1998 The Year of Superlatives

Early in 1998, Russia looked like it was on the mend. Then, on August 17, the bubble burst, negatively impacting every aspect of life in Russia, from trade and the economy to politics and society. Not since the hyperinflation of the early 1990s has Russia faced such dire economic circumstances. But, eight years ago there was at least the salve of new-found freedoms. Today there is only disillusionment and frustration. And a little bit of hope. As Russians like to say, “Hope dies last.” 

By any accounting, 1998 has been a year of highs and lows, of bests and worsts. Therefore, we decided to offer a pictoral interpretation of 1998 through superlatives. It is admittedly incomplete, but offers a representative view of what this year has meant for Russians and their society.

– The Editors 

BEST “HEAVYWEIGHTS”

On August 21, four days after the ill-conceived debt default and ruble devaluation, Russian President Boris Yeltsin fired his young premier, Sergei Kirienko. Borrowing a sporting term, “heavyweight,” to describe the kind of premier Russia needed in this critical situation, Yeltsin nominated former Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin to replace Kirienko. But, Chernomyrdin’s political weight proved insufficient to tip the scales of influence in the Duma. After receiving two solid no votes from the Duma, Yeltsin dumped Chernomyrdin and nominated a compromise can-didate, Yevgeny Primakov (left, in left photo, with Natan Sharan-sky). Primakov quickly established his “heavyweight” status and positioned himself in the center ring of Russian politics, alongside Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov (right), as one of Russia’s biggest contenders for the presidency in 2000.

BIGGEST SCAM

August 17, 1998. Clients try to withdraw their savings from a Moscow bank.

BEST “FEATHERWEIGHT”

In September, newly appointed Premier Yevgeny Primakov was having a hard time filling the many vacant posts in his new government, in particular, the thankless portfolio of Vice Premier for Social Issues. After many male candidates turned down the cabinet post, Primakov put a call through to his former subordinate at the Foreign Ministry and then Ambassador to Greece, Valentina Matvienko. It was an offer she apparently could not refuse. And yet, it made Matvienko Russia’s first-ever female Vice Premier. Unfortunately, lacking the political “weight” of the protypical “heavyweight,” Victor Chernomyrdin, and given the shortage of state funding for solving social issues, Matvienko is doomed to remain a lesser among equals in the new government of old apparatchiks. 

BEST POLITICIAN

When President Yeltsin and the Duma were at an impasse over a new prime minister and dire predictions about civil war raged, Grigory Yavlinsky stepped into the fray and suggested the compromise candidacy of Yevgeny Primakov. The proposal was successful not just because Yavlinsky stood outside the leading parties in the government and the parliament, but also because he has been making his mark on the political scene by standing on his principles – something in very short supply in modern Russian politics. Yavlinsky’s spirited defense of human rights – particularly in the case of a journalist assassinated in Kalmykia, and his refusal to be coopted into a government he disagrees with, has earned him popularity from an otherwise jaded public. But standing firm can have its costs. Yavlinsky suffered from heart problems in October. Yet after a brief hospitalization, he bounced back and threw his hat in the ring for the 2000 presidential race. Interestingly, he recently garnered praise from another presidential contender, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who said Yavlinsky is a “very serious, solid, highly respected political figure,” capable of leading the country out of its current crisis.

BEST POEM

In the Soviet era, Sergei Mikhalkov (right) wrote a propagandistic poem, The Ruble and the Dollar, singing the praises of the ruble. The poem found new life as the source of black humor amidst the fall ruble crisis:

Wherever you go 

Death and poverty will follow you

As you serve to pay off murderers for their evil deeds

And traitors of the Fatherland pocket you.

While I am the Soviet Ruble

In the hands of the people

Who are building peace 

And urge the whole world to follow suit

To spite the enemy

I am growing stronger by the year

Make way, here comes the Soviet ruble!”

BEST BEER

At a recent contest for the best brand in Russia, Baltika Beer walked away with first prize. No surprise for the homegrown beermaker (which gets a little help from Sweden), which has been winning over Russian beer lovers and raking in record profits: $86 mn in 1997 on $158 mn in sales.

BIGGEST BOONDOGGLE

When it first opened, the huge underground mall at Moscow’s Manege square, in the heart of the capital, was welcomed as a clean, well-lit showcase for Russia’s new capitalism. But, when the crisis hit, the high rents and high prices left the mall empty and forgotten.

BEST POLITICAL JOKE

Quote from a governmental cable after President Yeltsin suffered yet another health crisis:

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Respected Boris Nikolaevich!

The deputies of the State Duma wish you an expeditious recovery. 

200 votes for

90 against

20 abstentions

MOST PRESIDENCIES

He already holds two presidencies – of the Republic of Kalmykia and of the International Chess Federation. Now he wants a third. Kirsan Ilyum-zhinov seeks the presidency of the Russian Soccer Federation and promised, if elected, to find enough money to make Russia World Soccer Champion in 2002.

SCARIEST SMILE

Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov had ready a fearsome smile as President Yeltsin’s preferred candidate for prime minister, Viktor Chernomyrdin, went down in flames twice in late August. The Communist Party’s fortunes were on the rise and visions of a Yeltsin resignation danced in Zyuganov’s head. But much poorer than expected turnouts for the mass demonstrations held October 7 showed that the Communists’ popular strength may be overstated.

BEST THIEF

Even though, Pavel Chukhrai’s popular new film, The Thief, failed to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Film this year, Central Bank Chairman Sergei Dubinin’s role in the theft of a Russia’s savings earned him well-deserved hatred from Russia’s millions of depositors. Interestingly, Chukhrai’s thief ended up in prison, while Dubinin got off with a simple resignation.

BEST ATHLETE 

Female cross-country skier Larisa Lazutina capped her career by bringing home from the Nagano Olympics the most medals for Russia: three gold, one silver and one bronze. The achievement was not expected from this Karelian-born athlete who now lives in Odintsovo, outside Moscow. Lazutina shunned state support and trained virtually alone for the team.

WORST NATURAL DISASTER

Moscow is not the place one normally associates with natural disasters, but, on the night of June 20-21, a dreadful hurricane uprooted thousands of trees, damaging millions of dollars in property as it raged through the center of the city. Below: Manege square.

MOST JUSTIFIED REACTION

Fed up with months of wage arrears, desperate Russian miners protested last summer by blocking railways all across the country. Although the actions were decried from many quarters, the strikes did the trick. By fall, Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov announced that wage arrears would be paid by running the printing presses.

WORST TIMING

In September, Vogue magazine’s first issue was published here, blasting with billboards and a cover headline declaring, “At Last in Russia!” But, amid the financial crisis, the premier fashion journal’s launch was like the proverbial tree falling in the forest – no one heard it. Except the competition, of course. Leonid Bershidsky, in the Moscow Times, commented, “Oh, now I know what was missing in today’s Russia – Vogue magazine… “ The Moscow Times is owned by Independent Media, publishers of the Russian edition of Cosmopolitan.

BEST INSURANCE POLICY

After Russian’s savings of rubles (kapusta, or cabbage, in slang) were eaten up by bank closings, the bulk of the population began to live from hand to mouth and focus their purchasing on basic food items. Thus, in the absence of one monetary kapusta, the best investment for the coming winter became a barrel of salted kapusta, as long as supplies hold out.