The Volga river cruise
Post categories: Student blog
| 11:17 UK time, Friday, 11 June 2010
Hi everybody! On June 12 Russia day is celebrated. It's the annual national holiday of the Russian Federation since 1992. It must be admitted that the attitude to this holiday in Russia is rather ambiguous. Many people consider this day as a tragic date, when the process of disintegration of the USSR starts. However the fact is that after this day Russia has got its present look with its national flag, anthem and emblem of the Russian Federation.That's why today I dedicate my blog to Russia or, to be more exact, cruise.
Last year I worked as an interpreter and a host on the government project between Russia and Bulgaria, which name was The year of Bulgarian culture in Russia. It means, the receiving side, Russia, had been organizing concerts, performances and shows on the territory of the Russian Federation with the participation of Bulgarian artists during a year.
In autumn a great opportunity to take a view on a little part of the vast expanse of my homeland appeared. Our tour began in Moscow and we had been traveling by motor vessel down the Volga for almost one month. It's so fortunate! In spite of rainy season, the weather was wonderful! We had been bathing in the sun on the upper deck of white motor vessel «Ilya Repin» all days long. And at nights we had been grooving to the music there! Lots of fun!
Of cause, it was so, when we were free. In other time it may say, we worked as horses! Usually we sailed up in the city early in the morning and first of all we went to see the stage, where the concert used to be held. As usual it was the main theatre of the city. Ancient or modern, but grandiose! Our technical group installed the sets, made sound and light check. The observing of this process was incredible experience! It's amazing, when you understand the mechanism of the performance on the inside! And of course it's awfully interesting to be on the back stage! Then the artists rehearsed till the late afternoon. The second part of a day we used to see local attractions and make official meeting with the Administration of the city.
The day after arriving began with hearty welcome of local girls and boys in native costumes with folk songs and bread with salt, according Russian tradition. After that the press conference and the concert were held. It seemed the whole town had gathered in front of the concert place. It must be admitted, we had a great success and the guests were extremely pleased and grateful! The artists played an encore in each city!
We've visited with the concerts nine Russian cities with population about 1 million people, which means that we were in the largest cities in Russia. All of them are different with their own fascinating atmosphere!
is the key point. It has a bear on its emblem, that's way it's favorite town of the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev (Medved is translated from Russian as a bear). Just a joke!
is famous for its Kremlin.
is the capital of the Chuvash Republic, the ancestral home of Bulgarian nation.
In my opinion the most gorgeous city is It's the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan and it seemed very rich and well-groomed. Moreover the national composition is varied, it includes Tatar, Russian, Chuvash, etc. That perceptibly affected the architecture of the city.
The old name of is Stalingrad, where the famous Battle of Stalingrad took place during World War II. The city resisted with extensive damage and was restored. The Memorial complex is commemorated the battle, dominated by an immense allegorical sculpture of Mother Russia, was erected on the Mamayev Kurgan, the hill that saw the most intense fighting during the battle.
is situated in the delta of the Volga. Because of a closeness to the Caspian Sea, it's one of the major Russian port. The industry of the city is very developed and the main enterprise is Gasprom Astrakhan.After our last destination, we took a plane and returned to Moscow, tired and happy!
That's all for today, friends!
PS: Ole, ole to the World Cup!
Friendly greetings,
Jan
Comment number 1.
At 11th Jun 2010, rogerio wrote:Hi Jan, are you ok?
Another amazing part of your blog, the photos are fantastics again.
Here in Brazil there are beautiful places too, and last month I went to Brazilia, our capital, I'd like to ask you if I can send some photos from Brazil for you, tell me if will be possible ok?
Bye Jan
Rogerio (Sao Paulo-Brazil)
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Comment number 2.
At 11th Jun 2010, Gosia wrote:Hi Jan!! I like your blog very much. I read that you are learning Spanish. Well, I study Russian and I am a Spanish teacher, would you be interested about any lng exchange, my Spanish for your Russian?? Let me know. If you wolud be, tell me if it is any possibility to write you an e-mail via blog?
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Comment number 3.
At 11th Jun 2010, Ashish wrote:Hi Jan,
In the blog 'The city, Where I live', you mentioned 'I took my photo camera and went sightseeing'. So, I think the attached photographs in that blog were taken by you. What're about the photos in this blog? Presumably, the case is same, you've taken thsese, haven't you?
If the answer is yes, I'm sure you've a natural hand in photography. So, why isn't brushing the skill up? I suppose, you'll be proved as a black horse at the end of this month. You love Art, music, photography and undoubtedly love ................ a real allrounder, to my mind !!!!!!!!!
Carry on, Jan.
All the best.
Ashish, Bangladesh.
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Comment number 4.
At 12th Jun 2010, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½_fan wrote:Hi there!
You have posted another interesting piece of information. Your blog makes me learn new words, for example, today I have learned some smart ones like disintergration and vessel. Thank you.
By the way do you miss your home coutry, Russia?
Best Wishes.
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Comment number 5.
At 12th Jun 2010, Victor_Petrovsky wrote:Hi Jan
Hi all
I live in one of the cities you have visited, Samara. The building on your photograph is The Theater of Drama. It’s a symbol of Samara. Do you know that Samara take the first please in amount of theatres per man in Russia. I got this information recently on yandex.ru and was completely surprised.
Samara also associated with famous Russian painter Ilya Repin (the motor vessel you got was called in his honor). He lived here and drew fascinating landscapes of Samarskaya Luka for his picture Burlaki na Volge. Now this place is a national park. Unfortunately there are a lot of environmental problems.
Best regards
Victor
PS I like your blog. It’s very interesting.
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Comment number 6.
At 13th Jun 2010, ¹óá²ú¾±´Ç wrote:Hi jan
It´s the first post that I read. I enjoy reading it. Oh I´m learning english and write is very dificult for me...
Thanks for share It with us.
Best Wishes.
¹óá²ú¾±´Ç
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Comment number 7.
At 13th Jun 2010, Pary wrote:Hi dear Jan Firstly I want thank you for your regularly posts . All of them are interesting . we are so thankful for your eforts . I loved Sofia photos ! By the way could you expain about bread and salt coustom , please . And I want you another favour ,if it 's possible before uploading photos compres shots size for web page ( for example by microsoft office photo manager , it rezise to kilo ! ) so you willupload in a minimum time and it will be easy to watch for guy like me with low interent connection , thank you . At the end do you have indentitiy in FB ( facebook ) , it will be nice to be in touch with a active person like you after your Blog month in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ , please think about it . Most ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ BLogers are inb touch in Facebook .
keep goinh the nice job
cheers
Pary from Iran
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Comment number 8.
At 14th Jun 2010, Jan wrote:Hello everybody!
From your comments I understand, that it is time to be in touch in FB. Evgeniya Stoykova is my ID. Welcome!
To Rogerio: Thank you, I think it’s a great idea! I’d glance at them with pleasure! You could find me in FB and show me the pictures!
To Gosia: I like the idea of exchange of experience! You are welcome on my FB!
To Ashish: All pictures were maid by me! Honestly, I’d like to thank you! I’ve noticed your interesting advices before and I feel your worm support in each your comment! I think, I am all-round girl, but I just want to find myself, it you know what I mean! Thanks again!
To ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½_fan: Not at all! It was my pleasure! I’m glade that I could make something useful!
Answering your question, I miss my family and my friends very very much! I wish they to be here with me! I miss Moscow also! Especially, my neighborhoods! I was at home 4 month ago, and I can’t wait to see my sister. She’ll be in Bulgaria next month! We suppose to turn upside down Black See coast!
To Victor_Petrovsky: Very interesting addition! Thank you!
To ¹óá²ú¾±´Ç: Thank you and keep learning! I wish you good luck!
To Pary from Iran: Firstly, thank you for your remark about photo editor, I haven’t known much about it, but you made me examine this matter!
Secondly, about the tradition with bread and salt. It’s an ancient Slavonic custom. As usual, a hostess give to her guest bread and salt, and the visitor tastes it. It makes relations between them, based on affection and trust. It the visitor refuses, it’s considered that an insult. Bread implies wealth and prosperity, and salt protects against hostile forces. For more information you could connect me in FB.
Best wishes,
Jan
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Comment number 9.
At 14th Jun 2010, rogerio wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 10.
At 15th Jun 2010, Jan wrote:Hi Rogerio!
Be careful with letters in my name. It's EvgenIYA! I hope it'll help you!
Best wishes,
Jan
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Comment number 11.
At 16th Jun 2010, Gosia wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 12.
At 19th Jun 2010, Jan wrote:Hello everybody!
To Rogerio: Thank you! I’m sure, they are amazing!
To Gosia: It sounds interesting!
To Ashish: All pictures were maid by me! Honestly, I’d like to thank you! I’ve noticed your interesting advices before and I feel your worm support in each your comment! I think, I am all-round girl, but I just want to find myself, it you know what I mean! Thanks again!
To ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½_fan: Not at all! It was my pleasure! I’m glade that I could make something useful!
Answering your question, I miss my family and my friends very very much! I wish they to be here with me! I miss Moscow also! Especially, my neighborhoods! I was at home 4 month ago, and I can’t wait to see my sister. She’ll be in Bulgaria next month! We suppose to turn upside down Black See coast!
To Victor_Petrovsky: Very interesting addition! Thank you!
To ¹óá²ú¾±´Ç: Thank you and keep learning! I wish you good luck!
To Pary from Iran: Firstly, thank you for your remark about photo editor, I haven’t known much about it, but you made me examine this matter!
Secondly, about the tradition with bread and salt. It’s an ancient Slavonic custom. As usual, a hostess give to her guest bread and salt, and the visitor tastes it. It makes relations between them, based on affection and trust. It the visitor refuses, it’s considered that an insult. Bread implies wealth and prosperity, and salt protects against hostile forces.
Best wishes,
Jan
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