In this issue…

To Protect and Develop

The chairwoman of the KGIOP, Vera Anatolyevna Dementyeva: “We live alongside a tremendous cultural legacy that has to be preserved whatever the cost.”

…8

Waltz for the Valkyries

Larisa herself was independent, decisive, even bold, inexplicably combining the very embodiment of femininity with a “masculine mind” of which she was proud.

…18

The Cradle of the Russian Avant-garde

In this house the leading figures of Futurism read their poems and prose, the quarter-tone music that Matiushin invented was played, plans were forged for new exhibitions, lectures and books, and the concepts of avant-garde performances discussed.

…30

Down Under on the Moika

In his speech at the reception in the Taleon Club, Australian ambassador Richard Tyson expressed the hope that 2007 would see a strengthening of relations between Russia and Australia.

…38

Elizabeth’s Sea Wolf

The magic of Raleigh’s personality, his charisma and eloquence, tales of fantastic riches and perilous adventures literally enchanted his contemporaries.

…44

“Thy Mind and Deeds Are Immortal…”

The ambassador met his death as befitted a Russian nobleman – bravely with sword in hand. Inflamed by the sight of blood, the mob dragged his body around the streets of Teheran for a long time…

…56

John Speke's Last Argument

There can scarcely have been a boy on the streets of London that did not know the name of John Speke, an outstanding officer with the Indian colonial army, an indefatigable hunter and traveller, who had found the place where the “Father of Rivers”, the Nile, began.

…70