Corsica and GR20

Grand Randonnée (great walk) 20 is a 180km long hiking track through Corsica from north till south. I walked five days on this beautiful track starting from the north – only a one third or fourth of the whole GR20.

Rodric Braithwaite – Afgantsy (2011, Profilebooks)

Afgantsy (“Afgans” in Russian, or Soviet soldiers who served in Afganistan) is very well informed history of Soviet invasion in Afganistan that one is reading in the context of current conflict. Braithwaite was UK Ambassador in Moscow in 1988-92 and has long experience on Russia. Braithwaite has written the book in such a delicate way that, while reading the book, one compares Soviet and US/ISAF presence in Afganistan but this does not burden the text too much. The lessons from Soviet intervention do not promise much for the current operation and it all seems to follow same patters.

The book shows how the Soviets analysed and understood clearly beforehand how difficult operation in Afganistan would be, however, the decision to intervene was taken and war was supposed to be short – just to depose “difficult” leader, fix the situation and leave. The Soviet Vietnam ground on from 1979 until 1989.

Braithwaite takes an understanding view on Russians in Afganistan which makes book more interesting but raises some doubts. The anecdotes and different viewpoints make book very interesting. But then at some details one starts to wonder if Braithwaite is understanding Soviets too much and playing down human right abuses. Difficult to tell. According to Braithwaite, some claims on Soviet brutalities – such as dropping mines looking like childrens toys – were made up by the West.

All in all, this book is timely as clock is ticking for troops to get out from Afganistan.

Alain Mabanckou

I was reading on summer holidays two books by Congolese (smaller one, Congo-Brazzaville) writer Alain Mabanckou: Verre Cassé (2005) and African Psycho (2003). Both are also translated into English. I learned about him from The Economist. Mabanckou was born in Congo, studied partly in France and currently seems to work in University of California. Mabanckou is a sort of African Rabelais – grotesque stories involve mixed lot of African immigrants and parody French of society. Mabanckou’s language, play with words and grotesque characters are enjoyable – good stuff.

Amin Malouf – Le dérègrelement du monde (2009)

Amin Malouf is an author born in Lebanon, moved to Paris in 1970s and is writing in French. Also a member of Académie Française. Malouf’s book is a long essay on the contemporary world’s loss of identity, common values and governability. Common story of world (politics, environment, financial system etc.)  becoming too complicated, inter-dependable and with no clear system of global governance. In face of this new complicated and fragmented world, the countries/civilisations have lost their energy. Malouf’s book begins with interesting ideas and enjoyable french rhetorics. There is interesting idea about cold war world with two clear ideological camps and, in contrast, the current world with different groups bound by identity without any common reference point. With ideas like this Malouf gives a promise about some fascinating solutions to modern day dilemmas. However, as pages go on, Malouf lists different woes of the world. There is of course the clash of civilisations and the conflicts of the Middle-East  The lackluster conclusion seems to be that “we just have to get along with each other”. Malouf raises culture as one key element that can somehow link and unite people. Fine, but you don’t need 300 pages to tell just this.

Diving in Murter, Croatia

Murter is an island and town between Split and Sibenik in Croatia. There are plenty of good dive sites around Murter, also within the National park of Kornati archipelago.

Kornati archipelago

suho zid or “dry walls” crisscrossing barren land

Harbour on Kornatis

Houses in Murter

underwater sceneary

Sunset on Kornatis

diver

below the boats

sea star

sea urchin with some “decoration”

red sea fans in some 30m deep

shallow water and sunlight

sea slugs on coral

who is missing?

Armageddon averted

Just finished Stephen Kotkin’s (2008) book “Armageddon averted – Soviet collapse 1970-2000″. Thoughtful analysis of the Soviet collapse and rise of new Russia. Interesting point that Soviet power started to decay already during 1970s when it was thought to be in its zenith. Another paradox: during Gorbatchev Soviet state had huge military and security apparatus to try to fight back, but nothing happened – Soviet state just collapsed and soldiers retreated from Eastern Europe. Historical retreat without a fight. Gorbachev believed in Marxism and tried return to its ideals through reforms. Contemporary Russia is mixing market freedom with its authoritarian past, following China’s example, – or as the author puts it: Market Leninism.

Biennale di Venezia

I went to Venice Biennale in 2007 and 2009 – and now its again time to visit new Biennale. Part of it is rubbish, but setting and sheer number of different works is impressive. Also Biennale seeks some political angle, so it is not just art for arts sake.

actually not from biennale, just a shop window

installation

chinese statue

Venice by night

tapistry of Angelo Filomeno

Advertisement by Italian Ministry of Health

Russian installation – hand moving a painting

Nordic pavilion: corpse of an art-collector

French installation – no way out

great installation – night sky and hypnotizing music

Installation of exotic flowers and fruits

African village

Mullah’s banana!

Iraqi motor oil – long life!

Another hypnotizing work – by a chinese artist

Wooden statues, brown stuff is resin