Letters to the Editor

To the Editors:

In your last issue of Russian Life, in the Facts and Figures section, you mention that the number of foreign tourists in Russia fell in the last few years by 300,000.  I am surprised that the tourism fell ONLY by 300,000!!!!

...I recently returned from a cruise to Scandinavia which included St. Petersburg... If one takes the tours offered by the cruise line, there is no requirement for a visa and no problems to get out of port once you have the tour ticket... If one wants to explore the city on one’s own, one has to get a visa ($196.00), the Russian government DEMANDS that one has to have contact with a local accredited tourist agency in order to get out of the port.  When all the documentation is presented, then one is allowed to leave....

I am of Russian descent and I went to Russia for the first time two years ago... it pains me that the country of my parents is so intransigent... I visited Lithuania and Estonia on this trip as well, and only in Klaipeda was my passport checked and stamped. These countries know that tourism is a profitable business and they attract more tourists this way...

I enjoy reading your magazine very much, since I know little about the country as a whole.  Thank you for allowing me to vent my frustration!!!!

Natalia Terek

by email

To the Editors: 

As an enthusiastic, subscriber to Russian Life and Chtenia, I wanted to send you a brief note in response to Tamara Eidelman’s engaging and sensitive piece: The Tsarevich appearing in the [July/Aug] issue.  I wish to respectfully draw her attention to the subtitle: “murdered June 17, 1918.” 

I am confident she meant to write: July 17/18, 1918... It is curious that... in looking at what remains of one of my favorite historical photographs – the White Flower Festival at Livadia in the Crimea, I recalled that Anastasia’s birthday was actually June 18, 1901 (NS). 

Thank you for your enriching publications, and for your kind attention to my historical point of reference.

Best regards, 

DeeAnn Hoff

by email

Ms. Hoff: 

The error was a simple  (and embarrassing) typo of which Tamara is entirely blameless. We ourselves noticed the error... when newly printed copies of the issue arrived at our door. 

– The Editors