Letters to the Editor

Vodka Lovers of the World ...

To the Editors:

I savored every sentence of your spirited (April) issue on vodka but searched in vain for a reference to Ukrainian vodka. Having spent three years in Warsaw and two in Moscow as a US diplomat, I have swallowed enough vodka to float a small boat and believe I am qualified to say that good Ukrainian vodka equals the best of Russia and Poland. In fact, I have been told that much of Russian vodka, today as in the past, is made in Ukraine. My current favorite is Zhitomirskaya, produced in Ivano-Frankivsk, the former Polish city of Stanislawow, and a best buy at only $8.99 a bottle. Your readers should also know that Scandinavian aquavit (water of life) is also a vodka, as is the German schnapps, and that whiskey is “water of life” in Gaelic, showing how much people of northern climes have in common.

Yale Richmond

Washington, DC

To the Editors:

I enjoyed your issue about vodka, but you left out an important sociological fact about Russian drinking. Every Russian is well acquainted with the gesture of snapping one’s throat with the index finger to signify a desire to have a drink, but few know the origin of this gesture. I believe that this dates back to the time of Peter the Great. One of his favorite shipbuilders was a serious drinker and, in gratitude for his services, Tsar Peter made him a kruzhka (drinking cup) engraved with the two headed eagle.

The tsar also sent out an ukase that this mug was to be filled to the brim whenever and wherever it was presented. It wasn’t long before this cup was broken, and the tsar had another one made for his shipbuilder. However when the tsar’s favorite broke the second mug, the tsar had the Imperial two-headed eagle tattooed on the man’s chin. Whenever he wanted a drink, he would walk into any kabak and by just pointing to his chin, have all the vodka he could handle.

I don’t know if this is historically accurate or not, and would like to hear from others if they have heard this story.

Na zdorovye,

Andrei Dubrovsky

Marshfield, MA

Circus Lover

To the Editors:

Just wanted to let you know that I have received my third issue of Russian Life and I absolutely LOVE it! I am an American woman, and my husband is from Moscow, so I have found that your magazine has helped me tremendously ...

We have a two year old daughter named Tatiana ... I understand that Sesame Street is broadcast in Russia now, based on Russian Culture: Ulitsa y Sesam. Is it possible I can get videotapes of this show? If so, where can I buy them?

... I would like to see an article about the past and present Russian Circus. I remember as a young girl how highly the Russian circus was regarded. How has the post cold war era affected it? Is it still regarded as highly? ...

Regards,

Anna & Iliya Zaripov

Winter Haven, FL

Anna & Iliya:

While they do not likely have videos of Ulitsa u Sesam, St. Petersburg Publishing House does offer an extensive collection of video tapes of Russian cartoons and children’s programs (all in Russian), as well as books on tape. Call 800-531-1037 and have them send you a free catalog.

We do plan a story in coming months on the Russian circus, as it was founded 205 years ago, by Catherine the Great. Stay tuned.

– The Editors

The Puck Stops Here

To the Editors:

Thank you for your recent articles about Sergei Fyodorov and the Russian Olympic Ice Hockey Team. I was also happy to see the brief article {March 98} and accompanying picture of “Russian” Ball Hockey (aka ‘bandy’).

In response to a Letter to the Editor from E. Bowyer {March 98} and to your readers who are fans of the Russian Hockey system...

A great resource for many books on hockey and hard to find Russian Hockey books is The Sports Asylum (1-800-929-2159) in Northridge, CA.

The books which you mention in your editors note are available:

Tarasov: The Father of Russian Hockey, by Anatoly Tarasov; The Red Machine, by Lawrence Martin.

Additionally available are three other tremendous, absolute must read books on Russian Hockey... Tretiak, The Legend, by Vladislav Tretiak (autobiography of the great Soviet star goalkeeper); Cold War: The Great Canada-Soviet Hockey Series of 1972, by Roy McSkimming (a concise, in-depth expose on the first great competition with Canadian professionals); From Behind the Red Line: A North American Player in Russia, by Tod Hartje (very informative first person account of the first North American to play in the Soviet Elite Hockey League).

Thank you. I look forward to your upcoming articles on Russian Players in the NHL. A request. Please, do not forget the glorious past history of Soviet/Russian Hockey and its players. Those also would be welcome additions to Russian Life.

Sincerely,

Bill Mitchell

Iowa City, IA

More on Women

To the Editors:

I think a “thank you” is in order for your March 1998 article on Russian women. It really brought forth the truth about the greatest treasure of Russia, their women.

I recently went on a two week trip to Russia ... The whole purpose of my trip was to see the country, and meet some Russian women I had been corresponding with over the past few months ... I have never met so many highly intelligent, beautiful women in my life. They were all so friendly and willing to assist me in several things. I have decided to marry one of the women I met through an agency, while on my trip. I think you might consider doing a future article on some of the Russian correspondence agencies that exist, which represent Russian women in a good fashion, without any exploitation.

I still remember my car trip from Sheremetevo Airport to Tver, while conversing with the driver, I asked him what he could tell me about Russia. He responded, “Russian women and vodka are the best in the whole world!” I’m not really a big vodka fan, but he certainly was right about the women, they truly are an “Awesome force!!!”

Sincerely

Paul M. Peters

Clinton Township, MI

Paul:

In fact, we do have a story on matchmaking agencies and Russian-American marriages in the works.

– The Editors

To the Editors:

Why should a story about pretty models in Russia end up as an attack upon American women? I don’t understand. We have not done anything to offend the women of Russia, nor, that I am aware of, to those who create your magazine.

The people who you quoted seemed to be promoting some kind of “female servitude contest.” I found it hard to believe that they, with their stomach-turning rhetoric, were of the same country that gave the world Anna Akhmatova and Marina Tsvetaeva. On the other hand, it is easy to see how their mentality produced a Joseph Stalin or a Lavrenti Beria. Politics begin at home.

Russia has extremely high rates of divorce and family violence; thousands of children abandoned to orphanages; a short life expectancy rate among the male population; should not your magazine and its contributors concern themselves with these important issues, instead of meowing at the women of the US?

Sincerely,

Louise Jensen

Austin, TX

To the Editors:

Beauty: an elusive quality, only found “in the eyes of the beholder”? Not any more. Your March 1998 article on Russian women was an elegant elucidation of this quality, and an appropriate tribute to Russian women, whose beauty is evident throughout Russia, and magnificently exemplified on the pages of your magazine.

Well done.

Sven-Knudsen Ljaamo, MD

Wurzburg, Germany