Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • National Guard’s aircraft mows down moose while landing in central Russian airstrip

    National Guard’s aircraft mows down moose while landing in central Russian airstrip

    Presumably, the moose could have trespassed into the airport’s territory due to the negligence of construction workers who were building a fence around the airfield A plane belonging to Russia’s National Guard struck and killed a moose while landing at Yermolino airport in the Kaluga Region in central Russia, a source in the airport told…

  • Emir Kusturica to perform in Crimea in July

    Emir Kusturica to perform in Crimea in July

    Emir Kusturica is a Serbian director whose works have earned him a Golden Palm at the Cannes, a Silver Bear from the Berlin Film Festival and a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival Renowned Serbian director and musician Emir Kusturica and his folk and rock band The No Smoking Orchestra will put on the…

  • Moscow senior suspects son-in-law pilfered his Stradivari violin

    Moscow senior suspects son-in-law pilfered his Stradivari violin

    A 17th century violin might have been replaced with a false one “A lawyer called the police representing a 78-year-old man. According to the attorney, his client said that his 17th century violin had been replaced with a fake one. The musical instrument was kept in his daughter’s flat on Maly Kislovsky Street. However, during…

  • Leader of Russian Women’s Union speaks against gender quotas at civil service

    Leader of Russian Women’s Union speaks against gender quotas at civil service

    A Russian senator stresses gender equality at the civil service should be supported by principles of professionalism and not by the establishment of legislative quotas Gender equality at Russia’s civil service should be supported by principles of professionalism and not by the establishment of legislative quotas, member of the Federation Council and Chairman of Russian…

  • The Long and Winding Road of Yoko Ono’s Art

    The Long and Winding Road of Yoko Ono’s Art

    A Hirshhorn exhibition of four works opens the same week Ono is credited, 46 years later, as a co-writer of the chart-topping ballad “Imagine.”

  • Cómo Los Científicos y Grupos Indígenas Pueden Aliarse Para Proteger Los Bosques y el Clima

    Cómo Los Científicos y Grupos Indígenas Pueden Aliarse Para Proteger Los Bosques y el Clima

    Related Content How Scientists And Indigenous Groups Can Team Up to Protect Forests and Climate San People of South Africa Issue Code of Ethics for Researchers The Supposedly Pristine, Untouched Amazon Rainforest Was Actually Shaped By Humans The Best Way to Protect the World’s Forests? Keep People in Them Read the English version of this…

  • The Musical Legacy Behind the Tupac Biopic ‘All Eyez on Me’

    Curator Dwandalyn Reece from the Smithsonian’s African American Museum investigates

  • Game On: Russia’s Cyber Athletes Have Asian Rivals in Their Sights

    In a dimly lit hotel room, a pack of 20-year-olds in sweatsuits stare into computer screens lining the wall. But this is much more than your average college party: these are Russia’s cybersport superstars.

  • Oligarch Buys Independent Russian News Outlet RBC

    Independent Russian news outlet RBC has been bought by oligarch Grigory Berezkin, Russia’s Dozhd television channel reported Friday.

  • Sizzling Hot: Five Exhibits Where You Can Glimpse the Cutting Edge of International Art

    Our selection of the best contemporary art exhibitions to see in Moscow right now.

  • Sizzling Hot

    Our selection of the best contemporary art exhibitions to see in Moscow right now.

  • Hosting FIFA’s Confederations Cup Tests Russia on Security, Infrastructure

    Russia is introducing tough security measures ahead of the Confederations Cup

  • The Russians Are Coming: How NYC Came to Obsess Over Moscow (Op-ed)

    Up to 82 percent of U.S. adults now see Russia as a threat.

  • Russian Yacht Seized Off North Korean Coast – Reports

    The Russian Foreign Ministry is investigating reports that a Russian yacht was seized in the Sea of Japan on Wednesday by a North Korean ship.

  • Petit Cafe: Moscow’s Melting Pot

    Risk-taking marinades and eclectic ingredients eclipse the French classics at this new restaurant near Kropotkinskaya.

  • These Uncensored Questions Gatecrashed Putin’s Annual Call-In Marathon

    President Putin’s annual question and answer session is a carefully choreographed affair. And then some uncomfortable questions snuck onscreen.

  • Putin Stops Short of Confirming Re-Election Campaign

    At his annual “Direct Line” question and answer session broadcast live on television, Russian President Vladimir Putin stopped short of announcing he will run for the presidency in elections scheduled for March.

  • Putin Says Anti-Corruption Protesters ‘Are Only Doing It for Publicity’

    Russia’s nation-wide anti-corruption protests have already led to hundreds of arrests. But Russian President Vladimir Putin remained mostly silent on these matters — until very late into his annual telethon.

  • Collection of porcelain and glassware of the XVIII-XXI centuries

    Collection of porcelain and glassware of the XVIII-XXI centuries

    Peter and Paul Fortress, Petrovskaya Curtain Wall (left side) Exhibition from the collection of ceramics and glassware of the State Museum of History of St Petersburg is about 5000 objects of porcelain and glassware of Russian and West European production. The collection of ceramics and glassware of the State Museum of the History of St…

  • Collection of furniture of the XVIII – early XX century

    Collection of furniture of the XVIII – early XX century

    In 2013 a permanent exhibition “Collection of furniture of the XVIII – early XX century” was opened for visitors. The collection is taken from the decorative and applied arts fund of the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg. The decorative and applied arts fund collection of the State Museum of the History of…

  • Secret House

    Secret House

    For 200 years the Shlisselburg Fortress “Oreshek”, situated on a small island in the river Neva’s outflow fr om Lake Ladoga, was used as a political prison. The first prison building – the Secret House (also known as The Old Prison) – was constructed in the citadel to the design of the architect Peter Paton.…

  • New Prison

    New Prison

    For 200 years the Shlisselburg Fortress “Oreshek”, situated on a small island in the river Neva’s outflow fr om Lake Ladoga, was used as a political prison. The first prison building on the territory of the fortress was the Secret House, wh ere participants of the Decembrists Revolt were confined. The New Prison was built…

  • The Rumyantsev Mansion and its Owners

    The Rumyantsev Mansion and its Owners

    The history of the mansion from its construction in 1730s – 1740s till the end of the twentieth century is shown by documents, architectural designs, photographs, portraits and family coat of arms of its owners, materials on restoration works in the building.

  • The NEP. The Image of the City and Man

    The NEP. The Image of the City and Man

    The NEP was the New Economic Policy introduced by the Soviet Government in 1921 – 1929 to prevent the Russian economy fr om collapsing. The NEP allowed small businesses to reopen for private profit while the state continued to control large industries, banks and foreign trade. The display in the Rumyantsev Mansion tells about the…

  • From Weekdays to Holidays – Urban Sketches from the 1930s

    From Weekdays to Holidays – Urban Sketches from the 1930s

    The 1930s in Russia was the time of five-year plans, true enthusiasm in work and fundamental reorganisation of the Leningrad industrial basis. The exhibition features samples of goods, produced at the city enterprises, and models of different structures and devices. The process of rapid industrialization involved intensification of labour and restriction of discipline. The country…

  • Literary Display

    Literary Display

    A literary display in the last flat of Alexander Blok, which he and his wife were compelled to move into owing to the Bolshvist policy of compression, was opened in 2005. The exhibition explores the life and work of Alexander Blok in the broad context of artistic life in St. Petersburg – Petrograd of 1920s…

  • Alexander Blok and his Circle

    Alexander Blok and his Circle

    In 2008 State Museum of the History of St Petersburg launched a new display entitled “Alexander Blok and his Circle”, based on the museum collection and memorial items from the Institute of Russian Literature in St Petersburg. Items connected with the poet’s family and literary circle, including numerous autographs, books, portraits, drawings and personal belongings,…

  • Memorial Display

    Memorial Display

    Memorial display is located on the third floor of the flat 21, which was occupied by Alexander Blok and his wife from 1912 to 1920. This flat is connected with the most fruitful period of his work. Here he wrote the cycles of poems «Of What the Wind Sings», «The Life of My Friend», «Black…

  • Permanent Display of the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad

    Permanent Display of the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad

    Permanent display of the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad is located beneath the monument. Mosaic triptych “The Siege of 1941” by Sergey Repin, Ivan Uralov and Nikita Fomin depicts volunteers leaving for the war, women working at the factory in besieged city, and the portrait of Dmitry Shostakovich, who wrote his famous Symphony…

  • Sergey Kirov Memorial Flat

    Sergey Kirov Memorial Flat

    The twelve-room apartment memorial flat of the Leningrad Communist Party Leader has been preserved till present. The interior decoration of the study, the library, the small workshop and the bedroom came to our time almost unchanged; the kitchen, the second entrance hall and the housemaid’s room have been reconstructed. A collection of Kirov’s clothes, hunting…

  • Permanent display in the Mikhail Matyushin’s House

    Permanent display in the Mikhail Matyushin’s House

    Permanent display in the Mikhail Matyushin’s House focuses on the main stages of the development of avant-garde culture in Russia and shows the diversity of St. Petersburg avant-garde art of the 1920s – 1930s. On display are memorabilia of the Matyushin’s family, paintings and drawings by Mikhail Matiushin, Elena Guro, Alexey Remizov, Nikolay Kulbin, Vladimir…

  • Publishing and Printing in the Early 20th Century

    Publishing and Printing in the Early 20th Century

    The exhibition features the newspaper-making process. A collection of old printing equipment of the edge of the 19th – 20th centuries is displayed in the publishing room.

  • History of Printing in St Petersburg in the 18th Century

    History of Printing in St Petersburg in the 18th Century

    Books and newspapers published in the first publishing houses of St Petersburg, as well as documents dedicated to the history of printing, are on display here. The interior of the room is designed in the style of a library.

  • Musical Salon

    Musical Salon

    The exhibition features the history of the house now occupied by the museum. Visitors will have an opportunity to see the interior of the drawing-room and the study of a well-to-do citizen of St Petersburg, the owner of a rich collection of musical instruments.

  • Great citizen: direct speech

    Great citizen: direct speech

    27.10.2016-30.07.2017 from 27 October 2016 to 30 July 2017 Exhibition is dedicated to 130th Anniversary of Sergei Kirov  

  • Houses of Peter the Great

    Houses of Peter the Great

    26.12.2016-01.09.2017 The exhibition tells about the residential houses and palaces, existant and the ones that were demolished, where the first Russian Emperor Peter I stopped during his journeys.

  • Kronstadt Stories-2. Archive

    Kronstadt Stories-2. Archive

    07.06.2017-02.07.2017 The North-Western Branch of the National Center for Contemporary Arts – ROSIZO presents the exhibition of the participants of the Art Residence Program in Kronstadt. Eight projects created by the guests of the Art Residence in 2016 will be presented at the exhibition “Kronstadt Stories-2.Archive” at the State Museum of the History of Saint…

  • Presentation of the project “Corpus Coranicum Petropolitana” in Budapest

    Presentation of the project “Corpus Coranicum Petropolitana” in Budapest

    On May 5, 2017 in the framework of representative scientific conference “Paleo-Qur’anic Manuscripts: state of the field” organized by Center for Religious Studies, Institute for Advanced Studies of Central European University in Budapest Efim Rezvan and Anna Kudriavtceva presented the report “Corpus Coranicum Petropolitana: current results and perspectives of the new Russian Qur’anic project”. A…

  • Preliminary results of the international historical and ethnographic expedition following the project “The Material world of the Qur’an (the everyday life of Arabia in the Prophet’s time)”

    Preliminary results of the international historical and ethnographic expedition following the project “The Material world of the Qur’an (the everyday life of Arabia in the Prophet’s time)”

    17.04.2017 n March 15—31, 2017 in the framework of the project “The Material world of the Qur’an (the everyday life of Arabia in the Prophet’s time)” being realized by Saint-Petersburg Kunstkamera Museum, Leiden Institute for Rational Monotheism (President – Aslbek Musin) and the journal “Manuscripta Orientalia” the international historical and ethnographic expedition was brought to…

  • 2nd International conference “Jewish Diasporas in Europe and Beyond: Fieldwork and Source Studies”

    2nd International conference “Jewish Diasporas in Europe and Beyond: Fieldwork and Source Studies”

    20.12.2016 Dear colleagues and friends! We are happy to announce the call for papers for the 2nd International conference “Jewish Diasporas in Europe and Beyond: Fieldwork and Source Studies” that is organized by the Department of European Studies at Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) RAS. The conference will be held in our Museum (Saint-Petersburg, Russia)…

  • “Manuscripta Orientalia” is included in SCOPUS

    “Manuscripta Orientalia” is included in SCOPUS

    On December 12, 2016 the Editorial Board of “Manuscripta Orientalia. International Journal for Oriental MSS Research” received an official letter confirming that the journal has been evaluated for inclusion in SCOPUS by the Content Selection & Advisory Board (CSAB). The letter says in particular: “This is a well organized journal with an excellent editorial policy, and…

  • Georgy Shishkin

    Georgy Shishkin

    28.06.2017 —31.07.2017 The personal exhibition of Georgy Shishkin comprises his major artistic cycles among which are “Russian dreams” – which was first presented in 1990s in Paris, Cannes, Monaco and other cities and brought the artist wide popularity; paintings dedicated to the Ballets Russes and Sergei Diaghilev; works consecrated to the Russian history and portraits…

  • Victor Borisov-Musatov and the “Blue Rose” Society

    Victor Borisov-Musatov and the “Blue Rose” Society

    02.03.2017 —19.06.2017 The art of Victor Borisov-Musatov (1870-1905), one of the leading masters of Russian symbolism,  is presented in St.Michael’s Castle in context of his activity in the artistic society “Blue Rose”, the first exhibition of which dates back to 1907, 110 years ago. The variety of symbolist articulation in the oeuvre of Borisov-Musatov and artists…

  • Structures

    Structures

    06.04.2017  — 07.08.2017 The project that includes art pieces from 1960s to present time is aimed to investigate the concept of the structure (from Latin structura ‎- a fitting together, adjustment, building). Seen as characteristics of the form it acquires pure philosophical meaning. The large-scale and profound “discussion on formalism” will be carried out in the exhibition spaces…

  • New U.S. Sanctions on Russia Jeopardize Trump – Putin Dialogue (Op-ed)

    President Putin has two options: retaliate in kind, and forfeit hopes for repairing ties with Washington, or risk being exposed as weak in defense of Russia’s interests.

  • Vasily Vereshchagin. To the 175th Anniversary of the Artist

    Vasily Vereshchagin. To the 175th Anniversary of the Artist

    20.04.2017 – 24.07.2017 The exhibition is dedicated to the 175-th anniversary of Vasily Vereshchagin, world-known Russian artist famous mainly for his battle pieces. The exhibition will comprise over 220 works from the collection of the Russian museum, State Tretyakov gallery and other museums of Russia. Along with the acclaimed paintings of the Turkestan and Balkan…

  • The Art of Novgorod the Great in the Time of Prelate Macarius

    The Art of Novgorod the Great in the Time of Prelate Macarius

    27.04.2017—14.08.2017 The XVI century in Novgorod’s art history is a time of true rise but it still never had been an object of a special exhibition project and shown as a whole artistic phenomenon. The goal of the exhibition is to gather art pieces of the epoch of prelate Macarius, archbishop of Novgorod (1526-1542), metropolitan of…

  • Anna Azbel. Childhood Portrayed

    Anna Azbel. Childhood Portrayed

    24.05.2017—10.07.2017 The Russian Museum presents the personal exhibition of the photographer Anna Azbel “Childhood Portrayed”. Kid’s photography requires specific approach – not only technical skill, knowledge and good circumstances. In many respects, it demands sincerity, mutual trust and willingness of the photographer to experience the moment of collaboration with the child. Performing genre scenes or…

  • Hunt Slonem

    Hunt Slonem

    25.05.2017—26.06.2017 Hunt Slonem is one of the most remarkable representatives of American neo-expressionism. His formation as an artist was mostly completed during his education at the prestigious Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine. In 1973 he moved to Manhattan, where he currently works and lives. His first individual exhibition opened in 1977 and…

  • Program of the Xth Imperial Gardens of Russia International Festival

    Program of the Xth Imperial Gardens of Russia International Festival

    9.06.2017-18.06.2017 9 June (Friday) 2:00 pm The Mikhailovsky Garden opens for visitors 3:00 pm Master class “Avant-Garde and a Synthesis of Arts: Collage” from the Avant-Garde Floral Arts series from the FO-MI company (Larisa Reshetova, florist) 4:00 pm Scientific edutainment show “The Chemical Palette of Knowledge” by Physic’sLand, a student club from the University of Information Technology,…

  • Xth Imperial Gardens of Russia International Festival

    Xth Imperial Gardens of Russia International Festival

    9.06.2017-18.06.2017 The Imperial Gardens of Russia Festival will celebrate its 10th year in the Mikhailovsky Garden of the Russian Museum from 9 to 18 June 2017, tickets for which can be purchased only at St. Petersburg KASSIR.RU outlets. The cost of the tickets range from 50 to 600 rubles, depending on the category. AVANTGARDENS is…

  • Changes in the shedule of the Mikhailovsky Garden from June 5 to 9

    Changes in the shedule of the Mikhailovsky Garden from June 5 to 9

    5.06.2017 – 9.06.2017 Dear guests! From June 5 to June 9 the Mikhailovsky Garden will be closed due to preparation to the Xth Imperial Gardens of Russia International Festival. On June 9 the garden is open from 2 p.m. Please accept our apologies for any inconveniences.

  • Mikhail Piotrovsky Awarded the State Prize of Russia

    Mikhail Piotrovsky Awarded the State Prize of Russia

    17.06.2017 Mikhail Piotrovsky, General Director of the State Hermitage, has been awarded the State Prize of Russia for his contribution to the preservation of national and world cultural heritage. The decree on the award of State Prizes for 2016 in the field of literature and art was signed by the President of the Russian Federation,…

  • The State Hermitage explains

    The State Hermitage explains

    05.07.2017 From the moment of its foundation, the Hermitage was a museum that collected and displayed contemporary art. Thanks to this, today the museum’s stocks include acknowledged masterpieces that form an important part of the world’s cultural heritage. Continuing this tradition, the museum keeps a close watch on tendencies in the world of contemporary art…

  • Visit to the State Hermitage by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

    Visit to the State Hermitage by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

    02.06.2017 On 2 June 2017, Mr Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, made a visit to the State Hermitage. The delegation was met on the Council Staircase by Georgy Vadimovich Vilinbakhov, Deputy General Director of the State Hermitage for Research. During the official visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acquainted himself with the…

  • Kamchatka Villagers Warned After Volcano Erupts in Russia’s Far East

    Villagers in Russia’s Far Eastern region of Kamchatka have been warned not to leave their homes after a volcanic eruption showered the area in waves of ash.

  • Formal Presentation of Gifts to the Museum by a Bolivian Delegation

    Formal Presentation of Gifts to the Museum by a Bolivian Delegation

    02.06.2017 On 2 June 2017 gifts were formally made to the State Hermitage by a delegation from Bolivia. The donations were presented by Alejandro Serrate, Russian Honorary Consul in the Santa Cruz Department of Bolivia, and Ruben Costas, Governor of the Santa Cruz Department. Among the gifts were a set of present-day and historical (1920s–60s)…

  • 20th International Theoretical and Practical Conference “Fashion and Design: Historical Experience – New Technologies”

    20th International Theoretical and Practical Conference “Fashion and Design: Historical Experience – New Technologies”

    02.06.2017 On 31 May 2017, the Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Centre was the venue for a plenary session of the 20th International Theoretical and Practical Conference “Fashion and Design: Historical Experience – New Technologies”. The conference was held in conjunction with the Russian Ethnographic Museum and Saint Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and…

  • International Seminar on The Art of Restoration

    International Seminar on The Art of Restoration

    01.06.2017 On 30 May 2017, an international seminar “The Art of Restoration” opened in the State Hermitage devoted to research in the field of restoration and matters relating to the use of traditional and modern restoration methods. peeches of welcome were given by Deputy General Director and Chief Curator of the State Hermitage Svetlana Borisovna…

  • Eifman Ballet on the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre

    Eifman Ballet on the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre

    Six performances, thirteen shows! All they will took place in the sanctuary of the ballet theatre – on the Historical stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. The tour program is impressive – four performances which interpret the view of the choreographer and his artists on the outstanding works of Russian and world literature. Heroes of Pushkin,…

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