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?

http://enjoyrussian.com/

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!”.

http://enjoyrussian.com/

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

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.

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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!!!

http://enjoyrussian.com

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.

http://enjoyrussian.com/ 

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.

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Interesting facts about Petrozavodsk: fishermen in trousers

Our town is very beautiful and of course its symbol is Lake Onego.  One couldn’t invent a better framing for our lake than our embankment, the most popular place in town, where all the celebrations and holidays take place. Moreover, our embankment is an open-air gallery of sculptures, which were presented to Petrozavodsk by our sister-cities.  One of them, the first one to have appeared here is “Fishermen”, presented by the city of Duluth that is in Minnesota (the USA). It’s a monument, made of metal sticks depicting two men fishing together with a dragnet.  The author Rafael Consuegra explained that as this team work made an American guy and a Russian guy became friends, the same way two cities, Petrozavodsk and Duluth would be friends. His intention appeared to come true. Local people liked the monument very much and it started being surrounded by different jokes and legends. 

One legend says that these fishermen are not just 2 men from Russia and America, but they are two apostles Peter and Andrey which were also fishermen, and one of them brought Christianity to the western part of the world, and the other – to the Eastern part, that’s why Orthodoxy differs a bit from other types of Christianity. It was 1991 when the sculpture was set on the embankment. Imagine, the Soviet Union had just collapsed, that’s why no one was brave enough to tell this story about religion at that time. And it’s hard to say now whether R. Consuegra really had this idea about apostles or not. But it’s interesting that for some time after the sculpture’d appeared the locals suspected that this monument is nothing but an American spying antenna (1991!). But now we tell it as a joke. By the way “the fishermen” have a nickname. Some people call them two skeletons fighting a spider’s web, or sometimes they are called a monument to web designers. On the New Years Eve they are usually got dressed as a Father Frost and a Snow-maiden (Russian traditional New Year’s characters).  In summer  they seem a bit naked but every winter they wear ice trousers.  Come to Petrozavodsk with EnjoyRussiAn!

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Let's go shopping!

When coming to a foreign country, one usually worries about where I can buy all the necessary things. Coming to Petrozavodsk one shouldn’t worry, because we have a huge amount of shops and supermarkets of all kinds. The local dwellers are even irritated being toughly surrounded by shops. They even wanted to rename Petrozavodsk to Petromagazinsk (the word “magazine” means a shop in Russian).  It’s a true story!

People from abroad usually doubt whether they can pay by card or in Euros in Russia. Unfortunately, one can pay by cash only in Rubles, but there are a lot of banks with currency exchange, and there are exchange terminals in big hotels like «Onego Palace» and «Karelia», which are situated on both sides of the Onego Lake embankment. All the supermarkets are equipped with a slot for international bank cards like Visa and Mastercard.

There are some most beloved supermarkets among the locals in our town:

·         Sigma (Сигма)

This is a big supermarket, situated on Lesnoy Avenue, 47. It works round the clock, 7 days a week.  One can buy local brand food, such as Karelian salted trout, Karelian Balm, as well as common Russian food like baranki, and also European brand food. There is a department of dishes cooked by Sigma chiefs.  In Sigma you can also buy clothes, footwear, tableware, etc.

A cozy café is open for shoppers and also many people like to celebrate wedding here or organize a birthday party. This supermarket provides kid’s indoor playground for free, so that parents could easily make all the purchases while children are having fun under a special nanny’s  supervision.

·         Maksi (Макси)

This is a brand new supermarket on our main street Lenin Avenue, 14. It’s a huge and beautiful supermarket with an underground parking, a cinema, an entertaining centre with game-playing machines. Many international brands can be bought here, e.g. Mexx, ADILISIK and many others. There is a huge sport department and shops for kids full of toys. There are a lot of different fast-food shops and coffee shops and a restaurant. One can buy food on the first floor in a Sigma food department.

·         Tetris (Тетрис)

This supermarket is visible from afar. Its colors are very bright. No one can omit noticing it on Meretskov street, 11. It also has a cinema and cafes and entertaining centre with game slots. Many fashionable clothes that you could notice on local people are from Tetris. It has a food department but not as much as in Maksi.

·         Lenta (Лента)

This is our cheapest supermarket, where one can buy food and clothes. It’s situated on Leningradskaja street,13. It’s  a part of a huge net from Saint Petersburg. They produce a lot of things and food from their own brand “Lenta” that’s why it’s cheaper.

In every part of the town one can find a small supermarket, which sells food that can be paid by a card. Or if you love funny adventures, for you there is only one food store in Petrozavodsk, where a Soviet Union system of buying is used.  It’s located on Nevskogo Avenue, 29. We still have some bazars (open-air markets) on Chapaev Street and Even a small one in the centre of the town on Lenin Avenue.

Well, Petrozavodsk is a small paradise for shopaholics, and there is nothing that can’t be found here.

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