BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Polish Culture Going to a concert!

Carl - I doubt I have the necessary credentials to just waltz into the Voice of Russia headquarters. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Adam - Russian economic experts are speculating that if the ruble were to become 100% convertible today, the rate would change dramatically in Russia's favor... instead of almost 30 rubles to the dollar, it would immediately become 15 rubles to the dollar. However, Russia's Central Bank is very nervous about any big moves, and the government wants to make sure the necessary legislation is in place. No one has forgotten 1998 yet.

Eric, enter Voice of Russia building in Moscow, ask receptionist to call Elena Frolovskaya or Yuri Reshetnikov, and mention my name: Carl Zimmerman, Teaneck, NJ USA. That's all you need to do. Carl

So with the price of a barrel of oil around 60 dollars - Russia gets 60 x 30 rubles = 1800 rubles for one barrel. In case of 'a dramatic change in Russia's favour' you mention it will get 60 x 15 = 900 rubles. Well... if I am right and if Kremlin still gets its taxes in rubles and pays budget dues in rubles - I wouldn't call such a dramatic change 'in favour of Russia'. In other words - I tend to think that if ruble is still not fully exchangeable in the open market - it just cannot be without the ruin of Russian economy. Furthermore - please note that the strong currency is not so univocally 'in favour' of the economy. Especially if the economy is based on export of crude materials on one hand, on the other needs foreign investment badly.

Adam - You do not need to worry. The Russian government will still make plenty of money from oil. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

However, since I'm not an economist, I'm perhaps not the best person to discuss economic matters with. I can only tell you what I read in the news.

Got it. However I would expect a bright represantative of the young generation to think NOW about the time when the oil's gone or when the world ceases to need it (most probably the latter will come sooner). Or -you just leave it all to China, ha ha ha (copyright - Jerzy, ha, ha , ha , ha)

Honestly, I can't say it is a lingering thought in my mind what will happen in 50 years when the oil runs out. Other people are paid to worry about that. Me, my only concerns are classes and will I set fire to my kitchen the next time I try to cook something. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What kind of music do they do? My last concert was the Bette Middler Concert, "Kiss My Brass" Greatshow, and before that was Cher. I tried getting a ticket for Rolling Stones but the only tickets available in my price range were sold out. I could have gone to Albany or Toronto concerts. This more than likely will be their last as the boys are getting old. I wouldn'g go above 150.00. Concert tickets are getting way out of hand. then figure in T-Shirt, Souvenier program etc.

Concerts in Russia are extraordinarily expensive, too, especially in the major cities. In the Soviet times, concert prices were fixed by the government, and even front-row seats for the most popular performers cost no more than a couple of rubles. Today, however, concert prices sometimes are higher than in the United States, despite much lower salaries!

"Mashina Vremeni" performs a combination of rock-pop-folk... that's the best way I can describe it. Maybe you can find some examples of their songs on the internet?

Well took much searching and all my hits came up in Russian. Most of the text was ??????? as it could not translate the letters but I did mangae to find this and listened to Cher on list. Tell me if I am listening to the group.

http://www.mashina-vremeni.com/index.htm

Yes, these are their songs, and most of them were sung at the concert. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My favorite is "Povorot" ("A turning").