A Thirsty Journalist Takes on the World Cup’s Beer Ban
On match days, host cities are restricting sales of alcohol.
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The Cranky Tourist’s Russian Phrasebook
Do not believe Russian phrasebooks. They lie. Believe me instead.
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For Putin, Sport Is a State Affair (Op-ed)
It is victory at any cost, because victory has political significance.
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The Dacha Diaries: At the Grill
What do Russians do at the dacha all weekend? They make a feast. Here’s a primer on shashlyk, aka kabobs, Russian style.
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Crossing Russia on the Trans-Peruvian
Thousands of foreign football fans are making long-distance journeys across Russia this month.
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‘New Flight to Solaris’ Lands in Italy
The first major exhibition of Soviet non-conformist art in Europe opened in Florence, Italy.
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Graffiti Turns Streets Into Galleries
Over the past decade, Muscovites’ perceptions of graffiti have changed
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Unusual Tours and New Perspectives
Travel guides offer imaginative packages and fresh ways to see Russia
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Moscow’s World Cup Face-Lift Is Only Skin Deep (Op-ed)
Russia is determined to use the World Cup to polish its tarnished international image.
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Glitz and Gossip at the Bakhrushin Theater Museum
The Moscow Times Club toured the Bakhrushin Theater Museum, where everyone was awed by the exhibits and the extraordinary building that houses them.
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Street Artist Banksy Finally Comes to Moscow
Works by the enigmatic street artist Bansky are on display at the Central House of Artists.
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The Dangerous Legacy of Keeping Russia’s World Cup Safe (Op-ed)
Russia has ramped up security measures for the World Cup, but the costs involved may be unsustainable.
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Pushkin House Celebrates Russia on the Page
This year the Pushkin House Prize was awarded to books that are witnesses to Russian history, past and present.
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A Butterfly on the Football Field
Butterflies, roses, mouse-traps… say what? In honor of the World Cup, I unlock some of the mysteries of Russian football fan slang.
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What Lies Beneath Russia’s World Cup Glam and Glitter? (Op-ed)
Russia today is at its most repressive since the Soviet era.
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Fear Not the Honeypot (Op-ed)
Why Russia is safe for World Cup fans — and why the West thinks it isn’t.
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“Summer” Brings 1980s Russian Rock ‘n’ Roll to Life
Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Summer” (“Leto”) is more than a biopic about Victor Tsoi and the Leningrad rock scene.
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While Mo Salah Sleeps in Grozny (Op-ed)
The World Cup is another chance for Putin to shore up ties with regimes in the Middle East at the West’s expense.
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Russia’s Forgotten Football Dreams (Op-ed)
A lot has changed for Russia since it bid to host the World Cup.
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Russian Grammar? Really?
Do you mutter and slur and cough to hide uncertain grammatical forms? There’s no shame in that. Admit it. The Grammar Doctor will see you now.
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On North Korea, Trump Has Putin Playing Second Fiddle (Op-ed)
Moscow is pulling out all the stops to get a seat at the table.
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Run in Color For Summer
Free on Sunday? How about taking part in Moscow’s most fun running event?
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Seven Summer Russian Arts Festivals
Get out your calendars and start planning. It’s an arty summer outside the Russian capital.
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Film Director Kira Muratova Dies at 83
The award-winning screenwriter and film director passed away at her home on Wednesday evening.
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Russia Extends Austria Gas Deal to 2040 After Putin’s Visit
Russia’s gas giant Gazprom and Austria’s OMV energy company signed a new deal to extend Russian gas supplies to Austria through to 2040. The deal was signed on the day of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Vienna, in what was his first trip to the West since visiting Finland in mid-2017 and being re-elected…
DetailsRussia Extends Austria Gas Deal to 2040 After Putin’s Visit
The previous gas deal with Austria was set to expire by 2028.
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See and Hear Music and More at the Prokofiev Museum
Calling all music lovers! The next time you’re in the city center, stop into the Prokofiev apartment museum.
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Breaking Out of Russian Prison With Words
What happens when an American graduate student and 14 former Russian prisoners meet twice a week? They write a book together.
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St. Petersburg’s Summer Cultural Agenda
The countless concerts, plays, and art shows on view in Russia’s cultural capital should keep you busy on the days between matches.
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4 St. Petersburg Day Trips
The beauty of the Leningrad region goes far beyond the streets of St. Petersburg. Discover the fascinating and unique towns that surround the northern capital.
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Q&A: Meet Anna Endrikhovskaya, a Sixth-Generation Muscovite
“I realized I had to stay here in Russia and make it a better place.”
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St. Petersburg’s Stadium
Beset by problems, it has overcome all obstacles to welcome you at the World Cup.
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Two Stadiums. Half a Century of History
Discover where you’ll be witnessing those unforgettable goals.
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A Short History of Moscow
Russia’s booming and vibrant capital leaves no visitor indifferent. It’s hard not to fall completely in love with its gritty charm.
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Q&A: Meet Ruslan Bekurov
Get to know the journalism professor who moved to St. Petersburg and never looked back.
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Halftime, Overtime, Pub Time
5 of Moscow’s best bars to watch a match, have a drink and make new friends.
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4 Moscow Day Trips
Have a day to spare during your trip and feel like exploring further afield? There’s plenty of beauty and adventure to be found outside the big city — and it’s closer than you might think.
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A Day at the Museum
Moscow has over 300 museums exhibiting everything from masterpieces of art to match boxes, but if you only have a few days, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the Tretyakov Galleries — Old and New — are the two you have to see.
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7 of Moscow’s Must-See Sights
If you are in Moscow for your first — and perhaps only — time, head to the city center and see where it all began and still flourishes: the Kremlin and Red Square.
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A Taste of St. Petersburg: Herring and New Potato Salad Recipe
This classic recipe includes northern Russia’s premier players: sour cream, herring, and new potatoes, the jewels of the short northern growing season.
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Where Art Meets Sports: 6 Shows for World Cup Fans
Moscow museums celebrate football with exhibitions that combine the joys of athletics and the wonder of artistic creation.
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8 of St. Petersburg’s Best World Cup Bars
Find the perfect spot to get your football fix. Whether you are looking for big screens, a pleasant vibe, good music, or a vast selection of beers, St. Petersburg has a lot to offer for every taste.
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5 of St. Petersburg’s Hidden Treasures
Craving something further off the beaten track? Here are some hidden treasures that only the locals know about.
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The Strange Case of a Russian Provocation
How can a murder be a provocation? Oh, easy, if it’s being discussed in Russian.
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10 of St. Petersburg’s Must-See Sights
St. Petersburg’s “cultural capital of Russia” moniker is well-earned. A lifetime isn’t enough to discover all the cultural gems on offer, but here are a few you have to see.
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St. Petersburg City Survival Guide
As you plan to fuse your cultural and sports itineraries in St. Petersburg, here are 11 tips to get you started.
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10 of St. Petersburg’s Top Sights
St. Petersburg’s “cultural capital of Russia” moniker is well-earned. A lifetime isn’t enough to discover all the cultural gems on offer, but here are a few you have to see.
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Russian Energy Giants — Gazprom and Rosneft — Clash in International Gas Markets
Russian energy major Rosneft is challenging domestic rival Gazprom.
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St. Peterburg’s Summer Festivals
No matter what kind of music you like — Russian Rock, American indie, classical, or jazz — this summer you can enjoy the city’s endless summer nights to the beat of your favorite genre.
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9 of St. Petersburg’s Souvenir Highlights
This former capital is abundant with kitschy memorabilia of its former glory, beautiful porcelain worthy of a tsar and trendy fashion items.
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A Short History of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg locals are fiercely proud of the city and it’s easy to see why. Known as the ‘Venice of the North’, it is brimming with history and culture.
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A Short History of Sochi
Sochi has long been the domestic holiday spot of choice for Russians, and with its breathtaking scenery you’ll soon see why.
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10 of Moscow’s Souvenir Highlights
Find the greatest variety and quality of traditional Russian handcrafts and knickknacks in Russia’s historical center.
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