In 1697, Peter the Great, Tsar of the emerging Russian Empire, set off on his ‘Great Embassy’, a trip to Western Europe which, Peter hoped, would further expose him to Western ...
Like many others, Dostoevsky condemned me to the study of Russian. I am inclined to believe it is impossible to understand his genius without understanding his faith; none of ...
Jēkabpils is a small ‘city’ (a town, by most standards), situated on the Daugava River about halfway between Riga and Daugavpils. Two hours and 5 euros by bus from Riga, it is ...
My third visit in less than a year. Riga, I concede; this has become something of a romance. How did you do it? Was it those long summer nights, riding bolt ...
My internship with Liden and Denz has come to an end; in fact, I am already back down under (Australia). It is hot here; yesterday it was forty degrees, and a thunderstorm ...
A few weeks ago I invited you to witness the Christmas Liturgy in the Orthodox Cathedral here in Riga. Today, I would like to introduce you to Janis Pommers (1876-1934), ...
In a recent post we looked at the beautiful and beautifully honest personal diary of Leo Tolstoy. Today, we are looking at the diary of another giant of Russian literature; ...
When I arrived to my share flat in Riga last summer (which was organised by Liden & Denz), I met with a bloke from the Czech Republic. It was five in the evening. We ...
Today we are at Riga's best Olympic-sized swimming pool, "RTU Kipsalis." The pool is located over the river, 17 minutes from Liden & Denz by bus, and it features ...
Tolstoy’s diaries are a valuable source for anyone seeking to better understand the sweeping humanity which distinguishes his novels; that irresistible sense that one is ...
Друзья, today we are in LIDO, the place I call second home in this country because it is, and especially in winter, a place of calm refuge, warmth, familiarity and yes, of ...
The Cathedral this morning (Jan 12)
A favourite moment in the film Good Will Hunting is when Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) asks Will Hunting (Matt Damon) whether all ...
