вторник, 25 декабря 2012 г.

Дорогие друзья, с Рождеством!! Merry Christmas!! Hyvaa joulua!! Joyeux Noel!! Fröhliche Weihnachten!! Buone Feste Natalizie!! Feliz Navidad!!

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

Bill Vaughn



Dear friends!  We are happy to congratulate you on coming Christmas and New 2013 Year!!!

 New Year begins, let us pray,
 that it will be a year with new Peace,
 New Happiness, and abundance of new friends,
 God bless you on the New Year.

Our office will be closed since 27.12.2012 till 03.01.2013!
Have a good time!!!


The New Year's celebration in Russia

For Russians, there is no holiday more important than the New Year’s Day. Christmas is less popular in Russia compared to Britain or the USA, where it is the greatest holiday of the year. After the Revolution in 1917 religion was called as "opium for people" and Christmas was banned throughout Russia, along with other religious holidays. So celebrating the New Year’s Day became a sort of "replacement" for it. Only after 75 years, in 1992, Christmas became openly observed. Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7th, in accordance with the old Julian calendar. A lot of people go to church services that night.


By the way if follow the orthodox rules, from the end of November till the first star on the sky on the 6th of January it’s fasting time. But not many people follow it; otherwise they wouldn’t be able to celebrate the New Year’s Day which falls on the last week of the fasting.  This mess happened because of the use of two calendars, the new one and the old one. But before that we celebrated the New Year’s Day a week after Christmas and it was ok, fasting was over and there was no need to break orthodox rules. Don't be surprised, but at midnight on the 13th of January people in Russia celebrate Old New Year on the Julian calendar, used in Russia before 1918. Everything goes in the same way. Russian people celebrate twice.


New Year’s Day is the most beloved holiday in Russia. People start waiting for it since the end of summer. It’s like a light spot during long and dark winter.  People usually make grandiose plans on New Year’s party.  There is also a tradition among big organizations to rent a restaurant for employees and to make an entertainment program for them as a team building means and also to see the workers in real informal life.


People gather for the New Year‘s celebration at night on the 31st of December. Russian Holiday tradition includes a decorated New Year's tree - Yolka (fir tree). For Russian, the New Year is a family holiday; people think about friends and relatives prepare presents for everyone.  But young people prefer to have the New Year parties of their own and often visit New Year’s parties at night clubs, but only after Midnight, because it’s a strong tradition to greet the New Year with champagne, listen to the Kremlin chimes beating 12 o'clock and watch the congratulation of the President in a family circle. Even those who don’t like champagne should drink a bit anyway.  


After the President’s tost people shout [SN’ovim G’odahm] (Happy New Year) and then tell other toasts. For example, translated into English as follows, "My grand-grandfather said: "I have a desire to buy a house, but I have no opportunity. I have an opportunity to buy a she-goat, but I have no desire". So, let's drink to having correspondence of our wishes and opportunities!"


Many of such toasts are said during this night dinner. In every house one could smell tangerines; it’s a symbol of sun and future summer, the host usually cooks fish dishes as a symbol of fertility. By the way no NY celebration can omit special salad Olivier. This salad should be in every family.  
Ingredients:
1lb of bologna
1 can (15 oz) of sweet peas
3 middle size potatoes
4-5 middle size carrots
5-6 eggs
1 bunch of green onions
1 bunch of fresh dill
5-6 middle size cucumbers (pickled with salt not with vinegar, that is important)
black pepper
salt
Mayonnaise by taste (the more the better)


Children wait for this day so eagerly; they have a pause at school, about 2 weeks. Small kindy-kids write letters to Grandfather Frost (Rus. Ded Mor’oz) and describe what presents they would like to be presented.  Moms prepare masquerade costumes for children.  Ded Mor’oz has a granddaughter Sneg’oorochka (Snowmaiden). They come together at a kid’s home and give presents in exchange for a poem or a song.  Ded Moroz usually looks like Santa, but he wears long outer garment that can be red or blue. Snegoorochka  has a long plait, a kok’oshnik (woman's headdress in old Russia) and a blue fur coat.  For travelling around Russia they use a sleigh harnessed to a troika (three horses harnessed abreast).


There is a special New Year song about little fir tree. Kids usually sing it and dance around the tree. This dance is called Chorovod. It’s very old and popular. Usually not only kids but also parents dance it outside after dinner at New Year’s Night.


Then the firework comes. It continues the tradition to scare evil spirits with loud sounds and fire.  Everybody hugs, congratulate each other and feel happy.


Winter entertainment in Karelia

Dear friends! We invite you to feel deeply our winter atmosphere, to be surrounded by snow-crowned trees, by songs of winter bullfinches. Winter is a perfect time to visit Karelia. In winter Karelia provides great opportunities for active tourism.  

You can enjoy wonderful relaxing rest in Russian banya – the best way of time-passing one frosty day. From times immemorial it has been believed that Russian sauna brings health, recovery and life-giving forces. Sauna lovers live longer, look and feel better.  Can you imagine!! !! You take a birch brunch , you sit on an aspen bench and you breath in a hot dry steam filled with flavor of birch, aspen or needles.. And then you shoot out and jump into the snowdrift!!! Yes! It’s the main part of winter banya! After such a rite you’ll be full of health and forces and will be ready to start more exciting activities!!!

Would you like to try a real arctic riding a snowmobile on the frozen lake of Onega through the surreal beauty of frozen desert covered with fluffy Russian snow?! And there will be plenty of it, for sure!

And what about the unique and unforgettable experience of a journey along the frozen lakes and snowy taiga on dogsledges. You will love the pristine wilderness, the thrill of being surrounded by abundant wildlife and the majestic winter scenery. The clear air and the endless snowy forest will transport you to the world from a winter fairy- tale. Karelia offers you breath-taking and challenging adventures in the Russian North.

For hardier people we can offer different ross-country ski routes that run along the woodlands, the frozen lakes and through old traditional villages, where beautiful treasures of Russian wooden architecture can be found. Enjoy the quiet beauty of the Karelia and plenty of snow!
For those who prefer short-time activities we can offer skating. Our stadium, which is situated in the center of Petrozavodsk, gives you a possibility to rent the skates! Cheerful music, bright lights on the ice – all for an excellent way of rest!
As for the guests who come in February we are glad to offer you to visit or even to participate in another winter magic! International Winter Festival of the North "Hyperborea" held in Petrozavodsk each February. This is a Festival of Snow and Ice sculptures, where different music & dance societies take part in a great concert, where you can see masterpiece sculptures made of ice and snow! Usually the holiday ends by gorgeous fireworks!!
Karelia in winter attracts you by enormous ways of spending time! Winter in Karelia - time of unimaginable beauty. A ringing crystal frosty air, the crunch of pure snow, which for many people large cities have become a distant childhood memory, sparkling snow caps of giant pines and firs, and even the northern lights - a real winter kingdom!
Dear friends! We are glad to announce: our last working week in this year has begun!! we are very thankful for our dear students who made our year so interesting, full of exciting moments !!! We’ve managed to teach Russian language more than 100 students from all over the world: UK, France, Germany, Finland, Australia…
On the 4th of January we are waiting for our first guest from UK, who is going to get acquainted not only with our Language and Russian culture, but with our sever North Climate too!! So, Steve , be careful, take warm clothes, please ;) On the 7th of January we meet our first group of students!! This is the day when Russians celebrate Orthodox Christmas! Christmas Day in our country marks the birth of Jesus Christ in the Christian Orthodox tradition. Although banned during the Soviet times, Christmas is now regaining its popularity and religious meaning in Russia. People in Russia celebrate Christmas Day with activities such as having a family dinner, attending a Christmas liturgy and visiting relatives and friends. There is a 40-day Lent preceding Christmas Day, when practicing Christians do not eat any meat. The Lent period ends with the first star in the night sky on January 6 – a symbol of Jesus Christ's birth. Many Orthodox Christians go to the church to attend a Christmas liturgy that evening. The first star also signals the start of the Christmas dinner. For many secular Russians, Christmas Day is a family holiday but it is not as important, for many families, as New Year's Day. Many people visit friends and relatives, as well as give and receive presents, on January 7. Prior to Christmas Day, there is Christmas Eve, which marks the start of an old Slavic holiday, “Svyatki”, in which young women used a mirror and candles to invoke the image of their future husbands. Like going to church, fortune-telling on Christmas Eve is again becoming popular in Russia


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If you are interested in learning more about Russian traditions, please, join our programs of Russian Language School Enjoy Russian! for ex A great opportunity to learn more about Russian Easter is to take part in our spring courses http://enjoyrussian.com/3686_programs/3692_spring_russian_courses/So, Dear Friends! We are congratulating you with all coming winter holidays and we wish you all best!!! Stay with us!!

About the School Enjoy Russian


“I think that Russian language school “Enjoy Russian” is a very good organization, I learned a lot about Russians and Russia itself. It was a very good experience! I think it is necessary to learn any language in the country where it is spoken and it is really good to live with a host family. The volunteers were also very helpful. I would definitely recommend this Russian language school to other people!”
Tilde Geerardyn, Belgium


Our Russian Language School "Enjoy Russian" was founded in Petrozavodsk, in 2003. When creating our School we adopted a principle that the learning process should be both effective and enjoyable. That’s why we offer you a complex course that combines Russian language classes, living with Russian host families, communicating with Russian students and participating in cultural activities.
The Russian courses are based on the participants’ expectations and wishes. According to our experience most students want to be able to speak and communicate effectively in Russian. Therefore we offer courses in small groups (around 4-6 people in each group) with a curriculum based on students’ wishes. The courses include the most current topics which let our students, from their very first day in Petrozavodsk, survive in a Russian environment without using English . You’ll never be bored during the lessons: our teachers prefer using active learning methods such as role and language games, outdoor classes etc.


 

To help our students experience a full language immersion we offer them the option of staying with a Russian host family. After their lessons, our students spend their free time with our volunteers, who help our foreign guests to adapt to local conditions, organize excursions, parties and other exciting activities.
For 9 years more than 650 students from Europe, the USA, Canada and Japan have come to study at our Russian Language School "Enjoy Russian". Thanks to our School they have made considerable progress in learning the Russian language learning.

среда, 14 ноября 2012 г.

Why to stay in Petrozavodsk

If you love rain, go to Petrozavodsk. If you do not, also go! Why? Because there is a brilliant language-school in this town. In daily lessons of four hours, we – a group of Swiss students from Basel – improved our Russian-skills. We were not just teached in grammar. We also watched funny “multfilms”, read texts and discussed about Russia und Switzerland. But the lessons are just one argument, why you should go to Petrozavodsk. The other argument for a stay: the school’s volunteers. They do everything, to make their foreign students happy. They organise national-food-parties, lovely days at the beach (beautiful weather inclusive), trips to Kizhy-Island, to St. Petersburg or to a banja. They also help you to find the next disco or internet-café, they give you any assistance at the railway station you need – while queuing up for hours or while buying your ticket to everywhere. The volunteers are the most important argument, why you should join Petrozavodsk for your study in Russia. But there is another one: the guest-families. They do everything to make you feel like a little Tsar and to improve your Russian. They even invite you to their Datshas. Russian hospitality at its best. That is what is important, that is how you learn about country and language. Well then, who cares about a few raindrops?

What do foreign students say about Petrozavodsk


Caithrin Holly Porteus, UK
“I really enjoyed staying in Petrozavodsk. I’ve never experienced such great hospitality anywhere else but in Russia! I’d like to come back again”

David Salas, Spain
"Petrozavodsk is a nice place to visit. The people are kind and I had a great time here in Russia."

Gianluka Polini, Italy
"In Petrozavodsk I felt at home from the first minute. I'm sad that I have to leave. I spent a great time here and I really liked the people I met in Karelia."

Aleksandra Luksza, Poland
“Petrozavodsk - fantastic city, especially prospect Lenina. I met a lot of great people”.


Ural Ünsur, Turkey
“I didn't get bored and I had so much fun in Petrozavodsk. It is an ideal city for students who want to study Russian”

Kevin Duddy, UK
“Petrozavodsk is a nice friendly city, ideal for practicing your language in. The city is on the shores of Europe's second biggest lake, Lake Onega. It is so big that it looks like the ocean - there is no visible other side. I love Russia!”.

Learning by Teaching

I’ve been working at the School “Enjoy Russian” since 2006. And I have met plenty of interesting people.
All my students are very versatile and that’s great. I’m lucky to work with them. They are different in age (20-70+) as well as in professional interests. They are future (current) interpreters, businessmen, financiers, historians, teachers, ecologists, but what is more important is that all of them are just good, joyful people. I had students from Norway, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, the UK, Croatia, Sweden, France, the Chech Republic, Tukrey, Holland. The whole kaleidoscope! I’m happy to have met them thanks to the love to the Russian language.


It’s important that the students as a rule are passionate people with some hobbies. I always try to find a material or information in Russian that would be useful and interesting for them.Therefore we were reading, watching, playing, discussing and together finding out ...I guess about everything in the world. About music, sports, literature, animals, business, sociology, history, ecology. Sometimes I felt I wouldn’t be able to find the proper material and keep up the conversation on the topic that was vital for the students but...as it turned out every time it was incredibly interesting. At least for me)
Of course it is hard for the students as for everyone who studies Russian as a foreign language to deal with aspect of verbs, verbs of motion with and without prefixes... But Russian stress is beyond the reach of reason. Especially the students of the advanced level have difficulties with the Russian stress.
Yes, there are enough hard things but all the complications are easy to handle using humor and optimism.

By Maria Muravjeva

вторник, 13 ноября 2012 г.

About The Name Of Our City

Let me begin by saying, the city where we live is called Petrozavodsk. Students who study Russian will understand (without any troubles) what it means. But do you know the origin of this name?
To illustration this history let us begin. The first settlers appeared there about 8000 years ago.
Abraham Ortelius’s map was published in 1592, it tells that the settlement of modern Petrozavodsk was called Onegaborg (“The castle on Onego). Onego is one of the largest lakes in Russia which is stretched along Petrozavodsk). But according to scientists’ mind, it must have been a mistake, because the settlement on the White Sea could be called this way.
Moreover, it is easy to guess that “Petrozavodsk” is translated as «Peter's factory» (the factory of Peter the Great) who was the first Russian emperor and found this factory. This foundation was the reason for the city creation.
But originally the City was found on August, 29th in 1703 as the settlement near the Petrovsky (initially — Shuisky) factory. In 1734 the factory was closed, but the settlement continued to exist.
Earlier, in XVI century two villages — Sulazhgora and Solomennoye were arisen here, on the areas of Petrozavodsk.
In 1773 the new factory building began. We should remember the first variant of name was New Petrovsky but in 1774 during the factory operation the new name “Aleksandrovsky” was appropriated to the factory. In 1777 according to the Catherine II decree the settlement of Petrovsky factory was transformed to the town, Petrozavodsk.
In addition, in 1781 Petrozavodsk became the centre of the Olonetsky province. During 1784-1785 the governor was one of the greatest Russian poets, Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. Since 1920’s Petrozavodsk has become the capital of Karelia.
We must bear in mind in 1940—1956 Petrozavodsk was the capital of the Karelia-Finnish Soviet Socialist Republic.
On October, 2nd in 1941 the town was occupied by the Finnish army and renamed to Äänislinna (in the Russian transcription this is the variant of "Jaanislinna" what means «the Fortress on It», also people have recently used "Enislinna"). On October 14th in 1941 in Petrozavodsk the first Finnish concentration camp was formed during the Second World War. In total there were 7 concentration camps in the town. We might add that in February 1943 many names of streets were renamed to Finnish way.

Coming to Russia for the first time? Read this article!


So you have decided to come and visit our wonderful and unique country! Excellent! We are sure that you’ll have the time of your life here, meet lots of new interesting people and see some unbelievably beautiful places! 
Nevertheless, you should remember that you are going to different country that has its own laws, rules and traditions. There's no need to panic though! Just read our article and everything will be fine. 


Those who have know little about Russia are usually quite surprised to find how different it is from their home country.  There are several things that foreigners should bear in mind when coming to Russia for the first time.
It's true that one of the first things you should be prepared for is the unpredictable Russian weather. Of course, Russia is BIG country, and the weather and climate will vary from region to region. However, in the North-West, where Petrozavodsk is, you will experience the famous Russian winter, which can be very, very cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping to about -35! Warm jumpers and sweaters, a decent coat, suitable footwear and a hat, scarf and gloves are essential. 


Summers can be hot here in Russia, with temperatures sometimes reaching abouve +30, so be prepared and bring your hat, sunglasses and suncream etc. However, extreme summer weather, especially in Petrozavodsk, are not common. In the last couple of years winters haven’t been so severe and summers have generally been cool and rainy. Summer evenings here can be chilly so don’t forget warm clothing and a light jacket. One very important thing to note though is that here in Karelia, flies, mosquitoes and midges are abundant and can cause a lot of irritation. So if you don’t want to spend your evening being attacked by mosquitoes bring some insecticide! Anti-mosquitoe repellents etc are widely available to purchase in shops here. If you need help, just ask your host family. 


In spring and autumn the weather is interchangeable. March, April and October can be especially rainy, windy and wet. Think about bringing good, sturdy shoes and an umbrella. However, if you're coming to Russia during Spring and Autumn you can still expect to have some pleasant weather. Sometimes at the end of September we have what call "Babje leto", the equivalent of an "Indian Summer" in English, when it seems that summer has returned, and for several weeks it is warm, sunny and dry. Autumn continues to set in at the same time, with the leaves on the trees turning shades of gold, red and orange, making for a truly beautiful sight! And of course, it's always a pleasure (and a relief) after the long winter to spot the first buds of spring at the end of April and beginning of May. Spring sets in fast and before you know it, summer is upon us again!


 A personal medical and first aid kit is a good thing to have with you when travelling anywhere. For example, it can take your stomach some time to get used to local food so be prepared! But in general, it's always a good idea to be armed with pills and medicines just in case you get a headache or cold, which can be brought on by the unpredictable Russian weather. Just remember to take care of yourself!
You should bring some sort of debit or credit card with you (Visa, Master etc) as well as cash with you. You may easily withdraw Rubles from ATMs dotted around the city. Unlike in Europe or the USA, debit and credit cards are rarely used in shops and restaurants in Russia, and in Petrozavodsk there are many small shops and cafes that won’t be able to take payment by card. If you want to pay by card it is best to do so in big shopping centres, malls and established restaurants.  


The currency used as payment in Russia is the Ruble; in Petrozavodsk you won't be able to use Euros or Dollars to pay for things. However, you can easily exchange your different currency in banks in the city centre. We do not advice you to change money at stalls on the street; it is possible to do this, and legal, but you may lose out on money as street vendors may charge higher rates and may not object to deliberately misleading unsuspecting foreigners who may have trouble understanding.  


IMPORTANT: DO NOT drink water straight from the tap. Unlike in Europe, where it is possible to drink from the tap, we advise you NOT to do that here in Russia. The water is dirty and may contain dangerous bacteria. Don't risk it, and boil or filter water, or just buy drinking water from any shop. 


And for some more advice. According to the law it’s forbidden to drink alcohol in public places. Although you’ll probably see crowds of young people walking down the streets or sitting in parks with a bottle of beer etc, we do NOT advise you to follow this example. The same thing applies if you intend to drive here. Don't follow the example of other drivers and drive at a reasonable speed! You should only cross the street where there are traffic lights or zebra crossings.  Foreigners generally received higher penalties than Russians for breaking the law. And please, sue your common sense and keep your things safe at all times!! 


Of course this list doesn't cover everything you should know, but contains very important points which we would advise our foreign guests to remember in order to have a comfortable and safe stay in Russia. 
Russians are very cheerful and famous for their hospitality. You will see this in the way your host family does their best to make you feel at home. They are sure to be keen to find out more about you, your family and your country and culture. So bring some photos from home to show them! Also don’t forget to bring a camera as there are lots of unique and beautiful places to go sightseeing! Try to purchase our national souvenirs as well to share impressions with you nearest and dearest back home.


 Welcome to Russia!!!

понедельник, 12 ноября 2012 г.

Weather in Karelia and Petrozavodsk

December
Russian winters are very unpredictable. From time to time temperature drops and rises from -30 to +5c.
December is usually warm month when it’s often snowing. For last few years it was very warm in December and even snowless. It’s still dark the shortest day and longest night at the 21th, but not as gloomy as in November. But be ready for rains and slush what often happens at this time.



January
It’s supposed to be the coldest time here. The temperature drops to -30 in the middle of January after Christmas holidays. If frost keeps too long school are closed and people try to stay at home. The humidity makes frosts stronger and harder. It’s very hard to breath at such low temperature.
However, days are getting longer and it’s the first sign of the end of cold and darkness.
February
If you want to feel the strength of true winter snowstorm this is the perfect time! The highest snow falls in February. Also it can be very cold about -25c. However, February is the shortest month in a year (28 days) it seems to be very long and dull. But people try to make fun and go ski and skating. As you see our winter is quite warm and it never finishes in February.
Spring Weather
March
Actually at this time winter still continues. Snow melts very slow. But it’s the best time for skiing! The sunshine and warm fresh air allow being out for hours. However, mornings are quite cold like in winter. The difference of night and day temperature is very high. For example it can be -15c at night and +6 on afternoon.



April
The funniest time is April when snow melts very fast that’s why it’s very muddy and roads are greasy. The days are quite long. But spring can be late and the cold keeps till May. People usually wear winter shoes and even winter clothes. The average temperature is about 0 +12c.



May
The month of true spring when nature awakes after long winter is surely May. The trees buds start blossoming and the new grass covers the land. After months of grey and boring landscapes nature looks fascinating and colorful. It’s time when White Nights begin. However, Russian weather is always unpredictable. From sunshine it’s often changes to the rain. The average temperature is usually +12c.
Summer weather
Best time to visit:
If you’re hesitating what season to choose for visiting Karelia no doubt summer is the best choice for you.
Let’s learn abort each summer month in more details.
June
Although June is the first summer month it can be very cold and rainy. The average temperature is about 12-12c at this time. The most interesting what can make you be in awe is White Nights. Karelia is situated on the North at summer time day is very long here and the Sun hides only for a couple of hours. It’s very light at night time and you feel like it’s a day. White Night continues till the end of July.
In June the navigation opens on Ladoga and Onega lakes. You can catch the board to Valaam and Kizhi every day. But be careful and take warm clothes.



July
It’s the hottest time here. The water is so warm that you can swim. But weather varies from day to day and you must be ready for lower temperature. For example this July was extremely cold what usually doesn’t’ happen. The averages temperature is 18c sometimes reached 27c. 



August
This time is so wonderful! You can still enjoy and catch some warm. Also it’s time of gathering the harvest such as potato, tomatoes, cucumbers and different fruits. Forests are full of berries and mushrooms. However, the humidity is very high about 450 – 600 mm. It’s often raining. Days getting shorter and colder.
In any way you must take rainwear and warm clothes because our summer can surprise you with changeable weather.
Autumn Weather
September
The autumn in Karelia isn’t the same as in Europe. It’s very cold and rainy. However, there are a few days of perfect weather when the days are warm, sunny and chilly. It can keep till October if cold winds don’t rise from Atlantic Ocean. The beginning of September still reminds summer, but the day are shorter and The Sun shines not so bright. The evenings and nights are dark and cold. The temperature is usually about 10c. People call this time Gold Fall because tree leaves are getting yellow and red and it looks fascinating! Our most famous poet Alexander Pushkin loved this season the most and dedicated a lot of poems about Russian autumn. This is time of harvest. People say goodbye to short Northern summer.



October
Since October you can feel the deep of Northern cold and dark. It’s usually raining at this time so don’t forget to take your umbrella. The average temperature is 6-10c. The leaves fall and trees seem to be bare and dull. Sometimes luckily October can be warm and fine, but very hardly. It even can be snowing. You should take warm winter clothes and shoes. This is the most unpredictable time here.
November
Although Halloween isn’t celebrated in Russia after this time it’s like in the fairy tale of dark forces. The day is very short about 6-7 hours. It seems it’s always dark and cold. People often feel down because of such weather. Better stay at home somewhere in warm and funny place. You must be ready for inclement weather. At this time people are looking forward to snow. When snow covers grey and gloomy ground it’s getting warmer. People are happy to meet winter after dark and cold days of Northern Autumn.

Find Out Where You Are! - Neighbourhoods Of Petrozavodsk

When you’re going to visit a new place it’s vital to have at least a little information about it, its structure, and infrastructure. This article is about Petrozavodsk and concerns these issues, so when you come here you’ll be aware of where you are.
Petrozavodsk is a small but cozy city. It stretches along the western shore of Lake Onega for some 27 kilometers. Its population is about 300 thousand citizens.
There are more than 15 districts in Petrozavodsk. Some of them are situated far from the centre. Our students aren’t accommodated in them; as a rule they live in the central districts such as:
Tsentr (Centre)
Golikovka
Zareka
Kluchevaya
Kukkovka
Drevlyanka
Perevalka
Pervomaiskiy prospect
Oktyabrskiy prospect
They are situated relatively close to each other so it’s possible to get from the Centre to any destination in 15 - 20 minutes in average.The transport system is good in the town. The circulation of buses, trolleybuses, shuttle-buses is all right and they are not expensive at all! Going by trolleybus is 12 rubles (1 € is about 42 rubles currently; 1 $ is about 30 rubles) and by shuttle-bus/bus 15 rubles. There are no trams and  underground in the town. Don’t forget that taxi is available 24 hours and is also not so expensive: it will cost about 80-100 rubles within the town).



To catch and get off public transport is possible on specially equipped bus-stops though you’ll soon notice that shuttle-buses take people and get them off everywhere. Mind that tickets for using trolleybuses are sold right in them; there are controllers who go back and forth inside the trolleybus and sell these tickets. It’s forbidden to use trolleybuses without these tickets. To use buses and shuttle-buses you don’t need any tickets –just give the money to the driver while getting off.

As far as taxi cabs are concerned, you may order one via a phone. It comes to your place in several minutes. Very often you may see a taxi or private car staying at the bus-stops or nearby; you may take one of them but it may be dangerous, it’s better not to risk. In Russia you can’t catch taxis going past you: usually they are already ordered. There are plenty of taxi companies you may choose; for instance, call the number 052, 063, 77 77 77, 59 22 59, 57 57 57.



The most of Russian streets have names of famous people, historically significant personalities; politicians, leaders, heroes of wars, artists, actors, poets, writers…and so on. Petrozavodsk is not an exception to the rule. There are also streets devoted to some historic events, towns, sister-cities, other proper names, etc.




Living in the Central district means that you have quick access to the cultural centre of the town. That are Gagarin Square, Shotman street, Krasnoarmeyskaya street, Anohin street, Antikainen street, Andropov street, Kirov street, Eremeev street, Pushkinskaya street and, of course, Lenin prospect (the сentral streetof the town); it goes from the Railway station down to the Lake and embankment. And all these streets are pependicular to it, cross it.

Kirov Square, Lenin Square and the Embankment are in the Centre as well.
Lenin Prospect is one of the most popular streets not only among tourists as plenty of the places worth seeing are here, but among the locals as well. Lenin Prospect is always full of people. That’s the centre of the youth life since 2 universities, a cinema (“Pobeda”), the Exhibition Hall, great number of various cafes, bars/pubs, discos, restaurants, numerous shops are situated here. When the sun starts setting young people go out to meet friends, get together and walk up and down the Prospect and attached streets visiting different places. Each central street is culturally significant for the town and is extremely interesting and valuable for those who would like to know more about Petrozavodsk, Karelia and Russia.
Gagarin Square is the first place that one sees when coming to Petrozavodsk as the Railway station is situated here. The square is surrounded by a very old and historically important house ensemble built in 1950-s. The building of the station is a sightseeing itself! From the right there is Krasnoarmeyskaya street where one of the most popular trading centres “Gogolevskiy” and the biggest computer centre “Kei” are located. From the left is Shotman street that leads to our Russian Language School.
When you go down Lenin Prospect between Anohin street and Antikainen street you won’t be able to miss the building of the State Petrozavodsk University and Studencheskiy boulevard in front of it. That is a well-known place where the youth, students get together. There is one of the symbols of Petrozavodsk there; the fountain called Molecule or Capsule or just the Fountain.
Not far from there our Russian Language School is situated. Down the Prospect you’ll see cafes “Kivach” from one side and “Parisienne” from the other. Visit a pancake café called “Chainaya Lozhka” (“Tea Spoon”) where you may taste real Russian pancakes with different fillings or a Spanish cuisine restaurant “Sanches”. Cross the road after the University and soon you’ll see the cinema “Pobeda” and night club “Karelia”; they are in one building. In front of it you may find the Exhibition Hall where there are always some exciting photo or picture exhibitions on. Further there are also cafes “Kaffee Hause”, “Caffe In”, restaurant “Severniy”(“Northern”), beer house “Neubrandenburg” and many others. “Caffe In” and “Severniy” are in the building of the hotel “Severnaya”, that’s also the visiting card of our town.
If you turn right before the hotel it will be a calm and cozy Engels street with a Karelian cuisine restaurant “Karel’skaya Gornitsa” (“Karelian Chamber”) and new Finnish cuisine restaurant “Suomi”. Go down Engels street and you’ll soon reach Lenin Square; this is one of the cultural and historic centres of Petrozavodsk: here you may visit the Museum of Regional Studies, the Museum of Wild World of Karelia, you won’t miss the memorial ensemble “Vechnyi Ogon’” (“the Eternal Fire”) with monuments and memory stones to victims devoted to the Soviet Union great victory in the Velikaya Otechestvennaya Voina (the Great Fatherland War) and World War II over the Nazist Germany in 1945. Go left from the memorial and you’ll get to the Gubernatorsiy park (the Governor’s park), a very quiet and unbelievably beautiful park with a monument of the first governor of the Olonetskaya Gubernia (Olonets Province) - future Karelia, a famous Russian poet Gavriil Derzhavin.
If you turn left from the Eternal Fire and go down Karl Marks Prospect parallel to Lenin Prospect you’ll observe the historical buildings along it. There are cafes there as well so come in and have a cup of coffee there! Soon there will be one of the biggest trading centres of the town “Karelia”, further you’ll see the National Theatre with wonderful sculptures on its façade; it’s like a real masterpiece of the modern art inside! Look straight and you’ll see Kirov Square, the place where all the holidays, big concerts take place, and where Music and Drama Theatre is located. Recently reconstructed it’s awesome and breathtaking not only outside but also inside, in the spacious huge halls with thousands of luminous chandeliers and a great chandelier in the very middle of the ceiling. Its troupe is highly professional and its each performance is a masterpiece. Kirov Square (Catherdral Square historically) begins its history when the buildings of the Male Gymnasium and the Cathedral (future Theatre) were constructed there in the 18-19th centuries. A lot of artists, poets, writers of the country significance graduated from the Gymnasium that is the Museum of Fine Arts currently. When in Petrozavodsk don’t miss your chance to visit it and observe its great collection of pictures updated regularly.
Between Karl Marks and Lenin Prospects, left before the trading centre “Karelia” is Kirov street where the Karelian State Philharmonic is located. It’s unique because it has one and only Symphony orchestra throughout Karelia, Murmansk and Archangelsk Regions. There in the Philharmonic there is also a small but very talented and ambitious troupe of Tvorcheskaya Masterskaya (Art Workshop), its performances get the full hall of audience together every night. Walk along Pushkinskaya street that is almost at the Embankment. You’ll definitely be charmed by the architecture of the buildings of the Karelian State Pedagogical Academy, the swimming pool and hotel “Akvatika”, the National State Library. There are special places to observe the Embankment and the Onego as the street is much higher than the lake. That are good places to watch salutes and performances held at the embankment. Near the Library there is calm and cozy park with the Pushkin monument. Sit on the benches under the trees and have a rest.
Further Karl Marks and Lenin Prospects along is the Onego Lake Embankment. Guess it’s possible to talk about this place for hours! It was prolonged in 2003 as the present for the citizens when the town was celebrating its 300-year anniversary. Walk from the River port and town’s Side-show to a new Embankment with wooden historic buildings and observe ships and tourist liners of the port, the Peter the Great monument, plenty of sculptures -  the presents of Petrozavodsk’s sister-cities all over Europe on different occasions. Petrozavodsk has about 15 sister-cities. Each sculpture has its name and meaning and it may be exciting to discover something about them. Further there will be the town’s administration, a new hotel “Onego Palace” and a beautiful pink building of the registry office. It would be great if you see new-weds disembarking down the stairs of the office. This is very amazing!!! Visit some open-air cafes right at the Embankment and taste shashlyk (a specially cooked meal of pork, chicken or beef meat served on special metal sticks) and other specialities of different nations of Russia.




Not far from the Centre there is Golikovka. It includes Nevskiy Prospect (the main street of the district), Pravda street, Kalinin street, Meretskov street.

The name of the district origins from the very beginning of the history of Petrozavodsk when in the beginning of the 18th century it was just a small Petrovskaya Sloboda  (Peter’s Settlement) with  a Petrovskiy zavod (Peter’s plant) on the bank of the river Lososinka. Historically this plant was the nucleus of a new settlement; thanks to it the town started developing and is existing currently. Golikovka is from the word “golyi” (“deserted”) that means “a deserted, stony, rocky area” where the working people used to live.
Even now it’s possible to see the buildings of an old plant that isn’t working currently. Here on the bank of Lososinka you’ll see a Spartak Stadium and may walk in a beautiful alley along it. Further there is a Stadium “Junnost’ (“Youth”) that is seen from Karl Marks street and Kirov Square. The upper part of the river bank is called the La-Rochelle Embankment devoted to La-Rochelle in France, a sister-city of the town.
Of course, it’s a must to come to the Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral. Aleksandr Nevsky was extremeny vital in the history of Russia and is one of the Saints who patronize the Republic. The Cathedral is magnificent and awesome. A few weeks ago the Aleksandr Nevsky monument was open near it timed to the Anniversary of the Republic of Karelia (on the 8th of June, 2010 we celebrated its 90-year anniversary).
Pravda street starts from Kirov Square and crosses Nevsky Prospect. Its name is the name of one of the most popular newspapers of the Soviet times, “Pravda”.
If you go in the direction of the centre down Pravda Street soon you’ll see a kind of a back-water of the Lososinka river, a very beautiful park surrounding it, with small bridges, sculptures and the fountain in the middle of it. That’s a very quiet and peaceful place where the locals like strolling. Here, by the way, is one of the town’s beaches; so in the hot sunny summer weather you’ll see the beach crowded with the sun tanning people.
The district has a great infrastructure; there are plenty of shops and small trading centers here. You may also come to the cafe called “Paparazzi” in the building of the Trading centre “Nevsky passazh” (Nevsky Arcade”). A bit further right in front of the Cathedral there is an entertainment centre “High Way” where you may play bowling and mini-billiard or spend time in a bar. If you go in the opposite direction to Kluchevskoe shosse (motor road) along Pravda Street you’ll see a new living area there with a cinema “Premyer” and a new trading centre “Lotos”.
The transport system is all right as well, so you may easily get to any destination you need. To get to Lenin Prospect take shuttle buses № 20, 46 from the right-side bus stops on Nevsky Prospect and № 17, 41, trolleybus №1 from the right-side bus stops on Pravda Street.



Zareka is situated a bit lower than Golikovka, close to the lake. It’s called this way because the workers area appeared beyond the river Lososinka (“za rekoj”). Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish the line separated the two districts (Golikovka and Zareka). Zareka includes the lower part of Nevsky Prospect, Lunacharskiy street, Rigachin street, Probnaya street, Promyshlennaya street, Derzhavin street.

It’s one of the oldest districts of the town with one of the oldest churches – Krestovozdvizhinskay Church (the Cross Erection Chirch) – and cemeteries on Pravda street.
Probnaya street bears this name because historically that was the place where new cannons produced at the plant were tried. Probnaya is from the verb “probovat’” (to try).
Lunacharskiy Street is connected with the Kirov Square and crosses the river Lososinka, so you may see the park and the fountain we were talking about before. In front of it there is the hotel “Karelia” with perfect service and comfortable accommodation. A Spa centre is situated here as well. The hotel faces the Lake and a magnificent park.
To get to the Centre get on shuttle bus № 41, trolleybuses № 1 and 3. Shuttle buses 19 and 25 will also bring you to Lenin Prospect but only to its beginning near the Administration.



The Centre, Golikovka and Zareka are historical, old districts of the town. That’s the old town.




Kluchevaya starts from the Kluchevskoe shosse and rounds the Lake. This is a rather young suburb. Its name tells us that there are a lot of pure water springs (“kluchi”). Its architecture differs much from the old historically significant buildings of the initial areas. The houses are all the same and it’s hard to tell one street from another. They are Repnikov street, Susanin street, Antonov street. But though the district rather quiet! There are places of the town’s significance here; first that are old factories and plants. Here you may visit a trading centre “Desyatochka” (“A Ten”) with a cinema and one of the most popular among the youth night club “Yletai” (“Fly Away”). One of the streets of the district is Noibrandenburgskaya street, its name is devoted to one of the sister cities of Petrozavodsk German Neubrandenburg.

Shuttle buses 10, 17, 8 will bring you to the Centre.



Kukkovka is one of the first new suberbial districts of Petrozavodsk. The name origins from the finnish word “kukko” (cock). This bird is the symbol of the district. There is even a sculpture of a cock near one of the trading centers “Pitm” (“Rhythm”).

Its architecture is monotonous as well and the houses are all the same. The main streets are Rovio street (the central street), Sortaval’skaya street (a name of one of the Karelian towns Sortavala situated on a shore of Ladoga Lake), Tornev street, Frolov street, Baltiyskaya street.
The infrastructure is developed very well. There are the number of places to spend free time. Visit the cafés and night-clubs “Brooklyn”, “Raikom” “Pinta-pub”, shops and small trading centres among which “Ritm” is one of the most popular.
Kukkovka is connected with Nesky Prospect with Komsomol’sky prospect. One of its bus stops is called Kurgan (Barrow). This is an area where different sport complexes are situated; here skiers are trained. Here is also the beginning of a ski track, very popular among the residents. It goes to the forest to the place called Fontany (Fountains). This route is a place of annual ski competitions.
To get to the Centre take shuttle busses № 46, 25 (they go through Nevsky Prospect), trolleybuses № 2, 5.




Drevlyanka is connected with Kukkovka by Lesnoy Prospect, with the Central district by Lososinskoe shosse (motor road) and with Perevalka by Chapaev street. The district is a bit detached from the town and is connected with it only with these three roads.

The word “drevlyanka” origins from the word “derevo”, “deveyannyi” (“wood/ made of wood”). The idea is that the area was built in the forest and this gave the name to the district. The streets are Lososinskoe shosse, Lesnoy Prospect, Drevlyanka street, Beryozovaya Alley, Popov street.
This is one of the newest areas built and the architecture is also tame and monotonous. But at the same time it’s a suburb, one of the most cozy and safe regions of the town. Plenty of people try to settle here deliberately as the infrastructure is great; there are plenty of schools and day care institutions, playgrounds for children. Here there also are many shops, a trading centre “Stolitsa” (“Capital”), an open-air market, a hyper-market “Sigma”. Visit a pub “Pinta-pub”, the entertainment centre “Atmosfera” (“Atmosphere”) with a cinema, bars, billiard, a night club and so on. In between the town and Drevlyanka there is an entertainment complex “Gorka”. Here you may skate, ski, toboggan, snowboard in winter, play tennis, volleyball in summer or just sit in a wooden café or make shashlyks or barbeque with friends in a specially equipped wooden building.
A small part of Drevlyanka is a cottage area with nice cottages and private areas. Near it the track to the Fontany is situated. There is an equestrian sport complex not far from this track.
Beryozovaya Alley (Birch Alley) is the place where people get together on holidays, stroll in the evening with their families or friends after a working day. Here there are benches, a children sportsground (in front of the centre “Stolitsa”), a fountain. If you go further, past the open-air market you’ll see a new-built Orthodox chirch.
To get to the Centre catch shuttle buses № 4, 17, 20, 6, 7, 46, trolleybus № 1.




Perevalka is also one of the oldest districts in the town. Its main street is a very long Chapaev street that goes from a ring road with Shotman street, the Central district (our School is here!), up to a ring road with Lesnoy Prospect, Drevlyanka right to the hyper-market “Sigma”. On the right the private sector is located. On the left you may see cafes, shops, an open-air market. Deeper in the district a building of the Karelian television is situated. The main streets are Vatutin street, Chkalov street, Parhomenko street, Zelyonaya street.

To get to the centre is very easy from here. Just take a shuttle buses № 4, 41, 46 or trolleybus № 1 or just stroll a bit down Chapaev Street.



The names of Pervomaiskiy (First of May) and Oktyabrskiy (October) Prospects are, of course, connected with the Soviet period of the Russian history. A century ago there was a forest, an uninhabited area instead of these districts, so the revolutionists used to organize meetings here. Later on the names of new regions of the town were devoted to the revolution.

Pervomaiskiy Prospect’s name is devoted to May, 1st; historically this is the holiday of all the labour people when they went out to participate in the demonstrations that were held in every town and village. Nowadays it’s just a day of Spring and Labour, an extra day off to go to the countryside and have a rest. Pervomaiskiy, Oktyabrskiy Prospects and the Varkaus embankment that goes right along the shore of the Onego are parralel to each other and are connected by the streets Leningradskaya (Leningrad street, that's an old Soviet name of St.Petersburg), Moskoskaya (Moscow street), Murmanskaya (Murmansk street),  Melentyeva.
Pervomaiskiy Prospect goes from the Central Market on the crossroad with Lenin Prospect up to the industrial suburbs of Petrozavodsk where mostly plants, factories, a hyper-market “Mega”, industrial and agricultural bases are located. It’s very long and there are some places worth visiting. One of them is a night club “Kontakt” (“Contact”) situated next to the Central Market. Don’t miss a cinema complex “Kalevala”; here there are two cinemas and cafes. In the same building night clubs “Metelitsa” (“Snowstorm”) and “Mamba” are waiting for their guests.
A bit further there is a billiard club “Petrograd”. Visit a café and night club “Aviaretro” with its bowling tracks, a banquet hall, a billiard room and two dance floors. Practically in front of the club you may notice a monument with a tank. This is a memorial to the Great Fatherland War, 1941-1945. Actually the tank is the original T-34!
To get to Lenin Prospect just catch shuttle buses № 27, 6, 7, trolleybus № 3.



If you turn right before the “Kalevala” complex and go down the Leningradskaya street soon you’ll see a new hyper-market “Lenta” and a building of the Petrozavodsk Conservatory in front of it. This is the beginning of Oktyabrskiy Prospect (October), it’s left from Leningradskaya street and is parallel to Pervomaiskiy Prospect and the Varkaus embankment. Its name is connected with the October revolution in 1917. The Varkaus embankment is called in the name of one of Petrozavodsk’s sister cities Finnish Varkaus.

Since the three streets are parallel they are connected with Leningradskaya street (Leningrad street, that’s the Soviet name of St. Petersburg), Moskovskaya street (Moscow street), Murmanskaya street (Murmansk street), Melentyeva street. One of the main streets is Krasnoflotskaya street.
 
Oktyabrskiy Prospect is crossed by Alleya Pobedy (the Victory Alley) near Moskovskaya street, a place where the memorial called “Ptitsa Schastya” (“The Bird of Happiness”) devoted to Marshal Meretskov, a hero of the Great Fatherland War. You may spend time in a cafe “Parisienne”, “Koritsa” (“Cinnamon”), a beer bar “Bavarius”.
Along the shore of the Onego lake is the Varkaus embankment. There is a palace of culture “Mashinostritel’” (“Mashine Builder”) where the Varkaus embankment meets Moskovskaya street. In the end of it, on the crossroad with Melentyeva street there is the most young and popular among people of all walks of life music café and dancing club “Territoria” (“Territory”). The Varkaus embankment is also one of the town’s beaches.Soon will be town gates, an Airport “Peski (“Sand”) and the biggest town beach “Peski” where you will definitely spend great time.
To get to the centre from the Varkaus embankment get on trolleybuses 6 and 2. From Oktyabrskiy Prospect there are shuttle buses 4, 6, 25 to the centre.



This is round-up information about the main part of the districts of Petrozavodsk. All of them have something worth seeing and each is beautiful and has its advantages.

Petrozavodsk is unbelievably beautiful, it’s also known as a “green” town. You’ll definitely find this out for yourself while walking around it. All over it there are numerous parks, green zones, shadow alleys…All the streets are green! There are even the whole forest areas left inside the town!
Petrozavodsk is also famous for its fountains. You’ll find them everywhere; big and small, they make the streets cozy and nice and the air fresh even on the hottest summer day.