Notebook

In Brief

Crumbling Kremlin

A funding crisis at the Kremlin museums has left premises in a poor state of repair and the main bell tower covered in scaffolding for the foreseeable future. Financing of the museums stopped in November 1995, and now the federal budget can only afford to pay the salaries of their staff. When, in February 1996, Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin assigned 26 billion rubles ($5.2 mn) for restoration in preparation for the 850th anniversary of Moscow, the museum directorate began work immediately, using its own meager funds. However, more did not follow, and now restoration workers are being kept on the job only by promises of payment. Now, many of the ancient buildings are set to spend the winter without protective outer layers of stone, and long-term damage is probable.

Squaring the circus

The Russian Circus Company is organizing a circus festival-competition on Red Square this fall, reviving a centuries-old tradition under the tsars. Entitled All Circuses of the World are our Guests, it will run from October 5-10, and include open-air performances in 13 rings on the square, and live TV coverage. About 100 competitors are expected to take part, and admission will be limited to around 500 spectators, who will either receive invitations or pay for tickets. When the building of a roof for the complex proved too expensive, the organizers decided to employ a cloud dispersal service to make sure there would be good weather for the event.

Riding the tsar’s hill

A new roller-coaster, the Tsarskaya gorka (Tsar’s hill), has opened in the All-Russian Exhibition Center, on the 250th anniversary of an attraction of the same name. Built on the orders of Russia’s Empress Elizabeth, the original 400m long ‘hill’ is believed to be the first of its kind in the world. In comparison, the modern version is small and gentle, only 45 m long with no loops. It was built by the Mir enterprise, once known for its hi-tech military machinery and now solely involved in production for the entertainment industry.

Coke comes to ‘Red Belt’

ORYOL — Coca-Cola has opened their latest Russian production facility in the central Russian town of Oryol, known as the home turf of Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov. The $33 mn plant is part of the company’s five-year $550 bn investment program, aimed at overtaking rival Pepsi in the Russian soft drink market.