Анна Ахматова – Anna Akhmatova, Silver Age poet

Защитникам Сталина

Это те, что кричали: “Варраву
Отпусти нам для праздника”, те
Что велели Сократу отраву
Пить в тюремной глухой тесноте.

Им бы этот же вылить напиток
В их невинно клевещущий рот,
Этим милым любителям пыток,
Знатокам в производстве сирот.

To the Defenders of Stalin

They’re the ones who shouted: “Barrabus,
Release for the holiday”, they
Who ordered the drink for Socrates -
Нemlock for his last prison day.

Prepare the same poison and pour it
Down their naive, slandering mouths,
Those sweet lovers of pain and torment,
Skilled producers of parentless youths.

Anna Akhmatova (born Gorenko 1889-1966) was a renowned Russian and Soviet poet during the Silver Age of Poetry (so called for the burst of new poetic movements and creativity in the early 20th century). She belonged to the Acmeist movement . The name of the movement was actually coined from her pseudonym, as another poet noted the similarity between Akhmatova and the greek acme (“best”, or “zenith, point” to refer to the ‘best age of man’). – ref

After the less-censored 1920′s, she was subject to continued repression by the Stalinist regime. Her works were hardly published for much of her lifetime, until she was ‘rehabilitated’ during Khruschev’s thaw. Her former husband, Nikolay Gumilev, himself a prominent poet and founder of the acmeist movement, was arrested and shot under Stalin. Lev Gumilev, Anna and Nikolay’s only son and a successful historian, also spent time in the Gulag and encountered difficulties throughout his life. – ref

Siberian Husky – Сибирская Хашка (Гримка)

Often confused with the Laika in its native land, the Siberian Husky actually has a unique chapter in the history of Russia.

A member of the Spitz northern dog family, the Siberian Husky was long used as a sled dog by the Chukchi in the farthest northeast of Russia. For perhaps three and a half thousand years, the Chukchi people bred the Siberian huskies to act as sled and companion dogs, able to travel long distances on a limited diet, as well as keep their owners and families warm in the winter night. Due to their great exposure to children and families, huskies have generally developed as a friendly and non-aggressive breed. – ref

By the 19th century, Russian expansion had reached the Pacific Ocean, and their were repeated attempts to annex the Chukcha lands. With the aid of the hardy Siberian Huskies, the Chukchi were able to withstand Russian forces, and in 1837 secured their political independence. The Russian fur trader William Goosak brought the first Siberian Huskies to North America in 1908 – although the smaller dogs were ridiculed by established racers, the Siberian Husky team placed 3rd in the following year’s top competition. – ref

In the 20th century, Alaska became the savior of the breed, as the Siberian Husky soon became extinct in its homeland. In the  1930′s, the Siberian Husky was omitted from the USSR dog breed register, as the authorities considered it too small for effective sled work – as a result the millenia-old dogs could no longer be bred. It became a breed-in-exile, surviving only thanks to its popularity among the Alaskan and Canadian mushers, and later nordic dog enthusiasts in North America. – ref 

The Siberian Husky made its return to the motherland in 1995, when the first Siberian Husky kennel “Akulova Gora” (Shark Hill) in Moscow Oblast imported the breed from Belgium and Czech Republic.

Famous Siberian Huskies include Balto and Togo (who helped bring medicine to Nome, Alaska in 1925). US Admiral Robert Peary also used Siberian Huskies in his North Pole expeditions. Siberian Huskies are known for their independence, friendliness, and energy. The breed was recently recognized as one of the fourteen most ancient breeds of dog. – ref

In Russian heraldry, the Siberian Husky should be blazoned as a grimka, and drawn as a wolf-looking dog with a curled tail.

Маньпупунёр – Manpupuner rock formations

In the language of the Mansi, Manpupuner literally means “hill of stone idols” or “small hill of idols” Located in the Komi Republic (an autonomous region of Russia), these 7 gigantic stone pillars have many names:

1) Seven Strong Men

2) Mansi Idols (Мансийские Болваны)

3) Weathered Pillars (Столбы Выветривания)

The actual location of this natural wonder is on the eastern border of the Komi republic, near Yugra (Khanty–Mansi Autonomous Okrug) near the Ural Mountains. 200 million years ago, they were hills, but as a result of erosion now remain only as columns of rock.

According to Mansi legend (as related by professor Vera Varsanofyeva of), the stone pillars were once seven Samoyed Giants, crossing the mountains to destroy the Mansi. However, when they got to the hill now known as Manpupner, they glimpsed the Mansi holy mountain Yalpingnyor and were frozen with fear. As a result, the Samoyed shaman dropped his drum and all seven giants were turned to stone. – ref

These rock formations are also one of the official Seven Wonders of Russia.

Purpose

To record the things that make Russia great:

1) Natural Landmarks

2) Cultural Achievements

3) Unique Flora and Fauna

4) Great People and Ideas

As they occur to me, or I encounter them through life, research, or other sources.