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Russian Culture Monday: Nabokov

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:07 +0000

Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov's most famous novel, has sparked controversy since its publication in the 1950s. Literary controversy recently erupted over Nabokov once more when his son Dmitri finally decided to publish his father's final, incomplete work, The Original of Laura. The 75 year-old executor of Nabokov's estate had two choices - to obey is father's wishes and burn the manuscript, or to sate the curiosity of Nabokov scholars everywhere and make the work available to the public. The Original of Laura, written on index cards, reveals an aging Nabokov, and fans and critics alike are already attempting to read between the lines of these notes to recreate the author's original thought processes and intent.

To speak about Nabokov in relation to Russian culture is a little tricky considering Nabokov is not a strictly Russian author. Nabokov is a literary figure that straddles two literary worlds - the Russian and the English. Though his first works were published in Russian, he gained greatest recognition for his works published in English. The latter includes Lolita. If he has been claimed as an American author, no wonder; he became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1945, and during most of the Soviet years, the Russians didn't want want him. His works were not even available in Russia until 1988.

Despite his family's exile from Russia after the 1917 Revolution, Nabokov carried his Russian heritage with him. He is known for his remarks and criticism about great Russian authors, like Dostoevsky, and his founding of the Russian department at Wellesley College. Nabokov also translated Russian masterpieces, like Pushkin's Eugene Onegin and Lermentov's A Hero of Our Time into English. Existing snippets from interviews with Nabokov reveal how nuances of Russian language influenced how he expressed himself in English (difference between "genius" and "talent").

Today, Nabokov's home country doesn't dismiss him out of hand, but it doesn't exactly embrace him, either; interest in his works waxes and wanes. The Nabokov Museum in St. Petersburg is housed in the former Nabokov family residence, though the museum isn't state-sponsored like many Russian author museums. It maintains a collection of some of the author's personal effects and even displays a part of his butterfly collection, paying respect to Nabokov's dedication to entomology.

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Butterfly photo credit: iStockphoto/Sazonoff

Russian Culture Monday: Nabokov originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 08:00:07.

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Christmas in Poland

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:08:06 +0000

Poland celebrates Christmas with enthusiasm. If you'll be in Poland during the month of December, you can look forward to Christmas markets, Christmas decorations, and Christmas traditions. If you simply want to celebrate Christmas like the Poles in your own home, you can make special dishes and create decorations in the spirit of Christmas in Poland.

From About.com's Guide to East European Food:

Torun at Christmas photo credit: iStockphoto/tsz01

Christmas in Poland originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 14:08:06.

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Czechs Mark Velvet Revolution Anniversary

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:29:31 +0000

A significant event in modern history, the Velvet Revolution of 1989 was marked with 20th anniversary celebrations today in Prague. Responsible for the overthrow of the Communist government in the country that was then known as Czechoslovakia, it opened a new chapter for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Today, visitors to Prague don't have to go far seek out reminders of recent history. While anniversary celebrations come rarely, those interested in the events of the last century need simply explore Prague for a more complete view this period in time. For example, Prague's Cafe Slavia was a famous haunt of Vaclav Havel, who became president following the Velvet Revolution. The Monument to Jan Palach and Jan Zajic commemorates two students who set themselves on fire in protest of the Soviet occupation of Prague in the 1960s. And Prague's Communism Museum educates its visitors about events that occurred from 1948-1989.

Photo Caption: Candles are lit in commemoration of an attack on student demonstrators prior to the Velvet Revolution. Photo Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Czechs Mark Velvet Revolution Anniversary originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 21:29:31.

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End in Sight for Warsaw's Palace of Science and Culture?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:42:21 +0000

The Polish Foreign Minister is calling for the Palace of Science and Culture, located in Warsaw, to be demolished, citing its energy inefficiency (Call for Demolition of Polish Palace). The Palace is one of Warsaw's major landmarks and a familiar site along Warsaw's main thoroughfare. It is also one of the buildings associated with Stalin's Seven Sisters in Moscow. However, its historical associations are not necessarily good, considering the building was a gift from Stalin and a symbol of Soviet influence.

End in Sight for Warsaw's Palace of Science and Culture? originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 20:42:21.

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Russian Culture Monday: Snegurochka

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:15:03 +0000

Ded Moroz, the Russian Santa, doesn't have elves to help him deliver gifts to children for the holidays. Instead, he enlists his granddaughter, Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, to help him during his busy season. In Russian culture, Snegurochka is both the granddaughter of Ded Moroz and a character out of a Russian fairy tale. She, and other females associated with winter legend, often appear on holiday cards as well as on Russian handcrafted boxes and dolls. It's also possible to see women dressed as Snegurochka, just as men dress as Ded Moroz, when New Year's Eve approaches.

Read more about Snegurochka from Russian fairy tales and other characters out of Russian tales of winter:

Snegurochka

Russian fairy tales about Snegurochka and Father Frost elsewhere on the web:

The Story of the Snow Maiden
The Story of Morozko (in Russian and English)

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Ded Moroz with Snegurochka photo credit: iStockphoto/wildcat78

Russian Culture Monday: Snegurochka originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 08:15:03.

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Restructuring of Russian Time Zones?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:46:07 +0000

Those who have travelled across Russia know how easy it is to cross time zones. Moscow and St. Petersburg follow Moscow time, but travel from the western region of Russia to its eastern destinations requires adjustments to watches and sleep schedules. For example, if you fly from Moscow to Novosibirsk or Tomsk, you'll be three hours ahead upon arrival; arrival in Krasnoyarsk will add an additional hour. Russia has more time zones (11) than any other country in the world. President Dmitri Medvedev has proposed reducing the number of time zones in Russia to facilitate both governance and business, but a change in time zones will also affect travel.

The number of time zones Russia can boast represents its size and territorial diversity. Russia has always prided itself on its geographical expansiveness, and Medvedev's proposal to reduce the number of time zones seems like a departure from the grandstanding Russia has often been known for. However, Russia could compromise on the issue, increasing its national efficiency while still maintaining a greater number of time zones than the U.S., which has only 6. This would serve to remind everyone that, while the two countries have historically competed on various world arenas for recognition and stature, Russia is still undisputedly bigger.

BBC article about the proposed restructuring of time zones in Russia: Changing Times in Russia.

Restructuring of Russian Time Zones? originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 18:46:07.

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Poland's Holidays

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:58:03 +0000

Many of Poland's holidays offer travelers special opportunities to observe or participate in Polish annual traditions. Whether you're waiting in the cold for New Year's fireworks in Krakow's Market Square or you're watching a Corpus Christi procession, your experience with seasonal celebrations in Poland will offer you plenty of photo opportunities, unique memories, and a greater understanding of Polish culture and history. For example, today, November 11, is Poland's Independence Day, which celebrates the attainment of statehood by Poland in 1918.

Poland's Holidays

Poland's Holidays originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 17:58:03.

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Gingerbread in Eastern Europe

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:00:08 +0000

Sweet and spicy, easy to store, and perfect for cutting into decorative shapes, gingerbread has enjoyed a long history in Eastern Europe, and it is still a popular wintertime treat. In fact, some cities in Eastern Europe, like Torun, Poland, are renowned for their gingerbread. Gingerbread in Poland often takes the form of cookies, or pierniczki, but gingerbread houses are also popular. However, Poland isn't the only country in East or East Central Europe that enjoys gingerbread - you'll find recipes for gingerbread in cookbooks from most countries of the region.

Sample gingerbread at Eastern Europe's Christmas Markets or make some yourself for decoration or to share with loved ones during the holidays.

Barbara Rolek, About.com's Guide to East European Food, offers recipes and information about gingerbread:

All About Gingerbread

Polish Gingerbread Fish Ornament photo credit: iStockphoto/roomauction

Gingerbread in Eastern Europe originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 09:00:08.

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Russian Culture Monday: Ded Moroz

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:43 +0000

Russians call their version of Santa Claus Ded Moroz, or Grandfather Frost. While Ded Moroz shares some traits with the Western Santa, his outstanding qualities are all Russian. He wears a long, fur-lined coat decorated with embroidery and tall valenki, his chosen mode of transportation is a troika, and his companion is a lovely young girl called Snegurochka.

Ded Moroz makes his appearance on New Year's Eve rather than Christmas Eve, visiting the houses of good children all over Russia, who may have written to him at his address in Veliky Ustyug, his official hometown.

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Ded Moroz and Snegurochka photo credit: iStockphoto/oleg66

Russian Culture Monday: Ded Moroz originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 09:00:43.

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Christmas in Prague

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:50 +0000

You don't have to be in Prague on December 25th to celebrate Christmas in the Czech capital city. Enjoy holiday-related exhibitions and events if you travel before or after Christmas Day. Old Town Square, besides being the site for the Prague Christmas Market, also enjoys a visit from St. Nicholas on December 5th and is a major location for New Year's celebrations. Nativity scenes - both art masterpieces and live scenes - can be seen, and one near the Prague Loreto is the culmination point of the Three Kings Procession on January 5th.

More about Christmas in Prague:

Nativity Scene in Prague photo credit: iStockphoto/petrzurek

Christmas in Prague originally appeared on About.com Eastern Europe Travel on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 09:00:50.

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