MIR Corporation's Travel Log:
Volga River Cruise with the Russian National Orchestra
Join veteran MIR client Moonyeen Albrecht on a cruise from Moscow through some of Russia's lesser-known Volga River towns, accompanied by a soundtrack from the world-famous Russian National Orchestra.
Days 2-3: Volgograd
May 6-7, 2008 We arrived in Volgograd late Tuesday afternoon. This was our first view of our teplokhod - the Peter Tchaikovsky.
Around 6:15 p.m. we left for the concert hall which was just a short walk from the boat dock to hear our first concert on the tour. The Russian National Orchestra was conducted on this tour by its founder, Mikhail Pletnev (pronounced Plyet-NYOV). The program was Beethoven's Symphony No 6 (The Pastorale) and Prokofiev's Symphony No. 7. The enthusiastic audience coaxed an encore from the ensemble: Prokofiev: Capriccio on Gypsy Themes. The next morning we began our tour of Volgograd. During WW II (The Great Patriotic War to Russians) Volgograd was known as Stalingrad. Under Stalin, the city became heavily industrialized and was developed as a centre of heavy industry and trans-shipment by rail and river. During World War II (Great Patriotic War), the city of Stalingrad became the center of the Battle of Stalingrad as well as the pivotal turning point in the war against Germany. The battle lasted from August 21, 1942 to February 2, 1943. 1.7 million to 2 million Axis and Soviet soldiers were either killed, wounded or captured, as well as over 40,000 civilians killed. The city was reduced to rubble during the fierce fighting, but reconstruction began soon after the Germans were expelled from the city. For the heroism shown during the battle, Stalingrad was awarded the title Hero City in 1945, and King George VI of the United Kingdom awarded the citizens of Stalingrad a jeweled sword in appreciation of the bravery that they had shown. A memorial complex commemorating the battle, dominated by an immense allegorical sculpture of Mother Russia, was erected on the Mamayev Kurgan, a hill that saw some of the most intense fighting during the battle. We toured Volgograd on May 6th. Russians celebrate May 9th as Victory Day and so Moscow, Volgograd and the other cities were still planning for Victory Day festivities. Of course, almost every city has a monument to an unknown soldier and other commemorations of valor during the war, and we saw an eternal flame being guarded by schoolchildren. If you are interested in the Battle of Stalingrad, watch the movie "Enemy at the Gates." It is an American film starring Jude Law and Ed Harris. It is based on a true story. The first 40 minutes of this film are harrowing! During the course of our city tour we learned that there was no bridge across the river at Volgograd. We were surprised because it is such an important and large city. Back on board the ship we left for Saratov at 2:00 p.m. Photos from this leg of the tour:
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