October 11, 2021

A Glorious Gazebo


A Glorious Gazebo
Ah yes, classical Russian architecture. Vyacheslav Sabrekov, VKontakte

Recently, the village of Kabakovo, in the autonomous Russian republic of Bashkortostan, christened a new municipal construction with appropriate pomp and circumstance. But that's only half the story.

Photos circulating online have drawn attention to what appears to be a pretty shoddy job, with exposed particle-board walls, bare floorboards, and a covering of corrugated metal.

While some have defended and encouraged the residents of Kabakovo, congratulating them on their new amenity, one internet denizen spoke for others when he commented, "This is a shame and a spit in the face of the people."

The building, a community "gazebo" with games, seating areas, and tea, was built to the tune of 161,120 rubles ($2225) of local tax money. While the shelter might make gathering more comfortable, it's tough to tell from photos whether it's heated or even sealed from the wind and rain (and snow).

Haven't we seen this one before?

You Might Also Like

Lessons From the Russian Village
  • October 03, 2021

Lessons From the Russian Village

Life in a remote Siberian village can teach you a lot about adaptability, nature, food, and, most importantly, folklore. 
Congrats to Mikhail Kubar!
  • May 28, 2021

Congrats to Mikhail Kubar!

A Yakut school's graduating class consisted of only one student, which means he receives all of our congratulations.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

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.
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.
The Moscow Eccentric

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.
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.
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. 
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. 
Russian Rules

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.
Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

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