The Era of the Workaholic Apr 25, 2012

According to a recent survey, Russians are now working more hours a week than the Japanese. Unfortunately, labor productivity remains meager.

On Prominent Figures and Thick Journals Apr 23, 2012

The first issue of the Sovremennik journal, published and edited by Alexander Pushkin, saw the light in St. Petersburg 176 years ago.

Under the Weight of Tradition Apr 17, 2012

The two main highlights of the Moscow Easter Festival are Jules Massenet’s Don Quixote and the third act of Richard Wagner’s Valkyrie, writes critic Dmitry Renansky.

Is Russia Destined to Be Just a Cosmic Taxi Driver? Apr 12, 2012

Real efforts are required to boosts Russia’s space program.

Is Lack of Censorship a Problem for Russia? Apr 9, 2012

Writer Valentin Rasputin once said: “We now need censorship for art and moral quality, rather than for political content… this flow of rubbish must somehow be checked.”

Happy Birthday, Muscovites! Apr 2, 2012

According to the chronicles of ancient Rus, there is cause to declare April 4 the day of the founding of the present-day capital of Russia.

Summertime Forever? Mar 29, 2012

Russia’s recent try at changing time zones and permanently living on daylight savings has produced some grumbling.

Russian Cinema Market: From Killer Tank and Drunken Geographer Mar 16, 2012

Among next year’s releases is The Geographer Has Guzzled Away His Globe – a movie by director Alexander Veledinsky after the eponymous novel by Alexei Ivanov.

Did Nicholas II Really Abdicate? Mar 12, 2012

Unlike many other events of those restive days, nobody has doubted the validity of information about what happened in the car of the royal train.

August 2008: An Unsuccessful Solitaire Shuffle Feb 20, 2012

For all its flame and glory, the first attempt at a blockbuster by Glavkino seems to have fallen short of target.

Art vs. Propaganda: Exhibition on Napoleon and Alexander I Opens in Moscow Feb 14, 2012

Both the friendship and enmity between Alexander and Napoleon were full of paradoxes: the peacemaking Russian emperor initiated all his wars against France, whereas the militant French emperor was constantly seeking alliance with Russia.

Should St. Valentine’s Day Be Celebrated in Russia? Feb 14, 2012

What’s the most difficult thing in providing guidance to children? Being convincing…