Boom, KA POW!

By now we are used to the fireworks that seem to be set off at least three times a week but last night's were different.  You see, we usually hear them but can't see them as the tall buildings around the apartment block hide all but the highest and brightest of explosions.

Last night we were treated to a rare spectacle of a full display being launched from the banks of the Moscow river directly in front of our building.  Since the sounds were much closer and far more intense, I decided to peel back the blackout curtains and investigate.  I'm so glad I did. 

Enjoy!

part 1 (partway through)

part 2 (grand finale)

Горки Ленинские - A Day Out At Lenin's Dacha

Welcome to Горки Ленинские; Владимир Ильич Ленин's dacha and estate which boasts 200 hectares of beautifully landscaped property, located very close to Домодедово airport.

Shoofing through the fallen leaves and reveling in the sunshine and warm, Fall breeze, it was easy to imagine why Lenin spent the last few years of his life on this country estate.  Prescribed quiet, sunshine and fresh air by his doctors after a series of increasingly debilitating strokes suffered over a number of years, Lenin retreated to this country estate to seek out a less stressful environment despite his position as the Premier of the Soviet Union.

The weather, the trees with their changing leaves, the smell in the air all reminded me of a walk through Gatineau Park or the Laurentians; an extraordinary treat for all the senses.

 

 

 

guest house on the left, main residence on the right

Lenin's bedroom - the Siberian wolf skin was a present to Lenin from the local Countess.

The desk where the Comissar of Education Наде́жда Константи́новна Кру́пская (Lenin's wife), wrote the education policy for Soviet Russia.

Наде́жда Константи́новна Кру́пская's quarters (note her desk from the above photo on the left)

The main house

These were the first phones in the area.  The one on the left connected directly to security while the one on the right was a direct line to the Kremlin.

B&W film screening room with Western European marble sculptures (French and Italian)

The golden bee symbolizes immortality and resurrection in connection with the French Empire.

The golden swan (forefront, painted wood) is a symbol of the Russian Empire style while the brass plate on the backrest is indicative of the French Empire style.

The crystals in this chandelier are in the form of the leaves of the trees found throughout the estate.

Lenin's desk

Lenin's solarium/rest area as prescribed by his personal physicians

Notice the track on the back wheels and the skis on the front.  Only one of these vehicles was ever produced.  It was the only way in/out of the estate in the winter.

Lenin's wheelchairs - he was left handicapped after a series of strokes, requiring mobility assistance.

Lenin's sister worked in these quarters.  Her typewriter is on permanent display here.

 

On January 21, 1924 at precisely 18h50 Moscow time, Владимир Ильич Ленин passed away.  All of the clocks in the house forever reflect his time of death and his wall calendar was never changed.

Lenin's death mask and casts of his hands

Lenin Museum containing historical documents on the grounds of the estate.

Monument at the top of a large staircase within the museum.  It certainly leaves a lasting impression.

 

коммунальные квартиры в СССР

Усадьба Измайлово (Izmaylovo Estate) was once the country residence of the House of Romanov, dating as far back as the 17th century.  Re-populated by peasants and tradesmen, the site was originally used by Tsar Alexis after the fall of the Romanovs to create a center for the technological advancement of the Russian economy.  His goal was to perfect agricultural technology and crafts to the point of rendering obsolete imported goods and strengthening the production and trade of wheat and linen -traditional Russian produce .  His experiments in growing exotic fruits such as grapes and melons were a success, yet other projects were less so; it seems that silk worms turned out to be a failed venture.

barbican tower

Cathedral of Intercession

Усадьба Измайлово’s varied past includes a retreat and playground for young nobility -most notably Peter the Great- housing model farms, a menagerie, workshops and a hunting reserve.  The site eventually became an almshouse for veterans of the Napoleonic Wars during its later years.  During the Soviet era, these almshouses became common housing, providing communal living quarters for an enormous number of labourers and their families.  The space is no longer used as dwellings but has been preserved as a museum of culture.

Birch forest in the grounds of the Усадьба Измайлово

View across the pond of the Измайлово market

Pond on Усадьба Измайлово grounds

On the grounds of the communal living quarters

On the grounds of the communal living quarters

Stalin had shallow bunkers like these installed in order to protect the residents from potential chemical warfare attacks by the Germans.  The underground space was only 200m² yet upwards of 2000 people lived in the compound at any given time.

7 families would have shared this kitchen, washing up and social area

a family of 8 would have lived and slept in this space

pins of recognition for various clubs

handicrafts

simple bedding

children's toys