March/April 2007

From the Editor

Readers comment and correct.

The latest from the travel front.

All the news that fits from all across Russia.

Vladislav Surkov is the Kremlin's chief ideologist. And his thoughts and speeches are now being used to teach university students about the new National Idea.

Svetlana Alliluyeva's tortured life as Stalin's daughter is recalled on the anniversary of her return to the Soviet Union in 1984.

The March revolution of 1917 set the stage for the Bolshevik coup in November. We look back at those fateful days with a chronicle which features the words and images of people who were there.

Thirty years ago, a daring and amazing interpretation of The Master and Margarita was staged at Moscow's Taganka Theater.

It is the Year of the Pig, so what better time to consider the influence of porcine phrases and words on the Russian language?

Under the guise of restoration, many of Moscow’s long-treasured historical buildings are being razed to make way for parking garages and office buildings or condos for the wealthy.

Khitrovka is more than just a historic location in Old Moscow. The mere name evokes the seamier side of life in the capital around the turn of the last century. Yet seaminess does not quickly fade.

Many consider Vladislav Tretyak to be the best hockey player of the 20th century. We chat with Tretyak about his second act – in an arena where things can get tougher than on the ice: politics.

Built by gulag internees, Norilsk is one of the world’s northernmost cities. It also sits atop one of Earth’s richest mineral lodes, in clouds of the world’s most harmful pollutants.

Spring is the time for calves...

Vatrushki are tasty and warm cheesy tarts found even in the remotest corners of Russia.

We review books on Stalin's military leadership, on the partizans and on vodka, as well as three great new DVDs.

"Whenever I travel abroad," writes our commentator, "I try not to run into fellow Russians..."