THE SUMMER IS HERE! We can all take a holiday from contemplating on whether we are in ‘Crisis’, ‘Survival’, ‘Recovery’ or an alternative mode, such as ‘Take It As It Comes’. For those of us not leaving Moscow, particularly with a family, the summer means certain challenges, i.e., what to do. Richard Peers in his article: ‘Summer In the City’ presents a list of activities for children, and which do not cost the earth, all here in Moscow. In fact there are hundreds of things to do in this unassuming city and Sophia Tupolev has researched some of the free classes available from art classes to dance and yoga lessons, which you might want to try this summer. Of existential importance to all of us, children or no children, is when the hot water is going to be turned off, and we include a short article on how to find out when your particular buidling will be cut off. For those of you who are travelling, read Nikita’s take on business lounges.

In each issue of this magazine, we concentrate on a nationality or group of expats. This issue is the turn for our colleagues from the Benelux countries, who like so many members of the non Anglo-Saxon communities, are quietly going about their business and have been for many years. For those in business, we present an article on the ‘Russian SWIFT’ by Andrei Povarov, a sobering account of the present situation by Chris Weafer, and an article on how to cope with stress. The juxtaposition of these articles in one issue is accidental, but hopefully reflect – as is our editorial manifesto – some of the major issues, which we are presented with in these extraordinary times. One could ask: when has living in Moscow not been extraordinary, and is this necessarily a bad thing?

You may have noticed that increasing numbers of people are quietly heading off to one of the ‘Stans’, in Central Asia. One suspects that Central Asia, like Russia, is a secret that doesn’t need to be shared, except more so. Nigel Cox, Luc Jones, and the Don Quixote of Eurasia, that once habitual inhabitant of Silvers, tell us about this collection of 5 countries which are located geographically next to each other, and yet don’t really live up to being part of a region. An article on the EU in Central Asia may be of interest to investors.

The knowledgeable Simon Green informs us of where not to fleeced when buying a business lunch, and Don Giulio writes about his experiences opening an Italian restaurant just before the sanctions were applied. Enjoy the summer!

Please click on the title to read the full article.

Community:

• Reader Survey
  The first ‘What Expats Want’ Survey.
• Social Movers
  Chris Helmbrecht & Maria Ushakova provide tips on where to go to socialise.
• News & Announcements
  What’s happening in Moscow, new appointments & general information.
• Summer in the City
  How to keep kids occupied this summer.
• When will the hot water be turned off?
  Each year we lose our hot water when is our turn?
• Moscow Expat Subbotnick
  Expats join this Russian tradition.
• Classes in Moscow
  Free and not for profit classes.
• IWC Charity Arts Exhibition
  Another highly successful IWC event.
• Hudson’s bar 3rd Birthday!
  One of Moscow’s popular bars celebrates its 3rd birthday. What a night!
• Emerald Ball 2015
  The brightest event in the Irish cultural calendar.
• St. Patrick’s Day 2015
  23rd St. Patricks Day Parade in Moscow.
• Scottish Dancing
  Repeat, Having Passed a Couple.
• 4th Annual Aussie Down Under Charity Ball
  Great night and lots of money for charity.
• Nikita – The Business Lounge
  A thermometer of the disparity between men and women.
• The State of the Business Lunch in Moscow
  The indomitable Simon Green on business lunches in Moscow.

Benelux Countries Community:

• Ambassador Ron van Dartel – The Netherlands
• Ambassador Alex Van Meeuwen – Belgium
• Ambassador Pierre Ferring – Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
• Johan Vanderplaetse – Belgium-Russian Business Club
• Luc Truyens
• Andre De Rijck
• Hans Koelman
• Jurgen Thoelen
• Florence Gallez
• Johan Verbeeck

Features:

• Central Asia
  Our special feature on Central Asia.
• The ‘Stans’ of Central Asia
  A Beginner’s Introduction.
• The EU in Central Asia
  The EU gains visibility in the region.
• Book Review
  ‘In Search of Kazakhstan’ – the land that disappeared.
• Kazakhstan, The New Place to do Business
  Luc Jones reports.
• A Personal view of Kazakhstan
  An expats view by Nigel Cox.
• Technology
  Apt Apps for Surviving Moscow.
• Moscow Personalities
  Genuine Puglia Mozzarella made in Moscow.
• Retro
  Moscow in 1998.

Charity:

• 10th Annual Charitable Bowling Tournament for Taganka Children’s Fund
  An old tradition continues for charity.

Business:

• Avoiding Stress at Work
  Daryl Seager explains how.
• Never Waste a Good Crisis
  Chris Weafer with timely advice.
• Don Giulio
  The Food Industry in Times of Crisis.
• Franchising in Russia
  Trends and Key Figures 2014-2015.
• The Replacement for SWIFT
  Russia’s alternative.
• Don’t Die Intestate
  Timely advice on Fiduciary services.

Education:

• EIS
• ISM

Travel:

• Hotel Rodniki
  Creative luxury within easy reach of Moscow.

Moscow Good Food Club:

• The Cafe Ruse at The Ritz Carlton
  Members of the Moscow Good Food Club return to the Café Ruse.

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