RussianMind #9 (25) Winter 2012-2013, by IPGL

RussianMind №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013, www.RussianMind.com

50 FACTS about Russia in the Eyes of Foreigners

es p y t o Stere Russia: t and abou

e k o Sm rors Mir

K ia U e “Th Russ and a lot have mmon” in Co

this s a ia h e for s s u ac “R R l e Cru ss and r y” cce

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Contents RussianMind №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013, www.RussianMind.com

50 FACTS about Russia in the Eyes of Foreigners

s otype Stere Russia: t nd abou

ke a Smorors Mir

is as th r sia h fo “Rus el Race d Cru ss an

ce lory” G Suc

e UK ia “Th Russ and a lot

t is Wha d in ianM Russ Club?

have mmon” in Co

Are Vodka, Bears and the KGB a thing of the past?

Warm Russo-Slovenian Relations

RM Team Acting Editor Olga Kudriavtseva Design & Layout www.design2pro.ru A.D. – Mikhail Kurov Designer – Julia Osipova Managing Director Azamat Sultanov Deputy Managing Director Daria Alyukova

Russia Goes East

Richard Royal: “The UK and Russia have a lot in Common”

Advertising Yordanka Yordanova IT Director Oleksii Vyshnikov Sub Editor Julia Gobert Distribution Olga Tsvetkova In print: Olga Sokolova, Carl Thomson, Natalia Glyankina, Richard Bloss, David Gillespie, Ekaterina Poroshina Contacts: Editorial Staff: olga@russianmind.com General enquiries: info@russianmind.com Distribution: distribution@russianmind.com Advertising: adv@russianmind.com Address: 40 Langham Street, London W1W 7AS United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 207 637 1374 www.RussianMind.com

18 Understanding Russia: British Politicians Visit State Duma

22 50 Facts about Russia in the Eyes of Foreigners

26 Rimas Tuminas: “Russia has this Cruel Race for Success and Glory”

30 EVE Theatre with Attitude

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Contents

32 Sergei Makovetsky: “The Peculiarity of the Russian Soul is its’ Theatricality”

Mumiy Troll Band: Russian “Rockapops” Hits the UK

Daria Surovtseva: “I Believe in the Third Wave of Russian Avant-Garde”

Personal Reflections of Russia and its’ Stereotypes from the View Point of an Englishman

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Philip Treacy: Hat over Heels

Smoke and Mirrors

Russian Symbols

58 RM Guide

L’ETO Caffe: Cakes with a Piece of Soul

50 Let the Myth Go!

60 Russian Cinema Showcased in London

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Editor

Are Vodka, Bears and the KGB a thing of the past?

t seems to me that society adopts stereotypes on purpose – not going into any detail and therefore make life easier. Stereotypes themselves have a certain summary, which are used to describe specific types of individuals or certain ways of doing things. For instance, if you ask a foreigner what he knows about Great Britain, 99% of answers would be the Queen, Big Ben, 5 o’clock tea and the

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rainy weather. In the same situation I doubt that British people say the same things due to their knowledge, understanding and personal associations with their Motherland. The same situation exits with Russians. If you ask me what comes to my mind when we talk about Russia, I would say anything except vodka, bears, frost, the KGB or whatever Europeans have to say about it. Russia is more than that. I am not blaming those who repeat stereotypes about Russians unconsciously, but I would argue with those who are standing on their positions, convincing others in their absolute certainty and having at the same time very little general knowledge about Russia. It is a long process in understanding another’s nation, its mentality, lifestyles and views. I believe that in the UK there are very many British and European people, who want to understand the “Russian soul”. For some unknown reason to me, the Russian “soul” is attractive to them. The purpose of our RussianMind project is to give a good platform

for cross-cultural communication, so that Russian and Brits can easily communicate with each other and open undiscovered views of each other and for each other. As I mention above, Russia is MORE and we are trying to show you this in every article. Especially for this issue we have talked to established Russian people, who are working in different business fields, culture or art and they present their inside view on what is Russia. We also talked to British and European politicians who are already involved in relations with Russia and think of it beyond the usual stereotypes. We are also writing about the most widespread stereotypes to prove to you what has a relationship with the truth and what is an absolute falsehood. Enjoy this issue and be more broad-minded! Best Olga Kudriavtseva Acting Editor

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Politics

Iztok Jarc

Warm Russo-Slovenian Relations By Olga Sokolova

Flag of Slovenia

â&#x201E;&#x2013;9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Flag of Russia

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Politics

HISTORICALLY, THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION HAS ALWAYS HAD CONFLICTFREE AND FRIENDLY RELATIONS. HAVING A SIMILAR MENTALITY, THE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE ESTABLISHED NOT ONLY DIPLOMATIC FRIENDSHIP AT GOVERNMENT LEVEL, BUT HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED BILATERAL INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND EVERY YEAR SLOVENIA WELCOMES MORE AND MORE RUSSIAN TOURISTS. THAT’S WHAT THE AMBASSADOR OF SLOVENIA IN THE UK MR. IZTOK JARC TOLD RUSSIANMIND IN HIS FIRST EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TO THE RUSSIAN PRESS: RM: The establishment of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and Russia had begun in 1992, however the actual dialogue between the two countries was initiated ten years later – in 2001. Why did it take so long to start a dialogue?

Speach in Parliament

IJ: I believe that then Slovenia needed time to establish itself on the European map. Possibly both countries started a dialogue on a discrete level, but over the following ten years, the situation has changed for the better. The dialogue was opened in the 2001, when Slovenia

RM: What steps towards cooperation between the two countries do you consider the most signiﬁcant at this stage? IJ: Business and trade between Slovenia and Russia are developing at huge speed. Russia has started to invest in Slovenia. Most of all Slovenia exports pharmaceutical products, wireless telephony, electrical apparatus and equipment; mechanical systems and coatings. These groups make up 60-70 % of the total Slovenian exports to Russia. Imports from Russia are mostly connected with oil and gas products and their derivatives, aluminium products. These groups of product are about 70-75% of total imports from the Russian Federation to Slovenia. Also Russians are our most important visitors.

Russian-American Summit in Slovenia, 2001

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was hosting the Russian-American Summit. After that the actual statelevel meeting with the government representatives from the Russian Federation are held on a regular basis.

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Politics

Magnificent Slovenia

RM: Of all tourists having vocations in Slovenia, how many of them are Russians? IJ: Russians are fifth place by the number of tourists, visiting Slovenia. Our close neighbours Germany, Austria and Italy are ahead of Russia, because it is easy for them to reach Slovenia by car. So among the “flying in” nations Russia is the first. Slovenia offers a wide range of leisure, recreation and entertainment, as it has a combination of almost all Europe in a relatively small area. Slovenia is the only country where you can see the Alps, the Mediterranean and the Balkan Mountains at the same time. The plexus of all countries surrounding our nation is reflected in our cuisine, culture, and of course there are plenty of opportunities for

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any kind of vacations. In a relatively small area you can find the best from the whole continent, the mountains, lakes, the Mediterranean Sea, vast forests, ancient castles and urban music. Slovenia is often described as a country at a crossroads. Through the centuries, it has been developing under influences from all directions that have left their traces. The result is a stunning variety of lifestyles and culture.

such cities as Maribor, Ptuj and Skofja Loka. But the most popular trend in recent years is our extraordinary spa resorts, which are enjoyed by wealthy tourists. The new, but already popular type of tourism in Slovenia is the so-called ‘farm’ tourism. Tourists come to live on a farm, enjoy the peace and quiet, forgetting bustling cities, eat local dishes and enjoy horse riding. In other words, do everything to understand the charm of our nation.

RM: What type of vacations and leisure do Russian tourists prefer in Slovenia?

RM: Does the local population speak Russian?

IJ: Absolutely different types. Our ski resorts are very popular amongst Russians and of course the historical cultural centres, which include not only our capital, Ljubljana, but also

IJ: Let’s just say, a lot of people, certainly do, if don’t speak Russian they understand it. The Russian language is quite familiar to Slovenians, mainly because of business between our two countries

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Politics

and cultural exchanges, which we are trying to maintain.

but for now we don’t have these opportunities.

Slovenians like the flag we currently have, it’s our history.

RM: As you know there are several Russian centres of science and culture in Slovenia. Does it mean that you are trying to develop Russian culture?

RM: The national ﬂags of Slovenia and Russia look similar. At the beginning of the 2000s there were initiatives to change the ﬂag of Slovenia to avoid this similarity, but it didn’t happen. What do you think about this situation?

RM: What about the visa regime in Slovenia?

IJ: Yes, there are Russian centres in Ljubljana and Maribor. Certainly, being Slavic nations, we understand the importance of the cultural community, so we organised a special forum in Ljubljana, which is called the Forum of Slavic nations. Russia is a very important member of the Forum. It is a large-scale event, which helps to develop a cultural exchange and the dissemination of the language. We would love to open our own cultural centre in Moscow,

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IJ: Well, obviously you see, that they look alike, as we have the same colours as the Russian flag. However, we have our symbols on ours and I think such things shouldn’t be changed. My personal opinion is that such things as national symbols and the flag of the country shouldn’t been changed. What we should change is probably our attitude to our country and what we are doing for it. Most

IJ: We are the part of Schengen area, but I can guarantee you, that at least from the side of our Visa Application Centre in London, Russians have nothing to worry about. On average, a visa takes few days, so I encourage people to use the services of the local visa application centre here, it will save you lots of time. RM: What would you say to RussianMind readers? IJ: I hope your readers will decide to discover Slovenia and I’m sure they will be very pleasantly surprised. You are all very welcome! Dobrodošli to my country!

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Economics

St Petersburg Economic Forum 2012

Russia Goes East THE WORLD’S CENTRE OF ECONOMIC GRAVITY IS STARTING TO MOVE RAPIDLY EAST. RECENTLY, THE FT PUBLISHED A GUEST POST BY RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER DMITRY MEDVEDEV, IN WHICH HE SAID THAT RUSSIA MUST ACCELERATE ITS MOVE TOWARDS ASIA. THE PROCESS OF REBALANCING THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY IN THAT DIRECTION IS ALREADY WELL IN HAND. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

“Given that the global economy’s focus is shifting east, Russia simply must be more active in the Asia-Pacific region. That region is becoming the centre of global economic growth, generating about 55% of global GDP and www.RussianMind.com

Economics

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Vladivostok, 2012

nearly half of global trade”, Medvedev said. This is part of a long slow process of Russia turning its back on Europe and America thanks to the cold shoulder it has received as a result of foreign policy. President Vladimir Putin was the first international leader to call George W Bush following the 9/11 attacks. He followed that up by calling Condi Rice to tell her the Russians were standing their army down as America put its’ on full alert – an unprecedented gesture that was extremely well received at the time. Putin was making a genuine effort in 2003 to reach out to the US and restart relations. The Russian President followed up by closing a high tech listening post in Cuba that could tap into the entire telecoms network on America’s East Coast. «I can’t believe it», a US security official said at the time. «That is far too valuable to them. They would never close it». www.RussianMind.com

The friendship reached its zenith when Bush famously talked of looking into Putin’s soul after their first meeting in Moscow; a comment for which he was widely ridiculed. But, everything went downhill after that, leading to Putin’s Munich Security Council speech in 2007, which threw down the gauntlet, saying Russia would not wait forever for its overtures to be met with some sort of rapprochement. Things only got worse, however. Following Medvedev’s succession to the post of President he went to London where he repeated the same message, saying Europe was Russia’s «natural ally» but that the West needed to meet Russia half way. He called for a new European security arrangement to replace NATO – a call that is entirely justified in historical terms as NATO was set up to fight the Soviet Union - but one that has been entirely ignored. 11

The process of moving apart continued this summer, when Putin called on the US to give up its role as «global leader» and step aside in favour of the G20 as the new global authority in his keynote speech at the St Petersburg Economic Forum in June.

MOVING CLOSER Meanwhile, the Kremlin has accelerated its plans to move closer to Asia - and China in particular. That was made clear by the effort and money that was poured into Russia’s hosting of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit in Vladivostok in September. The process of gradually moving closer to China began in 2004, when the Kremlin decided to massively expand its delivery of oil to northwest China by rail, a sharp turnaround in policy. Part of the reason that Yukos owner Mikhail Khodorkovsky was thrown in jail in №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Economics

2003 was his ambition to build an oil pipeline from western Siberia to China’s under developed northwestern territories. However, within a year, after taking over Yukos assets - including its rail fleet - the Kremlin was working on a similar plan, and has since even committed to building the same route, plus a gas pipeline. A speech by former German Chancellor Gerhart Schroeder in Berlin in 2007, when he was already working for the Russian pipeline firm Nord Stream, repeated the warning «Russia is our natural ally, but there is a window of opportunity to engage with them. And that will close eventually». In addition to the push east is the advent of the Customs Union, №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

which went into effect in January 2010. Commentators have largely dismissed this, as it only contains Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. However, the EBRD is due to release its Transitions Report tomorrow in which it will conclude that the Customs Union has been a success and boosted the prosperity of the members. Moreover, this body continues to develop and will become the Eurasia Economic Union in 2015. It will then remove all restrictions on the flow of capital, labour and goods. It is telling that Medvedev devoted quite a bit of space to this in his blog. «Together with our Belarusian and Kazakhstani partners, Russia itself is involved in a large integration 12

project. In 2015 we will found the Eurasian Economic Union, which will aim to open our national economies and create the conditions for establishing a common economic space from Europe’s western most point to the Pacific Ocean. I am convinced that when the Eurasian Economic Union is fully operational we will be able to remove barriers hindering the movement of goods, capital and services in Eurasia», Medvedev wrote. Again the EEU – a facsimile of the EU, but without the EU’s flaws (that’s the idea) – is ignored by most commentators. But what if China were to join? Imagine China’s 1.3bn population and hoard of over $3 trillion in reserves tying up with Russia’s seemingly limitless natural resources. What would be the economic effect of this block if they removed all barriers to the movement of goods, money and labour? What sort of economic powerhouse would that be? Who could stand in its way? It would rapidly become the dominant global force in every sense. The problem with this is that the Russians and Chinese don’t like each other and it is not a natural partnership. But even the halfway house that Medvedev is talking about will create a major political and economic alliance. That bit of work is well in hand. Medvedev goes on in his blog to list the infrastructure – especially transport – projects that are already tying the two countries together.

BEST OF THE BRIC BUNCH? Finally, the irony of this reorientation is that while the politicians and the international press blithely dismiss Russia as a backward kleptocracy that is on the verge of collapse (and has apparently been for 12 years now despite its manifest growth) international companies have an entirely different opinion. A second post on the FT’s site www.RussianMind.com

Economics

Russia has gone from 120th in the list of World Bank’s Doing Business ranking to 112th

points out that trend. Brics: less risky? by Avantika Chilkoti notes that multinationals are rushing into Russia. “A raft of fast food multinationals has been opening up in Russia in the last year or so. Just last week, Burger King announced it will roll out hundreds of restaurants in Siberia for example. However, this trend is moving beyond the very bottom of the food chain (both literally and figuratively)”. A survey by professional services company BDO that interviewed over 1,000 CFOs from international medium-sized companies found that 45% are now planning to enter the Bric markets, compared with only 29% last year. Allan Evans, global head of client service at BDO, told the FT that perceived risk in the Bric markets is falling «The Brics have been around as investment destinations for years now, with past experience on the ground to give investors confidence www.RussianMind.com

and the Brics themselves have improved their regulatory environment to be more welcoming of inward investment». The Kremlin has launched a major investment drive, with a rise on the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking as the flagship reform. Last week it was announced that Russia has gone from 120th in the list to 112th, although it is still well shy of the top 20 place Putin wants to reach by 2018. Still, it is progress and the businessmen, if not the journalists or politicians, have noticed. Russia still has problems of course – the CFOs in the survey cited corruption and ethics as the main Russian risks – but there are opportunities too. Of the reasons cited for wanting to go to Russia, surprisingly 81% cited the market’s size, the highest proportion of all the Brics – only 69% cited market size for China and 64% for India. Commentators tend to look at the 13

population sizes, but businesses look at the number of consumers and their spending power – and Russia is a stand out winner in these terms as it is by far the richest of the Bric bunch. The same logic applies to Russia’s relation with Asia, which is advancing rapidly in Russia’s trade balance. Medvedev made it explicit in his blog «Russia has long been ready to co-operate to [with Asia]. We have centuries-long experience at the crossroads of different cultures and civilisations. No wonder Russia is called a Eurasian or a Euro-Pacific country, as some would have it. This will undoubtedly be a major asset in developing cultural dialogue between regions and continents and also in building a common economic space from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific». The article is supported by the Business New Europe (www.bne.eu) and the Financial Times (blogs.ft.com). №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Business

The Conservative Friends of Russia:

“The UK and Russia have a lot in Common” BEING A FRIEND OF RUSSIA IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING A FRIEND OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT BELIEVE CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS OF RUSSIA CFOR, A GROUP FOR THOSE WITH AN INTEREST IN RUSSIAN POLITICS, HISTORY, BUSINESS AND CULTURE. THE ORGANISATION WAS LAUNCHED TWO YEARS AGO BY THE UK CONSERVATIVE PARTY, AIMING TO IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, PROVIDE A FORUM FOR OPEN DEBATE AND HELP TO INFORM DECISION MAKING IN BUSINESS AND POLITICS. IT HAS SINCE GROWN TO GAIN SIGNIFICANT POPULARITY AND INVOLVEMENT WITH A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERING BACKGROUNDS.

n an interview with RussianMind Richard Royal, the Chairman of CFoR told us why it is important to strengthen Russia-UK relations: RM: The Conservative Friends of Russia (CFoR) was conceived in 2010 by members of the UK Conservative Party, but it is

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not necessary to be a member of the Conservative Party to be a member of CFoR. So who are involved in your organisation? 14

RR: We’re connected to the party and many of our members, organisers and speakers are party members, but it’s part of their www.RussianMind.com

Business constitution as well as ours that such groups are not exclusionary. But I’d say around 50% of our members are also Conservative Party members. The rest are from businesses, charities, cultural organisations and those who simply have an interest in our subject area and the events we hold. RM: You say that CFoR is neutral towards Russian politics. What is CFoR’s focus? RR: Our neutrality in this area is important, because we are Friends of Russia, not of the Russian Government or of a particular Party or Politician. It’s very easy for the western media to portray us as some sort of Kremlin puppets, which we’re far from being and shows the inherent bias in the media. Nevertheless, we want this issue to be very clear on this point so that there is no misunderstanding. We don’t exist to defend or promote every decision the Russian Government takes and individuals within the organisation are free to make up their own minds on each issue. What we do seek to encourage is people having access to the full facts and correct information and listening to different sides of the argument, rather than making assumptions and jumping to conclusions. RM: Your oﬃcial launch was at the Russian Ambassador’s residence this summer and it made a splash in the mass media. Unfortunately, many British publications were negative towards CFoR’s friendship with Russia. Why do you think there are so many controversies about Russia? RR: It was no surprise to me that a left-wing newspapers and several Labour politicians would criticise an initiative by the Conservatives. It happens every day. I was however very disappointed by some journalists reporting things they www.RussianMind.com

knew to be false, that we and others proved to be false. Once something is written, even a retraction or correction doesn’t resolve the problem and this is a real problem with the media which has been highlighted a lot recently. They have a preconception about Russia – that it is corrupt, that Putin is a dictator, that people have no freedom, that every second person is a spy and that an organisation such as ours must be engaged in some

the links we already have, like that more than half of the coal we import that keeps our lights and TVs on, comes from Russia. Or that 20,000 Russian students come to study in the UK each year. Russia is also our fastest growing major export market, growing an average of 21% a year, so there are also real opportunities for British businesses, areas where we have great expertise whilst Russians are new to the game, such as in service industries. We’ve

Alexander Yakovenko, Russian Ambassador to the UK and Richard Royal, the Chairman of CFoR.

conspiracy. Issues like Litvinenko and Pussy Riot don’t help to dispel this, certainly. But it isn’t the Cold War anymore, and we don’t live in a James Bond film! We have to get beyond these stereotypes and try to improve relations going forwards. As part of this I believe the media has a responsibility to report the truth. RM: Why does your organisation believe it is a good idea for the UK to develop relations with Russia? RR: Russia is a very influential and significant country on the world stage and it is becoming more, not less, important. It’s ridiculous to think we can put our heads in the sand and ignore it. The UK and Russia have a lot in common, as former empires at the bookends of Europe. Many people don’t realise 15

just held the Olympics and Russia has both the Winter Olympics and the World Cup approaching so these are areas where they will look to us for advice. RM: What steps are you taking to strengthen these relations? RR: We hold regular events to bring people together, to talk openly about issues and to inform decision makers, whether it be in politics, business or culture. Experience of meeting people and discussing things is a big step in breaking down barriers and understanding each other better. The very fact that our group exists and has rapidly become one of the most popular political interest groups in the country sends a very clear signal to decision makers. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Business our educational ones, but most Russians I know in the UK still talk of returning ‘home’ later in their careers and make regular trips back to see family. There is always a tendency for people in a new country to remain in familiar circles, but I’ve always found Russians to be extremely open and friendly and part of the reason for groups such as ours is to help build bridges and bring people together. RM: How do you see the future of Russia in the next 5 years?

RM: Where do you see as the most prospective areas in BritishRussian co-operation? RR: Energy is an obvious one. Russia is full of natural resources, whilst the UK is heading towards an energy crisis. Each year we have reports of rising energy costs and pensioners being unable to heat their homes. Diversification of supply and increased resource availability has to help this and Russia is an obvious source. There are also many areas of science and technology where we are already working together and this should be encouraged. I also mentioned the service industry and the sporting events organisation where we have great experience and expertise to offer. RM: In the UK, as well as in many other European countries, stereotypes about Russian vodka, bears and frost are still alive and taken seriously. Why are Russians still perceived through a prism of stereotypes? RR: It’s mostly fear of the unknown. But stereotypes aren’t unique to Russia, most countries have them, including Britain. And I’d say vodka, bears and frost are at the tamer end of things. Sometimes №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

they can be useful, we’ve certainly taken advantage when we held a Vodka Party advertised with a photo of Yeltsin and our mascot is Medvedovic the Polar Bear! I’d be more concerned by stereotypes of corruption, authoritarianism, spying and oligarchs throwing around their cash. Unfortunately many people might go through life never having met a Russian person or have been to Russia, so they only have the information spoon-fed to them by films, computer games and the media. So part of our role is about educating and informing – giving people access and experience of Russia, Russian people, Russian culture, Russian business...allowing them to ask questions and explore freely.

RR: Russia is on a long and difficult road. People forget where it was just a decade or two ago. It was a country in tatters, queues for bread, money wasn’t worth the paper it was written on, and the world looked on horrified and unsure what to do. When I first visited Russia in 2000 people used American dollars because the rouble was so unstable and children begged for money in Red Square. Only a generation ago we were on the verge of war. People also forget it’s not so long ago that countries like Germany and Japan needed help to move on and rebuild. In many ways Russia has come a long way

RM: What do you think about Russians who leave their country to live in the UK? Do they try to build a bridge between the two countries or do they just choose a place, where the grass is greener? RR: Many left during the 1990s when the grass was certainly greener and things were more stable and secure in the West. Now there isn’t such a difference. Many come here because they respect the institutions we have, particularly 16

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Business in a short space of time and we have to keep that in mind, things don’t happen overnight. But it’s now emerging as an important economy, attracting investment and improving opportunities. Its’ political system is still in its infancy really and many Russians feel burned by the experience of the 1990s. So the next five years is really about consolidating what has been achieved and building upon it. Sochi and the World Cup offer great opportunities to show a new bold Russia to the world. RM: Please tell us about the coming plans for CFoR. What events are you planning to hold in the near future? RR: We’ve some great events, including an ‘Old New Years’ Dinner with the former Defence and Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP; a special event a week before the forthcoming US Election with a panel of experts discussing how the campaigns and the result could affect Russian foreign policy; well known authors and academics speaking on the political system; several networking events which

our members specifically asked for. The UK’s new Energy Minister has pledged to speak at an event for us, as have several other MPs and Government Ministers. I’d urge anybody who is interested to become a member - it’s a very reasonable £16 - and come along to our events! RM: What are the most important things to remember for both British and Russian people in reaching an understanding? RR: Not to be judgemental. It’s simply not the case that Britain does everything right and Russia does everything wrong and we shouldn’t always be in the business of lecturing sovereign countries over their internal affairs. There are times when I think we haven’t come far from 19th Century Imperialism, when we held the view that the Western developed nations had an obligation to educate and civilise the rest of the world and that we knew what was best for them. But we have to take account of different cultures, histories, traditions and circumstances. There isn’t a one-sizefits-all solution and we need to get away from the idea that there is. RM: One Russian poet said that

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“Russia cannot be understood by brain”. Do you agree or disagree with that comment? RR: Well of course Sir Winston Churchill also famously described Russia as “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma”. Yes, it’s not an easy country to understand, and it’s always been a little confused of its own role I think. The size of it and the fact that it has to play to two audiences – East and West – is both its strength and weakness. Throughout Russia’s history its’ gone back and forth, changing capitals and alliances to reflect this. I think both Putin and Medvedev in essence want to be more Western, but they’ve certainly not been greeted with open arms and in some cases have experienced closed doors and brick walls, so they may start going the other way which makes our experience and understanding of them more difficult to improve. RM: And the last question, what do you understand by the phrase “Russian Mind?” RR: I’m sorry, I’m not a psychiatrist! ;) Find out more about Conservative Friends of Russia at www.cfor.org.uk. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Special Report

Understanding Russia: British Politicians Visit State Duma By Carl Thomson LAST MONTH I JOINED A DELEGATION OF YOUNG POLITICAL ACTIVISTS TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, WHERE WE MET WITH POLITICIANS, JOURNALISTS, CULTURAL FIGURES AND OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS. THE TRIP WAS ORGANISED BY ROSSOTRUDNICHESTVO, THE FEDERAL AGENCY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES, COMPATRIOTS LIVING ABROAD AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN COOPERATION  AN ORGANISATION AIMED AT FOSTERING FRIENDLY TIES BETWEEN RUSSIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES AND PROMOTING A MORE POSITIVE IMAGE OF THE COUNTRY ABROAD.

t is fair to say that Russia does not have the best reputation in the West, with much of the discourse and media coverage portraying Vladimir Putin as an authoritarian despot intent on crushing democracy and threatening neighbouring countries. It is also the case that in the past few years, relations between Russia and the UK have not been as strong as they could be, despite positive and growing cultural, economic and family links. The murder of Alexander

Carl in the lobby of the State Duma

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Special Report Litvinenko, disputes over extradition and resentment over what is seen as hectoring on human rights and double standards over foreign policy, have all complicated what should otherwise be productive discussions on bilateral issues such as loosening the visa regime and encouraging inward investment. It was with these diplomatic obstacles in mind that our group went to the Moscow City Duma and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for a series of meetings with leaders from each of the parties represented in Russia’s parliament. Aware that some might think our acceptance of a trip to Russia would blunt any serious inquiry into political life in the country, we arrived with a series of controversial questions, including on recent legislation outlawing gay rights parades, the state of media freedom, relations with neighbouring post-Soviet states and the jailing of avant garde protest group Pussy Riot. During our discussions there was consensus from all sides that the cooling of Anglo-Russian relations in recent years was a bad thing and that more was needed to be done to facilitate greater dialogue and engagement. When the discussion focused on the low hanging fruit of diplomacy, there was agreement that more needed to be done to encourage athletes and businessmen

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Ivan Melnikov, the Deputy Speaker of the State Duma and Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party

to visit our respective countries, that Russians are fondly inclined towards British culture and there is likewise great appreciation for Tolstoy and Pushkin in the UK, and that throughout history we have usually come to one another’s assistance in times of crises. On this superficial basis, the most agreeable discussion we held was with Ivan Melnikov, the Deputy Speaker of the State Duma and Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party. Melnikov proudly showed us a collection of trophies won by the communist faction in various sports contests between the different parties in the Duma. His party, we were told, had a great respect for British sporting endeavour and had huge admiration for the way we had made the London Olympics a success. Asked if the communists coming to power

in Russia might damage relations with the West, given their role as the successors to those responsible for the gulags, repression, collectivisation and famine, Melnikov gave a quizzical look. “Of course not,” he told us. “These were mistakes of the past. They won’t be repeated next time”. It reminded me that the most evil ideologies often come in the form of smiling and genial old men. The trickier discussions came when thornier areas of disagreement were approached. While the jailing of Pussy Riot has become a cause célèbre in the West, with many seeing them as political prisoners locked up for speaking out against Vladimir Putin, we found that ordinary Russians saw their protest as blasphemous, and an attack on Russia’s religious and cultural values. “I don’t like the authorities and I don’t agree with Putin”, said an activist from one of the parties not represented in the State Duma, “but I don’t support them. I don’t like women who describe themselves through their genitals. I don’t like their pornography. What they did had nothing to do with politics”. On this subject and others, it was felt British people did not appreciate the spiritual and socially conservative nature of Russian society. When asked about gay rights, most of the Russian attendees at our meetings sniggered like schoolchildren. “Russia is not ready for such things”, Sergey Orlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, told us. “Gay people already have №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Special Report

“What they did had nothing to do with politics”

freedom to do what they like. Why do they need to parade about it? Most people find this offensive and do not want it”. The recurring theme of our meetings was that Britain either did not understand Russia, or treated it hypocritically and with double standards. On the subject of Litvinenko and whether Russia would extradite the main suspect, Andrey Lugovoy, for trial in Britain, we were told the Russian constitution prohibits the extradition of their citizens to foreign countries and that it was offensive to demand that this obstacle be ignored. It was also pointed out to us that Britain harbours many people Russia would like to see extradited and the UK authorities have been far from cooperative. A similar response came when we raised other areas of disagreement. When the issue of Russia’s arms sales to Syria and support for Assad was brought up, we were reminded about Britain’s support for Bahrain, which has suppressed opposition protests in a brutal fashion. When the discussion turned to the war between Russia and Georgia over the breakaway states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008, it was suggested that Russia had behaved no differently to how NATO acted over Kosovo. In short, Russians felt that they were being demonised for doing exactly the same as Western countries. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

“We do want to have better relations with Britain,” Aleksey Pushkov, the pugnacious and hugely articulate Chairman of the Duma’s International Relations Committee, told us, “but quite frankly, the problems are all on your side”. It was suggested that in their representations about human rights and multilateral disagreements, British diplomats held Russia to a far higher standards than other countries whose records in these areas are much worse. “You would never speak to China the way you speak to us. You would never speak to Saudi Arabia the way you speak to us”, Pushkov said. Russia is ready to be a partner with the West, we were told, but not until we learn to treat Russia with respect and on an equal footing.

A more surreal approach to AngloRussian relations was adopted by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, who arrived forty minutes late and proceeded to berate our group for the ills of the world, lambasting Britain’s responsibility for, amongst others, the Napoleonic wars, the Crimean War, the Bolshevik Revolution, and the First and Second World Wars. In true Zhirinovsky fashion, having screamed and left us shell shocked, he then suggested that we go out for vodka shots – an invitation politely declined – before doling out autographs and pens, t-shirts and baseball caps adorned with his party’s logo. Our group left the Duma facing something of a paradox. All sides wanted better relations and saw this was in the best interest of both countries. But Russia’s economic success under Putin – including a six-fold increase in GDP, tripling of real wages and five-fold increase in the price of oil and gas – has left it demanding that this rapprochement take place on terms agreeable to Moscow as well as the West. Any improvement in relations will therefore depend not only on a shift in attitude amongst the Russia sceptics and Putin critics in Britain, but also amongst the British sceptics in an increasingly assertive and confident Russia. A more surreal approach to AngloRussian relations was adopted by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia.

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Facts about Russia in the Eyes of Foreigners THIS IS WHAT FOREIGNERS THINK ABOUT RUSSIA AND ITS PEOPLE. TRUE OR FALSE?

1 2

Russians treat cheap things with distrust.

The English word ‘bargain’ cannot be adequately translated into Russian because the notion of high quality goods for little money is unknown to them.

Freebie is quite the opposite. The fact of getting something cool for free does not make this cool thing any better.

Those Russians who have achieved something in life look down on those who haven’t. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

It is not enough for them to drive an elite car; they need a car which is flasher, with a loud horn so that the rest of us make way for it.

6 7 8

They persistently call lazy waitresses with a strange word ‘devushka’ meaning ‘mam’. You can’t survive in the Moscow Metro without knowing how to elbow other people. Everybody can buy a beer and drink it anywhere and nobody will arrest you. 22

9 10 11 12 13

The Russians like hanging out in the kitchen and talk about life philosophically. They avoid talking about their work. Japanese people envy the dachas which Russians have.

At any party, people get promptly separated according to their gender. You will be shocked seeing the number of policemen patrolling the streets. www.RussianMind.com

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14 15 16

The Russians never throw things away. Seriously!

However, if you secretly throw half of the stuff away, nobody will notice it.

An unknown Russian is likely to address you unceremoniously as ‘man’ or ‘woman’.

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The phrase ‘I’m sorry to bother you’ can only be uttered by a beggar. They never say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’. Any problem can be solved by pulling strings.

Their saying ‘Imprudence is the second happiness’ can only be understood by them. Russians drink a lot of vodka and it is not a myth. You don’t have to worry about your life, really.

The freezing Russian winter is a myth. The majority of the big cities are located in the temperate zone.

Russian men are confident that feminism causes a collapse of the system like it has in the US and Europe.

They think that Americans think that in Russia bears walk in the streets. The Russians made it up themselves. In Moscow you can find T-shirts printed with ‘I’ve been to Russia. There are no bears there’. They think it is very patriotic.

They do not understand foreigners who immigrate to Russia and believe that everybody should emigrate from Russia. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Russian dentists are really surprised learning that a patient has come for an examination and has no pain in the teeth.

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They are not big fans of teeth cleaning and flossing.

They drink tea with a ton of sugar! An American dentist would die seeing this. The majority of the Russian population misuse smileys.

The number of brackets reflects the level of happiness and joy. They want to belong to Europe.

The Moscow Metro is the best in the whole world! A ticket costs less than a dollar, there are no zones and during rush hour trains come every 90 seconds.

Even so there are a lot of people who under no circumstances will go by the underground. They’d rather stay for hours in endless jams.

In fact, those who immigrate to Russia are complete losers. They cannot fulfil themselves at home and want to live in Russia because in this country they are treated with respect.

On every occasion they organise parties with food, drinks, etc. Generosity is very typical of Russians.

They don’t like it when other people speak foreign languages as they think it is suspicious.

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Alcohol and everything connected to it is a part of Russian culture and literature. If a Russian doesn’t drink, watch out!

They begin celebrating New Year at 11.30 p.m. (30 minutes before the New Year) and celebrate it for three days or so.

They do not use blinds in their houses and the curtains do not fully protect them from the sunlight.

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The only alcohol-free places in Russia are McDonalds and

KFC.

They do love hanging rugs on the walls! Do not smile! It irritates!

Borsch, stuffed cabbage rolls and fruit dumplings do not belong to Russian cuisine, they are Ukranian dishes.

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They live together with their elderly parents and grownup children all their life. Despite traffic jams and terrible roads, the Russians buy expensive gas-guzzlers. Sushi became so popular that it is now their national

dish.

The meaning of the word ‘pechka’ (stove) can be understood only by Russians, unless you spend winter in a remote Russian village where ‘pechka’ is the only warm place in the whole house. 24

Russians are very hospitable. So if you come by, be ready to drink black tea and eat fattening food (like sausages). Supported by englishrussia.com www.RussianMind.com

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Culture

Rimas Tuminas: “Russia has this Cruel Race for Success and Glory” By Olga Kudriavtseva THE EVGENY VAKHTANGOV STATE ACADEMIC THEATRE TOGETHER WITH THE INTERNATIONAL THEATRICAL PLATFORM “RUSSIAN SEASON IN THE WEST END” THIS NOVEMBER PRESENTED THE PLAY “UNCLE VANYA”, WRITTEN BY ANTON CHEKHOV AND DIRECTED BY RIMAS TUMINAS.

ince its premiere in Russia in 2009 the play has collected every conceivable award, has travelled halfway around the world, presented famous actors with interesting roles and enriched the audience with unforgettable emotions. In 2012 “Uncle Vanya” had an intriguing rendezvous with a London audience. The legendary stage at the Noel Coward Theatre, which has seen performances of world legends in the past, was hosting Russian theatre with one of its best representations. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

During the theatrical celebration, the Vakhtangov Theatre director Rimas Tuminas opened the curtains to RussianMind: RM: In 2011 your “Uncle Vanya” play won the “Golden Mask” national theatre prize for “Best Play of the Year”, what is the secret of such success? RT: The images of the Chekhov’s characters are long-established in Russia, while I decided to address the variety of life – just as Chekhov 26

himself had suggested. I always seek the opportunity to stage Chekhov’s creations. “Uncle Vanya” is much needed these days to save us from being cynical, rude and dishonest. Despite all the befallen challenges he kept his dignity and continued working. There’s a monument of Princess Turandot right in front of our theatre – maybe we’ll someday add a monument of Uncle Vanya as well. We are all poisoned by the cynical and relentless times we live in, so we need an antidote with Uncle Vanya’s tenderness, loyalty, love, dignity of a working man. The main mystery that Chekhov left for us to unwind is the secret of past times. All his stories are about that – about the past, and all his characters are doomed without knowing it. RM: It’s not your ﬁrst stage version of “Uncle Vanya” – why are you so attracted to this play? Is each new version an attempt to polish the previous one, or a completely new angle? RT: When I get sick and hence misanthropic, I turn to Chekhov as an antidote. He cures me with simple herbs, I read his plays as medicinal remedies, I stage them and get better. They contain the secret code to happiness. Human beings have this innate flaw of thinking that they are born to be happy. But it’s not given to us, we cannot possess it constantly. www.RussianMind.com

Culture How can we learn to live with understanding that it is somewhere close but without demanding it, without being selfish and mean craving it? Chekhov’s genius and humour are based on showing this to us. According to Chekhov, we can learn to feel content from knowing that happiness exists at all. Living like that isn’t easy, but it helps to

a remake I start from scratch and erase all previous groundwork, write with new ideas and try to believe in the new one in the morning! (he laughs). New times bring new ideas. RM: In 2007 you accepted the oﬀer from the Federal Agency of Culture to become the head of the Vakhtangov Theatre.

stage doesn’t have doubts and contemplation, she wants to be conquered. But you cannot rest your oars, she never forgives that either. Conquering Moscow takes time. I started by getting acquainted with people, roads, shops. In Moscow I fell more Lithuanian than I ever did in Vilnius. But after a year spent with the Vakhtangov Theatre I feel like a Muscovite. So now I feel like a Muscovite in Vilnius and a Lithuanian in Moscow! RM: You joined the theatre with long-established traditions and a rich heritage, with a constellation of brilliant actors. How did you start your time there – with changes or continuity? RT: As the artistic director I started with Shakespeare’s “Troilus and Cressida”. I didn’t want to hide behind a tradition, like many visiting directors do and stage a play with celebrities. This isn’t easy either. I wanted to challenge myself. The actors weren’t stars; I call them “spirits of theatre”. And it was a victory over myself, because my stakes were on the purity of the experiment, I discovered things that I never knew about myself but had wanted to know. I believe in a man, in love, loyalty, fate, theatre, so I have to go on and win. This faith helps me, so I’m not afraid of the duties, complexity and management issues.

preserve mental health, avoid hatred, aggression and disbelief. He looks at people with compassion and counsels them to live without fuss and conflict. I have re-staged many of my plays, not just Uncle Vanya and I keep coming back to Chekhov again and again. I’m pretty sure that in a couple of years I’ll have the urge to stage it again. There has to be a trigger – a perfect match for an actor or a theatre, or another serious reason for a remake, but I feel it will occur and the inspiration will follow. If I do www.RussianMind.com

How hard was it to make such a major decision to lead this distinguished theatre?

RM: Did you feel any diﬀerence between Europe and Russia when you moved?

RT: I came to Moscow and saw the stage, the auditorium and got hooked. I am a weak man… I felt professional hunger, the fervour to conquer this stage as if it was a woman, seduce and take her. The first battle is already over – we staged “Troilus and Cressida”, “The Last Moons”, “Uncle Vanya” and “The Haven”. The stage gasped and accepted me, I felt it. The

RT: Moscow is in fact a separate state, with its own problems and worries. That’s how people live there - something happened somewhere, some war is going on, someone killed someone, but who cares, that’s all happening so far away. We’ve all lost the feeling of accountability for remoter issues, we all think we are the epicentre, we invented the elite and ourselves. So we start behaving

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Culture without intolerance and fury. Theatre helps this. RM: Russia sees a true cultural renaissance nowadays, more and more people are interested in theatre and the visual arts. Why do you think this is happening?

and reacting in such a way that we inevitably lose something. I’m amazed how distant people can be from life’s events. That’s why we need theatre and I take it on as a weapon, as a cannon, I fire blanks but I produce sound – like a salvo of “Avrora”, so that we all can shake off this arrogance and feeling of our own importance. This is why we have Chekhov, “The Seagull”. Chekhov reminds us with humour that we live wearing masks and fail to understand that we are all guests in this world, we are lent to this world. There’s this crazy aspiration to achieve a breakthrough in RussianLithuanian relations, despite and athwart everything. We used to be one country, where there was a lot of good and importance that we cannot simply forget it. But sometimes I feel as if I was doing something prohibited. Although I realise that the obstacles in the relations nowadays are so temporary, while cultural bonds are eternal and strong, we need to fight through disputes and mutual suspicion. We have no other way, so I wish that Russian and Lithuanian cultures will meet – we can work wonders together, as our union is natural. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

RM: Russia is often seen by Europeans through a prism of stereotypes. Did you face anything similar when you moved to Russia? RT: My home is now where the theatre is. The biggest obstacle is the attitude rooted in this new era, if you haven’t achieved a lofty title and high position, you are zero. This cruel race for success and glory exists in Russia, as well as in Lithuania and Estonia and it interferes with all spheres. We need to move on from that

RT: I don’t know the Moscow public well enough, but it’s still a friend. In Europe audiences are more suspicious, alert, doubting. Each of them is an individual. While in Moscow they dress up, a visit to theatre is a celebration and they look forward to this celebration. Using this positive feeling to the good of the play is a great responsibility. But it’s essential to be honest and show that any celebration comes to end and regular life carries on instead. RM: What do you think a Russian audience needs most? RT: We all wander different paths, but sooner or later we understand there’s only one way towards beauty, harmony, eternity which is full of light I’m sure. We realise that you are only human after going through challenges, though a purgatory on Earth. And only with theatre, its’ tender power, can you take to this path.

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Culture RM: Interactive theatrical plays are gaining popularity in Europe with minimal setdressing, maximum artistic skill and communication with the audience. What do you think awaits Russian theatre? RT: We aren’t servants but masters within plays. In them we are seeking for logic, new plot possibilities. Some plays have five or seven plot lines. I’m fascinated by this perspective – how many plot lines can you develop in one play, how far can we go? A masterpiece by Chekhov or Shakespeare is never defensive it opens up to you and invites you in. Authors are waiting for you, they feel lonely and bored, and they want a dialogue with you, ready for cooperation. But a director is selfish, we all want to bring our own vision to a play, as well as make a record for ourselves. And in this way to win the time and somehow to fix yourself. Of course, literary theatre has a right to exist, but I do not think that it is interesting. I think in space, in the history remains the sound and only the sound. Sound for ages. In the theatre, it is necessary to hear the sound of eras and to reproduce it. RM: Let’s talk about the performances of the Vakhtangov Theatre in London. This spring,

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the theatre took part in the Shakespeare’s Festival with “Measure for Measure”. Did Shakespeare’s birthplace and the famous “Globe” inspire you?

that the world needs us and not only Shakespeare, but Chekhov too.

RT: We are happy and proud that we were noticed and invited to Shakespeare Festival with “Measure for Measure”. It’s very important for the theatre if it is known, seen and invited. The performance of “Uncle Vanya” in London is a different story. This year, the play was considered the best performance of the year and we were invited to bring it to London. It means

RT: Without the past, we cannot move onto today. To sustain and to maintain the repertoire is much more difficult than to produce something new. Thinking about the new season, I remember “Pieta” by Michelangelo, it has that twilight and sadness that is inherent in the theatre. Sadness is bright and a mysterious twilight, so you can let yourself be sad. In any sorrow there is always love and the story of our love goes on. The theatre season opened with the great last year’s performance of “Pier” and on 7-8 September the first premiere of the season, the comedy “The usual thing” (directed by Vladimir Ivanov) took place. In September, I started rehearsals of Pushkin’s “Eugene Onegin”, which is scheduled for late January 2013. We will try to avoid illustrations and through dramatic characters make their way to the essence of the play. We will investigate Onegin’s problems and will talk about loyalty, love for people and his native land.

RM: What are you plans for the coming year?

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Theatre

EVE Theatre with Attitude THE EVE THEATRE COMPANY WAS FOUNDED NOT A LONG TIME AGO, BUT EVEN NOW IT IMPRESSES WITH A PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE AND CREATIVE APPROACH. EVE IS TAKING AN INSPIRATION FROM A MULTITUDE OF SOURCES AND COMBINING THAT WITH PASSION AND DRIVE. THEY CREATE PROVOCATIVE AND ENTERTAINING PERFORMANCES THAT IN TURN INSPIRE THE AUDIENCE. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RUSSIANMIND, THE DIRECTOR OF EVE ZOE BLOSS TALKS ABOUT THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS: RM: The EVE Theatre was founded this year. Tell us, how did you come up with the idea of establishing this theatre group? ZB: Well to put it bluntly, the theatre industry can be very unstable, in terms of employment, to say the least. The seven of us didn’t want to wait for opportunities to find us and we are currently in a position where we have plenty of resources around us. It naturally felt like it was time to take control of our own work and what better way than with people we trusted. RM: How would you explain your style? Are you classical theatre, an innovative one or something in between? ZB: All seven members have got varying experience in different

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such as Artistic Directors and as Development Managers. There is also always the chance to work with the company with an outside source. For example, we have recently worked with new writers in the Kingston area for the Camden Fringe 2012. RM: What aims did you give yourselves at the start?

performance styles and creative roles; from directing pre-existing texts to creating devised pieces. We are still in the early stages, so for now we are taking on every opportunity we can and don’t want to label ourselves with a particular style. It’s a natural aim for any company to be considered as innovative, but that can only come with time and experience.

ZB: We never started out with monumental aims like ‘world tours’ or west end shows. We have always been very aware that creating a company was going to be a lot of hard work so our first aim were just to take every opportunity we could find, talk to as many people we could and enjoy ourselves. You have to enjoy it if you’re going to put this much work in.

RM: Who is involved in your creative team?

RM: Which of those aims have you already achieved?

ZB: EVE is made up of seven directors and founders, these are: Zoe Bloss, Xanthe King, Jennifer Matthews, Anna Moloney, Sabrina Spencer, Faye Thomas and Claire Weston. We each take a different creative role during each project but we also have specific roles regarding the management of EVE,

ZB: Well so far all of them. We’re constantly trying to talk and network with everybody really and by doing that we’ve managed to produce and perform at some great venues with great people.

RM: In May 2012 you produced the premier production of the critically

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Theatre acclaimed play ‘Pornography’ by British playwright Simon Stephens. Did you aim to start with a provocative play? ZB: It is a very provocative play but that was never the reason behind choosing it. It’s true, we thought it would be a great first piece to try and make our mark on the industry, but we all love Simon Stephens, he’s an absolute contemporary genius and a lot of us were very familiar with the text, which gave us confidence to feel like we could do it and more importantly, do it well. RM: If we are talking about provocation in general, these days there are many artistic groups using provocation in their art in order to attract the audience’s attention. Do you think this is the right method?

many types of performance. We believe that a good performance is based around the hard work and commitment of the artistic team. As long as an audience comes out satisfied or wanting more, we’ve done our job. RM: What do you consider to be your biggest triumph in the past year? ZB: We were commissioned by Kingston University to take four of their MA plays to the Camden Fringe Festival. It is one thing to organise and fund your own work but to be paid to produce, direct and act in someone’s play was quite a special moment for us. RM: How do you manage the ﬁnances? Do you get any sponsorship?

ZB: In theatre or any entertainment industry, there is rarely a wrong or right way of doing things. For some theatre companies, provocation may be their stimulus and if that works for them and helps them create interesting theatre then we don’t see a problem with it.

ZB: We completely fund ourselves so we use the profits from our shows to fund our next projects however we are in the process of looking for sponsorship and patrons.

RM: Talking about theatre, what do you think is most important for a successful performance?

ZB: We have literally just finished two productions: ‘Theatre Uncut’ and ‘An EVEning of Radio’ which we are very proud of.

ZB: That is such a difficult question because it’s hard to specify on such a general matter as there are

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RM: What projects is EVE currently involved in?

RM: What are you planning to work on next?

ZB: We’re in the process of planning work for both the Brighton Fringe Festival and the International Youth Arts Festival, 2012. We are also hoping to showcase a local writer, Graham Follett, in the next few months, as well as showcase our own work as a group. RM: How do you see the future of EVE in 5 years time? ZB: Well I guess the main aim is to still be in business in 5 years and we’re all happy still doing what we love. In this industry you just have to grab every opportunity and see what happens so who knows where EVE will be. RM: What is EVE’s craziest dream? Staging a play in the West End, perhaps? ZB: At the moment, the craziest dream we’re having is how much merchandising we can have. T-shirts are a must! RM: What do you understand by the phrase “RussianMind?” ZB: If you mean to say, how do we see the Russian mentality, then actually we ourselves have fairly limited knowledge of the real Russian Mind because the role of the stereotype is so prevalent in the UK, hence why we are so interested in exploring this issue and why we are attending an event in December.

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Person

Sergei Makovetsky: “The Peculiarity of the Russian Soul

is its’ Theatricality” SERGEI MAKOVETSKY IS THE RUSSIAN ACTOR, WHO IS LOVED IN RUSSIA FOR HIS THEATRE AND CINEMA CHARACTERS. THIS YEAR HE CAME TO PERFORM ON LONDON’S WEST END STAGE AS THE VAKHTANGOV THEATRE, WHERE SERGEI HAS BEEN PLAYING FOR OVER 30 YEARS, BROUGHT ITS GROUNDBREAKING INTERPRETATION OF CHEKHOV’S “UNCLE VANYA” TO THE UK. RUSSIANMIND ASKED SERGEI ABOUT HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE RUSSIAN SOUL:

RM: What is being an actor for you – occupation or vocation (calling)? SM: I realise now that this it is my calling. I want to do just that and nothing else. But, nevertheless, it is a very serious occupation which requires patience, fortitude, courage and truth. RM: You have been playing in the Yevgeny Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre (Vakhtangov Theatre) for over 30 years. How you can explain this aﬀection with the Theatre? SM: 30 years is anyhow a huge part of my life. Yes, there is such a word as a habit, but it is a good habit, isn’t a burden, because the Vakhtangov School is my very own. It has an ease of presenting materials with incredible feeling and depth. At this depth and passion there is a light breath, as if “you have been doing nothing”. As if everything is simple and easy. RM: If you could choose any theatre in the world, you would play at which one? SM: Perhaps, at the Giorgio Strehler Theatre. But on the other hand, to be an actor of the Rimas Tuminas (E: the Director at the Vakhtangov Theatre) is none the worse.

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Person RM: In your opinion, what is the peculiarity of Russian theatre and the Russian soul?

RM: What do you consider to be your biggest life’s triumph?

SM: The peculiarity of Russian Theatre is in its’ warmheartedness. The peculiarity of the Russian Soul – its theatricality.

SM: If I call triumph at least one thing, I’d have to make a final point, but for now I don’t want to do that.

RM: In November the Vakhtangov Theatre performs in London’s West End its’ world-famous play “Uncle Vanya”. What do you expect from “British” Russians? SM: I don’t divide the audience on “British” Russian or non-British. I look forward to the public’s attention. The viewer should see and hear what is happening on stage. RM: In “Uncle Vanya” you play Ivan Voinitsky. Is this character close to you? SM: He is. I understand him, his sympathies, love and I feel pity for him. RM: What would you like to devote yourself to in the near future? SM: In the near future with the help of God I want to finish all my current works in cinema and in the theatre and proceed to the next stage.

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Music

Mumiy Troll Band:

Russian “Rockapops” Hits the UK By Olga Kudriavtseva

THE LEGENDARY BAND MUMIY TROLL WON THE HEARTS OF THEIR RUSSIAN AUDIENCES MANY YEARS AGO. SO IT’S NOT SURPRISING AS THESE GUYS HAVE A UNIQUE MUSICAL STYLE, WHICH THEY CALL “ROCKAPOPS”, UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCE SAD SONGS WITH INNER MEANING. NOW THE BAND EXPANDED ITS HORIZONS BY BRINGING THEIR MUSIC TO EUROPE. THIS AUTUMN MUMIY TROLL HAD THEIR GRAND MUSIC TOUR IN THE UK, PERFORMING IN LONDON, MANCHESTER, BIRMINGHAM, BRISTOL AND LIVERPOOL SUPPORTING THE RELEASE OF THEIR ALBUM “VLADIVOSTOK” IN ENGLISH. RUSSIANMIND TALKED TO THE BAND LEADER ILYA LAGUTENKO ABOUT RUSSIAN MUSIC ABROAD, LIFE TRIUMPHS AND ANY EXPECTATIONS ABOUT THE UK AUDIENCE: www.RussianMind.com

RM: For almost 30 years that Mumiy Troll have been around, you have released 10 studio albums; produced soundtracks for movies and cartoons; toured around Russia, Europe and the US; won numerous music awards and have written 4 books. What do you consider to be your biggest career triumph? IL: I guess I can say that one of Mumiy Troll triumphs is that it still going strong. Since it started as my hobby when I was a young boy, I used to pretend to be in a №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Music

rock band and even started a band before MT called Boney P. Every kids’ dream is to be a rock star and it was my dream that I would be one but never thought it would happen. I used to travel to a lot to places like China and thought I would end up working somewhere in China doing business, negotiating fake leather handbags. But to answer what is our biggest triumph. I would have to say it is that we are still in search of it in the lands that we explore year in and year out. We’ll just have to wait and see. RM: You invented the term “rockapops” to explain your music. Did you aim to stand out in the crowd in this way? IL: No not really (laughing), it was something that came to me when I was in the middle of an interview many years ago. I guess it is fair to say that when MumiyTroll came №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

on the scene it was something out of the ordinary, nobody knew what Mumiy Troll was about and how it sounded, because nobody in Russia really wants to know any other genre other than pure rock bands such as Alisa or DDT; or Russian “pop” or chanson with the likes of AllaPugacheva and Oleg Gozmanov. Now that rockapops is out there, there are many up and coming young Russian bands that have been influenced by Mumiy Troll’s ability to mix various musical and lyrical approaches, a good example I can come up with is; the young lads from Yekaterinburg called Sansara. RM: According to the Russian version of “Rolling Stone” magazine your ﬁrst hit “Utekay” was included in the list of “40 songs that changed the world”. Do you think that good music can change the world for the better? 36

IL: It certainly can, but not in a radical way, music (other than sport) brings people together. Think of Queen – We Will Rock You, I believe this is one of the songs that unites the world, I am not sure if it is in top 40 songs but watching people at the Olympics closing ceremony all clapping and singing to this song was something special. Actually I am sure that if Mumiy Troll plays at the closing ceremony at the Sochi Olympics 2014, people will sing ‘Utekay’ (or ‘Blown Away’ in English). But they can certainly do a kossak dance to it! RM: This year you released your ﬁrst album in English “Vladivostok”. What is it about? IL: It is hard to say, but the English album represents what Mumiy Troll is to people who do not understand us in Russian. It is named after our home city where most of the band members www.RussianMind.com

Music

and myself grew up. It is a remote place on the Russian Pacific, which once was called the Russian San Francisco. Still only in our dreams... RM: By releasing an album in English are you aiming to present Russian music to the British people or is it oriented towards the Russian-speaking audiences abroad? IL: I would have to say to all people be it British people, German or the Russian-speaking audiences abroad who already know Mumiy Troll’s music is for the masses (laugh) like the title of the album by Depeche Mode. In 2009 we released our first songs in America‘Comrade Ambassador’ (in Russian), then ‘Paradise Ahead’ and ‘Polar Bear’ EP’s in English, so we already have English recordings that have been heard. We toured across Europe, Asia, www.RussianMind.com

America and Mexico, so it was a logical decision to record an album in English - the universal language for the music world. We hope that we can get new fans from the local community when we come to play the UK shows in the autumn, because then they will be able to understand our music better and feel the spirit and meaning of the songs by Mumiy Troll. RM: Why do you think Russian music is not widely known internationally? IL: I guess it might be down to the fact that some Russian artists don’t have enough courage or patience to work their music abroad; they would rather sit back and soak up their success at home. On the other hand Russia has never been a major player in the entertainment markets. Gas and oil are the real Russian priorities. But 37

during these times many hip young Russian bands are now starting to sing in English, like Moremoney, Pompeya etc. We feel that we must encourage them in this way. RM: And the last question – what is the source of your inspiration that keeps you so energetic and positive? IL: Looking ahead to more happy and joyous days and being with my family and kids. Also being on tour, we miss the smell of the ocean and of course a sea cucumber salad. By the way the Chinese call Vladivostok: The Bay of Sea Cucumbers! The album “Vladivostok” in English was released on 3 September 2012 and in November Mumiy Troll successfully performed their tour in the major British cities. More about Mumiy Troll in English: www.mumiytroll.com №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Art

Daria Surovtseva: “I Believe in the Third Wave of Russian Avant-Garde” By Natalia Glyankina

DARIA SUROVTSEVA IS THE TALENTED RUSSIAN ARTIST AND SCULPTOR, WHO CURRENTLY WORKS IN FRANCE BUT DESPITE THIS, SHE STRONGLY BELIEVES IN A GREAT FUTURE FOR RUSSIAN ART. HER WORKS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PERMANENT COLLECTIONS OF PUBLIC ART INSTITUTIONS, AS WELL AS IN MANY PRIVATE COLLECTIONS IN AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, FRANCE, NORTHERN KOREAN AND USA. SHE CREATES FIGURATIVE ART BUT HER STRONG AND COMPLICATED INTELLECTUAL WORKS MAKES IT VERY CONCEPTUAL. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RUSSIANMIND DARIA TOLD US WHAT SHE BELIEVES IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ARTMARKET IN RUSSIA AND EUROPE: DS: After I graduated in 2003 at the Faculty of “Art Ceramics” I realised that I really needed to develop further. After all my family travelled around France we were invited to visit the National Sevres Museum of Ceramics and after this the secret shops of the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres. The Royal Museum and Manufacture have been here for centuries and you can imagine what kind of emotions I had! It was a great honour for me to be invited by the director to use the Royal Museum the possibilities for the realisation of my project of porcelain were formed. Now in Europe I feel that Russia, with its profound perception for art and belief in great utopias, is my firm basis. Here in Paris, I feel that I can say not only “How” but also “What”. I work here with 6 galleries and agencies. All the time I get invitations to participate in different exhibitions, projects and actions both in private and public spaces such as at the Grand Palais and CUTLOG in Paris; at the State Russian Museum in St-Petersburg; at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow and so on. And I’m very happy to see the increasing Parisian critics, agents and curators have am interest to my art. I feel that I have to justify the confidence of at least two countries that help me to realise my

RM: It is very diﬃcult to catch you in Moscow despite it being your native city. So why did you choose France for your artistic ambitions? DS: You are right, my activity made me leave Russia, although I didn’t plan to leave. I just was trying not to miss an opportunity to present my projects and sculptures to as many professionals, collectors, galleries and art critics as I could. So, I applied for a lot of competitions and traineeships, I was looking for any opportunity to exhibit my work in galleries and different spaces to understand the process of my personal artistic role. As a result, the French Government and the French Ministry of Culture offered me a special green card for a unique programme “Competence and Talent”. I gathered up all my plural diplomas, medals, awards, certification and articles about my artistic recommendations from the Advisor for Culture of France in Russia and from Parisian galleries owners. So now, I am actively working in Paris, again trying not to miss any opportunity to show my ideas and projects. So, my ambitions grew up very fast. RM: You graduated from the Moscow Academy of Arts named after Count S.G. Stroganoﬀ. Was your classical art education useful or destructive for you? №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

www.RussianMind.com

Art ambitions and they gave strong support to me as to an artist. RM: What kind of experience did you get from Europe? DS: First of all I realised for myself that there are no limits at all. I came to Paris without friends, without any support, without any contacts and I had to start everything from scratch. The only things I had were my baggage of education, wide-open eyes and an infinite capacity of my soul for any emotions and experiences, I may have. Even in France there is no limit for me now, there is another world where I also have my own place. France expanded my understanding of myself and showed new things around me. So I want again and again to change my coordinated system and make it even more sophisticated. My art also becomes more sophisticated because I see more and understand more but at the same time I follow my chosen direction of development without losing it but just becoming more complicated and surprised. RM: How would you explain your artistic style? DS: For me it is the creation of neo-baroque complexity in a chaos of entropy of incomplete infinity. I start my creation from bio-forms I see and from unknown structures. My sculptures are created from the particular to the whole, where the complexity of details gives birth to the ‘Illusion of Instability’. Everything seems to be in a process of an unfinished flight or of a big explosion. These are complex systems in the process of penetration and the transition from outside to inside and back again. My last series made of transparent Plexiglas, combined with porcelain fibre, as well as of a mirrored stainless steel with porcelain, which reflected my philosophy very well. RM: Your works are always very aesthetic and full of excitement and a deep sense. Where do you get your inspiration from? DS: Space, water, systems of capillaries, atoms and molecules; the substance of the soul, intuition, desires and thoughts, infinite universe, the endlessness of our ambitions, beauty and opportunities – that’s the only material for my sculptures. Each of my sculptures and installations has its own story. Although, this is probably not the complete story but a novel about a premonition of some mystery or some secret that I’m trying to explain to myself. My monuments are dedicated to forces, processes and systems that are invisible, but the existence of which can’t be denied. I want to return this sense of wonder and delight that art gives to us, like as a kid we were excited to be involved in some great Sacrament. And I hope that all my further art will discover this Sacrament and first of all for myself. www.RussianMind.com

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Art RM: You were born into an artistic family (E: Daria’s mother, father and brother are famous Russian sculptors). This year you had a big family exhibition together with your dad Vladimir Surovtsev and your brother Danila in Manege State Expo Hall in Moscow and another family exhibition “The reality of illusions” with your mum Elena Surovtseva and Danila in Zurab Tsereteli Art Gallery at the Russian Academy of Arts. Do you compete with your family to prove that your art is unique? DS: The sculptures of my parents and my brother Daniel are in collections of state museums, in private collections and shown on Russian and European streets. These are always figurative bronze classical sculptures. At the same time my family absolutely supports the abstract style of my art and we find an incredible pleasure exhibiting together in common projects, despite the obvious differences of our art forms. We have the same thrill for art, the same pleasure of understanding and acceptance of art in all its incarnations, sizes and forms. There are not any conflicts or contradictions in art or in our family. There are different styles of art – but great art is always the same. It’s like a family with several members: it has the experience of generations, evolution, choice and the next step of an experiment. So my parents’ demands of me, as the youngest in the family, help with the development of my new thinking, new movement and a new step. I do not know if they believe my art is unique, but they emphasise the need of this uniqueness. Judging by their reactions, I show it to them. RM: In 2011 you participated in the exhibition “Movement. Shape. Dance” by the Russian State Museum in St-Petersburg. You exhibited together with famous Russian artists such as Vera Mukhina, Zinaida Serebryakova, Natalia Goncharova, Valentin Serov. Did you feel comfortable amongst these artists? DS: I was 28 years old when I was invited to participate in my first exhibition in the Russian State Museum in St-Petersburg. Of course it was an enormous honour and an unforgettable experience for me. My sculpture “Illusion number Babylon” (plexiglas, porcelain, 250 cm) was escorted by the police from Moscow to St. Petersburg in a car with climate control. That was a special car that brought the Hermitage collection to Moscow and when going back to St-Petersburg it picked up my work. So this miracle chance of having royal transportation heralded the beginning of a bright career for my work. It was exhibited in the museum’s hall amongst other great Russian artists. I don’t know how my sculpture felt amongst other recognised and well famous art-works, but I felt in that moment, that I’m on my way to be recognised by Great Russian art. Now, this №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

www.RussianMind.com

Art work is in the permanent collection at the State Russian Museum. RM: What do you think is the diﬀerence between the art-market in Europe and in Russia? DS: The art market, I suppose is more science than art. As this is a science it should follow a single path of evolution and development. Russia has had so many perturbations in a short period that we don’t believe in our own opinions and capabilities. That’s why very often we invite curators from Europe and America and we forget about our own way of development. But probably this is the West that due to the contrast with us will make us feel our Russian uniqueness, appreciate and keep what we already have. The more we learn the more we develop our self-identification. Due to historical reasons the Russian art-market doesn’t have a clear system and everything happens as in Russian fairy tales on a “wave of the wand and my desire”. But in general, it has a good end. RM: How do you see the future of Russian art? DS: I believe that Russia has a great future! Russia develops extremely fast in all areas including art. I know Russian art has all chances to climb back to the top of the art scene. But this time – in the 21st century after such great names as Rublev, Malevich, Kandinsky, El Lissitzky, Nureyev, Diaghilev, Dostoevsky, Nabokov (I can give you an infinite number of names) new names will emerge. We have got it all, education, ambitions, desire and the abilities the world gives to us. This should be the third wave of Russian avant-garde. I believe in it, I live this. RM: As I know you are not going to stop only in Russia and France. What do you plan next? DS: In the next couple of years, I want to organise a European tour of my newest works. I know my rapid development here is inevitable. I also feel that now it’s time to test myself again starting from zero in New York and when I conquer another new level I want to do shows in Japan, in Tokyo. These are my plans for the near future. RM: Do you see the United Kingdom in your future plans? DS: The UK has always attracted me with its mystery. I love British sculptors and British air is full of those magic fluids that help solidify thoughts in any material. I cannot miss the opportunity to check it out personally. When we are ready to accept some possibilities and opportunities, they come immediately. www.RussianMind.com

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Fashion

Philip Treacy:

Hat over Heels By Ekaterina Poroshina IRISH BORN PHILIP TREACY IS ONE OF THE BEST MILLINERS IN THE WORLD. WHY? HE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE WORLD GREATEST COUTURIERS SUCH AS KARL LAGERFELD, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN AND GIORGIO ARMANI. HE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE TITLE OF BRITISH ACCESSORY DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH FASHION AWARDS ON FIVE OCCASIONS DURING THE EARLY 1990S. HIS FABULOUS HATS ARE WORN BY THE ROYAL FAMILY’S LADIES. PHILIP IS A TRUE ARTIST, GREAT PERSONALITY AND WHAT IS MORE SURPRISINGLY A BIG FAN OF RUSSIA. RUSSIANMIND WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY TO ENJOY PHILIP TREACY’S EXTRAVAGANZA CATWALK AT THE ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE DURING LONDON FASHION WEEK 2012. MODELS WEARING MICHAEL JACKSON’S COSTUMES, CELEBRITY GUESTS AND LADY GAGA WERE PART OF THE BREATH TAKING AFRICA INSPIRED SHOW. WHAT WE CAN SAY? BRAVO, MAESTRO! THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE! CAN WE PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE OF YOUR TIME AND ASK:

Philip Treacy hat specially created for Bailey’s

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www.RussianMind.com

Fashion RM: How does it feel to work with the Royal Family? PT: The Royals have a magic of their own. They’ve kept hats. Her Majesty the Queen has a lot of hats and you couldn’t imagine the Queen without a hat. We associate hats with her. The royal family has kept hats alive in this country. They have more special occasions than all of us - at least once a week. And it is very important for them to wear hats. England is the home of the hat. I’m a great fan of the Royal Family. They are wonderful. We all need a little bit of magic in our life, don’t you think?

St. Petersburg is like a Hat they are all hats. You know I use these Russian forms and shapes? RM: Do you collect hats from diﬀerent countries?

PT: Yes, I have some Russian hats as well, a winter one. How do you call it? Ushanka? I have never heard this word before, but I think I can understand what you are talking about.

RM: Do you get inspiration from travelling? PT: Of course! Where else do you find inspiration? You know travelling is the University of Life. Every culture has a hat in its history. America, England, France, Italy, Germany... Hats are a symbol of positivity. There is no deep, heavy message attached to a hat. It cheers people up and that’s what we do, we cheer people up. RM: Have you ever been to Russia? PT: I like the exoticness of Russia. I come from a small village in Ireland and I must say that St Petersburg is the most beautiful city in the world. You know when you arrive at that city and the journey from the airport to the centre is usually hideous? In St Petersburg it’s like an avenue. All the streets and buildings are amazing. If you are from Moscow you’ll be furious to hear this. RM: What is your favourite city? PT: St Petersburg and Rome. St. Petersburg is like a hat. It has drama and elegance, it is very sophisticated with its white nights. Do you have white nights everywhere in Russia? Do you know what white night is? Basically in the middle of the night it’s day time. In Russia there are hats everywhere: the churches, the shapes and the church of the Spilled Blood… www.RussianMind.com

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Fashion

RM: It was your ﬁrst show in London since 1999. How did you get ready for the show? PT: Frankly speaking, I haven’t slept for two days. It is a very unusual experience for all of us. We all lived through it and fortunately it was a success, but there were so many elements involved, like Michael Jackson and hats, and Africa, and beautiful girls and Isabella Blow. Lady Gaga told me what she will be doing and I agreed. She is very talented, sweet, nice and one of the few popstars who can really sing beautifully. She is entertaining and she is good at it. I was really pleased that she did this for me (A: the catwalk). It was her day off and despite that she decided to come to the show.

Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer ever. He could dance, he could sing, he could write and he was exceptional with his image. When you don’t do what we do, you think “Oh, it’s just their gig or a look or whatever”, but actually it is all very well planned and reasoned.

RM: You’ve mentioned Alexander McQueen, Isabella Blow, Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson… PT: Isabella and Alexander – they had a bit of Michael Jackson in them. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

It’s a shame that you have to die to be recognised truly as the king of pop. And he was the king of it all. We lived with Michael Jackson’s clothes in our studio for a month. We had a metal room built for the clothes. The first day they arrived, I opened the door and there were two rails and it was like “WOW”. I felt a splash of energy. I looked inside and there was everything I grew up seeing him wear. It was all very emotional and touching, sometimes costumes are done cheaply, but these were “popcouture”. He was amazing! He knew what he wanted, like I do too. I saw all those shows in stadiums when I was a student. I remember him in the distance appearing from the ground like a rocket in that gold metal suit and to have them all in front of me for the whole day – it was amazing. Whenever we needed inspiration, we asked: “Can we see the glove?” so they brought it out and we opened that glass box. I treated all the things with the great respect and I would never let anyone try the www.RussianMind.com

Fashion

clothes on. Only the models were allowed to try them on. I have too much respect for him. Whenever I opened that box with Michael Jackson’s gloves I felt that ultimate buzz. We all know his gloves, they are immaculate. There are not just some things glued to the gloves, but perfection in every detail. I worked with the greatest couture of all the times, Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani etc. but this was fascinating.

used to worked with McQueen, but sadly he died, so I started thinking “where would I get the clothes for this show?”. And suddenly – “bang!” I actually called them up and told that I want to do an African show and I can’t find clothes and I’d been listening to “The way you make me feel” and

RM: Do you think that such arty shows are important for today’s commercialised fashion industry?

RM: Michael Jackson died a few years ago and all the fashion brands were inspired by him. Why did you do the show inspired by him only now?

PT: That’s what we do. Our customers are Royals, entertainers, movie stars, housewives, anyone. For many women hats are something they wear for a big event and they save up for it. I’m complemented that so they can do that, because I like to bring my clients pleasure. I don’t like mediocre things.

PT: It’s hard to explain, but the opportunity arose from these people, who offered to borrow me his clothes. It wasn’t like “Oh, would you like to borrow MJ’s jacket?” I worked with these people, they do celebrity auctions, it just happened. There are a lot of clothes out there, a lot of fashion and it all can look a bit the same. I www.RussianMind.com

it was like “that’s Africa!”. So I called them again and asked if there was any possibility I could borrow gloves, and they’ve told me that I could borrow all the clothes till December. So I said “I will!” That’s how it all happened. It wasn’t really about Michael Jackson, it was about Africa, about Africa getting rich, about African women, who happened to be wearing Michael Jackson’s clothes on the catwalk.

Philip Treacy Catwalk was supported by Bailey’s. 45

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Opinion

SEX

DRUGS

ROCK'N'ROLL

Smoke and Mirrors By Richard Bloss â&#x201E;&#x2013;9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

www.RussianMind.com

Opinion

I’M IN A PHILOSOPHICAL MOOD THIS MORNING. I SUPPOSE IT’S A BIT LIKE SEX. YOU’RE EITHER IN THE MOOD  OR YOU’RE NOT. I WAS ABOUT TO SAY YOU CAN’T ACTUALLY HAVE MEANINGFUL SEX IF YOU’RE NOT IN THE MOOD, BUT ONLY A FEW EVENINGS AGO I WAS ACTUALLY CHASED THROUGH PADDINGTON STATION BY A ‘LADY OF THE NIGHT’, WHO HAD SEEN ME WALKING THROUGH THE ADJACENT HILTON AND INSISTED I TOOK HER PHONE NUMBER.

have to tell you straightaway that I am not recently accustomed to having attractive young ladies chase me anywhere and I don’t know who looked the more desperate. «What time is your train» she said. «In ten minutes», I answered. This was ridiculous. I disengaged myself, muttered some Americanisms, «yep, missing you already!»- and off I went. But let’s say my prejudices were wrong. Suppose this was simply about a meaningful conversation. www.RussianMind.com

Suppose the poor girl just wanted to share a beer.....You can see where I’m going with this. The popular myth about Russians is that all of your families back home get pissed on vodka every weekend. Which is quite surprising, as I have never met a really drunk Russian and most of the ones I do know, prefer to drink water anyway. Most of the German people I know speak better English than I do and have a drier sense of humour, yet this is the country that - if you believe the opinion polls - has the lowest ability to make fun of itself, in all of Europe. Stereotyping is nationalistic, and I could go on and on, but let me give you some of the best (or worst) examples. If you follow the more nasty contributions of our cousins across the Channel, all French men apparently are in love with themselves, and no French women ever shaves.... I mean, come on. Stereotypes are the insults handed down by the uneducated to the gullible. We create images that are never polite or flattering, because sometime long ago, maybe things were exactly as we were lead to believe, so that single impression we have starts to be our normality. We have chosen to forget that, in the same way as not all Americans are like a New York cab driver, Russians are not actually «Russians» at all. They are just a collection of individuals, some of whom like doing the same things sometimes, who happen to speak Russian when they are not speaking English. Our problem is in fact inside ourselves. We have suddenly become very touchy-feely about where we have come from, where we are going to, are we personally 47

fulfilled and all the stuff you see in Psychologies magazine and then we get all introvert and ask if «it is all ok for you?» We just don’t know how to handle people without putting them into boxes. Apparently Beethoven had a post-romantic period. No he didn’t: he couldn’t hear his music as he was deaf. Picasso I am told had a «blue period». Excuse me? No! He simply ran out of green paint, after all in his day, the nearest B&Q was at least 100 km down the road. So all Russians must therefore drink vodka and this fact is obviously because the marketing men tell us this. We have at least 95 different brands of vodka, all saying they have a Russian heritage or depict pictures of geese on the bottles. We know that Russians like art galleries and home grown culture. So, we can milk that for a while. Stereotyping has crossed the divide of being cultural to being good business. But that presupposes that this is somehow strange. It is no different from plane loads of Brits going to Malaga and eating English breakfasts. It’s nice to have things that remind us of home. But it also forgets that, actually, not everybody wants a taste of what life used to be like and also, that life moves on. Sure, you are Russian, but you are also a ‘British Russian’, which is different. I think not? Let me leave you with this small picture... My Russian friend and I pop out for a drink. We enter a pub and my colleague knows the barman and says» Can I try the guest bitter today? Oh, and let’s have a couple of plates of chips... with some ketchup». See what I mean? №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

View

Personal Reflections

of Russia and its’ Stereotypes from the View Point of an Englishman By David Gillespie EVER SINCE I BEGAN STUDYING RUSSIAN AND TRAVELLING TO THE SOVIET UNION AND THEN TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, I HAVE BATTLED THE STEREOTYPES THAT HAVE DOMINATED BRITISH VIEWS ABOUT RUSSIA AND THEIR PEOPLE. AT FIRST, DURING THE COLD WAR, THOSE STEREOTYPES WERE BASED ON IDEOLOGICAL MODELS, THEN AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION, EVERY RUSSIAN WAS A MAFIA BOSS AND THE COUNTRY MIRED IN CRIME. WITH MY MANY TRIPS TO RUSSIA TO PURSUE MY OWN RESEARCH, OR AS LEADER TO GROUPS OF STUDENTS, I WOULD ALWAYS TRY TO CONVEY THE HUMAN DIMENSION, IN OTHER WORDS, SHOW RUSSIANS AS ACTUAL PEOPLE, AND NOT STEREOTYPES OR CLICHÉS.

‘In the Beginning’

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If I had a pound for every time I have been accused of being a Communist simply because I study Russia and its language, I could well be wealthy and retired by now. I began studying Russian at school at the age of 13, when Russian was introduced to us third-year Grammar School pupils as an option, a lifedefining choice between German, Latin or Spanish. With hindsight I should have accused my schoolmates who opted for German and in particular Spanish –this was the era of the Franco dictatorship – as being closet Fascists. Thus, whereas most of my peers went for the ‘soft’ subjects, I and a few hardy souls chose the ‘hard’ option. As far as I can gather, none of us were Communists then, nor have become one since. That was in 1970, and over 40 years on I still find myself fascinated and captivated by the language, the country, the people and their culture. Every year I spend upwards of a month in Russia and I try to travel around various cities so as to get a broader picture of Russian life outside Moscow. My friends in Moscow think that ‘the provinces’ exist in a state not too far removed from that described in nineteenthcentury Russian literature, in other words backward and a bit primitive, but I remain deeply impressed by the life outside European Russia and away from the megapolis. Thus, in the past two years I have spent time in Krasnodar, Tver, Perm, www.RussianMind.com

View Tomsk and Krasnoyarsk (as well as Moscow and St Petersburg of course). I’ve spoken at conferences, taught at different universities, given radio and magazine interviews, collected mushrooms, marinaded mushrooms, eaten mushrooms and been eaten alive myself by mosquitoes in the forests and the countryside. I was recently in Siberia. It was in mid-October and so my Russian friends told me, still too early for the snow and ice. Nevertheless, my plane touched down in Tomsk in a snowstorm and whereas the ‘first’ snow quickly disappeared, the ‘second’ was not far behind and so it stayed for the rest of my visit, with the temperature dropping to -8C on my last day (and still before the onset of November). Let’s take Tomsk as an example. In Russian terms it is a small city with fewer than 500,000 inhabitants and a long history associated with political repression and the Gulags. Indeed, on its main street (ironically called Lenin Street) there is a museum devoted to the victims of the Stalinist repressions, situated in the former Stalinist secret police (NKVD) headquarters. But it’s also a remarkably creative and vibrant city, with over a dozen theatres, including a puppet theatre and children’s theatre; there are 9 universties in the city, 6 research institutes, a conservatoire concert hall, dozens of museums and art galleries and literally hundreds of coffee shops. It’s a city that thrives on cultural ferment, with individual art exhibitions, such as that of the local artist Elena Baboshko, whose wavy lines, abstractions and supple shapes are reminiscent of the work of Pavel Filonov, David Burlyuk and even Vasilii Kandinskii. Various performance artists and musicians of all styles and trends visit the city all year round. So far from being a sleepy provincial little city, Tomsk is a place of great creative energy and drive, even in the middle of its long winter. www.RussianMind.com

Krasnoyarsk is twice the size of Tomsk, with a corresponding cultural profile. Founded in 1628, it is now the third largest city in Siberia, after Novosibirsk and Omsk, and is the home to the Siberian Federal University, a very impressive modern campus with state-ofthe-art facilities and substantial international links. Krasnoyarsk is surrounded by the magnificent Stolby mountains, where ski runs are being actively developed. The Yenisei River runs through its heart and flows into the Arctic Ocean, via the hydro-electric dam built in the 1950s and 1960s that was part of the Soviet Union’s plan to modernise and industrialise Siberia. A few miles outside Krasnoyarsk, nestling on the banks of the Yenisei, is the village of Ovsyanka, home of Viktor Astafyev (1924-2001), a writer of fearsome integrity in Soviet times, and one whose best work (in my view) is the novel The Damned and the Dead (1992-94). Unlike many other war novels,

Astafyev’s work is borne of his own harsh experience and could only be published after the removal of censorship and the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is a brutal, uncompromising and occasionally harrowing account of the Red Army soldier’s experience, from training to combat and Astafyev consistently makes the point that the Red Army’s enemy is not just the Nazi war machine, but also the Stalinist political and military bureaucracy. Astafyev’s home and the neighbouring house of his grandmother, with whom he spent much of his childhood, are now state museums. For me, Russia is a place of high culture, remarkable natural scenery, with energetic, creative and resourceful people. My next stops will be Irkutsk and Lake Baykal, further and deeper into the greater Russian land mass. But only in the summer time! Illustrations by Elena Baboshko

‘The Fringe’

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Blog

Let the Myth Go! By Olga Sokolova DATING IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF SOCIAL LIFE. IN ANY COUNTRY ALL OVER THE WORLD IT CAN EITHER END UP WITH THE BEGINNING OF A RELATIONSHIP OR LEAD TO HUGE DISAPPOINTMENTS. WE CAN TRY AND LOOK AT DATING WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR OR USE OUR EXPERIENCES FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF RUSSO BRITISH DATING, I PERSONALLY WOULD STICK TO THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE  DON’T JUDGE THE WHOLE NATION BY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS ALL PEOPLE ARE ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT. TEAR OFF THE LABELS. HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME COMMON MISTAKES WHICH ARE USUALLY MADE BY BRITISH MEN. HERE I WILL GUIDE YOU ON WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED, SO AS NOT TO GET INTO TROUBLE WHEN YOU ARRANGE A DATE WITH RUSSIAN WOMAN.

tereotyping is the biggest problem in the way of harmony. British man and Russian woman find themselves “wrapped in” stereotypes and fairytales, which they believe in, even before they meet someone new. When I was №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

a teen, the UK seemed to me a country of ‘cold fish’ and mysterious men. Probably I was influenced by books I’d read and movies I’d seen (thanks to Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle and Enid Blyton!). At the same time, British men seemed to me extremely handsome, polite, 50

gentle, a little bit too unemotional, but very attractive and romantic. When I grew up and started communicating with my British mates, some points of their behaviour turned out to be an unexpected surprise for me. Well, I didn’t expect Brits to stop cabs www.RussianMind.com

Blog with their umbrellas and put their coats under my feet, but I was quite astonished to find out, that many British men seem to forget the standard courtesies towards times even woman and sometimes s. I was very lack good manners. h this fact until disappointed with I realised, that theyy are not tandard guilty. There are standard ways of courtship in Russia, but they’d never work in ersa. the UK and vice versa. uite My friend was quite impressed by the romantic gestures of her British boyfriend, while ow, they were in Moscow, on until in a discussion about his perfect manners he said “Iff I was in England I his. would never do this. That’s how you do it in Moscow with alll these bouquets and surprises, so I kind of had to do that too”. Ouch! This doesn’t sound cool, but it’s not such a huge deal if you look deeper into it. Any Russian girl would notice immediately, that there are not that many flower shops in d London, compared to Moscow or St. scow Petersburg. In Moscow there is a reminderr for men lowers, on every street “Flowers, ers for her, Flowers, Get Flowers make her smile, write her a card, meet her after work with a surprise, jewellery, if you are serious enough for a special gift and flowers, flowers, flowers”. It doesn’t make us spoiled or demanding, it’s just makes us a bit different as we were www.RussianMind.com

lucky enough to experience all of this in our Motherland. However I can also understand British guys. They are watching

films about beardy Russian men in woolly hats, alcoholics riding bears and poor Russian girls who are trying to escape from all this hell to achieve a brighter future. Breathe in, breathe out and forget about 51

this perception of Russians forever, otherwise you have no chance in understanding a Russian woman as she really is, but only as you want to see her – miserable and suffering. Due to my job, job I communicate with British people peo a lot and I often see this unspo unspoken wonder on their faces, w when it turns out that a grea great many CIS women (especially from the capital cities) are coming to the UK to have a highly-paid career, to run their th own business or study for a MBA. I see questio questions marks in the eyes of Europeans, Euro when I tell them tthat modern Russian wome women are decisive, selfsufficcient and very often wellwell-heeled. They are not tort tortured by mythical tyr tyrants, never ever in ttheir lives, they don’t know what poverty is, they are very well-educated and bright and of course, none of them is fainting from the delight of seeing a foreigner! Dear men, welcome to the real world, where most modern Russian girls are doing well in their lives aand if you want to co conquer their hearts, it is a good idea to be “old-f “old-fashioned” in your romanti romantic approach, as it is the normal norm way of doing things in Russ Russia. Though some stereotypes wil will still follow us, but we all melt from the tender brutality men can have, when they really take care of us and take us under their wing. You can continue reading blog at www.russianmind.com №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

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Russian Symbols FOREIGNERS HAVE MANY STEREOTYPES ABOUT RUSSIAN LIFE. ALEXANDER DUMAS THE ELDER, A FRENCH NOVELIST WHO MANAGED TO TRAVEL AROUND RUSSIA, MAY HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR SOME OF THEM. THE AUTHOR OF LES TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES “THE THREE MUSKETEERS” DESCRIBED IN ONE OF HIS NOVELS HOW HE RESTED “UNDER A PATULOUS CRANBERRY”. ACTUALLY, A CRANBERRY IS A VERY SMALL BUSH THAT FLOURISHES IN RUSSIA’S MARSHLANDS SO IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE THE AUTHOR FITTING UNDER ONE AND EVEN HARDER TO IMAGINE HIM RESTING IN A SWAMP! SINCE THAT TIME, THE PHRASE “PATULOUS CRANBERRY” HAS BECOME A RUSSIAN IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION MEANING AN INCOMPETENT OR PERFUNCTORY JUDGEMENT.

he stereotypical understanding is that Russia is a faraway, snowy country, where one must wear a fur coat and valenki (felt boots); the people do nothing but drink vodka and play balalaikas; whilst bears leave their forest homes to go walking down village streets. However, the reality of our life is very far from this idyllic myth: balalaikas, bears, and felt boots have more or less become symbols of Russia rather than attributes of everyday life.

VALENKI Valenki, or felt boots, is the Russian national footwear. They are traditionally made of milled fleece, and each pair requires at least a kilogram of fleece that must undergo a long processing treatment. It must be combed out, made into thin strips of felt, shaped, boiled, and dried out. In the old times, the centre for valenki production was in Ouglich, a small city in the Upper Volga area; this type of footwear now is made all over Russia. In the 18th century, felt boots were an expensive, luxury gift: Peter the First and Catherine the Great ordered specially made valenki for their personal wardrobes. Soviet leaders such as Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchyov, and Marshall Zhukov also appreciated valenki. Today, valenki are still irreplaceable as footwear in the countryside and for the army, as felt can resist –40 °C (–40 °F) and protect the soldiers’ feet outdoors.

FUR HATS A winter hat with ear-flaps and warm covering for the back of the head can protect one against the severe Russian cold. In the past, only peasants would wear such hats — they called them the “three-eared hats.” In 1940, the Red Army substituted winter helmets with earflap hats and since then the hats have become popular amongst civilians, men as well as women. Most foreigners buy black and gray military hats with faux fur, but the Russians prefer ear-flap hats made with expensive natural fur: mink, nutria, muskrat, or fox. During the Soviet times, such hats were difficult to find and only state officials would wear fur trim of quality depending on their rank. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

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SAMOVAR SA The Russian word samovar literally lit means “self-boiling”. The vessel ve consists of a metal container for boiling b the water and a fire-pan with a tube. Samovars appeared in Russia iin the second quarter of the 18th century and in the course of one hundred years, became becam an integral part of every Russian household, hou restaurant, or hotel. The samovar samova had both a practical and an emotional ffunction: it became a unifying symbol forr people p when they gathered to have tea p parties pa and provided the right atmosphere atmosph phere for friendly conversation. Though Thoug gh samovars sam first appeared in the he Urals, the production of samovars in Tula, an sam movars blossomed bl the south of Moscow, old city to th aalso lso famous for its armories spice-cakes. and spice-ca

BALALAIKA The balalaika is a plucked string instrument that resembles a guitar, but has a triangular shape and only three strings (or two in some cases). Nowadays, the balalaika has disappeared from people’s everyday life almost completely. Only professional musicians in Russian folk music ensembles and folk instrument orchestras play the balalaika.

FROST Russia is the coldest country in the world, where winter lasts for four to five months throughout the larger part of its territory, about seven months in Central Siberia and ten months in the transpolar areas. It is in Russia, in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), where the northern hemisphere’s coldest point is located, the mercury can go down to –72 °C (–97.6 °F) there. Severe frost can also be felt in Moscow, where a record low temperature of –42 °C (–43.6 °F) was recorded in the winter of 1942. The Russians are used to frosty weather, enjoying winter sports and festivities such as skiing, skating, and sledding. However, the severe climate does create many problems in everyday life. Buildings must be built with very thick walls to insulate them for effective heating and protection from the cold, roads must be cleared from ice and snow. All of this requires money and effort, not to mention the extra warm clothing and footwear that one needs to survive the winter months. www.RussianMind.com

№9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

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ROADS Life in Russia has depended on roads since the olden days. Many fairy tales are based on journeys; legends tell of hermits, pilgrims and wanderers whom one can meet along the way. At the same time, Russians themselves often criticise their roads. As early as the 19th century, Nikolai Gogol, the

famous writer, noted that “Russia’s two biggest problems are fools and roads”. Russians still use the word “road” for any type of terrain that they drive on, paved or not. Our immense country has many places where there are no people, much less roads. However, the developed areas have undergone many changes in recent years, the

roads are either built or are being built, though, given the enormous distances between places, building roads is no easy task. One can still wait for a letter to get from one place in Russia to another for many weeks even express mail cannot work as fast as it does in other places.

RUSSIAN BEAR One of Russia’s favourite animals is the bear, a hero of many legends and fairytales. Russians tenderly derly give bears the human name of Misha (sometimes adding a patronymic nymic name out of respect — hence, Mikhail Potapych). They also o apply bear-like qualities to people; a clumsy but kind person is referred eferred to as a “bear”. The little bear cub was chosen to be Russia’s a’s mascot in the 22nd Olympic Games held in Moscow in 1980. 980. Bears live throughout Russia, and there are two main kinds: ds: brown bears that are forest dwellers rs (the bear in those areas is also nicknamed the “chief of the taiga”), and white bears thatt dwell in polar areas. The popular foreign stereotypess notwithstanding, you will not ot see bears roaming the streets ets of towns and cities, but you u can still see them at a zoo or a circus. ircus. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

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FULLY SUSTAINABLE AND DELICIOUS

OSETRA AND STERLET CAVIAR The only fully sustainable guilt-free and delicious farmed sturgeon caviar comes from Mottra farm in Latvia. Mottra uses a unique and innovative technique of milking or stripping the eggs without performing FDHVDULDQ RU NLOOLQJ WKH VWXUJHRQ 7KH Ă&#x20AC;VK HJJV DUH PDVVDJHG RXW RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;VK ,W LV WKHQ SXW EDFN LQWR WKH perfect conditions of the Mottra indoor pools near Riga, Latvia where the sturgeon continues to grow and starts the next process of caviar production. This LV ZK\ RXU FDYLDU LV )8//< VXVWDLQDEOH ,W LV QRW RQO\ IDUPHG DQG VXVWDLQDEOH EXW DOVR SURGXFHG ZLWKRXW KDUP WR WKH Ă&#x20AC;VK +HQFH 0RWWUD LV )8//< VXVWDLQDEOH

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For details, please call +44 203 008 4671, email sales@mottra.co.uk or go to ::: 02775$ &$9,$5 &2 8.

Review

L’ETO Caffe:

Cakes with a Piece of Soul At the same time, we wanted L’ETO to be a short and a memorable name for locals, yet giving it a tweak with an apostrophe in the name to give it a nice Franco-Italian feel. L’ETO is however not a Russian café, but a modern and truly international concept that would provide a light and memorable experience. RM: What is the concept of your cafe?

L’ETO CAFE IS A UNIQUE PLACE TO GO FOR THE AMAZING CAKES AND GREAT FOOD SUPPORTED BY GREAT COFFEES, TEAS AND FRESH JUICES. BASED IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ACROSS LONDON  SOHO, CHELSEA, MAYFAIR, KENSINGTON AND STRATFORD, IT BRINGS YOU THE BEST COFFEE, THE TASTIEST SALADS AND MAIN COURSES, THE GREATEST DESSERTS AND A DELICIOUS BREAKFAST. THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE L’ETO IS SIMPLE: ALL CAKES, DISHES AND DRINKS ARE PREPARED WITH A PIECE OF SOUL. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF L’ETO, ARTEM LOGIN TOLD RUSSIANMIND WHAT MAKES HIS CAFE SUCCESSFUL: RM: How did you come up with the idea to open L’ETO Caﬀe in London? AL: This is a family business and we have always had a passion for good homemade food and coffee. We wanted to create something simple, stylish and friendly and came up with this unique deli-café, format of №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

AL: L’ETO Caffe is a stylish, modern concept which is aimed at delivering tasty, homemade and quality food, desserts and coffees, as well excellent service with a positive atmosphere. The dominant feature of every L’ETO is a large cake and desserts display facing the front window with a careful, handpicked presentation of each cake. Healthy and homemade food is another significant part of the

which was not quite explored at that time in London. The main thing was that we would not limit ourselves to a particular cuisine; rather, we felt like preparing the food we love and eventually came up with a 75+ array of cakes and a nice selection of savouries. The word “LETO” suggests good associations when heard by a Russian-speaker, meaning “summer”. 56

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Review café. The cuisine features Italian, French, Mediterranean and Eastern European tastes and is truly original cuisine. Freshness, quality and use of local produce are the essential components of what we offer. Interesting and creative combinations are used, making L’ETO famous for its sublime selection of cakes and foods. The basis of our food is simple home recipes taken from different cuisines around the world. Artisan coffee is L’ETO’s pride. Using professional espresso extraction methods, the best equipment available on the market, excellent coffee from the private East-London roasting house “AllPress” with dedicated professional baristas, L’ETO delivers aromatic and top standard artisan coffee.

Road) customers are local residents and regulars and we are very happy to see these people again and again, whereas Mayfair (Shepherds Market) is often full with business people, bankers and investors.

RM: Who usually comes to your place?

RM: Do you serve Russian food?

AL: This hugely depends upon location. We are happy to have such an interesting and diverse clientele, being located in different parts of London. Our Soho branch (Wardour Street) sees quite a lot of media workers, hipsters, producers, musicians, as well as tourists. Over 80% of our Chelsea branch (Fulham

AL: Yes and no. We have some Russian recipes which we incorporated into the overall menu, being on the background of French, Italian and sometimes Asianinfluenced dishes. Russian cuisine is not yet explored by Londoners, in my opinion so we have to be very careful when presenting it explicitly

as Russian. However, there are cases when the adjective Russian gives it a huge advantage – and our top sellers Honey Cake and Napoleon, as well as truly Siberian (that’s where I am from) Birdberry Cake go down really well. RM: As we know you have many tasty desserts. Tell us your most favourite recipe. AL: Oh, they change! But one of my recent favourites has been the truly homemade Apple Layer cake. It is very simple to make and tastes delicious. You simply prepare a dough based on flour, semolina, cinnamon, baking powder and sugar, and make five layers with grated apples. RM: Do you plan to develop your business further? Where else would you like to open your cafes? AL: At the moment we are working on a full blown café, which would operate more like a restaurant. This new café will open very soon in Notting Hill Gate, in mid December. I hope you will be glad to see some new dishes, prepared in a more inspired, spacious and developed L’ETO. Great food, cakes and coffee will be there.

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№9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

Guide

2013 Tips Valentino: Master of Couture Until 3 Mar 2013 Hollywood Costume Until 27 Jan 2013

ashion fans will find themselves living la dolce vita when this exhibition celebrating the life and work of Valentino opens at Somerset House. Focusing exclusively on haute couture created by the Italian designer, the show covers the decades from the 1950s to today and showcases more than 130 catwalk and red carpet creations worn by the likes of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and Julia Roberts. The exhibition design has been created especially for Somerset House to include a room featuring previously unseen personal photographs, couture invitations and images of Valentino at work and play.

ome of cinema’s bestknown costumes have been gathered together for this major exhibition, which explores the art of costume design and how it helps to build character and storytelling. Exhibits include Judy Garland’s blue-and-white gingham pinafore dress featured in ‘The Wizard of Oz’; the little black dress designed by Givenchy for Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and Johnny Depp’s outfit from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. Also on display are film clips and specially commissioned interviews with Hollywood directors, costume designers and actors including Meryl Streep and Robert de Niro. Where: V&A, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL Tickets: £10.60-£15.80 Info: www.vam.ac.uk

№9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

The Architects Until 2 Feb 2013

repare to lose yourself in a modern-day maze created by the always envelope-pushing Shunt collective in Bermondsey’s Biscuit Factory. The inspiration for this ‘wildly disorientating’ new piece is the myth of the Minotaur, and tales of both modern and ancient Greece. Where: V22, F Block, The Old Biscuit Factory, 100 Clements Rd, London SE16 4DG Tickets: £20-£25 Info: www.nationaltheatre.org. uk

Where: Somerset House, The Strand, London WC2R 1LA Tickets: £12.50, £9 concs Info: www.somersethouse.org.uk 58

A Bigger Splash: Painting after Performance Until 1 Apr 2013

his group exhibition considers the relationship between performance and painting from 1950 to today. The show covers ‘action’ painters such as Pollock and artists who use paint performatively and theatrically, as well as those exploring the politics of identity by using themselves as a canvas. Works by Cindy Sherman, Yves Klein and Karen Kilimnik feature. Where: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG Tickets: free Info: www.tate.org.uk www.RussianMind.com

Join RussianMind Club Today! Are you British and interested in Russia and the CIS countries? Are you Russian and looking for new networking opportunities? Would you like to open an unknown edge of the CIS countries?

What is RussianMind Club? It is a membership club, which holds regular events related to the most exciting themes about Russia & the CIS countries and their people and also offers you exclusive update on all Russia-related events happening in the United Kingdom.

Every RussianMind event includes: • panel discussions of up-to-date topics involving high-profiled speakers • a reflection of Russian culture in theatrical performances and visual art • the tasting of traditional Russo-Soviet cuisines • efficient networking

The guests of the event are established professionals, who are working in the different fields: businesses, corporations, cultural institutions, as well as international organisations, universities etc.

Become a member Annual Membership: £98.00 Corporate Membership: £298.00

What do you get? • 1 year free entrance to all events organized by RussianMind • Subscription to quarterly RussianMind magazine • Opportunity to promote your own events and products among established middle-class professionals

For more information: www.russianmind.com Contacts: olga@russianmind.com

Have to Watch

Russian Cinema Showcased in London THIS AUTUMN RUSSIAN CINEMA MADE A SPLASH IN LONDON BY ITS SHOWCASING AT TWO MAJOR CULTURAL EVENTS  BFI 56TH LONDON FILM FESTIVAL AND 6TH LONDON RUSSIAN FILM FESTIVAL. DON’T MISS A CHANCE TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE WORKS BY ESTABLISHED FILM DIRECTORS AS WELL THE NEW GENERATION OF RUSSIAN FILMMAKERS. Documentary Tomorrow by director Andrey Gryazev was among the nominees for the Best Director’s debut award at the BFI 56th London Film Festival. The documentary tells the story of the scandalous Russian art group ‘Voina’ (War), a collective of artists and activists with an anarchist agenda engaging in political protest throughout Russia. Refusing to recognise any boundary between documentary and staged film, Andrey Gryazev’s thrilling vérité project follows founding members of the group Vor and Kozlenok as they develop a plan to make an artistic statement by turning over a police car. Tomorrow is a raw, invigorating and pertinent film, clearly the product of the appetite for protest reportedly manifest in Russia today. Till Night Do Us Part was shown at Apollo Piccadilly Cinema on the Opening Night Gala of 6th Russian Film Festival in London. It is the satirical comedy from award-winning director Boris Khlebnikov. Based on real-life conversations overheard at an elite Moscow restaurant, this dialogue-focused film is a snapshot of the grand and theatrical lives of some of today’s Muscovites.

Award-winning director Mikhail Segal presents his latest film, Short Stories at both film festivals. The film, divided into four separate stories, takes off when the manuscript of a young writer is sent to a publishing house and begins to influence the life of everybody who opens it and reads even a single page. Segal displays his talent as a writer as well as director as he delves deep into the lives of the individuals at the publishing house. In an inexplicably amazing feat, Segal manages to entwine the genres of comedy, satire, thriller and erotica, taking his audience on an exhilarating and witty ride of social commentary. №9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

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Have to Watch The film Living by Vasili Sigarev gathered the audience at BFI and Appolo. Life is more than just existence. A person can feel, suffer, love and live out his destiny, even when this means losing that which is most precious - those he loves. Following the lives of the film’s characters, we watch as Fate takes their loved ones swiftly and brutally, removing any reason to live, even the desire to stay alive; snatching up their entire world. The film’s characters do not surrender, they stand up in defiance, declare war on Fate, struggling to the limits of human endurance and beyond. They reach their own victories

From acclaimed director Pavel Lungin (Tsar, The Island) comes The Conductor - his most ambitious work to date. A leading conductor takes his orchestra to Jerusalem to perform the Matthew Passion, but what happens there forces him to reevaluate his entire life. Perhaps it is never too late to change?

Renata Litinova’s latest film is a haunting fairytale far beyond the world of the Brothers Grimm. Rita’s Last Tale takes the audience on a surreal journey in exploration of the universal themes of love, hate and the search for happiness, as the turbulent lives of three women surrounded by darkness culminate in a decrepit hospital, its disintegrating walls the setting of an inescapable end for one...

Kokoko is rolled into one comedy and drama, directed by famous Russian writer Avdotia Smirnova. Town and country collide in this quirky and amusing tale of contrasts, Lisa and Vika seem to live in different worlds until a chance meeting brings them together and shows them how much they have in common and how much they can learn from each other.

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№9 (25) Winter 2012-2013

+LJK 5RDG /H\WRQVWRQH /RQGRQ ( $0RQGD\ ² 6DWXUGD\

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