Russia Day

Thursday was Russia Day - a holiday to celebrate Russia's independence. We went to Peterhof. Here is the Grand Cascade:




There are lots of wicked fountains:


The 'Northern Star' ensemble (run by my host family) was performing:



And so were some men with pipes:

Chemical

Across from the Tekhnologicheskii Institut,



there is a statue of Mendeleev:



And a mural of his periodic table:

Pioneers' square and its sculptures

Here is Pioneer square (the Pioneers were the younger version of the Komsomol - a sort of Communist cub scouts - for those aged 8 to 13) and some it its weird and wonderful sculptures...
(click to enlarge; about 2MB each).

from afar

There are photographs ready. But all my internet time is taken up with dealing with the insanity of the ESRC.
Only time to wonder at the death-throes of habeas corpus, which David Davis is unlikely to succeed in reviving, in my humble opinion, although perhaps we shall see. I'm a few hours to early to see whether Irish voters have killed the EU constitution. The analysts say that if they have voted 'no', then Gordon (or whoever) will likely be forced in to holding a referendum in the UK. Which would be a welcome oasis of something resembling 'democracy' in the midst of the present desert.
Meanwhile, I've realized that (historiographically,) my research project ultimately revolves around the French revolution... clearly my fault for temporarily forgetting that EVERYTHING revolves around the French revolution... details, perhaps, when I have more time.

More Russia

The only thing I forgot to bring with me here was a watch. Since I don't use my phone here, and didn't bring the charger, I need something to wake me up in the morning. So I went looking for one... the cheapest digital watch with an alarm which I could find, on a market, was 100 roubles. It's a 'talking' one that tells you the time (in Russian, occasionally incorrectly) when you press a button on the front. The alarm sound is like a cock crowing "cockadoodledooo". It's fantastic.

Yesterday I was at the opening of a small exhibition of Impressionist paintings which Christie's have brought over in advance of an auction. A couple of wicked Magritte pieces were included, which apparently were the bargain items at only half a million quid each.

For considerably less money than that, I've procured tickets for Uncle Vania, The Cherry Orchard, and Tchaikovsky's opera of Evgenii Onegin.

Back in the CIS

I've managed to get here without missing my flight, or my connection, or losing my luggage, or forgetting anything really essential.
When I got to the apartment and started talking to my host, she asked me if I had forgotten how to speak Russian. I blame any deterioration on having to do exams recently. She says I will 'quickly remember' though...let's hope so.
The weather is a bit miserable, and it will rain today and tomorrow, but then we should be getting some sunshine.
I'm hoping to see Chekhov's 'Uncle Vania' and one of Chaikovskii's operas of 'Evgenii Onegin' and 'The Queen of Spades,' which are currently playing. I'll have to see what I can get tickets for.
There is also a (presumably Russian-language) adaption of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess... which I think I might avoid.

New photographs - including of one of the strangest sculptures I've ever seen - will appear...