Russian language No. 2 in Czech Republic

In Scotland Russian doesn't seem to be on the curriculum in secondary schools but in Czech Republic it has become the second most popular foreign language (after English of course).

Watch the report below:

First post on Russian music

Russia and other ex Soviet nations may not have world famous music like Britain and the USA but we do still have a reasonably vibrant music scene, and pop music scene too. One of the well established post Soviet period rock groups is Би-2, originally from Belarus. So, as an introduction to Russian rock, I'm posting a link to their website, and specifically to a comprehensive list of their music videos:


http://bdva.ru/filmographia.phtml


...and here's one of my favourites.

On this day in 1945 ...

A very significant day for the future of Europe. Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt met to discuss the divisions in Europe after the imminent defeat of Nazi Germany.  Ялтинская конференция.

You can read about it at Russia Today in English http://russiapedia.rt.com/on-this-day/february-4/ on their often interesting page 'on this day ...'

Or video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAtEaL5I2pI

70th Anniversary of the battle of Stalingrad

2nd February 1943 saw the victory of the Soviet defenders of Stalingrad after over 5 months of fighting and the death of between 1.7 and 2 million people. Today there are commemorations and Putin will visit Volgograd (previously Stalingrad) for a military parade and laying of wreaths at the eternal flame. There are such 'eternal flames' in many cities of the ex soviet union.

You can watch the news here in Russian.

or from the BBC here

You can watch a film about the battle of Stalingrad Горячий снег (Hot snow).

Scotland days in Saint Petersburg

For the 42nd time a Scottish delegation came to Saint Petersburg for educational and cultural exchange, visiting St Petersburg's education centre, the local parliament, and other important places of Russian culture http://spb.itar-tass.com/c344/636367.html

Dog Barbos and Supercross (1961, Soviet Union)

One of the most popular Soviet comedy directors Леонид Гайдай would have been 90yo today. Apart from the fact that his movies are incredibly enjoyable, they can be used as a great Russian language learning tool.

This particular short movie (10min) is in the international language of humour and a speaker of any language can understand it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYX5D3VjMzQ

Rabbie Burns in Russian

A bit late for Burns. Actually we had a Russian Burns' night with lots of his poems in Russian. Burns was always popular in Soviet times and we learned about him at school.

There are a couple of famous songs with Burns lyrics in our popular culture, one of which is in this film. This is a classic Russian comedy called Служебный роман

The song "Моей душе покоя нет" is here at the very beginning of part 2 Part 2 Youtube

You can also see and hear the original Burns' lyrics here For the sake o' Somebody