Italianetz aka "The Italian"

We watched the movie "Italianetz" the other day. I think it was well done. It was about a young Russian boy who lives in an orphanage and who has a chance to become the adopted son of an Italian pair. Thus he is dubbed "Italianetz" by his peers at the orphanage.

Orphanages in Russia have been used as 'dumping grounds' for women who are not ready to become mothers, and so there are occasions where the mothers show up to take the child home.

The critical moment in this film is when a mother arrives...just a little too late.

Italianetz believes that his mother would come too, if only she knew where he was. So he decides to find her himself.

It is a remarkably courageous child to travel in Russia alone in modern times, aside from traveling while being pursued by the greedy "orphan-sellers" who stand to make a fortune on the sale of this child.

The movie ends heartwarmingly. I see it as a patriotic call to Russians not to sell their children to foreign lands. It would be a cold-hearted person to not be affected by the child's tribulations or the grey, cold landscape of 'somewhere' in Russia.

Russians are still masters at mass propaganda. So much so that it makes one want even more of it.

New this year - Russia! Magazine

I just discovered by way of another blogger that a magazine called Russia! has started distribution this year. I wonder if it will make it? I have only had the chance to check out the website, and I can see that it is peppered with humor.

Another wonderful item on their site is a recipe for Golubtsy which is stuffed cabbage rolls. If you like cabbage and meat, you should try this dish. The recipe online sounds amazingly tasty!

Great Magazine for Russophiles

If you're a Russophile like I am, you might enjoy the newer incarnation of Russian Life (which I believe was once "Soviet Life" magazine in a different era). It is not politically affiliated, although it does focus on the current events, culture, and history of Russia. I think one could spend a lifetime writing about that country and still not capture more than the tiniest tip of an iceberg.

That's what they say about Russia's natural resources as well. Virtually untapped. If you've ever walked in a Russian forest, you would understand that this is true. At the same time, I would hate for the resources to be stripped and consumed. There's something joyful about the idea that one could actually disappear into the Russian countryside and live off the land--no internet, no credit cards, no identity. Of course, there are others living there who would notice you, but if you're quiet and hospitable when necessary, I doubt you would ever be found by the official arm of the ever-changing government. Just a thought.

Story published in May 2007

I recently had another story about my time in Russia published. It's called Mortal Coil, and is about a woman's (a friend of ours) funeral.

Did you know Russians are very superstitious?

Cooking the Russian way

A Taste of Russia: A Cookbook of Russian Hospitality is a particularly good cookbook with lots of ideas for the gourmand. I first became acquinted with the author's recipes in the magazine Russian Life where the author suggests using egg roll /wonton wrappers to make your own home made pelmeni. Anyone who has made the dough for pelmeni will instantly recognize a life saver shortcut.

As with all "keeper" books, I recommend checking it out first at your local library (try interlibrary loan) before you buy it. I think it's a worthwhile book, and there aren't too many good English-language Russian cookbooks out there.

Saint-Petersburg Griffin

Saint-Petersburg
Originally uploaded by nightmare witch.

These are striking in the summer. I always wondered why they hadn't been defaced like everything else. Perhaps there's some sort of pride there...or a policeman.

Church of Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia

Church of Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
Originally uploaded by *saxon*.

Detail on one of my favorite cathedrals. "Spas' na krovi" (aka Saviour on the Blood) is right downtown, just off of Nevskiy Prospekt.

Stories

I've already written about

• Witnessing a crime
• A friend dying
• Thanksgiving...the Russian way
• Marriage (my own)
• Comparing one American Soldier experience with that of a Soviet Soldier

I've got a few other ideas in the works.

• Elections
• Racial attitudes
• Birthing a child (my own)
• Gypsies

Of course, this is all in progress. If you have any ideas about what you'd like to read about, let me know!

A few years ago I lived in St. Petersburg, Russia. Several stories have come about since then. Please join me, if you care to, in the telling of these stories.