It is a pleasure for me to announce that my mate Alexandra’s mega-project of the last four or five years, the book on the relationship between the Common eider and Man, has its end in sight. My role was that of a translator and occasionally a lightning rod for the outbursts of the author’s anger at the world dearing to interfere with the process.
Below is a letter from Alexandra to all those interested in acquiring the book or perhaps helping financially in its printing.
An article on the history of eider farming attempts in the USSR, written by my mate Alexandra (and translated by me) has very recently come out in an Environmental and Society Portal “Arcadia“.
Comments that you can leave under the article are welcomed and invited.
To read “Eider Farming Attempts in the USSR and Why These Failed” proceed here.
Yesterday drove through 250km of snow and blizzard on the insistent request of my mate, who apparently needed some variety to clear her head off the eider thoughts. If anybody does not know, she is intensely working on a book on the relationship between humans and eider ducks. Sometimes that results in brain overheat, thus the need for a cooling trip once in a while.
Site admins Pasha and Alexandra sincerely wish you a belated (or upcoming if you are Orthodox) merry Christmass and a happy New Year, and hope to see you around these places.
Sunday early morning we are off to Murmansk to do a presentation of two books: The Trip to Kolvitsa and A Singer from Chapoma.
The Trip to Kolvitsa, partly prepared by Alexandra, is about the history of the village of Kolvitsa on the south edge of the Kola Peninsula. The book cobmines reminiscences of Kolvitsa old-timers, photos from their family archives, documents from the Murmansk archive and Local History Museum.
A Singer from Chapoma was compiled by the local history expert Stanislav Borodkin and the Kola Center for Wild Nature Preservation. The book contains interviews with people who knew singer Avgusta Vladimirovna Alexeyeva (Suryadova),and the texts of her songs.
The event is held on Nov. 15 at 3pm at the Central City Library at Kolsky prospekt 93.
Apart from having translated the preface to “Kolvitsa” I have nothing to do with lofty literature and am off to Murmansk in the capacity of a humble driver for Alexandra &Co.
Priroda (“Nature)” No. 10, 2015, pages 57-67.
The widely circulating legend that St. Cuthbert patronized the Eider and wrote nature protection laws is analyzed and refuted as not being based on any documented sources.
Here is the pdf of Alexandra’s article >>
Let me use this opportunity to remind the world that Alexandra can be hired for any job requiring information search and processing, including archive work.
Introducing Dimitry Lapa, a translator, a religious history expert, and a programmer. He has greatly helped Alexandra by consulting her for her article on British church history, and I’m trying to return the favour. Here is a summary based on his resume and our correspondence:
Education: Two degrees, one is mathematician-programmer, and another religious studies.
Native Russian, fluent professional English, some German.
Over 100 publications.
But he is out of work. He is blind.
Above: Dimitry in London
It is Alexandra’s and mine idea to tell the world about him. Please read the text below that consists of fragments of his resume and correspondence with Alexandra. Just read and make a note there is such a person. Who is not asking money from anyone nor shouting around about his situation. He is just a well-qualified expert who wants to find a job to make a living. Perhaps one of you happens to be in a position to help, thus..
I can’t invite you into this country. I can’t tell you how beautiful here. I do not agree with the policy of Russia, and I’m terrified of what’s happening here. I can not change what is happening in Russia. But I was born here and I am ashamed for this country.
We are still ready to provide our services if you decide to visit the north-west Russia. But I have no moral right to actively invite you here.
A video from the murder scene >>
Volostnaya Hill, about 2 kilometers from the city and 350 meters above sea level. Such incredible colours can be seen only in September.
