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.