RUSSIA is full of character and rich with cultural and historical essence. From the period of ancient Russia and the Mongols to the emergence of Moscow, tsars, Napoleon’s invasion, and the revolution that marked the end of the Romanovs.
The era of the Soviet Union took over until 1990 when the declaration of independence was issued by its republic constituent. By December 31, the Russian tri-coloured flag fluttered atop the Kremlin and the second widely professed religion in Russia has been Islam from 1990 onwards – this information triggered my interest in visiting this country during the end of spring a few years ago.
We went through the era by exploring the various sections of Moscow and were able to experience the rich, distinguished look and feel of the country; it was if we were traveling through time.
Among that which should not to be missed when in Moscow is visiting the beautiful metro stations that began operation in 1935 during the rule of Stalin, known as the iron-fisted leader at that time. The architects were instructed to build the station so that embodied svet (radiance or brilliance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future).
Its architecture of reflective marble walls, high ceilings and the grandeur of the chandeliers gave more of an impression of being within a state of the art gallery rather than a metro station. The most popular stations visited are Novoslobodskaya, Mayakovskaya, Elektrozavodskaya, Park Pobedy, Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Prospekt Mira, and Komsomolskaya.
Other places of interest include the Kremlin, Red Square, Tretyakov State Gallery, Pushkin Museum, Ismailovo Market, Ivan the Great Bell Tower, State Historical Museum, Alexander Garden, Moscow Hermitage Garden, Cat Theatre, and the Gallery of Russian Ice Sculpture.
If you’re enthusiastic about experiencing the local atmosphere, watching a Russian folktale of how the beautiful and graceful princess, Odette turned into a black swan due to an evil sorcerer’s curse is one way. I viewed the storyline as one about how a human being with the responsibility to govern four kingdoms must protect the kingdoms from evil forces by conquering with good values and virtues. This can only be done through acquiring the true knowledge and has to be based on the ultimate source of knowledge – al-Qur’an and as-sunnah of Rasulullah (SAW).
Oh yes! Do not worry about a halal food supply. Supermarkets like Azbuka Vkusa has a pretty huge section dedicated to selling halal beef and chicken if you wish to prepare home cooked meals. We did that.
Добро пожаловать в Москве, Россия – Welcome to Moscow, Russia!
