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The Trans-Siberian Railway: A Multi-Part Journey with Vadim Malinovsky

The Trans-Siberian Railway: A Multi-Part Journey with Vadim Malinovsky


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The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest in the world, spanning nearly 6000 miles across eight time zones from Moscow to Vladivostok in the Russian Far East. Completed in 1916, the massive trip takes a minimum of seven days.
Join a historian on this five-part virtual train journey, each lecture devoted to the architectural, historical, and natural highlights of the principal stops along this legendary route. We’ll journey from Moscow to Kazan, to examine the different ethnic groups of the Volga River, to Yekaterinburg to learn its great history and why the Urals region is called the “Heart of Russia made of Steel”. We’ll venture onwards to Siberia where we’ll spend time in its main cities including Novosibirsk, the capital of the region. Towards the final stages of our trip, we’ll head to Irkutsk and Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world. We will finish our journey in Vladivostok, Far East.
Led by historian Vadim Malinovsky–who himself has recently completed the full cross-country trip–our journey will provide an understanding of the mythical diversity of Russia’s many regions, and their historical roots. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an appetite for Russia beyond Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Lecture 1. Kazan: Where Europe meets Asia
We will start off our journey with an overview of the Trans-Siberian Railway. We’ll discuss its history as well as the types of trains we can take to do this legendary route. Our first stop on the way to the Far East will be the Republic of Tatarstan (Tartaria) and Kazan, its capital. Kazan is the ideal place to see the intersection of Russia’s varying cultures and religions with its great fusion of Orthodox and Islamic architecture, and Russian and Tatar culture. The region is known as the crossroads of civilizations where Europe meets Asia.
Lecture 2. Yekaterinburg and the Urals: Heart of Russia Made of Steel
Yekaterinburg is the capital of the Ural Mountains region. It is one of the main industrial centers of the country as well as the city with a great history of two important historical characters. The first one is the emperor of the Russian Empire Nicholas the Second who was murdered there in 1918. We will see the church built on the place of his murder that became an important attraction for religious Russians. On the other hand, there is a very important museum dedicated to Boris Yeltsin, the first president of independent Russia, and his reforms.
Lecture 3. Siberia and Novosibirsk: Silicon Valley of Russia
Siberia is an enormous region of Russia with great natural highlights and reserves. Except for national parks, we will visit Omsk, the city that played an important role during the Civil War in Russia. The main destination of Siberia is Novosibirsk, the capital of the region, the city that was founded in 1893 during the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Nowadays it is the third most populated city of Russia with the largest opera house in the country and a scientific center in the middle of the taiga, we call it Russian Silicon Valley.
Lecture 4. Irkutsk and Baikal Lake: World’s Natural Wonder
Lake Baikal is the must-see highlight of the whole Trans-Siberian route. We will talk about this majestic lake that has more than 20% of the world’s freshwater. Baikal railway, islands, entertainment, and cultural difference between two sides of the lake: Russian Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia that is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Russia.
Lecture 5. Vladivostok and the Far East: The Edge of Russia
We will finish our journey traveling through the Russian Far East with its geysers, volcanos, and mystical lunar landscapes. The key city of the region is Vladivostok, the last city on the route. Vladivostok is the main city and seaport of the Russian Far East that can amaze visitors with its natural beauty, lighthouses, and bridges. The bridge leading to the Island “Russian” is the symbol of the Far East of the 21st century. We’ll finish up with a discussion on how the Trans-Siberian railway is reflected in Russian culture and mentality.

Vadim is a historian (MA) who has graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University. His focus is contemporary Russian history. He is working on a PhD dissertation on Stalin's national policy.

How does it work?
This is a five-part journey series held on consecutive weeks and hosted on Zoom. Please check the schedule for the specific dates and times for each lecture.
How long are the lectures?
Each lecture is 90 minutes long with time for Q&A. 
How much is the journey?
$175 for five 90-minute lectures.
Is a recording available?
Yes, a recording of each session will be emailed to attendees within 24 hours of the course's conclusion.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 77 reviews
91%
(70)
6%
(5)
1%
(1)
1%
(1)
0%
(0)
K
K.S. (London, GB)
Interesting course on cities and places I didn't know

Great virtual tour of this part of Russia

L
L. (Wichita, US)
A great trip with a great guide

It was very well organized. He presented a multifaceted tour: the geography, history, politics and wonderfully , a bit of music on and off. Loved it!!!!

H
H.J. (Ottawa, CA)
interesting session

very interesting session

L
L. (Lynchburg, US)
Wonderful series

This series was an excellent guide to the varied Russian geography, government, culture and more

P
P.M. (Miami Beach, US)
I learned so much

This was an amazingly well-prepared program. The presentation was supported by facts, videos, map and Vadim was a compelling speaker and very comfortable with the technology. I would highly recommend.

Customer Reviews

Based on 77 reviews
91%
(70)
6%
(5)
1%
(1)
1%
(1)
0%
(0)
K
K.S. (London, GB)
Interesting course on cities and places I didn't know

Great virtual tour of this part of Russia

L
L. (Wichita, US)
A great trip with a great guide

It was very well organized. He presented a multifaceted tour: the geography, history, politics and wonderfully , a bit of music on and off. Loved it!!!!

H
H.J. (Ottawa, CA)
interesting session

very interesting session

L
L. (Lynchburg, US)
Wonderful series

This series was an excellent guide to the varied Russian geography, government, culture and more

P
P.M. (Miami Beach, US)
I learned so much

This was an amazingly well-prepared program. The presentation was supported by facts, videos, map and Vadim was a compelling speaker and very comfortable with the technology. I would highly recommend.