Capturing Russia from white to black, north to south, east to west

Posts Tagged "россия"

Akim: A Family of Musicians

Akim: A Family of Musicians

In my previous post about Lera, she said both her parents were skilled at drawing, . Akim, pictured here, takes the family artistic skills to one more generation. I saw Akim talking to friends near a music academy in the center of Moscow on a snowy afternoon, carrying an instrument on his back. He said he plays the violincello, recently finished his Russian music studies and was planning to continue his education in Germany. I asked if anyone else played music in his family. He said his parents and grandparents play the violin, among the eight professional musicians in his family. Akim grew up in Obinsk, a town outside Moscow built around the world's first nuclear power plant that is known for its top-notch physicists and engineers, not musicians.

Sasha: Pop Singer at Diner

Sasha: Pop Singer at Diner

Sasha was eating in the back of a 1950s style American diner in Moscow late one evening. He was dressed in an outfit that reminded me of old-school rappers from the 1980s, so I walked over to chat. He said he is a pop singer in the duo 'In2Nation' and had just come from the studio. Having attended a highschool focusing on stage performance & jazz, he is is now studying singing at university. He did not follow in his parents footsteps, both of whom are winter biathlonists.  

Lera: Teenager with Yankees Hat

Lera: Teenager with Yankees Hat

Lera, 15 was sporting a Yankees winter hat as she walked on a coldy, sunny day with her friend Nastya along a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Moscow River. A highschool student, Lera said she "loves to draw everything", a hobby she said both her parents enjoy as well. She said she may pursue design in university. 

Starbucks: Girls Watching Fargo

Starbucks: Girls Watching Fargo

As I mentioned in my last post, the Starbucks shops in Moscow attract a colorful crowd. Alina and Dasha were watching the American TV serial Fargo on their tablet as they drank their Lattes. Each shared one earphone to listen to the show. Alina, a journalism student, said after watching many serials, they can understand the peculiar jokes. I left shortly after taking their picture to run some errands. When I passed by the store about 75 minutes later, Alina and Dasha were still sitting their watching the serials.

Grigori: Guitarist, Starbucks Lover

Grigori: Guitarist, Starbucks Lover

Starbucks in Moscow tends to attract a colorful, younger Russian crowd, which was where I randomly sat across from Grigori. A guitarist and recent college drop out, he says he likes the music at Starbucks and is trying to learn to play Jazz. Grigori said one of his favorite groups is 1990s American experimental group Deli Creeps, which had one of the best guitarists in his view. He said he was discussing the Deli Creeps guitarist with a Russian girl via social media and the two are now dating. He called their virtual connection a 'wonderful, random coincidence.' She lives 400km away and he travels to see her. 

Alyona: Kursk Waitress at Cafe

Alyona: Kursk Waitress at Cafe

I popped into a cafe around 10am in the center of Kursk for a meeting. It was empty except for one other customer. I ordered a standard-sized Americano, but when Alyona returned, she brought me a large Americano. Maybe they simply made a mistake, but she seemed to imply they did it on purpose. Perhaps because I was a foreigner? Many Russians will take an extra step (or add a bit more coffee) to make a good impression on foreigners and I haven't sensed that this trait has changed among the average Russian person since sanctions were imposed. I later asked Alyona about herself. She said she enjoys drawing/painting and may want to teach that skill someday. I asked if there were other artists in the family and she responded that her dad plays Jazz. 

Anna: Kursk TV Journalist

Anna: Kursk TV Journalist

Katya is a TV reporter for a local news station in Kursk and asked to speak with me about city infrastructure for people with special needs. As I went to meet her in the center of the city, I looked at the city buses that passed me. It would have been impossible for someone in a wheelchair to fit inside, much less get on the first step. It is not just a Kursk issue, but a Russia-wide issue. At least local TV is raising awareness, though many years may pass before there is money for such buses. 

Lera: Student, Street Worker

Lera: Student, Street Worker

Lera, 15, was standing on Lenin Street in Kursk handing out flyers for an electronics store along with a woman about 4x her age. Lera said she didn't want to depend on handouts from her parents. I asked what job she would like to have in the future. First she said she wanted to be a banker. When I asked why, she said she really wanted to be a policewoman. She said she loves watching a tv serial called 'Trail.'

Oleg: Kursk Painter

Oleg: Kursk Painter

Oleg is a well-known character in Kursk, running a gallery showing off local artists including himsdlf. Oleg was dressed in a denim jeans jacket, bell-bottom jeans and pointy black shoes, a reflection of his afinity for the 1970s and its music. He said he loves Robert Plant and listens to Led Lepplin sometimes when he paints. Indeed, a TV in the gallery corner was showing a LZ concert. Oleg said he was studying for an engineering exam some 30 years ago at a friend's house when he picked up a brush and started painting on a canvas belonging to his friend's brother. The brother told him he had talent and he gave up engineering. Oleg, who is surrounded by his paintings in this photo, doesn't just have an affinity for bell bottoms. He claims to have one of the largest horse bell collections in Russia with more than 1,000 pieces.

Russian Girls Laughing Amid Colorful Day

Russian Girls Laughing Amid Colorful Day

These two  girls were headed in the direction of the Moscow colorfest celebration....and by the looks of their clothing, this was their second visit that day. The event attracted thousands of people...and not only young ones. 
 

2 of 2
12