LLL Russian Tour Special - Moscow - Subbotnik Festival Gorky Park
By Xenia Gerasimova (Moscow) & SusanneCk in colaboration with Placebo Anyway
Layout by SusanneCk - Picture documentation by Mary Scott from Australia
Special guest: Alexandra Ugalde Mexico D.F. Mexico.
Today we visit the penultimate city, Moscow - Placebo are headliners of 'Svoy Subbotnik' festival on the 5th of July!
And you all know or heard anything about Moscow, because from all the cities we have visited together virtually, it's one of the most known to you, except St. Petersburg, which we will go to in several days live on the Placebo Anyway page.
I offer you to change our usual tourist's programme today... Are you intrigued???
This time we have interviewed our dearest old school soulmate Alexandra Ugalde from Mexico, who will tell us about her 10-day trip to Moscow and other places... Verrry interesting.
A MEXICAN GIRL IN RUSSIA - Interview with Placebo old school fan Alexandra Ugalde
READ THE INTERVIEW HERE
A little geography, history and learning Russian language:
The shortest geography course (with a humour) in your life:
- Where?
- In Russia, between rivers Oka and Volga.
I have chosen two words which you will learn by heart today:
The first one is thank you. You know that Brian has learnt this word. He has used it very often during the Russian tour.
In Russian 'спасибо' - the spelling [ spaˈsi:bə]
The next one is a theme word. New Placebo's album called 'Loud Like Love'...
You have heard this beautiful word so many times, so that I have decided you should know it in Russian!
This word is LOVE. In Russian 'любовь', the spelling [luˈbof'].
Every day Moscow is visited by million of people from different countries. (Oh, I have seen so many pleasant visitors! Have recently met a girl from the USA, she has been trying to find the enterance to the Tretyakov Gallery, but it has been closed by that time. She has asked me if they could make an exception for her, but unfortunately I couldn't help her, so be attentive and watch the time, my dear friends! Last year I met one German girl, she was so lovely!). Many people come here to make business, to find a job or to study. And of course tourists who come to see the most known sightseeings and walk in the streets. Moreover in Moscow you may find an enormous number of different restaurants, cafes, clubs, recreation zones, parks, shops and other.
The first annalistic mention of Moscow as the settlement belongs to 1147 of which chronology of history of the city is conducted. The Suzdal prince Yury Vladimirovich Dolgorukiy is officially recognized as a founder of Moscow.
It's known in that time lands of Moscow belonged to the Boyar Kuchka who after Yury Dolgoruckiy coming didn't want to give the lands to the prince and showed resistance to his plans. Legends tell us that after Kuchka's execution Yury explored nearby lands and built a wooden hail. As a result of it the strengthened wooden walls of the Kremlin were constructed, they protected inhabitants of the former villages of Kuchka and new settlers. The construction of the 'knyazhy' - prince yard and some other structures were also made. Besides, Yury Dolgorukiy's merit was that he promoted Christianity distribution among the population of this district which still was under strong influence of paganism and magicians.
During the rule of Ivan lll Moscow had been already was the capital of the Russian state.
The ascension to the throne in 1547 of the first Russian tsar Ivan IV Grozny (Ivan the Terrible) became a fatal event for the Russian state.
Almost 8 centuries has passed. The city has been conquered, burnt and risen from the ashes many times.
To learn more go here
That's why use this tourist link
To learn more go here
(During the break.... Xenia: "it's loooong and maybe boring for you." Susanne: "It will be great for the die hard history fans!!.")
That's why use this tourist link for the not die hard history fans. A bit more light ;-)
There are always a lot of people, and Russians, and tourists.
There is the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier.
Read more here.
Also you can find the mall "Ohotniy ryad" (Охотный ряд) right here on the Manegnaya Square, where you can buy what you want, there are many many many shops there and different food courts!
It consists of three buildings.
The main building: there are two floors, plenty of different halls that are dedicated various periods of times. There are paintings, sculptures, concerts,excursions, exibitions...lots of things.
Also there's a café...
The second new building of the Pushkin Museum is the gallery of 19th and 20th Century European and American Art that was opened in 2006.
The third building is the department of private collections.
Here you can read much more info.
Another very recomendable place to visit is the The State Tretyakov Gallery (Russian: Государственная Третьяковская Галерея, Gosudarstvennaya Tretyâkovskaya Galereya; abbreviated ГТГ, GTG) is an art gallery in Moscow, Russia, the foremost depository of Russian fine art in the world.
The gallery's history starts in 1856 when the Moscow merchant Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov acquired works by Russian artists of his day with the aim of creating a collection, which might later grow into a museum of national art. In 1892, Tretyakov presented his already famous collection of approximately 2,000 works (1,362 paintings, 526 drawings, and 9 sculptures) to the Russian nation.
There are some really interesting exhibitions you should not miss!
- Iosif Rubanov. Heir to the traditions of Moscow. (20.06-07.09.2014)
- Pretty cool: Birth of a Masterpiece: sketches, small studies, pictures...from "The Tretyakov Gallery Opens Upi its Store Rooms". (30.05.-09.11.2014)
- Dmitriv Prigov. From Rrenaissance to Conceptualism and Beyond (16.05.- 09.11.2014)
- Alexander Golovin. Fantasies of the Silver Age. On the 150th Anniversary of his birth. (28.05. - 24.08.2014)
More info here.
The Museum of History of Moscow (Russian: Музей истории Москвы) is one of the oldest museums of the city.
The museum acquired more than one million articles depicting life in the city throughout its history, from Moscow's ancient beginnings to the present day. This collection contains the archaeological finds, ancient tools, jewelry, bronze and stone items from most ancient period of Moscow history. There is a collection of maps and drafts which show how the city grew from year to year. Great number of photos recreate the important occasions, celebrations, and events of Moscow since middle of the 19th century to the present day.
The museum holds original costumes, accessories, furniture and other everyday objects produced by talented Russian and European masters.
The Museum's exhibition was housed in one of the Krestovsky Towers.
More info here.
The Moscow Kremlin is a very old historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow and it has four palaces, four cathedrals, the well-known Kremlin Wall around it and great Kremlin towers. The complex used to be an official residence of the head of Russia when Moscow was its capital and is now the government’s headquarters. Several structures were built in stone at the behest of Ivan Kalita in the late 1320s and early 1330s, and then the construction of churches began. At first the great wall was wooden, but to protect the area from fire it was demolished and the stone wall appeared.
Learn more about this fantastic sight here.
There is a monument to Dostoevsky right here.
We recommend this restaurant with the Russian and Ukrainian cuisine "Korchma Taras Bulba".
A very nice place is Mari Vanna, a cozy home restaurant for those who love transitional Russian cuisine.
A riddle wrapped inside a mystery inside an enigma? Winston Churchill’s oft-quoted aside on Russia might have applied to the politics and culture But today it can equally be applied to Moscow's cuisine. Intriguing, glamorous and traditional in equal measures - it really is a city that offers something completely unique.
Read more about this lovely place here. An interesting restaurant review.
Photo credit: Travis Vaughn
Let's go shopping now in Moscow!!
(Sources: moscow.info.com)
Clothes and Accessories
Find everything from Moscow haute couture to Soviet vintage clothing. ›››
Food and Drink
Everyday essentials, Russian delicacies, liquor and fine wines. ›››
Books in English and Russian, guidebooks, and maps in Moscow. ›››
Shoppings Malls in Moscow!
And do not miss to visit GUM!!
GUM (Russian: ГУМ, pronounced [ˈɡum], an abbreviation of the Russian: Главный универсальный магазин; Glavnyi Universalnyi Magazin; literally "main universal store") is the name of the main department store in many cities of the former Soviet Union, known as State Department Store (Russian: Государственный универсальный магазин; Gosudarstvennyi Universalnyi Magazin) during the Soviet times. Similarly named stores were found in some Soviet republics and post-Soviet states. The most famous GUM is the large store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square. It is currently a shopping mall. Prior to the 1920s, the location was known as the Upper Trading Rows (Russian: Верхние торговые ряды). Nearby, also facing Red Square, is a building very similar to GUM, known formerly as the Middle Trading Rows. It is about the same size as a large North American shopping mall. It has a clear roof. Read more here.
Photo credits: http://www.msk-guide.ru
Gorky Park is the capital’s central park, with more than 20 000 visitors on weekdays and 100 000 on weekends and public holidays. Since 2011 the park has been setting new standards, becoming Russia’s first world-class park and a space for recreation, sport, dance and outdoor games.
Free entry, Wi-Fi coverage, new zones of contemporary design, a well thought-out events programme and regard for people have transformed Gorky Park into an epicentre of life in the capital, making it one of the main points of attraction for youth, adults and the family alike.
I think that Gorky Park is a very lovely place. When I was a little girl we went there for a walk often. Then there were lots of attractions.
Now it's still a wonderful place for foot walks, riding a bicycle, rollerskating and other things.
There are always many people visiting this place.
Photo credits: http://www.photo-moskva.ru/
And now soulmates!! Let us speak about the Subbotnik Festival (Russian: Субботник)
This festival is an annual international music festival, which takes place in Moscow, Russia.
Subbotnik became the first musical event of this scale ever held in the territory of Gorky Park. It was organized by the concert agency Pop Farm and corporation PMI together with Gorky Park. It is planned to become an annual event.
The first festival held in Gorky Park on Saturday 6 July 2013. Acts for the 2013 edition included Hurts, Foals, Jessie Ware, Savages, Motorama, Kasta, 130 по встречной на старенькой Vespa, Легендарные дефиле 76-го года. The headliner for the 2013 festival was British band Arctic Monkeys, it was the first time they played in Russia.
The SVOY Subbotnik 2014 festival will be held on Saturday 5 July 2014. The festival will be headlined by PLACEBO.
More info here.
And do not miss to visit GUM!!
GUM (Russian: ГУМ, pronounced [ˈɡum], an abbreviation of the Russian: Главный универсальный магазин; Glavnyi Universalnyi Magazin; literally "main universal store") is the name of the main department store in many cities of the former Soviet Union, known as State Department Store (Russian: Государственный универсальный магазин; Gosudarstvennyi Universalnyi Magazin) during the Soviet times. Similarly named stores were found in some Soviet republics and post-Soviet states. The most famous GUM is the large store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square. It is currently a shopping mall. Prior to the 1920s, the location was known as the Upper Trading Rows (Russian: Верхние торговые ряды). Nearby, also facing Red Square, is a building very similar to GUM, known formerly as the Middle Trading Rows. It is about the same size as a large North American shopping mall. It has a clear roof. Read more here.
Photo credits: http://www.msk-guide.ru
Free entry, Wi-Fi coverage, new zones of contemporary design, a well thought-out events programme and regard for people have transformed Gorky Park into an epicentre of life in the capital, making it one of the main points of attraction for youth, adults and the family alike.
I think that Gorky Park is a very lovely place. When I was a little girl we went there for a walk often. Then there were lots of attractions.
Now it's still a wonderful place for foot walks, riding a bicycle, rollerskating and other things.
There are always many people visiting this place.
Photo credits: http://www.photo-moskva.ru/
This festival is an annual international music festival, which takes place in Moscow, Russia.
Subbotnik became the first musical event of this scale ever held in the territory of Gorky Park. It was organized by the concert agency Pop Farm and corporation PMI together with Gorky Park. It is planned to become an annual event.
The first festival held in Gorky Park on Saturday 6 July 2013. Acts for the 2013 edition included Hurts, Foals, Jessie Ware, Savages, Motorama, Kasta, 130 по встречной на старенькой Vespa, Легендарные дефиле 76-го года. The headliner for the 2013 festival was British band Arctic Monkeys, it was the first time they played in Russia.
The SVOY Subbotnik 2014 festival will be held on Saturday 5 July 2014. The festival will be headlined by PLACEBO.
More info here.
LLL Russian Tour Special - Moscow - Subbotnik Festival Gorky Park
By Xenia Gerasimova (Moscow) & SusanneCk in colaboration with Placebo Anyway
Layout by SusanneCk - Picture documentation by Mary Scott from Australia
Special guest: Alexandra Ugalde Mexico D.F. Mexico.
