Publications

Sergey Vinogradov Photo credit: xavo_rob / flickr.com A bear dressed in kosovorotka (a traditional Russian shirt) and bast shoes playing balalaika is one of the strongest Russian stereotypes. In reality, bears live in Russian woods or zoos, kosovorotkas and bast shoes could be traced in museums and at folk concerts. In contrast, the balalaika has won its unique place not only on concert posters but also at an international stage, in academic concert halls and jazz and rock clubs. Today there are several balalaika museums in Russia. The factory production of balalaika is being revived. The...

Sergey Vinogradov Michael Chekhov Not so long ago 130th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Russian actor and theater teacher Michael Chekhov was marked. During 64 years given to him by fate, Michael Chekhov lived several lives in different countries. He played perhaps the best Khlestakov in the history of Russian theater and initiated theater education in Latvia and several other European countries. He was nicknamed "The Mozart of the Stage" by foreign critics. He changed the approach to acting in Hollywood and prompted Marilyn Monroe to demand more serious roles from studios. And finally, he...

Russkiy Mir Editorial The Hermitage Photo: pixabay.com There are some good news for art connoisseurs. From now on every person can buy an exhibit from the Hermitage. Of course the buyer should possess a certain amount of money. All this has become possible thanks to new technologies. We’re not talking about the original pieces of art, since leading Russian museum does not intend to part with them. There are unique digital copies. Last summer, the agreement about the digital art project was signed by the State Hermitage and Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges. A limited...

Svetlana Smetanina The I International online contest “Balalaika - Soul of Russia” brought together participants from all over the country, as well as from Ukraine, Belarus, and the Donetsk People's Republic. Mikhail Kiselev, director of the Moscow festival "Balalaika - Soul of Russia", said that today balalaika was associated not only with folk tunes, but quite modern music, and even jazz. – Balalaika - Soul of Russia is a project that has been in existence for about 10 years. But previously, the festival organizers did not hold balalaika contests. Why was it decided differently this year? ...

Sergey Vinogradov In February, the House of Russia Abroad launched Portraits of Women in the Russian Scientific Community Abroad in the 20th Century, a series of public lectures. In the lead-up to International Women's Day, we talked with Natalia Masolikova, the author of the series, about how Russian women emigrants made their way to scientific heights, and what united them despite all the differences in characters and destinies. Natalia Masolikova. Photo credit: House of Russia Abroad Without glass ceiling – Russian women scientist abroad is a rather uncommon topic. It is a borderline between...

Vladimir Emelianenko The building of the State Historical Museum on Red Square. Photo credit: Marcin Konsek / ru.wikipedia.org On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, the State Historical Museum begins a large-scale renovation. The scope includes the main building of the museum on Red Square, the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, the Novodevichy Convent, and other objects. However, the museum will be open for visitors. Aleksey Levykin, the museum director, told the Russkiy Mir about the restoration, new exhibitions, and interactive projects of the State Historical Museum. – Was the museum seriously...