Stories about Russia from May, 2007
Russia: May 9 Photos
Great pictures and comment on May 9 in Moscow – at Darkness at Noon.
Russia: Putin's May 9 Speech
Robert Amsterdam writes about Vladimir Putin's May 9 speech and the Kremlin's “the fear of the upcoming bogus elections.”
Russia: All Eurovision Entries
As the Eurovision Song Contest approaches, Siberian Light posts “Youtube videos of every single Russian Eurovision Song Contest entry – ever!”
Russia: Victory Day in Moscow
The Turkish Invasion writes about Victory Day in Moscow: “The metro was crammed with Veterans and their relatives and some younger men were carrying Red Army division banners. At first, I thought that it was another absurdity to carry war banners in Metro but I was then ashamed to realise...
Russia: Nashi and Komsomol
Sean's Russia Blog likens the pro-Kremlin Nashi youth movement to the Komsomol of the 1920s and 1930s (so far, the post has received 62 comments).
Estonia: Victims of Soviet Regime
Itching for Eestimaa writes about the Estonian political leaders who fell victim to the Soviet regime.
Latvia: May 9
All About Latvia writes about the meaning of May 9 for Latvia.
Former Soviet Union: Family War Stories
For three years, LJ user aurinko25 has been collecting links to family war stories posted by Russophone bloggers. It's an overwhelming collection, full of raw, genuine history, full of life, death and heartbreak. Trying to pick something for translation turned out to be very difficult: so many of these texts deserve to be showcased - and, at the same time, they have to remain part of a continuous narrative. I ended up choosing two brief posts that date back to 2004 and 2005 - both written by bloggers who live in the United States now.
Latvia: Falsification of History
Peteris Cedrins of Marginalia writes: “On 8 May, I always read Peteris Ermanis’ poem about the rejoicing when the War ended — driven into exile (like my parents — my mother studied under him in a displaced persons camp), he wept; he saw and felt how happy everyone in Prague...
Latvia: Interview with Peters Janis Vecrumba
Marginalia interviews Peters Janis Vecrumba, the founder and maintainer of latvians.com – “one of the oldest, biggest, and best Latvian-related sites on the Web.”
Estonia: May 9 Rally
Itching for Eestimaa writes on how Estonian authorities should react to the rally that is likely to take place on May 9 in Tallinn: “To let them wear red, of course. Let them lay flowers, let them sing Communist songs. And when their moment of irritating the authorities is over,...
Russia: “Motives & Misperceptions”
Vilhelm Konnander posts a lengthy comment on the West's bewilderment with Russia's motives and actions.
Ukraine: View From Russia
Leopolis writes about Russia's distorted view of the events in Ukraine: “As Ukraine resolves another crisis, the hope is that the blue camp is empowered – not by empty Russophilic slogans, but by their own political capacity as citizens of Ukraine. Someday soon, perhaps Russia will take notice.”
Russia: Skate Boarders at Victory Park
Darkness at Noon visits Moscow's Victory Park and finds it filled with “boarders, bikers, and skaters.” He writes: “But if the [members of the pro-Kremlin Nashi movement] are indignant enough to demonstrate at the Estonian embassy for days on end, then whey aren't they out at Victory Park guarding the...
Russia: St. Pete is Ready for Victory Day
Russian Kafe posts pictures of how St. Petersburg is preparing for Victory Day celebrations.
Estonia: “Past the Sound Bites”
Estonian blogger Kojinshugi posts “a detailed account of what happened in Tallinn this weekend, how it happened, why it happened, and what it means. […] As much as I’m writing this to get across the true nature of events, I’m also writing it to offer insight into one Estonian mind...
Russia: Kovalyov's Article Translated
Scraps of Moscow translates into English an article by Sergei Kovalyov about Russia's relations with the outside world.
Former Soviet Union: “Petropolis” Review
J. Otto Pohl reviews Anya Ulinich's debut novel, Petropolis:
Estonia, Russia: Bronze Soldier, Again
Yet another discussion of the Bronze Soldier situation at Edward Lucas’ blog.
Estonia, Russia: Ansip and Putin
The Russian Dilettante compares the Russian president to the Estonian PM and writes about their respective roles in the current conflict over the Bronze Soldier: “I also suspect that the ‘riots’ wouldn't have happened without Moscow's instigation, which is no wonder, Putin being the same Soviet type as Ansip. No...
Estonia, Russia: More on the Bronze Soldier
Itching for Eestimaa writes: “With the issue of the Estonian government's decision to relocate a Soviet war memorial to a military cemetery de facto concluded — though the repercussions will no doubt linger for years — the situation at the Estonian embassy in Moscow has become the new focus point...
