November 20, 2020

Moscow's Merry Measures


Moscow's Merry Measures
Moscow is significantly limiting the amount of events to be held this New Year. Image by Chris Clogg via Wikimedia Commons

As we enter the eleventh month of the global coronavirus pandemic, many are wondering when things will be able to begin to return to normal.

In Russia, Sergey Sobyanin, mayor of Moscow, believes that the city will make its way out of the peak of the pandemic in a few months:

“This whole pandemic, epidemic is passing history, not even in years, but in months. I am sure that in a few months we will come out of this peak of the pandemic.”

This means, however, that Moscow will still be in the grips of the pandemic in December, when the New Year’s holiday starts.

As a result of this, Sobyanin has announced that New Year’s events and celebrations will be canceled:

“The New Year is still far away. But nevertheless, mass events, obviously, will not be held in this situation. Therefore, we have decided to ban mass cultural events, including large Christmas and New Year events.”

This includes, unfortunately, canceling Moscow’s tree-lighting festival. While streets will still be decorated to preserve the festive mood, the traditional “Travel to Christmas” festival («Путешествие в Рождество») has been canceled.

Given the difficult situation, some have called for extending the New Year’s holidays until January 25, to help slow the virus’ spread. While this idea has made its way all the way to the Duma, it is unclear whether it will gain enough support, given that regional leaders have the authority to make decisions on restrictive measures for their region.

You Might Also Like

Sailing with the Sun: The Return of Christmas
  • January 01, 1996

Sailing with the Sun: The Return of Christmas

Like everything else in Russia, the celebration of Christmas is in transition. Our author traces the turbulent history of Russia's Christmas and New Year's holidays.
The Irony of Fate
  • January 01, 1996

The Irony of Fate

A profile of Russians' favorite holiday movie, "The Irony of Fate."
The Little Angel
  • December 01, 1996

The Little Angel

This short Christmas story by Andreyev was first published in 1916.
Grandpa Cuckoo
  • November 01, 2019

Grandpa Cuckoo

What do you do with a thief and miscreant who just won’t stop thieving? Why, send him off to St. Petersburg of course.
A Dish for All Seasons
  • January 01, 2020

A Dish for All Seasons

January 7 is Russian Orthodox Christmas, which calls for a Christmas dish. But the chosen one, kutya, is much more than a winter holiday treat.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

The Latchkey Murders

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...
Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.
Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.
Murder and the Muse

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.
Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

This astonishingly gripping autobiography by the founder of the Russian Women’s Death Battallion in World War I is an eye-opening documentary of life before, during and after the Bolshevik Revolution.
At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
93 Untranslatable Russian Words

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.
Turgenev Bilingual

Turgenev Bilingual

A sampling of Ivan Turgenev's masterful short stories, plays, novellas and novels. Bilingual, with English and accented Russian texts running side by side on adjoining pages.
Chekhov Bilingual

Chekhov Bilingual

Some of Chekhov's most beloved stories, with English and accented Russian on facing pages throughout. 

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955