Soviet Union

Looking 4 something that will protect me from Swine Flu

Is ‘hoax advertising’ still advertising? Yes.

[via hipsterrunoff]

Apr 30 2009

Link

“ Faulkner [the valet] came in after dinner, coughed, and said: ‘The light on the upper landing has failed and there are six bats in her ladyship’s room.’ Stephen said: ‘Fortunately her ladyship likes bats.’ And indeed she does. When we all went to bed, through her open door I saw her gazing up at them ecstatically. ”

Elizabeth Bowen (via shovingleopard)

17:40

Quote

I was drawn to the young woman standing second from the right, who is holding up her hand in a V-sign. She held that for a long time, at least 30 minutes - until the soldiers began to throw tear gas canisters.

[via Ryuichi Hirokawa in The Guardian]

15:55

Photo

BATHTIME FOR LENIN!

[via morbid anatomy via chatonboat]

13:45

Photo

100% DEAD!

[via dbaker]

13:39

Link

The final scene from Makavejev's WR: Mysteries of the Organism features this haunting song 
written by the Soviet underground poet Bulat Okudzhava.

THE PRAYER OF FRANÇOIS VILLON

by Bulat Okudzhava

As long as the earth still turns, as long as the light is clear.
Lord, grant to everyone - that which they lack.
To the wise grant a sound mind - for the coward procure a horse.
Give money to the contented - and please don’t forget about me.

I know you are capable of everything, I believe in your wisdom.
As the fallen soldier, believes he will live again in paradise;
As every ear listens and believes in your silent words.
As we ourselves believe - not knowing what we create.

Apr 26 2009

Video

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

That St Petersburg now is among the finest towns in the world, indeed, that it even exists, is testament to the unbending will of Peter the Great and his Tsarist successors.

But St Petersburg is also a testament to ideas – of the Baroque and the Neoclassical, of enlightened progress and, above all, of the belief that Russia, having faced East for so long, must turn its face towards the West.

[Via Melvyn Bragg’s In Our Time, BBC Radio 4]