1. Russia Redux • Возвращающаяся Россия

Ulyanovsk (01.2012)

Located on the Volga River about 500 miles east of Moscow, Ulyanovsk [formerly known as Simbirsk] is perhaps best known for being the birthplace and hometown of Vladimir Lenin, the man who would change Russia. Although many still make the pilgrimage to Lenin's homeland, he doesn't draw quite as many tourists as before. A classic Russian fairy tale about the adventures of a bun (yes, a bun) that runs away from its grandparents, which originated in Ulyanovsk, may well be the basis for a re-branding of the city. In an effort to keep the tourists coming, there's a movement under way to promote the city as the birthplace of "The Bun". "The times they are a changing..."
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Driving a 'Top-Top' through the streets of Tatarsky Saiman. <br />
<br />
More than 200 residents of this village drive some kind of homemade vehicle known as 'Top-Tops'. The tradition started more than 50 years ago when it was difficult to purchase a car due to finances & shortages. The head of the village council first made one & it caught on. People would gather parts of discarded, broken-down vehicles & make their own, often assembling their own engines. Now, it's a tradition that villagers are quite proud of. Needless to say, they come in all kinds of configurations.
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Driving a 'Top-Top' through the streets of Tatarsky Saiman.

More than 200 residents of this village drive some kind of homemade vehicle known as 'Top-Tops'. The tradition started more than 50 years ago when it was difficult to purchase a car due to finances & shortages. The head of the village council first made one & it caught on. People would gather parts of discarded, broken-down vehicles & make their own, often assembling their own engines. Now, it's a tradition that villagers are quite proud of. Needless to say, they come in all kinds of configurations.

Татарский Саймантоп топTatarsky SaimanTatar SaimanUlyanovsk regionRussian village lifetop tophomemade vehicleRussian winterrusurusu photography

From Project RuSu 365

  • On the tarmac under heavy snow.
  • Entering the village of Tatarsky Saiman.
  • Braving the elements.
  • Main street of Tatarsky Saiman.
  • Red star rising.
  • A top-top coming down the street in Tatarsky Saiman.
  • Driving a 'Top-Top' through the streets of Tatarsky Saiman. <br />
<br />
More than 200 residents of this village drive some kind of homemade vehicle known as 'Top-Tops'. The tradition started more than 50 years ago when it was difficult to purchase a car due to finances & shortages. The head of the village council first made one & it caught on. People would gather parts of discarded, broken-down vehicles & make their own, often assembling their own engines. Now, it's a tradition that villagers are quite proud of. Needless to say, they come in all kinds of configurations.
  • RT correspondent, Karen Tararache, gets a lift in Tatarsky Saiman.
  • Out for a ride in Tatarsky Saiman.
  • It was a cold, snowy day in Tatarsky Saiman.
  • Check it out!
  • Man working on his top-top.
  • Blue house in the village. Голубень.
  • В гостях у главы поселения в деревне Татарский Сайман. Dining as guests at the home of the head of the village of Tatarsky Saiman.
  • Краевед Петров, который придумал, что Колобок из Ульяновска.
  • A classic Russian fairy tale about the adventures of a bun (yes, a bun) that runs away from its grandparents, may well be the basis for a re-branding of the city of Ulyanovsk. В деревне Колобка. Создётся целый комплекс под Ульяновском - родина Колобка.
  • The Bun's sad grandparents. Колобок убежал от дедушки и бабушки.
  • Decorating 'buns' & matryoshki. Валентина - мастерица росписи колобков и матрёшек.
  • Snegurichka.
  • Buns ready to go into the over.
  • Rick Willis

    on December 17, 2013

    This is Interesting...

  • Rick Willis

    on December 17, 2013

    This is Interesting...

  • nelli

    on April 10, 2012

    Love this one. Could be a Christmas card.

  • Julie

    on April 10, 2012

    Great capture! Should be on a Hallmark card. Made me smile.

  • Hershy

    on April 5, 2012

    So interesting to know how people find ways out of difficulties!

  • Tom Reichert

    on April 4, 2012

    Fantastic

  • Art in Photography

    on April 4, 2012

    What a great shot! And very interesting commentary, too.

  • rdungan

    on April 3, 2012

    Excellent - luv it

  • Ed Murray

    on April 3, 2012

    Terrific shot!!

  • Deborah Irene Glessner

    on April 3, 2012

    This is fabulous!

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