A Walk in the Park

Last week Mr. U found the coolest link showing all of the locations in Moscow where one can find statuary of Владимир Ильич Ленин (http://ru-lenin.livejournal.com/40157.html).  One of these locations (#19) was at metro stop ВДНХ in the NNE part of town.  The city happened to be showing the Olympic events on a large screen at the All-Russia Exhibition Center (http://www.vvcentre.ru/eng/) so we figured why not check it out and kill two birds with one stone and see a new part of town?  We live centrally so a quick ride on the circle line and then a transfer to the orange line headed north and we were on our way to check it out.

We popped out of the very deep underground station (*shudder*) and blinking, stepped into the sunlight.  A quick look around to orient ourselves brought us face to face with a breathtaking monument dedicated to space travel.

Crossing under the monorail system (a never-fully-realized project left over from times gone by), we arrived at the grounds of the Всероссийского Выставочного Центра (ВВЦ or All-Russia Exhibition Center) to find amusement park rides, open spaces, pavilions of every sort and impressive and monumental architecture.

Inaugurated in 1939 as the Exhibition of Agriculture, it has since evolved to become a site for the “promotion of Russia's economic, scientific-technical and social infrastructure, business activity, formation of innovatory products and intellectual property market, introduction into production of the science-intensive technologies and projects, interaction with the republican, regional and local exhibition and fair structures.” 

*Whew*  That was a mouthful!  In plain English, that means that it is a state-run fairground that is holding onto the history of this proud nation.  There is a veneer of strength and power covering a crumbling infrastructure that is struggling to keep up with the rapid evolution of the global economy.  There is something comforting, though, about the imposing buildings, grand spaces and Soviet symbolism found throughout the sprawling territory.

nod to the origins of the VVC

Walking through the Romanesque triumphal arch that serves as the main entrance to the grounds, one comes face to face with a giant screen broadcasting the Olympic events of the day.  I couldn’t help but smile at the irony when I noticed the Sochi 2014 banners draped around the space while watching London 2012 events.  There were very few people watching the Olympics as the relentless sun was high in the sky and the area provided no shelter from its burning rays.  We paused for a few moments and decided that finding a shady spot was preferable as we are both as pale as the underbelly of a fish and would burn to a crisp in under 5 minutes.

*ahem* live site London 2012

Hidden directly behind the screen’s scaffolding was none other than the statue of Владимир Ильич Ленин that we sought, standing stoically by while his normally unobstructed view of the entrance was temporarily blocked by the oversized TV.  I wonder what Lenin would say about that?

With ice cream in hand (a narrative imperative in Moscow), we strolled through the exhibition grounds and the adjoining Парк Останкино for a few hours, enjoying the sights and sounds and beautiful weather. 

The People's Friendship Fountain

I'm sure someone wants to be her friend...

It seems that Sunday the 29th of July was Navy Day.  I was hoping there was something going on and that these fashion choices weren't just a huge (and frightening) coincidence.

Ukrainian Pavilion

Pretty girl posing in front of the Ukrainian Pavilion

 

People in the park...See?  Just like back in Canada.

Learning to drive???  That explains a few things...

Would you believe that actually says bonsaï?!

яблоня

After 3 hours wandering around the great outdoors, we were tired and ready to sit down.  We made one more stop on the way home to pick up a watermelon for Mr. U to juice.  What a perfect way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon.  It is easy to forget that the winters are so long, cold and dark on days like this.