During the restoration of the Assumption Cathedral, which was constructed in the early 15th century in Zvenigorod, Russian archaeologists made a fascinating discovery. They found numerous bird nests that had been built over several centuries under the deteriorated roof.
Robbie Williams in Moscow
I went to a Robbie Williams concert in Moscow, expecting a guilty pleasure kind of event. It turned out to be anything but. Let’s be honest: the show was brilliant. Robbie swore like a sailor, performed all the major hits (including Supreme and Road to Mandalay—staples of my early 2000s personal soundtrack), donned a skirt, and even brought his dad on stage for a duet.
Iyeoka in Moscow
I watch far too many TV shows—this much is certain. For a while, I tried to justify the addiction. Watching them in the original language does improve your vocabulary, right? But as it turns out, they also expand your horizons. Take the long-forgotten series Fairly Legal, for example. It introduced me to two things: the concept of mediation and the music of Iyeoka, a truly magical artist.
Nicole Henry in Novosibirsk
Writing about Nicole Henry’s concert feels as futile as reviewing the tide or a solar eclipse. She’s stunning, charming, witty, sensual—and yet, none of these words even begin to capture the experience of seeing her perform.
Unmet expectations: Novosibirsk gathering of tech leaders, diplomats, and Ashton Kutcher
In February 2010, a colourful assembly in Novosibirsk involved tech CEOs, US diplomats, and a Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher—all part of a U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission.