ST. PETERSBURG

group in front of the Catherine Palace

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As in previous years, the European Women’s Circle organised a politico-cultural trip in 2010. In June 20 participants travelled to St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great as “Window to the West” 300 years ago! This capital of a Great Power was built into the Neva River’s delta within an extremely short time span and with great human sacrifices. Crisscrossed by canals, the grand palaces of the nobility and magnificent churches always emanated a western atmosphere. The tsars’ grandeur becomes apparent in the world-famous State Hermitage Museum with its countless treasures and in the summer residencies Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof Palace. After the Russian Revolution, Moscow became once again the capital of Russia and St. Petersburg lost its significance as seat of the western-oriented potentates. Not only the Russian people but also the building fabric of the city has suffered under Communist rule. The western lifestyle has been adopted by the people once again after the political and economic change. Until the fall of the Iron Curtain the social status of women was completely different from that in Western Europe. In talks with the director of a western institution in St. Petersburg it became apparent that the problematic situation of the average people and especially of women has deep-seated economic and political reasons. Still today, it cannot be compared to that of Western Europe with respect to its type and expansiveness.

The extensive cultural programme included the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, the State Hermitage Museum, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, and visits to the Catherine Palace in Pushkin with its famous Amber Room, to Peterhof Palace, and to different parts of the historic city centre. The season of the White Nights illuminated the city in its special way during the evenings.

This trip left the participants with a multitude of deep impressions.

Russia
Russia

Tsarskoye Selo

Peterhof Palace

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