Bridge to Borovichi; American Impressions of a Small Russian City: 1990 - 2005

Rick Marsi (Photographer) Binghamton, NY: Rick Marsi, 2006. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Trade paperback. xv, 2-269, [3] pages. Map. Illustrations. Color images on decorative cover. Signed by the author on the title page. Cover creased and has some wear and soiling. Borovichi is the second largest town in Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located on the Msta River in the northern spurs of the Valdai Hills, 121 miles east of Veliky Novgorod, the administrative center of the oblast. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 53,690. The town of Borovichi contains one cultural heritage monument of federal significance—the arch bridge across the Msta—and additionally ninety-nine objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance. Rick is a freelance writer, photographer, lecturer and outdoor travel consultant. He graduated from Colgate University and is a former Peace Corps Volunteer in India. He also has served as director of Broome County’s Finch Hollow Nature Center. Since 1980, Rick has written a syndicated nature column for Gannett News Service. The column runs each weekend in Ithaca, Elmira and Binghamton, NY newspapers. During his writing career Rick has won 12 Associated Press writing contest awards, including 1st place awards for both column and feature writing. He is a former 1st Place winner in both the Outdoor Writers of America Photo and Writing Contests. This work offers a rare inside look at the natural world surrounding Marsi's adopted city - a lake-bejeweled land of dense spruce and birch forest where Russians escape to hunt mushrooms, catch pike, and make camp under star-studded skies. Wrenched from the ineptitude of Communism to surviving in a free market economy, the citizens of Borovichi, Russia, have endured poverty, violence, uncertainty and social upheaval since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Chronicling their plight during 13 visits to Borovichi between 1990 and 2005, journalist Rick Marsi tells their story in "Bridge to Borovichi. "During the many fortnights he spent in his adopted Russian city, Marsi reached out to meet residents from all walks of life: politicians and painters; butchers and policemen; and the first in a growing number of "new" Russians successful in business. This book documents how a tumultuous 15-year span changed their lives; how they adapted, persisted, despaired and let fate push them forward. Read this book and you'll know Borovichi, a city isolated from Western contact until less than two decades ago. More importantly, you also will make friends with the people who call it their home. Condition: Good.

Keywords: Borovichi, Soviet Union, Russia, Village, Freedom of the Press, Guitars, Nature, River, Sausage, Neil Kashevarov, Novgorod, Cranberry Bog, Draft Horse, Dacha, Jackdaw, Tank Driver, Wounded, Yogia, Bribery, Police Station, Campfire, Binghamton, Sister

ISBN: 1424310911

[Book #85447]

Price: $125.00

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