May/June 2015

On remembering who really won the war.

Readers chime in.

Censorship seeps into the theater.

All the news that fits.

On the unnecessary difficulties that those undergoing cancer and hospice care must endure.

On the history of celebrations commemorating the end of World War II.

The Free Economic Society was founded on June 26, 1765, promoted by several Russian aristocrats that earned the blessing of Catherine II herself.

There are known and lesser known holidays celebrated each spring. Let's review.

The language insert in this issue takes off from Tamara Eidelman's article on May Holidays.

This issue's language column looks at the many subtleties of what one calls the war, and some parts of it.

What better way to remember veterans of World War II than through portraits? Arthur Bondar’s project takes us there.

Deep in a northern forest, a restless adventurer discovered a crumbling relic of a bygone era. Since then, he has been fighting against the odds to restore it.

We catch up with a Russian émigré who has turned his love of photography and his hankering for business into one of the most successful online photo marketplaces.

Who knew? The heart of Siberia, a place best known for its severe winters, was the birthplace of one of the most original, raw rock movements ever to hit the USSR.

A new movie taps into nostalgia for the Soviet era, recounting the discovery of gold in the Russian far northeast.

Neither Tatar or Russian, the Kryashen are a fascinating ethnic minority that struggles to defend its place, and identity, in southern Russia.

Stuffed prunes. So much more than you think they are. Luxurious and tasty, and a perfect treat for spring.

In which we review "A Very Dangerous Woman," by Deborah McDonald and Jeremy Dronfield; "The Complete Folktales of A.N. Afanas'ev," by Jack V. Haney; "USSR: Diary of a Perestroika Kid," by Vladimir Kozlov; "Moscow, St. Petersburg & The Golden Ring," by Masha Nordbye; and "High Society Dinners," by Yuri Lotman.

The things people say these days when they don't say anything can be rather illuminating.