It is common in the mythologies and rites of many cultures to associate winter with death and a descent into darkness. Many of our most cherished holidays derive from the acknowledgment of our mortality and of earthly, seasonal renewal.
And yet it always hurts when death comes. Particularly when it is sudden and all too early.
Toward the end of 2019 we unexpectedly lost a writer for this magazine, Ivan Kobilyakov. He was a very enthusiastic, energetic young man who embraced the wild beauty of Siberia and loved to share stories of his travels there with us. In particular, he was taken by the Putorana Plateau, a place so remote that few people of any nationality have ever visited there. But, thanks to his pluck, he took us there thrice, in search of wolves, sheep, and painterly landscapes. He also took us to Norilsk and wrote an article on mine rescue workers that won a national award, and to Chukotka’s gold mines. His stories were long, and told from a personal perspective, and beautifully illustrated. We will miss his work, and, more importantly, his person. Please pay tribute to him by going back and reading some of his articles.
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Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.
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