2018 FIFA World Cup in RUSSIA

Even though our blog is designed to give an opportunity to experience the Russian Culture without actually having to go to Russia. THERE IS SOMETHING IN RUSSIA THAT YOU CAN’T MISS!!

So here is something that we are really proud of!! These days Russia turned from a bidder to an actual host of FIFA 2018. The decision was made in Zurich on Thursday 2 December, when the FIFA Executive Committee has chosen from such bidder-countries as: England, Spain & Portugal (joint bid), Netherlands & Belgium and Russia.

Every bid-country had a presentation on the prospects they see for FIFA 2018 and their country. Here is a presentation from the Russian delegation.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/bidders/live/newsid=1343827/index.html

Another internationally important event will be held in Russia in 2014, yes, The Olympic Games! Actually, XXII Olympic and XI Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.

So these 2 are GLOBAL events that you can’t miss, this is your chance to get to know Russia from inside with all its traditions and cultural heritage but also to enjoy the unity of the World. As Russians say about both games this is our “Gateway to the Future”; inspired by Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space we say: “Poehali!” that means “Let’s go!”     

The official website, where you can see all the information and a countdown till Sochi 2014 http://sochi2014.com/en/

(From Alexandra With Love)

Russian Ballet: Diaghilev

You have an opportunity to get acquainted with the outstanding ballet impresario and founder of Ballets Russes Serge Diaghilev. Victoria & Albert Museum autumn exhibition is devoted to

Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes (1909-1929)

From V&A website: This major retrospective celebrates his enduring influence on 20th-century art, design and fashion and includes more than 300 objects including giant backcloths, original costumes, set designs, props and posters.

More about the exhibition:  http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/theatre_performance/diaghilev-ballet-russes/index.html

Opening times:

25 September 2010 - 09 January 2011 

Daily 10.00-17.30 

Fridays 10.00-21.30 (Museum is closed 24-26 December) 

Prices:
£10 adults

£8 seniors

£6 students

Address: 

Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7
+44 (0)20 7942 2000

(From Irina With Love)

Abramovich in King’s College London

Abramovich for King's College team

November, 26 was a day of fun. My short review is dedicated to a night of humour, the KVN event that we highlighted before.

It was a significant event for Russian students in London that was organised with the highest standards of KVN game, therefore teams where judged by famous Russians such as Roman Pavlyuchenko – famous Russian football player, actress, London based artist, authoritative  businesswoman and others; not yet Abramovich.

The event was held in London School of Economics’ building in a quite small Theatre so it was very crowded with those passionate about humour, socialising and having a great laughter.

LSE building, stage

The performance began with a general introduction of teams, curious stories about how students find London, sketches about students’ life.

Then it was followed by questions from the judges, that was basically an improvisation from students who had to answer those questions in a funny way.

The last part of the show was a musical performance, when each team had to sing and show their sketches.

Each part of the performance was judged and in the end of the show the final results were announced.

Competing teams were from 6 different universities: University College London, London School of Economics, Essex University, King’s College London, Nottingham University and Imperial College London

King’s College team got the 1^st place. Someone might argue that this happened because of Abramovich in their team, probably he paid for their triumph…

And now more seriously: the team was really talented, with a great performing skills, funny sketches and beautiful voices. Every single person of the team was a character with his own personality and style of joking. The most intriguing part of their performing was Abramovich’s appearance on the stage. Later on everyone realised that he was just a ‘duplicate’ of real Abramovich, a student of King’s College.

I am happy about the event, another Humour Night will be in February and as Russian students say it is going to be even more fun!

UCL team

Essex University representatives

Imperial College team

LSE team

(From Alexandra With Love)

        

Russians in London

A quick look into facts about Russians in London.

The amount of Russians in the UK is approximately 300’000 people, roughly 40’000 of them live in London. There are 5 different Russian publications, several Orthodox churches, more than 5 Russian Schools, many traditional shops and restaurants around London.

More about Russian Culture you can learn from Pushkin House (http://www.pushkinhouse.org/en), which is a Cultural Centre where you can find Russian library attend exhibitions, events, film screenings and even learn the Russian language.
Famous Brits with Russian roots:

• Pete Doherty – singer
• Dame Helen Mirren – actress 
• Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov – actor
• Nick Clegg - a British Liberal Democrat politician
• Max Alexander Baldry – actor
• Stuart Rose - Chief Executive of Marks & Spencer
• Sophia Jane Myles – actress
• Robert Jacob Alexander Skidelsky, Baron Skidelsky of Tilton -  British economic historian
• Nikolai Tolstoy - Anglo-Russian historian
• Paul Vinogradoff - highly reputable Anglo-Russian historian-medievalist.
• Albert Coates - composer

 (From Alexandra With Love)