November/December 2006

From the Editor

Readers comment and correct.

The latest from the travel front.

All the news that fits from all across Russia.

Despite having some of the world's largest oil and gas reserves and being a huge energy exporter, Russia faces the prospect of energy shortages this winter and many winters to come.

We report on the signal assassination of leading investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya.

Four hundred years ago, a rebellion to put False Dmitry II on the throne almost succeeded. Led by Ivan Bolotnikov, a colorful peasant, it laid seige to Moscow and relied on subversive distribution of propaganda.

A profile of the man who founded Russia's first public theater 250 years ago.

A consideration of the number 50.

Fifteen years ago, the Soviet Union imploded just before it was to be renewed. We look back.

What happened in the Karelian town of Kondopoga in September, and is it a sign of things to come?

Exploring the wilds of Kamchatka, home to an amazing concentration of bears, geysers and natural beauty.

Russian scientist Grigory Perelman was offered the world’s top math honor. So why did he turn it down?

The FSB (heir to the KGB) has been influencing Russia’s recent film releases. Propaganda is new again.

Dostoyevsky is treasured the world over for his psychological novels, many written under hurried deadlines. We look at his life and art, and talk to his relatives.

Want a fresh taste of Kamchatka? Then it has to be salmon. Here we consider the many different Russian words for salmon and offer a great recipe for flash-freezing the delicacy.

What do you do when you are a forty-something translator and forced to attend a Madonna concert?