Russia Closes Down Newspaper

After posting a politcal cartoon that provoked "a controversy with echoes of the Islamic anger over Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad", the newspaper Gorodskiye Vesti or City News was shut down. Members of the Russian government stated that it was desirable to avoid ethnic battles over the issue and that shutting down the newspaper was the safe way out. This demonstrates the governments power to control the propaganda and political insight that the citizens of Russia see.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/17/news/russia.php

Kino And Its Battle With Censorship

Kino formed in 1981 in Leningrad. Their songs focus on issues of freedom and tell of the beauty and mediocrity that permeated everyday soviet life. Due to censorship, early songs were heard only by small, private audiences, and thier tapes were copied and circulated illegally by fans. After 1988, as censorship fell, they had two years of unbridled fame until lead singer Victor Tsoi died in a car accident.

Modern Art

While searching for some more modern russian art pieces, we discovered a website that hosted several pieces that are currently up for sale. When compared to the art of past people such as Kandinsky, it seems as though the art has taken a less abstract step forward into reality. Perhaps this is a sign of the maturity of Russia's culture...or perhaps a new fad. Although, a large amount of abstract references remain with certain artists. You can also find several religious referecnes in the art which is a recurring trend for most of russian culture.

http://www.modernrussianart.com/

Uma 2erman found their lady

Yes!, they are actually named for the actress Uma Thurman. They say that as huge fans of the actress, they hoped producing music dedicated to her would mean they would some day meet her, which they did, when Kill Bill 2 made its Moscow primer. Apparently Uma even likes the music. The band, composed of brothers Vova and Sergei Kristovsky, is known for lyrical Caribbean-influenced songs about love and modern culture. According to one Russian critic, "some songs amaze as peals of a thunder, some bewitch as a flight of leaves." (SRA music magazine)

Sonya Golden Hands

A new 12 part mini series which recently debuted in Russia called Sonka Golden Hands will follow the exploits of famed 19th century Russian theif Sonya Golden Hands. The miniseries depicts one of Golden Hand's most famous robberies in particular, in which she cons both a jeweler and a psychiatrist at the same time in order to get a large amount of jewelery. The pilot episode aired last Monday at the same time that Russian citizens learned of the death of former Russian Leader Boris Yeltsin. Still, Kommersant reported that 29% of Russian's using their television sets during this time frame still managed to watch Sonka Golden Hands.

Director Viktor Merezhko admitted in a phone interview that the script for the series was infact "97 percent made up". "You've got to understand that no one followed [Sonya] around writing her biography". Merezhko also noted that the remaining 3 percent was based on filed police reports.

Merezhko said that the Sonya miniseries has taken hold of him and that he hopes to find basis for a second miniseries. "Of course, the life of this amazing woman can't at all fit into 12 episodes."

"The Power of One"

This political cartoon shows Russian President Vladimir Putin standing top of Russia in a king's robe wearing a crown. This is significant because it demonstrates Putins' dictator like rule over the country and his all-powerful governing methods. He possess more control over Russia than a leader should in a democracy should and this picture shows just that.

Perspectives of Russian Youth

When Russia comes to mind, one cannot help but think of the former attitude of the Soviet Union. This established system of beliefs is still held in high regard by many citizens, and with the introduction of democracy into the country many middle-aged Russians are finding it difficult to adjust to a more modern way of thinking. But what about the next generation of Russians? What will the future hold for them? And what do they think about all that is going on around them? In "The New Russia," this point is debated.

"The New Russia." (elibrary)
http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/libweb/curriculum/do/document?set=search&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standard&resultid=26&edition=&ts=489C792E1A2FEAA60D7C7609C7642D0C_1179158169018&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B91026053

The article begins by discussing the school lives of Russian teenagers. They attend a grade 1-11 school with about 1200 students total. Due to increased security because of war and terrorist threats, it would not be uncommon to find guards near the school. However, despite this, education remains to be a top priority in Russia. The students are intelligent, have individual hopes and dreams, and seem to live in a manner typical of any other young adult. "Alex, who plays in a rock band with friends, has written his own song lyrics-in English. Some day he wants to travel the world as a foreign correspondent."

Although the previous aims of the Soviet Union were to restrict the amount of influence Russian recieves from the outside world, at this point in time it seems to be the complete opposite. Many Russian teenagers, such as Alex and Anya from the article, are perfectly aware of the possibilities their future has. "They are not shy at all about showing off their English skills. Anya and Alex know that speaking a foreign language will give them opportunities of which their parents could only have dreamed."

Based on "A New Russia," by Lucian Kim, it is apparent that Russia may soon be drastically different from what it once was in the Soviet Union. With Russian youth being more highly educated, it is doubtful that they haven't the slightest idea about where the country is headed. With this knowledge, it is hopeful that Russian teenagers will be able to put an end to the negative aspects of the current government and ensure a positive future for the next generation of their people.
(A.H)

Bratya Grim: Russian Rock Scene

Identical twin brothers Borya and Kostya Grim are from Samara, in southern Russia. They started producing music in 1999 but would wait several years before their demo was given to producer Leonid Burlakov, who moved the group to Moscow where they would become stars. Their lyrics are ethereal, "blending words and images to bring out the beauty of the sound of the language, rather than build narrative or even attempt to make sense." (SRA music magazine) The arrangements are traditional rock, driven by strong guitar and percussion.

"Helicopters and Oil for Hu in Kazan"

Chinese President Hu Jintao toured a plant that makes one of Russia’s most-advanced helicopters. He also learned about Tatarstan’s oil on Wednesday. While Tatarstan, hopes China will invest in its economy and jointly produce the Ansat helicopter. She was not too hopeful that this agreement was going to work out because she said she had learned that bureaucracy was worse in China than in Russia. China is going to invest $12 billion in Russia in the next 13 years to boost Tatarstan industries such as petrochemicals and machine building. The aircraft is Russia’s only fly-by-wire helicopter, meaning it is controlled by an electrical interface rather than mechanically. In televised remarks that oil and textiles were key industries that Tatarstan wanted to develop with Chinese.

http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=21143

"Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil, See No Evil"

This political cartoon, drawn by Petar Pismestrovic in July of 2006, shows the Russian President, Vladimir Putin; the President of the United States, George Bush; and a member of the European Union. They are all sitting in front of a representation of the war between Israel and Hisbollah. Putin is covering his mouth, Bush is covering his ears, and the member of the European Union is covering his eyes. This is a very famous saying that originated in Japan at the entrance to Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine. The statue consists of 3 monkeys that speak no evil, hear no evil, and see no evil. This phrase is commonly used to describe people who do not want to get involved in a situation. This cartoon depicts Putin, Bush, and a member of the European Union all attempting to ignore the situation going on in the Middle East and focus on their own problems.

Contrasting Sounds

This is another painting by Kandinsky. This particular painting entitled Contrasting Sounds shows the large role music played on his art. It was made in 1924 using oil paint on a cardboard canvas.

"Mironov Says Putin Should Stay"

Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov called for a constitutional amendment that would allow President Vladimir Putin stay in office for an extended period of time after the term ends. The proposal was shot down by the Kremlin. Mironov happens to head the pro-Kremlin party and has gotten pressure from Putins group to propose this amendment. Putin's party said that Putin would oppose any proposal to extent his presidential term. This proposal reflects a growing pressure on Putin to remain in power from some of his top lieutenants.


http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2007/04/02/011.html

Kandinsky

Kandinski was one of the most influential Russian artists during the 20th century. He was born in Moscow in 1866 where he stayed for most of his childhood. The first artistic concept he embraced was the piano which he learned from his parents. Music eventually became a major inspiration for him when he created such paints as Improvisations, Impressions, and Compositions. In 1886 he he enrolled at the University of Moscow where he studied law and economics. Eventually, after graduating, he lectured at the Moscow Faculty of Law. At the age of 30 he left Moscow and went to Germany to pursue life drawing, sketching, and anatomy.

This study brought him in the opposite direction; his art became extremely abstract. It was not long before his talent surpassed the constraints of art school and he began exploring his own ideas of painting. He can be quoted saying, "I applied streaks and blobs of colors onto the canvas with a palette knife and I made them sing with all the intensity I could..." Considered to be the founder of abstract art, his work was shown in Europe from 1903 onwards, and often caused controversy among the public and art critics.

In 1933, he left Germany and settled near Paris. He continued painting almost until his death in June, 1944. His paintings still scatter the globe today, some can even be found in the Guggenhiem Museum of Art. His representation of art shows how unique Russian culture truly is. The Russians have always been well known for being different from the rest of the world, even all the way back during the reign of the tsars. Kandinsky himself portreys the originality that stems from Russian with such paintings as the one above, entitled On White II. It was done on a canvas using oil paints in 1923.

"Communists, Liberals Protest in City Center"

"Shame on United Russia!" and "Shame on the authorities!" is what the people were saying.On Saturday, March 31st, opposition rallies brought about 2,500 people to the streets of Moscow to protest illegal construction, military conscription and housing reform. They are protesting the construction being done in Russia. The pro-Kremlin group had to be detained for throwing chicken legs at the protesters and 10 people of the liberal, Communist group had to be detained for their protests. Saturdays rallies showed a growing discontent with the current government.

http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2007/04/02/002.html

It's 10pm, Do You Know Where Your Putin Is?

This political cartoon, created by Ribber Hansson in 2006, shows how the Russian government, mostly Putin, is in control of all of the television channels in Russia, with the exception of a minute few. The title, "It's 10pm, Do You Know Where Your Putin Is?" is a variation that comes from the famous Fox 5 News quote, "It's 10pm, do you know where your children are?"

‘Kidults’ Asked to ‘Switch Off Brains’

This article is about the generation of adults with a young attitude. How adults in their late 20s to 30s have a "young lifestyle". They mean that they are the adults who "listens to iPods, plays Sony PlayStations, reads Harry Potter". This article states that adult cartoons that are most certainly not meant for children are very popular in Russia.

http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=21144