Russian Kafe » countryside

Photos: Russian Bears Go Fishing

jim — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:52:33 +0000

Flickr user izvetlana recently posted a fascinating photo set of bears fishing on the Kuril Islands. Here are a few samples of these fantastic photos of the amazing Russian bear.

Kuril islands by izvetlana.

clutches by izvetlana.

The winner by izvetlana.

by izvetlana.

Soviet Monument to Russo-Georgian Friendship

jim — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:16:15 +0000

Steven G. recently posted some great photos of a Soviet era monument to friendship between Russia and Georgia. He wasn’t able to find out much information about this monument, which is located on Georgian territory, perhaps someone knows the story behind this unique structure? We found the colors in the photos to be amazing, be sure to click on the photos and check out the high quality versions.

Soviet Monument to Russo-Georgian Friendship II by Stefan G.

Soviet Monument to Russo-Georgian Friendship by Stefan G.

Photo: Pioneer Camp

jim — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:30:52 +0000

pioneer camp on Flickr.

Borovsk, a very photogenic town

jim — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:00:00 +0000

We recently stumbled across a wonderful series of photos by Russian photographer Victoria Zaykina. The photos are of a small town near Moscow named Borovsk. These photos immediately captured our imagination and we wanted to share them with you.

We also asked Victoria to send us some commentary on Borovsk and her photos. Here is what she wrote.

Borovsk is an ancient city with a rich history (13th century), and even 150 years ago it was livelier than it is today. But, the city was a bit out of luck in the 20th century (or vice versa), as it was positioned somewhat away from the Kiev railroad and the Kiev federal highway. This is why the city is “asleep.” You arrive there and you fall into the 19th century. No, not the 19th, even earlier than that, into the 17th. Though the inhabitants of the city are dressed in modern clothes.

As any decent city of ancient Russia, it sits on the hills next to a river surrounded with picturesque nature of Russia. There are many churches (an unbelievable amount, 16 still intact, 11 destroyed and 2 monasteries) all very different architecturally. Borovsk is also considered a stronghold of Old Believers. Feodosia Morozova was killed here. In the 19th centery, 70% of the population were Old Believers.

Besides its historical value, there is a subtle atmosphere of something close to your heart, where you feel at peace and blessed. Near a monastery, if you sit down on a bench, you don’t want to leave, whether you believe in God or not. There is especially wonderful nature around. And pine trees. And fresh air!

Borovsk is loved by artists, writers, and poets. In the summer, students from the Moscow art schools come to work in the open-air. And by the way, many people have a similar story of love for Borovsk. They saw photos and thought “well, it is just an old city, so what?” … and then they come, see it in for themselves, fall in love..buy a house and build their lives there.

I met an interesting old man there. He had retired and moved with his wife from noisy Moscow to Borovsk. And then he started to take photographs!:) His series of photos about Borovsk was exhibited in St. Petersburg and even has won a prize at some photo competition in Germany. Unfortunately, I do not remember his name.

There are many stories like this. There is something special about Borovsk.

Borovsk is 30 minutes from where I live, so I visit quite often. I simply like to walk around Borovsk and soak in the ambiance of something very joyous, and I try to show it through my photographs.

We want to thank Victoria Zaykina for sharing her photos.
See Victoria’s entire Borovsk photoset on Flickr.

Photo: On a bench

jim — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:38:50 +0000

Russian photographer Misha Maslennikov captured this photo in the Leningrad region of Russia back in 2007. We appreciated seeing this beautiful view of Russian life outside the big cities. View more of Maslennikov’s photos on Flickr.

On a bench – by Misha Maslennikov.

Photo: On the night of Cross Raisings

jim — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:37:12 +0000

Russian photographer Misha Maslennikov captured this amazing photo in the Chukotka region of eastern Russia. Maslennikov captured a moment in time as workers were preparing to put the cross on top of a local church. Be sure to check out more of Maslennikov’s work at Flickr.

On the night of Cross Raisings – by Misha Maslennikov.

Found Footage: Dacha days are here again!

jim — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:41:29 +0000

The Dacha, or summer house, is a large part of summer life for many Russians. These summer “houses” range from a simple plot of land for growing vegetables to large mansions. One thing is for sure, getting to your dacha on a Friday night might take hours as traffic jams, full of anxious dacha goers, are common on the roads leading away from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Here’s a short report from Russia Today on the beginning of dacha season.

Dacha days are here again!

Chelyabinsk Region

jim — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:16:56 +0000

The Chelyabinsk region of Russia is located in both Europe and Asia. It is a place where East meats West. The region’s capital is traditionally known for its industry which grew rapidly in the Soviet era. However, there are still vast parts of the Chelyabinsk region that are still very far from the industrialized world. In some areas of Chelyabinsk there is a new tourism industry trying to get started. Here’s a fascinating report from Russia Today about the Chelyabinsk region and the beauties you can see there.

Video on YouTube

Link: Chelyabinsk Region (Oblast) at Wikipedia
Link: Chelyabinsk (capital city) at Wikipedia

Found Photos: Maslenitsa Festival 2007

jim — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 11:30:17 +0000

A few weeks ago, Russians celebrated Maslenitsa or “Pancake week�?. Yuri Timofeyev has published a wonderful series of photos from a Maslenitsa party in the forest near Moscow. Here are a few examples of the photos he took at the event. Make sure to view the entire series at Flickr.

Pancake carnival in a Moscow’s forest. Toboggan

Kitchen

Wall to wall fight

Winter incineration

Winter incineration

Link: Pancake carnival photos

Is Rural Life Dying in Russia?

jim — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 10:00:42 +0000

A recent report from Reuters Canada talks about the death of a village priest and the state of Russian villages. It’s an interesting look into the conditions of the Russian countryside.

Link: Reuters Canada – Priest’s death shows Russia’s rural rot