November 22, 2018

Of Ryan Gosling and the Dancing Siberians


Of Ryan Gosling and the Dancing Siberians
plastic_gosling
Turkey Day Treats from Russia

1. When every Thanksgiving dinner conversation seems to lead to a hidden minefield, sometimes a real minefield is a relief. Though only if no one missteps, of course. Local history buffs discovered a World War II era minefield at Krasnaya Gorka fort, not far from St. Petersburg. The minefield lies in the forest near what is today a busy road, and is itself prime mushroom-picking territory. Amazingly, though, no one has ever been injured by the estimated 400 improvised explosive devices buried there. Thankfully, the army aims to keep it that way by closing down that section of the woods until all mines are found and the coast is clear.

2. Sometimes the stars align, sometimes you align the stars. The editors of Moi Portal, a Tyumen-based newspaper, wanted to get Ryan Gosling something special for his birthday, and settled on a tour of the great city of Tyumen. Ryan didn’t show up, but they took him around anyway — in his plastic cutout form, at least. They treated him well, too, giving him a fur coat and graciously taking his picture in every new location. Treating the guest well even when there’s no guest: how’s that for Russian hospitality?

3. There have been a variety of videos of government workers dancing in extremely odd ways, but we certainly won’t say no to just one more. Police officers in the Sakha Republic posted a truly wonderful video of themselves as an advertisement for a police benefit talent show. We don’t want to spoil it for you, but the video includes stony faces, gyrating hips, and a little bit of magic.

Police dance

Photo: Сайт МВД России

In Odder News:
  • The Russian iCraze continues with one man paying for his iPhone with a bathtub full of coins

  • Necessity is the mother of invention: police used snowballs to put out a raging fire

  • Why would the customers of one store shop shoeless? Because the floors had just been washed, of course!

Quote of the Week:

“We decided that the best gift Ryan Gosling could get on his birthday is a stroll through the best city on Earth”

— The editors of Moi Portal, referring to the city of Tyumen

~Thank you to David Edwards for a double contribution this week!~

Want more where this comes from? Give your inbox the gift of TWERF, our Thursday newsletter on the quirkiest, obscurest, and Russianest of Russian happenings of the week.

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

Some of Our Books

Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.
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.
The Samovar Murders

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.
Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.
A Taste of Russia

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.
Fish: A History of One Migration

Fish: A History of One Migration

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
Driving Down Russia's Spine

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 
Moscow and Muscovites

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 
Woe From Wit (bilingual)

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.
Murder at the Dacha

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.
Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

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