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A Moscow court has ordered the parents of deceased Russian singer Zhanna Friske to return 21.6 million rubles to a charity.

‘Always Ready!’ 95 Years of the Soviet Union’s Pioneers

The Soviet Union’s Pioneer Organization marks its 95th anniversary today, May 19, 2017. The Moscow Times looks back at the Soviet Union’s “always ready” children.

Russia’s National Guard to Monitor Social Networks

Russia’s National Guard is planning to train IT experts and specialists to monitor social networks, the Interfax news agency reported Friday, citing first deputy commander of the National Guard Sergei Melikov.

No Charges in Attack on Volunteer Firefighters

An investigation into a violent attack on environmental activists last year has ended without any arrests or charges.

Happy Russian Anniversary To Me

When you begin to study a foreign language, at first you are struck by all the differences. But then slowly but surely something really strange happens. It begins to make sense.

Tretyakov Gallery to Open Third Moscow Campus in 2019

Russia’s iconic Tretyakov gallery is set to open its third Moscow campus by the end of 2019.

Cannes Film Festival to roll out red carpet lineup for 70th anniversary

Russia is being represented in two categories, Loveless in the main one and in the Special View category Kantemir Balagov’s Closeness The 70th International Cannes Film Festival is set to open on Wednesday in Cote d’Azur, France. Russian movie director Andrey Zvyagintsev is taking part in the main competition of the festival with his motion…

Cannes Film Festival fashion trends through the years

This event is one of the most prestigious film gatherings in the world The Cannes Film Festival, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, kicks off on today. It was founded in 1946 and is held at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres. More: //tass.com/society/946278

Putin vows support for Islamic World

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of greetings to the participants in the meeting of the Russia – Islamic World strategic vision group and the Ninth International Economic Summit dubbed Russia – Islamic World. The message has been published on the Kremlin website on Wednesday. “Today, many Muslim countries are facing serious challenges,…

Sotheby’s sells diamond earrings for record $57 million

One earing is decorated with a pink diamond, the other – with a blue one A pair of mismatched earrings – one with a blue diamond and the other with a pink one – went under hammer in Geneva at a record-breaking price of more than $57 million, the Sotheby’s auction house said. David Bennett,…

Work of Art

Arts professor John Lavell’s last big project is to establish a British arts school in Moscow. He spoke to The Moscow Times about his background in art, his work – and his random approach to discovering Moscow.

For Russia, Oil Pact Extension Falls Short of a Home Run

Russia wants to extend oil production restrictions to drive up prices. In reality, it has few other choices.

Museum Night: Moscow calls on culture to win ‘battle of the sofa’

Once celebrated as the city of 1,000 churches, these days Moscow is a city of museums. On the evening of May 20, over 200 museums, galleries, and art schools will open their doors to the public for the 11th annual “Museum Night”

In the Name of God: Atheists in Russia Under Fire (Op-ed)

A recent court case demonstrates that the Russian church has teamed up with the state to take aim at atheists.

Soviet cinema sex symbol Oleg Vidov dies in US

Soviet actor Oleg Vidov has died on May 16 in Westlake Village, California, at the age of 73 Soviet cinema sex symbol of his generation Oleg Vidov has died on Tuesday in his home in Westlake Village, California, USA at the age of 73, his widow Joan Borsten told TASS. According to Borsten, her husband…

More than half of Russians see ‘no threat’ in North Korea’s nuclear program

According to a survey, 50% of the respondents said the US, on the other hand, posed a threat to Russia related with the risk of using weapons of mass destruction ore than half of Russians believe that North Korea’s weapons, should they ever materialize, will not pose a threat to Russia’s national interests, as follows…

Russia – Islamic World strategic vision group to have conference in Grozny

The sides will pay special attention to the prospects for economic cooperation between Russia and Moslem nations Russia – Islamic World strategic vision group will hold the third conference in Chechnya’s capital Grozny on May 16 and May 17. The heads of regions making up the North Caucasus Federal District, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan and officials from…

Russian scientists to take part in international Arctic drift expedition

The Polarstern, or the Polar Star, vessel was built in Germany’s Kiel and Rendsburg in 1982 especially for Arctic and Antarctic research Russian scientists will take part in the international MOSAiC Arctic Drift expedition onboard the Polarstern research vessel, Alexander Makarov of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology…

Court rejects complaint against termination of proceedings in St. Isaac’s Cathedral case

The Administrative Division of the St. Petersburg City Court has ruled that the primary court’s decision should remain unchanged The Administrative Division of the St. Petersburg City Court has rejected a complaint against the primary court’s decision to terminate the proceedings in the case concerning the handover of St. Isaac’s Cathedral to the Russian Orthodox…

Moscow Marriage Registry Bans ‘Inconvenient’ Music and Food

Moscow registry offices have banned live music and champagne receptions for “disrupting officials’ work.”

Moscow Officials Vote on Home Demolition Plan Despite Prosecutors’ Warnings

The Moscow government will vote on new changes to the capital’s controversial home demolition program, despite city prosecutors slamming the law as “unclear.”

Muscovites Say Developer Profits and Money Laundering Is Behind Home Demolition Scheme

Muscovites say money-laundering and profiteering are the driving forces behind the government’s city-wide demolition scheme, a report released by state-run pollster VTsIOM has revealed.

News and Openings

Clothing in an art squat, burgers at the butcher, steak specialists, and culinary students serving up breakfast all day long.

Arts & CultureBy admin May 15, 2017

The True Story Behind Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Her Mixed-Up Files

Fifty years ago, author E.L. Konigsburg wrote her children’s literature classic that highlighted the wonder of museums

Take a ride down memory lane through Moscow’s amazing subway system

On May 15, 1935 the first line of the Moscow Metro, connecting Sokolniki to Park Kultury, was opened to the public On May 15, 1935 the first line of the Moscow Metro, connecting Sokolniki to Park Kultury, was opened to the public. It was 11 kilometres long and included 13 stations. As of 2017, the…

Putin says he has no regrets about Russia’s decision not to take part in Eurovision

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the decision not to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest was correct and that he has no regrets about it. “As for Eurovision, those who wanted to watch it could do so online. I believe that our agencies involved in that process did the right thing when…

Telegram App to Refuse Russia’s Data Demands

The company behind messaging app Telegram has said it will not hand over information to the Russian state amid reports of government pressure to give up company data.

Monorail to Disappear From Moscow’s Skies

Moscow’s monorail will disappear from the city’s skies as part of new renovation work, City Hall has announced.

The City of Moscow Has Its Own Propaganda Empire

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin takes the tricks Russia plays on foreign audiences and puts them to use against his own constituents.

Hong Kong: Chinese Fusion Up in the Air

Hong Kong at the Holiday Inn Sokolniki continues the culinary syncretism of its namesake, drawing on modern Western trends for dishes Europeans would expect on a Chinese menu.

7 Outdoor Activities To Keep You in Shape in Moscow This Summer

With the promise of summer around the corner, it’s time to get out and make the most of the outdoors. Adrenaline junkie? Fitness freak? Just looking to make friends? Moscow has a wealth of options on offer.

Ukraine to Block Russian Social Media in Sweeping Sanctions

Ukraine will block several major Russian websites, including VKontakte and Odnoklassniki. The social networks are popular across the former Soviet Union.

Moscow authorities pledge to be mindful of people’s concerns over housing renovation bill

Some 8,000 people gathered on Sunday on Moscow’s central Prospect Sakharova Avenue to protest against the bill Moscow’s city authorities have pledged to be mindful of people’s concerns voiced at Sunday’s rally against a controversial bill on resettling residents of Soviet-era five-storey apartment blocks in the Russian capital. “We will be attentive to all meaningful…

Putin plays two songs about Moscow and St. Petersburg during China visit

The Russian president played the melody of the song “Moscow Windows” and “The City Over the Free Neva” Russian President Vladimir Putin has played the melodies of two popular songs about Moscow and St. Petersburg on the piano during his visit to China on Sunday. The Russian president played the melody of the song “Moscow…

Russia’s ‘Mad Men’: The Soviet New Wave Meets Hollywood

New TV show ‘The Optimists’ gives an insight into the workings of the USSR Foreign Ministry.

Arts & CultureBy admin May 14, 2017

Five Can’t-Miss Summer Light Festivals

From Sydney to Providence, the world will be set aglow with millions of lights this season

Oil Prices Rise as Russia and Saudi Pledge Continued Production Limits

Russia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to continue limiting oil production until the end of March 2018.

Singer Salvador Sobral of Portugal won the 2017

Salvador Sobral of Portugal wins 2017 Eurovision song contest in Kiev

27-year-old Sobral performed with the song Amar Pelos Dios (Love for Two), composed and written by his sister Luisa Singer Salvador Sobral of Portugal won the 2017 Eurovision song contest that ended in Ukraine’s capital Kiev early on Sunday. 27-year-old Sobral, who was seen as the frontrunner of the contest by European bookmakers, performed with…

Muscovites Rally Against Demolition of Post-War Apartments

At least 8,000 marched in the streets of Moscow on Sunday to protest against the demolition of the capital’s four and five-story residential buildings.

Final of Eurovision song contest begins in Ukraine’s Kiev

The event will gather contestants from 26 states The Grand Final of the international Eurovision song contest began in Ukraine’s capital Kiev on Saturday evening. The event will gather contestants from 26 states, including 20 qualifiers from the two semifinals, held in Kiev on May 9 and 11. The host nation Ukraine, as well as…

Russian presence at 57th Venice Biennale ‘largest ever,’ says curator

“I have never seen as many Russian projects, parties, events and presentations as this time,” the commissioner of the Russian pavilion in Venice, Semyon Mikhailovsky stated The 57th International Art Exhibition – Venice Biennale, titled Viva Arte Viva, opened for public on Saturday. It also features 86 national participations, including Russia, whose presence this time…

School offering Russian as second language to open in Manhattan

Two Russian-language classes will open in September A school where school subjects will be taught both in Russian and in English will open in Manhattan the next school year, the president of the Russian American Cultural Heritage Center, Olga Zatsepina, told TASS on Friday. She said a new program will be launched at school 145,…

Russia’s health ministry says virus attacks repelled

Numerous ransomware attacks were reported worldwide on May 12, 2017 Russia’s Health Ministry has repelled virus attacks on its computers, an aide to Minister Nikita Odintsov wrote on his Twitter account. “I hereby inform you that @MINZDRAV_RF (Health Ministry of the Russian Federation – TASS) has effectively repelled the attacks and closed vulnerabilities,” he said.…

No data leaks caused by virus attack on Russian Interior Ministry’s computers

According to Volk, the Ministry’s server resources were not infected as it uses different operation systems and locally-made servers on Russia’s Elbrus microprocessor The virus attack on the Russian Interior Ministry’s computers caused no information leaks, the Ministry’s Spokeswoman Irina Volk informed TASS. “As of now the virus has been localized. There have been no…

Sberbank reports attempted virus attacks on its infrastructure

“The system has not been infected by viruses,” the bank’s press service told TASS One of Russia’s biggest banks, Sberbank, said on Friday it has registered attempted hacker attacks on its infrastructure. “Information security systems timely registered attempts at penetrating into the bank’s infrastructure. The bank’s network has a system if protection against such attacks.…

Russian Journalists’ Union asks US counterparts to stick to professional standards

The photos of the US president’s meeting with the Russian foreign minister presented by TASS photographer Aleksandr Shcherbak triggered an unexpectedly harsh response from some US mass media The Russian Journalists’ Union has called upon the US counterparts to stick to the principles of professionalism in defiance of twists and turns in current politics. The…

Moscow Patriarch’s visit to US on horizon, says Church official

A visit to the U.S. by the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill I is on the horizon, metropolitan Ilarion, the chief of Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external Church relations told TASS on Thursday on the sidelines of the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians, currently held in Washington at the initiative of…

News Feed Putin expects reconstruction of Bethlehem’s Old City to increase tourist flow

The reconstruction of Bethlehem’s Old City will increase tourist inflow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said following talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. The Russian president pointed out that “the development of humanitarian ties has always played an important role in cooperation between Russia and Palestine.” Putin pointed to the cultural projects implemented recently, particularly mentioning…

Poll shows more than 82% approve of Putin’s work

A total of 52.8% of Russians praise Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s activities A total of 82.1% of Russians approve of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s performance, and 52.8% praise Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s activities, a survey conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center shows. Sociologists note that in late April the Russian president enjoyed a…

Archaeologists still searching for answers to treasure mystery hidden in chess figure

Archaeologists in downtown Moscow have dug up a trove dating back to the days of Ivan the Terrible Coins dating back to the times of Ivan the Terrible could have been hidden in an ivory chess bishop from thieves or robbers, head of Moscow’s Cultural Heritage Department, Alexey Yemelyanov, stated on Thursday commenting on a…

Russian blogger gets 3.5-year suspended sentence for ‘catching Pokemon’ in church

The court found Ruslan Sokolovsky guilty of inciting hatred, insulting religious feelings and illegal possession of special technical means – a pen with a video camera A court in Russia’s Urals city of Yekaterinburg handed down a 3.5-year suspended sentence to blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky who played the popular Pokemon Go game in a local church,…

Blogger who played Pokemon Go in Russian church found guilty on all counts

The court found Ruslan Sokolovsky guilty of inciting hatred, violating religious feelings and illegal possession of special technical means – a pen with a video camera A court in Russia’s Urals city Yekaterinburg ruled on Thursday that blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky, who played the popular Pokemon Go game in a local church, is guilty on all…

Around eight million people take part in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow

As many as 6,000 people, particularly war veterans, were present at Red Square during the military parade Around 8,000,000 people took part in the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, marking the 72nd anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, the press service of the city security and…

Kremlin puzzled by reports of ‘mandatory participation’ in Immortal Regiment march

Earlier in the day, Russian Interior Ministry informed TASS that more than 24.5 million people took part in Victory Day celebrations across the country Reports about alleged obligatory participation in the ‘Immortal Regiment’ march might raise eyebrows as the march is so popular that no additional measures are needed to attract people, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry…

Double Dutch

Love brought businessman Erik Jansma to Moscow. He isn’t against staying.

NewsBy admin May 11, 2017

Muscovites Offered Cash Compensation in Housing Demolition Scheme

Muscovites forced from their homes under a controversial demolition scheme will be able to choose between cash or a replacement apartment

Arts & CultureBy admin May 11, 2017

On Restaurant Day in Helsinki, Unofficial Pop-up Eateries Take Over Everything from Home Kitchens to Tattoo Shops

It’s a warm day in May, and a group of locals are gathered on an upper floor of a Helsinki flat that’s undergoing construction—its walls covered with sheets, with tools strewn throughout. In one room, a group of strangers is seated upon floor cushions, each of them holding a piece of cardboard with a number…

NewsBy admin May 11, 2017

It’s Nearly Summer, and Maybe It’s Snowing in Moscow

Theater Companie Philippe Genty: Inner Landscapes Chekhov Theater Festival Wed. Jun. 07Fri. Jun. 09 Mossovet Theater 06:00 p.m. French choreographer, marionettes master, theater director, and author Philippe Genty stages a poetry odyssey based on his memories, dreams, and travels. Details and tickets at https://www.chekhovfest.ru/en Read more Read more

NewsBy admin May 11, 2017

Kremlin Search Engine Sputnik Could Close Amid Massive Losses — Reports

Russia’s Kremlin-backed search engine could soon close after capturing less than one percent of the country’s online market.