ST. PETERSBURG – THE CITY OF CULTURE

 

St. Petersburg is the cultural capital of Russia. Tourists from all over the world visit it all year round. What can you tell them about it? In a group brainstorm for ideas.

 

LISTENING

 

Exercise 2. Watch a video Travel Guide of St. Petersburg in Russia using the following Internet resource: http://on.aol.com/video/travel-guide-of-st--petersburg-in-russia-516939762

Exercise 3. Answer the questions.

1. What historical facts are given about St. Petersburg?

2. What is said about people who live in St. Petersburg?

3. What places of interest are described in the video?

4. What was the city called throughout its history?

5. How many bridges are there in St. Petersburg?

 

Exercise 4. Tell about the most famous sights in St. Petersburg using the key words and phrases:

St. Isaac's Cathedral

a) the dome, the highest building, the city's skyline, spectacular view of the city, popular attraction, crowded;

The Peter and Paul Cathedral

b) the first establishment of the city, island, tomb of the czars, church for important ceremonies, open to visitors, 34 tombs;

 

The Hermitage

c) a wonderful museum, 3,5 million tourists, are proud of, the historical power and elegance, famous paintings, no one was allowed, open to the general public.

 

Guided Practice: City Tours

LISTENING

 

Exercise 1. Using the Internet resource http://on.aol.com/video/ watch the following episodes and prepare a 5-minute city tour of St. Petersburg:

 

1. Visit the River Tours in St. Petersburg, Russia The episode deals with places of interest in St. Petersburg. http://www.aol.com/video/visit-the-river-tours-in-st-petersburg-russia/516939764/

 

2. Visit St. Michael's Palace in St. Petersburg. http://www.aol.com/video/visit-st-michaels-palace-in-st-petersburg/256547063/

 

3. Visit the Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg. Built by Peter the Great with the purpose of defense, this fortress is the first pivotal structure of St. Petersburg. Initially a fortress, then a political prison for almost two centuries and now an ensemble of architecture, engineering, and history. The cathedral bell tower which was first to be constructed is nearly 125 meters tall. http://on.aol.com/video/visit-the-peter-and-paul-fortress-in-saint-petersburg--russia-256547259

 

4. Visit the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg.  http://www.aol.com/video/visit-the-winter-palace-in-st-petersburg-russia/438363169/

 

5. Top 5 Travel Attractions of St. Petersburg, Russia http://www.aol.com/video/top-5-travel-attractions-of-st-petersburg-russia/368062601/

Exercise 2. Prepare your tour in Power Point and present it to the group.

Exercise 3. Read the article about St. Petersburg's White Nights. Use the link:

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/Travel/st-petersburgs-magical-white-nights/story?id=10989752#.UVCarzc2TVA Answer the questions:

 

1. What do foreigners say about people in St. Petersburg?

2. When does the city enjoy White Nights?

3. Why do visitors to St. Petersburg often express frustration? How does the city address this problem?

4. What does "Scarlet Sails" event celebrate?

5. What can people see during the show?

 

Exercise 4. Using the Internet resource http://www.amazon.com find a book Russia – Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs and culture by Anna King MPhil. Read the Introduction to the book (pp. 8-9) and answer the questions:

 

1. What kind of country is Russia?

2. What are some stereotypical impressions of Russia?

3. What is unique, tragic and unpredictable in Russia?

4. What questions do travellers to Russia often ask?

5. What is the purpose of the book?

6. Who is the book for?

 

Exercise 5. Using the Internet resource http://www.amazon.com find a book Sunlight at Midnight: St. Petersburg and the Rise of Modern Russia by W. Bruce Lincoln. Read the Prologue of the book (pp. 1-11). Match the points with the page(s) where you can find this information:

 

	page (s)
a) The metaphorical meaning of St. Petersburg as a “window” through which technology and new ideas could flow.	1
b) The way St. Petersburg projected a vision of imperial invincibility across Eurasia.	2
c) The way of thinking, lifestyle and attitude to progress and technology in Russia in the 17th century.	3
d) The reasons for the “mystique” character of the city.	4
e) The names St. Petersburg has been given throughout its history.	5
f) The meaning of St. Petersburg for people living there at any time between the reign of Peter the Great and the present day.	5,6
g) The soul of St. Petersburg.	6
h) Russian writers, painters, composers and thinkers in the search for “the meaning” of St. Petersburg.	8
i) Industrial Revolution and World War I.	9
j) The siege of Leningrad.	9,1
k) Moscow versus St. Petersburg under Stalin's dictatorship.	11

 

Exercise 6. Read the Prologue of the book (pp. 1-11) again and write down the key information about each point above.

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