Cheburashka's got the goods in Japan

 A few years ago most Cheburashka items were in the form of Russian collectibles.  Now there seems to be a never-ending variety of new Cheburashka items coming out of Japan.

These small glasses with a white Cheburashka are reminiscent of the white Cheburashka plush toys of the Torino Olympics used by the Russian Olympic team.

 But indeed, they are from Japan.

 http://www.sennaya.com/forum/

Moonlight and Vodka - Лунный свет и водка

Moonlight, Vodka and song

Chris de Burgh is an Irish singer born in Argentina who has written and performed all over the world. He is surprisingly popular in Russia, especially since he does not speak or sing in Russian.
He proves that heartfelt songs of love, war, patriotism can be popular everywhere.

This first song is almost and ex-pat anthem, the lonely feelings of a foreigner in Moscow. Moscow is a long way from L.A. Written during the cold war it speaks to the loneliness when you cannot know who to trust. Even without the cold war, a foreigner is often alone. Drinking vodka in the moonlight.

Moonlight and Vodka - Chris de Burgh - Clip from Dangerous Lady - Опасная леди

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45FO14BORFU
Lyrics at the bottom of page.

And sometimes love strikes, even in a foreign land. Falling in love with the dance and the dancer.

Natasha Dance - Наташа танца - Chris de Burgh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1aQWy1FKKM

In 2007 Chris de Burgh performed in Moscow a song of Leningrad and its struggle in WWII. The German army laid siege to Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, for 3 years and a million people starved. Yet Leningrad did not fall and the Russian army prevailed.

Leningrad Memories - Ленинградская избранное

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoiS3RNjQa0

Many were lost in WWII and this song of soldiers lost under the snow has universal appeal.

Snow is Falling - выпавшего снега - Chris de Burgh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTtZ11LAxUE
 
Snow is falling
Snow is falling, snow is falling on the ground,
In the forest, in the forest there's no sound;
A shallow grave is where we lie,
The boys and men who died,
And snow is falling on the ground,
And we are calling to be found;

And the seasons, and the seasons come and go,
In the springtime, birds will sing and flowers grow,
At summer's end, the autumn breeze,
Will whisper through the trees,
And leaves are falling on the ground,
And we are calling to be found;

And in our homes, so many tears,
They don't know where we have gone,
And snow is falling on the ground,
And we are calling to be found,
We are calling to be found......
---

A beautiful instrumental version of "When Winter Comes."
When Winter Comes


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2H6yz55gWY

Moonlight and Vodka
Fix me a drink, make it a strong one,
Hey comrade, a drink, make it a long one,
My hands are shaking and my feet are numb,
My head is aching and the bar's going round,
And I'm so down, in this foreign town;

Tonight there's a band, it ain't such a bad one,
Play me a song, don't make it a sad one,
I can't even talk to these Russian girls,
The beer is lousy and the food is worse,
And it's so damn cold, yes it's so damn cold,
I know it's hard to believe,
But I haven't been warm for a week;

Moonlight and vodka, takes me away,
Midnight in Moscow is lunchtime in L.A.,
Ooh play boys, play...

Espionage is a serious business,
Well I've had enough of this serious business,
That dancing girl is making eyes at me,
I'm sure she's working for the K.G.B.
In this paradise, ah cold as ice;

Moonlight and vodka, takes me away,
Midnight in Moscow is sunshine in L.A.,
Yes, in the good old U.S.A.
---

Natasha Dance
Natasha brings me kisses in the moonlight,
She kneels above me, silk upon my skin,
I reach for her, and I can feel her heartbeat,
Beneath her breast so heavy in my hand;

The rain is running rivers on my window,
And shimmers on the streetlights down below,
She's happy when I hold her in the shadows,
And whispers of a life I've never known;

And will you dance, Natasha dance for me,
Because I want to feel the passion in your soul,
And when you dance, will you tell me in a story,
The joy and pain of living in your world;

La la la, la la la, la la la la.......

And with the light I wake up in the morning,
And she has gone, it must have been a dream,
And then I see the roses on my pillow,
And now I know that she will come again;

And she will dance, Natasha dance for me,
Again I want to feel the passion in your soul,
And when you move, will you show me in a story,
The joy and pain of living in your world;

Natasha dance for me.........
---

Leningrad
There she stood in an empty room, heard a voice from another time,
And the memories came rolling back of Leningrad in the war;

For the girl in the photograph, much had changed in the years that passed,
But her longing for the boy she loved was still the same since the war;

It was a moonless night upon the road of life, when he'd held her to say goodbye,
Many more would survive, for he stayed behind to help them live again;

When they met at the garden gate, tears would fall from a deep embrace,
For she never knew what happened to the boy she loved in the war;

Back in those happy days, before the soldiers came,
To break down the ones who remained,
And they only survived, who could learn to die, and live to fight again;

There they stood in an empty room, heard a voice from another time,
And their memories came rolling back of Leningrad in the war.


http://www.cdeb.com/cdebnew/biography.html

Kitka and the Rogue World Ensemble - Bringing Eastern Europe to America

Music for all - -  Kitka and the Rogue World Ensemble

One of the joys of traveling is the chance to hear music of all flavors from distant places.
I do have the good fortune to spend time in Russia and be exposed to all kinds of folk and regional music. Sometimes impromptu as the strains of voices rise from the subway where  a some grandmothers sing songs from their childhood. Or festive occasions as the "Day of Russian Birch Tree" to hear some traditional music  from small villlages.  And often accompanied with some moves or folk dances.  The vocal tradition is rich in Russia and goes all the way from Europe to China. Even the Orthodox Church only allows voices, no instruments to interrupt the voice of true faith. A concert in St. Issac's Cathedral is not to be forgotten.  And Russian folk music is just the beginning.

Kitka

Fortunately, a few groups in the USA have traveled for us and brought a large selection of exotic from traditional and folk traditions from Eastern Europe for our enjoyment.
It is an ancient music that hearkens back to the earliest musical experiences that traveled our of Africa to Siberia and the whole of Europe and Asia.

It is an innate music very mother knows and is passed on for generations.  I can't help but feeling very spiritual when listening to this music and feel a few waves of goosebumps as the emotion of expression makes itself known.

There is a special opportunity to hear two wonderful groups, Kitka, of international reputation and a fledgling group rapidly rising in stature, the Rogue World Ensemble. And even a voice workshop the next day to continue the experience.

Getting to this concert is a lot easier than traveling to Eastern Europe for those on the West Coast. They are bringing this spirit right to America! Most the singers have roots in Eastern Europe and bring a rel cross-cultural understanding to their music.

 More music videos  from Kitka 
http://www.youtube.com/kitka


“Kitka’s music: Beautiful, primal women's songs steeped in ancient traditions and inspiration that ring fresh like Spring air after a long Winter.” - David Owens

Kitka vocal arts ensemble

Kitka and their beautiful Eastern European vocal music 

http://www.kitka.org

In their words, "Kitka is an American women's vocal arts ensemble inspired by traditional songs and vocal techniques from Eastern Europe. Dedicated to developing new audiences for music rooted in Balkan, Slavic, and Caucasian women's vocal traditions, Kitka also strives to expand the boundaries of folk song as a living and evolving expressive art form. "

Kitka's outreach activities include a California-based series of concerts and vocal workshops; regional, national, and international touring; programs in the schools; recording, publication, and broadcast projects; master artist residencies.

Kitka: Cradle Songs

Kitka has released eleven critically acclaimed recordings, nine on its own Diaphonica label.

Cradle Songs has been named "One of the Top Ten CDs of 2009" by NPR, and one of the "Most Memorable Internationally-Flavored CDs of 2009" by the Los Angeles Times. 

The  World of Eastern European Lullabies 

Kitka’s Cradle Songs

The mother, the cradle, the voice, and the universe. Melodies born on dry slopes and in deep boreal forests to the joys and sorrows of families from villages in the Russian Far North to Armenia and Greece. 

 

Rogue World Ensemble

Rogue World Ensemble

http://www.rogueworldensemble.org

A fairly new group in the Rogue Valley, the Rogue World Ensemble is gaining a lot of fans as their  repertoire grows.  They have an infectious good spirit and a strong vocal harmony that would make them a great concert all by themselves.  

Rusalka - Rogue World Ensemble

Rogue World Ensemble celebrates the folk singing traditions of cultures from throughout the globe. The unique vocal qualities and intricate harmonies of the world’s many diverse cultures conveys the complexity of the human heart as uniquely expressed through music. 

"We believe that music is a universal language that transcends borders. Sharing the folk singing traditions of our world brings forth the potential for transformation, connection, and peace."

Rusalka is a women's vocal quartet related to the rogue World Ensemble  that celebrates the musical traditions of Eastern Europe, Israel, Russia and its neighbors.

To have Kitka and the Rogue World Ensemble together is a real treat!

Kitka and Rogue World Ensemble

In Concert April 8, 2011 in Ashland, OR

Friday, April 8, 2011 • 8pm
Tickets: $20/advance, $22/door, $10/teens 12-17,
children under 12 are free with paying adult.
Unitarian Fellowship, 4th and C Streets, Ashland

Tickets
http://www.stclairevents.com/tickets_20110408.htm


      

Happy First Day of Spring! Let the thaw begin!

Cheburashka is ready for Spring!   

Cheburashka  just wanted to take a bath and the water turned to ice!

Photograph by Alexander Kadnikov
http://www.yagallery.com.ua/autors/22/

G-G-G-Get me out of this bathtub! 

Bring Spring weather now! It's time for a thaw.

http://sennaya.com/forum/index.php?topic=779.0

Happy 100th Women's Day!

http://bit.ly/e1IcvO

100 years building women's rights! But don't forget the basic idea that women should be appreciated and respected for all reasons.

In Russia Women's Day is very important to 96% of the population and is universally celebrated. The remaining 4% better make themselves scarce.
It is bigger than Valentine's Day!

Mothers, wives, daughters, relatives, friends and babies, Happy Women's Day! Thank you for being YOU!

http://bit.ly/e1IcvO

The Amazing Towers of Tatlin and Bawher

Constructionist Towers of Tatlin and Bawher

One of the ironies of Soviet time in Russia was the creativity in the art community. As long as the message supported the party view creativity could be expressed.

St. Petersburg was a flourishing center for the Avant garde before the 1918 revolution. many artists stayed on and even found support from the government when their message fit their goals, or be adjusted to do so.

The first great movement in Soviet Russian art was Constructivism, an artistic and architectural movement that originated in Russia from 1919 onward which rejected the idea of "art for art's sake" in favor of art as a practice directed towards social purposes. Constructivism as an active force lasted until around 1934, having a great deal of effect on developments in the art in Germany and elsewhere, before being replaced by Socialist Realism. Its motifs have recurred in art movements since.

Artists Kazimir Malevich, Alexander Rodchenko, Liubov Popova, Alexander Vesnin, Varvara Stepanova became the early leaders of the movement.

Enter Vladimir Tatlin and his proposal for the Monument to the Third International in 1919 which combined a machine aesthetic with dynamic components celebrating technology such as searchlights and projection screens. The Tatlin Tower, a grandiose monument, never to be built.

The Tatlin Tower - A video representation


http://www.youtube.com/v/lwuPCDhpcfY

Tatlin's work was immediately hailed by artists in Germany as a revolution in art: a 1920 photo shows George Grosz and John Heartfield holding a placard saying 'Art is Dead – Long Live Tatlin's Machine Art', while the designs for the tower were published in Bruno Taut's magazine Fruhlicht.

Tatlin's tower started a period of exchange of ideas between Moscow and Berlin, something reinforced by El Lissitzky and Ilya Ehrenburg's Soviet-German magazine Veshch-Gegenstand-Objet which spread the idea of 'Construction art', as did the Constructivist exhibits at the 1922 Russische Ausstellung in Berlin, organised by Lissitzky.

A 'Constructivist international' was formed, which met with Dadaists and De Stijl artists in Germany in 1922. Participants in this short-lived international included Lissitzky, Hans Richter, and Laszlo Moholy-Nagy.

However the idea of "art for teh sake of Art" was wrong to the Russian Constructivists: which wanted direct participation in industry and an end to easel painting.

Tatlin was one of the first to answer this and attempt to transfer his talents to industrial production, with his designs for an economical stove, for workers' overalls and for furniture. The Utopian element in Constructivism was maintained by his 'letatlin', a flying machine which he worked on until the 1930s.

Constructionist art is both idealistic and impractical. A period of intense creativity and clash of ideals and aesthetics. Thought Tatlin's Tower was never built, it spawned countless debates and inspired and offended.

This film inpsired from a Vladimir Mayakovsky Film is one interesting results of these times.



http://www.youtube.com/v/vo1qGR5DDw8

In 2005, Theodore Ushev made a short ani8mate film that revisits the themses of teh Constructionists set to the musical composition "Time, Forward!" by Russian composer Georgy Sviridov.

Drawing on the tower's design, the film seems to build toward a utopian goal, until the grandiose, futuristic forms abruptly tumble. In Tower Bawher, Ushev celebrates constructivist art while also critiquing the use of art in the service of ideology.



http://www.youtube.com/v/zap6AlCQsQk

The film makes fresh the creative ideas of the Constructionists, both their allure and foolishness.

More Films by Theodore ushev:
http://www.nfb.ca/explore-by/director/Theodore-Ushev/

Cheburashka Bento - Have your Cheby and eat it too!

One of the newest characters to appear in Japanese animation is the Russian cartoon classic "Cheburashka."
The popularity of Espensky's creation ca be seen by his inclusion in popular home art forms such as Bento Kyaraben, the lunch box prepared artistically with Japanese cartoon characters made of food.

Bento (弁当) is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container.

Although bento are readily available in many places throughout Japan, including convenience stores, bento shops (弁当屋), train stations, and department stores, it is still common for Japanese homemakers to spend time and energy for their spouse, child, or themselves producing a carefully prepared lunch box.

Bento can be very elaborately arranged in a style called kyaraben or "character bento". Kyaraben is typically decorated to look like popular Japanese cartoon characters (anime), characters from comic books (manga), or video game characters. Contests are often held where bento arrangers compete for the most aesthetically pleasing arrangements.

Miko "LuckySundae" is a very fine Bento artist who has the pleasure of eating her creations.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cuteobento/sets/72157602921501238/

She has a book coming out and does this professionally.

http://cuteobento.blog43.fc2.com/

The World's Smalllest Cheburashka and Gena!

This Cheburasha and Gena by Vladimir Aniskin are amazing.

Take a poppy seed from a muffin, cut it in half, now place two figures on it!

the World's Smallest Crocodile Gena and Cheburachka

How does he do it?

All my works are hand-made without any micro manipulators. Aniskin works with the help of a microscope. My microscope is MBS-9, a binocular microscope (that is, you look with both eyes), with linear magnification up to 100 power. Aniskin made two little self-made machine units - a lathe and a sharpening unit. Each of them can fit in the palm of a hand.

Aniskin invents and makes tools on of his own. While working he holds his creation in his fingers. Even one's heartbeat disturbs such minute work, so particularly delicate work has to be done between heartbeats.

How to make a miniature Easter Egg!

What are Crocodile Gena and Cheburashka made of?

Aniskin says, "These works are very complicated since they are three-dimensional, volumetric, and it is very, very hard to make a 3D object. These figurines were not made of something and then painted. No. They are entirely made of painting pigment which was processed in a way that it becomes sturdy enough to "hold" small plastic objects."

Crocodile Gena and Cheburashka

are placed on a cut poppy seed.

The height of Cheburashka is 0.6 mm, the height of Gena is 1.4 mm.


http://aniskin.ru/en/galery.html

101 ways to have a great day in Russia

Super Ideas for a Great Day in Russia 

From start to finish, 101 ways!

1. Get enough sleep the night before for your awesome day!
2. Clean your room the night before so that you wake up to a clean home to enjoy!
3. Have a refreshing shower or a nice warm bubble bath.
4. Pick your favorite outfit or one that make you look super good!
5. Eat a healthy breakfast. Blini!
6. Go for an early morning walk.
7. Read the newspaper.
8. Have a cup of tea or coffee.
9. Have pirogi or muffins with jam and cream.
10. Let someone else drive. Hitch a ride for little money!
11. Spend your day with friends or your family or your loved ones.
12. Go to the beach.  finland Gulf and feel your spirit on the wind!
13. Go shopping and spoil yourself.  Sennaya Ploschad is great for that!
14. Get a haircut. If you are a woman, get highlights too.
15. Take your phone with you in case you need it. Call a friend!
16. or find peace,  leave your phone in the car while you walk on the beach.
17. Put your toes into the lake or gulf!
18. Wear suncreen with a good SPF.
19. Be around people that make you feel good about yourself.
20. Say a prayer, meditate or have a moment of silence.. . . .
21. Do something that you have been meaning to do for a long time.
22. Spend some time on your favorite website. (sennaya.com)
23. Look good wherever you go. That will help you to feel good.
24. Smile!
25. Tell a joke to make other people laugh.
26. Do something for someone who needs help..
27. Eat your favorite food.
28. Watch your favorite TV show.
29. Do some gardening. Dacha!
30. Spend some time with  kids.
31. Wear a cool hat.
32. If it is winter, go for a walk in your new coat.
33. If you don't have a new coat, buy one!
34. Go onto your favorite social networks and ping a lot of people.
35. Read a book. http://www.ipacific.com/samoa/stevenson/
36. Paint a picture.
37. Don't think about things that make you stressed or angry.
38. Express your feelings in art or poetry, or by talking with an understanding person.
39. Spend some time with your pet. Animals love attention from their owners.
40. Jump in puddles if it is raining.
41. Go to a park with a group of friends. Krestovsky Ostrov!
42. Have a picnic. Go berry or mushroom hunting!
43. Sing a song. 
44. Cook something tasty.  Shashliki?
45. Pick a flower in your garden or bring one home.
46. Read a joke book.
47. Write inspirations in your diary.
48. Go for a walk or to the gym.
49. Relax in your home slippers.
50. Avoid arguments and be nice to other people.
51. Go on a boat.   White Nights on the Neva!
52. Page through a magazine.  Snob?
53. Have more tea or coffee.  With chocolate.
54. Wear a wacky outfit.
55. Gossip (but not too much).
56. Laugh
57. Bake with your mom or favorite friend.
58. Go to your favorite restaurant.
59. Drink sparkling water.
60. Have a power nap. Especially after some power food!
61. Buy someone a gift.
62. Go to the zoo park. 
63. Go dancing. At home is fine, just do it!
64. Brush your teeth and floss!
65. Go to a game reserve.
66. Get a letter or send a letter.
67. Play with stickers.
68. Make a social media page.
69. Play Pac Man Online.
70. Watch the news. Or maybe don't watch the news!
71. Make new goals.
72. Use a nice cream or beauty product. Perfume! Cologne!
73. Look at something shiny
74. Go star gazing. Make a wish to the brightest star!
75. Watch the clouds.
76. Go fishing. eat fish!
77. Go for a hike.
78. Go roller blading. at
79. Make a toast for health and good friends!
80. Facepaint your face. Get a temporary tattoo.
81. Kiss your sweetheart.
82. Fill the refridgerator.
83. Walk to Palace Square!
84. Text  SMS or tweet your friends
85. Make a snowman. Or snow woman. Give 'em a hug!
86. Swim, Polar Bear dip in winter?
87. Play a sport.
88. Sit in the sun. At Peter and Paul fortress!
89. Eat a pie on a bench.
90. Give yourself a makeover
91. Get a cool DVD.
92. Roast marshmallows on a stove or candle.
93. Tell your friend a secret.
94. Have tea in a high rise restaurant. Skybar?
95. Learn a new word
96. Do a crossword puzzle.
97. Wear something crazy.
98. Paint your nails. eat your snails, look at whales. Make a poem!
99. Buy some Swiss chocolates.
100. Wash your hair
101. Enjoy Life! Give yourself a break! Be yourself and happy!

Health, Happiness and Peace!

And to all a Great Day!

David and Maria
St.Petersburg, Russia
http://www.sennaya.com/forum/