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Russia's Gift of "The Nutcracker."
All across America, "The Nutcracker" will be performed this
Christmas season, as it has been for the last 50 years. In her article
entitled "The Ballet Russia Didn't Want" (The
New York Times, December 13, 2003), Jennifer Fisher tells the fascinating
story of how "The Nutcracker" was first performed in Russia
in 1892, but never really blossomed there during the Imperial period or
under the Soviets, nor did it catch on in Europe. Only when a Russian
immigrant, George Balanchine, introduced it to States in the 1950s in
New York city did it become the beloved Christmas event that it is today.
Click here for the full
story.
Visiting the Homes of Russia's Literary Lions.
A visit to St. Petersburg, Russia's "quinessential writer's city,"
is highlighted in an article by Roxana Robinson entitled "The Lairs
of Russian Literary Lions" (The
New York Times, December 14, 2003). Robinson describes the museums
in St. Petersburg that were the homes for four of Russia's literary giants
-- Alexander Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Vladimir Nabokov, and Anna Akhmatova.
The history of Russia can be seen through the experiences of these famous
authors whose writings are being read around the world.
Click here for the full
story.
Longing for the "Good Old Days"
In a recent essay in the London
Review of Books (October 9, 2003), Professor Sheila Fitzpatrick from
the University of Chicago analyzes a number of new books on the life of
common people in the Soviet Union and the newly formed Russian Federation.
Her insights are penetrating as she describes how "normality itself
became a utopian concept" during the Soviet period and why the transition
to democracy and capitalism has been so difficult. She notes: "The
governmental anarchy and economic chaos that followed the collapse in
the Soviet Union didn't seem normal at all. Mafia were not normal; neither
were unemployment, pensions made worthless by inflation, and pornography
being sold on the streets. Democracy was a good idea, but politics, it
turned out, was dirty business, best ignored if possible."
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story.
Understanding the Gulags
Anne Applebaum, a member of The
Washington Post's editorial board, recently published a book-length
study of the gulags in the Soviet Union. In a lecture given at the Heritage
Foundation, she summarized her findings and described how a confused
memory of the past causes problems in the present. She notes, for example,
how contemporary visitors to Russia are often struck by "the lack
of monuments to the victims of Stalin's execution squads and concentration
camps. There are a few scattered memorials, but no national monument or
place of mourning. Worse, 15 years after glasnost, 10 years after
the collapse of the Soviet Union, there have been no trials, no truth
and reconciliation commissions, no government inquiries into what happened
in the past, and no public debate."
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story.
Ignoring Our Old Enemy
In her article entitled "Now That We're Comrades, We Don't Care Anymore"
(The Washington
Post, November 9, 2003), Susan Jacoby describes how interest in Russia
and in the Russian language has dramatically dropped off now that the
USSR is no longer our enemy. Not only has enrollment in Russian language
classes dropped by 50% since 1990, Americans are generally ignorant of
world affairs - in fact, 1/3 of the Americans interviewed in a recent
survey had never heard of Putin or had no opinion about him. In a complex
interdependent world, Jacoby stresses the foreign policy consequences
of our cultural illiteracy about other nations, especially ones - like
Russia - whose role in the world is significant.
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story.
A New Trend in Russian Literature.
One of the hottest selling Russian writers is Grigory Chkhartishvili,
who has created a new genre of Russian literature. He has written ten
richly stylized novels about the work of a daring detective named Erast
Petrovich Fandorin, set in the late 19th century during the reign of Alexander
III. The Fandorin novels have sold more than 9 million copies and spawned
television spin-offs. To read about the interesting life of one of Russia's
most popular contemporary writers, see the article "A Russian Intellectual
Turns to Crime (Fiction)" by Steven Lee Myers in the May 17th issue
of The New York Times.
Click here for the full
story.
Emphasizing the Positive: US-Russian Cultural
Relations
Although political tensions between Russia and the United States are high
right now - tensions aggravated by the war in Iraq - there are many people
in both countries who are trying to emphasize the long-term friendships
that have existed between Russians and Americans. A recent article by
Carlin Romano entitled "Russian-American Relations Below the Radar
Screen," which appeared in the April 18 issue of The
Chronicle of Higher Education, shares insights on the cultural ties
between these two nations.
Click here for the full
story.
The Legacy of Nikita Khrushchev
For those interested in Russian history, especially the history of the
Soviet Union, a newly-released biography of Nikita Khrushchev will make
for fascinating reading. Richard Pipes’ review of Khrushchev: The
Man and His Era, written by William Taubman, appeared in the March 26
issue of The New York
Times - this review will be enough to make you go out and buy the
book! Pipes claims that Taubman’s biography of the Soviet leader
will be "the standard study of the man who in 1956 started de-Stalinization
that 35 years later ended in the collapse of the Soviet Union and the
dissolution of its empire."
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story.
Russia's Problems of Prosperity
While the economies of many nations are struggling, Russia is in its fifth
year of economic growth with a national budget cushioned by a sizeable
surplus. Russia, the world's No. 2 oil producer, continues to increase
it oil output, which is up 11% from the first two months of last year.
At the same time, the flow of cash out of the country has slowed down
as Russians have grown in confidence in their own currency and their nation's
future. The challenge now is to strengthen other sectors of the economy
in order to lessen dependence on volatile oil prices, soon to be affected
by a possible Middle Eastern conflict. For insights on the challenges
of prosperity facing Russian leaders, see the article by Sabrina Tavernise
entitled "Awash in Oil Dollars, Russia Tries to Steady Economy,"
that appeared in the March 6, 2003, issue of The
New York Times.
Click here for the full
story.
Young Russians Form an "Up with People"
Group
Following a pattern much like the "Up with People" Group that
was formed in the States after the turmoil of the 1960s, a new youth movement
has formed in Russia called "Walking Together." The new movement,
made up of Russian youth between the ages of 12 and 30, has grown to 80,000
members in 60 cities and towns across the Russian Federation. In an attempt
to fill the moral vacuum left by the collapse of Communism ideology, "Walking
Together" members agree not to use drugs or alcohol or foul language,
to attend six concerts or plays a year, visit four historic Russian cities,
and read six books a year from the library. For further insights about
this movement, see the article entitled "Russian Group Is Offering
Values to Fill a Void," that appeared in the February 16, 2003, issue
of The New York Times.
Click here for the full
story.
Muscovites Battle Over Monument to Russian Writer
In a fascinating story by Sabrina Tavernise, entitled "Muscovites'
Love for a Classic Ends at the Park," (The
New York Times, February 7, 2003), a battle between Russian citizens
and city authorities in Moscow is being played out over a monument to
the beloved Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov. Feelings for the author and
his classic book, The Master and Margarita -- perhaps the most popular
Russian novel of the last century -- are butting up against deep-seated
suspicions of governing authorities. This story gives insights into Russia's
current struggle as a newly-forming democracy.
Click here for the full
story.
Bribery in Russia -- Even in Education.
A recent report estimated that Russian citizens pay about $3 billion in
bribes annually -- about half of what they pay in income tax. Traffic
officers rake in $368 million a year, beaten only by education employees
who take in $449 million annually. This research is described in an article
by Sabrina Tavernise entitled "A Russian Tilts at Graft" (The
New York Times, February 10, 2003). While the theme of this article
is not a new one, the observations about corruption in Russian education
are alarming. The key figure in the story, Georgi A. Satarov, notes that
"corruption has deformed the [educational] system. Instead of awarding
degrees to our smartest young people, we are awarding degrees to our most
able corruptors."
Click here for the full
story.
When is Christmas in Russia?
Anna Applebaum, in her article entitled "Santa's Russia" (The
Washington Post, December 25, 2002) describes the confusion in Russia
over when to celebrate Christmas. This confusion is symbolic of the deeper
tensions in Russia over the nation's identity. Should they celebrate Christmas
on January 7 using the Orthodox calendar, should they forget Christmas
and just celebrate New year's which is what the Soviet regime tried to
get the people to do, or should they follow the pattern in the West and
celebrate Christmas on December 25? This is just one illustration of a
much deeper question: What will Russia become -- part of Europe, part
of the Orthodox world separate from Europe, or distinctively something
else?
Click here for the full
story.
Russia's Expanding Middle Class
In her fascinating article about Russia's growing middle class entitled
"Rising Middle Class Pumping Up Retail" (The
Moscow Times, November 21, 2002), Megan Merrill highlights the changing
face of Russia and how a newly-emerging middle class of somewhere between
15% and 40% of Moscow's population is impacting the city. The middle class
outside Moscow's city limits is much smaller in size, possibly no more
than 20% of Russia's overall population. The criteria for defining a middle
class in Russia is hardly a settled issue, and, as a result, the estimates
in terms of monthly income range from $300 to $5,000 per month. What is
clear is that Moscow has a substantially larger middle class than anywhere
else in the Russian Federation and salaries in the capital city are two
to four times higher than outside the Moscow beltway.
Click here for the full
story.
Teaching Religion in Russia's Public Schools.
Because of the painful experience of state-sponsored atheism and its aggressive
persecution of religion during the decades of Communist rule in Russia,
church-state relations is a very sensitive subject in the Russian Federation.
In an article entitled "Schools To Teach Orthodox Culture" (The
Moscow Times, November 18, 2002), Andrei Zolotov, Jr., reports on
a new initiative by the Department of Education to offer an optional course
in Russian state schools on "Orthodox culture." The intention
of the course is to immerse children in the Orthodox worldview and the
recommendation is that the course be offered once a week in primary schools
and twice a week in secondary schools. According to Education Ministry
officials, student attendance is voluntary. For adherents of other religions,
even "traditional religions" as defined by state law, the question
is whether or not they will also be allowed to offer "optional courses"
in their religion in state schools as well. Without this right, the freedom
of religion in Russia will once again suffer a major setback.
Click here for the full
story.
Russian Students Struggle to Pay for Tuition.
The struggle facing many Russian students who must raise the money needed
to pay for tuition at state and private universities is a pathetic one
and the willingness of young Russian women to trade sex for education
is just another example of this desperate situation. Byron MacWilliams,
in his article "Turning Tricks for Tuition" (the November 8,
2002 issue of The Chronicle
for Higher Education), highlights a number of young Russian women
who engage in this exchange because they can not find any other way of
making the money needed for advanced schooling.
Click here for the full
story.
Foreign Investment in Russia: Things Are Starting
to Change
Russia's economy has made a dramatic turn-around since 1998. Russia has
seen three straight years of robust growth, its budget is in surplus and
it is paying off its debts on time and in full. Last year it had the world's
best-performing equity market after China. Yet, foreign investment is
lacking, although there are signs things are beginning to change. For
insights on these issues, see the article by Guy Chazan in the October
14, 2002 issue of The Wall
Street Journal.
Click here for the full
story.
The Importance of Knowing Your Nation's History
…
Despite Alexander Solzhenitsyn's observation that "repentance is
the clearing ground for reform," the Russian people have still not
confronted the violence and terror of the Communist regime. In her article
entitled "Russia Keeps Stalin Locked in Its Past," which appeared
in the September 24, 2002, issue of The
Washington Post, Sharon LaFraniere quoted a Russian activist who
argued passionately that the Russian people "simply do not know their
history and that means they are completely disarmed against any potential
dangers." For those of us involved in higher education in Russia,
we have the responsibility of training Russian young people who know their
nation's past, to accept responsibility for what occurred, and to learn
to say "We're sorry."
Click here for the full
story.
Peace Corps Workers Forced to Leave Russia
On Monday, August 12th, 30 Peace Corps workers were informed that their
visas would not be reissued by the Russian government. Last year, 10 other
Peace Corps workers were also refused visas. While we have no "insider
information" on this news story, we believe this refusal is based
on an issue of pride and public image. Russian officials do not consider
their nation's status to be equivalent to that of a Third World country
where Peace Corps are sent to help with the basics of development. For
coverage of this issure, see Sabrina Tavernise's article, "Russia
Declines to Renew Visas for 30 U. S. Pace Corps Workers," in the
August 14, 2002 issue of The
New York Times.
Click here for the full
story.
New Code of Ethics for Public Officials
In a context where corruption is rampant, even among government officials,
President Putin made an important statement by signing a new decree outlining
general principles of ethical conduct for government bureaucrats. Putin's
commitment to reform is evident in this new decree that defines "conflict
of interest" and instructs government officials to be polite and
attentive toward the needs of citizens. This emphasis on ethics is a theme
built into the curriculum of RACU. For a news report on this new ethical
code, see Andrei Zolotov's essay "Putin Pens Code for Ethical Conduct"
in the August 14, 2002 issue of The
Moscow Times.
Click here for the full
story.
Russian Corporations: Charitable Contributors?
One of the most encouraging signs in Russian society in recent months
has been the gradual emergence of charitable funds established by Russian
corporations. This is a key component in the emergence of a civil
society, especially when newly formed non-profit entities that are doing
valuable humanitarian service are supported by corporate grants.
For the story on this exciting development, see "Corporate Russia
reaches into its pockets" in the July 19, 2002, issue of The
Russia Journal.
Click here for the full
story.
Russians Criticize Capitalism
In an article entitled "Capitalism Under Attack," that appeared
in the July 31, 2002 issue of The
Moscow Times, the writer, Professor Robert Skidelsky noted how
capitalism is now under fierce criticism in Russia for the "first
time since the fall of communism." One facet of this criticism
relates to the issue of businesses' social responsibility and Skidelsky
argued here that financial accounting needs to be replaced by social accounting,
citing the example of Shell International, a corporation that calculates
the net value that its companies add to the world in terms of sustainable
development and social progress.
Full story coming soon!
The Importance of Teaching Business Ethics in
Russia
RACU was established at the invitation of the Russian government, following
an educational exchange in 1990, when Russian educators came to the States
and witnessed classroom discussions on business ethics at several member
colleges of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
This need for business ethics and for moral standards was clearly recognized
by Russian educators, while at the same time American business schools
were backing away from this emphasis on character development and moral
training. For an insightful analysis of this dilemma in American
business schools, see Amitai Etzioni's essay "When It Comes to Ethics,
B-Schools Get an F" in the August 4, 2002, issue of The
Washington Post.
Click here for the full
story.
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