The Scot who served three tsars
Number 74 English Embankment is an old house in the Russian classical style where a remarkable Scottish doctor lived. From the outside, the house seems unremarkable for such a remarkable man. But
its previous owner Sir James Wylie was physician to three tsars: Paul I, Alexander I and Nicholas I.
ART
The art that came in from the cold
An exhibition currently at the Central Hall of the Union of Russian Artists, marks St Petersburg artist Valery Lukka's 50th anniversary. About 200 works offer an impressive painterly range as well as relate to some "heroic" pages of not too distant Soviet history and opposition to the then official art in Leningrad.
An Olympic effort
The majestic halls of Nevsky Prospect's Anitchkov Palace were turned into art studios on Saturday as 120 St Petersburg school children took up the paintbrush and easel for a good cause. It was all part of the Children's Olympic Art Initiative or Atlanta Project which will help children around the world use their creative talents for the benefit of themselves and others.
PERFORMING ARTS
Music to move you to tears
Russian Orthodox tradition holds that God should only be worshipped with the purity of the male voice. Be that as it may, a trip to the St Petersburg Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall next Wednesday will at least convince you that the male voice is an extremely powerful and spiritual instrument.
RESTAURANT REVIEW: A place to glow in the dark
A snap decision on a typical St Petersburg cold and windy autumn evening led us to the Staroye Kafe and a meal that left us glowing with happiness for days.
ROCK & JAZZ MUSIC
The Fab Four meet the Queen, and they will rock you
The Royal Family will be flying into St Petersburg from England on Sunday, November 12 for an offical engagement. While graciously giving an audience to several thousand people, their majesties will be introduced to the Fab Four when they will probably go completely Ga Ga in what promises to be a Hard Days Night to remember.
