Putin Kisses a Little Boy's Belly

This happened about four years ago, but it is too very bizarre not to share...

On June 28, 2006, Russia's then-president Vladmir Putin kissed the tummy of a 5 year-old boy who was visiting the Kremlin. Putin explained the kiss of the boy, named Nikita: "He seemed very independent and serious... I wanted to cuddle him like a kitten and it came out in this gesture. He seemed so nice."

When interviewed a week after the event, Nikita said he had not watched his stomach since. He really liked Mr. Putin, and explained "I want to be president myself."

Unit 10 post

In his annual report to the Russian Parliament on the Government’s handling of the economy, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin declared on Tuesday that the recession is over, that healthcare reforms are on the way, promising to restructure the financial management of the financial sector, while stating that optimism is fuelled by the provisional forecasts after Q1 of 2010.

Vladimir Putin stated that his Government avoided an economic collapse (such as the one in 1998). Admitting that some measures were more effective than others, he stated that the forecast for growth is now at 4% and that the results for the first quarter of the year fuel optimism.

While many countries reduced social allowances and froze pensions, he pointed out, Russia did not, while some countries decided to cut expenses arbitrarily, Russia chose a different and more humanitarian path. In fact in 2009, Russian budget expenditure grew by 27.3% over 2008 while accumulated reserves were invested and budget allocations rose by 50% for wages, pensions and social allowances.

Admitting that the more pessimistic forecasts had not proven true, Vladimir Putin stated that Russia had reacted to the currency crisis as a strong power should, “acting resolutely and decidedly”. He added that while the recession is over, “the situation is far from being trouble-free” and demands a continued “conscientious financial policy”.

Indeed, during 2009 real income rose by 2.9% over the previous year while the integration of the national economy, the Russian financial sector and the social sphere were protected and preserved.

Regarding the Government’s social initiatives, Vladimir Putin stated that rather than raise more money through increased taxation, the Government should concentrate on a more efficient distribution of existing revenue. However as from 2011, Social Security contributions for companies will rise from 26 to 34% and this will fund a financing of the health service. Pensions will continue to rise (by 45%) and the Government promises extra financial benefits for mothers and war veterans.

As far as the future is concerned, Vladimir Putin stated that there are tangible signs that the banks have restarted lending schemes and this can only fuel a sustained economic development and growth which will build on the positive indicators visible already today, namely an increase in retail sales, a rise of 7% in real income and a stabilization of the unemployment rate at 8%. With the feelgood factor provided by the economic setting and the increase in buying power, this rate can only continue to decrease, since economic security is translated into spending and investment which in turn generates jobs.

Russian Proverbs

I was really interested in finding some typical Russian sayings and on Wikiquote, I found a few that seemed really interesting.

Бе́шеной соба́ке семь вёрст не крюк.
Translation: For a mad dog, seven versts (Russian mile) is not a long detour.
Moral: If you are passionate (or unreasonably driven) about something you will do all the extra work without noticing it.

Близо́к локото́к, да не уку́сишь.
Translation: [Your] elbow is close, yet [you] can't bite it.
Moral: It only seems to be easy.

Болту́н — нахо́дка для шпио́на.
Translation: A chatterbox is a treasure for a spy.
English version: Loose lips sink big ships.

Волк в ове́чьей шку́ре.
Translation: Wolf in sheep's pelt.
English version: Wolf in sheep's clothing.
Compare: В ти́хом о́муте че́рти во́дятся.

Вся́кому о́вощу своё вре́мя.
Translation: Every vegetable has its time.
Moral: Unlike English version, it means: It's ok if it isn't in good shape right now. Things need time to ripen.

And more a lot like this one at: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Russian_proverbs
Enjoy :)
And remember: До́брое сло́во и ко́шке прия́тно.

У меня зазвонил телефон...

The Many Faces of Vladmir Putin

Here are some pretty EPIC photos of Putin I found. Enjoy.

Unit 9 – Folk Health Traditions: Banya!!

Who knew bathing in temperatures exceeding two hundred degrees and beating each other with twigs was good for you?! Apparently, the Russians did over a millennium ago. One of their most beloved institutions is the banya, a steam bath that plays an integral role in many parts of Russian life, has many traditions connected to it, and provides great health benefits.

The banya has been a part of Russian culture for over a millennium. Two different sources created prior to 989 C.E. detail the use of the banya. A visitor to Russia mentioned how the Russians beat themselves to exhaustion with the branches. However, the story of Princess Olga of Kiev is illustrative of the dark side of the banya. The man who killed her husband demanded the Princess’ hand in marriage so the princess demanded he and his men wash in the banya before she saw him. Quickly, she had her subjects lock the murderers’ in the banya and had it set on fire.

Many traditions are linked to the banya. Every major event in a Russians’ life is connected to the banya in some way. The prospective bride and groom are expected to bath separately in a banya a few days before the wedding and go to the banya together immediately after the wedding. A new mother and her child are traditionally escorted to the banya after the birth for the child’s first bath. Banyas are used primarily on days of religious significance such as Clean Thursday, but never on Sunday as this disturbs the spirit who lives in the banya. Further related to this, is the tradition of removing all religious icons/symbols when entering the banya as the banya predates Russia becoming Orthodox Christian.

Now the health benefits are awesome – the heat opens up your pores to make you sweat thereby releasing toxins from the body. The heat also creates an artificial fever which kills viruses. The branches used for beating each other are meant to create healthier skin – plus it sounds like a great way to work off pent up frustration!!

Vladivostok road repair flashmob

I've seen Michael Jackson memorial flashmobs. I've seen MC Hammer Pants-clad flashmobs. Improv Everywhere has nearly perfected the art of getting large groups of people to suddenly show up in one place for all kinds of hijinks. But never have I seen a flashmob do something objectively useful. Not until now, anyway.

According to EnglishRussia, which is my new best friend, earlier this month a group of Vladivostok drivers upset with municipal authorities' neglect of the city roads came together to repair a single pothole and raise money for further efforts. EЯ has pictures of the process, with about 15-20 people--men and women alike--wearing bright orange vests. Some of them are working on the asphalt and a few of them are holding cardboard boxes marked "НА ДОРОГИ ГОРОДА" and "НА ДОРОГИ ВЕЗ ЯМ," meaning "For the city roads" and "for roads without holes." Based on the sheer number of pictures of people putting money in the boxes, I'd say they were at least mildly successful. They did a pretty good job of repairing the one pothole, and hopefully the stunt will call the municipal authorities' attention to the problem and force them to look into it.

Click here to see pictures.

Unit 9 1812 Overture

It is said that Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture was the composers least favorite work. Yet, it has become one of his most enduring, and popular pieces. Though to many Americans it is just a song played on the 4th of July for a war and invasion that happened in the same year, the piece itself is a symphonic poem showcasing the hopes and dreams of Russia at the time of the invasion of the French. Tchaikovsky paints a background of a brave Russia who is confident in its look on the future. As I learned recently in 1960 an American Composer of Russian background Igor Buketoff at the behest of Eugene Ormandy reconstructed portions of 1812. Such as adding an a cappela choir in the fashion of the Russian Orthodox church. To me I especially like this version because the hymn sung in the beginning is "God Perserve Thy People." The most poignant and emotional driven part of this symphonic poem is when the French retreat is symbolized by a downward spiraling scale form the entire orchestra, that eventually leds in to a fortissimo re entry of the Hymn which then segues into the ever popular ending.


The Hymn is as follows:

Mighty Lord,
Preserve us from jeopardy.
Take thee now our fate
and glow bright in penitence,
And be with me
O'er trecherous and cruel and grand unease and to our land bring peace.
O mighty Lord hear our lowly prayer,
and by light, shinning Holy light,
Grant us, O Lord, Peace again.
O mighty Lord hear our prayer.


I should also note that because Tchaikovsky had not originally intended for a choir most recordings feature no choir at all. I however implore one should listen to recordings both with a choir and without. I feel that adding the choir does the piece more justice.

UNIT 9-- New Nuke Treaty

On March 26, Obama announced a new nuclear weapons treaty with Russia. He stated that it is "the most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades" and will cut nuclear weapon production in Russia and the USA by "about a third." The treaty was signed by Obama and Medvedev on April 8 in Prague.

Here's an article and video:
Obama, Medvedev Sign Arms Reduction Treaty: 'An Important Milestone for Nuclear Security'


~Эzra

Unit 9: Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation

I found this a while back by accident. This lady's is amazing. The speed and precision with which she can manipulate the sand to create a story right in front of you is astounding. Kseniya Simonova won 2009's Ukraine's Got Talent with her sand painting act depicting occupied Ukraine during World War II. She had people in the audience in tears, but I'll let her art speak for itself.



Russian people are so cool!