Russia

The world's dirtiest festival is in Russia

Sophie — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:45:59 +0200

"Nashestvie" is the biggest rock festival in Russia. And many say it's the worst organised.

Each year since its first in 1999, the rockfest, based near the Moscow region, has faced complications - ranging from poor transport to lack of toilets and security overdrive. Two years ago, 80,000 people were forced to share one single fresh water tap. The festival prohibited bottled water being brought onto the premises, and yet refused to sell it either. It has since changed its policy.

This year's event was held a month earlier than normal, from 4-6 July. It won't only be remembered for its great line-up, but also for quantities of mud that could only rival the UK's Glastonbury Festival. Heavy rain meant that not even vehicles could travel accross the sodden ground. Now back from the festival, attendees post their photos and videos online. One of our Observers for Russia, Ostap Karmodi, has compiled some of the muddiest.

Deface Jesus and risk doing time

Ségolène — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:48:00 +0200

When vandals destroyed pieces of modern art in an exhibition in Moscow, it wasn't the perpetrators who got into trouble. According to the law, their actions were justifiable. Museum director Yuri Samodurov however, is now facing several years in prison for putting on another of the "Christianity-offensive" shows.

In 2003 the Andrei Sakharov Museum and Community Center put up artwork in a show called "Careful, Religion!" When the display was vandalised by orthodox Christians, the organisers of the exhibition were put to blame. In the opinion of the Russian court, it was the centre's fault for provoking offense, and worthy of a 200,000 Russian Ruble fine (5,400 euros). Now, the museum's director is once again facing charges for inciting religious hatred. Despite using peep-hole viewing methods so that only those people interested would look at the 2007 "Forbidden Art" show, both director Yuri Samodurov and curator Andrei Erofeev are facing prison terms for displaying defaced religious symbols.

'Even a draw against Spain would be great'

Nandita F24 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:38:56 +0200

It’s hard to predict the result of this evening’s match between Spain and Russia. The Spaniards, among the favorites, have always failed to play convincingly in the final stages of the tournament. On the Russian side, the team isn’t used to playing at an international level but has an impressive line-up under Gus Hiddick.

The panellist who disappeared

Sophie — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:29:28 +0200

Last October a political analyst well known for his critical attitude towards the Kremlin took part in a pre-recorded debate on the Russian TV channel TV Centre. Were the authorities ready to get slated on television? Apparently not. When the show was broadcast a few days later, the opponent magically disappeared from the set.

The producers of the show - incidentally called "The People Want to Know" - soon realised their mistake after filming and carefully edited out Mikhaïl Deliaguin's contributions from the recordings. The black sheep is an economist who has advised Boris Yeltsin and other various politicians who are today expelled from power. He regularly condemns Russia's power and electoral systems. Although he was removed from the show, you can't say he wasn't there at all - the ghost panellist can sometimes be seen in the background.

After counterfeit Levi's, counterfeit fighter jets

Sophie — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:19:54 +0200

It started some 30 years ago with fake Levi's jeans and Versace bags. Then the market became more sophisticated, with faux iPhones on the racks. Now, the Chinese counterfeit goods trade has gone even further, with the production of identical copies of Russian-designed fighter planes.

In 1996, the Chinese government acquired a license to manufacture 200 Su-27 (Sukhoi 27) fighter jets at the Shenyang aircraft factory in northeast China. The planes were supposed to be used by the Chinese air force under the name J-11. But in 2004, after reeling 95 planes off the assembly line, the Chinese authorities suddenly cancelled the contract, listing various faults with the design of the jet. However, in 2007 China started to manufacture a new plane, of "Chinese design", which they named the J-11B. Not surprisingly, it was almost an identical copy of the Su-27, except for the addition of Chinese-produced engines, radars and dashboards.

The Chinese model is much cheaper than the Russian original, and Russia has been quick to note that China hopes to sell it to countries usually supplied by Moscow. The Russian authorities plan to sue for counterfeit theft, but, according to our Observer, Rick Fisher, who specializes in military issues, they have little chance of getting their voices heard.

Russia celebrates Nazi Germany – by accident

Julien — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:54:21 +0200

The end of WWII is celebrated on May 9 in Russia. Since Putin came to power, the event has become increasingly more commercial. But this year, it went a step too far, when eager party-goers put up Nazi symbols in place of Soviet war imagery.

"Medvedev is the one who’s really in power"

Julien — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:29:38 +0200

The Western press reacted cynically to the inauguration of Russia's new president, Dmitry Medvedev, who has been considered a puppet of outgoing president - and now Prime Minister - Vladimir Putin since being elected in March. However, a political analyst in the country and harsh critic of the ruling party, tells us why the idea is entirely speculative.

"The West has a twisted vision of Russia"

Julien — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:42:53 +0200

Dimitri Medvedev was inaugurated as Russia's new president today. Evguenia Obitchkina, an international relations lecturer in Moscow, explains that the conflict between Russia and the West might have more to do with the hydrocarbon trade than human rights.

The world's tackiest tombstones

Julien — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:17:01 +0200

Traditional Russian cemeteries mostly host unpretentious monuments. A small headstone featuring the name, birth and death dates of the deceased, as well as a small photo, is usually considered sufficient to cherish their memory. But around 15 or 20 years ago a new kind of monument started popping up amongst these modest graves. The newcomers are big - up to three metres high, and made of expensive black granite. They bear not names, but monikers. The figures sketched onto the headstones are uncommonly young, mostly in their forties, but often in their twenties. They look bold, wear thick gold chains and keep their hands in their pockets. The portraits are often accompanied by pictures of foreign cars. These new tombs can be found in any cemetery in Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics. They contain the remains of thousands of gangsters, who died in criminal wars that followed the collapse of Russian communism.

Can Russian police really do that?

Julien — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:57:44 +0200

This video, supposedly filmed by the Russian police, emerged on the internet on Monday. We don't know where it came from, nor is it possible to know exactly where it was filmed. But our Observers confirm that this type of cruelty is not unusual.