Ask a Russian

[red_elk]

Didn't know there were Cossacks in Cuba. They must have had a hard time with Fidel.

Kuban Cossacks, of course
Damn, I never understood the point of having different letters for the same sound. We have 33 of them and all sound differently!

 

[red_elk]

Easy question: What's the name of the painting?
It's well known in Russia, but I wonder if non-Russians can guess it without googling.

 

[Thorgalaeg]

I know a bit about painting but i have not idea about that painting in particular. It is obviously socialist realism, a style not very known or appreciated in the west i would say. In fact there are not many Russian painters i can think of just now, beyond the obvious ones as Kandinsky or Chagall.

Kuban Cossacks, of course
Damn, I never understood the point of having different letters for the same sound. We have 33 of them and all sound differently!

We are decadent and inefficient.

 

[red_elk]

I know a bit about painting but i have not idea about that painting in particular. It is obviously socialist realism, a style not very known or appreciated in the west i would say.

Yes, I know that - the question wasn't about art, it was rather meant as a riddle "guess what's depicted and how would you name the painting".
The painter is Fyodor Reshetnikov, he is indeed not very famous.

We are decadent and inefficient.

Humans are generally decadent and inefficient.

 

[red_elk]

"Per Aspera Ad Astra", 1981
One of the best Soviet sci-fi and one of the scariest movies of my childhood.

From wiki:
"In the 23rd century, the starship Pushkin discovers a derelict alien spaceship of unknown origin. The alien craft's crew are identical humanoids created by an advanced cloning process. Most are dead, but one woman is found in a catatonic state. The leader of the mission, scientist Sergei Lebedev, brings her to Earth. He settles her in his house and names her Neeya."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_Aspera_Ad_Astra_(film)

In 2001, a new, remastered version of the movie was released with new soundtrack and added special effects. The authors also returned the line in after-titles, which was cut off by censors in original version:
"The scenes of the dying planet Dessa were filmed on planet Earth"

 

[red_elk]

Moscow, XXI century

 

[Yeekim]

Yes, I know that - the question wasn't about art, it was rather meant as a riddle "guess what's depicted and how would you name the painting".
The painter is Fyodor Reshetnikov, he is indeed not very famous.

Indeed, I have not seen this picture before.
The dog is clearly greeting the boy, so he has returned from somewhere. School, most probably.
And yet, the dog is the only one being glad.
Bad report card?

 

[red_elk]

Indeed, I have not seen this picture before.
The dog is clearly greeting the boy, so he has returned from somewhere. School, most probably.
And yet, the dog is the only one being glad.
Bad report card?

You got the idea right, it's called "Опять двойка" (Grade D, again)
The painting was often used as a topic for writing essays in Soviet schools, so many older-generation people remember it.
It's currently displayed in Tretyakov Gallery.

 

[red_elk]

"Young mother" T. Kirillova, 1970



From here: https://zina-korzina.livejournal.com/1526332.html

 

[red_elk]

"Not For You", old Cossack song.

Singer - Pelageya
Video - from the movie "And Quiet Flows the Don", 1958

 

[Squonk]

It's more a request than a question, but could you write down the lyrics to this song:

Thank you

 

[red_elk]

It's more a request than a question, but could you write down the lyrics to this song:

Thank you

Interesting, I can't find lyrics of this song in the internet! This record is a bit hard to understand due to sound quality and accent, but I found record of other singer which helped to restore missing parts.

В час тоски, раздумья и печали
Вспомнить хочу я тебя
Тени прошлого сильно увяли
Нету сил никаких у меня

Обманули мечты
Не вернуть никогда мне тебя
Время, сжалься и страсть не буди
Успокой, убаюкай меня

Так хотелось тебя мне любить
Так хотелось дышать на груди
И в минуты те всё позабыть
И в вечные грёзы и счастье уйти

Обманули мечты
Не вернуть никогда мне тебя
Время, сжалься и страсть не буди
Успокой, убаюкай меня
(2 times)

 

[Squonk]

Thank you very much!

 

[Squonk]

Can you translate it now?


This is what google translate gives me:

In the hour of longing, meditation and sadness
I want to remember you
The shadows of the past have faded greatly
I have no strength
Cheated dreams @@@
Never give you back to me @@@ (Who? The time or the dreams?)
Time, take pity and passion don't wake up @@@ ("Oh time, take pity upon me and don't wake up passion"?)
Calm, lull me
I so wanted to love you
I wanted to breathe on my chest @@@
And in those minutes, forget everything
And in the eternal dreams and happiness leave
Cheated dreams
Never give you back to me
Time, take pity and passion don't wake up
Calm, lull me


@@@ is what is unclear for me.

 

[red_elk]

It doesn't seem like a great piece of poetry, TBH

"Cheated dreams @@@" - "Dreams have deceived me"
"Never give you back to me @@@" - "I can't bring you back"
Time, take pity and passion don't wake up @@@ ("Oh time, take pity upon me and don't wake up passion"?) - your translation is correct
I wanted to breathe on my chest @@@ - "I wanted to breath on (your) chest". She wanted to put her head on his chest, rest and breath calmly.

 

[Squonk]

Thank you!

 

[red_elk]

Poll of "Levada-center" about military threat perception.


https://www.levada.ru/2019/01/30/voennaya-ugroza/

Orange line - part of respondents answered "yes" or "rather yes" to the question
"Do you think there is a military threat to Russia from other countries?"

Purple line - the question "Do you think the Russian army is able to protect the country in case of conflict?"

 

[Broken_Erika]

If your military can't protect you, your climate will.

 

[red_elk]

Winter in Russia always comes in November. Totally unexpected by invaders and sometimes by our own social services.

 

[red_elk]

Did you know that Putin and Maduro played together in Soviet rock band, in 1980-s?

https://www.rt.com/news/450226-putin-maduro-alliance-band/