Now on air
09:15
The Mikhailovsky theatre
There is probably no other theatre in St. Petersburg that has changed names as many times as the Mikhailovsky. It has been called the Theatre of Comic Opera, the Maly Petrogradsky Theatre, the Maly Opera Theatre and, for a long time, the Modest Mussorgsky Theatre. It finally regained its former name as the Mikhailovsky Theatre, which was named after Mikhail Pavlovich, the brother of Nikolai I. The history of this beautiful theatre has always been quite bright and active, even during the times when it seemed not to be putting on any shows. This fact becomes clear as soon as you step backstage. Host Olga Degtyareva attended an opera and ballet rehearsal where she discovered just what happens in the secret and mysterious backstage world.
The nature of Karelia. The Kivach
The Kivach Nature Reserve, also called "mini Karelia," is relatively small — about 11,000 hectares overall of untouched, primitive nature with many species of flora, fauna and geology that can be found throughout the region. It is, however the reserve's impressive waterfall — which travellers have been visiting for 300 years — which has brought it the most fame. One of the first mentions of the waterfall is from the mid-16th century, although Kivach's history as a centre of ecological tourism did not begin until the 18th century with the visit of famous Russian poet Gavrila Derzhavin. He described the waterfall's beauty in his poetry, helping to spread recognition of this place all over Russia. Join RTG host Evgenia Altfeld and discover what natural treasures can be found in the Karelian nature reserve in the 21st century.
Now on air
09:30
The nature of Karelia. The Kivach
The Kronstadt Naval Cathedral
Kronshtadt, a small island city on the Finnish Gulf, was initially built as a fortress however is now known all over Russia for its naval cathedral. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century with a wide variety of specialists from all over taking part in its construction. The tall building was meant to be a monument to fallen sailors and to serve as a landmark to those returning from sea. Evgenia Altfeld set off to check out the history of the cathedral’s construction, also learning about the life of Father John Sergiev, later canonized under the name of John of Kronshtadt. It was much due to this preacher that the cathedral was built. In the late 19th-early 20th century Kronshtadt became one of Russia’s spiritual centres.
Now on air
09:30