Saturday, February 15, 2014
 
Follow sptimesonline on Facebook Follow sptimesonline on Twitter Follow sptimesonline on RSS
MOST READ



PARTNER NEWS


Legendary Porcelain Artworks for Your Home
The Gift Projects online showroom...


BLOGS



OPINION

 

Ïåðåâåñòè íà ðóññêèé Ïåðåâåñòè íà ðóññêèé Print this article Print this article

Russia Condemns WWII Criticism

Published: February 12, 2014 (Issue # 1797)



  • CNN, an American network, recently called the monument at Brest Fortress in Belarus one of the “world’s ugliest.”
    Photo: Lena Armstrong / Wikimedia Commons

MOSCOW (AP) - The Sochi Winter Olympics are making Russians beam with pride. But while the opening ceremony left out World War II at the behest of Olympic organizers, Russia’s role in defeating Nazi Germany is still one of the nation’s proudest moments, as some have found out the hard way.

Perceived slights to Russian pride caused an independent television station to be forced off the air and the Moscow correspondent of a U.S. network to be summoned to the Foreign Ministry for an official reprimand. In the latest display of Russian displeasure, a prominent anchor on state television insinuated that U.S. Marines depicted in the war memorial near Washington looked as if they were engaged in gay sex.

Here is a look at what caused Russians to react so strongly and how the Kremlin responded:

Related: Strippers and Sanatoria: Beyond Sochi's Glamour

LENINGRAD LEGACY

The independent television station Dozhd, or TV Rain, came under attack after asking viewers in January whether the Soviet Union should have surrendered Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, to save the lives of the 1 million people who died during the nearly 900-day Nazi siege of the city during the war. The station quickly pulled the poll and apologized, but President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said the station had crossed a “red line.” Russian cable providers lined up to drop Dozhd from their packages and prosecutors opened an investigation.

The poll struck a nerve with Russians for whom the resistance in Leningrad exemplified the suffering and heroism of the war. But the station’s owner and editor have accused the Kremlin of using the poll to shut down Dozhd because of its critical reporting. The station has provided a platform for opposition leaders and reported on allegations of official corruption.

After major cable and satellite providers dropped Dozhd, its viewership has fallen from 17 million households to 2 million, according to station owner Nataliya Sindeyeva. While never able to compete with the state channels, Dozhd has been popular with urban middle-class Russians disturbed by the corruption and growing authoritarianism under Putin.

AN “UGLY” MONUMENT

Pages: [1] [2]






 
Times Talk

ALL ABOUT TOWN

Friday, Feb. 14


If you’re involved in the automotive industry, don’t miss the chance to ask Anatoly Kotov, chairman of the St. Petersburg Committee for Economic Policy and Strategic Planning, any pressing questions during AmCham’s Automotive Committee Meeting this morning at 9 a.m.


Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a group of wine lovers at the Denisov and Nikolaev restaurant at 77 Kanal Griboyedova. This educational and convivial evening offers tastes of a variety of Old World wines, focusing on the Burgundy region of France, and nibbles. Call +7(921) 904 3563 to make a reservation.


Break into the travel business and learn the tools of the trade at Intourfest Russia, the largest exhibition in the world focusing on tourism in Russia. Find out not only about the intricacies of the domestic market but the international one as well. The event will be held at the Petrocongress Center at 5 Ulitsa Lodeynopolskaya.



Saturday, Feb. 15


The British Book Center will have their monthly Reading Time this afternoon starting at 4 p.m. This month’s featured story is Oscar Wilde’s “The Nightingale and the Rose,” the Irish bard’s tragic tale of young love.



Sunday, Feb. 16


History lovers shouldn’t miss the Romanov Exhibition opening at LenExpo today and continuing through Mar. 2. Visitors will be able to experience interactive exhibits as well as see the belongings of Russia’s once all-powerful royal family. Free Admission.



Monday, Feb. 17


If you haven’t already, don’t forget to visit Expocenter Eurasia’s Favorite Fancy Things event, which began on Feb. 12 and ends today. Top-of-the-line products such as outerwear, home textiles and linens will all be on display.



Tuesday, Feb. 18


Get up to speed at AmCham’s Investment and Legal Seminar this morning starting at 9 a.m. The topic of discussion will be “Legislation and Legal Practice Update for 2013 and Outlook for 2014.” The event will be held at the Paris Conference Hall of the Novotel St. Petersburg Center on Ulitsa Mayakovskovo.


Starting today, LenExpo will be hosting the Fur Trade Fair. Although the coldest season of the year may already be halfway done, those thinking ahead are encouraged to stock up for future winters.


The Corinthia Hotel will be the site of the CIS Wealth Conference and Expo over the next two days. Products and services related to banking, financial planning, asset management and tax consulting will be available to attendees hoping to gain an advantage in the modern business world of these emerging economies.