After the Bolshevik revolution, virtually all religion that survived did so in an underground fashion. Churches, Monasteries Mosques and Temples were re purposed or destroyed. Since the fall of the Soviet government, a more open and public practice of religion has become commonplace. Religious practice by Kalmykia’s Buddhist majority is no exception.
Recently Russian President Mevedev proposed changing term limits for national elected offices to 6 years from four, with two consecutive terms permitted. Most memebrs of the Duma (Russia’s parlimetary body) seem only too eager to amend Russia’s constution to reflect these changes. Support is not unanimous among a vocal group that is not in power. Their views are represented here:
In today’s conditions, we categorically oppose discussing any possible changes to the Russian Constitution. Amendments like this can only be discussed when democracy is restored in the country. Today, when the citizens are numbed by unbridled government propaganda; when independent sources of information are inaccessible to the majority of the population; when the ruling “parliament” is appointed by the Executive Branch and independent politicians do not have the chance to get their ideas across to wide segments of the public; any discussions of amending the Constitution will resemble profanity and farce, and the amendments themselves will easily be dragged through in a way convenient for the ruling faction.
By voicing their intent to extend their own terms, the Russian authorities prove only one thing– that they are interested in nothing other than the effective usurpation of power in the country for an indeterminate period. This contradicts the goals of democratizing the country, and the return of Russia to the European path of development.
We are against turning Russia into a backwards, third-world authoritarian regime, where the rulers remain in power for life through different pretexts. The main purpose of “Solidarity,” the united democratic movement we are creating, is the unification of Russia’s citizens, for the sake of restoring democracy, order and lawfulness in the country. The founding congress of the group will take place on December 13, 2008.
We call on all Russians who value freedom to join with the Solidarity movement. [Solidarity] will fight against the illegal actions of the ruling junta, whose intention to change our Constitution is aimed at usurping power and perpetuating their rule, which is calamitous for Russia’s interests. (The Other Russia)
Filed under Commentary, Politics by admin
While the field reports on the site are currently available only in Russian, the amateur photographs on St Petersbug State University’s Russian Folklore in Modern Records site is worth a look. Captured on field trips by students, the photographs depict a uniquely Russian culture that is literally vanishing before our eyes.
The folklore archive of the St.-Petersburg state university is formed on the basis of the field records made during student’s scientific expeditions. The beginning of systematic recollection of folklore reflected in the records and stored in the center of literature and folklore investigations of the philological faculty of St.-Petersburg University, dates to 1978.
In our site you can find a part of the Folklor archive of St.-Petersburg University - the Collection of field records. It represents folklore tradition of only one region - the central part of the Northwest of Russia - Region of Belozersk.
The materials of the student’s folklore expeditions of the previous years are stored in folklore archive of the Institute of Russian literature (House of Pushkin). (St Petersbug State University’s Russian Folklore in Modern Records)
Smolensk is a historical city in western Russia. It’s located on the banks of the Dnieper river. In this video report you’ll see the local cathedral, one of the most venerated icons of the Orthodox church and works by the famous Russian sculptor Sergey Konenkov.
Filed under Regions, Video, Visiting Russia by admin
This popular Russian movie is not only about the war of 1941-1945 , but about any war, its devastating force sweeping away the natural course of things. The film is based upon documented facts and `The Khatyn Story` by Ales Adamovich. The story describes the place and events that became a symbol of national tragedy. The words Come and See are a quote from The Apocalypse of John, chapter 6, …and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, “Come and see!” Link to video
Russia’s world chess champions are numerous, and mostly men. After 17 years, a Russian has taken the womens’ chess champion title. A true chess prodigy, Alexandra (Sasha) won her first would title at the age of 10, and has been competing for prize money since she turned 11. She owns and operates a chess school for children in Moscow, sharing her secrets with future chess masters as early as the age of three.
By nine years old, Alexandra Kosteniuk could play chess for four hours straight, easily beating not only her peers but older players. “We didn’t have much money,” the chess champion recalled. “We certainly could not afford the services of Grand Masters. I can say I learned on the street.”
On September 18, Kosteniuk won the Women’s World Chess Championship held in Nalchik, in the North Caucasus, bringing the title back to Russia after a long hiatus.
The historic win put the 24-year-old in a reflective state of mind, as she considered her
journey.“All that I am and all that I have are thanks to my father,” she said. Konstantin Kosteniuk realized that his daughter’s gift would be squandered unless he devoted himself to developing it: He quit the military academy where he was teaching, and became his daughter’s personal coach and manager. (Russia Beyond the Headlines)
Filed under Culture, News, Persons of Interest by admin
Trade continues to grow in Valdivostok, which is Russia’s largest Pacific sea port. While the majority of exports are raw materials destined for Asian countries, the quantities of manufactured goods leaving have also increased. That’s good news for the Russian far east.
The freight turnover of Vladivostok commercial seaport has increased by 36% for a period of ten months in comparison with the same period of the previous year and it is now 5103,1 thousand tons. Thus the annual plan of freight processing is fulfilled for 102%, as the public relations service, referring to production service data, reported to PrimaMedia. In October 2008 the freight turnover of the seaport reached 528,8 thousand tons. The reason for the increase is export, the volume of which was 2518,5 thousand tons for ten months; it exceeded the results of the previous year by 75%. (Vladivostok Times)
