Saturday, May 31, 2014

Placebo Russian Tour Special 2014 - Part I



Placebo will be visiting a lot of cities in Russia. Do you know any of them?
We have prepared a Placebo Sightseeing Tour through all the cities. Every time they visit a new city for a new gig you will have the tour of the city with the most interesting sights as well info about the concert.
Have a lot of fun and enjoy all about the cities and gigs.
Your Placebo Anyway Team in colaboration with Xenia Gerasimova.
Design by SusanneCk. Helping hand Diana E.T. Foghing

Read the SECOND PART OF THE TOUR SPECIAL HERE
Read the THIRD PART OF THE TOUR SPECIAL HERE





Wonderful Live Video from Novosibirsk
20 Years



Infra Red - Novosibirsk




Hello wonderful people!! Let's walk through another Russian city today. I have never been there as well as you, so I am interested in learning something new with you my dear friends!
Today's city is called Omsk, it is located in the West-Siberian part of Russia. At the intersection of the Om River and Irtysh River. Today Omsk is a transport, industrial and administrative center of the Omsk region. 
It was founded in 1716 with building a small wooden fort with the only purpose to defend Russian eastern borders along the Irtysh and the Ishim rivers.
In 1890, with constructing of the Trans-Siberian Railway, the city began to grow quickly and received the official status of of West Siberian and Steppe (Kazakhstan) capital. In 1910, Omsk was the home to Siberian Exposition of Agriculture and Industry. After the exposition, the city received the nickname "Siberian Chicago".After the establishing of Soviet power, Novosibirsk was chosen to be the capital of Western Siberia.

Here you can find more information about history of the city Omsk: http://www.admomsk.ru/web/en/city/history
The first stop we make is Omsk Fortress.
The fortress is the historical heart of Omsk. 
According to the edict of the tsar Peter the Great and his deputy in Siberia prince Gagarin, pioneers erected here the fortification to guard the south Russian borders.Thus was founded the town, which in our days became the largest industrial and culturalcenter of Siberia. No trace was left of wooden fortress — primogenitor of the town. But the ancient stone houses and the entrance fortress gates on the right bank of river Om, where it flows into the Irtish, still keep the voices of the remote past. Right here in 1760's when the wooden buildings of the first Omsk fortress became dilapidated, a new fortification was founded, this

time built of stone.
The Cathedral of the Assumption is considered a unique historical monument and one of the major curiosities of Russia. It is one of the largest churches in Siberia. Its fanciful design of many shapes and colours utilizes a plethora of elements from the Russian and Byzantine medieval architectural vocabulary. The main square of Omsk takes its name from the cathedral.

To my mind this city is quite boring. It can be interesting only because of architecture. The buildings themselves.
Yes, the Russian history was made here. But to understand the Russian history you should immerse in this learning very strong from the very beginning.
Here I want to present you a small part of one Russian poem. These words belong to a known poet F.I. Tuytchev:
 "Russia can't be understood with the mind
Or measured with a standard/common yardstick,
She has a peculiar character –
In Russia, one can only believe"
- it's not original, the translation into English I have taken from the Internet.

Placebo Flashmop in Omsk


Theatres of Omsk and The Organ hall.
 It’s believed to be one of the best in Russia. Having perfect acoustic characteristics, it attracts many outstanding organists and the best chamber groups from all over the world.
The oldest theater of Omsk and Russia as a whole is considered Omsk Academic drama theater was set up in 1874. In repertoire of the theater are the classic and modern plays. The architecture is really unique!! Just look at a sculpture of Winged Genius with which the pediment is decorated.

There are more cultural places in Omsk such as Puppet Theatre, Omsk Lyceum Theatre, Omsk Philharmonic and Music theatre.
Here you can read about them:

One absolutly lovely place you should visit in Omsk - monument to Luba
This touching and unique monument is dedicated to womanwho was the wife of the governor of Western Siberia Gasforda G. H.
If you ask inhabitants of Omsk - who this mysterious Lubaso sadly looking somewhere afar, and wearily sat down to have a rest on a bench- nobody will give unambiguously right answer.
After all years a monument to Luba keeps in itself manysecrets and questions and has some versions of an origin.Monument to Lube solemnly established on crossing of streets of Lenin and Libknekht in 1999. Luba lived in Omsk about a year - but memory of it lives more than one and a half centuries.
On the facts, Lubov Fiodorovna died of a consumption atabsolutely young age of 23. The prospectus and grove in the city where she liked to walk is called her name. On a bench we see the touching and fragile young girl...
Here you can read more about lovely Luba:
One more notable thing in Omsk is brass sculpture of a  in a manhole. The funny one, "Stepan the Plumper"
Selfportait - "Demon" 1890 - "Hamelt & Ofelia" 1888
I have to mention one outstanding person in Russian history and of course Omsk history. It is Mikhail Vrubel - a great Russian artist who was born in Omsk
(http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Vrubel )


Where to go out to eat?
Restaurant Proviant
Good jazz, beer, and a range of Russian and European food make a pleasant place to spend an evening. Particularly nice cheese and potatopancakes. Live music from 7pm.
Address Street Pr Marksa 10
Opening hours 09:00-21:00
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/siberia/omsk/restaurants/bakeries-patisseries/proviant#ixzz3454cwt42

I won't tell you everything so you have a chance to find out some information and learn new by your own here: 
Omsk things to do.
and here:
AddressStreet 3rd fl, Pyat Zvyozd shopping mall, ul. Karla Libknekhta

Ploshchad' Buhgol'ca or Buchholz square a pleasant place to walk.

Loud Like Love - Novosibirsk 2014 Live


Placebo Russian Tour Special Novosibirsk
Have a look at all the Live pics from Novosibirsk at our page Placebo Anyway as well as fan taken pics with the band.


Hi Everybody!! Or in Russian - Privet Vsem (Привет всем)!! Today we will visit the heart of Siberia!! And I hope you will enjoy the jorney as much as you enjoyed the previous one.
So let's join our favourite band Placebo in Novosibirsk!!
by Xenia Gerasimova - Design SusanneCk
Placebo Anyway

We begin with the symbols.
The flag and embleme of  Novosibirsk
At first some words about geography and history of this city:
Novosibirsk is situated in southeast of the West Siberian Pale on the banks of the Ob River. Novosibirsk symbolizes Siberia - its richness & its vast expanses.
Novosibirsk is the 3rd largest city in Russia after St Petersburg &Moscow by population and by area. The city is divided into 10 administrative districts, two of which are situated on the left and eight on the right bank of the Ob River.
Honestly? It's a very boring city!! Really.
So don't expect much.
In Russia there are a lot of boring cities. this is one of them.
But we will do our best to intrigue you!!
Novosibirsk was founded in 1893 as Novonikolayevsk (after the Russian Empire Tsar Nicholas II and Saint Nicholas). At first Novonikolayevsk was a settlement where the bridge over the Ob River was planned to build during the construction of Trans-Siberian Railway.
In 1897, the building of the bridge was finished. Thus this town became the most important transport junction of the region.
Later, in the beginning of the 20th century, the town became even more important with building Turkestan-Siberia Railway connecting Siberia with Central Asia and Caspian Sea regions.
In the begining of the 20th century Novonikolayevsk was the largest industrial center of Siberia.
In 1926, the city received its current name - Novosibirsk. It means “New City in Siberia”.
We can see that Novosibirsk is a very very young city, that is why we shouldn't expect lots of historic monuments, buildings and places.
Today this city is the heart of Siberia and modern scientific center of the whole country. It is considered to be the center of enterprise, industry, financial bank activities, wholesale trade, tourism and culture. 
If you like all the new, up-to-date and promptly developing then it's the right place for you.
We will start with the Novosibirsk metro. 
It was opened in 1985 and consist of 13 stations on two lines.  There is also a surface level station which follows a 2' 145 km covered bridge span of the Ob River. The longest metrobridge in the world.
One of the coolest stations in Novosibirsk underground is "Gagarinskaya". It was reconstructed in 2011 for the  Cosmonautics Day   & 50 anniversary of  flight of  Yry Gagarin in space.
( http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Gagarin )
So let's walk in Novosibirsk and see what here is!!
The next point is Novosibirsk Main rail station. It is the passenger railway station for the city of Novosibirsk in Russia, and an important stop along the Trans-Siberian Railway. The station is one of the largest in Russia. It is decorated in form of engine.
Novosibirsky museum of rail technician of name of N.A. Akulinin. There is enormous collection of engines, locomotives, electric locomotives, the cars generally working at the railroads of Western Siberia.
I think there's one place that is worth to see or maybe visit, better to say enter, in Novosibirsk.
It is St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The cathedral was erected in the end of the 19th century in honor of a great Russian commander, defender of Russian lands, prince (in Russian "knyaz" - "князь") Alexander Nevsky.
St Prince Alexander Nevesky, painted by Pavel Corin
It is located on the main street of Novosibirsk — Krasny Avenue (earlier Nikolaev). The cathedral is the first stone temple of the city and one of the first stone buildings of Novosibirsk, before named Novonikolayevsk.
One more place you should visit is Novosibirsky State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre that located on the main square in Novosibirsk, called The Lenin Square  
Novosibirsky Opera and Ballet Theatre was built as House of science & culture.
It was opened on the 12th of May of 1945. That day the very first performance was played - M. Glinka's opera "Ivan Susanin".
It is the largest theatre in Novosibirsk and Siberia and one of the most technically advanced theaters in Russia. There are three floors in theatre:
its main floor features ticket offices and vestibule; on the second floor and the third floor there is a concert hall with adjoining ‘wings’ featuring rehearsal halls, administrative rooms, wardrobes and theater set departments.
The total area of the building is 11,837 m², the volume is 294,340 m³. The theatre is often called “Siberian Coliseum” for its size and beauty.
( http://www.opera-novosibirsk.ru/index.php?locale=en_us)
If you are interested in cultural heritage of the Novosibirsk region  (Haha - I am sorry) Maybe you are really interested, then you should visit Novosibirsk State Museum of Local History and Nature! It consists of three buildings.
There a lot of different artefacts there, as the museum fund contains 215 thousands things!
It was founded in 1920 by biologist V. A. Anzimirov - in 1919 he created the Novonikolayevsk museum section with which museum began.
Unfortunately museum is temporary closed for reconstruction. 
( http://www.russianmuseums.info/M1046
http://museum.nsk.ru )
The next place in our sightseeing list is the scientific city Akademgorodok (30km from Novosibirsk), where you will visit the famous Geology Museum at Geology Research Institute, Open-Air Train Museum (a collection of the old Trans-Siberian trains), and the Ob reservoir.
The translation of Academgorodok is “Academic Town” - in Russian "Academichesky gorod". It was founded during the Cold War near Novosibirsk as the Soviet Union’s largest scientific center to the east of the Ural Mountains. 
At that time the Soviet Government tried to create ideal living and working conditions for scientists – akademgorodok is built in the forest bordered by a botanical garden and the Ob reservoir where one bank was turned into an artificial beach and has everything you need to relax (native dwellers call it “the Ob sea”), and a great number of research institutes are situated here. Academgorodok is also the center of student life – Novosibirsk State University and the university campus with all the university facilities are located on Pirogova Street.
Nowadays, the situation is slowly changing and Akademgorodok is gradually turning into an elite residential area. Perhaps it’ isn't such a bad thing – such transformations bring the benefits of comfortable living to the great scientific environment and beautiful nature.
http://www-sbras.nsc.ru/sbras/akadem/objects/index1.html
"But it's a perfect place to start"...If you a scientist!
Don't forget to visit the Central Siberian Botanical Garden in Akademgorodok! Was founded in 1946. CSBG is a center of integration of botanical and ecological research in Siberia, also the scientists are membes of Botanic Gardens Conservation International.They take part in different joint projects with the USA, Italy, Finland, Canada, Sweden, China and other countries.
More than 70 patents on the inventions and cultivars of food, medicinal and ornamental plants have been obtained by the specialists of CSBG.
A number of collections and experimental plots have been created to date and new ones are being created within the Garden. These include an arboretum consisting, and hybrids, a medicinal, spicy and aromatic plant garden, collections of forage plants, rare and endangered plants, ornamental plants and food plants. There is also an extensive tropical collection held in the glasshouses consisting of 3000 species of tropical and subtropical plants. Experimental plots "Stony garden", "Garden of continuous flowering" and "Bonsai" .are significant for this region. There are two herbaria with specimens, a seed collection and a big collection of lichens and fungi.
( http://www.sbras.ru/sbras/db/show_doc.phtml?3+eng+21)
Zayeltsovsky park.
Wonderful place!! One of the oldest parks of the city, considered to be the Novosibirsk "green pearl"!

Its history is inseparably linked with the main milestones of development and Zayeltsovsky district formation. The recreation park "Zayeltsovsky" is located in the territory of unique forest area - Zayeltsovsky pine forest. The park - the largest in the territory of the city of Novosibirsk, and by right is the favourite vacation spot of citizens. The park territory at the moment includes more than 35 hectares of forest plantings and cozy glades. Located in only several minutes of a driving from the downtown, the Zayeltsovsky park helps to have a rest from daily vanity and city noise. Relic pines, twisting forest footpaths, clean air will help citizens to switch over to rest completely.

The Zoo which has one of the world's best collections of felines and weasels and the the Novosibirsk Center for Astrophysics is the biggest of its kind in the Asian Russia. 


The Novosibirsk Zoo keeps 4000 animals of 399 species. More than 120 species are entered into the Red Book. A zoological team participates in 32 international programs on preservation and reproduction of rare and endangered species.
Novosibirsk Youth Academic Theatre Globe. 
The date of the founding and the beginning of the activity of the theatre is April  4th 1930. Leonid Makarev's play “Timoshka’s mine” opened the first stationary theatre of Novosibirsk.
The image of Novosibirsk as a cultural centre of Siberia is in many respects formed thanks to the initiatives of “Globe”. The theatre is an organizer of important cultural events of All-Russian significance: restoring large-scale tour traditions, the arrival of The Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre to Novosibirsk; one of the largest forums - the International Christmas festival of arts; festival of National theatrical award “Gold mask”. Thanks to these events townspeople had a unique opportunity of acquaintance with the best achievements of Russian and foreign art. 
( http://www.rosteatr.ru/en/search.aspx?org=548 )

Spa hotel Barvikha - a place to relax...
" If you want to relax your body and free your soul from worries and stresses of this world, one of the best places in Novosibirsk is is Spa Hotel Borvikha with a swimming pool and a complex of saunas..."
Center of healthy recreation MIRA in Novosibirsk.
Novosibirsk now has more opportunities for healthy recreation. "Center MIRA, incorporating a brand new way of spending free time..."


More info:
Here ppl can find a lot of information
I think this is wonderful site:



Shopping in Novosibirsky
·         MegaMall "IKEA, MEGA".
·         Shopping Mall "Aura".
·         Shopping Mall "Royal Park".
·         Shopping Mall "Moscow — Moskwa".
·         Shopping Mall "Megas".
·         Shopping Mall "Siberian Mall".
·         Shopping Mall Pharaon.
·         Shopping Mall Amstar
There are a lot of malls, shops, boutiques and stores in Novosibirsk. They offer a lot of goods from all round the world and you can have a great time while shopping.
 You could have a lot of fun if you go to markets like Central Market ("Центральный рынок") or "Baraholka". There you'll see people from around the world selling stuff that is not brand but it may have a good quality.
Where to go out to eat? Restaurants, cafés...

Trending now in Novosibirsk!!!
There are plenty of good cafes and restaurants around the city, where you can get quality, non expensive food and drink. Most of the best cafes in the city are chains, and you will find five or six other branches around. Most are located around Lenin Square, and will be in the big shopping centres. The most popular choice of food in Novosibirsk is Italian or Sushi, however you can find places with Russian food, and there are also a few well known fast food chains.
Vegetararian restaurants:
Novosibirsk is getting vegetarian-friendly!
Vegetarian Art-Cafe OM — the first and the only of this kind in Novosibirsk
Chelyuskintsev 30/2, Novosibirsk, Russia
Open Mon-Fri 12-10pm, Sat-Sun 12-11pm.
Cuisine: Vegan-friendly, Indian, International, Fusion
Has wi-fi and hosts music nights. Accepts credit cards. Moderate.
Jagannath
Vatutina 15, Novosibirsk, Russia
Open Mon-Sun 10am-10pm.
Cuisine: Lacto, Indian, Russian, Take-out
Deli and store. When in Siberia this is a good place to find natural foods and products including organic foods, vegetarian, vegan meats, soy and seitan products, spices, herbs, cosmetics, personal health products. Hosts ethnic culture classes, live music, video/movie screenings and other events. Moved from 16 Ulitsa Gogolya, Siberia in 2014. Inexpensive.
Beerman & Pelmeni
WOW restaurant!! Beerman & Pelmeni!!
Italian restaurants:
Perchini (Перчини) Over looking Lenin Square. Free WiFi. During summer there is also a rooftop bar which is open from 9th May. They don't speak much English, but the menu is in Russian and English and has pictures.
Il Patio (IL Патио) Next to Lenin Square. Smoking upstairs, downstairs non smoking. Free WiFi. Service in this branch is excellent, and there are some waitresses with really good English. The menu is all in Russian but you will find the usual classic dishes. Recommended is the lasagne, and the pizza is really good quality.
Sushi, Japanese:
Riba Ris (Риба Рис) Lenina Street next to Lenin Square. Large menu, all tables are booths - remember to push the button for service! And the waiting staff wear red beanie hats with big eyes on top. Menu is in Russian but lots of pictures.

And try it!!! Russian dishes!!!
Shashlikof (ШашлыкоFF) Found all over the city - Lenina Street, Krasnyy Prospekt etc. Fun cafe, music, cheap prices, always busy, so for a Friday/Saturday night always book a table. Speciality is Shashlik - barbecued meat on a stick, which you can have with a choice of potato or salad.
Buffet No 1 Lenina Street. USSR recreation cafe serving traditional food from that time. No table service, but very cute, retro style. And prices are very cheap.
And for the Fast Food freakies:
KFC All of your fried chicken favourites!

Credits: Анна Хромова


Placebo Live in Kranoyarsk 06.06.2014
PHOTOS 
See the live pics with credits on our FB page:
The boys are in Krasnoyarsk 06.06.2014
Nick Gavrilovic : "Got the kids packed and ready for Russia" & Steve Forrest @forrestofsteve 9 u
Here we come Russia/Siberia! pic.twitter.com/KiEP7NAZ84
Interview with Brian
More interviews:
Interview one
Interview two
We'll try to translate the interviews in English as soon as possible. 
First city they will play at 06/06/2014 is: Krasnoyarsk

A little about the Russian city of Krasnoyarsk.
by Xenia Gerasimova from Russia  – Placebo Anyway
First of all for those who are interested how to read the name of the city here is the transcription [krəsnɐˈjærsk]
Not difficult.
The boys are in Krasnoyarsk - Credits: Placebo Russia
This city is located on the Yenisei River (that flows into the Arctic Ocean) in Siberia. It was founded in 1628 by Andrey Dubenski as a wooden fortress to protect border of new possessions from attacks of the nomadic people who lived in Siberia.
The historical center of Krasnoyarsk perfectly remained: old wooden houses and majestic stone buildings – merchants' houses in the past. Streets here are rather narrow, very cozy and beautiful. The downtown is insignificant – it can be bypassed on foot in 2–3 hours, and the specific geometry of the city won't allow you to get lost there.
I think the first and the main reason to fall in love with this city is Russian nature: wonderful view of the beautiful river, enormous Russian space, amazing landscapes.
The outstanding Russian writer, the author of many stories and plays Anton Checkov wrote "...the nature original, stately and wonderful begins only with Yenisei". "On this coast Krasnoyarsk - the best & ; beautiful of all Siberian cities..."
National Park "Stobi", chapel, View of Krasnoyarsk, The Divnogorsk hyrdo electric dam
There are two beautiful and unique places in Krasnoyarsk
Praskovya Pyatnitskaya Chapel that situated on the Karaulnaya Hill - here tourists may enjoy the
panorama of the city and The National Park "Stolbi" -"pillars" - nature rocks...The perfect place for relaxation. Walking
in the fresh air, climbing up one of the rocks, watching astonishing Russian views that give you so much pleasure! I
think in such places like this you realise that you are still a part of nature.
Krasnoyarsk is the cultural center: there are opera and ballet theater, drama, comedy, doll theaters and 'The Theatre for Young Audience' (TYA - ТЮЗ); art gallery, museum of local lore and V. I. Surikov's museum (a famous Russian painter), the symphonic orchestra, an organ hall.
Yenisei" Painted by Surikov
There are a lot of parks, monuments, fountains and architectural landmarks.
Moreover, for many years Krasnoyarsk is considered one of the most improved cities of Russia.
By the way Praskovya Pyatnitskaya Chapel is represented on 10 ruble note. So leaving one of the most beautiful cities of Russia don't forget to save it as a souvenir!!
Andrej Rudjev (1966) young painter from Krasnojarsk
Do not miss this special sights:
- Flower monuments are located all over the city. Large figures (2–5m) made of flowers can be seen only in summer. The first figure is a Bear, it stands near the mayoralty building known for its modernist Big Ben-like clock, a family of Giraffes on the Lenina str. behind the Regional Government building knows as the Grey House(Серый дом), a Rooster near the Theater of Musical Comedy (Театр Музыкальной Комедии), a family of Elephants onthe Kopylova (Копылова) str.
- The City Day is celebrated every year in June, it is a spectacular show with a street carnival of different topics each year and everning fireworks. Events and outdoors backpack tour here.
Best places to eat:
Rada - Vegetarian/ Vegan Restauran in Lenina Street 74. Mon-Sun 10-10 Open since May 12, 2013, this cafe is located in the Abalakovsky shopping center. Offers Indian, vegan, and raw food. Inexpensive.
Yoga-Bar - Karatanova St., 17 Rosso-Pizza - a popular pizzeria, full meal about $7-$10,located on Prospekt Mira, #117. Opened 11.00 to 21.00 Laplandia - a "family" restraurant specializing on ice-creams, but also service well-made food. Full meal about $15, located on Krasnoy Armii st., #28. Opened 12.00 to 21.00. Aphrodite - a restaurant that caters for top-class public,specializing on Greek cuisine and romantic atmosphere. Full meal about $15-$20. Located on Prospekt Mira st., #124. Opened 12.00 to 24.00. There are also many other cafes and restaurants along Prospekt Mira, Lenina and Krasnoy Armii streets. The main place to go out is Luch cinema and entertainment center located on Karla Marksa street, at the corner of Central Park. It showspopular Russian and foreign movies, has a cafe and you can ask people there forfurther directions.
Prospekt Mira street. This is the main street of the city. It is located about 5 minutes by car or public transport from the center andcan be a nice.
Prospekt Mira, Krasnoyarsk in Siberia Russiaplace to walk around if you have a few hours in the city. There are many restaurants, cafes and shops along this street. Usually there are many people in the afternoon. At one point there are even palm trees (which are taken out in summer) in a littlesquare near Gostiny Dvor hotel - a nice place to sit and watch people. Some sections of the street are paved and there are trees on both sides, making it a pleasant place to walk around.
Information about the painter Surikov Vasily
Interesting links:
Placebo Anyway in colaboration with Xenia Gerasimov.
Design by SusanneCk. Helping hand Diana E.T. Foghing