December 18, 2020

Tomsk Treasures in Trouble


Tomsk Treasures in Trouble
Tomsk has a variety of wooden buildings. Image by Petr Adam Dohnálek via Wikimedia Commons

Tomsk, a city in south-central Russia, has a rich history of wooden buildings, but this architecture is  under threat of disappearing.

Tomsk has over 1,800 wooden houses. Some of its wooden architecture can be dated to the turn of the twentieth century. Similarly, much of it is in disrepair. Management of these houses was taken over by the communist government post-1917, and the houses were turned into communal apartments. After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, many wooden buildings were demolished and replaced with supermarkets or high-rise offices.

There is some good news. The local government has taken some steps towards reinvigorating the city’s historic treasures. For example, it introduced the Rent for a Ruble program, which allows residents to pay only 1 ruble (about 1.3 US cents) per square meter for 49 years after restoring the building. In addition, there is an annual architecture gathering, the Tomsk Sawyer Festival, which draws in volunteers to restore the wooden buildings. Since 2017, they have restored three homes. Finally, the city has a partnership with the Department of Architecture at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, which brings professors to Tomsk to help appraise the wooden buildings and help restore them. The German experts said that many of these buildings have the potential to last another 300 years.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

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.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

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.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

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 Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

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.

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