Page established Feb. 2 2005

  Feb. 2, 2005

No English spoken here. None at all. No temptation for weak-willed and undisciplined you. Further, I am quite prepared to revive the tradition of using birch twigs as a teaching aid.

With the exception of me, however, local villagers are friendly and patient, and will enjoy speaking with you for hours. In this cold and sparsely populated land people are ready to extend hospitality and friendship to just about anyone.

Looking for good solid slightly old-fashioned Russian? Staritsa is the place. You will even be able to find true sensu bono illiterates who, in their remote villages, speak as their grandfathers did a century ago.

On the present-day literary scene our humble little Staritsa stands out out as a city of writers. Most women, who belong to the local social elite write and publish serious poetry.

Schools and courses will teach you correct and functional Russian. Here however, by immersing yourself into the atmosphere of an ancient Russian town, you will develop the sense of style. And once you get the style, the grammar and even the meaning will look after themselves. (Here I'm paraphrasing someone great, possibly Northrop Fray.)

Formal lessons, should you wish to take them to supplement your natural learning, are very inexpensive. The standard tutoring rate here is 50 roubles ($1.50) per hour.

In addition to Russian take advantage of a good music school in Staritsa. Learn the fundamentals of making beautiful sounds. Language itself, poetry, and singing will combine organically, enhance each other, and turn your learning of Russian into a memorable experience.

And, of course, I encourage Russian and foreign guests who come to my dacha to ride horses and enjoy other wholesome countryside fun to socialize, make friends, and exchange language skills. So far it has been happening informally. In the summer of 2005 I will put a conscious effort into attracting the right people and encouraging pleasant and effective language exchange.

Write me about coming to Staritsa to learn Russian.

Pasha