russia-insider--2020-09-09--Christian Homeschooling Becoming Popular in Russia...Finally

This US model , called Classical Conversations , speaks directly to the needs of Russian Christians for an educational system that supports family , community , and Christianity .
This article from our archives was first published on RI in March 2019 This article originally appeared on a new site about the Christian renaissance in Russia , called Russian Faith .
Their introductory video is at end of this article .
Since Russia has so swiftly become the world ’ s official bulwark of conservative values , it is quite surprising that it has systematically lagged behind in one obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , homeschooling has always been enveloped in a fantastical aura , something associated mainly with special needs and/or with Amish-like Protestant groups in America .
But lately , as more Russian Christian families gain a voice , energized by growing state supports and society ’ s intensifying religiosity , the demand for alternatives to the official public school system , corrupted by materialism and Darwinism during the Soviet Regime and , now , by liberal values , has grown more popular and apparent .
A new film by Alexey Komov about the disastrous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia based on the American model , the problems in American school systems , and how home-schooling presents a solution to the crisis .
A Russian version of the film can be found here , with full transcript ( in Russian ) .
More and more Russian parents are frightened and reluctant to hand over their child ’ s education into the hands of strangers , realizing , that in doing so , they are also relinquishing the moral upbringing of their own child , and allowing them to become inculcated with morals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is where Alexey Komov and Irina Shamolina , the pioneers of homeschooling in Russia , come in .
The Russian couple , passionate about education , homeschools their three sons .
Irina leads a popular blog about education and Alexey is the representative the World Congress of Families in Russia .
Both have been fascinated by , and intensely studying , homeschooling since 2012 .
With time , they came to the conviction that homeschooling options were urgently needed in Russia .
They traveled regularly to the US , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , trying to learn about and experience the lively Christian homeschooling scene of the country .
They finally settled upon the Classical Conversations , a Christian homeschooling organization , started in the 1990s by Leigh Bortins in North Carolina .
The model creates communities of homeschooling Christian families that meet weekly and aims to teach children in a classical manner .
It is based on educational theories gleaned from Ancient Greece and the Trivium concept of the Middle Ages .
Thus , the child is homeschooled for most of the week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own child within their intimate family circle .
However , this system also addresses the need of the child ... and the often ignored need of the parents ... for socialization and community with like-minded people with weekly meetings .
These also always begin with prayer and provide children with skills that parents may not be able to develop in children on their own .
Aleksey Komov and Irina Shamolina adopted the existing Christian homeschool curriculum and translated the resources .
They also worked to adapt the program to a Russian Orthodox perspective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reality .
They found American supporters , and along with other Russian enthusiasts , helped them create an utterly beautiful website .
The program launched this fall , is 27 cities and 370 kids strong – in Russia , Ukraine and Belarus .
It has met with unexpected , lively interest and seems to be turning into a movement among Russian Christians .
Importantly , Classical Conversations in Russia also immediately received wildly enthusiastic support from one of the most famous priests in Russia , Fr .
Dmitry Smirnov .
Fr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge audience , perhaps bigger than that of any other religious figure in Russia .
He is also the head the of the Russian Church ’ s Department for Family .
Public education happens to be Fr .
Dmitry ’ s pet peeves and he advocates homeschooling in many of his sermons .
He is convinced that school corrupts the child 's mind , and is a highly artificial , unnatural , and destructive environment for growing children .
He insists that the ideal environment for the child is the home , full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith .
Fr .
Dmitry devoted one of his interviews on his highly popular blog to Classical Conversations , interviewing the American founders , as well as the Russian founders .
Naturally , as a result , many members of his fan base decided to try out homeschooling .
The movement is gathering more power with every month .
According to the founders of Classical Conversations : ‘ Firstly and foremost we are a community of families.
’ In other words , the idea is that the family units , working together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other in their lives and service to God .
This stance echoes with modern Russia ’ s preoccupation with strengthening and rebuilding family units ; both to counter a population slump and to lead lives most fitting to the morals of a Christian society .
The idea of community , too , is especially appealing to the Russian traditionalist , since Russian culture and religion greatly values ‘ community , ’ often even over the sacred Western value of ‘ individualism.
’ The families meet for group classes every week .
Each meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come , simply because Classical Conversations model creates a really wonderful support system not simply for children , but for parents as well .
Parents involved in Classical Conversations are also given opportunities to attend free , three-day workshops , that aim to help them become better teachers of their own children , building them up on the more difficult subjects and giving them practical strategies .
The philosophy of Classical Conversations stresses family education as a system where God is at the center of the family and the community .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 major phases .
• The first one , called ‘ Grammar ’ refers to teaching students skills for learning and retain information ( knowledge ) .
• The second stage , Dialectics , refers to analyzing information and transferring skills between subjects ( understanding ) • the third , most sophisticated one , refers to using , presenting and sharing knowledge with others as well as serving Truth over oneself ( wisdom ) .
Much emphasis is put on presentation skills throughout the entire curriculum , as sharing knowledge and learning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key in one 's education .
All in all , homeschooling has found itself a new home .
And it has all the potential to thrive in contemporary Russia , which may offer the most fertile ground in the world today for a system that supports Christianity , community , and family .

This US model, called Classical Conversations, speaks directly to the needs of Russian Christians for an educational system that supports family, community, and Christianity.
This article from our archives was first published on RI in March 2019
This article originally appeared on a new site about the Christian renaissance in Russia, called Russian Faith. Their introductory video is at end of this article.
Since Russia has so swiftly become the world’s official bulwark of conservative values, it is quite surprising that it has systematically lagged behind in one obvious realm: Homeschooling.
For most Russians, homeschooling has always been enveloped in a fantastical aura, something associated mainly with special needs and/or with Amish-like Protestant groups in America.
But lately, as more Russian Christian families gain a voice, energized by growing state supports and society’s intensifying religiosity, the demand for alternatives to the official public school system, corrupted by materialism and Darwinism during the Soviet Regime and, now, by liberal values, has grown more popular and apparent.
A new film by Alexey Komov about the disastrous consequences of Soros-funded educational reform in 1990s Russia based on the American model, the problems in American school systems, and how home-schooling presents a solution to the crisis. A Russian version of the film can be found here, with full transcript (in Russian).
More and more Russian parents are frightened and reluctant to hand over their child’s education into the hands of strangers, realizing, that in doing so, they are also relinquishing the moral upbringing of their own child, and allowing them to become inculcated with morals and values that may be completely foreign.
This is where Alexey Komov and Irina Shamolina, the pioneers of homeschooling in Russia, come in. The Russian couple, passionate about education, homeschools their three sons. Irina leads a popular blog about education and Alexey is the representative the World Congress of Families in Russia. Both have been fascinated by, and intensely studying, homeschooling since 2012. With time, they came to the conviction that homeschooling options were urgently needed in Russia.
They traveled regularly to the US, which has the most developed homeschooling systems in the world, trying to learn about and experience the lively Christian homeschooling scene of the country.
They finally settled upon the Classical Conversations, a Christian homeschooling organization, started in the 1990s by Leigh Bortins in North Carolina. The model creates communities of homeschooling Christian families that meet weekly and aims to teach children in a classical manner. It is based on educational theories gleaned from Ancient Greece and the Trivium concept of the Middle Ages.
Thus, the child is homeschooled for most of the week, and the parents nurture and teach their own child within their intimate family circle. However, this system also addresses the need of the child...and the often ignored need of the parents...for socialization and community with like-minded people with weekly meetings. These also always begin with prayer and provide children with skills that parents may not be able to develop in children on their own.
Aleksey Komov and Irina Shamolina adopted the existing Christian homeschool curriculum and translated the resources. They also worked to adapt the program to a Russian Orthodox perspective, making it relevant to Russian culture and reality.
They found American supporters, and along with other Russian enthusiasts, helped them create an utterly beautiful website.
The program launched this fall, is 27 cities and 370 kids strong – in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. It has met with unexpected, lively interest and seems to be turning into a movement among Russian Christians.
Importantly, Classical Conversations in Russia also immediately received wildly enthusiastic support from one of the most famous priests in Russia, Fr. Dmitry Smirnov. Fr. Dmitry is incredibly popular and has a huge audience, perhaps bigger than that of any other religious figure in Russia. He is also the head the of the Russian Church’s Department for Family.
Irina Shamolina as guest speaker on fr. Dmitry's talk show
Public education happens to be Fr. Dmitry’s pet peeves and he advocates homeschooling in many of his sermons. He is convinced that school corrupts the child's mind, and is a highly artificial, unnatural, and destructive environment for growing children. He insists that the ideal environment for the child is the home, full of siblings and lots of love and faith.
Fr. Dmitry devoted one of his interviews on his highly popular blog to Classical Conversations, interviewing the American founders, as well as the Russian founders. Naturally, as a result, many members of his fan base decided to try out homeschooling.
The movement is gathering more power with every month.
According to the founders of Classical Conversations: ‘Firstly and foremost we are a community of families.’ In other words, the idea is that the family units, working together, provide emotional and spiritual support for each other in their lives and service to God.
This stance echoes with modern Russia’s preoccupation with strengthening and rebuilding family units; both to counter a population slump and to lead lives most fitting to the morals of a Christian society.
The idea of community, too, is especially appealing to the Russian traditionalist, since Russian culture and religion greatly values ‘community,’ often even over the sacred Western value of ‘individualism.’
The families meet for group classes every week. Each meeting begins with prayer and parents are required to come, simply because Classical Conversations model creates a really wonderful support system not simply for children, but for parents as well.
Parents involved in Classical Conversations are also given opportunities to attend free, three-day workshops, that aim to help them become better teachers of their own children, building them up on the more difficult subjects and giving them practical strategies.
The philosophy of Classical Conversations stresses family education as a system where God is at the center of the family and the community.
The Classical Education model breaks down schooling into 3 major phases.
The first one, called ‘Grammar’ refers to teaching students skills for learning and retain information (knowledge).
The second stage, Dialectics, refers to analyzing information and transferring skills between subjects (understanding)
the third, most sophisticated one, refers to using, presenting and sharing knowledge with others as well as serving Truth over oneself (wisdom).
Much emphasis is put on presentation skills throughout the entire curriculum, as sharing knowledge and learning to present information well is considered to be key in one's education.
All in all, homeschooling has found itself a new home. And it has all the potential to thrive in contemporary Russia, which may offer the most fertile ground in the world today for a system that supports Christianity, community, and family.
A video introducing Russian Faith


russia-insider--2020-09-09--People Say Russian Cuisine Is Dull - It Is Completely the Opposite

“ piglet wrapped in dough , lobster soup with small pies , cream of wheat made with heavy cream ( Gurievskaia ) , botvinia ( a cold , fermented soup ) with sturgeon , white cured fish fillet , baidak pie ( a huge savory pie with a twelve-layer filling , everything from eel livers to beef brains ) in a brown butter sauce. '' This article from our archives was first published on RI in March 2019 About the author : For lovers of Russian culture , folklore , and history , Kotar ’ s work is a treasure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 34-year-old is an author of epic fantasy novels inspired by Russian fairy tales .
You can see his four books here on Amazon .
He is also a deacon of the Russian Orthodox Church , a professional translator , and choir director at the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville , NY , where he lives .
Here is his bio from his blog , where he writes about many aspects of Russia .
We highly recommend following it and subscribing to his email list to get exclusive material .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can follow him on Facebook .
Here is an archive of his work published on Russia Insider .
He is currently running a remarkably successful crowdfunding on Kickstarter to be able to publish his upcoming novels .
Please support him if you can !
Yesterday , I got back from an amazing trip to Saratov , Russia , where I was one of 41 men recording sacred music for a men ’ s choir CD .
One of the more surprising aspects of the trip was the food .
It was actually good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fasting period .
A little while ago , some friends of mine got into a discussion about Russian cuisine .
The usual opinions were expressed—Russian food is terrible , boring , tasteless , fatty .
But then someone made an important point .
All the bad things people hear about Russian food are more properly referred to as Soviet problems .
Interested , I looked for some properly patriotic articles on the internet , and found a good one .
Here is it : five myths about Russian cuisine busted !
For some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For others , it ’ s simply tasteless .
A third might think it too simple , a fourth , too old-fashioned .
Turns out , they ’ re all wrong .
Seventy years of Soviet life have created this myth .
Or rather , this is definitely true of Soviet cuisine , but not Russian cuisine in a more general sense .
Soviet cuisine loves lots of mayonnaise , oils , fatty sausages , sardines , margarine—everything that would maximize a Soviet citizen ’ s caloric intake from the minimum amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which historians generally consider the year of Russia ’ s peak of cultural development , the cuisine was completely different .
There were many competing restaurants and eateries , with Moscow at the center of a bustling culinary culture .
The highest aristocrats from Petersburg came to Moscow for special culinary tours , including such stops as the public houses of Testov , Gurin , Egorov , and the Saratov Restaurant .
The variety of dishes in these places was staggering .
Here ’ s a typical menu from the restaurant of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dough , lobster soup with small pies , cream of wheat made with heavy cream ( Gurievskaia ) , botvinia ( a cold , fermented soup ) with sturgeon , white cured fish fillet , baidak pie ( a huge savory pie with a twelve-layer filling , everything from eel livers to beef brains ) in a brown butter sauce .
There ’ s a Russian proverb : “ Cabbage soup and porridge—that ’ s all we need to eat ” .
This ironic maxim is everywhere used literally to characterize the actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s true that perhaps a peasant from Tambov could live mostly on turnips and porridge , but in many regions even peasants ate well .
This was especially true of the areas around the capital and in Siberia .
As proof , we have the writings of foreign travelers .
Take , for example , the travel journal of Marco Foscarino ( 1537 ) : “ Two chickens or ducks are sold for some tiny silver coin .
The peasants also have all varieties of meat .
In the winter , meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have wonderful fowl , which they catch with nets or with falcons ( they have very good breeds here ) .
Near the Volga , huge and delicious fish are served , especially sturgeon .
The white lakes give a great variety of large and small fish of varying quality .
The Myth from Nature : Russian cuisine uses few fruits because of the long winter Simply not true .
Even Pierre Bezuhov ( in War and Peace ) cultivated pineapples in his hothouses .
Everyone used greenhouses and hothouses .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserving berries and fruits for the entirety of winter in ways that preserved their vitamin content .
These included baking , preserving in honey , freezing , or drying .
Even the Domostroi ( a document more famous for its questionable advice of husband-wife relations ) included recipes for preservation of fruits : “ Take a watermelon , cut it into pieces , cut out the seeds , leaving behind two finger ’ s width of the skin .
Put them into alcohol and hold them until it is time to change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having taken the molasses , boil them on a low fire and take off the foam from the top .
The Myth of Fasting : Russian cuisine is tasteless This may be partially true of some fasting dishes , as many people who search old recipes find out .
However , this is not characteristic of Russian cuisine in general .
In many regions , dishes were seasoned extensively .
Coastal cuisine , for example , added volozhi to all dishes .
These were sauces in which food was cooked , baked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge variety to these volozhi .
Some were based on sour cream or butter , some were based on berries .
The rich even had spiced lemon sauces .
The Myth from Folklore : Russian cuisine is archaic Yes , traditionally speaking , Russian cuisine had been rather one-sided .
This is because of the universal prevalence of the Russian oven , which led to the majority of dishes being baked ( whether fish , fowl , or meat ) .
However , in the city culture of the 19th century , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many French chefs working in Russian restaurants , which does not mean that they imported French food .
Rather , they effectively experimented with traditional Russian styles .
Russian officers also brought back with them ( after wars ) various tastes that now are considered typically Russian .
This kind of “ fusion ” cuisine includes such delicacies as pastries , charlotte pies , veal Orloff , crepes with oysters , as well as the now world-famous salad created by Lucien Olivier in the famous Hermitage Restaurant .

“piglet wrapped in dough, lobster soup with small pies, cream of wheat made with heavy cream (Gurievskaia), botvinia (a cold, fermented soup) with sturgeon, white cured fish fillet, baidak pie (a huge savory pie with a twelve-layer filling, everything from eel livers to beef brains) in a brown butter sauce."
This article from our archives was first published on RI in March 2019
About the author: For lovers of Russian culture, folklore, and history, Kotar’s work is a treasure. The grandson of White Russian immigrants, the 34-year-old is an author of epic fantasy novels inspired by Russian fairy tales. You can see his four books here on Amazon.
He is also a deacon of the Russian Orthodox Church, a professional translator, and choir director at the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, where he lives. Here is his bio from his blog, where he writes about many aspects of Russia. We highly recommend following it and subscribing to his email list to get exclusive material.
He has an excellent Pinterest page, and you can follow him on Facebook. Here is an archive of his work published on Russia Insider.
He is currently running a remarkably successful crowdfunding on Kickstarter to be able to publish his upcoming novels. Please support him if you can!
Yesterday, I got back from an amazing trip to Saratov, Russia, where I was one of 41 men recording sacred music for a men’s choir CD. One of the more surprising aspects of the trip was the food. It was actually good. And this despite it being a fasting period.
A little while ago, some friends of mine got into a discussion about Russian cuisine. The usual opinions were expressed—Russian food is terrible, boring, tasteless, fatty. But then someone made an important point. All the bad things people hear about Russian food are more properly referred to as Soviet problems.
Interested, I looked for some properly patriotic articles on the internet, and found a good one. Here is it: five myths about Russian cuisine busted!
For some, it’s too fatty. For others, it’s simply tasteless. A third might think it too simple, a fourth, too old-fashioned. Turns out, they’re all wrong.
Post-Soviet Myth: Russian food is fatty and uninspired
Seventy years of Soviet life have created this myth. Or rather, this is definitely true of Soviet cuisine, but not Russian cuisine in a more general sense. Soviet cuisine loves lots of mayonnaise, oils, fatty sausages, sardines, margarine—everything that would maximize a Soviet citizen’s caloric intake from the minimum amount of food eaten.
But in 1913, which historians generally consider the year of Russia’s peak of cultural development, the cuisine was completely different. There were many competing restaurants and eateries, with Moscow at the center of a bustling culinary culture. The highest aristocrats from Petersburg came to Moscow for special culinary tours, including such stops as the public houses of Testov, Gurin, Egorov, and the Saratov Restaurant.
The variety of dishes in these places was staggering. Here’s a typical menu from the restaurant of the merchant Guliarovskii: “piglet wrapped in dough, lobster soup with small pies, cream of wheat made with heavy cream (Gurievskaia), botvinia (a cold, fermented soup) with sturgeon, white cured fish fillet, baidak pie (a huge savory pie with a twelve-layer filling, everything from eel livers to beef brains) in a brown butter sauce.
Peasant Myth: Russian cuisine is too simplistic
There’s a Russian proverb: “Cabbage soup and porridge—that’s all we need to eat”. This ironic maxim is everywhere used literally to characterize the actual state of ancient Russian cooking. It’s true that perhaps a peasant from Tambov could live mostly on turnips and porridge, but in many regions even peasants ate well. This was especially true of the areas around the capital and in Siberia. As proof, we have the writings of foreign travelers.
Take, for example, the travel journal of Marco Foscarino (1537): “Two chickens or ducks are sold for some tiny silver coin. The peasants also have all varieties of meat. In the winter, meat can survive for an entire month. They have wonderful fowl, which they catch with nets or with falcons (they have very good breeds here). Near the Volga, huge and delicious fish are served, especially sturgeon. The white lakes give a great variety of large and small fish of varying quality.
The Myth from Nature: Russian cuisine uses few fruits because of the long winter
Simply not true. Even Pierre Bezuhov (in War and Peace) cultivated pineapples in his hothouses. Everyone used greenhouses and hothouses. The common people had a million ways of preserving berries and fruits for the entirety of winter in ways that preserved their vitamin content. These included baking, preserving in honey, freezing, or drying. Even the Domostroi (a document more famous for its questionable advice of husband-wife relations) included recipes for preservation of fruits:
“Take a watermelon, cut it into pieces, cut out the seeds, leaving behind two finger’s width of the skin. Put them into alcohol and hold them until it is time to change the alcohol. Repeat the procedure. Then, having taken the molasses, boil them on a low fire and take off the foam from the top.
The Myth of Fasting: Russian cuisine is tasteless
This may be partially true of some fasting dishes, as many people who search old recipes find out. However, this is not characteristic of Russian cuisine in general. In many regions, dishes were seasoned extensively. Coastal cuisine, for example, added volozhi to all dishes. These were sauces in which food was cooked, baked, or garnished. There was a huge variety to these volozhi. Some were based on sour cream or butter, some were based on berries. The rich even had spiced lemon sauces.
The Myth from Folklore: Russian cuisine is archaic
Yes, traditionally speaking, Russian cuisine had been rather one-sided. This is because of the universal prevalence of the Russian oven, which led to the majority of dishes being baked (whether fish, fowl, or meat). However, in the city culture of the 19th century, this one-sidedness was decidedly overcome.
There were many French chefs working in Russian restaurants, which does not mean that they imported French food. Rather, they effectively experimented with traditional Russian styles. Russian officers also brought back with them (after wars) various tastes that now are considered typically Russian.
This kind of “fusion” cuisine includes such delicacies as pastries, charlotte pies, veal Orloff, crepes with oysters, as well as the now world-famous salad created by Lucien Olivier in the famous Hermitage Restaurant.
Source: Nicholas Kotar


russia-insider--2020-09-10--A Beautiful Braid Is a Long Tradition of Russian Women (Video)

In ancient times a good braid was more important for a Russian bride than a dowry This article from our @ @ @ @ @ RI in March 2019 If you see a beautiful woman , how can you tell @ @ @ @ @ Well , one of the ways is to look at her hair .
If she @ @ @ @ @ , she probably is .
The Russian braid is not just a hairstyle ; it @ @ @ @ @ is full of meaning and has a long history in Russia .

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russia-insider--2020-09-10--Wonderful A Capella of Famous Russian Folk Song (Not for Me, 'Ne Dlya Menya' - Video)

This article from our archives was first published on RI in February 2016 This post first appeared on Russia Insider @ @ @ @ @ Russian genre called `` romance '' .
The words were written and published in a @ @ @ @ @ naval officer , A. Molchanov , and put to music the same year by the @ @ @ @ @ .
The group is a popular folk group from Bryansk called `` Grandmothers Grandsons '' @ @ @ @


russia-insider--2020-09-11--Karelia - Russia's Stunning Border with Finland - Forests, Canyons, Monasteries (Video)

The Republic of Karelia has become one of the popular travel destinations in all of Russia .
When one cast eyes upon its beauty , it becomes apparent why .
The following clip taken from a Russian news network with transcript below explores some of the wonders of this majestic place .
And for those who prefer to relax in Russia , it 's worth visiting Ruskeala , a picturesque marble canyon in the Republic of Karelia .
According to the British newspaper , The Guardian , in Russia , Ruskeala occupies the first place in the list of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and St. Petersburg .
What else does Karelia have ?
And why do thousands of pilgrims strive to visit Valaam ?
Denis Davydov will tell us about the beauty and being away from the bustle of life , and about the beauty and majesty of Karelia .
Valaam is a place of strength and faith .
The Holy Island has been speaking with God for more than a 1,000 years .
The cloister experienced wars , and desolation in the years of religious persecution .
In the 90s monks began to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been for centuries before , the spiritual center of the Orthodox Church .
`` There is no praying on a schedule , when you are baking you are praying , just like a baker bakes bread . ''
`` Here , there 's no desire to reach a certain level in society , it 's absolutely irrelevant in a monastic life .
And there is n't a single person , who after visiting Valaam , has n't been changed in some way . ''
There 's only a reference to worldly `` courage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the monastery greenhouse .
There are more than a hundred monks and they have their own farmstead .
Fresh milk , and delicious cheese , made according to old recipes .
There 's also a trout farm in Valaam .
Each enclosure has from 3.5 to 6 thousand fish .
In the winter they are fed once a day .
Each fish weighs 2 kg , and is ready to be cooked and served .
From late autumn until spring , the island is cut off from the outside world , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an opportunity to be alone with yourself , because in the midst of the tourist season there are crowds of pilgrims and tourists .
Last summer Valaam received 300,000 visitors .
A hotel is now being restored for the visitors .
`` On the base of the hotel ...
It wo n't be just a hotel , we 're also making a spiritual center there .
There are also museums , and painting and icon making schools . ''
Karelia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Russia .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The closer the New Year holidays get , the fewer vacant places remain in the local hotels .
People come here from Moscow , St. Petersburg , and abroad .
In addition to the European neighbors , there are frequent visitors from Asia , and even Australia .
It 's not just the moderate prices that are attracting the visitors .
`` The untouched Karelian nature .
This is a chance to experience it in comfort .
We are surrounded by a forest , on a shore of Lake Ladoga . ''
Tarulinna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peninsula , translation from Finnish means fairy-tale like .
Fluffy fir trees stretch towards Ladoga .
The forest seems to invite you to breathe , to wander or you can also race all over the snow .
The UK newspaper , The Guardian , awarded Karelia 1st place in the top ten Russian regions , attractive for tourists .
The top of the article is adorned with a Ruskeala canyon photo .
Ruskeala canyon is not only a monument of nature , but also of mining .
Marble was mined here since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petersburg were built from Karelian stone : the Hermitage , Kazan Cathedral , St. Isaac 's Cathedral .
About 300,000 tons of marble were mined in the canyon during its history .
It has n't been used for that in a long time , now , amazing photos are being made here .
`` The tourists come here almost every day .
During the summer , you need to sign up a few days in advance , you ca n't just walk in . ''
The underground lake is 70 meters deep , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marble mining stopped , the mine was flooded .
Now it 's one of the favorite diving places in the Russian north-west .
The Sortavala furniture-ski factory has been making hockey sticks and skis for the whole Soviet Union for decades .
But in the 90s , the flagship enterprise fell into decline , and the whole city followed .
The youth center opened in the city 2.5 years ago .
A modern equivalent of the Palace of Pioneers .
And a large number of educational programs that are absolutely free : foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cinema club .
`` One week I came here right after school , and left when it was closing .
Almost all the young people in the city go here . ''
Every week 3,000 children go to the `` Serdobol '' center , as Sortavala was called in tsarist Russia .
Now it 's probably the most popular building , with a youth cafe and free Wi-Fi .
A fashionable place for the city 's youth .
`` The lads turn from bullies into children who write poetry , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Wi-Fi , are now starting to paint .
This is so wonderful . ''
Officially , Serdobol is open for preschool and schoolchildren .
But it 's so interesting that even the adults are looking in .
The locals as well as invited experts teach children .
Moscow mentors , directors , linguists , and coaches come to master classes .
`` I finished my homework , and I studied my favorite English language , I 'm very happy . ''
The center is built and is maintained by private donations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youth .
It 's no secret that they leave to big cities for opportunities .
In Karelia , it 's Petrozavodsk .
The center of the Republic is expanding and being built up .
`` The railroad divides the city into two parts , on one side is the center , and on the other side is a large residential district .
People who could have gotten home in 5 minutes , had to go a long way around , in traffic . ''
By the end of the year an additional bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the roads .
Micro-districts are growing because the Republic started a program for resettlement from old housing .
The problem was n't solved for years , the former leader even received a reprimand from the President .
The new leader is doing everything to solve the issue by the end of next year .
`` We found a solution to the problem that was revealed this March : we had 24,000 square meters of emergency housing that did n't make it into this program at all .
We prepared a plan , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assign these 24,000 square meters of housing next year . ''
Construction on the shores of Lake Onega began in the 18th century , simultaneously with St. Petersburg .
The northern capital and Petrozavodsk are the same age .
Petrozavodsk is associated with Peter the Great .
At the beginning of the 18th century Russia is at war with Sweden .
The army needs guns , and ammunition in huge quantities , but it 's far and expensive to deliver them from the Urals to the Baltic .
The Tsar ordered to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The valuable material is found in Karelia .
An arms factory is built , and around it , the city of Petrozavodsk forms .
These events went down in history as the Northern War .
It lasted 21 years and Russian won .
We won thanks to the Petrozavodsk cannons .
`` Russia really defeated Sweden , and became an empire , and joined the European powers , and after this nothing was decided without Russia 's involvement . ''
To this day Karelia is one of the industrial centers .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enterprises .
A pulp and paper mill was Segezha 's city-forming enterprise since 1939 .
Locals remember well how before , everyone was trying not to open the windows at home .
`` I 've worked in the factory since 1981 . ''
-In the 80 's , did it stink even from the entrance of the apartment building ?
- '' Yes , of course it did , now it 's a lot better .
We have 13 air filters at the factory that significantly decrease air pollution . ''
The factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year the company launched a paper-making machine , the most modern in the world .
Their products are top in the market , and are delivered to 60 countries .
World-famous brands make bags from Karelian paper .
`` It comes from the northern forest natural resources , fir and pine , which give the strongest and best quality material . ''
An important detail : the company is n't just doing timber processing , but also reforestation , which is confirmed by international certificates .
The Karelian Father Frost sings about Petrozavodsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern city .
The words from a national song during the New Year holidays are more relevant than ever .
A long weekend is a great reason to discover a region of amazing beauty .

The Republic of Karelia has become one of the popular travel destinations in all of Russia. When one cast eyes upon its beauty, it becomes apparent why.
The following clip taken from a Russian news network with transcript below explores some of the wonders of this majestic place.
Transcript:
Anchor:
And for those who prefer to relax in Russia, it's worth visiting Ruskeala, a picturesque marble canyon in the Republic of Karelia. According to the British newspaper, The Guardian, in Russia, Ruskeala occupies the first place in the list of the best places for recreation outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg. What else does Karelia have? And why do thousands of pilgrims strive to visit Valaam?
Denis Davydov will tell us about the beauty and being away from the bustle of life, and about the beauty and majesty of Karelia.
Correspondent:
Valaam is a place of strength and faith. The Holy Island has been speaking with God for more than a 1,000 years. The cloister experienced wars, and desolation in the years of religious persecution. In the 90s monks began to return to Valaam. Now again, as has been for centuries before, the spiritual center of the Orthodox Church.
Monks of Valaam:
"There is no praying on a schedule, when you are baking you are praying, just like a baker bakes bread."
"Here, there's no desire to reach a certain level in society, it's absolutely irrelevant in a monastic life. And there isn't a single person, who after visiting Valaam, hasn't been changed in some way."
Correspondent:
There's only a reference to worldly "courage," and a variety of cucumbers in the monastery greenhouse. There are more than a hundred monks and they have their own farmstead. Fresh milk, and delicious cheese, made according to old recipes.
There's also a trout farm in Valaam. Each enclosure has from 3.5 to 6 thousand fish. In the winter they are fed once a day. Each fish weighs 2 kg, and is ready to be cooked and served.
From late autumn until spring, the island is cut off from the outside world, and this is the best time for monks, an opportunity to be alone with yourself, because in the midst of the tourist season there are crowds of pilgrims and tourists. Last summer Valaam received 300,000 visitors. A hotel is now being restored for the visitors.
Brother Efrem, Monastery's Administrator:
"On the base of the hotel... It won't be just a hotel, we're also making a spiritual center there. There are also museums, and painting and icon making schools."
Correspondent:
Karelia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Russia. Last year 760,000 people visited the republic.
The closer the New Year holidays get, the fewer vacant places remain in the local hotels. People come here from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and abroad. In addition to the European neighbors, there are frequent visitors from Asia, and even Australia. It's not just the moderate prices that are attracting the visitors.
Viktoria Vokhmina, Hotel Director:
"The untouched Karelian nature. This is a chance to experience it in comfort. We are surrounded by a forest, on a shore of Lake Ladoga."
Correspondent:
Tarulinna, a cozy corner on the Karelian peninsula, translation from Finnish means fairy-tale like. Fluffy fir trees stretch towards Ladoga. The forest seems to invite you to breathe, to wander or you can also race all over the snow.
The UK newspaper, The Guardian, awarded Karelia 1st place in the top ten Russian regions, attractive for tourists. The top of the article is adorned with a Ruskeala canyon photo.
Ruskeala canyon is not only a monument of nature, but also of mining. Marble was mined here since the 17th century. Many buildings in St. Petersburg were built from Karelian stone: the Hermitage, Kazan Cathedral, St. Isaac's Cathedral. About 300,000 tons of marble were mined in the canyon during its history. It hasn't been used for that in a long time, now, amazing photos are being made here.
A man in a boat:
"The tourists come here almost every day. During the summer, you need to sign up a few days in advance, you can't just walk in."
Correspondent:
The underground lake is 70 meters deep, and it's man-made. When the marble mining stopped, the mine was flooded. Now it's one of the favorite diving places in the Russian north-west.
The Sortavala furniture-ski factory has been making hockey sticks and skis for the whole Soviet Union for decades. But in the 90s, the flagship enterprise fell into decline, and the whole city followed.
The youth center opened in the city 2.5 years ago. A modern equivalent of the Palace of Pioneers. And a large number of educational programs that are absolutely free: foreign languages, design, painting, and a cinema club.
Pavel Partunen:
"One week I came here right after school, and left when it was closing. Almost all the young people in the city go here."
Correspondent:
Every week 3,000 children go to the "Serdobol" center, as Sortavala was called in tsarist Russia. Now it's probably the most popular building, with a youth cafe and free Wi-Fi. A fashionable place for the city's youth.
Nina Vokhmyanina, Director:
"The lads turn from bullies into children who write poetry, for example. And those who came here only for the Wi-Fi, are now starting to paint. This is so wonderful."
Correspondent:
Officially, Serdobol is open for preschool and schoolchildren. But it's so interesting that even the adults are looking in. The locals as well as invited experts teach children. Moscow mentors, directors, linguists, and coaches come to master classes.
A pupil:
"I finished my homework, and I studied my favorite English language, I'm very happy."
Correspondent:
The center is built and is maintained by private donations, an attempt to save the rural youth. It's no secret that they leave to big cities for opportunities. In Karelia, it's Petrozavodsk. The center of the Republic is expanding and being built up.
Boris Zhadonovskiy, Acting CEO:
"The railroad divides the city into two parts, on one side is the center, and on the other side is a large residential district. People who could have gotten home in 5 minutes, had to go a long way around, in traffic."
Correspondent:
By the end of the year an additional bridge will be opened, which will off-load the roads. Micro-districts are growing because the Republic started a program for resettlement from old housing. The problem wasn't solved for years, the former leader even received a reprimand from the President. The new leader is doing everything to solve the issue by the end of next year.
Artur Parfenchikov, Head of the Republic:
"We found a solution to the problem that was revealed this March: we had 24,000 square meters of emergency housing that didn't make it into this program at all. We prepared a plan, including a financial one, to build and assign these 24,000 square meters of housing next year."
Correspondent:
Construction on the shores of Lake Onega began in the 18th century, simultaneously with St. Petersburg. The northern capital and Petrozavodsk are the same age.
Petrozavodsk is associated with Peter the Great. At the beginning of the 18th century Russia is at war with Sweden. The army needs guns, and ammunition in huge quantities, but it's far and expensive to deliver them from the Urals to the Baltic. The Tsar ordered to look for iron ore near St. Petersburg. The valuable material is found in Karelia. An arms factory is built, and around it, the city of Petrozavodsk forms.
These events went down in history as the Northern War. It lasted 21 years and Russian won. We won thanks to the Petrozavodsk cannons.
Alexei Tereshkin, Museum Employee:
"Russia really defeated Sweden, and became an empire, and joined the European powers, and after this nothing was decided without Russia's involvement."
Correspondent:
To this day Karelia is one of the industrial centers. There are 11 industrial towns. Metallurgical and woodworking enterprises. A pulp and paper mill was Segezha's city-forming enterprise since 1939. Locals remember well how before, everyone was trying not to open the windows at home.
Olga Sergeeva, Segezhskiy Tsbk:
"I've worked in the factory since 1981."
Correspondent:
-In the 80's, did it stink even from the entrance of the apartment building?
Olga Sergeeva, Segezhskiy Tsbk:
-"Yes, of course it did, now it's a lot better. We have 13 air filters at the factory that significantly decrease air pollution."
Cprrespondent:
The factory employs more than 2,000 people. This year the company launched a paper-making machine, the most modern in the world. Their products are top in the market, and are delivered to 60 countries. World-famous brands make bags from Karelian paper.
Kamil Zakirov, President of Segezha Group:
"It comes from the northern forest natural resources, fir and pine, which give the strongest and best quality material."
Cprrespondent:
An important detail: the company isn't just doing timber processing, but also reforestation, which is confirmed by international certificates.
The Karelian Father Frost sings about Petrozavodsk, how everyone is going to their northern city. The words from a national song during the New Year holidays are more relevant than ever.
A long weekend is a great reason to discover a region of amazing beauty.


russia-insider--2020-09-11--New Posts Will Halt on 'Russia Insider' and 'Truth to Power' for a Few Months, Due to Family Circums

New Posts Will Halt on 'Russia Insider' and 'Truth to Power' for a Few Months, Due to Family Circumstances - We'll Stay Online as a Public Resource

It is almost 6 years to the day that we started Russia Insider , 3 years to the day for Russian Faith , and Truth to Power began its life in April of this year .
For those of you new to this family of publications , Russia Insider seeks to debunk the vast amount of disinformation about Russian current events , history , religion and culture and to educate the public about Russia with materials not widely available , Russian Faith seeks to share with Western readers the remarkable Christian renaissance underway in Russia , and Truth to Power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perspective .
I publish these sites from my hometown of Lancaster , Pennsylvania , USA .
Over the years , our articles have been viewed hundreds of millions of times , and we were at the forefront of a massive shift in media power , inspiring many to follow paths which we first blazed .
We have truly moved the needle in changing public knowledge about Russia , and much else .
In my analysis of current events and how media covers them , I became convinced that the media 's , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report and criticize the malignant elite Jewish influence in domestic and foreign affairs was the number one reason our nation is unable to move forward in fixing truly calamitous problems at home and abroad .
Therefore I consider it my civic duty to devote considerable resources to this question in both publications .
Also , in the course of my wide reading , I became convinced that 'The Holocaust ' never happened , and that it is an outrageous slander against the German people , of which I am one , which can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily covered in both publications .
An urgent family situation has arisen out of the blue , literally in the last month , and it will not allow me to spend the time on these publications that I anticipated .
Russian Faith will continue to publish as usual , Russia Insider and Truth to Power will remain online as a public resource , to begin publishing new articles again as soon as circumstances allow .
Russia Insider will be posting articles from its archive , which is a superb resource of important articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is my full intention to resume new posts , however it is not possible now for me to predict how soon that might be .
It could be 3,6,12 or more months .
I simply do not know .
Russia Insider has a superb archive of thousands of important articles not necessarily tied to current events which provide insight into Russian history , religion , and culture .
We will be posting 2-4 of these headlines per day .
We are looking at doing the same at Truth to Power , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has an excellent archive .
I want to thank you again for your allegiance and support over the years .
We will do everything we can over the coming months to get both publications posting new material soon .

Dear Readers,
It is almost 6 years to the day that we started Russia Insider, 3 years to the day for Russian Faith, and Truth to Power began its life in April of this year. For those of you new to this family of publications, Russia Insider seeks to debunk the vast amount of disinformation about Russian current events, history, religion and culture and to educate the public about Russia with materials not widely available, Russian Faith seeks to share with Western readers the remarkable Christian renaissance underway in Russia, and Truth to Power covers general politics from a US centric perspective. I publish these sites from my hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.
Over the years, our articles have been viewed hundreds of millions of times, and we were at the forefront of a massive shift in media power, inspiring many to follow paths which we first blazed. We have truly moved the needle in changing public knowledge about Russia, and much else.
In my analysis of current events and how media covers them, I became convinced that the media's, both mainstream and alternative, failure to fairly report and criticize the malignant elite Jewish influence in domestic and foreign affairs was the number one reason our nation is unable to move forward in fixing truly calamitous problems at home and abroad. Therefore I consider it my civic duty to devote considerable resources to this question in both publications. Also, in the course of my wide reading, I became convinced that 'The Holocaust' never happened, and that it is an outrageous slander against the German people, of which I am one, which cannot go unanswered. This is also heavily covered in both publications.
An urgent family situation has arisen out of the blue, literally in the last month, and it will not allow me to spend the time on these publications that I anticipated. Russian Faith will continue to publish as usual, Russia Insider and Truth to Power will remain online as a public resource, to begin publishing new articles again as soon as circumstances allow.
It is my full intention to resume new posts, however it is not possible now for me to predict how soon that might be. It could be 3,6,12 or more months. I simply do not know.
Russia Insider has a superb archive of thousands of important articles not necessarily tied to current events which provide insight into Russian history, religion, and culture. We will be posting 2-4 of these headlines per day. We are looking at doing the same at Truth to Power, which, despite its young age, also has an excellent archive.
I want to thank you again for your allegiance and support over the years. We will do everything we can over the coming months to get both publications posting new material soon.
Sincerely,
Charles Bausman
Publisher


russia-insider--2020-09-11--Amazing New War Panorama Museum in St. Petersburg - Putin Drops By (Video)

A new museum has opened in St Petersburg that lets visitors feel the full experience of the Patriotic War .
No corner was cut nor expense spared to create complete accuracy of the events that transpired .
The following clip taken from Russian news ( with transcript below ) features the exhibit and features a visit from President Putin It 's so quiet here that it 's even possible to hear the snow crunching .
The Piskaryovskoye Cemetery is the largest mass grave site of war victims in the world .
Vladimir Putin 's older brother lies here .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of just two .
The approximate place of where his brother 's body is buried was found just some years ago .
This happened in millions of Russian families .
`` All living , know that we did n't want to leave and we did n't .
We fought to the bitter end near the dark Neva . ''
Here , on the Nevsky Pyatachok , Putin 's father was seriously wounded while defending Leningrad .
“ My father fought with yours on the Nevsky Pyatachok .
He was the commander.
” Faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time .
The newest diorama showing the Leningrad Siege breaking .
It looks so realistic that you get chills with each millimeter .
Struggle , close combat , bombing , shooting , blood , dirt , snow .
And such an important victory , a life-saving Breakthrough .
He saw it all with his own eyes .
The Breakthrough participant Leonid Motorin turns 94 in February .
However real it looks in the museum , that horror can be conveyed only partly .
He looks into their faces , it 's impossible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is Kostya Nepoklonov , he 's just 21 .
He was awarded the Order of the Red Star for destroying the enemy 's firing positions .
This is Dmitry Stryomin , a regular art teacher .
He was defending his home , simply by swimming across the Neva and entering combat with the Nazis .
In 1942 , he went missing , and nothing was known about him .
Search missions held by Dmitry Poshtarenko helped to find out the truth .
He grew up in a house that was built on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as he says , he would pick up shells together with strawberries in his garden .
So , he created this exhibition for young people like him to see history and thus feel it .
Documented and real images and deeds .
“ Holding arms , they turned towards the enemy .
They never retreated .
They died holding their arms , in the fight , advancing .
It 's such an attitude towards the Motherland , the Fatherland that is in our people 's character.
” The 45-caliber anti-tank gun that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Motherland . ''
Because it was just one shot at the tank that they could make before dying .
`` When our girls were working on the material , they found in the archives Valentin Taraskevich 's photo , taken from the Nevsky Pyatachok , with exactly the same gun .
And we broke the plate here exactly this way . ''
More than a million Soviet soldiers died fighting for Leningrad .
Just think of it , 800 thousand civilians .
A deed that we must always remember .
“ While a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trench , a sieged worker died standing near his press .
Without dropping their hammer , nut key , or chisel .
Once we came to a metal factory to pick up rifflers , and the head engineer sent us to uncle Vasya 's storeroom .
We came there and saw uncle Vasya leaning on his press .
He called him by his name thinking he fell asleep .
He came close , but uncle Vasya 's body was cold already .
He died standing near his press.
” January 18 , 1943 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Leningrad and Volkhov fronts joined together .
The Siege of Leningrad is over !
`` My mother , a senior lieutenant and a doctor , came to our daycare and brought a cheesecake snack .
The one you do n't know , plain , without vanilla , raisins or anything else .
It cost 14 kopeikas back then .
I 'm 78 years old now , but I 'm telling you this and can still feel its taste .
That 's how I understood that something changed in this city .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breakthrough . ''
So much has been said about the Siege and the Breakthrough , but new horrible details still emerge .
“ I 'm deeply convinced that we must use every occasion to put this into remembrance .
For us to never forget this .
For the whole world to remember .
For nothing like this to ever repeat neither in our country nor anywhere else in the world.
” The new movie Rubezh is awaiting its release .
It 's about a young cynical businessman hindered by the excavation on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself in the past , right in the middle of combat .
“ I think it 's made with much talent , it 's expressive , and it 's easy to understand .
It touches right to the heart , just the way you wanted.
” This exhibition touches to the heart , too .
It was first opened four years ago , but it was a small and temporary exposition .
Putin then suggested making it larger and permanent .
`` The sincerest veteran 's thank you !
And restoring the Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could never have a good one again .
But now , we 're so happy .
We rustled it up well Syria !
All veterans love you , honestly !
With all our hearts .
For us , you 're the support that holds Russia without letting anyone manipulate us .
We 're now protecting our interests with dignity .
We 're following everything , we know everything , thank you !
Honesty , thank you ! ''
Real fighters that are so few now .
They have lived a long life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish you luck and all earthly blessings . ''
`` We , veterans , are always with you . ''
`` Thank you very much . ''
`` I wish you health , always stay the same , we 're always behind you . ''
`` Thank you very much . ''
A long year passed between the moment when the Siege was broken and when it was fully lifted .
But residents of the city on the Neva already knew and understood that they withstood it all and would definitely win .

A new museum has opened in St Petersburg that lets visitors feel the full experience of the Patriotic War.
No corner was cut nor expense spared to create complete accuracy of the events that transpired. The following clip taken from Russian news (with transcript below) features the exhibit and features a visit from President Putin
Transcript:
Correspondent:
It's so quiet here that it's even possible to hear the snow crunching. The Piskaryovskoye Cemetery is the largest mass grave site of war victims in the world. Vladimir Putin's older brother lies here. He died during the siege at the age of just two. The approximate place of where his brother's body is buried was found just some years ago. This happened in millions of Russian families.
"All living, know that we didn't want to leave and we didn't. We fought to the bitter end near the dark Neva."
Here, on the Nevsky Pyatachok, Putin's father was seriously wounded while defending Leningrad.
Cemetery’s visiter:
“My father fought with yours on the Nevsky Pyatachok. He was the commander.”
Correspondent:
Faces that were fire-burnt and frost-bitten at the same time. The newest diorama showing the Leningrad Siege breaking. It looks so realistic that you get chills with each millimeter. Struggle, close combat, bombing, shooting, blood, dirt, snow. And such an important victory, a life-saving Breakthrough.
Leonid Motorin:
“Good job, well done!”
Correspondent:
He saw it all with his own eyes. The Breakthrough participant Leonid Motorin turns 94 in February. However real it looks in the museum, that horror can be conveyed only partly.
He looks into their faces, it's impossible to forget his friends' looks. This is Kostya Nepoklonov, he's just 21. He was awarded the Order of the Red Star for destroying the enemy's firing positions. This is Dmitry Stryomin, a regular art teacher. He was defending his home, simply by swimming across the Neva and entering combat with the Nazis. In 1942, he went missing, and nothing was known about him.
Search missions held by Dmitry Poshtarenko helped to find out the truth. He grew up in a house that was built on the site of the bloody battles and, as he says, he would pick up shells together with strawberries in his garden. So, he created this exhibition for young people like him to see history and thus feel it. Documented and real images and deeds.
Vladimir Putin:
“Holding arms, they turned towards the enemy. They never retreated. They died holding their arms, in the fight, advancing. It's such an attitude towards the Motherland, the Fatherland that is in our people's character.”
Correspondent:
The 45-caliber anti-tank gun that the soldiers nicknamed "So long, Motherland." Because it was just one shot at the tank that they could make before dying.
Dmitry Poshtarenko, the project's author:
"When our girls were working on the material, they found in the archives Valentin Taraskevich's photo, taken from the Nevsky Pyatachok, with exactly the same gun. And we broke the plate here exactly this way."
Vladimir Putin:
“The 45-caliber anti-tank gun, "So long, Motherland."
Correspondent:
More than a million Soviet soldiers died fighting for Leningrad. Just think of it, 800 thousand civilians. A deed that we must always remember.
Leonid Motorin:
“While a soldier died or was killed in the trench, a sieged worker died standing near his press. Without dropping their hammer, nut key, or chisel. Once we came to a metal factory to pick up rifflers, and the head engineer sent us to uncle Vasya's storeroom. We came there and saw uncle Vasya leaning on his press. He called him by his name thinking he fell asleep. He came close, but uncle Vasya's body was cold already. He died standing near his press.”
Television Documentary:
January 18, 1943, at midday, the troops of the Leningrad and Volkhov fronts joined together. The Siege of Leningrad is over!
Isay Kuzinets, sieged Leningrad resident:
"My mother, a senior lieutenant and a doctor, came to our daycare and brought a cheesecake snack. The one you don't know, plain, without vanilla, raisins or anything else. It cost 14 kopeikas back then. I'm 78 years old now, but I'm telling you this and can still feel its taste. That's how I understood that something changed in this city. Now it's clear that it was the Breakthrough."
Correspondent:
So much has been said about the Siege and the Breakthrough, but new horrible details still emerge.
Vladimir Putin:
“I'm deeply convinced that we must use every occasion to put this into remembrance. For us to never forget this. For the whole world to remember. For nothing like this to ever repeat neither in our country nor anywhere else in the world.”
Correspondent:
The new movie Rubezh is awaiting its release. It's about a young cynical businessman hindered by the excavation on the Nevsky Pyatachok. He ends up finding himself in the past, right in the middle of combat.
Film frame:
“Get up! Alyosha! Alyosha! Alyosha, wait! Alyosha!
Vladimir Putin:
“I think it's made with much talent, it's expressive, and it's easy to understand. It touches right to the heart, just the way you wanted.”
Correspondent:
This exhibition touches to the heart, too. It was first opened four years ago, but it was a small and temporary exposition. Putin then suggested making it larger and permanent.
Vyacheslav Panfilov, veteran:
"The sincerest veteran's thank you! And restoring the Army is going well! We thought we could never have a good one again. But now, we're so happy. We rustled it up well Syria! All veterans love you, honestly! With all our hearts. For us, you're the support that holds Russia without letting anyone manipulate us. We're now protecting our interests with dignity. We're following everything, we know everything, thank you! Honesty, thank you!"
Correspondent:
Real fighters that are so few now. They have lived a long life and saw quite a lot.
Vyacheslav Panfilov, veteran:
"I wish you luck and all earthly blessings."
Vladimir Putin:
"Thank you."
Veteran
"We, veterans, are always with you."
Vladimir Putin:
"Thank you very much."
Veteran:
"I wish you health, always stay the same, we're always behind you."
Vladimir Putin:
"Thank you very much."
Correspondent:
A long year passed between the moment when the Siege was broken and when it was fully lifted. But residents of the city on the Neva already knew and understood that they withstood it all and would definitely win.