January 01, 2002

Notebook

Army Reform Set

Under a plan approved by President Vladimir Putin, by 2010 the Russian army will switch from its current draft-based system to a contract-based system. The government will develop a detailed plan for the transition by 2004, with the plan to execute in the ensuing 6 years.

According to the head of the Main Draft Department of the Russian General Staff, General-Colonel Vladislav Putilin, the military realized two years ago that Russia’s demographic situation necessitated this change. By the year 2010-2011, the army’s draft would bring in only 30-40% of needed force levels. A recent eye-opening report prepared by Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov detailing these realities prompted Putin to charge the government to prepare the plan.

According to Putilin, the transition will cost hundreds of billions of rubles. For example, the financing of one infantry division comprised of contract servicemen (called in Russian kontraktniki) will cost at least 30% more than one made up of draftees. And the salary of proposed kontraktniki must exceed the ludicrous R1,700 (less than $60) presently paid to kontraktniki. The proposal foresees a monthly salary of R3,500 in 2004, but even that will hardly motivate Russia’s youth to serve in the army, Putilin said.

In the same vein, Vladimir Kulakov, deputy chairman of the Russian Federation Committee on Security and Defense, said that, according to preliminary estimates, it will take a monthly salary of around $1,500 per month (presently a solid, middle-class salary) to interest enough kontrakniki to provide for the national defense.

Certainly, much will change between now and 2004, from economics to global politics. But, in any event, as an experiment, certain army units will be fully switched to the contract system in the near future. The 76th Paratroopers Division in Pskov will become the first unit composed entirely of kontraktniki.

Film Fest Carries On

The Third Annual Festival of Russian Film was held in New York last fall. According to the chairman of the organizing committee, Alexander Zhurbin, the festival program consisted of four major categories: new Russian films, the work of Russian cinema makers in foreign projects, documentaries, and “Bulat Okudzhava in Cinema.” US cinema-goers and “newly-born Americans” with Russian roots enjoyed films like Northern Lights by Andrei Razenkov, Poisons or the World History of Poisonings by Karen Shakhnazarov, The 101st Kilometer by Leonid Maryagin, and Tender Age by Sergei Solovyov. Zhurbin (who is a professional composer and who established the festival) said he is proud that this festival, supported by Western Union and ITAR-TASS, has been held in NY for the third time. “We are doing something hard yet truly important—showing Russian cinema to America,” Zhurbin said.

The films were shown not only in NY, but also in Washington and Boston. Showings in Chicago and Seattle were canceled after security measures were increased on US domestic flights in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attack.

Bolshoi Alter Ego

The main building of the Bolshoi (designed by the architects Andrei Mikhailov and Osip Bove in 1825) will close for renovation in January 2003. Renovation costs are estimated to come in between $160-180 million, reported The Moscow Times. The main goal of the renovation is to expand and modernize the stage area of the world-famous theater. A construction firm has not yet been selected. Meanwhile, after more than six years of work, the new “sister theater” (to the left of the older, main building—see photo) is nearing completion. The tradition of a second stage for the Bolshoi goes back to the 19th century, when this role was played by the Maly Theater. Yakov Sarkisov, deputy general director of Mospromstroi told The Moscow Times that the new 950-seat sister theater should open its doors by the start of the Bolshoi’s 227th season, in September 2002.

Defending Museums

The Founding Congress of the newly-created Union of Russian Museums was held in St. Petersburg this past fall. The Union will unite 315 museums from 63 regions of Russia, seeking to create “a unified museum space,” improve related legislation, and, of course, improve funding and raise the all-too-tiny salaries of museum workers. As Kommersant quoted Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoy, who spoke at the congress, “One must at least receive regularly the small salary one is paid.”

Viktoria Victorious

Russian designer Viktoria Andrianova (one of Russian Life’s 100 Young Rus-sians to Watch, profiled Jan/Feb 2001) won the prestigious Golden Manne-quin fashion award during Mos-cow’s Week of High Fashion in late November. Andrianova won the same award last year and this year fashion observers lauded Andrianova for her impeccable taste, her drive to innovate, and her loyalty to her artistic credo. Andrianova also stood out for her unique choice of models, including megastar and rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva (see Russian Life, March 2000), pictured above.

Film Mourns Losses

Russia recently bid farewell to two “cult figures” of domestic cinema: actor Georgy Vitsyn and film director Grigory Chukhrai. While the two men had rather different personalities and profiles (Chukhrai was famous for his war films, while Vitsyn was known for his comic roles), the deaths were a heavy blow for millions of Russian cinema lovers.

Georgy Vitsin, who died in November following a heart attack, was the last surviving member of the famous comic trio created by film director Leonid Gayday: Balbes (“Oddball”), played by Yuri Nikulin, who died in 1998, Byvaliy (“Experienced”) played by Yevgeny Morgunov, who passed away in 1999, and Trus (“Coward”), played by Vitsyn.

Of the trio, only Nikulin (who became director of the Old Circus on Moscow’s Tsvetnoy boulevard) lived a comfortable life. Vitsyn lived on a meager pension and the small honorariums he was paid for participating in concerts. This, despite the fact that he starred in many classic films beyond those produced by Gayday, including The Balzaminov’s Wedding, based on Nikolai Gogol’s work of the same name. One of his best-known films was the hilarious comedy Gentlemen of Fortune (Dzhentlmeny Udachi). The Soviet cinema industry earned huge revenues from comedies in which Vitsyn starred, as did Russian TV which, with the shortage of good films in the 1990s, would air the Gayday/Vitsyn comedies several times a year. Despite this, during his last heart attack, Vitsyn was placed in an ordinary city clinic. Only through the intervention of high-ranking cinema authorities was he finally transfered to a decent clinic. But even that did not help, and the artist died in his 84th year.

Grigory Chukhrai, who not long ago feted his 80th birthday, is best known for his legendary film, Ballad of a Soldier. Chukhrai was a war veteran who served as a paratrooper, took part in the battle of Stalingrad and was wounded four times. His Ballad of a Soldier, which tells of a Soviet soldier’s effort to visit home during an all-too-short leave, won awards in Cannes and other film festivals. It is considered one of the best war films ever made. Chukhrai also directed The Forty-First, Clear Sky, Life is Beautiful, and I’ll Teach You to Dream. “All my films are based on my war experiences,” Chukhrai once said. “War most clearly reveals people’s characters and deeds.”

A local cinema critic noted that all the nomenklatura bosses and stars of Russian cinema who attended Churkhai’s burial could not help but envy the director: “all these successful and well-known people … none of them could even dream of living the life Chukhrai lived.”

Chukhrai was a man of integrity and honor who never compromised on his principles. Indeed Chukhrai was a victor on many fronts: he participated in the great war which his generation won against Fascism; he won the love of all Russian film lovers with his talented films; he celebrated a golden wedding anniversary (50 years) with his wife (a rather unique achievement, especially in the cinematic milieu); and he successfully bequeathed his film heritage to his son, Pavel Chukhrai, director of the Oscar nominated film, The Thief.

Saving the Leopard

On November 8, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Moscow Marriot hotels inaugurated a joint project aimed at saving the Far Eastern Leopard (above), which is on the brink of extinction. Special donation boxes have been installed in the lobbies of the three Moscow Marriot hotels, asking hotel guests to make donations to the fund.

The Far Eastern Leopard is one of the most beautiful and rare of the world’s big cats. Russia’s Far East is the northernmost habitat for leopards, thus the cat’s long, thick fur. Over the last 20 years, the wild habitat for the Far Eastern Leopard has shrunk by 75%, and their recorded population to just 40 animals. The causes of the decline are predictable: senseless exploitation of the environment for economic gain and poaching. The WWF opened its representation in Russia in July 1994, since that time attracting over $15 million for 80 projects in 35 regions of Russia, from Kamchatka to the Arctic.

Moscow Expo 2010?

Moscow will bid to be the host of World Expo-2010. Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov said at a news conference that the city would earmark as much as $800 million to host the event, from which he said both the city and Russia would benefit, especially through increased outside investment in Russia. Some observers noted that the year fits perfectly with the current pace of Russia’s economic development: by the year 2010, Russia will supposedly begin a cycle of economic prosperity, which the World Expo would only boost. Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref said the federal government would devote $600 million for the expo. Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said he is confident billions of dollars in investment would flow into the country, should Russia win. Russia has participated in all World Expos, but has never hosted one. A secret vote in December 2002 will determine the winner. Russia’s rivals for the nomination include China, South Korea, Argentina and Poland.

Pensioners

on Ice

Despite very challenging economic conditions for Russia’s pensioners (see page 10, Facts and Figures), some retired Russians certainly feel that old age is no time to feel miserable, but rather to be active and enjoy life. Vdokhnoveniye (“Inspiration”) ice dancers is a troupe composed mainly of elderly Russians (though anyone from 33 to 80 can join). Vdokhnoveniye’s program includes different ball dances and presentations on ice. In the photo, a group rehearses at the Umka skating rink in Moscow region. In the front of the line is the ensemble’s artistic director, Margarita Stegantseva.

Spartak Champion!

After a series of lackluster matches in the European Cham-pion’s League (two draws and three defeats by press time), Moscow’s Spartak won its 9th national soccer title, beating Zenit (St. Petersburg) 3:1. This is the fifth consecutive national title for the Red and White squad (and its ninth in the last ten years), which has triggered discussions as to the true value of Russia’s National Soccer Championship when only one team seems capable of rising to the top. But coaches and managers insist: “it is not Spartak’s business to create competition in the championship; let the other teams catch up.” But without true competitors, the general level of Spartak’s soccer will only suffer, which may explain the team’s poor performance in the Champion’s League. But as coach Oleg Romantsev said, “a title is a title and it always feels good to win it.”

Kabaeva Still Tops

After winning at the European championship in Geneva, where she grabbed three gold medals, rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva conquered both the public and the judges at the World Championship in Madrid, where the 18-year-old won five golds. Along with Irina Tchaschina, Olga Belova and Lyaysan Utya-sheva, she won in the team competition, then won the all-around individual title, plus gold medals in the cord, the ball and the mace exercises.

Safin Repeats

Marat Safin won the St. Petersburg Open in tennis for the second time in his career, beating Germany’s Reiner Schuettler, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Safin ended the year in 11th place in the ATP ranking, yet was 5th in the world in earnings (over $2 million) in 2001. Meanwhile, Yevgeny Kafelnikov played for the 7th time in the unofficial world championship: the Masters Cup in Sydney (Australia), where he reached the semifinals. Kafelnikov ended the year in 4th place in the ATP rankings, and 3rd in terms of money (over $3 million). Another two Russians finished the year in the ATP’s top 100: Mikhail Yuzhny (56th) and Andrei Stolyarov (71th).

Dementieva Honored

Yelena Dementieva (see Russian Life Jan/Feb 2001) was named Russia’s best female tennis player for 2001 at the traditional Russian Cup soiree held in late 2001 at the Moscow Radisson-Slavjan-skaya Hotel. The jury cited her contribution to the Women’s National Team’s advancement to the finals in the Federal Cup-2001. Women’s tennis is clearly on the rise in Russia: at press time eight Russian women were in the top 100 of the WTA world ranking: Yelena De-men--tieva (15), Lina Krasno-rut-skaya (34), Yelena Likhov-tseva (36), Nadejda Petrova (38), Tatyana Panova (39), Yelena Bovina (49), Anastasiya Myskina (59) and Anna Kurnikova (74).

Without a Doubt

Konstantin Tzyu became the first Russian all-around World Champion among professional boxers after knocking out American Zab Judah in the second round of their bout in Las Vegas. Tzyu now holds the title for his weight category in all three of the WBC, the WBA and the IBF. For his victory in the bout, the 32-year old Tzyu won a record high career prize money of $1.5 million.

Heavy Lifting

Valentina Popova became Russia’s first female athlete to win at the world championship in weightlifting. At the event held in Antalia (Turkey), she set two world records in the 69 kg weight category. Thus, Popova re-deemed herself for the Sydney Olympics, where she won only a silver medal. “We don’t know how to be happy with second place,” a beaming Popova said. “That’s why we took it as a defeat. But then it became a stimulus to improve my performance.”

Isn’t That Bandy?

Forward Ivan Maximov (right) helped his club, Yenisey (Krasnoyarsk) to end Russia’s nine-year losing streak and defeat Sweden in the finals of European Champions Cup in bandy (also known as Russian hockey). Maximov scored the third and decisive goal five minutes before the end of the match, with Yenisey beating Sweden’s Vesteros 3-2. It was the 7th time Yenisey has taken the trophy.

FACTS & FIGURES

GDP rose 5.5% from January to October. Industrial output grew 5.2% during the same period. (Prime-TASS agency) ! Russian oil output in 2001 was estimated at between 342 and 345 million tons of crude oil. The Energy Ministry had previously forecast production of just 325 million tons. Production in 2000 was 323 million tons. ! The State Customs Committee will transfer a record R530bn ($17.9 billion) in revenue to the federal budget this year. (Prime-TASS) ! The Tax Ministry met its 2001 tax collection goal of R728 billion ($26 billion) more than a month ahead of schedule. (Interfax) ! The government expects to see a budget surplus this year equal to 2.5% of GDP. In 2000, the surplus reached 1.1% of GDP (Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kudrin). ! Of the 22,000 official refugees resident in Russia, 97% come from CIS countries. Only 565 come from the countries bordering the CIS, including 548 Afghanis. (Kommersant daily) ! The state arms-export giant Rosoboronexport is expected to show 2001 revenues of $4 billion. (ITAR-TASS) ! 5 million people in Russia use mobile phones. First Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics Yuri Pavlenko estimated that, by 2010, that number will rise to 45-48 million. (Kommersant Vlast) By way of comparison, there are currently an estimated 100 million mobile phone users in the United States, and over 6 million in Sweden. ! Private bank deposits in rubles and hard currency rose 30.2% from January to August 2001, to reach R602.2 billion ($21.5 billion) (Goskomstat). ! In a recent opinion poll, 33% of Russians said they consider the US the most civilized nation on Earth. Germany was second with 21%. France polled 16%, while Russia came in just 7th with 6%. China came in last (12th) place among those listed, with just 2% calling it the most civilized nation. (Argumenty i Fakty) ! 12,483 people were pardoned in 2000. Of these, 9,790 were serving terms for severe and especially severe crimes, including 4,514 persons serving terms for premeditated murder and banditry; 1,800 had three or more previous convictions, some had as many as six. The recidivism rate among such pardoned inmates is steadily growing and has already reached 10%. ! Russia’s three million drug users consume more than a $1 billion in drugs every year; 450,000 Russians are registered as drug-users. (Interior Ministry) ! There are an estimated 20 million persons of the Islamic faith in Russia, or about one in seven Russians. ! There are just 14,800 judges in Russia, versus some 40,000 prosecutorial workers. (Kommersant daily) ! In a recent poll, 44.2% of those responding said Russia’s elderly can rely only upon their own means for subsistence, while 29.4% said they should rely on their families and 17% said they should be able to rely on the state. 3.4% said they should be supported by no one, 2.4% said their former employers should support them, and 2.2% said they should rely on charity. (ROMIR) ! In 2000, there were 891,000 small and medium sized enterprises in Russia, employing some 6.5 million people, or 10% of all persons employed, versus 52% in the US. (Goskomstat)

“The fact is hard to refute: Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, is hot ... in the sense that Putin is the world leader with just about the biggest buzz these days, as he forges a remarkable friendship with Bush and works on anti-missile treaties and wartime

coalitions. But also in a more visceral way. Hot meaning, come on, George, stop talking so the cameras can turn back to Vlad! Hot meaning ... well, you know what.”

Boston Globe reporter Joanna Weiss (The Moscow Times)

“The Taliban was abandoning towns and villages so easily that experts started comparing their leader Mullah Mohammad Omar to Fieldmarshal Kutuzov, who lured Napoleon into Russia only

to beat him later. What is more, Omar also has only one eye.

But then the absence of one eye doesn’t automatically imply a great military commander.”

Russian TV

“It is believed that the elite are those who are rich, who enjoy

wide exposure on TV and who can perpetrate dishonest and immoral acts with impunity.”

Metropolitan Smolensky and Kaliningradsky Kirill on false and genuine elites

at the Moscow conference, “The Russian Elite: Its Groups,

Goals and Tasks.” (Kommersant daily)