Eurovision 2016

So, how was Eurovision 2016 for you? A fun-filled evening of cheesy pop (evenings, if you also caught the semi-finals). Here, for one half of the household, specifically the white-blue-red striped half, it was too much too bear...

source

BBC Panorama; "Putin's Secret Riches"

I caught up with the recent edition of BBC's Panorama called "Putin's Secret Riches" (available on i-player until Jan 2017).

It left me with mixed feelings...

Food sanctions

A recent episode of The Keiser Report described a new trend for locavore cuisine in Moscow and presented this interest in locally-sourced ingredients as an unintended positive from Russian sanctions on some western nations' food (the Russian response to western-imposed sanctions).

Lavka Lavka restaurant. Image

Thinking back to our recent trip, were the sanctions clearly evident? .....

A spoonful of sugar...

New Year was spent visiting relatives in Russia. Lily's parents are likely to move from her hometown this coming year and, with it being a few years since we were last there for the biggest celebration of the year, a trip for family, festivities and nostalgia seemed too good to miss.

As you expect at that time of year, food and drink were in abundance.

New Year Meal

Far removed from my usual diet (low fat, low sugar, low meat); if it was in front of me, I consumed it with great pleasure... Russian sausage, pelmeniy, cheese, salads swimming in soured cream, khachapuri [see below], pizzas, sweets (and one or two drinks).

Khachapuri...

The result was dramatic...

Victory Day/ Den Pobedi 9th May

The 9th May is when Russia celebrates VE Day. For them, though, this is the end of what is seen as the "Great Patriotic War" (1941-1945) rather than WW2 and earlier or later military action (Baltics, Japan) is viewed as something separate.

This is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Russia and is a national holiday, so people are off work too and free to attend the parades, which many of all ages do. It's a time when war veterans are especially remembered and there are social programmes around 9th May in which gifts and extra help is given to those participated.  The country becomes awash with the orange and black-striped ribbon of St. George and with large banners celebrating the victory, as well as a string of war films on TV. Events take place across the country ranging from concerts, firework displays and the show of military might in Red Square, Moscow.

Two sides to every coin.

Russia Today reports that an organisation called For Security is calling for special cyber police to crack down on internet trolls.

As a part of this, the suggestion is to fine anyone who creates a social network page using a false name (about £7 - £30) and is a way to stop cyberbullying.

VKontakte - Russia's equivalent of Facebook

This is all very commendable, but

Thinking of emigrating?

Russia Today summarises findings of a survey by the Levada Centre which says that the percentage of Russians wanting to emigrate is at a historic low.

The poll says that a surprisingly low 9% of Russians "are having thoughts of emigrating" while 81% "have never thought of uprooting to another country".

However, a survey from the same pollsters two years ago

Dances with Wolves

The day started a lot like any other… well, maybe not. It was Tuesday – the only day I had morning lessons so the only day I got up early. 8.30am and it’s for 45 minutes. Bugger! Following the normal Tuesday pattern, with the lesson finished, I was off to the internet café.

Let me take you back further. I took a Lincoln City hat with me. It was a black ski-hat with the team name in red italics. I'd lost it about three months ago – I even knew when… the night we all went to Igor’s workplace to see how he makes neon signs. After that, never seen again until…

Recipe: Solyanka (soup)/ солянка

One of the culinary delights in Russia is the range of soups and this one is one of my favourites. It's meaty and rich... and delicious.

 

 Here's a recipe (in near industrial quantities)...

Love is...

a Turkish brand of bubble gum that was hugely popular in the former USSR countries in the 1990s and is still available in Russia today.

Up in smoke

As widely reported, a fire in a shopping centre in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russian has killed 14 people, with more bodies likely to be found.

Photo: BBC

Reuters say that the cause could be arson, but, according to the President of Tatarstan, that the managers hadn't complied with safety regulations. This reminds me of a couple of things from my time in Russia.

Tulsky Pryanik/ Тульский пряник

A Tulsky pryanik is one of those things that Russians appear to think that everyone abroad knows about Russia and buys as a souvenir... like vodka and Russian dolls. It might be true for the latter two, but I hadn't heard of this cake until after leaving Russia.

photo of the month

My wife's in Moscow for a week - gone to see family and her favourite Russian group, Agata Kristi, who've reformed for a couple of concerts.

Her trip has me thinking about the city and family and got me flicking through photos of our times in Moscow. For photo of the month, I selected one of Granny... or Babulya.

The good news

The good news is that the Moscow Times reports that the suicide rate is the Russian capital is falling.

 The bad news is that...

If you can't do it right...

...don't do it at all.

The president has faced a lot of criticism recently...

Crisis? What Crisis? (part 2)

I wrote about some Russians' reactions to the Rouble's fall a few weeks back.

Had some more feedback...

Competition time

Saw this beauty on a Russian social network...

Can you tell what it is yet?

Salad Recipe: Mushroom Meadow/ грибная поляна

It was a typical, Russian New Year for us and there were with plenty of salads, including Mushroom Meadow (Gribnaya Polyana).

photo of the month

On a day in the UK when wintery weather is rearing its ugly head and the daytime has been rapidly changing between bright and night-like overcast, bringing hail, snow and sleet. Here in Britain, I feel the weather creates a sense of drudgery... oh god, it's miserable, let's stay in all wrapped up and warm.

With the view of Russia as a place of temporary stay, the drudgery disappeared and was replaced by an appreciation of the absurdity and the eternal battle of man versus weather. Another day coping with the Siberian winter was viewed as a personal victory.

stalagmite or stalactite?

Russia bans transgender drivers

It has been widely reported that the Russian government has decided to ban transgender people from driving (BBC, Guardian). They have added many conditions which they deem to be "mental disorders", including transgenderism, fetishism, exhibitionism and voyeurism, as well as kleptomaniacs and those with a gambling addiction.

Of course, Russia's absurdly high road accident (mortality) rate (30,000 deaths and 250,000 injuries annually) has nothing to do with alcohol, macho driving stupidity or poorly-maintained vehicles. If you want a laugh, watch (some of) this collection of videos from Russian dashcams.

With homosexuality sometimes viewed as an 'illness' in Russia, you can't help but wonder which direction such a law change might go next.

Now, cue the piss-take...