Today marks the 83rd birthday of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space. She remains the youngest woman to ever venture into space (at age 26) and the only woman to embark upon a solo mission. Tereshkova was born in 1937 in the Yaroslavl region. Her parents were collective farmers, although her father would die…
Yevgenia Markova dreamed of being a truck driver all her life. There was just one problem — working as one would have been against the law. “I’ve loved everything that can be driven since childhood — cars, river boats, trains. But these were all forbidden,” she told The Moscow Times. For decades, women in Russia…
Passerby, a new exhibition at Garage museum, presents a visual and social history of the humble shop mannequin. This mass-produced everyday object is revealed to be a surprisingly rich social phenomenon; the clothes mannequin is, on one hand, a disposable life-sized coat hanger, but in Passerby it is reimagined as an art object, a human…
Although competitive figure skating is a relatively young sport, Russia is already well-established as a powerhouse of the icy stage. In the lead-up to International Women’s Day and as skater Adelina Sotnikova has just announced her retirement, we look back on some of the women who have defined Russian and Soviet skating in the past…
Garage Museum of Contemporary Art is almost just as famous for its architecture as its art; first housed in a disused public bus garage from the 1920s, now it is in a former Soviet café in the middle of Gorky Park, an iconic cuboid of steel, glass and sharp corners. This famously austere space, however,…
In the New Tretyakov Gallery, a boxy structure designed in the 1960s that is the epitome of Soviet modernist style, there is a small model of Vladimir Tatlin’s “Monument to the Third International.” Designed in 1919-20 but never built, the monument exists only in miniature form. Its double helixes spiral upward above girders and arches…
Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the U.S.S.R., celebrates his 89th birthday today. He is best-known for his policy of reforming the Soviet political and economic system (“perestroika”), as well as for his expansions of freedom of speech and press (“glasnost”). Abroad, he is remembered for his efforts to withdraw the Soviet Union from its…
The two capitals, Moscow and St. Petersburg, are hosting some must-see events in March that should appeal to every taste, be it a predeliction for contemporary feminist body decoration or fin de siècle sensibilities. Here are our picks for Moscow. Golden Mask: Feb.-April Golden Mask is Russia’s largest festival devoted to theater, which plays an…
Craftsman Sergei Murza runs his fingers over the pink satin of a pointe shoe he has just finished making. Then he gives it the final test: the ballet slipper balances perfectly on its tip. Murza produces the shoes in the Moscow workshop of Grishko, a company born in the chaos of the collapse of the…
As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world. Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from…
As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world. Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from…
In 2018, the controversial Russian art project “DAU” scandalised Germany with its plans to rebuild the Berlin Wall and offer visitors an immersive experience of daily life behind the Iron Curtain. Eighteen months later, “DAU” has again caused shock and outrage in the German capital with the world premiere of its film “DAU: Natasha” at…
Spring has almost begun — but it feels like it’s been here for months in Moscow. Instead of mountains of snow, freezing noses and massive puffy coats, the capital got a season filled with dark, gray, rainy days. Some people blamed this winter, which scientists say was one of the hottest in Russia’s history, on…
This weekend marked the opening of the Tretyakov Gallery’s latest exhibit, “The Russian Fairy Tale: From Vasnetsov to the Present,” which promises to be a crowd-pleaser. In mediums ranging from oil painting to film to taxidermy, this mixed-media collection highlights the role of fantasy in the Russian imagination, and demonstrates the various ways in which…
Moscow is currently in the midst of one of Russia’s most fun and light-hearted holidays — Maslenitsa, better known as Pancake Week. Maslenitsa has its roots in pagan tradition, marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring with brilliant bonfires. Today, Maslenitsa is a widely celebrated folk holiday with plenty of blini —…
The Moscow Times Offline kicked off its first event of 2020 last week at a new venue, the Hyatt Regency Petrovsky Park. An audience of about 40 people, both expats and Muscovites, came to hear three journalists, Evan Gershkovich (The Moscow Times), Nataliya Vasilyeva (Daily Telegraph) and Anton Troianovski (The New York Times) talk about…
It’s that time of the year again: Today, women all across Russia will be giving socks, shaving cream and more to the fathers, brothers and husbands in their lives. For Russia, this is the one day a year when men can receive a little extra credit and attention: Defender of the Fatherland Day, or as…
Geraint Rhys, a musician and videographer from Wales, made a short film called “In the Footsteps of Ghosts” with the artist Pavel Otdelnov, whose show last year at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art was covered here. The Moscow Times talked with the filmmaker about how he discovered this Russian painter from Dzerzhinsk and why…
As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world. Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from…
The private Museum of Russian Impressionism opened its 2020 season with yet another blockbuster exhibition entitled “Yuri Annenkov: Revolution Behind the Door.” Yuri Annenkov (1889-1974) is a Russian-born artist, whose career spanned most of the 20th century. “Revolution Behind the Door” is a truly unique exhibition, since Annenkov’s works are scattered in many collections all…
The Berlin Film Festival, which showcases a wide variety of films from all corners of the globe, opens today. The Moscow Times has assembled a list of the most prominent inclusions by Russian directors, which are among the most anticipated features of the festival. “Gunda” Saint Petersburg-based director Victor Kosskovsky has produced a documentary with…
On February 20, 1877, the Bolshoi Ballet premiered what would become one of the most famous ballets of all time. Although the sweeping music, tragic narrative, and iconic costumes have all contributed to the lasting popularity of “Swan Lake,” its creators could never have imagined that a story of dancing swans would become a multigenerational…
As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world. Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from…
This Valentine’s Day marked the first time in 36 years that the epic Rimsky-Korsakov opera “Sadko” has been staged at the Bolshoi Theater. Directed by Dmitry Chernyakov, the sold-out premiere was a much-anticipated event in the Moscow arts scene. Chernyakov is known for his audacious directorial style, which over the years has earned him both…
On Feb. 17, 1852, the State Hermitage Museum was opened to the public. The second-largest museum in the world (topped only by the Louvre), the Hermitage collection contains over 3 million objects, which are stored and displayed in the historic buildings of Saint Petersburg’s Palace Embankment. The museum was founded almost a century prior to…
Any serious study of Russian cuisine begins with Darra Goldstein. For more than three decades, Darra Goldstein has led readers to the far-flung corners of the Soviet Empire and back in time to the opulence and abundance of the nineteenth century. Her authoritative 1983 “A La Russe: A Cookbook of Russian Hospitality” wove together strands…
As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world. Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from…
“This artwork is an act of international terrorism.” “This text converts you to Islam.” “This artwork makes you want to hijack an airplane.” Russian artist Andrei Molodkin’s newest exhibition shouts out these statements in loud, bold, blood-red letters. And the blood comes from real humans. Opening at Dublin’s Rua Red art space on Valentine’s Day,…
Valentine’s Day is a relatively new holiday for Russia, but it has been embraced wholeheartedly. Wondering how it’s being celebrated in the Russian capital? We’ve gathered some events ranging from romantic to wacky that will give you a taste of how Russians are spending the holiday of romance. Moskva News Agency Insta-worthy On February 14th,…
February 12, 2020 marks what would be the 139th birthday of prima ballerina Anna Pavlova. The originator of several iconic roles and styles, Pavlova’s name remains synonymous with brilliance in the world of ballet. Despite her legacy as a pioneer of dance, Pavlova was far from a natural talent. Born prematurely in St. Petersburg of…
Moscow’s extravagant New Year’s decorations have only been taken down for a few weeks, but the city is already preparing for its next big holiday: the Maslenitsa folk festival, better known as Russia’s “pancake week.” Maslenitsa has its roots in pagan traditions, when people marked the end of winter and the beginning of spring with…
February 11, 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of one of Russia’s most beloved films, the Soviet drama “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears.” The film, which chronicles 20 years in the lives of three women in Moscow, is considered a modern classic for its enduring themes of hope, disappointment, and unexpected happiness.…
As the sun filters through thick winter clouds over Vladimir, a city located 200 kilometers to the east of Moscow, the residents go about their business as tourists wander through the center of the city, taking photographs of the Golden Gates, stepping into the pedestrian Georgievskaya Ulitsa to drink some Suzdal mead and buy souvenirs…
On this day in 1890, the writer Boris Pasternak was born into an affluent and cultured Russian-Jewish family. His father, Leonid, was a renowned artist and professor at the Moscow School of Painting; his mother Rosa, nee Kaufman, was a concert pianist. His parents’ social circle included notable figures of the day such as Sergei…
Zelfira Tregulova, the director of the Tretyakov gallery, vividly recalls the first time she saw Kazimir Malevich’s iconic 1915 painting “Black Square.” “It was in 1974, I remember the shock.” As an art history student at Moscow State University, she first encountered the painting in the Tretyakov Gallery, albeit not hanging in the airy exhibition…
Since the 15th century, the Kremlin’s Dormition Cathedral has been the main church of the land, where first grand princes were crowned, then tsars, and finally emperors and empresses. It was also the church where Metropolitans and Patriarchs were enthroned, and where they were interred. The church was built 1475-1479 under Grand Prince Ivan III…
Russia has become home to the world’s largest digital archive of decorative patterns. The archive, Ornamika.ru, was launched by Maria Loleyt, a former project manager and marketing expert. It contains more than 7,000 authentic decorative patterns created by the national groups that have lived in Russia, the Soviet Union, and the Russian Empire. The ornamental…
“Peasant” has become the highest-grossing domestic film in the history of Russian cinema. Directed by Klim Shipenko, the comedy has raked in over 3 billion rubles (roughly 45.5 million USD). Only the 2009 Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar” grossed more in Russia. The film is about a spoiled rich boy who is sent back in time to…
Teodor Shanin, a renowned scholar and president of the Moscow School for the Social and Economic Sciences — “Shaninka” — died on Tuesday in Moscow. Shanin, 89, was credited as the originator of peasant studies, a field which combines sociology, economics, history, and other academic disciplines to form a comprehensive understanding of modern peasant lives. …
Now that January is over and the New Year’s resolutions have worn off, it’s harder than ever to find the motivation to stay active. Luckily, an anti-cafe in central Moscow has come up with a way to tackle the problem. As everyone knows, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is easier when you have a partner —…
A 16-year-old artist from Russia has become the youngest person to draw a Vogue digital cover with her portrait of American pop singer Billie Eilish. Eilish herself reportedly hand-selected Nastya Kovtun, who hails from the central Russian city of Chaykovsky, to draw her likeness for the March cover story. Kaylee Yang, a 20-year-old fan from…
“Salvador Dali: Magic Art” at Manege Central Exhibition Hall is the first comprehensive exhibition of the famous Spaniard in Russia. The Faberge Museum in St. Petersburg and “The Link of Times” Foundation (both belong to billionaire Viktor Vekselberg) brought to Moscow more than 180 works from different periods of Dali’s life — not just his…
In January Eric Lee came to Moscow to present the Russian translation of his book, “The Experiment: Georgia’s Forgotten Revolution 1918-1921.” This followed the Georgian translation that was released the previous year. At Memorial International, Lee discussed his book with Russian and Georgian scholars, many of whom knew virtually nothing about the history he reported.…
HOLLYWOOD—Daria Kashcheeva is the year’s shining star of the international film festival circuit. Her stop-motion animated picture “Daughter” has won accolades in every competition it has entered, totaling more than three-dozen awards. The native of Tajikistan, whose family settled in the Russian city of Valdai, between St. Petersburg and Moscow, has already captured awards in…
As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world. Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from…
This week the world has been commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration and death camp. In Moscow, the solemn date was observed with the opening of two exhibitions that make the past vividly real with stories, artifacts, and art. “This Is Personal: Items from Concentration Camps” at Memorial International Envisioned…
While the European parts of Russia are enjoying milder temperatures this season, the winds of winter have fully arrived in eastern Siberia. In Russia’s republic of Sakha, for example, the daytime temperature reached a frigid minus 33 degrees Celsius. Undeterred by the bitter cold, residents have come up with their own unique ways to celebrate…
On an October night in 1896, a young playwright found himself living his worst nightmare. The audience was booing the first act of his new play, his leading lady had become so anxious that she lost her voice, and the critics were already penning vicious reviews. In the following days and weeks, the playwright denounced…
ST. PETERSBURG — After years of negotiations and fundraising efforts, the Joseph Brodsky Museum is finally set to open in the poet’s hometown. The memorial museum will be housed in the kommunalka, or communal apartment, at 24 Liteiny Prospekt where the Nobel laureate lived with his parents before his forced emigration in 1972. The museum’s…
Beets are a lot like Russia. From the outside, beets can appear distinctly unappealing, particularly if they are encrusted with globs of dirt, lolling about in vegetable crates looking misshapen and awkward. This is how I first encountered them in my neighborhood “Produkty” store in Moscow around 1994. Any flicker of interest I had in…
Sergey, 24, removes a plate caked in sausage grease from an overflowing sink before he starts brushing his teeth. Bugs skitter over the forks and spoons left in the bottom. He rinses his well-used toothbrush and shoves it in the back pocket of his shorts. There is no washbasin in this apartment — only one…
“The Poet and the Lady” is an exhibition devoted to the unlikely friendship between the Russian poet Andrei Voznesensky and American First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The exhibition is at the Voznesensky Center, a relatively new addition to the Moscow museum scene, which has the mission of not just telling the story of Andrei Voznesensky, but…
On Tuesday evening, Russia’s new Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced the members of his cabinet. Vladimir Medinsky, who served as the culture minister for the past eight years, was let go and Olga Lyubimova appointed in his place. She had served as deputy minister and was the head of the cinematography department. Today it was…
Just before the New Year’s holidays Russian filmmakers released their best bets for vacation blockbusters. One of the most promising films was “The Union of Salvation,” a lush, cast-of-thousands, historical saga that tells the story of the Decembrists, young Russian noblemen who organized a revolt against the monarchy in December 1825. Directed by Andrei Kravchuk…
Every year on Jan. 19, Russians across the country briefly submerge themselves in ice-cold lakes and rivers to celebrate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, or the feast of the Epiphany. The Orthodox Christian tradition has become popular among non-believers too, as it’s commonly believed that a quick ice bath can be good…
“Do you want to go to Russia?” When Robert Stephenson, a senior civil servant in the U.K. was asked this question in February 1992, he had no idea how it would change his life. But he immediately said, “Yes” and only after a moment asked the more important question: “Why?” The “why” turned out to…
As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world. Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from…
St. Petersburg is set to open a sprawling, immersive theme park that will bring iconic Russian writer Alexander Pushkin’s fairy tales and poems to life in 2023. Considered the founder of modern Russian literature, Pushkin wrote some of Russia’s most famous fairy tales and epic poems and remained popular through Soviet times and into the…
As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world. Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from…
Soviet and Russian filmmaker Konstantin Bromberg — director of the children’s cult movies “The Adventures of the Robot Electronic” and “Wizards” — died in the United States at the age of 80 on Jan. 10. This was announced by Mikhail Idov, Russian director and screenwriter, on his Facebook page. Bromberg spent his last years in…