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...

New Year Tree

Where did you get your tree from this year?

Perhaps an artificial one from shop or from the attic, like us. Maybe you decorated a real one, from a street seller or the forest (if you were naughty... no presents from Santa for you then).

In the Russian village of Spasskoe, they went one better...

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.

Another chance to see...

A few months ago, I wrote a review of a documentary called "Russia's Toughest Prison" (article). It's been shown again on the BBC and they've put it back online, here, until 22nd May. Worth a watch if you get the chance.

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