A Nickel for Your Thoughts

There is a decidedly northern cast to this issue. We didn’t entirely plan it that way. But, as I have written several times in this space, there is a certain serendipity that presides over the publication of Russian Life, and often things just “come together” in ways we only faintly expected.

Over the past month, as the Leviathan buzz increased to a roar, we decided to add two smaller stories about the region to our long-planned features on the Murman coast (page 38) and Norilsk (page 44). As a result, in one issue we seem to have covered almost all of Russia’s nickel mining towns.

Yet it is a different metal that I wish to mention here.

On March 10 our little publishing company celebrates its silver anniversary. Twenty-five years ago, myself and another American, Dave Kelley, officially registered our partnership as a business (Dave has since gone on to other things, but his early involvement in the company was crucial, not least for bringing its operations to Vermont). It began with the publication of a few books on doing business in Russia, and now, 60 books, maps and calendars, 135 Russian Life issues, and 30 Chtenia issues later, we continue to doggedly (some would say stubbornly) march on. Our mission has always been to create publications of interest to Russophiles, yet in truth, we, like many publishers, essentially put out books we would like to see in the world – things we ourselves would pick up and buy if we saw them on a store bookshelf.

But, and I cannot say this enough, the main credit for our continued existence and success rests squarely upon the shoulders of you, our avid readers and subscribers, the patrons and partners who have supported us along the way, purchasing our books, subscribing to our periodicals, and advertising in the pages of Russian Life. (A special shout out to Mir Corporation, which has doggedly – nay, stubbornly – advertised in every issue of the magazine since 1995. Please, book your next trip to Russia with them!) Your support and feedback allows us to keep pursuing this strange dream. Thank you.

Our Red Star Tales Kickstarter project is a graphic example of such support in action. In January, over 400 backers jumped on our bandwagon and supported publication of a massive compendium of Russian science fiction. They helped us “overfulfill the plan,” hitting 134 percent of our crowdfunding goal. If somehow you did not hear about this project, head over to our blog and read more about it; the book will be available for purchase in the fall.

In connection with this and in our dogged effort to better recognize all the Russophiles among us, in March we are hosting a contest for the “Best Selfie with Russian Life.” Take a picture of yourself (or have one taken) somewhere interesting and creative with a copy of Russian Life in the frame and then enter it in our Facebook contest. The winners – those with the most creative and interesting photos – will receive boxes of excellent swag.

Here’s to the next 25 years. Enjoy the issue!