Social and Cultural Activities

Moscow

Tours and Excursions - Moscow is home to some of the finest museums, historical sites and landmarks in Russia. Entry prices to places of interest are extremely reasonable, ranging from as little as a dollar for smaller attractions up to 20 dollars for world-famous sites such as the Kremlin. Of course, many museums can be easily visited independently (our teachers will provide students with information and recommendations about where and when to go). But for students who prefer guided excursions, Language Link has specialists in the fields of Russian History, Literature and Art who, for an additional fee, will gladly lead groups or individuals around places of interest or conduct a general sightseeing tour of Moscow. In-depth commentary can be arranged in Russian or the student's native language. Some possible excursions that are guaranteed not to disappoint include:

The Kremlin (territory) The Fine Arts Museum The Tretyakov Gallery The Museum of the East The country estate Kolomenskoye

The Historical Museum The Museum of Moscow's History The Central World War II Museum The Museum of Aviation and Astronauts The New Maiden's Convent

The Historical Museum

Theatres - There are over 100 theatres in Moscow, which stage world-class productions ranging from Russian classics (Chekhov, Pushkin etc) to the latest contemporary works. A night at the Moscow Arts Theatre is recommended (where the great Stanislavskii pioneered his revolutionary acting methods, and Chekhov first came to fame). And of course, an evening of opera or ballet at the most famous Russian theatre of them all, the Bolshoi, is not to be missed.


The Bolshoi

Weekend trips - Upon request, weekend excursions are arranged to the historical towns of the Golden Ring that 'encircle' the Moscow region: Vladimir, Suzdal, Rostov the Great, Sergiev Posad, etc. They are unique monuments of Russian history, and their picturesque landscapes and glorious Russian architecture offer a glimpse into the Russian soul.

St Petersburg

Tours and Excursions - The cultural delights of Russia's northern capital are in no way inferior to those of Moscow. In St Petersburg you will find a wealth of museums catering for every interest, from the endless maze of world-class art in the Hermitage to the architectural splendour of the Cathedral on the Saviour's Blood. And Russia's "window on the west" is rightfully renowned as an architectural gem, with elegant imperial streets and vast squares and palaces of haunting magnificence. Language Link can help students to get to know Peter the Great's marvellous city by organizing a guided tour, or excursions to the places of interest listed below.

The Hermitage The Menshikov Palace St. Isaac's Cathedral The Museum of Wax Figures

The Mikhailov Castle Cathedral on the Saviour's Blood The Russian Museum

St. Isaac's Cathedral

Theatres - St Petersburg is home to almost 40 theatres, making it the ideal place to enjoy Russia's fine dramatic traditions. An integral part of any visit to St. Petersburg should be a visit to the Mariinsky Theatre, where the ballet has been recognized as one of the world's best since Soviet times. Previously it was known as the Kirov ballet, and gave birth to such stars as Rudolf Nureyev and Vasily Nijinsky.

Weekend Trips - Only a short day's excursion away from the city lies the Royal estate of Peterhof. Favourite haunt of Peter the Great, world leaders also came to admire its baroque palaces, fountains and gardens by the sea during Petersburg's Jubilee celebrations in 2003.


The Battleship "Aurora"

Volgograd

Although Volgograd cannot match Moscow or St Petersburg as a tourist destination, it nonetheless has plenty of attractions to offer visitors. In spring and summer it is delightful to stroll along the beautiful Volga embankment, which is decorated with fountains and rotundas, and features many restaurants and concert halls, as well as a river-boat station. On the outskirts of the city, you can't miss Volgograd's most famous landmark: the imposing sculptures dedicated to the Battle of Stalingrad. The sculptural composition illustrates episodes from the battle, and the peak of Mamaev Hill is crowned by a truly enormous statue of Mother Russia.

Other leisure options in Volgograd include exhibitions, modern cinemas (Kinomax and in the Radezh shopping centre, tickets $3 - $7), a dance studio, and horse-riding ($15 - $20). There are a couple of bowling alleys which cost $7 - $9 during the week. Volgograd is famous for its Drama Theatre, and also boasts a musical theatre, a circus, a Youth Theatre, and its own opera company.

Samara

Opera and Ballet Theatre

Samara is one of the largest cities along the Volga River. During the Second World War, Samara was the second capital of the USSR. The government and foreign consulates were evacuated to Samara, and this is where the armament factories were. In order to ensure Stalin's safety, a bunker in case the Germans occupied Moscow was built.
Stalin's Bunker is now a museum.
There are many museums and theatres in Samara. The Samara Drama Theatre and Opera and Ballet Theatre troupes are famous throughout Russia as well as abroad. The largest organ in Russia, built by special order by the famous German company Rudolf von Bekkerat, is located at the Samara Philharmonic.
The Samara museums contain rich art collections. For example, there is a broad collection of Russian avant-garde from the beginning of the 20th century on display at the Samara Region Art Museum (paintings by K. Malevich, A. Lentulov, O. Rozanova, and D. Burlyuk), which also has Chinese and Japanese art from the collection of Alfred von Vakano, one of the biggest collectors of Eastern art and the former owner of Zhigulyovsky Beer Brewery.

Volga River

The beauty of the Volga area environment has always attracted artists: I. Repin, I. Levitan, and I. Aivazovsky painted their works from the banks of the Volga.

The Volga Riverfront, stretching 5km, is the real pearl of landscape art. Nice beaches and numerous outdoor cafes and restaurants are located here. Fountains, and abundance of flower beds, and a beautiful view of the Zhiguli Mountains make this area seem like a resort town).

Samara Beaches

The Zhiguli Mountain Range is one of the most picturesque places along the entire length of the Volga River, sometimes called the "Russian Switzerland". The sharp curve of the Volga here, at the midpoint of the Volga's course, has been named the Samara Bend. This is an area between the Volga and Usa Rivers with a length of about 70km and a breadth of about 30km. Excursions through the Zhiguli Mountains are always popular, especially in the summer and fall.