Thread: If I was to take a trip to Russia

Originally Posted by laxxy

svr: I think it would do much good for you if you didn't try using quite so many words whose exact meaning you are not sure about your stuff is rather hard to read as it is

Laxxy, good advice. If I were Svar's English professor, I would strongly limit his use of some vocabulary, until he developed context understanding, and how to use words in different situations.

Svar, I speak sincerely now, to try to help you with English-speakers... some of your vocabulary and your context could easily start arguments, maybe fights, in some situations. I've had similar problems when I lived in Moscow and Petersburg. Also trying to translate "word-for-word" between languages is very bad... many misunderstandings.

Originally Posted by laxxy

Dobry: Note that svr didn't say anything about Chehov or Bulgakov, he was talking specifically about Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky... I definitely agree with him about those two. That's just me, of course But I think however much substance you have, you can't really be called a great writer if you do not have style (the inverse is possible though). And, at least with Dostoyevsky, there are major issues with substance as well.
And I do think we can call Pelevin a modern classic of Russian literature already. Just like we can call smo. like Gaiman a modern classic of English literature.

Yes, I agree. Again, I was not limiting good Russian writers to only a few. My idea is that for each person... each of us... there are writers who will speak to some of us in their writings... and there are writers who will not speak to some of us in their writings. Personally, I don't like Tolstoy's writings... but Dostoevsky has taught me very much about humanity, and myself.

I felt...believed that Svar was saying I should not read many Russian writers,because I was not Russian, and therefore I could never know what the writers were saying... or who the good writers are. This I felt was offensive to my intelligence.

This was my first understanding of Svar's posts. I believe now this was a mistake, and misunderstanding.

Originally Posted by laxxy

Thinking about it, a few years back I saw a horrendous avant-garde Russian movie about a guy walking through the Hermitage. I think it was probably the worst, most stupid, boring and stereotypical movie I've seen in my life. But after that I've talked to an American lady who was actually quite impressed and excited about it showing Russian soul and all...

Here, this movie is named, "The Arc"... very famous and popular here. Funny... I thought it was a good movie, and my ex-wife (Belarussian), it pleased her very much. I have spent MANY hours and days in the Hermitage, and this movie gives me good memories.

Some people like potatoes... others like carrots.

Originally Posted by laxxy

I think it happens quite often that things that are not that popular at home appeal greatly to foreigners. e.g. Patricia Kaas, a French singer who was rather obscure at home, was a cultural phenomenon in Russia at one time. I personally like Japanese 演歌 music (think Kill Bill), that most Japanese of my age and below find utterly boring...

This reminds me of "Konstantine"... an American movie with Keanu Reeves that was very popular in Europe... I do not understand... not a good movie.

But one of the best American movies is "The Shawshank Redemption"... with Timothy Robbins, and Morgan Freeman...about a man wrongfully sent to prison, his life in prison, and then his escape.

Many of my my Russian friends only think of this movie, for the escape, and the cleverness of the escape... but for many Americans it is a symbol, a metaphor, for the hope and freedom we keep in our souls, during very bad and difficult times. "Hope may be the best of things." Vey much part of the "American Spirit."

But whatever culture or country, each of us gain something from the art of each other. Good art, literature, music, or poetry contain universal gifts, truths for everyone... from all languages and cultures.

A poem from Walt Whitman... one of America's most famous poets... I know it may be difficult for non-native English speakers... but very important, powerful, strong...

O ME! O life!... of the questions of these recurring;
Of the endless trains of the faithless—of cities fill’d with the foolish;
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light—of the objects mean—of the struggle ever renew’d;
Of the poor results of all—of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me;
Of the empty and useless years of the rest—with the rest me intertwined;
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.

That you are here—that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.