Monthly Archives: January 2008

The fact that Moscow is expensive city is well known. For the second consecutive year, the Cost of Living Survey, which is conducted by the Mercer Human Resource Consulting has ranked Russia’s capital as the most expensive city in the world. Expensive it is. For western expatriates. But what of the millions of Russians who live there? How much does it take to survive the mean Moscow streets?

Figures released by the Moscow City government say that a minimum of 6,500 rubles ($266) a month is necessary to live in Moscow. A tripartite Moscow commission placed their minimum a bit higher at 8,000 rubles ($327). But as Nezamisimaya gazeta points out, most experts note that this government “minimum” is based on the the government idea of the rock bottom necessary for a person to live. That means a person who is ..read more

Today would have been the famed Soviet bard, actor, and conscious of a generation Vladimir Vysotsky’s 70th birthday. Vysotsky, who died in 1980 at the age of 42 from heart failure, perhaps proves once again that “its better to burn out, than to fade away.” True enough. Vysotsky’s great cultural impact in life and sudden death is the stuff icons are made of. Brilliant and moving, his passionate raspy voice made him a man fit for his time. It was also a time fit for the man.

Vysotsky’s 70th birthday is not going unnoticed in Russia. Monuments to the legendary actor, poet, and vocalist are being unveiled today in Samara, Voronezh and Dubna. The one in Samara is a 5 meter tall piece sculpted by Vysotsky’s close friend and well known artist Mikhail Shemyakin.

My love of Vysotsky’s music is only a few years old. ..read more

Stock markets around the world continue to fall despite the Bush Administration’s preemptive strike before the New York Exchange opened on Tuesday. The Federal Reserve tried its own version of shock and awe as it cut interest rates a “dramatic” 0.75 percent. The monetary defibrillator worked for a bit. The New York Exchange didn’t dive as much as expected. The Dow shaved off only 1.5 percent of its value. Few however believe that the rate cut will do much to plug Recession’s bullet holes. According to the Financial Times, economists at Davos are unconvinced the monetary shock will “succeed in boosting a sickly US economy.” Stephen Roach of Morgan Stanley called the Bush response “a dangerous and reckless and irresponsible way to run the world economy”. One can’t help note the irony when the free marketeers cry to the State for help in ..read more

What a way to start a campaign.  Dmitri Medvedev officially becomes a candidate for President of Russia and the stock market tanks.  Probably not the soundtrack he would have chosen for his coming out party.  The Russian press is screaming in terror.  I’m sure someone will eventually blame it on the Americans.

The Russian stock market lost 7 percent of its value on Monday in what the The Moscow Times says is being called “The Massacre.” And a massacre it is.  Recession is back. Locked and loaded.  India “sank” to 11 rounds of percentage bullets.  Today alone, Japan was “down” with 5.  Australia had its “biggest fall” with 7 in the gut.   Europe had its “worst day” with 3 logged in its arm.  All you heard in the markets was “Bang! Bang! Bang!”  The FT says that Recession will hit the US in the morning.  The US is going down.

Yes, ..read more

Last week, the Central Electoral Commission released information on the wealth of Gennady Zyuganov and Vladimir Zhirinovsky. Today we got a glimpse at how high presidential favorite Dmitri Medvedev’s paper stack is. According to papers Medvedev filed for his candidacy, in the last four years he earned $71,000, owns a 367.8 sq. meter apartment, and has $111,200 stashed away in a bank. If you think Dmitri’s thug appeal wasn’t bad enough, check out his ride, or really his lady’s ride. Medvedev has no car, and if he wanted cruise Moscow he would have to do so in his wife 1999 Volkswagen Golf. Literally, a car for the people. How great would it be if we found Medvedev on Pimp my Ride? I’m sure Xzibit and Mad Mike could help a brotha’ out.

But wait. Medvedev is chairman of Gazprom. For some reason whatever ..read more

Natalia Morar is persona non grata in Russia. More and more Nashi activists are becoming persona non grata in the European Union. The origins of Nashi’s visa problems begin way back in April when its activists from Russia and in Estonia protested the removal of the Bronze Soldier from the center of Tallinn. The act whipped Nashi into a nationalist fervor, immediately labeled the Estonian government “fascist,” and quickly organized a protest against the soldier’s removal. The Nashi protest ended with a clash with Estonia police and a mini-riot. 1200 people were detained and 50 people were wounded.

The outcome of the protest is still playing itself out. Rosbalt reports that the Khariuskii court in Tallinn will try four youths–Dmitri Linter, Maksim Reva, Dmitri Klenskii from the fascist group Nochnoi Dozor and Nashi’s Estonian leader Mark Siryk–later this month for instigating the disorder. ..read more