There are the babushkas, bless their hearts. The babushka, or grandmother, has a special role in Russian history and life. They are the social conscience, and humorously, the collective mouthpiece of Russia. They have an opinion about … [Read more...]
The Politics of Russian Business
One thing you have to understand is that Russia is a political country. You can't do things alone. Never mind about the Kremlin. That is another ocean you probably won’t have to challenge. But, even at the daily business level, it can be like … [Read more...]
“Poor Russia” Platonov says. Chekhov is relevant today.
When I lived in Moscow, I heard a talk on the play "The Mechanical Piano" by Oleg Tabakov based on a drama by Chekhov, written by that great Russian author at eighteen. It was apparently Chekhov’s first play, overly long, full of everything he ever … [Read more...]
“Grappling With Soviet Symbolism,” New York Times
In the May 15, 2010 edition of The New York Times, was an article by Andrei Zolotov, Jr. “Grappling With Soviet Symbolism. This paralleled well with the sentiments in my book “Walking on Ice, An American Businessman in Russia.” So, I wrote a letter … [Read more...]