Krasnoyarsk September 2006

I will start a Russian diary just see what I can do.
Day 2 yesterday went for walks. Across the Yenesy to the park. Snack lunch and then a walk around the State University through the birch woods - came across an enactment of medieval Russia? All very surreal. Then to the foothills of Stolby for salted pickled mushrooms and salted cabbage (rich in vitamin C) at a Siberian traditional restaurant.
Today went to the city’s centre for culture. A very shabby place full of amateur artists and aerobics. All very welcoming and an early lunch of things without the meat. The BC youngsters took me to Stolby where we sat on the rocks and had intense discussion on "liveart" and what it is and politics. Marina hates Indians from her experiences in London - "they're all mean!"
Then to a pizzeria and an early night after more intense conversation. Alex told us of his village where there is still a population living in exile and the criminals control the fuel. Also his surname means hare and he has the ears to match.
Tuesday - after a meaty breakfast, its hard being a veggie in Russia I walked to the BC in a warm damp morn and met nice girl from Radiotechic. Katya so pleased to see me - hugs in the street. In a long meeting I gave a presentation that confused them so they spent the rest of the day discussing it! They do get very intense & philosophical about it all. I just said in Lpool we just got on with it and worried about it after. Some good people met Sergey curator of museum - he will be visiting the Biennale in Oct after I had slagged it off. Yoko Ono and all that...
Wed. Very good morning from sunny Siberia. Another day of meetings and another long tortuous lecture byme! Yes, Krasnoyarak you do want business incubation!
UAZ jeeps and vans?
Went to the culture and historical centre saw Lenin exhibition that they have presented in an almost ironic fashion or so it seemed.
The arrival of the bossy women from, Moscow - are they all bossy from the city when they come to the provinces. However, 1lena did get to the point of why discuss the issue of is the CIs commercial and a business. An agency need to be formed that looks at incubation, information, projects, several suggested inc, Museum Night Biennial, TV (virtual incubator) Elena "what is your aim?"
They keep asking for my opinion. After hours of confused loud discussion they ask what I think! The Russians even make the ordering of a meal into what seems like a debate. Do Russians smell? Is this because they are in the habit of not washing or is it like it was when I was young you didn't have the access and it was expensive to wash. Like having a shadow and PA.
2 barriers - finance & long-term development
I will look like an aubagine after this week. Eating at the restaurant below Stolby. Christmas vodka, cranberry juice and aubergines in sour cream but did have lots of salted mushrooms and quails eggs.
Justin 0'Conner from U of M project in St Petersburg. No HG tonight Amile instead at least its more visual.
Last day - morning with my shadow to folk lore museum the one that looks EGYPTIAN good artifacts and v interesting 20 c illustrations bought Lenin banner celebrating workers competition at least 70 yrs old for 19 pounds. Then for coffee and shopping for vodka etc. lunch with Vassily Dept Mayor good to see him again still seems keen but is clear that people in the city do not know what is going on. ELANA jumped in and has already orgnised seminar with Sergey for Feb. Russians coming to Lpool at that time to see the world of CI.
Eve with ML to Chinese that couldn’t serve "the problem is that the chef is Chinese" pleasant eve.
Russians don' smile because of the way they talk. We use the sides of our mouth and therefore naturally tend to smile when we talk. However the Russians don't and tend to move their mouth only up and down so they are not grumpy its just the way they speak.

Siberian Diary March 07

Arrived in Kras 10 below and 5 o'clock dark sans luggage. somewhere in Amsterdam. no veggie, Sim air even the pot salad had chicken in but the wild mushrooms were good..and the beer.
Monday...after sleep in the morn met by Irina and went to the Italian for lunch, lots of salad etc. brief meeting with Victoria. Then to shop for shirt underpants etc. toothpaste and vodka purchased. Up to see ski resort - closed because it was Monday and then to the Irish bar for lent menu - no meat. strange jazz trio with accordion.
Tuesday
Russia does not have BlueTack!
Sasha from Omsk joined us (Marsha on Thus) the Siberian BC gang. Went to Turkish restaurant and told of the conditions in 1989 when Irina's boyfriend left her for Israel and she was paid in boots with nothing for the baby. Sash told her experience of the Russians invading Azerbaijan with shooting outside her house. Husband’s family is from there.
Wed more of the same but the document is getting done. Vladimir took us to the museum. Went behind the scenes to his office missed Sergey but although I have been before it was interesting as always. An early night after the Irish bar and the Lent menu.
Thursday
Irina's birthday couldn't find card but bought chocs. Everyone made a fuss of the 'boss' André brought cake and flowers - but the cake never appeared although we had wine at lunch with our pizza (veggie) had pineapple ugh! Marsha arrived From Irkutsk the Siberian triumbirate was complete. After dinner with the ladies at 'Tet a tet' Vladimir showed Sasha and me around the museum centre - Sasha had never seen it on her many previous trips to Kras. I had a ride on the 'bicycle'. A very friendly good bye from tall Sasha (she met her solider husband when she was selling ice cream as a teenager) - I managed to escape for drinks with Marina didn't get drunk or fall over in the snow. At least I got out even though it was to the Irish bar again.
Friday
The big day - chicken on the salad! for breakfast but the omelet was good. and fresh orange juice.
Visited Virkov house - turn of century artist. Old wooden house v interesting. Full of small smelly school kids - one with shaven head, nits maybe, some looked v poor. Little old ladies in all the museums. The ones here smelt of old ladies! Virkov house an oasis in the middle of the city. Early snow soon disappeared into mud and slush seems to be no street drains to take the water away.
Following a meeting she had Irina tells of underlying feeling of soviet times in the relationship between UK and Russia - something is up and about to break, spy case or something.
Sign missing from the front of the BC building! First to the city hall in the corporate lecture room. Went ok but still nervous. Krill’s face looking anxiously up to change the slides. Only a few mistakes Marina lost confidence with Irina’s critical looks. Met and had tea with Vassily. Off to museum centre. Met André and he took us to see the Henry Moore show going up.
Then our act again all went ok with tiredness - well that’s my excuse- I made one or two silly mistakes. (Marina corrects my English) Then confusion over the dinner venue + Irina had invited all. Couldn’t escape. Ended up in 'Tet a tet' again but was with Elna? Olga and Kril so ok. To the Irish bar to see band and eat - 10:30 by this time. More beer and long chats . Band played 60s 'Pretty Woman', ‘back in the USSR’ and Beatles. Late back.
Sat
Woken with a start and it was 5 time to leave! Never dressed and packed so quick. Only 7 mins late for Helen and taxi downstairs. Set alarm for the wrong time but how did I know when to wake?