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Siberian Deerskin Boots
The Siberian version of Russian valenki (felted wool boots), «pimy», came from the Nenets people and their «piyuny». That is what the Nenets, one of the peoples that have lived in Siberia for hundreds and hundreds of years, call reindeer skin boots. Russian immigrants borrowed the idea, developing their own boots from sheep’s wool. Long ago «pimokaty», craftsmen that specialise in making “pimy,” lived in every Siberian village. Nowadays there are very few such men. A pimokat’s job is not an easy one, but the woolen boots that they make keep them warm. In these parts people believe that there is no warmer shoe - a statement that should not be taken lightly considering the temperature here often falls below negative 40 degrees Celsius in the winter. For this reason valenki manufacturers in the Golyshmanovsky District of Tyumen Oblast have their work cut out for them even in the June heat a...
St. Petersburg's historic addresses. Part one
In St. Petersburg there are many institutions which, after hundreds of years, are still working in their original field. Just as it did 200 years ago, the Literary Café on Nevsky Prospect continues to attract poetry lovers. At the beginning of the 19th century, this café was the well-known Wolf and Beranger Confectionery and a favourite place of great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. It was at this very confectionary that Pushkin spent his final moments before his fatal duel with Georges-Charles de Heeckeren d'Anthès. The Eliseyev Emporium is another place with a long history and it continues to sell sweets and other exotic delicacies. You can still buy live leeches at Doctor Pel and Sons’ Chemist’s Shoppe and the doors of the luxurious Astoria Hotel, a historical place known for its many famous guests, are still open. It is now one of the most prestigious hotels in Russia. RTG TV host Ev...
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St. Petersburg's historic addresses. Part one
Svetlana Miller — parachutist
If nothing in life seems to be going right, turn to the sky and it will show you just how to regain faith in yourself. There, far above us all at a height of 5,000 metres, we can find a cloudy kingdom full of silence and tranquility. In this transparent sea of blue, sorrows disappear and are replaced by unrestrained delight and amazement. No one has found this to be truer than Svetlana Miller, record holder in the women’s parachuting event at the Pearl of Russia competition. She first visited the aerodrome after going through a divorce from her husband and parachuting helped her to get through this difficult time. After her jumps she couldn’t stop smiling or dreaming about when she would next conquer the skies and was distracted from worrying about her personal life. Now Svetlana regularly sails through the heavens, looking at the world through the clouds. She is also prepa...
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