MacShane, Putin and Sochi

I read the comments of British MP Denis MacShane that current Russian Prime Minister Putin should not be welcome at the London Olympics.  I am very disappointed about this.  Mr. MacShane has a history of colorful and outrageous claims, so this appears to be a move to grab headlines for political gain.

Mr. MacShane compares his stand to Margaret Thatcher's towards the Moscow Olympics in 1980.  This betrays his Cold War mentality.  The Soviet Union no longer exists.  And Russian citizens enjoy freedoms that Soviet citizens never had.  Russian citizens vote, they own property and businesses, they are free to express their opinions ( I see this every day on the streets and online).  They have international passports and are free to travel abroad.  

Of course, the Olympic boycott in 1980 had no effect other than to disappoint thousands of athletes and millions of spectators.  

Never mind this, Mr. MacShane seems to say.  He seeks to politicize several well-known deaths and to place blame at the feet of Mr. Putin.  Mr, Putin is not a dictator and he does not know and control all.  On the contrary, there are many competing interests in this country.  Russia is not the only nation with perceived shortcomings, it is just the one most frequently pointed to.  For instance, many in Russia viewed the United Kingdom's participation in the invasion of Iraq and the resulting calamity for its people as illegal and immoral.  However, the Olympic Games in London are going on with Russian participation, despite hundreds of thousands of deaths and refugees.  Russian authorities rightly concluded that the Olympic movement is above politics.  

Watching events unfold here in Sochi, I see that Russia is doing all in its power to assure the best and safest possible Olympic experience for athletes and spectators from around the world.  The Olympic Village and Mountain Cluster will have the most compact design ever and will be the most technologically advanced of any of the Olympic Games.  Russia is building a world class mountain resort and venues for international competitions for years to come.  I hope the world focuses on that rather than Mr. MacShane and his divisive comments.  

Sochi New Year

I flew to Sochi on New Year's Eve, arriving at about 11 a.m.  The skies around Sochi were clear and the approach to the airport offered great views of the snow-covered Caucasus Mountains.  Later, on the ground, there was less traffic than usual.  Businesses were closed and people seemed to be preparing for New Year's revelries.  

Caucasus Mountains from Sochi Airport

That evening, restaurants and clubs were booked with celebrants.  Administration Square in the city center had a concert and fireworks display.  There were dozens of fireworks displays all over the city. This site has some great photos.

Fireworks Display- New Year's Eve

Orothodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7, so the holiday season in Russia and in Sochi will include this week.  Sochi's streets are quiet and most businesses are closed.

Happy New Year!

Rosa Khutor Opens

Rosa Khutor

 Rosa Khutor opened today, December 24, for skiing and snowboarding.  The gondolas across the mountain brought skiers up to enjoy the snow that has been falling for the last few weeks.  Locals have been looking forward to this for weeks and the recent showing of the snowboard film, The Art of Flight, had many people primed to take to the mountains.

Rosa Khutor Ski Area

New Video of Sochi

Please take a look at this new video posted of Sochi:  A Day in the life of the Olympic City, Sochi.  The video was shot by Nina Zotina and Artur Lebedev and edited by Dmitri Buenkov.  Original music for the video was composed by Pavel Lesnevsky and Alexey Khevelev, co-written by Eugene Kuznetsov.

 

Sochi Posters

Mephisto Waltz - Performance at the Winter Theater

I am interested in poster art and posters can be an effective way to reach an audience.  I have long had an interest in political posters, including from the Spanish Civil War and World War II,  as well as those  advertising films. 

Recently, I have noticed posters displayed in Sochi to advertise musical and theatrical events and also to convey messages of public health.  Sochi is using both informative posters in public places, like bus stops, to tell people that smoking is forbidden there and posters with a bigger message that warn of the dangers of smoking.  There are several dramatic examples of those around the city.

In a nation with a large number of smokers, I am glad to see that the city is taking an interest in reducing public smoking and in educating of the dangers.  

You Are A Hostage!-  Smoking Smoothly Kills You