How Viktor Tsoi influenced the author of ‘Johnny Mnemonic’
William Gibson, the “father of cyberpunk” and author of ‘Johnny Mnemonic’, ‘Neuromancer’, and ‘Hotel New Rose’ among others, recently admitted that his work was influenced by… Russian musician Viktor Tsoi!
They met through Rashid Nugmanov's 1988 movie ‘Igla’ (‘The Needle’), in which the frontman for the rock band ‘Kino’ played the lead role. After seeing the movie at a festival in San Francisco, he decided to meet the director. Nugmanov shared his plan to make a sequel, set in a parallel reality of the 1990s: the Soviet Union had collapsed, the borders were closed and Leningrad was the only free territory left. This is precisely where Moreau, the main protagonist in ‘The Needle’, was heading to get to the airport and fly away.
In Spring 1990, work on the ‘Citadel’ project began: Nugmanov's concept was very appealing. Gibson told him he wrote the script. However, a month before production could commence, Viktor Tsoi tragically died. Many years have passed since, but the writer remains a fan of the musician. "Viktor Tsoi is the main musical inspiration in my work, someone most readers have never heard of and certainly haven't listened to," he recently wrote on his social media page.
If you visit his page, you can see not only ‘Kino’ videos, but also Tsoi's paintings and Gibson's thoughts on him.
Credit: Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage; Global Look Press; Alexander Kostin/Sputnik
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William Gibson, the “father of cyberpunk” and author of ‘Johnny Mnemonic’, ‘Neuromancer’, and ‘Hotel New Rose’ among others, recently admitted that his work was influenced by… Russian musician Viktor Tsoi!
They met through Rashid Nugmanov's 1988 movie ‘Igla’ (‘The Needle’), in which the frontman for the rock band ‘Kino’ played the lead role. After seeing the movie at a festival in San Francisco, he decided to meet the director. Nugmanov shared his plan to make a sequel, set in a parallel reality of the 1990s: the Soviet Union had collapsed, the borders were closed and Leningrad was the only free territory left. This is precisely where Moreau, the main protagonist in ‘The Needle’, was heading to get to the airport and fly away.
In Spring 1990, work on the ‘Citadel’ project began: Nugmanov's concept was very appealing. Gibson told him he wrote the script. However, a month before production could commence, Viktor Tsoi tragically died. Many years have passed since, but the writer remains a fan of the musician. "Viktor Tsoi is the main musical inspiration in my work, someone most readers have never heard of and certainly haven't listened to," he recently wrote on his social media page.
If you visit his page, you can see not only ‘Kino’ videos, but also Tsoi's paintings and Gibson's thoughts on him.
Credit: Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage; Global Look Press; Alexander Kostin/Sputnik
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It’s difficult to imagine that this film was shot in the Soviet Union: hard-currency prostitutes, sex scenes, police brutality... For its time, the flick was a genuine movie revolution and earned itself a 16+ rating.
The plot revolves around a prostitute who dreams of finding a foreigner and going abroad. Having fulfilled her dream, the heroine feels alien and unwanted, but going back to the USSR is not an option...
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The plot revolves around a prostitute who dreams of finding a foreigner and going abroad. Having fulfilled her dream, the heroine feels alien and unwanted, but going back to the USSR is not an option...
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Despite the common saying that “Moscow stands on seven hills,” this is not true at all.
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3 facts about the ancient St. George's Cathedral in Yuryev-Polsky
This ancient church is nearly 800 years old. Here's what you need to know about it.
One of the oldest Russian churches
The Church of St. George the Victorious was built in the 1230s by order of Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, grandson of Yuri Dolgoruky, Moscow's founder. Very few such ancient churches remain; in central Russia, they’re primarily concentrated in the city of Vladimir and its environs, as well as around Yaroslavl Region.
Adorned with magnificent carvings
Originally, the facades of St. George's Cathedral were decorated with a "carpet" of carved bas-reliefs depicting biblical scenes, saints, prophets, as well as exotic animals.
In the 15th century, the cathedral was partially destroyed and, during its reconstruction, the carved stones were mixed up. Only the lower sections of the walls and part of the northern façade have survived unchanged. But, even today, the cathedral creates an incredible impression of a "book in stone": magical sirens and alkonost birds soar, while a lion, the symbol of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, lies propped on its forepaws. And lurking on the northern façade is… an elephant – the first and, apparently, only depiction of one in ancient Russian architecture.
The cathedral's sacred relic – the Svyatoslav Cross
This is the name given to a white-stone crucifix depicting Christ, saints and martyrs. According to one version, it was erected after one of Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich's battles in 1220. He miraculously survived a storm that broke out on the Volga River and returned home victorious.
*You can learn more about the cathedral in the ‘The White Temple. The History of St. George's Cathedral: ‘And They Built a Marvelous, Carved Stone’’ exhibition, which is on display at the Shchusev Museum of Architecture until October 26, 2025.
Credit: Belliy (CC BY-SA 4.0); Shchusev Museum of Architecture ; Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve
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This ancient church is nearly 800 years old. Here's what you need to know about it.
One of the oldest Russian churches
The Church of St. George the Victorious was built in the 1230s by order of Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich, grandson of Yuri Dolgoruky, Moscow's founder. Very few such ancient churches remain; in central Russia, they’re primarily concentrated in the city of Vladimir and its environs, as well as around Yaroslavl Region.
Adorned with magnificent carvings
Originally, the facades of St. George's Cathedral were decorated with a "carpet" of carved bas-reliefs depicting biblical scenes, saints, prophets, as well as exotic animals.
In the 15th century, the cathedral was partially destroyed and, during its reconstruction, the carved stones were mixed up. Only the lower sections of the walls and part of the northern façade have survived unchanged. But, even today, the cathedral creates an incredible impression of a "book in stone": magical sirens and alkonost birds soar, while a lion, the symbol of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, lies propped on its forepaws. And lurking on the northern façade is… an elephant – the first and, apparently, only depiction of one in ancient Russian architecture.
The cathedral's sacred relic – the Svyatoslav Cross
This is the name given to a white-stone crucifix depicting Christ, saints and martyrs. According to one version, it was erected after one of Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich's battles in 1220. He miraculously survived a storm that broke out on the Volga River and returned home victorious.
*You can learn more about the cathedral in the ‘The White Temple. The History of St. George's Cathedral: ‘And They Built a Marvelous, Carved Stone’’ exhibition, which is on display at the Shchusev Museum of Architecture until October 26, 2025.
Credit: Belliy (CC BY-SA 4.0); Shchusev Museum of Architecture ; Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve
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#untranslatable_Russian: 'Toska'
For foreigners learning Russian, 'toska' is one of the hardest words to understand, let alone translate. It doesn’t have a perfect equivalent in English or any other language.
In our new series of video involving a native Russian speaker, a foreigner learning Russian and a teacher of Russian as a second language from the Pushkin Institute, we'll tell you the deep meaning behind select Russian words that are (almost!) impossible to translate!
🔔 Gateway to Russia
For foreigners learning Russian, 'toska' is one of the hardest words to understand, let alone translate. It doesn’t have a perfect equivalent in English or any other language.
In our new series of video involving a native Russian speaker, a foreigner learning Russian and a teacher of Russian as a second language from the Pushkin Institute, we'll tell you the deep meaning behind select Russian words that are (almost!) impossible to translate!
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This horse nicknamed ‘Karamelka’ (‘little caramel’) lives in a former tsarist residence outside St. Petersburg and all the tourists find her cute to boot! 🐴😍
Video by:
www.tg-me.com/tsarskoe_selo
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Video by:
www.tg-me.com/tsarskoe_selo
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This is how people in the #Russian Arctic city of Norilsk have fun.
Video by:
www.tg-me.com/visitnorilsk
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Video by:
www.tg-me.com/visitnorilsk
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How to have breakfast "until the cranes (crow)" and drink “until the roosters (crow)”?
The famous ‘Slavic Bazaar’ restaurant, located in the very center of #Moscow, was renowned among connoisseurs of sumptuous feasts for its meals “до журавлей” (“do zhuravlei” or "until the cranes (crow)").
It went as follows: A boisterous group would gather for a late breakfast, say, to celebrate a successful deal. Sometimes, these gatherings would last until three o'clock in the afternoon: champagne, liqueurs and other drinks flowed freely throughout.
Until it was time for the "cranes". A guest who splurged 50 rubles on cognac in a special crystal decanter decorated with cranes (the equivalent of several months' salary for an average worker) could keep the container. Some even held competitions to see who could collect the most "cranes": one regular got as many as seven.
However, other "bird" feasts were also known. In some taverns, patrons drank… “до петухов” (“до журавлей” or "until the rooster crows"). There, too, it wasn't just the quantity consumed, but also the design of the glassware. Vodka was served in a special decanter, inside which a figurine of a rooster was placed. The liquid created the illusion that the bird inside was quite large. Shot after shot, the decanter was drained until nothing remained but the glass figurine. This was called "getting drunk until the rooster crowed". Typically, this was where the libations and, indeed, the gathering itself, ended.
Credit: Tula Museum of Fine Arts; Museum of Art Glass https://vk.com/steklomuseum
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The famous ‘Slavic Bazaar’ restaurant, located in the very center of #Moscow, was renowned among connoisseurs of sumptuous feasts for its meals “до журавлей” (“do zhuravlei” or "until the cranes (crow)").
It went as follows: A boisterous group would gather for a late breakfast, say, to celebrate a successful deal. Sometimes, these gatherings would last until three o'clock in the afternoon: champagne, liqueurs and other drinks flowed freely throughout.
Until it was time for the "cranes". A guest who splurged 50 rubles on cognac in a special crystal decanter decorated with cranes (the equivalent of several months' salary for an average worker) could keep the container. Some even held competitions to see who could collect the most "cranes": one regular got as many as seven.
However, other "bird" feasts were also known. In some taverns, patrons drank… “до петухов” (“до журавлей” or "until the rooster crows"). There, too, it wasn't just the quantity consumed, but also the design of the glassware. Vodka was served in a special decanter, inside which a figurine of a rooster was placed. The liquid created the illusion that the bird inside was quite large. Shot after shot, the decanter was drained until nothing remained but the glass figurine. This was called "getting drunk until the rooster crowed". Typically, this was where the libations and, indeed, the gathering itself, ended.
Credit: Tula Museum of Fine Arts; Museum of Art Glass https://vk.com/steklomuseum
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It’s commonly believed that #Russian has only singular and plural forms. However, historically, Russian, like many other languages, also had a ‘dual number’.
This grammatical category was lost over time, but we can still hear its traces today. The ‘dual number’ has survived in the names of paired body parts. For example, if you ask a Russian person to form the plural of the word ‘глаз’ (‘eye’), they will immediately answer: ‘глаза́’. This is precisely the ‘dual number’ form. According to the rules for forming the plural, it should be ‘глазы’. 👀
In phrases like “Два брата” (“Two brothers”), the word ‘брата’ has the form of the singular genitive case, but, historically, it’s the nominative case of the ‘dual number’ from ‘брат’ (while the plural form is ‘братья’).
Read more in our article https://www.gw2ru.com/education/239934-dual-number-in-russian
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This grammatical category was lost over time, but we can still hear its traces today. The ‘dual number’ has survived in the names of paired body parts. For example, if you ask a Russian person to form the plural of the word ‘глаз’ (‘eye’), they will immediately answer: ‘глаза́’. This is precisely the ‘dual number’ form. According to the rules for forming the plural, it should be ‘глазы’. 👀
In phrases like “Два брата” (“Two brothers”), the word ‘брата’ has the form of the singular genitive case, but, historically, it’s the nominative case of the ‘dual number’ from ‘брат’ (while the plural form is ‘братья’).
Read more in our article https://www.gw2ru.com/education/239934-dual-number-in-russian
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For people who immerse themselves in Russian culture, the question of learning Russian inevitably arises at some point, which would enable them to read timeless texts in the original language. But, where does one learn Russian… outside Russia?
We talked to Spanish professor Rafael Guzman Tirado, who has been “serving”, as he himself says, the cause of promoting the Russian language in the world for 30 years.
Professor Tirado, as well as other global media leaders, will take part in the ‘XVII Assembly of the Russian World’, which will be held on October 20-22 in Moscow, where the status of the Russian language in the world and other issues will be discussed.
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We talked to Spanish professor Rafael Guzman Tirado, who has been “serving”, as he himself says, the cause of promoting the Russian language in the world for 30 years.
Professor Tirado, as well as other global media leaders, will take part in the ‘XVII Assembly of the Russian World’, which will be held on October 20-22 in Moscow, where the status of the Russian language in the world and other issues will be discussed.
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Who is studying Russian abroad in 2025 & why?
There are devoted servants of Russian culture in all countries of the world, who are real enthusiasts of their mission. First of all, these are language teachers. We talked to Spanish professor Rafael Guzman Tirado about the interest in Russian studies around…
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Guess the Russian word with our Indian colleague!
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on YouTube!
#russianclasses
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P.S. Catch more of my lessons on YouTube!
#russianclasses
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How did Peter the Great, the first #Russian emperor, die?
The tsar enjoyed robust health from childhood, but his health steadily declined throughout his life. He worked hard and indulged in revelry, carousing and drinking.
By the age of 50, Peter I suffered from a host of ailments, including hemorrhoids, stomach upsets, kidney colic and cramps and swollen legs. The most troublesome were bouts of urinary retention, which the tsar treated with regular trips to mineral springs in Europe.
In 1724, the tsar's condition deteriorated sharply. He constantly took medication, but it was of little help. Participation in the bitter cold of Epiphany celebrations finally confined him to his bed.
"A man who was patient and magnanimous in other situations could not restrain himself from wailing," was how Archbishop Feofan Prokopovich described the last days of the emperor's life. Peter died on February 8, 1725, at the age of just 52.
The exact cause of death is unknown. Contemporaries and, later, researchers blamed kidney stones caused by syphilis and alcoholism, a "boil near the bladder", cirrhosis of the liver or cancer.
Specialists at the First Moscow State Medical University, meanwhile, believe that kidney stones killed the emperor and that the immediate cause of death was cerebral edema.
Some researchers, however, believe the tsar was poisoned – either on the orders of His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Menshikov, Peter's closest associate, or his wife, Catherine. The tsar had accused the former of theft, while the latter, shortly before his death, was caught having an affair – her lover, William Mons, was, subsequently, beheaded.
Artifacts from Peter the Great's funeral and other items from the era can be seen in ‘The Last Triumph of Peter the Great. Eternity Ahead’ exhibition (https://kreml.ru/en/exhibitions/poslednii-triumf-petra-velikogo-vperedi-vecnost ) at the Moscow Kremlin Museums until February 1, 2026.
Credit: Public domain
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The tsar enjoyed robust health from childhood, but his health steadily declined throughout his life. He worked hard and indulged in revelry, carousing and drinking.
By the age of 50, Peter I suffered from a host of ailments, including hemorrhoids, stomach upsets, kidney colic and cramps and swollen legs. The most troublesome were bouts of urinary retention, which the tsar treated with regular trips to mineral springs in Europe.
In 1724, the tsar's condition deteriorated sharply. He constantly took medication, but it was of little help. Participation in the bitter cold of Epiphany celebrations finally confined him to his bed.
"A man who was patient and magnanimous in other situations could not restrain himself from wailing," was how Archbishop Feofan Prokopovich described the last days of the emperor's life. Peter died on February 8, 1725, at the age of just 52.
The exact cause of death is unknown. Contemporaries and, later, researchers blamed kidney stones caused by syphilis and alcoholism, a "boil near the bladder", cirrhosis of the liver or cancer.
Specialists at the First Moscow State Medical University, meanwhile, believe that kidney stones killed the emperor and that the immediate cause of death was cerebral edema.
Some researchers, however, believe the tsar was poisoned – either on the orders of His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Menshikov, Peter's closest associate, or his wife, Catherine. The tsar had accused the former of theft, while the latter, shortly before his death, was caught having an affair – her lover, William Mons, was, subsequently, beheaded.
Artifacts from Peter the Great's funeral and other items from the era can be seen in ‘The Last Triumph of Peter the Great. Eternity Ahead’ exhibition (https://kreml.ru/en/exhibitions/poslednii-triumf-petra-velikogo-vperedi-vecnost ) at the Moscow Kremlin Museums until February 1, 2026.
Credit: Public domain
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Why a student from Serbia is learning #Russian 🇷🇺
"When I speak Russian, some Serbs understand everything and some nothing!" says Ema Varga.
Ema has been studying Russian for only three years, but already speaks it quite fluently. She is in love with Russian literature and decided that she needed to learn the language, in order to be able to read her favorite writers in the original text. One of her favorite pastimes is speaking Russian with her Serbian friends and observing whether they understand or not.
This year, Ema studied at the summer school of the Pushkin Russian Language Institute in Moscow and now wants to connect her life with Russia.
Video by: https://www.pushkin.institute/
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"When I speak Russian, some Serbs understand everything and some nothing!" says Ema Varga.
Ema has been studying Russian for only three years, but already speaks it quite fluently. She is in love with Russian literature and decided that she needed to learn the language, in order to be able to read her favorite writers in the original text. One of her favorite pastimes is speaking Russian with her Serbian friends and observing whether they understand or not.
This year, Ema studied at the summer school of the Pushkin Russian Language Institute in Moscow and now wants to connect her life with Russia.
Video by: https://www.pushkin.institute/
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