Stalin Died 55 Years Ago Today

This photo was taken at the foot of the statue to Vladimir Lenin. The man here is holding a portrait of Joseph Stalin. So you really loved Stalin, I asked him? He had just finished marching in a Communist Party parade and I was mixing with the group. Yes, we loved him. He was our teacher.

Today is the 55th anniversary of the death of Joseph Stalin. Several interesting articles are posted, including a BBC story written five years ago, suggesting that his death was not due to natural causes.

Although millions of Russians suffered at Stalin's hand, to some he remains a hero. This poster says, For each of us, Stalin labors in the Kremlin.

Celebrating Maslenitsa

Maslenitsa figure in Moscow visible for blocks away.

The election behind us and Women’s Day festivities not until Saturday, Russia is in the midst of maslenitsa, a week-long celebration rooted in paganism but focused on the end of winter and welcoming the sun. Maslenitsa comes from maslo, the Russian word for butter and reflects the interest in food during this holiday. Blini, the Russian version of the crepe, is the traditional food because of being round, shaped like the sun.

In villages, small fires on the street are part of the celebration as is setting afire the stuffed effigy of a village woman. The photo above, I'm guessing represents that village woman, but no chance that she'll be burned.

In the Russian movie, The Barber of Siberia, a maslenitsa celebration set in old Moscow, as I recall, provides a look at many of the traditions.

Today in Rostov-on-Don: "Your Vote is Decisive"

Election billboard on Krasno-armeiskaya (Red Army) Street, against background of Russian flag.


Let's zoom on in:
2nd of March, the year 2008
Election of the President of the Russian Federation
Your vote - decisive!

Voting in the Rain, Just Voting in the Rain. . .

Today's voting agenda and the weather bring to mind that classic musical Singin' in the Rain, not that anyone's whistling it on the street, you understand. Still, I've been asking folks if they've voted yet and the best answer was from the cookie lady in the market.

Oh of course I'm going to vote after I get off work. But they've already decided the results even without us, she giggled. The voting's just a formality.

Three flags are flown out in front of poling places: the local Rostov-on-Don city flag, the Rostov Regional flag (similar to a state) and the flag of the Russian Federation. With the wind and rain, the flags are all blown and twisted around the flag poles, so no good flag shots to share. Still, I hope you 'll enjoy the following images.

A ballot box with the double-headed eagle, emblem of Russia. (Photo courtesy Yahoo! News)


In Moscow this huge poster is up near the Kremlin and it has gotten lots of attention from posers and photographers alike. Newlyweds in their wedding attire kissing in front of it and here a couple of pigeons undoubtedly pondering their civic duties. (Photo courtesy Yahoo! News)


Meet some of the folks who voted. See President and Mrs Putin as well as Michael Gorbochev at their poling places. (Video courtesy of YouTube.com)

Russian Election: Surrounded by Signs

Tomorrow, March 2 is election day across Russia. Here are signs from the street.

March 2 Election (in small print) for the President of the Russian Federation. . . This sign is posted in the front window of a polling site. Reflected in the window, is the building construction across the street.

United Russia is symbolized by a bear. Certainly beats an elephant or donkey.

United Russia encourages people to vote for their candidates. As the poster says: Growth of the economy! Enough pay! and Successful people!

Let's zoom in on the magnificent river view: Rostov-on-Don.

Oh dear Lord, may the citizens of this great city, of this vast land, always live in freedom. Most especially the freedom to walk with You.