Letters to the Editor

To the Editors,

I am a new subscriber to Russian Life. It was with much interest that I read Yelena Utenkova’s article, Battle For the Harvest in your September 1996 issue. I found it very enlightening and accurate, especially as it relates to the great amount of influence still held by the collective and state farm bosses over those individuals who are desperately trying to become ‘private’ farmers.

In summer 1994, I was participant in a project to help establish the Saratov Municipal Mortgage Bank in Saratov, Russia, originally designed to implement a new source of funding for private farmers in the Volga River area. The obstacles still denying Russia a stable and productive agricultural system are tremendous. Government policies towards agricultural production and marketing are just one of many things which must be radically changed before any kind of true advancement in the ‘private’ agriculture sector can be made. In my opinion, Russian agriculture is a sleeping giant — with a little help the country can be awakened into one of the true agricultural powers in the world. I was most grateful of the opportunity to help in what little way I could and wish Russia’s farmers well in their endeavors.

On a personal note, the opportunity was very special for me because my grandfather was born in one of the many German settlements on the Volga south of Saratov. This area was settled by German immigrants during the 1760s and 70s. In the late 1890s and early 1900s many of these ‘Russian-Germans’ or ‘Volga Dutch’ migrated to the Great Plains area of the United States, which they helped to develop into one of the most productive agricultural areas of the world. A large percentage of Germans in Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, etc., today actually have roots in the Volga area and many still have ancestors in Russia.

I would like to encourage you to consider doing an article on the Saratov area. Saratov is truly a beautiful city with a very colorful history. I believe that it would be especially interesting for those Americans who happen to have ties to that area but have never seen pictures.

Sincerely,

John Q. Kelln

Shattuck, OK

To the Editors:

Where would be a legitimate source for the purchase of a Russian samovar and icon? I saw both for sale in Moscow, but  could not obtain them because I was using a Visa card and traveler’s checks and neither was accepted.

Thank you,

Sandra Wood

Mendon, NY

Dear Sandra,

See this month’s Practical Traveler!

— The Editors

To the Editors:

I hope you can help with a request. I am studying the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943) and would like to find two maps of the area, one city map of Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, and another of the surrounding area all the way back to Kalach-Na-Donu. I’m sure they have road maps such as we do of our states. Can you help me obtain these maps?

Sincerely,

Anthony Bagnick

Lake Ariel, PA

Dear Anthony,

A good selection of general administrative and city maps for Russia and Eastern Europe are available through the publishers of Russian Life and their Access Russia catalog (800-639-4301). Of note is the just released Wall Map of Russia and the Republics ($10, $25 laminated).

Unfortunately, maps of the scale you seek are not available through Access Russia. If you would like detailed ONC and naval maps (in English), you can get them through a few map stores. We recommend Northern Cartographic’s Map Center: 802-860-2886. For similar maps in Russian (Russian production), try East View Publications: 612-550-0961.

— The Editors

To the Editors:

Having had the opportunity to visit Russia recently, I enjoy reading your magazine and finding out more about the history, culture and traditions of a country which I have learned to appreciate and a people whom I have come to admire deeply.

A recent article (Building the Future of Russia, Russian Life September 1996) which describes the history and significance of the Fairs and Exhibitions in years past, refers to Fyodor Shalyapin as ‘the great Russian tenor,’ further stating that he ‘first made his mark’ as a member of the Mamontov Opera Troupe at the Exhibition in 1896.

I believe it would be more accurate to recognize Fyodor Ivanovich Shalyapin (1873-1938) as one of the world’s greatest bass singers who, before appearing as a member of the Mamontov Opera Troupe in 1896, had already gained recognition as an operatic ‘basso’ in Tiflis (1892), at the Summer Theater in St. Petersburg (1894), and later at the Imperial Opera House.

Cordially,

Jorge Muelle

Key Biscayne, FL