How the work of one of Soviet Russia's greatest poets found new life through modern music.

This week, Spotify comes to Russia, Crimea is a hot tourist destination (like always), and three cases of corruption: one big, one small, and one straight out of a spy movie.

Dancing noses, we have dancing noses, people! This week's video of the week is courtesy of Gogol, Shostakovich, and The Royal Opera.

“It's nice to receive such news from Europe!”

- Ukrainian singer Ani Lorak on winning the revote for Eurovision 2008

This week we have grants for bride-stealing, anthropomorphic cakes, prisoners (and guards) walking on glass, and important advice for your next trip to Chelyabinsk.

“This is a good deed, one of the great opportunities to pay attention to people who need special support and attention, and, if necessary, help, especially in the current difficult epidemiological situation.”

– Advisor to the Governor of the Rostov region Anton Alekseyev on the online project “Smotri pesni” (“Watch Songs”)

Russian pop experimentalist Kate NV had her video voted the #1 best music video of May by Pitchfork.

In these difficult times, let’s celebrate life. Specifically, five Russians (from a diplomat to an conductor to an activist) who happen to share today, June 4, as their birthday.

Little Big continues to delight fans. Another million-liked video to end your week.

On this day in 1840, one of the greatest composers of all time was born: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The former Eurovision competitors have been staying busy during quarantine.

Music soothes the plague-bothered soul. Here are some recent tracks worth listening to.