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| 01.03.2006
Welcome From SRAS!
 This month's Newsletter focuses on the art of one history's most creative civilizations, Russia. Those hoping to study that art at the Hermitage (or participate in any of our summer programs) should note that the application deadlines are in just a few days. There is still time! Contact us now with any questions or concerns.
Vestnik, The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies is currently accepting student contributions for its next issue.
Happy Maslenitsa! If you don't know what Maslenitsa is, check out this article SRAS published last year and get busy making some "pancakes!" |
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News: Gold and Tragedy
This month's top news story is the recent collapse of another roof in Moscow, which effectively highlights several contemporary problems in Russia. Other stories this month include: Russia Wins Medals and Friends; Russia Befriends Hamas; Protests Mark Russian Holiday; Gas Wars Simmer; and NGOs in Waiting.
Special Feature: Political Activity in Russia's Near Abroad
(Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Belarus) |
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Law and Politics: The Russian Cultural Bill of Rights
 To understand the role of the state in art, one must, at least on some level, understand the legislation of the state. To help our readers achieve this, we have translated a portion of a Russian law entitled "Foundation Legislation of the Russian Federation Concerning Culture," which reads like a sort of Cultural Bill of Rights, and provided some food-for-thought to go along with it. Its differences from the American Bill of Rights could hardly be more pronounced...
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Featured Program: The Arts in Russia
The Arts in Russia is a practical program intended for those interested in art history and/or the creation of studio art. In their history studies, students will work with the original pieces of art inside the Hermitage, discussing and maybe even restoring them! Students also study the city of St. Petersburg as an artistic statement and reflection of its history. Furthermore, participants also enjoy a unique opportunity to create art within the Hermitage galleries and/or studios of the Hermitage Youth Center under the direction and tutelage of these institutions.
Free Internship Placements! Tourism Development Film / Project Management
Scholarships! SRAS Year of Study Abroad Scholarships Other Funding |
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Featured Educational Institution: The Hermitage
The Hermitage has hosted an permanent educational center since 1997. It should be mentioned that they are not as yet accredited by Russia's Ministry of Education - in part because the reputation of the Hermitage means that these programs are already widely respected and admired. Several American students who have attended in the past have received transfer credit from the programs from home universities such as the Rhode Island School of Design, named several times by US News and World Report as the best art college in America. SRAS now offers this brief history of the Hermitage and its art - from the founding of the Winter Palace, through World Wars and revolutions, to the modern day. |
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Travel: Abramtsevo
 Abramtsevo was an artist's colony founded to celebrate Russian traditional culture. It would also become a major reflection of and contributor to the Russian culture of its day. It still houses several permanent museums to both the fine and folk arts. Given its proximity to Moscow (just 1.5 hours by train), Abramtsevo should be high on the list of places to see for anyone interested in art.
See also our recently updated City Guide for St. Petersburg. |
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Russia Abroad: Russian Crafts Tour the US
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London recently exhibited "International Arts and Crafts." Struck by Russia's under-representation there, former SRAS student Inge Wierda wrote the following article about the Abramtsevo arts and crafts movement that deeply affected Russian artistic trends. She focuses on the one piece represented from that movement at the exhibition and its artist, Elena Polenova. "International Arts and Crafts" is currently touring America. Its final stop will be in San Francisco at the De Young Museum from March 18-June 18, 2006. |
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The Library Presents: The Plastic Arts
The Library is meant to give students studying Russia or Russian broad perspectives on specific subjects. This month, we focus on the plastic arts in Russia which encompasses such arts as painting, sculpture, and crafts. You'll find links to government agencies which affect these arts, NGOs that fund these arts, news sources that report on these arts, recent art projects in and about Russia, links to information about artists and other influential people, and lots and lots of online art and galleries. Let us know if you would like to contribute additional information. |
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Image of the Month: Gender Roles
Historians speculate that if the Provisional Government had survived, all of Russia would have moved toward a more democratic society. Would it have also moved more towards egalitarianism? This month's image focuses on gender roles in modern Russia.
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Language: Говорить вкрадчиво – To Say Sweet Nothings
 Russian lovers don't call each other "honey" and often think it amusing when English speakers do. They most often use the words "dear" (дорогая), and "sweetie" (милая), and very often some derivation of the word "rabbit" (заяц, зайчик, зайчишка). More creative titles include "родная," which comes from the same stem as "родина" (homeland) and "родственник," (relative), two of the highest valued elements in traditional Russian culture. Other terms are "солнышко" (little sun), "золотко" (golden one), and even "рыбка" (little fish – not commonly used).
Probably no one is more famous for sweet nothings in Russian than A.C. Pushkin. His best known diatribe on love starts as follows: "Я помню чудное мгновение: / Передо мной явилась ты, / Как мимолетное видение, / Как гений чистой красоты." (I remember the many miracles / as you appeared before me / Like a fleeting vision, / As if a marvel of pure splendor). Most of Pushkin's poems on the subject juxtapose love and sorrow. Take, for example, "Унынья моего / Ничто не мучит, не тревожит, / И сердце вновь горит и любит - оттого, / Что не любить оно не может." (My despondence / Knows no grief nor even sorrow / For again my heart burns and loves, as / Not to love the heart cannot). |
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