Posts Tagged "Moscow"
Russian Balalaika Maker
MOSCOW: He was sitting in a courtyard in the center of Moscow playing a balalaika. He said he worked in a small company that makes balalaikas. The production is based in Ulyanovsk on the Volga. I was in a rush and didn't have time to speak more with him, but asked for a photo. He posed himself. I hope to go back to this spot in Moscow and find out more about the company and its plans.
Alina & Polina: Reunited After 4 Years
MOSCOW: University students Alina and Polina were taking a walk in the park. Alina said her father landed a job in Australia and moved the family there about four years ago. Alina was visiting friends and her hometown for the first time since moving to Australia. She didn't things in Moscow had changed much since. Alina and Polina have been friends now for about six years despite the distance that separates them. Polina said she has yet to visit Alina in Australia.
Arif: Russia World Cup Worker
MOSCOW: Arif and Natalya were sitting on a bench park near the Moscow River at 10:30 pm, studying their laptop screen. Friends from school days, they said they were organizing their summer vacation. I asked why here and so late. Arif said he had always dreamed of attending the Soccer World Cup and got an internship at the 2018 World Cup committee in Moscow. He said he ended up wuiting university and going to work full-time for the World Cup games. Arif work office is right next to the river, where on the stadiums is. He said he works til late, explaining why they were sitting here at night. Arif said he liked his job and was proud that fans get to choose the mascot for the 2018 World Cup. His favorite is the firebird because of its association with fairytales. "And all fairytales have happy endings," he said.
Evgeny: Street Food Kiosk Owner
MOSCOW: Evgeny, a historian by education, said he became interested in culinary arts about a decade ago as he began to travel abroad. He said he would try anything he could, asking questions about the ingredients. He also started to read culinary books, including Russian culinary history. Evgeny talks admirable of Duke Odoevsky, who wrote about food in the 1840s under the pseudonym Professor Puf. When Evgeny retired from a career as an industrial manager, he took up what he calls his ‘passion’ and opened a kiosk named 'Professor Puf' with a partner offering hot sandwiches with their own bread, sauces and recipes. The father says he didn’t let skepticism from friend’s and family stop him. ‘’If I didn’t do it now, I never would,’’ said the 50 year-old. Evgeny hopes to open more food kiosks in the coming years.
Anya: Pumping Gas in New Jersey
MOSCOW: Anya, 24, was practicing Irish Dance along the Moscow River in Gorky Park around sunset on a weekday. The IT-specialist said she began dancing five years ago after seeing people performing the ethnic steps at the St. Patrick Day parade in Moscow. As she spoke excellent English, I asked if she lived for some time in the US or UK. She said she worked two summers in New Jersey, one as a ride operator and one pumping gasoline. She said she enjoyed the job at the gas station as she met lots of people due to the fact that it was one of only three in the town. She also said she had a pleasant boss. Anya said she wore a shirt that said 'Jersey Girls Don't Pump Gas' while working.
Vladimir: Moscow Stylist
MOSCOW: Vladimir, 24, was walking toward the Moscow metro on an overcast summer day. He said he studied jazz at a musical institute, but decided to pursue a fashion career instead. He enrolled in a well-known Russian fashion school Gosh to become a stylist. After working as an assistant, he formed his own team (photographer, make-up artist, ect) and has worked for clients like Vogue Italy and Elle. As for fashion, he doesn't think that Moscow is behind Milan. He is optimistic on the future of Russian designers, pointing out that a few have already made it big. "We have a lot of creative people. In five years, we will know our young designers. They will prove themselves in the fashion world."
Arif: Working on World Cup 2018
MOSCOW: Arif and Natalya were sitting on a bench park near the Moscow River at 10:30 pm, studying their laptop screen. Friends from school days, they said they were organizing their summer vacation. I asked why here and so late. Arif said he had always dreamed of attending the Soccer World Cup and got an internship at the 2018 World Cup committee in Moscow. He said he ended up wuiting university and going to work full-time for the World Cup games. His work office is right next to the river, where on the stadiums is. He said he works til late, explaining why they were sitting here at night. Arif said he liked his job and was proud that fans get to choose the mascot for the 2018 World Cup. His favorite is the firebird because of its association with fairytales. "And all fairytales have happy endings," he said.
Mikhail: High-Fiving Strangers
St. Petersburg: As I jogged along a St. Petersburg street, a young Russian guy stuck out his hand as I passed to give me a high-five. He had a smile on his face. I was shocked. I don’t recall ever being randomly high-fived by someone on the streets in Russia. After 10 seconds, I decided to turn around and catch up with him. Mikhail, 23, said he grew up in Ulyanovsk, moved 7 years ago to study in Moscow, where he now works as a programmer. He came to St. Petersburg to take part in a marathon. Though he has liked running since youth, he gave himself the goal last year to complete a marathon. The longest he has run to date is 26 km, which he did a few years ago after breaking up with his girlfriend as a way to release tension.
Alan & Gulnaz: Artists from Moscow
St. Petersburg: Alan, 32, and Gulnaz, 30, traveled to St. Petersburg from Moscow for Alan's music performance in a circus. When asked how they met, Alan said Gulnaz was sharing an apartment with a girl friend of his violinist. Gulnaz grew up in Ufa and made a documentary film about the plane crash over Europe that killed more than a hundred people from Ufa, including many school children. She said the film was shown at a foreign film festival.
