Russia's Ballet Prince Creates New Nutcracker

In 2008, Russia's Bolshoi Ballet Company lost on of its most valuable members and artistic director due to the politics of its system. Alexei Ratmansky is now making a new life for himself. In an article published on December 14, 2010, Alexi is training young American dancers for his interpretation of the 'Nutcracker'. He understands that he can cannot reinvent such a poplar production but his hope is to give it some sharper edges and therefore appeal to a larger audience. An example of a fine man who was forced to leave everything because of a corrupt system. 

To read more go to: http://russianow.washingtonpost.com/2010/12/russias-ballet-prince-creates-new-nutcracker.php

Suicide Bombing=Adoption of US colour-coded Terror Alert System

Thanks to Mr. Peats's helpful resources, the 'New York Times' was able to supply me valuable information on up to date stories coming from Russia. One such story was this article on how the Russian government responded to the suicide bombing in Moscow airport. 

Although the Obama administration has since removed the colour-coded terror alert system from airports, the Russian government has been debating implanting the system for months (since the Moscow subway bombings), this has just given them another idle moment to implement it! 

What is the 'colour-coded alert system'? Well simply, it evaluates the level of risk of a terror attack in a public transit area at anytime. The reason the US abolished the system was because not only was it not accurate, the public didn't know how to respond to it. Russia has implemented the system as it is better than having no warning system in place at all. France and Britain also had sillier systems but Britain has dropped it for the same reasons as the United States. 

Here is the link to the article if you would like to read more. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/world/europe/29russia.html?_r=1&ref=russia

Canada/ Russia World Juniors Gold Medal Game

How can you ignore the fact that Canada lost to Russia at the world juniors hockey game?? As terrible as an upset it was for Canada, here are some highlights from that game.

Interesting fact: The top two hockey players in the NHL are Russian and Canadian. Alex Ovechkin (Russia) and Sidney Crosby (Canada) are the two most well liked and top point placing players currently in the NHL.

Orphaned Russian Children

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/money-for-abandoned-kids/428550.html

This article from the Moscow times highlights the life orphans in Russia live. They recieve no income from their families and up till this point, they recieved no income from the state either. Historically in the Soviet Union, orphans were given compensation because they were the future of the country. President Medvedev plans to reinstall this belief in that all children are important but unlike the ideology of the Soviet Union, they should be able to provide for themselves.

Music Has No Borders

Russian musicians have been nominated for four Grammy Awards this year. The awards are presented by the American Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. This just shows how well recognized Russian classical music is. It bonds countries and all societies together even in times when Russia is struggling politically with the United States (NATO). Music has no boundaries.

They nominees are:
Marlinsky Theatre-Rodion Shchedrin's Opera, "The Enchanted Wanderer"
     Finalist in two categories: Best Opera, Best Work by a Contemporary Classical Composer
Mariss Jansons-conductor of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic
     Finalist: Best Classical Album, Best Orchestral Performance
James Mallinson-Producer of "The Enchanted Wanderer"
     Finalist: Producer of the Year in Classical Music


The grand prizes will be awarded in LA on February 13 2011. 


http://www.themoscowtimes.com/arts_n_ideas/article/mariinsky-is-grammy-nominated/425871.html