“I met you & all the past
In the obsolete heart came to life.”

Thank you to the fantastic Angela Hewitt for this remote collaboration. Together we play I Met You. Tyutchev’s poem is thought to have been set to music by Leonid Malashkin (1842-1902). BBC Radio 3 Angela Hewitt

I’ll be away from Russia for a few days. A good moment to recall newspaper vendor Valentina’s story from 2021 about the only time she's been to the seaside. #ValentinasKiosk

“The water came at night. So fast.” Major flooding in Russia and Kazakhstan. Thanks Liza Ben Tavener anton chicherov

Can you spot the odd one out?

Locations for Putin/Lukashenko meetings:

22.02.21 Russia
22.04.21 Russia
28.05.21 Russia
13.07.21 Russia
29.12.21 Russia
18.02.22 Russia
11.03.22 Russia
12.04.22 Russia
16.05.22 Russia
23.05.22 Russia
25.06.22 Russia
26.09.22 Russia
19.12.22…

Today’s Russian newspapers show that, sometimes, criticism of the authorities is allowed in the Russian press. That’s to say, criticism of local authorities, regional authorities…not the Kremlin. Plus, watch to the end for Anglicisms galore. #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian newspapers show that, sometimes, criticism of the authorities is allowed in the Russian press. That’s to say, criticism of local authorities, regional authorities…not the Kremlin. Plus, watch to the end for Anglicisms galore. #ReadingRussia

Valentina, who used to work in the newspaper kiosk down the road, sent me this greeting from Kursk. Thank you Valentina, and thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes last week. #ValentinasKiosk

More than two weeks after the Crocus City concert hall massacre, in Russia attempts to blame Ukraine & the West are intensifying. But why? Some thoughts. bbc.com/news/world-eur…

A report on Russian state TV tonight shows how determined the Russian authorities are to convince the public that Ukraine & the West were behind the Crocus City concert hall massacre.

In Russia-1’s flagship news show ‘News of the Week’ a report showed interrogation videos of the…

Eurovision 2024…on one piano. I try to play (a bit of) all 37 entries. #Eurovision Eurovision Song Contest EBU #Eurovision 2024 BBC Radio 2 BBC Eurovision

Many thanks.

One of my earliest TV memories is ABBA winning Eurovision with Waterloo. That was an astonishing 50 years ago today. As a tribute to one of the greatest Eurovision Song Contest songs – and one of my favourite groups - here’s a reflective version of #Waterloo . EBU #Eurovision

One of my earliest TV memories is ABBA winning Eurovision with Waterloo. That was an astonishing 50 years ago today. As a tribute to one of the greatest Eurovision Song Contest songs – and one of my favourite groups - here’s a reflective version of #Waterloo . EBU #Eurovision

In today’s Russian papers, Russia’s opponents depicted as “forces of the Antichrist” and Russia described as a country “chosen by God.” How Moscow views the world right now. #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers, Russia’s opponents depicted as “forces of the Antichrist” and Russia described as a country “chosen by God.” How Moscow views the world right now. #ReadingRussia

Vladimir Putin today: “Russia cannot be the target of terrorist attacks by Islamic fundamentalists....' And yet, Islamic State has already said it was behind the concert hall attack; & last month the FSB said it killed IS gunmen who were planning to attack a Moscow synagogue.

Vladimir Putin today: “Russia cannot be the target of terrorist attacks by Islamic fundamentalists....' And yet, Islamic State has already said it was behind the concert hall attack; & last month the FSB said it killed IS gunmen who were planning to attack a Moscow synagogue.

The Russian narrative on Nato & the West, summed up today in one interview – and one picture – in one Russian newspaper. #ReadingRussia

As Nato turns 75, one question: could Russia realistically have become a Nato member? Recently former Nato chief Lord Robertson told me what he said when Vladimir Putin asked him: “When are you going to invite Russia to join Nato?” Producer Ben Tavener tinyurl.com/d6dbxdzz

The Russian narrative on Nato & the West, summed up today in one interview – and one picture – in one Russian newspaper. #ReadingRussia