging it. currency has lost over 6 percent of — rubles, euros and dollars. It is the common setback. People realize their Siluanov told a meeting of inves- its value against the euro-dollar bas- Q: Do you need any kind of special easiest way. mistake only once they’ve already bought tors in Hong Kong on Friday that ket since the start of 2014. education to follow the markets? dollars for 36 rubles each. Professionals “the level of dollarization in the A weaker ruble means larger A: To operate professionally, yes, it Q: In which currency do people in never give concrete advice and so-called [Russian] economy has lowered.” profits for Russian exporters and a is necessary to have knowledge and ex- St. Petersburg prefer to save their observers only give recommendations on “More and more, the ruble is be- state budget windfall, which is de- perience. But there are also many mar- money? timing. How can one understand if it re- coming the currency of savings and pendent on commodity exports. Of- ket observers that we often see in mass A: Statistics show that there are ally is a good moment to convert a cur- transactions within the country. The ficials have denied, however, that media; they understand what they are more deposits in rubles than other cur- rency? People need to understand the amount of foreign currency debt is devaluation is a deliberate ploy to talking about and they can determine rencies. A year ago, banks offered good risks. My advice for someone who is very small,” he said. boost revenue. the right moment to buy or sell currency. exchange rates to their customers, so thinking about exchanging large amounts DiningGuide advertising section Wednesday, February 26, 2014

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Choice of curry: Prospekt on Vasilievsky Island has Welcome to our new cosy Novotel culinary delights — from Flemish lamb the few places in the world chicken, lamb, fish, lentil or vegetable refurbished its interior and concept to Café where you can have a quick and stew and Waterzoi to world’s most where diners can enjoy the with rice, salad and bread, plus mineral celebrate the restaurant chain’s 10th tasty snack. The café offers a famous Liege-style waffles. Each of finest dishes of aristocratic water. Restaurant provides small to anniversary.With the new homely space comprehensive and balanced cuisine our beers is served in an original Russian cuisine in the elegant medium-sized outdoor catering services incorporating soft lighting with surround at reasonable price. Novotel Café is glass and our eccentric way of serving atmosphere of an upscale for parties and banquet functions. sound, a large library to suit every taste perfect for both spending free time each meal will both intrigue and establishment. Extensive wine as well as evening DJ sets, the new and holding business meeting in delight. collection. Opulent interiors $$ renovation has created a more eccentric informal setting. with open fireplace. Smoking bohemian-style feel for the space. Enjoy seasonal hot cocktails, hot $$$ area. In addition to its already famous St. Petersburg chocolate and ITALIAN Japanese and Pan-Asian dishes, both homemade Glühwein at Novotel Café, $$$ Italian and American cuisine options with the tempting cakes and pastries STEAK HOUSE Restaurant Da Albertone will also soon be added. at our La Brioche Deli-Counter. European and Asian lunches are Take away service. Offside Steak House Shokoladnitsa available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Open daily for à la carte from 06:30 — prices starting at 295 rubles. 23:00, breakfast 06:30 — 10:00, buffet business lunch 12:00 — 16:00. 23 Millionnaya Ul. $ Major credit cards are accepted. Tel: +7 (812) 315-86-73, 962-08-29. Try our business lunch on every 32 Ul. Korablestroiteley, build. 3 Popular Italian restaurant. Head chef week-day at Novotel from 12:00 M: Primorskaya Luca Pellino, sous-chef Tiziano Valente. INTERNATIONAL until 16:00. Tel.+7 (812) 305-55-25 Hotline +8 (800) 100 3360 Located close to the Hermitage. Open Our daily buffet features only www.оффсайд.рф www.shoko.ru kitchen. Homemade pasta, sausages, Beerstube Restaurant homemade cooking, freshly baked Offside Steak House, which is located in Shokoladnitsa — More than just coffee desserts and ice-cream. Supervised cakes, fresh salads, Russian delicacies the very heart of Vasilevsky Ostrov, With over 30 unique cafes in St. kids’ playroom and menu. Summer as well as Mediterranean dishes with began welcoming diners in 2006. Petersburg, the large coffee chain with terrace. Japanese dishes from the the emphasis on Regional Cuisine. Full Offside has not changed its traditions in a sweet name has been operating in adjacent “Sushi Lounge” can be buffet is for only all that time and looks forward to Russia and across the CIS for many ordered. Open Sun-Thurs 11 a.m. – 57 Nevsky Prospect 760 Rubles — coffee and mineral welcoming guests, old and new, with its years. Each cafe is designed with a 11 p.m., Fri-Sat until 1 a.m. Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg water included. varied dishes and a thoughtful regard relaxing interior and offers the same Delivery service available. Ground floor Monday — Friday, 12:00 — 16:00. for their enjoyment. The restaurant’s welcoming hospitality as well as the The cozy pub-style Beerstube restaurant menu always includes a variety of company’s excellent coffee, desserts $$ invites fans of winter sports to enjoy the $$ marbled beef steaks, homemade pastas and hot dishes from both European Olympic Games in Sochi from 7 to 23 and handmade desserts as well as and Russian cuisines. ITALY Bottega February. Live broadcasts of the Games many classic European dishes. A range The aroma of roasted coffee beans, on plasma screens, a special menu PAN-ASIAN of wines and alcohols complement every along with a classic cappuccino from the hotel chef, large choice of meal and will amaze guests with its topped with soft foam accompanied drinks and a great atmosphere will fill PARADISE cafe&bar breadth and depth. Special offers are by a slice of gourmet Napoleon cake you with true Olympic spirit and allow available on weekends and discount will set a romantic mood on any given 14 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul., you to experience the thrill of the cards are offered to loyal clients. day. A toasted club sandwich with Tel.: +7 (812) 944-0-300, italy-group.ru season’s major sporting event from the Broadcasting both the Olympics and chicken, Felino salami, Maasdam ITALY Bottega is like discovering a corner comfort of our restaurant. football matches on a big screen. cheese and traditional rabbit-filled of Italy in the very heart of Daily, from 9 a.m. till 10 p.m. dumplings will also please guests St. Petersburg. Home-made pasta, real 2 Konyushennaya Pl. $$ with a hearty appetite. Every day Neapolitan pizza, the most popular $$ Info&reserve: 9 55555 9 Shokoladnitsa invites you to enjoy a Italian specialities and a great variety of www.paradise-cafe.ru coffee date across the northern wines are all on the menu. It’s a great Cafe-bar Soiree PARADISE is a new establishment that RUSSIAN capital. place to meet up with friends, enjoy a is a joint project by renowned Moscow We look forward to serving you! leisurely family breakfast, talk business designers. The premium-class Dom with colleagues or just sip a glass of institution in the city center is a $ wine after tiring walk in the city center. popular hangout for stylish, active and beautiful people. During the day, $$ PARADISE is a fashionable casual cafe with an exquisite pan-Asian menu. In TONY’s Kitchen 28 Ul. Zhukovskogo the kitchen, the chef creates a unique 72 Nab. Reki Moiki. Metro: Ploshchad Vosstaniya gastronomic PARADISE: Exquisite Tel.: +7 (812) 930 7272, rest-dom.ru 8 (812) 2723512 cuisine in a luxurious setting — only the A restaurant serving modern Russian To advertise, Website: http://spbbar.net/ best, for the best. cuisine, Dom captures the food, E-mail: [email protected] In the evening and at night, this is the traditions and culture of Russia. With a please call 88 Maly Prospekt VO. Tel. 988 8020 Soiree is a cafe-bar great for business perfect place for a pre-party cocktail. focus on the family trio of comfort, Tony’s Kitchen is an everyday meetings, business lunches or even a Three dining rooms, a fantastic cuisine and flavor, the restaurant adds 325 6080 restaurant that is equally perfect for a romantic dinner. The combination of karaoke hall, only topical musical sets, its own modern twist. The menu business meeting or a romantic dinner. delicious food and affordable prices a great crowd, masterfully-mixed includes special dishes such as The meals on offer take into account gives you the perfect reason to stay and cocktails from the best bartenders in pelmeni with rabbit, pumpkin fritters any and all preferences: Italian, Pan- dine! A fine selection of wines to suit town and elevated cuisine are all with red caviar, whole smoked sterlet Asian and Japanese cuisine are all every taste are also on display around waiting for you beyond the gates of and borsch with porcini mushrooms all Find more available and a wide selection of wines the high shelves in the dining room. PARADISE! exclusively created by chef Eugene is presented on shelves in the dining You can be sure to find that Soiree will We invite you to celebrate the New Khomenko. Wine connoisseurs and information room. The restaurant is located on two suit all your needs and for a wonderful Year holidays in the charming lovers will be delighted by the selection on our website floors, which makes it comfortable for time spent with family or in the compnay atmosphere of PARADISE! It offers an of wines from both the Old and New informal celebrations, including of friends. extravaganza of light and sound, an Worlds. And after the dinner one can birthday parties and corporate events. Breakfast: 9:00-11:00. Lunch: 11:00- unprecedented artistic show, spend time at our old-fashioned bar WWW.SPTIMES.RU Tony’s Kitchen has all the amenties for 17:00. Dinner: 17:00-23:00. incendiary karaoke and endless enjoying fascinating live music an enjoyable family outing: A spacious 110 seats dancing to sound the city’s best DJ! performances. children’s room with a nanny, coloring books and a children’s menu. $$ $$$ $$$

– 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 EducationSpecial www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 10 MiM Offers an Alternative for the Ambitious By Lana Matafonov program are highly valued and are per- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ceived as young professionals who pos- With the effects of globalization creating sess a sufficient set of skills to start their a volatile and ever-changing business en- career,” she said. vironment, it’s no surprise that this in According to Siegers, it’s this type of turn has affected business education, in opportunity for overseas study and ex- terms of both the value and popularity of posure to other business cultures that certain qualifications. While the Master makes the program especially appealing of Business Administration, or MBA, for Russian graduates. still remains the most recognized man- “This was one of the reasons why the agement credential, the number of stu- MiM was a success right from the start in dents applying for the program has fallen Russia — this generation of students in recent years in favor of a more acces- want to gain international experience. sible and affordable option — the Mas- The CEMS MiM guarantees not only ters in Management, or MiM, degree. that, but is also a seal of quality and

‘Employers are Chances for studying increasingly looking overseas and exposure for emotional to other business intelligence and social cultures are part of the leadership potential.’ program’s appeal.

The recent surge in popularity for the [proof of] company interaction,“ he said. MiM is especially evident in Europe. However, he added that Russian stu- From the number of students who sat the dents face additional barriers compared Graduate Management Admissions to their European colleagues. Test, or GMAT, last year, 44 percent ap- “The peculiarities of the Russian job plied to MiM programs — an upswing of market do make a difference in career 23 percent from 2008. In Russia, growth prospects and choices,” he said. last year was just as significant with 32 According to Siegers, visa restric-

percent of GMAT applicants looking to BUCK / FLICKR MATT tions make it hard for Russian graduates complete a MiM — up from 17 percent A Masters in Management offers a fast track to business success for those unable or unwilling to pursue an MBA. to get jobs, and even internships, in the in 2008. EU. Roland Siegers, executive director of Bachelor graduates with little or no Founded in 1988, CEMS run a 28- knowledge and skills, including team- “On the opportunities side, manage- CEMS, a global alliance in management work experience whereas the MBA can school global partnership to deliver its work, and analytical and communication ment salaries and career prospects are education that runs its own MiM pro- only be undertaken after at least five to MiM program, which includes the Grad- skills that we’d all gained on CEMS currently so good in Russia that ‘domes- grams around the world, is not surprised six years of experience. There is also a uate School of Management, or GSOM, MiM projects, the results of the intern- tic’ careers look very attractive,” said by the figures. He believes that the MiM substantial difference in cost. The MiM at St. Petersburg State University. The ship were beneficial for both students Siegers, before adding that most stu- is on track to replace the MBA as the is similarly priced to a Bachelor’s pro- university currently has 40 students and the company.” dents typically secure jobs before they management degree of choice. gram whereas an MBA can cost up to graduating from its MiM program every “The MiM is providing me with graduate, many with CEMS Corporate “Beyond excellent grades and proven twice that amount. year, each having had the opportunity to very similar skills and knowledge as an Partners. intellectual capacities, which remain a “MBA’s are relatively expensive and study abroad. MBA program would. That is why, Having joined the CEMS network in must, employers are increasingly look- to pay your tuition debt you will need to “There are a number of additional most probably, I will not need to com- 2008, GMOS will also get a chance to ing for emotional intelligence and social aim for middle to higher management components to the curriculum, such as plete an MBA program in the future,” showcase both the best of its program as leadership potential,” he said, speaking positions, which are by nature limited,” the requirement to learn a second lan- he added. well as the city when it hosts the CEMS to The St. Petersburg Times. said Siegers. guage, skills seminars, business projects Anna Rogozina, another GSOM Annual Events, a yearly gathering which “The MiM’s young graduates are in- “MiMs are much cheaper in com- and an international internship which all MiM student, also completed an over- brings together the entire CEMS com- creasingly being seen as an asset as they parison. Additionally, they answer the make the program very interesting and seas internship last summer. She was munity, and sees the graduation of up to are not only university-trained general- immediate need to differentiate one- valuable,” said Anton Remnyov, a cur- required to apply for positions in several 1,000 CEMS students. ists in management but are more willing self from other job candidates and pro- rent GSOM MiM student. companies which allowed her to experi- “We believe that the November to accept change and better deal with vide a quicker ‘return on investment’ “I completed my summer internship ence firsthand the attitude employers 2015 CEMS Annual Events at GSOM the evolving business market.” to those families in emerging markets at an IT company working in the area of have towards the MiM . “Overall, the will be an excellent opportunity to The major difference between the that have pooled their resources to safe and smart city solutions in Berlin, reaction from employers to the MiM showcase Russia’s increased prestige two programs is the entry requirements. support the education of one ‘family Germany,” said Remnyov. “As we were was positive. I had the impression that and reputation in management educa- The MiM is immediately available to champion,’” he said. assigned tasks that required managerial students and recent graduates of this tion,” said Siegers. ADVERTISING Licenses of 69 Education Institutions Revoked THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES measure changing the way the in- Sixty-nine educational institutions spection service will handle viola- have had their licenses revoked, fol- tions from educational organiza- lowing an investigation by the Fed- tions, like admitting students who eral Inspection Service for Educa- have not taken the Unified State tion and Science and the Prosecutor Exam. General’s Office. The decree allows the service to “In total, 69 licensed educational automatically terminate the licenses organizations have been struck off of organizations who are found in vio- ADVERTISING the register. Among them are: the lation if the decision is supported by a Institute for Socio-Economic De- court and the educational institution velopment, the Stavropol Institute does not correct its problems, re- of Economics, the International ported Rossiiskaya Gazeta. Academy of Education, and numer- The state of Russian higher edu- ous branches of the Modern Uni- cation has recently been criticized versity for the Humanities,” a state- for poor placements in the latest ment posted on the inspection ser- worldwide university rankings. vice’s website said. The Modern University for the Since Sept. 1, six independent Humanities, headquartered in Mos- universities, 17 branches of state cow, said that none of its branches universities and 44 branches of pri- have been closed by the inspection vate educational institutions have service. A statement said that the been excluded from the register. branches’ licenses were revoked au- The announcement about revo- tomatically due to a lack of neces- cations came a day after Prime Min- sity, given the university’s use of ister Dmitry Medvedev signed a distance educational technologies. The St. Petersburg Times | www.sptimes.ru EDUCATION SPECIAL Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 11 Russia Tests Reform of Legal Education By Andrei Gusev and Olga Krivosheykina THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES

he reform of the education system in Russia has been at the top of the list of the most heated discussions since September 2003, when RussiaT joined the Bologna Process. This change in the way education is of- fered has brought not only hope but also difficulties and has highlighted a discrepancy between expectations and reality. The reform also applies to legal edu- cation, which undergoes constant modi- fication in response to changes in both society and political systems. As a re- sult of the switchover to the Bologna Process, Russia’s five-year program for lawyers has been extended to six (four years for a Bachelor degree and two years for a Master’s degree), but in fact this program was crammed into four years as not all students choose to con- tinue on to a Master’s degree. The set, sequencing and duration of courses in the Bachelor curriculum differ dramati- cally from specialist degree programs. Specialized courses are sometimes scheduled before students become ac- quainted with the general principals (the so-called prerequisites) and some courses have been excluded. Municipal law, for example, is in some cases only included at certain universities as a “re- gional” discipline. A practical and highly specialized approach has been

selected for Masters students, yet for SPT / FOR DASHKEVICH LILY many universities it is proving difficult The Russian government has taken measures to increase the quality of its legal education, including compulsory pro bono consultations by students. to find a lecturer who has both the nec- essary hands-on experience as well as a that take a tougher approach to the ac- will at the same time lead to an in- already been administered at the Mos- mission for Public Assessment of the grasp of teaching methodology. creditation and certification of law crease in the number of fee-paying cow State Law University, the Tyumen Quality of Higher Legal Education and The last decade has seen rapid schools. students. State University and the Novgorod the co-chairman of the RLA, and growth in the number of law schools, According to statistics published In many countries, such as in Japan, State University. While at MSLU 25 of Nikolai Bondar, a judge for Russia’s especially in the number of private law by the Federal Education and Science employers barely cast a glance at a per- 35 graduates successfully passed the Constitutional Court, propose a return schools and law faculties at non-core Supervision Service, or Rosobrnadzor, son’s educational background. A grad- exam, in Tyumen just 2 of 18 graduates to the Soviet system in which only 52 state universities. This trend has pro- and the RLA, only 104 of approxi- uate there is recruited solely on the managed to succeed. However, the re- institutions were permitted to train le- voked sharp criticism from Prime Min- mately 1,200 institutions now training basis of the results of their qualifying sults can hardly be considered fair if gal professionals. ister Dmitry Medvedev, who promised lawyers were accredited by the RLA examination. Of around 10,000 candi- those taking the exam are somehow af- Turning to the experience of the to reduce the number of such institu- in 2012. Ivan Muravyov, the director dates, only about 200 successfully pass filiated with those evaluating it. Northern European countries, the ex- tions. “The number of people with a of Rosobrnadzor, noted that “institu- the exam. In 2009, at a national confer- It seems that there is no uniformity ample of Finland, where all universities degree in law is extremely high and tions that have not passed public ac- ence dedicated to the quality of legal among lawyers with respect to their are public, is of particular note. Of the very often they cannot find a job,” he creditation conducted by RLA, or education in Russia, participants raised views on the reform of the legal educa- country’s ten universities, law faculties said. “If they do find a job, it is often which deliberately avoid it, serve as the idea of using the experience of for- tion system. Many experts report well exist in just four of them: The Univer- even more dangerous.” targets for quality control assessment eign countries and introducing a quali- on the system that existed in the USSR. sity of Helsinki, the University of In 2006, President Vladimir Putin to be held by Rosobrnadzor.” Another fying exam that would be administered Venyamin Yakovlev, counselor to Pres- Turku, the University of Jyväskylä, and issued a decree on “Measures for the measure used to improve quality is a by the RLA to determine how pre- ident Vladimir Putin, believes that “it the University of Lapland. As a result, improvement of higher education in reduction in the number of scholar- pared law graduates really were for is necessary to establish a direct link Finland does not face the problem of a Russian law,” the aim of which was to ships at higher education institutions. work. Failure to pass such a test would between the legal education system surplus of graduates. improve the quality of higher educa- Tightening approaches to accredita- indicate that the institute was of poor and state departments, and, first of all, tion programs and strengthen control tion and reducing the number of quality and needed to be shuttered. to create a databank of vacancies for Managing partner Andrei Gusev and over the activities of higher educa- scholarships will, indeed, limit the The RLA has already begun to imple- graduates from law schools.” Sergei associate Olga Krivosheykina, are both tional institutions that train legal pro- number of future professionals, but ment this initiative and the exam has Stepashin, the chairman of the Com- with Borenius Russia. fessionals. The Russian Lawyers As- ADVERTISING sociation, or the RLA, is currently tak- ing an active role in the implementa- tion of this decree by presenting the results of public evaluation of the qual- ity of legal education in Russia. Since 2009, under the auspices of the RLA and the Ministry of Education, various measures have been taken to improve the quality of legal education. Some of them take into account the ex- perience of foreign countries while oth- ers completely ignore it. On one hand, there is a current ten- dency towards the convergence of the civil and common law systems, and the means and methods of legal regulation. National educational systems converge due to the development of information technologies, open borders and the in- crease in mobility among populations. On the other hand, educational and le- gal systems, in spite of integration and globalization, continue to maintain their own regional features and tradi- tions. The Russian government has taken measures to increase the quality of legal education in Russia. One of the most important of which is a stricter ad- herence to legal education standards and includes the establishment of legal clinics and compulsory pro bono con- sultations by students. In 2010, the Rus- sian government approved a set of fed- eral guidelines for the education of professionals, including legal education 12 ❖ Wednesday, February 26, 2014 EDUCATION SPECIAL www.sptimes.ru | The St. Petersburg Times Surveys Highlight Top Russian Universities By Olga Kalashnikova produce scholars who are better and Lana Matafonov equipped and more attractive to the THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES marketplace,” said Yakunin. He went A Russian university has been recog- on to warn that if the Russian govern- nized as one of the top ten educational ment is serious about its 2020 pledges, institutions in a recent international it needs to bring practices up to date survey, conducted by Thomson Reu- across the board by “treating higher ters. Published by Times Higher Edu- education as a business, and academia cation, Lomonosov Moscow State Uni- as a training ground for the next gen- versity was listed in tenth position with eration that will join the workforce.” 41.4 points in the BRICS & Emerging Meanwhile, in another recent uni- Economies Rankings 2014. Out of the versity ranking survey, Russian univer- 100 institutions ranked, St. Petersburg sities received higher recognition. De- State University was also listed, receiv- veloped by the British company QS, in ing 23.7 points, which saw it ranked in collaboration with Russian news 67th position. agency Interfax, the QS University The top nine universities ahead of Rankings: BRICS survey is dedicated Lomonosov Moscow State University to ranking the top 100 universities in included three from Turkey, one from BRICS countries. Africa, one from Taiwan and four from The main goal of the QS ranking is China, with Chinese Peking University to highlight the strengths and achieve- ranked number one with 65 points. ments of higher education systems in The Times Higher Education the five major emerging economies BRICS & Emerging Economies Rank- and to facilitate direct comparison of ings survey involves only institutions the universities in these nations.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS in countries classified as “emerging Over 400 educational institutions Kudrovo, near St. Petersburg, will be the location for a proposed new campus expected to house 35,000 students. economies” on the FTSE 100 Index, across the five BRICS countries were which includes nations Brazil, Russia, assessed for the 2013 survey. China India, China and South Africa. The dominated the survey with over 40 of ranking uses the same methodology as its universities included in the top 100, Students Eager for New Campus the Times Higher Education World with seven of its universities in the top University Rankings, covering key ar- ten. Russia was the next most domi- By Olga Kalashnikova which is several hours from the city tion to sell off its buildings. The only eas such as methods of teaching, re- nant country with 19 universities listed THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES center. In addition, a new campus for exception is a historic site intended search and information exchange, in the top 100. This included Lo- The Leningrad Oblast government the Graduate School of Management for the St. Petersburg State Univer- while using specially designed perfor- monosov Moscow State University has signed off on a proposed campus has been built on the Petergofskaya sity of Economics and Finance on mance indicators. listed in third place, St. Petersburg for 35,000 students in Kudrovo, an doroga. Kanal Griboedova. According to a blog post on the State University in 14th position and area near the Ulitsa Dybenko metro The largest campus in St. Peters- The Makarov University was also Times Higher Education website by another five in the top 50. station. The project is currently in the burg is the Interuniversity student established due to the joining of an Andrey Yakunin, co-founding partner Brazil also performed strongly with development stage. village in the Moskovsky district, academy named after Admiral Ma- of VIY Management, Russia still has a two of its universities listed in the top A memorandum, which also with ten dormitories housing 1,000 karov and the University of Water long way to go before reaching com- ten and another nine in the top 50. In- acted as a declaration of intent, was people each. This is still not enough, Transportation. The university holds petitive standards that are crucial for dia had 16 universities listed in the signed by the government of Lenin- however, to accommodate all of the 600,000 square meters of real estate. attracting international students. How- overall list with five in the top 20 while grad Oblast, NAI Becar and two St. university’s students. According to data from NAI Becar, ever, it is on the right path. South Africa had only eight universi- Petersburg universities — the Ad- “Eight years ago, 35 percent of the general value of the properties of “Mismanagement during the post- ties included in the overall ranking. miral Makarov State University of students were from other cities. To- the two universities combined is Soviet period resulted in Russian “The QS rankings are not so much Maritime and Inland Shipping and day, non-resident students make up about 60 billion rubles ($1.8 billion). higher education becoming over- for the universities as they are for stu- the St. Petersburg State University around 95 percent at some educa- Selling the properties is only possible, stretched (the student body doubled in dents and young professionals who of Economics (which unites the St. tional establishments,” said Ivan however, once the move to the new size) and under resourced,” said want to plan their future career and Petersburg State University of Eco- Feklistov, the head of Interuniversity campus is complete. Yakunin. find out what else is out there, beyond nomics and Finance, the St. Peters- student village. Construction on the project is due “A failure to embrace international their home country,” said Zoya Zait- burg State University of Engineer- St. Petersburg is short an of esti- to be phased in over a period from students, corporate investment and seva, ranking project manager for the ing and Economics and the St. Pe- mated 10,000 living places for stu- 2017 to 2037. The new campus is ex- English as the academic lingua franca, BRICS survey. “While the QS rank- tersburg State University of Service dents, according to data from the pected to cover about 1.1 million have resulted in Russian universities ings are of interest to employers, state and Economics). Student Council of St. Petersburg. square meters and will include medi- suffering year after year in interna- officials and media, I’d say students Leningrad Oblast will provide a The quality of existing accommoda- cal clinics, transportation infrastruc- tional league tables,” he said. are the main focus for such surveys.” plot of land free of charge in tion also does not meet international ture, an entertainment center and In 2012, the Russian government “Ranking position is essential for Kudrovo. The property, which occu- standards. parking. The only fear that Igor Mat- made a commitment to see five Rus- attracting these [international] stu- pies 326 hectares, is mostly forest and “A campus is an important aspect veev, the architect of the project who sian universities ranked in the top 100 dents. Rankings are also important for developers hope to be able to start of any educational establishment’s chose the plot of land in Kudrovo, educational institutions in the world generating further competition,” said working on it by spring 2014. The ex- attractiveness.,” said Yury Fedotov, a has is that it may become simply an- by 2020. The ambitious target has led Yakunin in his blog post. act borders of the proposed site are other residential construction proj- to a series of new developments, “The hope, therefore, is that these yet to be determined. ect, reported RBK. aimed to help Russian universities league tables will generate further im- A lack of facilities for students has Students are so eager for a new compete effectively with its BRICS petus for Russia’s academic institutions been a problem in St. Petersburg for campus that they are even ready to counterparts. to develop stronger and more sustain- many years. Although the city’s uni- Construction on the revive the tradition of the student “Significant government-led proj- able business partnerships, so that versities have tried to build accom- project is due to be construction brigades, said Maxim ects are underway, with academia and Russian institutions can claim their modation for students on several oc- Pasholikov, the head of the Student industry being encouraged to generate rightful position in the top division of casions, all of the projects have failed phased in over a Council of St. Petersburg. more sustainable partnerships that global league tables,” he added. for varying reasons. period from 2017 to In December 2013, a competition For Makarov University, this new was held for students to offer their project is its third attempt to create a 2037. own concept of what an ideal cam- TOP 10 UNIVERSITIES IN THE BRICS COUNTRIES new campus for its student body. pus might look like. An observatory, Currently, the university buildings St. Petersburg State University pro- a skating rink and a cinema were pro- are scattered throughout the city, rector. “According to foreign stu- posed for the campus alongside 1. Tsinghua University China from the Kirovsky district to dents, our residential infrastructure houses, classrooms and libraries. Vasilievsky Island, and from the does not match the level of life on A forth-year student at the Grad- 2. Peking University China Nevsky district to Strelna. At the European or American campuses.” uate School of Management of St. same time, few of the buildings are “Foreign students almost always Petersburg State University, Ilya 3. Lomonosov Moscow State University Russia able to provide both accommodation move to rental flats after living in our Pekhtin, won the competition. and study areas, acknowledged Igor offered accommodation,” he said. Pekhtin will now travel to the United 4. Fudan University China Dedenko, the pro-rector for develop- Now that the draft of the project States, where he will study planning, ment at St. Petersburg State Univer- and a budget have been completed, budgeting, and the management and 5. Nanjing University China sity. With such a variety of buildings, the head of NAI Becar, Alexander development of residential and com- the maintenance cost cannot be re- Sharapov, believes that the project mercial real estate. A second stage duced and managing them is becom- needs financial support from the of the competition will be held later 6= University of Science and Technology of China China ing a problem for the school. state. Aside from donating the land, this year. St. Petersburg State University the state is expected to cover a large Remote campuses with developed 6= Shanghai Jiao Tong University China has also worked long and hard to part of the operating expenses. Other infrastructures are nothing new and solve the problem. In 1969, a decision financing is expected to come from are widespread all over the world, in- 8. Universidade de São Paulo (USP) Brazil was made to move the entire univer- private investments and revenue cluding in the U.K., Singapore and sity into a newly constructed complex earned from the sale of university the U.S. By 2018, a project consisting 9. Zhejiang University China in Peterhof. However, the university buildings in St. Petersburg. The St. of housing for 1,800 students, 6,000 remains divided into separate areas Petersburg State University of Eco- working places and 400 flats is due to 10. Universidade Estadual de Campinas with some buildings on Vasilievsky nomics occupies about 300,000 be completed in Zurich. The campus Island, some near Smolny and facili- square meters and university authori- will also include a hotel, a restaurant, (Unicamp) Brazil ties in the Petrodvortsovy district, ties recently announced their inten- a cafe and recreation areas. The QS Top Universities survey includes St. Petersburg and Moscow in the Top 20. Sochi 2014 www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 13 Tourism Errors Aside, Sochi Seen as a Success By Ivan Nechepurenko and Yekaterina Kravtsova In Sochi THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES OCHI — As President Vladi- mir Putin declared the 2014 Winter Olympics closed on Debated Sunday, the International THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Olympic Committee’s presi- Despite the tens of millions of Sdent said the Sochi Games had “proven dollars poured into the spectacle critics wrong” and praised the Russian of the Sochi Winter Olympics, president’s handling of the event. some in the tourism industry say “We saw excellent Games and what that problems at the Black Sea counts most is the opinions of the ath- resort’s hotels may stop Russia letes, and they were enormously satis- from capitalizing on new tourism fied,” Thomas Bach said. infrastructure. Concerns over possible terrorist at- “There is no point hosting a tacks, botched facilities, unfinished ho- prestige event, at a cost of $50 tels and human rights seemed all but billion, if the standard of hotels forgotten as soon as the Games kicked and ease of travel around the off with a lavish opening ceremony and country isn’t in step,” David proceeded smoothly, with athletes Scowsill, president of the World unanimously expressing satisfaction. Travel and Tourism Council said But by the end of the Olympics, sev- in a statement. eral incidents threatened to put Rus- Many Western journalists sia’s newly polished image to the test, criticized the accommodations in with political turmoil in neighboring Sochi in the run-up to the Olym- Ukraine and an embarrassing video of

pics’ opening ceremony on Feb. security officers beating Pussy Riot / © RIA NOVOSTI RAMIL SITDIKOV 7, complaining of discolored wa- members in Sochi at risk of overshad- Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, spoke about the unifying power of the Games at the closing ceremony on Feb. 7. ter and unfinished hotel rooms owing the Games’ success. on their Twitter accounts. Just as Russia achieved the impres- miantseva, 53. Rumiantseva worked as ral, renewing earlier concerns about tivities, with the bulk of the sum in- “Some of the feedback has sive feat of topping the Olympic total a volunteer at the Laura Cross Country Russia’s human rights record. vested into revamping Sochi’s infra- been that hotels have not been and gold medal count — showing the Ski and Biathlon Center. Kozak was quick to dismiss these structure. The scale of the project trig- fully ready, hotel rates have been best result the country has had during The positive feedback will likely be fears, however. gered multiple allegations of corrup- steep and there have been prob- all Winter Olympics — Ukrainian Presi- pleasing to Putin’s ears, as he personally “The girls came here with the spe- tion, with prominent opposition lead- lems with services such as Inter- dent Viktor Yanukovych was ousted played a major role in preparations. cific aim of provoking conflict,” said ers Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny net access. They need to get the amid violence and chaos in nearby Kiev. Bach praised Putin for being pres- Kozak, who was appointed by Putin to claiming that government officials and product right, going forward,” The images of a nervous and confused ent at most of the events in Sochi, say- be the main force behind the Sochi contractors had siphoned off at least Scowsill said. Yanukovych addressing the nation in a ing “we would be sitting here in a very Olympic effort. one-third of the funds allocated for the The Russian government video in which he refused to recognize different mood” if the president and “They had been looking for it for a games. hopes that Sochi will become a the parliament that had just voted to im- other members of the government had long time, and in the end they suc- Many residents of Sochi were popular tourist destination after peach him stood in stark contrast with not made such great efforts. ceeded in having a conflict with local equally wary about the price tag, but by the Olympics, and that it will ul- the image of him cheerfully waving the Bach also said Putin had fully re- residents,” he said. the end of the games, the Olympic at- timately be able to compete with Ukrainian flag weeks earlier at the spected the principles laid out in the The incident had no impact on at- mosphere seemed to have cheered Russians’ favored vacation spots, opening ceremony in Sochi. Olympic Charter. tendance of the games. them up. like beaches in Turkey. The turbulent power reshuffle in “I would not remember any kind More than 100,000 people visited “If Sochi turns into a winter resort, Ukraine prompted speculation about of action by him where he would step Sochi’s Olympic Park every day, with then I think the spending was worth it,” how it would reflect on Russia, with over the border making gestures organizers saying more than 1.176 mil- said Galina, 48, a housekeeper who re- some saying Yanukovych’s removal or undertaking steps which would not lion tickets to numerous sporting fused to give her last name over privacy Tourism officials could prove embarrassing for Moscow. be legitimate,” Bach said, Reuters events had been sold to spectators from concerns. worry that Russia Russia faced a sporting disappoint- reported. 126 different countries. “It is difficult to fully comprehend ment earlier on, when the national men’s The Games were widely seen as a Security, another major concern the scale of the sum, but when you may not capitalize hockey team failed to win, continuing the landmark project to burnish Putin’s ahead of the Games, especially in light come to the Olympic Park you feel losing streak that has plagued Russia’s legacy as a political leader and to pres- of Sochi’s proximity to the restive proud of your country,” she said. on Sochi’s new signature sport for decades. ent a more modern and friendly image North Caucasus, turned out to be less More than 20,000 hotel rooms and infrastructure. Three-time Olympic champion and of the country he has led for more than pervasive than many expected. four new ski resorts were erected in legendary goaltender Vladislav Tretiak 14 years. The Greater Sochi area, which was Sochi, raising fears that the Olympic Though new infrastructure in said he was sad the Olympics were On Feb. 22, Deputy Prime Ministry circumvented by a so-called “ring of venues would require additional gov- Sochi will be maintained with wrapping up, but he did not think the Dmitry Kozak implied that such a task steel” to keep potential terrorists out, ernment spending to maintain. government funds through at hockey defeat was the end of the world. had been successful. was flooded with law enforcement of- “We will work on this issue by trying least 2016, President Vladimir “I hope that after the end of the “The Games have turned our coun- ficials from the get-go. to fill the city with events, and we already Putin told a meeting of locals af- Games, all sports facilities in Sochi will try, its culture and the people into But visitors said the strong security have a busy schedule,” Kozak said. ter the Games’ first weekend be used and will serve our people, and something that is a lot closer and more presence did not affect their experi- In 2013, 3.8 million tourists visited that they should not expect ad- we can still win in hockey one day in appealing and understandable for the ence any more than it would have in Sochi, and Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pak- ditional investment. He also the future,” he said, walking along the rest of the world,” Kozak said during a other countries. homov said he expects the figure to would like Sochi to remain a seaside in central Sochi. news conference. “In a way it felt very similar to Lon- get a post-Olympic boost of at least 30 family destination and said he Visitors to the Games seemed Yet, the Games also gave the world don; everyone was very excited and the percent. rejected the possibility of allow- equally wistful that the festivities were some images of Russia that Kozak atmosphere was very nice,” said Ag- With the Sochi Olympics over, the ing casinos in the area, a pro- over, but most said it was an experience would likely want to hide. Toward the mad Farida Noor, 28, a school teacher city will also host Paralympic games in posal that was viewed as gener- that they would not forget any time end of the Games, members of Pussy from the U.S. two weeks. The event is already sold ating the most amount of reve- soon. Riot who were attempted to stage a According to Noor, the Games ex- out, according to Kozak, who has also nue in the shortest time. “I liked my experience in Sochi very performance were detained multiple ceeded her expectations, but the most said that the government will support The WTTC urged the Russian much — the most memorable moment times and beaten with a horsewhip by difficult part was applying for a visa St. Petersburg’s bid for the 2024 Sum- government to continue promot- was the opening ceremony, which I was security officers right in central Sochi. and finding accommodation. More mer Olympics “if St. Petersburgers so- ing tourism as a means of eco- very lucky to attend,” said Tatiana Ru- Video of the incident quickly went vi- than $50 billion was spent on the fes- licit our support.” nomic stimulation, estimating that the industry constituted 6 percent of the country’s economy in 2012 — more than sectors like commu- Austrian Skier Out for EPO in 5th Doping Case at Games nication services and automotive and chemical manufacturing. Visi- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS had flown back for training. He re- have disappointed them with my silli- vian hockey player Vitalijs Pavlovs, tors spent $20.9 billion in Russia in KRASNAYA POLYANA — Austrian turned to Sochi and had been due to ness,” he said, adding that he is not sure Ukrainian cross-country skier Marina 2013 and tourism generates 4.1 cross-country skier Johannes Duerr compete in the 50-kilometer mass start what awaits him. Lisogor, German biathlete Evi Sachen- million jobs for Russians, accord- was kicked out of the Sochi Games on Sunday, the final cross-country event. “I am not afraid,” he said. “I am in a bacher-Stehle and Italian bobsledder ing to WTTC research. Sunday after testing positive for the Stoss said the team was “shocked” by way glad it has come to an end. This is William Frullani. Scowsill also made reference blood booster EPO. It is the fifth dop- what happened, adding that Duerr was the worst thing I have done in my life. The IOC conducted 2,453 drug tests in to a possible ease on restrictions ing case — and most serious so far — at tested 14 times before this season, with This is very, very tough. You cannot ex- Sochi, a record for the Winter Games. for visitors arriving by train that the Olympics. all the results coming back negative. He plain this in three sentences.” The Olympic body also stores doping would allow them to stay in Rus- “It is a black day for us,” Austrian said the skier’s accreditation was pulled EPO is used to boost red blood cells samples for 10 years to allow for retesting sia for three days without a visa, Olympic Committee President Karl and he was on his way home. that carry oxygen to the muscles, increas- when new methods become available. saying that the country must Stoss said at a news conference on the At the airport in Sochi, Duerr was ing stamina and endurance. The four There was only one positive test at adopt such policies to capitalize final day of the Games. remorseful. He told Austrian television other cases involved minor stimulants the previous Winter Olympics four on tourism dollars from the Duerr finished eighth in the men’s he can “only apologize to everyone.” that can be found in food supplements. years ago in Vancouver. IOC President “growing ‘middle class’ in Asia.” skiathlon on Feb. 9 and was tested “So many people have been doing None of the five athletes won med- Thomas Bach said the beefed-up test- seven days later in Austria, where he all they could to help me and now I als in Sochi. The other four were: Lat- ing is working and catching violators. 14 ❖ Wednesday, February 26, 2014 SOCHI 2014 www.sptimes.ru | The St. Petersburg Times At Home, Russian Athletes Win Most Medals By Jon Krawczynski sia when he married Russian snow- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS boarder Alena Zavarzina, won two SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Russia’s post- snowboarding golds. Soviet athletic decline hit bottom at the That mattered little to fans who Vancouver Olympics, where the once were aching to show the rest of the dominant winter sporting nation left world that Russia is a pushover no with only three gold medals and the more. daunting task of rebuilding its team in “Vancouver is now left far behind. time to host the Sochi Games. One cannot compare the results,” said Four years later, the Russians are Khasan Zhilov, a 37-year-old fan from back on top of the winter world. Moscow. “I came here yesterday to see After a stunning podium sweep it with my own eyes. And I’m saying — Sunday in the men’s 50-kilometer it’s a bomb. Unbelievable.” cross-country race and another gold in A conversation about Russia’s the four-man bobsled, Russia finished turnaround can’t be had without an the Winter Games with more total examination of its past difficulties with medals and more gold medals than doping. anyone else. It was a worst-to-first rise At four of the previous six Olym- that surprised even the most devoted pics, both summer and winter, Russian Russian fans. athletes were stripped of medals after

Russian athletes won Five of Russia’s gold 13 gold medals and 33 medals were won by overall in Sochi after athletes who weren’t only winning three Russian citizens four golds in Vancouver. years ago.

“You probably didn’t believe that failing doping tests. The situation had Russia could win the medals table, just grown so dire that former IOC Presi- like Canada did in Vancouver,” said dent Jacques Rogge publicly chastised Alexander Legkov, who won the 50- the Russians and demanded that they kilometer cross-country race. “I be- “respond with strong anti-doping ac- lieved it could happen. Now it hap- tions” in Vancouver. pened and that’s great.” Russian anti-doping agency manag- Actually, Russia did Canada one ing director Nikita Kamaev told The

better. The Canadians finished first in / © RIA NOVOSTI RAMIL SITDIKOV Associated Press before the Sochi gold medals in Vancouver, but were Alexander Legkov, Maxim Vylegzhanin and Ilya Chernousov celebrate sweeping the final cross-country event. Games started that ramped up testing third in the overall tally. The Russians resulted in about 180 busts in 2013, an had 13 gold medals in Sochi — their disappointment that was Russia’s men’s many of the country’s top sports offi- working hard after the shock they had almost 70 percent year-on-year in- highest Winter Games total ever — and hockey team. cials their jobs. in Vancouver and I think it’s just re- crease in positive cases. 33 total medals. Norway finished sec- “The country believed in us. But It also turned up the pressure on the markable progress that has been made So far in Sochi, six athletes have ond in the race for gold with 11, while nobody believed that Russia would Russians to re-invest in a sports pro- within four years of Vancouver to to- tested positive for banned substances. the United States was second on the even be in the top three in total medals, gram that suffered from apathy in the day. We can only congratulate the Rus- None have been Russian. overall medal table with 28. but we have won,” Zubkov said. years after the Soviet fall. IOC Presi- sian team to this great success.” “It was a fantastic performance, Evgeni Plushenko, Julia Lipnitskaia For a nation that finished first or dent Thomas Bach said Sunday that To be fair, five of the Russian gold great work by the coach and federa- and Adelina Sotnikova helped restore second in gold medals in every Win- Olympic officials made it clear to Rus- medals were won by athletes who tion. They did everything profession- Russia’s prominence in figure skating, ter Games it entered as the Soviet sia that building roads, arenas and ho- weren’t Russian citizens four years ago. ally and put such a great ending,” Vit- Alexander Zubkov won two gold med- Union, Vancouver was a wake-up tels in Sochi wasn’t enough. Speedskater Victor Ahn, who came to aly Mutko, Russia’s ministry of sport, als in a stirring late-career return to the call. The three gold medals there put The IOC “always made them aware Russia after a falling out with his native told the Russian television network R- top in bobsled and the unprecedented Russia in 11th place, a failure so hu- that it is not enough just to organize the Olympic team in South Korea, won Sport. “The team has exceeded the cross-country sweep on Sunday helped miliating that it prompted an audit games, but that we also need a good three gold medals and a bronze. Vic plan. The rest isn’t important. I con- everyone forget about the incredible into widespread misspending and cost home team,” Bach said. “So they were Wild, an American who moved to Rus- gratulate everybody.” Sports Management Students Prepare for Post-Olympic Events

RIA NOVOSTI Interros is among the main private Plans are underway to add a Rus- ing on the state’s behalf, although oping its sports infrastructure. In addi- The 15-story glass tower that houses the investors of the Sochi Olympics, hav- sian-language program and a postgrad- sometimes out of enthusiasm as well. tion to the Sochi Olympics, it is to host Olympic University in Sochi has the ee- ing spent 69 billion rubles ($1.9 bil- uate program in the coming academic Well-known examples of the state- Formula 1 races and the 2018 Football rie vibe of a high-budget pandemic lion) on the Roza Khutor ski resort year, Belousov told reporters. business model include top football clubs World Cup. thriller: immaculately clean and com- now hosting many Olympic events. “There is money in sports if you such as Zenit St. Petersburg and Spartak The university’s international stu- pletely deserted. Normal life should re- (Most of the money for the company’s know how to manage it,” he said. Moscow, supported by energy giants dents also believe there will be work sume when students return from the Olympics-related projects, however, The university has high hopes for its Gazprom and LUKoil, respectively, and for them in their home countries. Olympic venues where they are intern- came from state loans that Interros Russian graduates. Russia’s biathlon federation, long backed Ugandan Joseph Collins Ssem- ing. But their numbers will still average wants restructured.) “I am sure these guys will find em- by billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. manda, 37, learned about the Sochi about two people per floor. This kind of public-private relation- ployment in our sports industry,” Be- In this system, Utkin said, a manag- university at the Russian House during The Russian International Olympic ship is widespread in Russian profes- lousov told RIA Novosti after the press er’s main qualification is not the ability the 2012 London Olympics and is un- University opened in Sochi this Sep- sional sport, which often relies on the conference, stressing that competent to generate profits, but good relations der contract to work for Uganda’s tember, admitting 27 people from 14 state – and its ability to mobilize the re- managers who know how to make with a sponsor who wants someone he Olympic committee for three years af- countries, ranging from Russia and Ka- sources of wealthy businessmen – more can trust. ter getting his MSA. zakhstan to Botswana, Brazil and Ger- than on commercial potential. Football club Anzhi Makhachkala He hopes to serve as a consultant many. The Olympic reference in the But Russia’s sports industry is out- provides a vivid example of the pitfalls for various Ugandan sports federations school’s title is bold but somewhat mis- pacing overall GDP growth in the Russia’s sports in such an arrangement. Purchased by afterwards, improving their perfor- leading, as the university hopes to train country by a factor of six to eight, uni- industry is outpacing billionaire Suleiman Kerimov in 2011, mance, which, he said, currently leaves management professionals for the versity rector Lev Belousov said at a the club vied for medals and competed much to be desired. sports industry, not just the Olympics. press conference in Sochi last week. overall GDP growth in European tournaments, but had to “I want to pass the knowledge I ob- But graduates’ employment pros- And that, he believes, reflects a world- in the country by a wave goodbye to most of its star-stud- tained here to other people,” said pects remain unclear, experts warned, wide trend that offers plenty of em- ded roster and plummeted to the bot- Ssemmanda, whose been nicknamed especially for those planning to work in ployment opportunities. factor of six to eight. tom of the 16-team Premier League “Kolenka from Uganda” in Sochi. Russia, where managers in professional University officials hope attendance after Kerimov decided he’d had enough Russian Olympic University gradu- sports often rely more on personal con- will eventually reach 500 students a money for their employers will one day last August and slashed annual funding ates also have a shot at finding employ- nections and government backing than year, including attendees of master be in demand. from $200 million to about $50 million. ment and making an impact if they can on their ability to generate profits. classes and students pursuing the Mas- “Those who operate the old way An official in the Russian sports es- get in on the ground floor with future The university was co-founded in ter of Sport Administration degree. will be expelled by the market, and our tablishment echoed Utkin’s comments, venues’ owners, Utkin predicted. 2009 by Russian Olympic and sports The year-and-a-half-long MSA pro- guys can work the new way,” he said. telling RIA Novosti that graduates of University representatives con- authorities and the privately owned In- gram, conducted in English, now costs The invisible hand of the market, the Olympic University will face an up- firmed they were busy establishing ties terros holding, a business conglomer- $15,000, though the majority of this however, has thus far not been very ac- hill battle against Russian sports bu- with the organizers and venue develop- ate with interests in metallurgy, real year’s students enrolled are on scholar- tive in the Russian sports industry. reaucrats and incumbent managers ers for upcoming events, though they estate, media and transportation. ships provided by Potanin. Vasily Utkin, one of Russia’s most who adhere to a conservative manage- were vague on how well the efforts Russian President Vladimir Putin The program is taught by 19 profes- popular sports commentators, told ment style that does not treat sports as were going. chairs the board of trustees, but it was sors from 10 countries, including Aus- RIA Novosti that Russian sports “ex- a business. The official spoke on condi- “In the worst-case scenario, an tycoon Vladimir Potanin’s Interros that tralia, England and Spain. Courses ists on sponsor money,” but there’s a tion of anonymity to avoid getting on MSA is like an MBA, only about footed the $500 million bill for the proj- range from “Olympic ideology” to “special thing” about that sponsorship: his colleagues’ bad side. sports,” Utkin said, “and a good busi- ect, which includes a campus and a con- venue management and market re- It comes either from the state directly Nevertheless, there are jobs to be ness manager doesn’t really care what ference hall. search. or from companies or businessmen act- had, given that Russia is actively devel- business to manage.” WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014 ARTS & CULTURE PAGE 16 PAGE 18 PAGE 19 PAGE 20-21 Feminist Pencil 2 Xerjoff’s Sergio Momo Soviet-Era Synthesizers Listings

MORCHEEBA RETURN TO ST. PETERSBURG IN SUPPORT OF THEIR LATEST ALBUM. SEE PAGE 17. JOSHUA SMOLSEN / FLICKR JOSHUA 16 ❖ Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ARTS & CULTURE www.sptimes.ru Feminist Art Seeks to Raise Awareness St. Petersburg showcase of feminist art at Borey gallery features lectures on women’s issues alongside the art.

By Sergey Chernov moved from the exhibition “Feminism: THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES From the Avant-Garde to Today.” The organizers claimed that the eminist Pencil 2, an exhibi- works did not fit due to a limited amount tion of socially-engaged art of space and their allegedly poor quality. made by women held in The artists believe it to be an act of cen- Moscow in October and No- sorship because the works mentioned vember 2013, comes to St. the then-imprisoned feminist punk group FPetersburg, even if in an abridged form Pussy Riot and religion. and not with complications. The name, Feminist Pencil, is a take Curated by artist Viktoria Lomasko on Combat Pencil, a union of caricatur- and art researcher Nadya Plungyan, ists and poets established in Leningrad the Feminist Pencil concept dates back in 1939 that worked in propaganda to 2012, when a small exhibition by six throughout the Siege of Leningrad and artists was held at the at Fabrika hostel World War II. in Moscow. “At one point, I realized that it is In 2013, the project won support not right to defend someone else when from the Moscow branch of the Rosa I cannot even defend myself,” Lomasko Luxemburg Foundation, one of the said. “Until I am able to defend myself, largest political education institutions my works cannot be totally sincere.” in Germany, and featured about 40 art- “But it is very hard to defend your- ists. The exhibition was held as part of self in the art world. I have always been the MediaUdar (MediaImpact) festival in the situation of having opportunities as part of the Fifth Moscow Biennale whenever I was somebody’s girlfriend, of Contemporary Art and was accom- and not having them when I wasn’t. I panied by a catalog. decided that the only solution was to The genres covered by the more do collaborative projects with other than 20 artists to be exhibited in St. Pe- women because most of them are in tersburg include paper stickers, activist the same situation. posters and leaflets, graffiti, graphic “I am very interested in the stories stories and graphic reports as well as that women tell about their own experi-

artist’s books. ence. Men, for example, discuss all sorts SMETANINA YANA According to Lomasko, many local of women’s problems. There is a lot of Yana Smetanina’s drawing from the graphic story ‘Inmates of the 5th Psychiatric Clinic in Khotkovo.’ galleries refused to host the exhibition work in cinema, literature and even vi- when she attempted to bring it to St. sual art about women getting old, how Many of the artists presented at Petersburg soon after it had closed in they remain childless or cope with being Feminist Pencil 2 drew on their own Moscow. single mothers, how they are aban- experience of violence, while a portion “The reason is that there’s still no doned, how they have abortions or can’t of the work highlights problems that recognition of feminist art [in Russia]; get abortions. But women don’t talk are rarely assessed publicly, such as the there is no one with a venue or the re- about anything like that. I am sure that absence of rights for migrant women, sources ready to support it,” Lomasko women would speak about this in a dif- single mothers, women involved in told The St. Petersburg Times ahead of ferent way, with a different accent.” prostitution and patients of mental in- the opening. Lomasko said the exhibition was stitutions and nursing homes. “The word ‘feminism’ scares peo- downsized due to the fact that the local A number of subjects featured in the ple: ‘What is this?’ they ask. ‘Will they initiative came from the St. Petersburg original exhibition will not be presented be talking about how they hate men?’ Crisis Center for Women, which was in St. Petersburg, Lomasko said. While everything is clear with exhibi- set up to help women who become vic- “For instance, there was a lot of tions of complex conceptual art — tims of violence. work about women’s labor in the exhi- there is an unstoppable deluge of such “They were interested in works bition which we did not include because exhibitions — there is no niche for about this subject, which is about half of it did not fit the new format,” she said. what we do yet. We’re creating that the works that we had [in the exhibi- “We have plans to take this exhibi- niche right now. It is no wonder that we tion],” she said. “It is more of a human tion to other cities and countries; there face difficulties.” rights event.” are so many invitations that we do not According to Lomasko and Plung- Both International and Russian have enough time to cope with them. It yan, the idea to create the independent studies speak about the high level of vi- is just too complex to take the com- Feminist Pencil art group and exhibi- olence against women in Russia, orga- plete exhibition every time. Luckily, we tion arose following an incident at the nizers say, pointing out that domestic have the opportunity to split it into sec- Worker and the Collective Farm violence, and the risk of rape and ha- tors and present works on one specific Woman Museum and Exhibition Cen- rassment are seen as routine for Russian subject each time.” ter in Moscow in 2013, when work by women from all social backgrounds. According to Lomasko, one of the Lomasko and Umnaya Masha was re- This also applies to female artists. artists who took part in the Moscow РЕКЛАМА exhibition withdrew from the project saying that her participation had dam- aged her reputation. “People are afraid of feminism,” she said. “I think it’s because they don’t even want to try to understand what it is. There’s a cliché that feminists are angry, aggressive and unhappy about every-

thing, and that they are just on the at- ZHENA GROUP tack. But the same cliché existed abroad ZhENA Group’s stencil graffiti addresses the fear of saying ‘no.’ in the past. When I speak to foreign art- ists or just ordinary women and men, have used pseudonyms. Local artists “Until recently, there was no femi- they tell me that everything has who participate openly include the nism [in Russian art] except for maybe changed. That to say ‘I am not feminist’ street artist Alexandra Kachko, best Pussy Riot. People don’t understand now is like saying, ‘I am a racist. I am a known for her protest graffiti on paper what feminism is. They even think that nationalist.’ It has become unaccept- that was signed “Zoa Art.” it has something to do with LGBT, and able. But this process took some time.” “I did my street art and put the pho- venues are probably afraid of the re- The exhibition also features a pro- tos on the Internet, and they got no- percussions. Even when I say that I am gram of lectures. Lomasko will give a ticed,” Kachko said. a feminist, people’s eyes grow wide, as talk titled “Social Art: My Experience “Actually, I knew [co-curator] Na- if I have said something outrageous.” of Cooperation with Human Rights dya Plungyan a little and she had been “Perhaps the goal is to show that Organizations” on Feb. 26, while following what I did. They suggested feminism is about different things. That Plungyan’s lecture is called “New Fem- that I make some new work for the ex- it’s about women and their simple, or- inist Graphics: Between Soviet Legacy hibition and I did them about what I dinary problems that every woman and European Experience” scheduled was thinking about, what was painful.” faces every day, in any situation — at for Feb. 27. According to Kachko, who will lec- work, in her personal life, with or with- The entirety of March 8, the day on ture on “Street Art Activism in Femi- out men.” which International Women’s Day is nism” on Mar. 1, she took part in the observed, will be given over to speak- Feminist Pencil project because it dealt Feminist Pencil 2 is on view through ers from the Crisis Center for Women with issues not addressed artistically Mar. 8 at Borey gallery, 58 Liteiny who will address gender violence in anywhere else. Prospekt. The gallery is open from “Adapt or Resist to Violence in Close “I was interested to take part be- noon to 8 p.m daily, except Sunday and Relationships.” cause it’s the first exhibition where Monday. M. Gostiny Dvor, Maykovs- 16+ Feminist Pencil 2 includes a number women can speak about their daily kaya, Vladimirskaya/Dostoyevskaya. of St. Petersburg artists, some of whom problems,” she said. Tel: 273 3693. www.sptimes.ru ARTS & CULTURE Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 17

Spirit Of Cobain Honored By D. Garrison Golubock THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES he lyrics “here we are now, entertain us,” from Nirvana’s hit song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” areT frequently misheard as “here we are now, imitators,” even when sung by now-de- ceased lead singer Kurt Cobain. However, on Feb. 20 in Moscow and Feb. 21 in St. Petersburg, the singers were indeed imita- tors, as young Russian musi- cians with thick accents played at the Kurt Cobain Birthday Festival. Vocalist and guitarist Kurt

Cobain was best known for FOR SPT founding Nirvana, a Washing- Skye Edwards, center, and the Godfrey brothers have reunited for a second album since their split in 2003. ton-based rock band that helped to bring the style of mu- sic known as grunge into the mainstream. After Cobain’s Morcheeba Set to Drop New Beats death, a dedicated cult of fans has helped spread his music around the world, including to Original lineup of U.K. band returns to St. Petersburg in support of new album. Russia. The festival attracts a group By Tatyana Sochiva band because of creative and personal Morcheeba records. Music that moves “I have started writing for my fourth of regular bands that have THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES differences with the Godfrey brothers. you, emotionally and physically,” she solo album. I’m very excited about played the event for many years Since then, she has released three solo added. that,” Edwards added. running. Four bands played this espite the weather fore- albums: “Mind How You Go,” “Keeping An incredibly sumptuous music video Morcheeba has already appeared in year’s festival, mixing covers of cast, the last evening of Secrets” and “Back to Now.” In 2010, to for the single from the album, “Gimme St. Petersburg and other Russian cities Nirvana songs with some origi- winter promises to be the delight of many fans, Edwards re- Your Love,” was directed by Prano Bai- several times. nal music. mild and warm, all be- turned to singing with Morcheeba. ley-Bond. In the video, Edwards performs “When we first came to St Peters- Artyom, a musician from the cause one of the bright- “We broke up in 2003, and we were the song while wearing an array of won- burg, driving around the streets, it re- band “Implozia,” said he first estD bands of the trip-hop scene, not getting on at all back then. Now derful dresses set among a swirl of multi- minded me a little of Europe,” said Ed- heard Nirvana’s music around Morcheeba, will take to the stage in St. we’ve had a chance to grow and enjoy colored fabric and large flowers that seem wards. “And I remember thinking that 1996, several years after Co- Petersburg. The band will perform our time apart. We are happier in our- to invite the viewer to dive into the screen. everyone looked very unhappy. And I bain’s death. The music “was songs from their eighth studio album, selves and have a new appreciation for For the upcoming concert in St. Peters- mean everyone. Please forgive me for honest,” Artyom said, and had “Head Up High,” as well as some of each other,” said Edwards. burg, the always charming Edwards is also saying it but, that was my first impres- created a revolution around the their much-loved back catalog. In June 2010, the Godfrey brothers expected to wear an unusual outfit, which, sion of Russia. But at the shows every- world, though he admitted that Morcheeba was formed in the mid- released the new Morcheeba album by the way, she will have designed and one was smiling and really enjoyed the he, and most Russian listeners, 90s in London by brothers Paul and “Blood Like Lemonade,” featuring made herself. performance, I was so happy and it had not understood the lyrics to Ross Godfrey, who invited Skye Ed- Edwards. The second and, so far, latest “I don’t know exactly what I will changed my opinion.” the songs at first. “People just wards to their project as vocalist. Soon reunion album “Head Up High” was wear until I see the venue but I will be In St. Petersburg Morcheeba will feel the energy,” he said. after, the London trio that blends trip released in October 2013. packing at least three or four outfits in perform as a part of Stereozima, the Nirvana’s music “has a cer- hop, pop, R&B, disco and rock ele- “Most of the songs for ‘Head Up my suitcase for the Russian tour,” she winter version of popular Stereoleto In- tain emotional and social con- ments, became known around the High’ started with beats. Paul sent Ross explained. ternational Music Festival. Stereozima tent,” a musician from the band world. Today, Morcheeba is considered and I over 20 different beats and According to Edwards, Paul God- will also include performances by Esto- “The Glue” said, adding that to be one of music’s most notable post- rhythms. Ross added some guitar and frey has already started working on nian indie-rock band Ewert and The Russian musicians adapt the trip-hop artists or even trip-hop pio- arranged the beats into verses and cho- some new ideas for the next Morcheeba Two Dragons and St. Petersburg’s own style of music to play about neers, whose sound is sometimes com- ruses, then I wrote the melody. Once we album. In addition, all of the band mem- Atlantida Project. more Russia-specific themes in pared to that of Massive Attack. were happy with the melody, Paul would bers continue to work on solo projects. After St. Petersburg, Morcheeba will their own music. “We often get compared to other write lyrics. Then I would record a “We have all worked in different perform at Glavclub in Moscow on Mar. Nonetheless, the imitational bands like Massive Attack or Portis- demo. We would each work on the al- projects outside of the band,” said Ed- 1 before heading off to play a number of aspects of Russian grunge were head,” Edwards said speaking to The bum in our home studios then the three wards. “About a year ago I recorded a dates across Russia. hard to deny, with band mem- St. Petersburg Times last week. “I’d of us got together in a London studio to cover of the song ‘3’s & 7’s’ for an album bers even wearing outfits mod- describe it as Pink Floyd mixed with a record everything,” Edwards said. called Queens Of The Stone Age- Un- Morcheeba will perform at 8 p.m. on eled after grunge and punk little Sade.” “Paul described this album as covered. Please do check it out, it’s a Feb. 28 at Kosmonavt, 24 Ulitsa Bron- styles of the early ‘90s. Edwards was the lead vocalist with ‘Morcheeba with a pulse.’ It’s a little wonderful album of QOTSA songs re- nitskaya, M. Technologichesky Institut. Morcheeba until 2003, when she left the more up-tempo in places than previous corded by female artists,” she said. Tel. 303 3333. www.cosmonavt.su the word’s worth The Here, Now and Never By Michele A. Berdy тиры должны иметь счётчики воды через час (I’m busy right now — call spatial realm to mean “right next to”: listening to your teenage daughter (Currently, all apartments must have me back in an hour). But сейчас time За домом сейчас же начинается лес complain she has nothing to wear to a Сейчас: now, just, soon, never water meters). It’s often used in then- travels. It can refer to the future in the (The forest begins right behind the party on the weekend. Her solution? and-now expressions: Раньше я очень sense of “very soon.” Я сейчас приду! house). Дай мне кредитку, и я поеду куплю но- ay back in Russian любила кататься на аттракционах, а (I’ll be there in just a sec). Or it can re- And then there’s a new now word вое платье (Give me your credit card 101, I was enchanted теперь боюсь (In the past, I loved to go fer to an action that just took place in — щас. Okay, it’s not a new word but a and I’ll go and buy a new dress). Your by the words теперь on rides, but now I’m afraid). the past. Он только сейчас вышел (He transcription of the way сейчас is pro- sarcastic response: Щас (When pigs (now) and сейчас But it’s also used as a transition just stepped out). nounced. For now it seems to have the fly). (now). How clever of word to indicate a change of topic or In parental arguments with teenag- same meaning of сейчас. О чём ты ду- Your solution? Теперь давай пос- WRussians, I thought, to clarify so simply task and might be translated as “next.” ers, сейчас means either “right this in- маешь прямо щас (pronounced прям- мотрим твой гардероб (Now let’s take the distinction between right-this-mo- You often hear this in the lecture hall: stant” or “sometime next year”: щас)? (What are you thinking about a look at your clothes). Her response: ment now (сейчас) and nowadays-at- Мы решили первую задачу и теперь пе- Mom: Убери комнату! (Clean your right now?) Щас. (In a minute.) present now (теперь). рейдём к второй (Now that we’ve room!) — Ты идёшь? (“Are you coming?”) Translation from teenagerese: Like But теперь — or should that be сей- solved the first problem, let’s move on Teenager: Сейчас! (I’m on it, mean- — Щас (“In a sec”) that’s going to happen. I’ll borrow час? — I’ve come to realize that these to the second). But you can also hear it ing “I’ll get to it after I finish up on Fa- I often get щас as a one-word e-mail something from my friend instead. A seemingly simple words have several around the house: Теперь добавляем cebook, try on my new jeans, eat dinner, reply after sending in work. It means: satisfying щас. meanings. They can refer to the past, немного муки и хорошо смешиваем walk the dog and spend three hours on “Got it, give me a second to look it present and future and have a new (Next we add a little flour and mix it the phone with my best friend.”) over.” Michele A. Berdy, a Moscow-based now-word friend. They are still en- thoroughly). Mom: Сейчас же! (Now! I mean it!) My favorite slangy use of щас (or translator and interpreter, is the author chanting but not so simple. Теперь is Сейчас is the right-this-moment And sometimes сейчас leaves the сейчас) is delivered dead-pan and of ‘The Russian Word’s Worth’ (Glas), the nowadays now: Теперь все квар- now: Я сейчас занята — перезвони мне temporal dimension and enters the means: Not now, not ever. Say you are a collection of her columns. 18 ❖ Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ARTS & CULTURE www.sptimes.ru Sergio Momo: Experiments in Sensation With dozens of perfumes to his name, Sergio Momo of niche perfume house Xerjoff blends tradition and novelty.

By Chris Gordon start being more creative, the First the concepts. I feel that some brands THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES World War arrived and destroyed this just arrive out of the blue with standard field, as it did many others. bottles and standard direction, charg- rim and dapper, Sergio When the reconstruction arrived, it ing a lot of money for it. I don’t think Momo is the eloquent Tu- was too late. Chanel was already out, this works because customers who are rin-based founder and cre- Guerlain was already out, as were Coty investing a significant amount of money ator of the Xerjoff (pro- and many others. So it was too late for in a product want a return and when nounced Zer-Joff) perfume the Italians to catch up. What we have you buy the wrong perfume, you don’t house.T Since 2004, Momo has brought left is this great heritage, which has not buy it again. out seven different collections, each been discovered, unfortunately, be- with its own story, and more than 50 cause we were too weak compared to Q: And some of the big houses are perfumes. the French school at the time. coming out with their own “niche” Momo was in St. Petersburg on Nevertheless, we have rediscovered lines to get in on the action… Feb. 20 to conduct an olfactory ex- [the 19th century Italian house] Casa- A: They are trying. Some of them periment at the recently opened morati, which is the basis for one of our are doing a good job, while some of the Rivoli Perfumery, a niche perfume collections. [Italy] has Aqua di Parma, others don’t have the knowledge or the boutique on the Petrograd Side that Aqua di Genoa and there are many vision. They are good at what they do. brings a number of rare and coveted other brands which are being rediscov- Just as I am not able to do mass market- fragrances to Russia for the first time, ered and brought back. They are quite ing because it’s something I don’t un- along with their creators. faithful to the originals — of course in a derstand — and I admit it — they For Momo, there are two key ele- modern key — but from the packaging should do the same. Obviously, it’s just ments which are of utmost importance point of view and from the olfactory a business for them. As I said, there are and have guided his every move from point of view they remain true to the many brands that are doing a good job. the very beginning of his venture — a heritage. Tom Ford, with his private collection, is respect for both nature and Italian The reason why I chose Casamorati an excellent exercise; I adore certain of craftsmanship. Everything Xerjoff does is because he had a very big portfolio the perfumes. They are really nice. across his varied collections builds on and was importing a lot of raw materi- Some other brands are just trying to el- these two principals, which form the als at the time, which was quite unusual bow their way in and it’s damaging us foundation of one of Italy’s most recog- for Italy. The typical Italian fragrance because we don’t have the kind of nized niche perfume brands. His pas- or perfume then was created from power, the economic power, to intro- sion for these inalienable qualities in- things grown locally — from violets, duce a brand that they do. forms not only how Momo searches out bergamot, lavender and, obviously, all raw materials and distillation tech- the citrus based in the Mediterranean Q: I hear that you are moving into niques, but also the ways in which Xer- approach. Nothing was really based on publishing. What led you in this di- joff’s works of olfactive art are pre- anything which was Oriental, so the rection? sented. spice was not there and there was very A: We are launching a magazine, Among Xerjoff’s offerings are bot- little vanilla because we did not have it. yes. It’s not a luxury magazine, it’s a tles which contain fragments of meteor- Casamorati was importing what was beauty magazine, in the sense of aes- ite and are named after places which thought of then as exotic, like vanilla thetics, which is quite different from have experienced a meteor shower, and sandalwood, and putting them into our point of view. We will have the unique Murano glass flacons created by men’s cologne, which was virtually un- chance to talk about beautiful things, Italian master craftsmen that continue heard of. Casamorati had a blend that because the key word is beauty, includ- traditions that stretch back generations actually had some saffron, nutmeg and ing perfume. It’s far from being a house

and the revival of a heritage brand of PERFUMERY UKHNEV / RIVOLI VASILY cinnamon in it. This is one of the rea- organ. We will talk about different Italian perfumery from the 19th cen- Sergio Momo in St. Petersburg with a bottle of one of his perfumes. sons I wanted to recreate Casamorati types of art, we will talk about archi- tury. His Join the Club collection takes because they were already working tecture and design, interior design and a more abstract approach to scent cre- A: Some of my thinking also stems A: Correct. And this is a funny thing creatively from the olfactory point of perfume as well. I think it is the kind of ation and asks the wearer to smell first from that; bringing back emotion to per- because in reality, the first thing we do view but they were also using Murano operation that will help to support the and ask questions about their composi- fumery and leaving to one side the tech- when we are born is to smell. We don’t glass as well. So there were some very perception of Xerjoff. Xerjoff wants to tion later. nicality of it. Especially in niche perfum- eat, we don’t drink, we don’t speak, of nice bottles and beautiful packaging be an expression of quality and beauty, Sergio Momo sat down with The St. ery, the field in which we operate, we are course, and we don’t see. Nevertheless, with carillons playing music when you not just in perfume. The difference is Petersburg Times just before conducting always talking about the ingredients. We this is put to one side as we grow. And opened them. There was beautiful at- that if tomorrow I decided I wanted to his private, playful experiment on the talk about how difficult it is to find cer- as you rightly said, we don’t have the tention [to detail] even then. do something in fashion or something interaction between taste and smell with tain ingredients and how expensive they right words to describe a scent. We say else, this could be a dangerous risk. It the participation of an eager public. are. But everything is too technical and, it’s sweet, salty, bitter, it’s too strong, it’s Q: Casamorati is just one of your can be done but it is dangerous because at the end of the day, a bit boring. I think too weak. We borrow words from other collections, all of which contain a you can be an ace at what you do but Q: What is so unique about your visit the main objective of a fragrance, of a fields. We don’t say this is oriental, or number of different perfumes. How do that doesn’t mean that because you are to St. Petersburg? perfume, is to create an emotion. [Its this is flowery-spicy, or whatever. We you suggest people come to terms with good in perfumery you are good in A: This evening we are doing what I like role is] to play with the olfactive memory are not used to describing odors, gener- such a wide variety for the first time? making leather goods. If I have 5,000 to call a creative experiment. I like to each of us has within our own culture ally speaking, or perfumes. Neverthe- A: Xerjoff tends to have a strong euros to spend on a bag, I buy a Kelly play with all the senses, not only those and the blending of our own culture with less, any of us can recognize an average story behind the concept. So Shooting from Hermes; I don’t buy something connected to perfume. What I have no- other cultures or memories that every- of 1,500 smells and, if you’re trained, up Stars has a particular story, Casamorati from Xerjoff because I don’t know ticed is that everyone seems to divide one has from childhood. That’s what a to 5,000. we just talked about and Join the Club what’s behind it. The difference in cre- the different senses. But if you’re sniff- perfume should do. is more about experimentation, 17/17 is ating a magazine, which actually talks ing something or looking at something Perfume is like creating a painting. Q: Is this because our sense of a bespoke line that is [presented in] of beauty around the world, is that we or eating something or touching some- Every different artist has a different smell has been marginalized through- special packaging and so on. First of all are just witnesses. There is a strong thing, many of these senses blend to- style. So if I talk about a fashion club, or out our lives? there is a story to understand, and I concentration on Italy, of course, be- gether nicely. Taste and smell blend ex- an artists’ club, each painter would do A: This is because in the last century think the story will help attract you to cause that is where we are from. But tremely well. Since ancient times, we his own interpretation according to his everything has become commercial. If one area instead of another. not only. I am not the kind of Italian have always used natural elements when own style. We have done exactly the we go back in history, perfume did have who sees only Italy — far from it. Ev- creating recipes that are also used in same. We are not talking about the cot- its own importance. It’s always been Q: Xerjoff has been around for al- erything which is beautiful needs to be perfumery. Moreover, if we get a cold or ton of the canvas or the paint or the something that has been created for most ten years. What changes have taken into consideration regardless of close our noses, whatever we eat doesn’t brushes. We are talking about the im- royalty, which unfortunately not every- you noticed on the niche perfumery nationality. have exactly the same taste. Our tongue pression that we are giving with our per- one was able to use. But if we go to the scene? Are people becoming more perceives salty, bitter and sweet but not fume. So again, it’s a personal interpre- Middle East it’s a different story and if aware of such limited production Q: Until we see the magazine, then, the full flavor. The complete flavor is tation of a form of art; it’s not technical. we go to the Orient it’s another story; scents? how would you describe the Xerjoff actually aided by the nose. And what we are doing tonight is not perfume has always been a part of hu- A: Definitely, and the reason is that aesthetic? [The idea is to] bring back some very different from that. It’s about for- man culture. the market is asking for it, the final cus- A: Two words — creative and ex- creativity — not in just creating a per- getting the ingredients. Or we can talk tomer is asking for it. Obviously, cus- perimental. fume but also in smelling perfumes — about ingredients but just to prove the Q: So does your being Italian dif- tomers have understood that there was so that the people gathered here to- fact that a rose or saffron can work ei- ferentiate you from, say, a French tra- very little being offered by traditional Q: And this is what drives you? night, instead of being told what is in- ther for perfumery or for food in differ- dition? perfumery. Everything was based on A: Yes, absolutely. It’s very difficult side a perfume, are going to be part of ent ways. But maybe not, maybe it’s ex- A: From an historical point of view, something which revolved around an for me to stand still. It would have a little experiment, a little game. We actly the same. If you think about it, yes. If we go back to the turn of the 20th advertising campaign and nothing probably made more sense, from an won’t talk about the ingredients but we saffron hasn’t got a big taste. Spices century, when Guerlain or Coty brought more. Almost everything smelled the economic point of view, if I had will talk about eating chocolates, which don’t have a big taste, they have a big out their original perfumes, they were same. So when niche perfumes started stopped [making new fragrances] two tonight we use as a carrier for a few of flavor. In fact they are called aromas. So experimenting. They were experiment- to become more widely available, that years ago and started consolidating the same elements used in our per- in a way we have always been adding ing a lot because up to that date, per- obviously attracted a lot of interest. what I had. But I just cannot do it. I fumes from different collections. The aromas into our cuisine. So that’s what fumes were nice but they were boring; One of the results of this is that many, like to create all the time. So it is true point is to forget about perfumery in- we are trying to do tonight, to blend we had lavender, we had rose and we many brands came into the business. that sometimes Xerjoff is confusing gredients, to forget about the shape [of these two things together, but easily. It’s had jasmine. That was it. It was always Many years ago, you could maybe count but at the same time, if you get to know the bottle], forget about the name, and not a university lesson after all. the same blends, in a way. So we need to six or seven brands, but now we can the brand, you expect something new to just let our senses play. say that because of French creativity, we find perhaps hundreds. I believe that and interesting all the time; some new Q: It’s interesting that smells create have the perfumes that we have today. within what we call the niche universe, things to experience. Q: With your Join the Club collec- associations with other senses, like col- The Italians, on the other hand, always there is already a segmentation occur- tion, you chose not to list any of the ors, and the words we use to talk about stayed pretty close to the original reci- ring. Not just in terms of price but also This interview has been edited for notes. Was this for the same reason? them always borrow from other fields. pes. And when the time was right to in terms of quality, the offerings and length and clarity. www.sptimes.ru ARTS & CULTURE Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 19 New Film Focuses on Musical Pioneers How engineers helped create the music of the future using odds and ends from the grand electrification projects.

By Tim Misir were their gods. Vladimir Lenin be- THE ST. PETERSBURG TIME lieved that to achieve the goals of com- munism, a complete electrification of ost discussions about the country was necessary, and at the early electronic music 8th All-Russia Congress of Soviets inevitably turn to So- held in 1920, he presented the viet engineer Leon GOELRO plan, aiming to achieve eco- Theremin, the pioneer nomic recovery and development ofM electronic musical instruments. This through an electrification campaign, is also the case in the documentary thus sparking a period of innovation. “Elektro Moskva,” a story about Rus- The electrification campaign also sia’s history from the Soviet Union to formed the basis for the Soviet military the present day told through sound and machine in their conquest of both earth electronic music. and space. The inventors of the first Theremin, who also developed an array of surveillance equipment for the NKVD and KGB, found that many of his electronic devices were also musi- Western music was cal. In 1928, he patented an instrument that could be played without physical popular in Soviet times contact. The device, known as the ther- but musical instruments emin, generated a magnetic field whose pitch and amplification is varied and were rare and disrupted by the movement of its per- expensive, especially former’s hands, producing a unique, high-pitched eerie sound. It provided electronic ones. the soundtracks for science fiction and horror movies, and was also used in Soviet analog synthesizers were mostly psychedelic music. Theremin also in- engineers in the defense industry — vented the Rhythmicon in 1932, the the only place where components

world’s first drum machine. could be found. FILMS / ROTOR MOSKVA ELEKTRO The shadow of Theremin, whose For example, Yevgeny Murzin se- During the Soviet Union, musical pioneers repurposed detritus into instruments that made “cosmic sounds.” figure bookends Elektro Moskva with cretly created the ANS synthesizer, an previously unseen footage of his last optical synthesizer based on a photo- Alexei Borisov, of popular ‘80s St. Pe- interview shot in late 1993 before his electronic device — the musical score tersburg band “Nochnoi Prospekt” la- death in November that year, certainly is drawn directly on film and processed ments: “Western instruments have looms large over the film. But its direc- by the machine — between 1937 and quality. And ours, they vary — some tors, Austria-based filmmaking duo 1957, while he was an engineer work- work, some do not. … Most were un- Yelena Tikhonova and Dominik ing at the Scientific Research Institute. suitable to play music, they just made Spritzendorfer explain that a history of The institute had its own production cosmic sounds.” Soviet electronic music is not their aim. plant that allowed him to industrially Today, trade in Soviet-era synthesiz- Indeed, there is almost no music in the manufacture the 2-ton synthesizer. ers is lucrative for those with the right film. Western music was popular in Soviet connections — collectors have to scour Spritzendorfer says Elektro Moskva times, but musical instruments were flea markets buying Soviet synths at in- took an “essayistic approach to under- rare and expensive, especially electronic flated prices. But the spirit of creativity stand what life was like in Soviet times ones, so inventors and musicians used and innovation carries on, though under ...about subcultures and creativity that anything they could get their hands on. different circumstances — capitalism was resistant to any totalitarian sys- This created a thriving underground has brought an influx of cheap, Chinese- tem,” showing cultural and social scene of bedroom enthusiasts, electronic made toys onto the market. In the film changes the country has been through. parts traders and musicians, existing in we are introduced to a new generation As the film took a more personal isolation behind the Iron Curtain. of circuit benders, like Dima Morozov, approach to understanding Russia’s Tikhonova is all too familiar with who did not even know Soviet times. history, the directors, both graduates of this situation. A daughter of scientists, As one collector in the film explains Moscow’s Gerasimov Institute of Cin- she was raised in Obninsk, a formerly the continued fascination with DIY ematography, or VGIK, chose music closed and secret city 100 kilometers electronic instruments: “[They] are un- and technology as the thread by which southeast of Moscow, where physicists predictable. As is life in Moscow, in to tell this story, and got Andrei Andri- and engineers worked on the world’s Russia.” anov to write and narrate the script. first nuclear power plant. Elektro Moskva (Russian/English, The birth of electronic music was an Made with old-fashioned hardware with English subtitles) is currently tour- unlikely outcome of the junk of the So- and low quality parts, Soviet synthesiz- ing the film festival circuit and is avail- viet age of electrification. For the com- ers are all unique and sound different. FILMS / ROTOR MOSKVA ELEKTRO able (in Russia only) on iTunes and munists, science and technical progress Indeed, they were unpredictable, as Old and new electronic parts that were used to make musical instruments. Google Play. THE DISH Khorosho: Cheese on Toast

Khorosho is remarkably cheap as well, the most (110 rubles, $3.10), and the Choco- The coffee selections are basic. and literal. This is not to say the place 10 1st Line V.O. expensive sandwich being the Phila- lady (90 rubles, $2.50). I ordered the The Americano (70 rubles, $1.95) is feels revolutionary but considering its Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; delphia at 140 rubles ($3.90). Philadelphia hoping for something good and cheaper than in larger, chain proximity to the city’s largest univer- Saturday and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. The overall impression once down similar to a cheesesteak but instead restaurants which offer less of the sity, you’re likely to hear conversations Tel. +7 (911) 789 7128. the stairs, through the small hallway received a small, square sandwich, same drink for twice the price. The that skew to the more radical philoso- Lunch for two without alcohol, 410 rubles flanked by a low coffee table offering sliced in half and filled with salmon, most expensive item on the drink phies of the political spectrum. ($11.50) buttons with the restaurants name em- cream cheese and cucumbers on menu is the latte at 120 rubles The soundtrack that is softly played blazoned on it, is minimalist and, con- toasted white bread. It was a fine ($3.35). over the speakers is a medley of classic By Gus Peters sidering the already small size of the sandwich but so simple that it may For the chocolate-inclined, there rock and it is just loud enough to enjoy THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES space, this theme seems to have arisen seem disappointing to those wishing are three types of hot chocolate of- but to also be able to speak to some- Horosho, a small, subterranean café a more out of necessity rather than artis- for something heartier. fered: Italian, French and Cocoa. My one without having to raise your voice. few minutes walk from St. Petersburg tic sensibility. The only nod to design My Russian companion ordered the Russian companion went with the In essence, the place is a coffee shop State University, is a work in prog- are the several odds and ends that Cheezy, which, according to the guy be- Italian option (90 rubles, $2.50), that happens to have some food avail- ress. The whitewashed walls are bare hang down from the ceiling between hind the counter, is their most popular which is served in a small paper cup able. While by no means exceptional, except for scattered pictures of vari- the light fixtures. The word “hipster” sandwich. Chunks of mozzarella are with a spoon. It’s as decadent as a it’s the perfect place to hang out with a ous American landmarks on one wall came to mind often as my Russian held between two pieces of dark, melted chocolate bar could ever be. cup of coffee. and the blackboard menu marked companion and I sat at one of the sev- toasted bread and accompanied by bits Khorosho has a long way to go if it My Russian companion, however, with white chalk on the back wall. eral dark wood tables that line the of garlic, tomato slices and arugula. It is ever wants to compete with its illustri- had perhaps the most damning indict- The menu itself is simple: Four walls after ordering at the counter. a very good sandwich although the size ous, better known rivals on the local ment of the place. After eating the sandwiches are offered and the drinks The sandwiches themselves are of it is somewhat discouraging. The low coffee shop scene but it would be no first half of her sandwich, she looked available are the usual caffeinated simple with only four options to prices though give you the option of surprise, as well as a testament to its up and said “I think I could make it at ones and some beers starting at choose from: the Club (110 rubles, eating more than one if you find your- owners, if it tried to maintain an un- home.” These are words no aspiring around 140 rubles ($3.90). Everything $3.10), the Philadelphia, the Cheezy self in need of more sustenance. derground aura, both metaphorical restaurant wants to hear. 20 ❖ Wednesday, February 26, 2014 LISTINGS WWW.SPTIMES.RU

HOW TO USE THE LISTINGS: Piano Recital Chopin, Schumann, saturday, march 1 Beethoven. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Dates and times are correct at the Main Hall rock, etc. time of publication, but last-min- Within Temptation Symphonic metal, symphonic rock. A2, 3 Prospekt Medikov. ute changes are not infrequent, friday, february 28 Tel. 309 9922. 8 p.m. so it’s best to check by contacting Tera Melos Indie rock, progressive ballet rock, experimental. Dada, 47 Gorokhovaya the venue. COMPLETE LISTINGS can Les Noces. Petrouchka. Le Sacre du Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. be found at www.sptimes.ru Printemps. Stravinsky. Choreographers Necondition Ska punk. Fish Fabrique Millicent Hodson, Michel Fokine and Nouvelle, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. (or scan the QR code below). Bronislava Nijinska. Mariinsky Theater, 8 p.m. Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. Unless otherwise stated, stage Russian Buzz Noise, improvised. GEZ-21, opera 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 5258. 8 p.m. events start at 7 p.m. Yevgeny Onegin Tchaikovsky’s opera based Black Fox Covers. Jagger, 2 Ploshchad on Pushkin’s novel. Director Vladislav Konstitutsii. Tel. 923 1292. 8:30 p.m. All stage shows and Chernushenko. Rimsky-Korsakov SunSay Pop. Kosmonavt, films are in Russian Conservatory Theater 24 Bronnitskaya Ulitsa. Tel. 922 1300. 8 p.m. Aphrodite Jungle. Zal Ozhidaniya, unless noted. concert 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. Early Music Music of France, England, Tel. 333 1069. 11:55 p.m. Germany and Italy. Rimsky-Korsakov Apartment Museum, jazz & blues STAGES 28 Zagorodny Prospekt, entrance via the Jan Lundgren Jazz Ensemble Jazz. Jazz courtyard. Tel. 713 3208 Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Choral Music Rimsky-Korsakov, Mozart. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. wednesday, february 26 Cappella Gentle Voice Viktoria Urusova and Her Band. Symphony Music Honegger, Respighi, Ravel. Jazz Philharmonic Hall (Ellington Hall), ballet Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, Sleeping Beauty Tchaikovsky’s classic Organ Music Bach, Mendelssohn and 764 9843. 8 p.m. based on the tale by Charles Perrault. others. Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory Californian melodic hardcore band Being as an Ocean, which was formed in King B. Blues. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Choreographer Marius Petipa. Mariinsky II Theater, Small Hall 2011 and has so far released only one album, “Dear G-d…” (2012), will Ulitsa. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. Symphony Music Glinka, Mussorgsky, perform at Zal Ozhidaniya on Tuesday, Mar. 4. opera Tchaikovsky and others. Conductor Christian Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) Mozart’s Knapp. Mariinsky Concert Hall sunday, march 2 opera about wisdom and love. Director Alain tuesday, march 4 Zarisovka Funk, soul, jazz, rock. The Place, Maratrat. Mariinsky Concert Hall 47 Ulitsa Marshala Govorova. Tel. 252 4683. rock, etc. The Tale of Tsar Saltan Pushkin’s tale about saturday, march 1 ballet 8 p.m. Reelroad Folk rock. Dada, a tsar and his lost son who becomes the king Anna Karenina Alexei Ratmansky Ocean Shiver / Da-Sein Rock. Zoccolo, 47 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. of a magical island. Director Andrei Petrov. ballet choreographs Rodion Shchedrin’s ballet in two 2/3 3-ya Sovetskaya Ulitsa. Tel. 274 9467. Komba BAKKh Hip-hop. Dada (After), Mariinsky Theater Swan Lake Tchaikovsky’s ballet about a acts after the novel by Lev Tolstoy. Ulyana 8 p.m. 47 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. swan princess. Conductor Valery Gergiev. Lopatkina and Yury Smekalov dance. Spiritual Seasons Folk. Fish Fabrique concert Mariinsky Theater Mariinsky II, 7.30 p.m. jazz & blues Nouvelle, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Chamber Music Kopylov, Beethoven. Dave Holland Trio Jazz. Jazz Philharmonic Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. Rimsky-Korsakov Apartment Museum, opera concert Hall, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, Die Krupps Post-industrial, EBM, 28 Zagorodny Prospekt, entrance via the Siegfried The third part of Wagner’s Ring Chamber Music Strauss , Lehar, Kalman. 764 9843. 7 p.m. industrial metal. Zal Ozhidaniya, 118 Nab. courtyard. Tel. 713 3208, 6 p.m. Cycle. Director Vladimir Mirzoyev. Conductor Rainer Roos. Oleg Kireyev and Andrei Kondakov Band Obvodnogo Kanala. Tel. 333 1069. 8 p.m. Vocal Evening Verdi, Rachmaninov, Wagner Mariinsky II, 6 p.m. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall Jazz, original compositions. JFC Jazz Club, and others. Vladimir Vaneyev. Shostakovich Chamber Music Mendelssohn, Bach and 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. jazz & blues Philharmonic, Small Hall concert others. Mariinsky Concert Hall Leningrad Dixieland Band Jazz dancing. Organ Evening Bach, Widor, Templeton and John Tavener: In Memoriam Tavener. Jazz Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny others. Felix Gubser. Shostakovich Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall friday, february 28 Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Philharmonic, Main Hall Chamber Music Bach, Carlsen, Raphael and Yulia Mikhailovskaya and Her Quintet others. Smolny Cathedral, 3/1 Pl. Rastrelli, GIGS rock, etc. Jazz classics. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel. 271 9182 Gazgolder Tour Basta, Guf, Smoki Mo, et al. Ulitsa. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. thursday, february 27 Percussion for Maslenitsa Bartok, Hip-hop. A2, 3 Prospekt Medikov. Friedman, Samuels and others. wednesday, february 26 Tel. 309 9922. 7 p.m. ballet Mariinsky Concert Hall, 3 p.m. On-The-Go Indie pop. Dada, monday, march 3 Sleeping Beauty Tchaikovsky’s classic Percussion for Maslenitsa Sviridov. rock, etc. 47 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. based on the tale by Charles Perrault. Conductors Vladimir Begletsov and Andrei Otomoto Indie pop. Dada, 47 Gorokhovaya La Minor Urban folk. Dada (After), rock, etc. Choreography Marius Petipa. Mariinsky II Petrenko. Mariinsky Concert Hall, 8 p.m. Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. 47 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. Harley Davidson Classic rock. Jagger, Myortviye Delfiny / Ghetto Girls Grisha Lyubit Grushu Indie rock. 2 Ploshchad Konstitutsii. Tel. 923 1292. opera Electronica, alternative. Dada (After), 47 Fish Fabrique Nouvelle, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. 8:30 p.m. The Tale of Tsar Saltan Pushkin’s tale about sunday, march 2 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. a tsar and his lost son who becomes the king Lackband Nu-jazz, hip-hop funk. Griboyedov Aerofall / Enface / Velvet Breasts / jazz & blues of a magical island. Director Andrei Petrov. opera Hill, 2A Voronezhskaya Ulitsa. Tel. 764 4355, More Znayet Indie rock, post-rock, shoegaze. Schnellertollermeier Avant jazz. JFC Jazz Mariinsky Theater Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) 973 7273. 10 p.m. Griboyedov, 2A Voronezhskaya Ulitsa. Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Tel. 272 9850. Mozart’s opera about wisdom and love. Vyacheslav Butusov and U-Piter Pop rock. Tel. 764 4355, 973 7273. 8 p.m. 8 p.m. concert Director Alexander Petrov. Jagger, 2 Ploshchad Konstitutsii. Stereozima 2014 Morcheeba, Ewert Chamber Music Beethoven, Tchaikovsky. Zazerkalye Theater, 3 p.m. Tel. 923 1292. 8:30 p.m. And Two Dragons, Atlantida Project. Cappella, 7.30 p.m. Goetterdaemmerung The fourth and final Schiller Electronic pop, ambient. Kosmonavt, Kosmonavt, 24 Bronnitskaya Ulitsa. tuesday, march 4 Chamber Music Beethoven, Brahms, part of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Director Vladimir 24 Bronnitskaya Ulitsa. Tel. 922 1300. 8 p.m. Tel. 922 1300. 8 p.m. Shostakovich. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Mirzoyev. Mariinsky II, 6 p.m. Orange House Indie rock. Mod, 7 Nab. Kareliya / Razumniye Igry / Effekt rock, etc. Small Hall Kanala Griboyedova. Tel. 712 0734. 7 p.m. Vremeni Rock, reggae. Manhattan, Depeche Mode Electronica, alternative rock. Percussion for Maslenitsa Bach, Corea, concert Triumph of Jazz Dave Holland Trio, Igor 90 Nab. Reki Fontanki. Peterburgsky Sports and Concert Complex Benetti and others. Peter Sadlo. Piano Recital Mussorgsky, Rachmaninov. Butman, Johnny Rodgers and Moscow State Tel. 713 1945. 7 p.m. (SKK), 8 Prospekt Yuriya Gagarina. Mariinsky Concert Hall Andrei Ivanovitch. Shostakovich Philharmonic, Jazz Orchestra, Anna Maria Jopek and Her Iced Earth Metal. Zal Ozhidaniya, Tel. 388 1211. 8 Main Hall Band. Oktyabrsky Concert Hall, 6 Ligovsky Pr. 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. Being as an Ocean Melodic hardcore. ADVERTISING Vocal Evening Brahms, Massenet and Tel. 275 1300. 7 p.m. Tel. 333 1069. 8 p.m. Zal Ozhidaniya, 118 Nab. Obvodnogo Kanala. others. Judita Leitaite. Shostakovich Dream Theater Progressive metal. Yubileiny Tel. 333 1069. 8 p.m. Philharmonic, Small Hall, 7 p.m.. Sports Complex, 18 Prospekt Dobrolyubova. jazz & blues Percussion for Maslenitsa Bizet, Tel. 498 6033. 7 p.m. Elvira Trafova and Pyotr Kornev Band jazz & blues Tchaikovsky, Mozart, and others. Mariinsky Romantic jazz night. Jazz Philharmonic Hall, Avishai Cohen Jazz. Aurora Concert Hall, Concert Hall, 7 p.m. jazz & blues 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 764 8565, St. Petersburg Hotel, 5/2 Pirogovskaya Nab. The Valley of the Blessed Gennady 764 9843. 7 p.m. Tel. 907 1917. 8 p.m. Golshtein, David Goloshchyokin, Chizhik Jazz Quartet Crossover jazz. Yoel Gonzalez & Alma Flamenca Cuban monday, march 3 St. Petersburg’s Saxophones, et al. Jazz JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. and Spanish music. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Philharmonic Hall, 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. opera Tel. 764 8565, 764 9843. 7 p.m. Boris Godunov Mussorgsky’s opera about Lera Gehner Original compositions. the eponymous tsar. Director Graham Vick. JFC Jazz Club, 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. Mariinsky Theater Tel. 272 9850. 8 p.m. concert Choral Music Mdzlevari Choir (Georgia). thursday, february 27 Shostakovich Philharmonic, Main Hall rock, etc. ADVERTISING Backstreet Boys Pop. A2, 3 Prospekt Medikov. Tel. 309 9922. 8 p.m. CALLmeKAT Indie pop, electronica. Dada, 47 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. Alexander Zaslavsky Acoustic. Dada (After), 47 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Tel. 983 7050. 8 p.m. Stember Fats / Cyclodol Electronica. Fish Fabrique, 53 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 764 4857. 9 p.m. Viktor Kino covers. Jagger, 2 Ploshchad Konstitutsii. Tel. 923 1292. 8:30 p.m. Non Cadenza Pop, jazz, funk, disco. Kosmonavt, 24 Bronnitskaya Ulitsa. Tel. 922 1300. 8 p.m. BestPulsar / Auxford / Mr. Aks Rock, art rock. Manhattan, 90 Nab. Reki Fontanki. Tel. 713 1945. 8 p.m. British indie-rock band You Me at Six — on tour to promote its fourth studio Marradyory / Caries / The Riot Gang album, “Cavalier Youth,” released late last month — will perform at Kosmonavt Punk, hardcore punk. Mod, 7 Nab. Kanala on Wednesday, Mar. 5. Griboyedova. Tel. 712 0734. 7 p.m. WWW.SPTIMES.RU LISTINGS Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 21

ART. OBJECT Lyubasha and Wolf: Viktor Kuznetsov. 6 Shashmeva Ul. / 48 Bolshoy prospekt. Also known as Gipper Puper, the artist’s SCREENS Tel. 490-62-15. Tuesday through Sunday work incorporates artwork from 1988-2013 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.artobject-gallery.ru which is then combined with his own NEW! The Keeper of Lost Causes technique and color over the top. Through (Kvinden i buret) (2013, Denmark-Germany- ART RE.FLEX Feb. 28 Sweden) Mikkel Norgaard’s crime thriller 5 Ul. Bakunina. Tel. 332 3343. 12 p.m. to NEW! Gloomy Pictures: Vladimir starring Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Fares Fares and 7 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Shinkaryev Painting. A series of pictures Sonja Richter. Dom Kino www.artreflex.ru depicting St. Petersburg in black and gray colors. Opens Mar. 4 through Apr. 12 NEW! Lone Survivor (2013, U.S.) Peter ARTISTS UNION OF RUSSIA EXHIBITION Berg’s war film starring Mark Wahlberg, Taylor CENTER RACHMANINOV GARDEN Kitsch and Emile Hirsch. Formula Kino 38 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Tel. 314 3060. 5 Kazanskaya Ul. Tel. 312 9558. Tuesday – Galereia, Velikan Park. 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Monday. Saturday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. www.spb-uniart.ru www.fotorachmaninov.ru NEW! The Monuments Men (2014, U.S.- St. Petersburg Secession. Painting, No Analogs: Valery Dyagteryev. Germany) George Clooney’s war drama graphics. Different artists present works that Photography. Black-and-white photographs starring George Clooney and Bill Murray. are testaments to both technique and are used to reimagine Dostoevsky’s Formula Kino Galereia, Jam Hall, Mirage tradition. Through Mar. 1 St. Petersburg. Through Mar. 29 Cinema, Velikan Park. Mythic Fate. Painting, graphics, sculpture. Mythological themes are shown through the ROSPHOTO STATE CENTER OF NEW! Nymphomaniac: Volume I (2013, work of various artists. Through Mar. 2 PHOTOGRAPHY Denmark-Germany-France-Belgium-U.K.) Lars 35 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Tel. 314 6184. von Trier’s drama starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, BOOK AND GRAPHICS CENTER Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.rosfoto.org Christian Slater and Uma Thurman. Angleterre Finnish photographer Hannes Heikura examines the relationship between reality 55 Liteiny Prospekt. M: Mayakovskaya. Zones: Hannes Heikura. Photography. (in English with Russian subtitles), Avrora, and its representation in two series of black and white images at Rosphoto. Tel. 273 5452. Daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Finnish photographer leads the viewer Formula Kino Galereia (in English with Russian www.naiv-art.ru towards the boundaries of light and subtitles), Mirage Cinema. darkness. Through Apr. 6 German families in the Soviet Union are BOREY NEW! Nymphomaniac: Volume II (2013, MUSEUMS traced across three generations. 58 Liteiny Prospekt. M: Vladimirskaya, ULTRAMARIN GALLERY Denmark-Belgium-France-Germany-U.K.) Opens Mar. 3 through Apr. 9 Mayakovskaya. Tel. 275 3837. Tuesday – 12 Zvenigorodskaya Ul. Tel. 404 6831. Starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan ANNA AKHMATOVA MUSEUM AT THE Saturday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. www.borey.ru Thursday through Saturday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Skarsgard and Willem Dafoe. Angleterre (in FOUNTAIN HOUSE PUSHKIN APARTMENT MUSEUM Feminist Pencil 2. Graphics. The www.ultramarinegallery.com/ru English with Russian subtitles), Avrora. 34 Fontanka River, entrance from 53 Liteiny 12 Nab. Reki Moiki. Tel. 571 3801. Daily, St. Petersburg Women’s Crisis Center Leningrad: Andrei Rudiev. A collection of Pr. M: Gostiny Dvor, Mayakovskaya. 10:30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Closed Tuesday and presents this exhibition of work tackling the artwork exhibiting the past and future of NEW! Thirst (Zhazhda) (2013, Russia) Tel. 272 2211. Daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed the last Friday of each month. topic of gender violence. Through Mar. 2 Leningrad from the artist’s point of view. Dmitry Tyurin’s drama starring Mikhail Grubov, Monday; 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the last Wednesday Yevgeny Chemodurov. Exhibition. Through Mar. 8 Roman Kurtsyn and Sergei Lavygin. Dom Kino. of every month. www.akhmatova.spb.ru A collection of posters, photos and private D-137 GALLERY NEW! Invariants: Svetlana Kalistratova. items from the famed Soviet actor’s career. 12 Zvenigorodskaya Ul., 3rd floor. Paintings, graphics. The Moscow-based artist Through Mar. 31 M: Pushkinskaya. Tel. +7 (981) 687 6051. analyzes the shared properties of various Thursday through Saturday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. spaces. Opens Feb. 27 through Mar. 16 RIMSKY-KORSAKOV APARTMENT www.d137.ru MUSEUM NEW! My Art is Me: Georgy Guryanov. DERZHAVIN MUSEUM 28 Zagorodny Prospekt, Courtyard. Painting. The work of legendary Russian 118 Nab. Reki Fontanki. M: Tekhnologichesky M: Dostoyevskaya. Tel. 713 3208, 315 3975. band Kino’s recently deceased drummer is Institut, Sennaya Ploshchad. Tel. 713 0717. Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on display. Opens Feb. 27 through Apr. 27 Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed last Friday of each month. The 70th Anniversary of the Leningrad Rimsky-Korsakov and Pushkin: Opera ERARTA MUSEUM Blockade. A collection of Leningrad blockage Masterpieces. Installation, graphics, 2, 29th Line, V.O. M: Vasileostrovskaya. memorabilia from the Pushkin Apartment painting. Through Mar. 9 Tel. 324 0809. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Museum, State Russian Museum and Siege and Tuesday. www.erarta.com Defense of Leningrad Museum. Through Mar. 15 STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM After Comics. Painting, media. Various Folk Pictures. Lubok from the Pushkin 1 Palace Square. M: Nevsky Prospekt. artists incorporate American and French museum. Through Feb. 28 Tel. 571 3420, 571 3465. Daily, 10.30 a.m. to characters into a Russian cultural context. 6 p.m. (9 p.m. Wednesday). Closed Monday. Through Mar. 17 HISTORY OF RELIGION MUSEUM www.hermitagemuseum.org Measuring Silence: Diana Vouba. 14/5 Pochtamtskaya Ulitsa. M: Nevsky Prospekt British Silver from the Victorian Age. Painting. An exploration into the spatial / Sadovaya. Tel. 571 0495, 314 5838. Daily Decorative art, installation. Through Mar. 16 realms of our universe paired with sound 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Wednesday. installations. Through Mar. 17 16th- 18th- Century Religion and Art in STATE MUSEUM OF THEATRICAL AND Number and Myth: Konstantin the Netherlands. Painting, graphics, MUSICAL ART Khudyakov. Painting, media. NEW! Dallas Buyers Club (2003, U.S.) Jean-Marc Vallee’s biographical drama about a installation. Through Feb. 26 6 Pl. Ostrovskogo, M: Gostiny Dvor. A presentation of new works including 3D man who helps AIDS patients get the medication they need, starring Matthew Tel. 571 2195. Monday through Sunday, paintings and digital mosaics. T McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto. Avrora, Velikan Park. Starts Feb. 27. HISTORY OF ST. PETERSBURG MUSEUM 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (1 p.m. to 9 p.m. hrough Mar. 10 Peter and Paul Fortress. M: Gorkovskaya. Wednesday). Closed Tuesday and last Friday Tel. 230 6431. Daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. of every month. MARINA GISICH GALLERY Tuesday). Closed Wednesday. NEW! Among My Peers. Graphics. The work 121 Nab. Reki Fontanki, Tel. 314 4380. www.spbmuseum.ru. of famed theater actor Yury Bogatyryev is on Daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Romanovs in St. Petersburg. display. Opens Feb. 27 through Apr. 7 Saturday). Closed Sunday. Decorative art, photo, painting, graphics, NEW! 64+: Vladimir Kustov. Photography, installation. Through Oct. 8 STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM: STROGANOV graphics. Kustov uses chess and the genetic From Feather to Computer. Installation, PALACE code as inspiration for his newest show. new media. Through Sept. 7 17 Nevsky Prospekt. Tel. 571 2360. Open Opens Feb. 26 through Apr. 5 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Monday). 1 p.m. to MATYUSHIN MUSEUM OF THE 9 p.m on Thursdays. Closed Tuesday. A branch LOFT-PROJECT ETAGI ST. PETERSBURG AVANT-GARDE of the State Russian Museum. 74 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel. 458 5005. Daily 10 Ul. Professora Popova. M: Petrogradskaya. Tourist Photographs of 19th-Century 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Tuesday). Italy. Photo. 115 pictures by famous Italian National Geographic’s ‘Wild Russia.’ Closed Wednesday. www.spbmuseum.ru photographers as well as unknown Photography. The winning photos from a Victory Over the Sun. Decorative art, photo, professionals and foreign artists. nationwide competition to capture the best graphics, installation. Through Apr. 3 Through Feb. 28 images of Russia’s natural beauty are on display. Through Feb. 27 MUSIC MUSEUM AT THE SHEREMETYEV ST. PETERSBURG STATE MUSEUM OF NEW! Golden Tortoise 2014. PALACE THEATER AND MUSIC Photography. The winning photos selected 34 Nab. Reki Fontanki. Tel. 272 4441. Open 8 Stremyannaya Ul. Tel. 764 1130. Daily from 15,000 entries from 77 different Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Monday, Tuesday countries will be shown. Opens Mar. 1 NEW! Her (2013, U.S.) Spike Jonze’s sci-fi romantic comedy starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy An “I” for Creativity: Ivan Tarasyuk. and last Friday of the month. through May 18 Adams and Rooney Mara about a man who develops a relationship with an intelligent Painting. An exhibition of the artist’s musically Theatrical Dynasties. computer operating system. Avrora, Velikan Park. Starts Feb. 27. thematic work. Through Mar. 26 Komissarzhevskya. Personal items, letters, MAYAKOVSKY LIBRARY costumes, posters, photo, decorations. 46 Nab. Reki Fontanki. Entrance via the MUSEUM OF CITY SCULPTURE Through Apr. 12 courtyard. Tel. 571 0856 New Exhibition Hall. 179/2a Nevsky Prospekt. NEW! Mon Repos: A Memorial to 18th Entrance through Chernoretskogo Pereulok. YUSUPOVSKY PALACE and 19th Century Landscape Tel. 274 2635, 274 2579, 274 3860. Daily, 94 Nab. Reki Moiki, M: Sennaya. Architecture. Photography, installation. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Thursday, Friday. Tel. 314 9883. Daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The history of the iconic Vyborg park is Kalevala Through the Eyes of Russian The World of Russian Nobility. Painting, shown through photographs and historic Artists. Painting, video, installation. Russian installation. Through Mar. 30 materials. Opens Feb. 28 through Mar. 30 artists present their take on the Finnish epic. Through Mar. 12 MOSKOVSKY DISTRICT EXHIBITION HALL VLADIMIR NABOKOV APARTMENT 6 Pl. Chernyshevskogo, M: Park Pobedy. MUSEUM GALLERIES Tel. 388 3984. Tuesday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 47 Bolshaya Morskaya. Tel. 315 4713, 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed 717 4502. Daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (12 p.m. ANNA NOVA Sunday, Monday. to 5 p.m. on weekends). Closed Monday. 28 Ul. Zhukovskogo. Tel. 275 9762. Tuesday The Decadence of Games: Yelena www.nabokovmuseum.org through Saturday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sluchevskaya. Collage, installation. Mai Miturich. Illustration. The Russian www.annanova-gallery.ru Sluchevskaya’s work focuses on the culture artist’s contribution to a project honoring the Petr Shvetsov. Painting. The painter’s first of games and how they influence our lives. famed Traugot family. Through Mar. 25 exhibit at the gallery since 2011 is centered Through Mar. 12 on fairy tales and more sinister subjects. Silk Fantasy. Decorative handmade art. POLITICAL HISTORY OF RUSSIA MUSEUM Through Mar. 16 An annual show in honor of International 2/4 Ulitsa Kuibysheva. M: Gorkovskaya. Women’s Day. Through Mar. 12 Tel. 233 7052. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed APERTO GALLERY Thursday and the last Monday of the month. 18 Pirogova Ul., 3rd floor. NAME GALLERY NEW! Philomena (2013, U.K.-U.S.-France) Stephen Frears’ comedy-drama starring Judi www.polithistory.ru Tel. +7 (931) 300 5330. Tuesday through 33 Nab. Kanala Griboyedova. Tel. 571 5517. Dench, Steve Coogan and Sophie Kennedy Clark tells the true story of Philomena Lee’s 50- NEW! I Came to Your Country as a Friday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., weekend 12 p.m. to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday. year-long search for her son. Avrora. Starts Feb. 27. Guest. Exhibition. The lives of anti-fascist 6 p.m. www.apertogallery.com www.namegallery.ru Tell the world about your business by advertising in the Real Estate online For additional information, call (812) 325-6080. Wednesday, February 26, 2014 E-mail: [email protected] RealEstate advertising section

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BUSINESS CENTERS Jam 12 Ryleeva Ul. Terrassa 3 Kazanskaya Ul. Ermitage Hotel Austrian Business Center Regus James Cook Testo 21 Kazanskaya Ul. 11 Millionnaya Ul. 55 Nevsky Pr. 2 Shvedsky Per. The Office 5 Kazanskaya Ul. Guyot 23B Professora Popova Ul. Belye Nochi Business Center 45 Kamennoostrovsky Pr. Tinkoff 7 Kazanskaya Ul. German Club Hotel 20 Gastello Ul. 23 Malaya Morskaya Ul. Jean Jacque 10 Marata Ul. Victoria 59 Moika Emb. Golden Garden 9 Vladimirsky Pr. Europa House 1 Artilleriyskaya Ul. KFC Volga-Volga Petrovskaya Emb. Golden Triangle Hotel Goldex 36 Shpalernaya Ul. 11 Sheremetievskaya Ul. Zinger 28 Nevsky Pr. 12 Bolshaya Konushennaya Ul. Gustaf 38 Sredny Pr. V.O. 39/40 Sredny Pr. V.O. Zoom 22 Gorokhovaya Ul. Grand Hotel Emerald Magnus 34 9-Liniya V.O. Konyushenny Dvor HOTELS 18 Suvorovsky Pr. MCDS 6 Proletarskoy Diktatury Pl. 5 Griboedova Emb. 3 Mosta 3 Moika Emb. Grand Hotel Europe Moskovsky 212 Moskovsky Pr. 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M Hotel 2/22 Krylova Per. 17 2-Sovetskaya Ul. 71 Zanevsky Pr. Art Hotel 27-29 Mokhovaya Ul. Marco Polo 27 12-Liniya V.O. Severnaya Stolitsa 36 Moika Emb. 39 Kamennoostrovsky Pr. Art Hotel Trezzini 21 Bolshoy Pr. V.O. Marmara 26-2 Novorossiyskaya Ul. Sweden House 100-104 Ligovsky Pr. Aster 25 Bolshaya Konushennaya Ul. Marshal 41 Shpalernaya Ul. 1/3A Malaya Konushennaya Ul. 45/2 Nevsky Pr. Asteria 71 Fontanka Emb. Moika 22 Kempinski 141 Savushkina Ul. Astoria 39 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. 22 Moika Emb. RESTAURANTS 29А Sredny Pr. V.O. Atrium Hotel 2 Ispolkomskaya Ul. Holiday Inn Moskovskie Vorota Abrikosov 40 Nevsky Pr. 45 Yaroslavsky Pr. Austrian Yard 16 Furshtatskaya Ul. 97A Moskovsky Pr. Bar Tranzit 85А Nevsky Pr. Mezonin 1/7 Mikhailovskaya Ul. Austrian Yard 45 Furshtatskaya Ul. Moika 5 5 Moika Emb. Baranka 5 Chapaeva Ul. Mollie’s Pub 36 Rubinshteyna Ul. Azimut 43/1 Lermontovsky Pr. Nash Hotel 50 11- Liniya V.O. Barcelona 26 Ulitsa Rubinshteina Moskva 112-114 Nevsky Pr. Baltic Star Hotel Nautilus 3 Rizhskaya Ul. 9 Prospekt Chernyshevskogo Ocean 14 Dobrolyubova Pr. 3 Beriozovaya ave., Strelna Neptun 93A Obvodny Emb. 1 Bolshaya Konyushennaya Ulitsa Old Customs House 1 Tamozhenny Per. Belveder Nevsky Nevsky 98 98 Nevsky Pr. Begemot 12 Sadovaya Ul. Ovsyanka café 11 Gorokhovaya Ulitsa 29 Bolshaya Konushennaya Ul. Nevsky Breeze 12 Galernaya Ul. Bohemia restaurant Peoplecafe 2 Italyanskaya Ul. Brothers Karamazov Hotel Nevsky Central Hotel 16 Teatralnaya Ploshchad Pervoe, Vtoroe i Kompot 11A Sotsialisticheskaya Ul. 90-92 Nevsky Pr. Britanskaya konditerskaya 10 Zhukovskogo Ul. Comfort Hotel Nevsky Contour 88 Nevsky Pr. 80 Bolshoy Pr. Petrograd Side Petropavlovsky 85А Nevsky Pr. 25 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Nevsky Express Hotel 25 Grechesky Pr. Pizza Hut 96 Nevsky Pr. Corinthia Hotel St. Petersburg 91 Nevsky Pr. Café Max 90-92 Nevsky Pr. 71 Moika Emb. 57 Nevsky Pr. Nevsky Forum 69 Nevsky Pr. Coca Inn 13-15 Sadovaya Ul. Pub Bulldog 20/16 Vosstaniya Ul. Courtyard Marriott Nevsky Grand Hotel Coffee House Gourmet Pushka Inn 14 Moika Emb. 61/30A 2-Liniya V.O. 10 Bolshaya Konushennaya Ul. 15 Vladimirsky Pr. Rossi 1/7 Mikhailovskaya Ul. 166 Griboedova Emb. Novotel 3A Mayakovskogo Ul. Coffee House Gourmet Saint-Petersburg 5 Griboedova Emb. Cronwell Inn Stremyannaya Oktiabrskaya Hotel 86 Marata Ul. Sbarro 42 Nevsky Pr. 18 Stremyannaya Ul. 10 Ligovsky Pr. Da Albertone 23 Millionnaya Ul. Sever 46 Nevsky Pr. Crowne Plaza Ligovsky Palantin 4-6 Rizhsky Pr. Dickens Pub 108 Fontanka Emb. Shamrock 27 Dekabristov Ul. 61-63 Ligovsky Pr. Park Hotel 12 Severnaya Doroga Dom Byta 12 Razezzhaya Ul. Stroganoff Steak House CubaHostel 5 Kazanskaya Ul. Park Inn Nevsky 4 Goncharnaya Ul. Europe 1/7 Mikhailovskaya Ul. 4 Konnogvardeisky Blvd. Deluxe 14 Bolshaya Konushennaya Ul. Park Inn Pulkovskaya Evrasia 85А Nevsky Pr. Subway 63 Ulitsa Tchaikovskogo Demetra Art Hotel 1 Pobedy Pl. Francesco 47 Suvorovsky Pr. 98 Bolshoy Prospekt Petrograd Side 44 Ulitsa Vosstaniya Petro Palace Hotel Grad Petrov 18 Sytninskaya Ulitsa Domina prestige Hotels 14 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. 5 Universitetskaya Emb. Tandoor 2 Voznesensky Pr. St. Petersburg 99 Moika Emb. Park Inn Pribaltiyskaya Il Patio 30 Nevsky Pr. Teplo 45 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. Dostoevsky 19 Vladimirsky Pr. 14 Korablestroiteley Ul. 182 Nevsky Pr. Tequila-Boom Elizar Hotel …and many other locations J.Walker 36 Griboedova Emb. 57/127 Voznesensky Pr. 85A Obukhovskoy Oborony Pr. throughout the city Opinion www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 ❖ 24 What Kiev’s Democratic Turn Means for Moscow

By Anders Åslund asian Union will not take place. The union is pro- tectionist and economically damaging to all its ast week, the Ukrainian opposition sud- members. If Putin wants to enter the modern denly gained a parliamentary majority world, he had better abandon it and opt for Euro- through democratic and legal means as pean integration like Ukraine. The Eurasian lawmakers defected in droves from Pres- Union could fail through falling growth rates in Lident Viktor Yanukovych after his killing of 82 Russia combined with excessive subsidies to Be- people in Kiev in three days. On Feb. 22, the pres- larus. The ultimate insult to Putin would be if a ident was impeached with the required two-thirds dissatisfied President Nursultan Nazarbayev de- majority. It is still early to say how this transition clares that Kazakhstan will leave the association. to democracy will work, but it looks promising. The Yanukovych model of “presidential rob- What will this mean to Russia? ber capitalism” was much more crude and single- The Ukrainian protests present a challenge to minded than the elaborate Putin model of state all Russians. Putin must realize the Eurasian and crony capitalism. But both men share the Union is stillborn and Russia needs the EU. view that presidents are entitled to top-level cor- For the last three decades, I have been deeply ruption and authoritarianism. While Yanukovych involved in both Russia and Ukraine. To a for- is now being chased like a criminal on the run, Pu- eigner, common Russian attitudes toward Ukraine tin must feel somewhat less comfortable. He ex- are clearly contradictory. Russians will tell you pressed such discomfort after his friend Moam- that Ukrainians are their brother nation, but at mar Gadhafi of Libya was chased and killed. the same time they claim that Ukraine is not a real Meanwhile, Russia’s economic growth has nation, Ukrainian not an actual language, and dwindled since 2009 and now seems to have Ukrainians are intellectually backward. Russians stopped because of Putin’s policy of state and can barely hide their superiority complex toward crony capitalism. Putin’s reserves are running low. Ukraine. Ukrainians take note and object in their Therefore, Euromaidan puts the Putin regime in a quiet, polite fashion. new light to thinking Russians: “If Ukrainians can In late 2004, the Orange Revolution turned the rise against authoritarianism and corruption and tables on the Russians. Suddenly, Ukraine was opt for European values and integration, why ahead in terms of democracy, freedom and mo- shouldn’t we be able to do so, too?” dernity, although not in economic policy or The Kremlin faces a stark choice. One possibility wealth. President Vladimir Putin swiftly adopted is that it will choose the same policies as after the a series of laws to curtail civil society and safe- Orange Revolution: hostility to Ukraine, including guard his authoritarian rule. Since the Orange cuts in gas deliveries and trade sanctions, and in- government turned out to be disorganized, Putin creased repression at home. But those policies were could relax. possible when the Russian standard of living rose In February 2010, Yanukovych won a free but more than ever. Putin also was lucky that Ukraine’s not very fair presidential election with 49 percent Orange government collapsed on its own. of the vote in a runoff. At the time, the common Now the economic backdrop is much worse. view was that Yanukovych would turn into a Pu- The Russian standard of living is barely rising. tin by installing a political vertical of power and Russia’s client Yanukovych has been exposed as greatly enriching his loyalists. and then rejected. Few were concerned about the Euromaidan challenges Russians’ perception a greedy thief and executioner, abandoned by his Yanukovych’s problem was that he had not free-trade agreement, but it represented a choice of themselves. Russians identify themselves as own party. The Ukrainian revolutionaries and all learned Putin’s sophisticated art of sharing. In- of civilization. Would Ukraine go for European brave for good reason, but now they look cow- the more the Ukrainian people have likely stead, he concentrated all wealth in a tiny family values — freedom and justice, democracy and the ardly next to Ukrainians. For less good reason, learned their lesson from the failure of the Or- circle, alienating everybody else. His political base rule of law — or for corruption and authoritarian- opinion polls show that Russians consider them- ange Revolution. did not expand but narrowed. As his political le- ism? To Ukrainians, the choice was clearcut, and selves as people of traditional values. Yet now Presumably, the Kremlin realizes that Euro- gitimacy dwindled, he imposed more repression. they stood up in protest. they look like cynical cowards, while Ukrainians maidan proves its old policy is no longer viable. Russians have accepted some repression because The Ukrainian public protests present a chal- have defended their nation and universal values As democracy has broken through in Ukraine, their standard of living has risen palpably, but lenge to all Russians. This might explain the un- such as freedom, democracy and justice. the crudest Russian propaganda about Euro- Yanukovych’s predatory economic policies caused commonly crude Russian television propaganda After many years of cynicism, the Ukrainian maidan appears to have abated. But is Putin able economic output to stagnate. about Ukraine. A month ago, I participated in a public has decided to clear out more than 40 to realize that his Eurasian Union is stillborn and In the end, Ukrainians asked themselves, “Why political panel of 10 people at the Gaidar Forum Lenin monuments, which represent inhumane that Russia’s best hope is European values and should we accept a leader who robs and represses in Moscow. I was the sole panelist who wasn’t a ideals. This is Ukraine’s moment of de-communi- European integration? our country and only cares about himself?” Russian political analyst. The general view was zation, a period that lasted all too briefly in Russia Euromaidan might wake Russians up. But I But dissatisfaction alone is rarely sufficient. It that political stability and economic stagnation in August 1991. In Moscow, Lenin still rests in his wouldn’t bet on it. requires a catalyst to be unleashed. Foolishly, would prevail in Russia this year. If anything were mausoleum on Red Square. Yanukovych provided such a catalyst with the Eu- to shake the country, six of us suggested it would The most evident blow to the Kremlin is that Anders Åslund is a senior fellow at the Peterson ropean Union agreement that he first endorsed be Ukraine’s Euromaidan. the victory of Euromaidan means that the Eur- Institute for International Economics.

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The St. Petersburg Times is a part of Sanoma Independent Media Evaluating Russia After Sochi and McFaul CEO: Jean-Emmanuel de Witt Board of Directors: Tatiana Shalygina, Tatyana Shishkova, Mikhail By Richard Lourie mated force in international relations.” So the Kramer of the Davis Center for Russian and Eur- Doubik, Alexander Gukasov, Elena Razumova Sochi Games were not just a festival of graft and asian Studies at Harvard University recently Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Derk Sauer -Russian relations have vanity, not just a grandiose resort and real-estate wrote on these pages. Publisher: OOO “Neva Media” General Director: Tatyana Turikova come to a small moment development, but a canny move to heal the Rus- But Putin could easily be president for another Editorial: Christopher Gordon, Acting Editor-in-chief of opportunity. sian soul. decade. That is 2 1/2 U.S. presidential administra- Advertising: Ksenia Chiritsa, Ylia Yanchuk U.S. Ambassador Mi- Two possibilities present themselves here. Pu- tions away. That is Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Subscription: Viktoria Borovkova Production: Alla Kalinovskaya chaelU.S. McFaul is stepping aside just as Russia is tin could become swell-headed from the success entire term. IT Department: Sergei Karasev flush with pride over the success of the Sochi of the Games and feel emboldened to act in an Of course, if Putin decides to remain ornery Olympics. The exuberance seems to have affected even more authoritarian manner, or his new- and recalcitrant, there is not a lot anyone can do OOO Neva Media ì˜‰ËÚÂθ Ë ËÁ‰‡ÚÂθ – ééé “ç‚‡ å‰ˇ” everyone, from those in Sochi whose homes were found sense of pride might free him from the need about that. But Russia, while important in and of Copyright © 2005 The St. Petersburg Times. All Rights Reserved. taken from them by eminent domain to Kremlin to see an enemy in every critic and in every for- itself, is ultimately just one part of the puzzle of a Mass media registration certificate number èà ‹ îë2-8918 of November 30, 2007, U.S. foreign policy that must center on China. issued by the Directorate of the Federal Service for the monitoring of compliance with critic Alexei Navalny who has called the Games eign-supported NGO an agent of sedition. legislation in the sphere of mass communications and the preservation of cultural heritage “sweet and uniting.” If we hope and assume the latter, then how Since China is still very much a work in progress, of the North-West Federal District. ë‚ˉ ÚÂθ ÒÚ ‚Ó Ó Â„Ë ÒÚ ‡ ˆËË Ò‰ÒÚ ‚‡ χÒÒÓ ‚ÓÈ The transcendent spirit of the Olympics strikes should the U.S. take advantage of this moment, U.S. policy on China must be marked by flexibil- ËÌÙÓ χ ˆËË èà ‹ îë2-8918 ÓÚ 30 ÌÓfl · fl 2007 „Ó‰‡, ‚˚‰‡ ÌÓ ìÔ‡ ‚ ΠÌË ÂÏ î‰Â- again. the inflection point? ity. But flexibility alone cannot define foreign ‡Î¸ÌÓÈ ÒÎÛÊ·˚ ÔÓ Ì‡‰ÁÓ Û Á‡ Òӷβ ‰Â ÌË ÂÏ Á‡ÍÓ ÌÓ ‰‡ ÚÂθ ÒÚ ‚‡ ‚ ÒÙÂ χÒÒÓ ‚˚ı Thankfully the Sochi Games ended on a high First, it should be remembered that although policy. Once the U.S. has made up its mind about ÍÓÏÏÛ ÌË Í‡ ˆËÈ Ë Óı‡ Ì ÍÛθÚÛ ÌÓ „Ó Ì‡ÒΠ‰Ëfl ÔÓ ë‚ Ó-ᇠԇ‰ ÌÓ ÏÛ Ù‰ ‡Î¸ ÌÓ ÏÛ note and Islamist terrorists did not chose to attack relations are bad, they are not only bad. The pic- China — as competitor, rival––– or enemy — it ÓÍÛ „Û. Издание предназначено для аудитории старше 18 лет. during the closing ceremony on Feb. 23, the 70th ture is complex and textured. The U.S. and Russia will have a better idea where Russia fits in. It is Отпечатано в ОАО «Первая Образцовая типография» филиал «СПб газетный anniversary of Stalin’s violent exile of the entire quietly cooperate in space and in the transporting this lack of a policy more than Putin’s attitude that комплекс». 198216, СПб, Ленинский пр., 139. Заказ № 1364. Chechen and Ingush nations in 1944. of personnel and material to and from Afghani- is keeping the U.S. stance on Moscow on hold and Подписано в печать: по графику в 1.00, фактически в 1.00. Тираж 20000 экз. Let us hope and assume that the Sochi Olym- stan, factors more important but less newsworthy that will make the next ambassador to Russia Распространяется бесплатно. The St. Petersburg Times is a free publication. pics were not, or not only, a monument to Presi- than, say, Pussy Riot or one leader snubbing the something of an interim appointment. dent Vladimir Putin’s vanity, but also a sign of his other at an international conference. Or maybe we will all soon be too busy fighting Address: 190000, Russia, St. Petersburg, rd sagacity about his country and his countrymen. “So long as Putin is president of Russia, it is floods and blizzards to worry about borders and 4 Konnogvardeisky boulevard, Entrance 7, 3 floor. Telephone/Fax: (7-812) 325-60-80. Russia’s experience since the Soviet collapse hard to see how the bilateral relationship can old grievances. ĉÂÒ ‰‡ÍˆËË: 190000, Конногвардейский бульвар, 23 years ago has been defined by a humiliation change fundamentally. The best that can be done 3 that New York Times columnist Thomas Freed- is to minimize damage and preserve the signifi- Richard Lourie is the author of “The Autobiography д. 4, лит. А, подъезд 7, этаж Internet: http://www.sptimes.ru man rightly called “the single most underesti- cant areas of cooperation that still exist,” Mark of Joseph Stalin” and “Sakharov: A Biography.”

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 18 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.