Author: Sarah Parker

Tchaikovsky: The Life and Modern Legacy of Russia’s Great Composer

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is one of the most popular composers of all time and produced numerous symphonies, operas, piano concertos, and ballets. The Russian composer’s works can be found today not only in concert halls across the world, but also used in popular culture as recognizable and emotionally affecting pieces. He also remains a constant […]

The Moscow Metro: From Public Transport to Social Icon

Even if you’ve seen pictures, you’re not prepared for the Moscow Metro System. For visitors, one of the great surprises of this historical city is discovering the beauty and cleanliness of its underground palaces. It’s worth a few hours in the afternoon or late evening (avoid rush hour 4-7) to ride around and see the […]

Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve in Moscow

Tsaritsyno is a park and museum complex in southern Moscow. One of the largest museum reserves in Moscow, the land started as an aristocratic estate. It was purchased by Catherine the Great, who commissioned a palace to be built there. However, it was not finished at the time of her death and the project was […]

A Day at the Beach in Moscow

Moscow Beach, Serebryaniy Bor, Beach Number 3/ Серебряный Бор, пляж номер 3 Always open, but Transport services only during daylight hours Admission is free I was skeptical, but sure enough, there is really a beach in Moscow! There are a few, actually, if you look around for them. The area I went to is known […]

Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow

Lenin’s Mausoleum/Мавзолей В.И. Ленина Красная площадь, Moscow Open Daily 10:00 am-1:00pm Closed Fridays and Holidays Admission is Free Lenin.ru Vladimir Illyich Lenin is a giant of recent Russian History. Outsiders attempt to describe his meaning among Russians using spiritual leaders, historical figures, and mythology, and always these comparisons seem insufficient. Father of the revolution, champion […]

Fine Art Museum of A.S. Pushkin

This museum is not related to the famous Russian author, but named in his honor. It is Moscow’s center for fine art, showing famous works by Western artists like Picasso, Renoit, Van Gogh, and many others. But there are also some classic works by Russian artists, as well as sculpture, and collected historical objects. The […]

Moscow Cats Theater

Moscow Cats Theater/Театр Кошек Куклачева Kutuzovksy 25, Moscow Showtimes at 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00pm Tickets range from 300 rubles-1500 rubles Kuklachev.ru This little oddity is a relative unknown, even for many Muscovites. It’s not a human theater about cats; it’s a theater where cats are the performers and the backdrop. Adults recommended it to me, […]

Moscow Museum of Modern Art

This MMOMA is a group of museums that house a range of contemporary artists and installations. This art is from the entire second half of the 20th century forward. Some employ traditional methods with a modern feel, and there are also exhibits that really push the boundaries of what we consider art. Some gallery space […]

Tretyakov Gallery: A Russian Classic in Moscow

The Tretyakov Art Gallery eclipses all other art museums in Moscow. It was given to the city of Moscow in 1891, when Pavel M. Tretyakov donated his private gallery for public use. It is a comprehensive collection of Russian artwork. Tretyakov is the home of many of Russia’s most famous paintings that we normally see […]

The Viktor Tsoi Graffiti Wall in Moscow

Coming across the graffiti wall at the corner of Stary Arbat and Krivoarbatskaya Lane last summer, I took a few pictures, and didn’t think about it much more than that, except that I was surprised to see such elaborate work in such a public place. So when I visited the same place, and saw that […]

A Cosmic Opportunity – The Moscow Planetarium

The Moscow Planetarium is an exciting experience for anyone with an interest in science and the stars. It features many exhibits and has separate museums and interactive halls. There you can see physical representations of how light bends, or displays showing Earth’s magnetic field. Their collection of telescopes throughout history is really impressive and well […]

The Amazing Moscow Circus

The Bolshoi Circus/Большой Московский Цирк Проспект Вернадского, 7, Москва Ticket offices 10:30-7:30, most shows start at 7pm. Tickets from 300 rubles-4000 rubles www.bolshoicircus.ru I don’t know what I was expecting when I went to the circus, but whatever it was, this was not it. I had heard that Russians give the circus an exalted place […]

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