footnotes index

an old Russian measure of length, about 71 cm (28 in); three arshins is how much land needed for a grave. See also Tolstoy’s short story, “How Much Land Does a Man Need?”, which perhaps also needs to be translated (one day!) · Gooseberries

A peculiarly Russian faith in perhaps-it-will-work-out-somehow as a philosophical principle. It’s neither quite fatalism nor optimism, but rather the comfortable space between preparation and surrender where one throws caution to whatever fiasco may come. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

Avvakum was a prominent Russian priest and writer who became a leader of the Old Believers, opposing the Russian Orthodox Church’s liturgical reforms in the 17th century. His resistance to these changes led to his execution by burning, making him a martyr in the eyes of Old Believer communities. · On Literature, Revolution, Entropy, and Other Matters

“Baedeker” refers to a series of popular guidebooks published since the 1830s by German publisher Karl Baedeker and his successors. By the end of the 19th century, these guidebooks, distinguished by their accuracy of information and practical advice, had become an essential attribute for travellers in Europe. The name “Baedeker” became synonymous with any guidebook. · The Art of Chekhovian Eurotrip

Balashov Abram Abramovich — a mentally ill person who slashed the painting ‘Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan’ by I. E. Repin in the Tretyakov Gallery in January 1913. · The Trumpet of the Martians

Konstantin Balmont (1867-1942): leading Russian Symbolist poet, extremely popular in Russia during Teffi’s time. · The Eternal Midwit

The phrase “banality of evil” was coined by Hannah Arendt in her book “Eichmann in Jerusalem” (1963) to describe how Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi bureaucrat I mentioned in the essay. · How to Be "Good"

A traditional Russian steam bathhouse, distinct from Western saunas or bathhouses. The banya typically consists of a small wooden structure with tiered wooden benches and a stone stove over which water is poured to create steam. The ritual involves alternating between intense heat sessions and cooling periods, often including aggressively torturous flogging with bundles of dried birch or oak or other branches to improve blood circulation and overall mood. Historically, the banya served multiple functions beyond hygiene (and now recreation): a place for childbirth, healing rituals, pre-wedding ceremonies, and various sorts of social bonding. · Tulubaikaporia ep.10

A belletrist is someone who engages in belles-lettres, a French term that refers to literature valued more for its aesthetic qualities than its informative or practical content, typically including works of fiction, poetry, drama, and essays that are considered fine writing or literature as an art form. · On Literature, Revolution, Entropy, and Other Matters

“Bojemoi” is a direct rendition of Russian “Oh my God”, because why not. · Tulubaikaporia ep.9

The “brain go brrr” phenomenon refers to the sudden cascade of dopamine and norepinephrine release in the prefrontal cortex when encountering high-interest stimuli, creating a neurological reward state, outside of which I can barely function. · Literature is pure metaphysics

The “bublik” (бублик) is an Eastern Slavic ring-shaped bread roll with a distinctive large hole, a gastronomic cousin to the bagel. Unlike its denser, chewier Western relative, the bublik is traditionally larger, lighter in texture, and possesses a glossy, almost glazed exterior achieved through a brief pre-bake boiling. In Russian, they were (perhaps are) often sold strung on a cord like beads, creating a portable bread necklace that features prominently in folklore and literature. The hole itself is considered by some to be the bublik’s quintessence — the absence that defines the presence — giving rise to the Russian expression “дырка от бублика” (a hole from a bublik) to describe something essentially worthless despite its promising appearance. Interestingly, this paradoxical formulation (the absence defining the presence) is close to Derrida’s notion of the “absent centre” in his deconstructionist philosophy, where meaning is created through difference and absence rather than through stable presence, as well as to the Buddhist śūnyatā (emptiness), where the emptiness or void at the centre of phenomena is what gives them their meaning, or, to be honest, setting aside all those, just Chekhovian revolution in literature. · Tulubaikaporia ep.10

The nickname for the iconic UAZ-452 Soviet van/minibus, derived from its distinctly loaf-like shape (“bukhanka” means “a loaf of bread” in Russian). It became the default public service vehicle during Soviet times, serving as ambulances, postal vans, and military transport. Despite its spartan interior and bumpy ride, the bukhanka has achieved cult status among both ex-Soviet and international off-road enthusiasts, some even trying to ship it to places like Mexico. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

Café-chantant (French for “singing café”) was a popular establishment in the late 19th century where visitors could not only drink and eat but also watch an entertainment programme with songs, dances, and various acts. It was a precursor to modern cabaret. · The Art of Chekhovian Eurotrip

cantonist was a soldier’s son bound from birth to lifelong military service and schooling in the special “canton” establishments where he could win hereditary nobility by not dying and (not or) rising up to officer’s rank · Gooseberries

A la Capoule (French à la Capoule, “under Capoule”) is a male hairstyle popular in the late 19th century, named after the famous French tenor Victor Capoule. · A Conversation Between A Drunken Man And A Sober Chort, by Chekhov

“Chai” in Russia and in many other countries literally means “tea” as a category, not necessarily a specific spiced version of it. The translator for some reason decided to use “chai” over “tea”. · Tulubaikaporia ep.3

Fyodor Chaliapin (1873-1938): the most famous Russian opera bass of his era, renowned internationally. · The Eternal Midwit

A mischievous humanoid demon or minor devil in Slavic folklore. Unlike the sly one, the chort is more of a trickster than the embodiment of ultimate evil. He can cause household mishaps, lead travellers astray, or tempt humans into foolish decisions. When Russians exclaim “K chortu!” (To the devil!), they’re invoking this folkloric spirit rather than the big sly one. The chort therefore occupies a supernatural space between serious theological threat and annoying supernatural pest. See also: A Conversation Between A Drunken Man And A Sober Chort, by Chekhov and How Khorya and Borya Trafficked a Chort. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

Like the original “кофий / кохий”, simply a colloquial transformation of “coffee”, with a bit of a folksy / old-fashioned vibe. · Tulubaikaporia ep.4

“Comrade Major” (товарищ майор) is a loaded Russian expression and a meme that transcends its literal military rank to function as cultural shorthand for state omnipresent monitoring of online communications (and offline, too). Russians invoke this phrase with ironic resignation when discussing potentially “sensitive” topics, acknowledging the hypothetical intelligence officer supposedly reading their messages at any given moment. · Tulubaikaporia ep.4

A Soviet-era sedative and the go-to remedy for everything from heart palpitations to existential dread, despite being banned or restricted in most Western countries due to its barbiturate content. Can replace nostalghin and melancholin in some rare cases. · Tulubaikaporia ep.13

A Soviet and post-Soviet phenomenon of a small summer house outside of the city with a garden to grow vegetables and fruits, hang out, have shashlik, and “enjoy” the summer weeding the seedbeds. · Tulubaikaporia ep.3

“Delo” (Дѣло — Dyelo) - a Russian periodic “scholarly-literary” journal, since 1869 - a “literary-political” journal. A monthly publication of the revolutionary-democratic direction, an organ of the raznochintsy radicalism. It was published in Saint Petersburg from mid-1866 to January 1888. · Drama, by Chekhov

an old Russian measure of land, about 1.09 hectares (2.7 acres), a hundred desyatinas was where “respectable landlord” territory began. · Gooseberries

“Drandulet” (драндулет) is a derogatory Russian term for an old, decrepit vehicle or jalopy. The word carries connotations of both the vehicle’s poor condition and the questionable judgment of its owner. · Tulubaikaporia ep.7

“Drebbeden” (дребедень) in Russian is used to denote nonsensical trivialities. The translator took courage to directly introduce the word into English. Drebbeden means something in between “drivel”, “rigmarole”, and “balderdash”. The word has phonetic kinship with English “debris” and “drab”, plus semantic overlap with “codswallop”, and, we can say, preserves the onomatopoeic qualities of its dismissive sounds like that of the Russian original. · Tulubaikaporia ep.4

A direct rendition of “friend” in Russian, also used like that in “A Clockwork Orange”. · Tulubaikaporia ep.9

Édouard Dujardin (1861-1949) — French writer, poet, and critic who pioneered the literary technique of stream of consciousness. His novel “Les Lauriers sont coupés” (“The Laurels Have Been Cut”, 1887) is considered the first to extensively employ interior monologue. Though initially overlooked, the work gained recognition when James Joyce cited it as a significant influence on his own technique in “Ulysses.” Dujardin was also the founder of the Symbolist journal “La Revue Wagnérienne” and was associated with the Symbolist movement. His experimental prose style, which attempted to capture the flow of pre-speech consciousness, marked a crucial turning point in modernist literature, though his own work remained relatively obscure compared to those he influenced. · James Joyce and the cinema of the future

CEO and founder of the Cheka (the OG KGB), nicknamed “Iron Felix”. His bronze statue outside KGB headquarters was famously toppled during the 1991 Soviet collapse, yet his organisational “legacy” has endured even after the monuments fell. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

See Episode 19. · Tulubaikaporia ep.9

French for “between us be said”. · A Conversation Between A Drunken Man And A Sober Chort, by Chekhov

Sophia Zakharovna Fedorchenko (1880-1959) was a Russian writer considered one of the founders of documentary prose in Russia. During World War I, she served as a nurse at the front for a year and eight months before falling ill and returning to the rear. Her experiences led to her masterwork “People at War” (Народ на войне), first published in 1917. The book recreated fragmentary conversations of wounded Russian soldiers from 1915-1916 in choppy, oral style, sprinkled with folk rhymes and fragments of songs, tales and legends — “a polyphonic diary”. The book became a hit and was translated into European languages. Fedorchenko admitted that rather than being stenographic records, the book was written from memory, which led to accusations of mystification. However, she received strong support from many prominent figures of the art world including Sergei Eisenstein. It also impressed international writers including Thomas Mann. After the controversy, her health worsened significantly; she focused on children’s literature, wrote historical novels, until she died in 1959. · James Joyce and the cinema of the future

P. N. Finlyandsky is the owner of a bell-casting factory in Moscow. In “Fragments of Moscow life” (“Oskolki”, 1883, №37) Chekhov wrote: “In the evening in the Finlandsky Bell Factory a big bell rings by itself. The sound is dull, lingering, almost sepulchral, it begins at 8 o’clock and ends at 10”. · The only writing advice you need, Anton Chekhov edition

“To go through fire, water and trumpets (or literally brass pipes)” (пройти огонь, воду и медные трубы) means “to go to hell and back”, to persevere in the face of extreme adversity. If the trials with “fire” and “water” are “clear”, trumpets refer to the challenges caused by sudden fame and popularity with the people or the government. More here. · A Conversation Between A Drunken Man And A Sober Chort, by Chekhov

In Russian folklore, the “Firebird” (жар-птица) is a magical glowing bird from a faraway land whose feathers blaze with golden or silver light and whose eyes sparkle like jewels. It plays a central role in numerous Russian fairy tales where heroes undertake perilous quests to capture it or retrieve its feathers. · Tulubaikaporia ep.10

Gorky’s “Foma Gordeyev”: A novel by Maxim Gorky, exploring the life of a merchant and his family, reflecting Gorky’s views on the Russian bourgeoisie. · Psychology of Creativity

“Goida” is an archaic Russian exclamation historically associated with Ivan the Terrible’s personal police / death squads called oprichniki, also referenced in Vladimir Sorokin’s dystopian novel “Day of the Oprichnik,” now considered prophetic for depicting the regime’s and police’s brutality. The term was revived by one propagandist in 2022 during a Red Square rally celebrating Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories, where he used it as a battle cry while declaring “holy war” against the West. However, the propaganda failed to popularise it as a pro-war slogan, it became an unsuccessful “forced meme” and is now used more often ironically to mock Russian war rhetoric. Unlike benign expressions meaning “let’s go,” historical usage, and its usage in “Day of the Oprichnik” suggests it was a call for violence and bloodshed. · The Void Between Us

I. A. Gruzdev was a literary scholar and a playwright. · On Literature, Revolution, Entropy, and Other Matters

a classical secondary school in Imperial Russia with a big focus on Greek and Latin as well · Gooseberries

“Belena” (белена) or henbane is a poisonous plant deeply embedded in Russian cultural consciousness as a symbol of madness and delirium. The Russian idiom “to overeat henbane” (объесться белены) describes someone behaving irrationally or insanely. The plant has hallucinogenic properties and folkloric associations with witchcraft. To the older generations, some modern trends might indeed be as questionable as medieval psychotropics. · Tulubaikaporia ep.4

“To eat acrid (and wild honey)” is an archaic way of saying “to eat sparingly, half-starved”. It’s used ironically and refers to the gospel parable about John the Baptist, who ate locusts (acrids) and wild honey in the desert. · The only writing advice you need, Anton Chekhov edition

“Houses of tolerance” (doma terpimosti) was the official bureaucratic term for regulated brothels in Imperial Russia. Following the reforms of 1843-1844, prostitution was legally tolerated under police and medical supervision, with establishments being granted official permits. Patrons included men from all social classes—from students and merchants to aristocrats—with different establishments catering to different clientele. This system continued until 1917 when the Provisional Government closed all such establishments. The euphemistic name itself—“houses of tolerance”—reflects the Empire’s pragmatic yet somewhat hypocritical approach. · Chekhov's Romantic Escapades

The hyperrealm is, well, kind of the metaverse but a better, non-Zuckerburged version of it, without 50% NFT tax. · Transcendental Memes

A civil office managing all kinds of supplies and resources for the military. · A Conversation Between A Drunken Man And A Sober Chort, by Chekhov

“Istina” (истина) is Russian for “truth”, in a literal sense, though semantically it stands further from simply “the factual/empirical truth”, closer to “the absolute/transcendent/metaphysical truth”, the kind of truth one might find at the bottom of a well or a bottle or never at all. In the same way, German philosophy differentiates between “Richtigkeit” (correctness, factual accuracy) and “Wahrheit” in its deeper Heideggerian sense of “unconcealment” or “aletheia”; similarly, Greek distinguishes “aletheia” (disclosure, uncovering) from “doxa” (opinion); Sanskrit offers “satya” (unchangeable truth) versus “vyavahārika” (conventional truth). Nabokov considered it one of the untranslatable Russian words, and the translator decided not to argue with Vladimir Vladimirovich and instead follow the path of the translators of German philosophers who were completely OK not translating half of the text, including most of Heidegger. · Tulubaikaporia ep.2

Wiki - Jane Avril was a French can-can dancer made famous by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec through his paintings. Extremely thin, “given to jerky movements and sudden contortions”, she was nicknamed La Mélinite, after an explosive · Sergei Eisenstein's memories of James Joyce

A traditional Russian tavern or drinking establishment for the common folk dating back to the 16th century. · Tulubaikaporia ep.10

“Kavardak” (кавардак) is a colorful, yet perhaps too literary, Russian colloquialism denoting chaos or disorder, but with distinct connotations of revelry and sensual confusion rather than mere disorganization. Dating back to 18th century merchant slang, it likely derives from Turkic “kavurdak” (stir-fry) ,a jumble of ingredients tossed together (probably). I decided to leave it like that because “mess” is nowhere near and because why not. Perhaps, we could use “bacchanalia” or “shenanigans”, which both feel similar, yet connotation of kavardak for me is somewhat in between those two. · Chekhov's Romantic Escapades

A fermented milk drink, tangy and slightly effervescent, with a negligible alcohol content, typically less than 1%. · Tulubaikaporia ep.3

“Khondria” is an anglicisation of the Russian word “khandra” (хандра), a culturally specific word to describe melancholy or spleen. The translator decided to introduce it to English as well because of the unique connotation it carries, combining elements of ennui, world-weariness, physical sickness, and a specific form of existential gloom. Etymologically, “хандра” itself derives from Greek “hypochondria” (ὑποχόνδριος), creating a lovely linguistic circle as this anglicisation reconnects with its distant cousin in English. From “khondria” we can further create “to khonder” — experience and indulge in khondria at one’s own will. · Tulubaikaporia ep.4

“Khorovod” (хоровод), or round dance, is a traditional Slavic circle dance of pre-Christian origin, performed at seasonal festivals, weddings, and ritual celebrations, such as midsummer. Participants join hands and move in a ring, often around a central figure, tree, or bonfire, singing songs. · Tulubaikaporia ep.2

“Kirdyk” (кирдык) is a word of Tatar origin that entered Russian slang, meaning “the end,” “finished,” or “doom”, pronounced with a fatalistic emphasis on the second syllable. It functions as both noun and verb to indicate a situation has reached its terminal state, similar to “game over” or “kaput”. · Tulubaikaporia ep.7

Kliros is the raised platform flanking the altar in an Orthodox church, where the choir and readers stand during the service. · Vanka

Kubyshka is an early East Slavic ceramic jar or pot with a narrow hole, a short or absent neck and a wide, rounded body. · Where is that City N?

The fig gesture appears across Mediterranean, Slavic, Turkish, and Asian cultures with varying meanings: warding off evil, sexual insult, or mocking refusal. In Europe, its roots go back to ancient Roman ritual, where the manu fica was used to ward off the spirits of the dead. The same hand shape appears in medieval Christian art as the manus obscena, and the Ancient Greek word for “sycophant” may derive from “one who shows figs,” referring to insulting false accusations. The meaning can range from explicitly sexual, even an invitation, to innocent childish play. · How to enact generational betrayal

Kvass (in memes so-called “bread juice”, or Russian cola, if that helps) is a fermented cereal-based non-alcoholic or low alcoholic beverage with a slightly cloudy appearance, light-dark brown colour and sweet-sour taste. “Govorovsky” is the name of one of the kvass factories. · The only writing advice you need, Anton Chekhov edition

a district official post created in 1889, filled from the local nobility, giving them administrative and judicial power over the muzhiks. The Land Captain then can be the same man who drags them to court and supplies them with the vodka. · Gooseberries

“Lapti” (лапти) is traditional Russian bast shoes, a type of footwear woven from strips of birch or linden bark and worn by Russian peasantry for millennia. Unlike leather boots, which signified prosperity, lapti marked their wearer as unmistakably rural and poor. The shoes lasted mere days under heavy use, giving rise to the expression “не лыком шит” (not stitched with bast), meaning someone more refined than appearances suggest. · Tulubaikaporia ep.10

Valery Larbaud (1881-1957) was a French poet, prosaist, translator. He had friendly and working relations with Joyce, in particular, they jointly edited the French translation of “Ulysses”. Joyce’s influence can be traced in Larbaud’s works of the 1920s built on internal monologue, such as a few novellas one of which was dedicated to Joyce. · James Joyce and the cinema of the future

Legendary Siberian punk rocker and poet whose band Grazhdanskaya Oborona (Civil Defence) became the voice of late-Soviet counterculture. Letov’s relationship with Yanka Dyagileva, another Siberian punk artist, inspired some of his best work, including his song “Ophelia” written after her tragic drowning death in 1991. Though he died in 2008, his uncompromising anarchical ethos and general post-Soviet punk aesthetic continue to endure. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

Lydia (Lika) Mizinova (1870-1937) was a close friend of Chekhov, with whom the writer was once in love. Their relationship did not work out, but they maintained friendship and correspondence. Lika became the prototype for Nina Zarechnaya in Chekhov’s play “The Seagull”. · The Art of Chekhovian Eurotrip

A type of alcoholic drink made by infusing spirits with various leaves, e.g. blackcurrant leaves. · From An Idealist's Memoir, by Chekhov

Latin litterator, French littérateur (from Latin littera - a letter), a literary person, especially a writer of literary works. · The only writing advice you need, Anton Chekhov edition

Nikolai Lobachevsky introduced non-Euclidean geometry with his paper “On the principles of geometry,” which was published in 1829. This groundbreaking theory rejected Euclid’s parallel postulate and was the final solution to a problem that had baffled mathematicians for 2,000 years. · On Literature, Revolution, Entropy, and Other Matters

The “magic tablecloth” is a specific artefact in Russian folklore with the supernatural ability to spontaneously serve abundant food and drink when unfolded. · Tulubaikaporia ep.10

A mangal is a type of metal barbecue grill popular throughout post-Soviet and Central Asian countries, typically designed for skewered meat (shashlik). The ritual of gathering around a mangal is a must for any respectable outdoor social occasion from May to September (but not limited to), with some inevitably arguing about the proper way to arrange the coals while others prepare the actual food. · Tulubaikaporia ep.3

Marinetti was the founder of Italian Futurism and co-author of fascist manifesto that was published in 1919 (which is NOT endorsed here and rather despised and mentioned solely for historical context!). For Khlebnikov in 1916, Marinetti probably was perceived differently, and even though they had shared beliefs, their vision of futurism was clearly different (see footnote (3)). · The Trumpet of the Martians

Nikolai Marr (1865-1934) was a Soviet orientalist and linguist, academician, author of “Japhetic theory”. · James Joyce and the cinema of the future

In healthy body, a healthy spirit, from Latin · Traits of cultured people, by Anton Chekhov

Dmitry Merezhkovsky (1865-1941) was a Russian writer, poet, critic, translator, and one of the founders of Russian Symbolism. His wife, Zinaida Gippius (1869-1945), was also a famous poet, writer, and critic. Together, they formed one of the most influential literary couples in Russia of their time. · The Art of Chekhovian Eurotrip

It was Russia’s largest newspaper by circulation before it was overtaken by Saint Petersburg dailies in the mid-19th century. · Where is that City N?

Léon Moussinac (1890-1964) was a French writer, art historian, cinema figure. · James Joyce and the cinema of the future

The multiocular O (ꙮ) represents one of the most interesting Cyrillic characters, appearing in only one place in all of medieval Slavonic manuscripts — the phrase “many-eyed seraphim” in a 1429 copy of the Psalter. · Tulubaikaporia ep.9

strictly peasant men, meaning a random set of the village’s adult males, an abstract entity that answers to the Land Captain (see note 13), does the peasantry things, and gets the peasantry vodka. We could render it just as “peasants”, but that’s too many people, including women and children and elderly, or “peasant men”, but it sounds weird, or potentially “lads” or “blokes” but “muzhiks” can be both condescending (like counting heads) and endearing, which is the modern meaning most of the time, used as “I’m gonna go to the pub with the muzhiks” = “… with the lads”, meaning random male friends or acquaintances. Nikolai Ivanych uses the word rather a lot which tells you what you need to know about Nikolai Ivanych. We could get into historical and fiscal details here if we wanted, e.g. when serfdom was a thing, muzhiks could also indicate “all male adults of working age” and was used to count how much workforce / how many heads / how many souls you had as a landlord with serfs, whereas women and children are latent and adjacent to muzhiks and don’t have to be mentioned at all, i.e. “muzhiks and whatever comes with them”. · Gooseberries

Okróshka (Russian: окро́шка) is a cold soup of Russian origin, which probably originated in the Volga region. · Drama, by Chekhov

Papirósa - a style of Russian filterless cigarette. · Larik & Vitya ep.1

The name “Parnassus” in literature typically refers to its distinction as the home of poetry, literature, and learning; the Montparnasse area in Paris, France, for example, bears its name from the many literature students who recited poetry in the streets, who as a result nicknamed it “(le) Mont Parnasse”. · The only writing advice you need, Anton Chekhov edition

“Planida” (планида) is an archaic / folkloristic Russian term for fate or destiny. It carries overtones of inescapable, often burdensome predetermined destiny, and is etymologically derived from Greek “πλανήτης” (planētēs) meaning “wanderer” or “planet”, reflecting ancient beliefs that planetary movements determined human fate. The word entered Russian through Church Slavonic and maintained its association with cosmic predetermination. · Tulubaikaporia ep.3

Fyodor Nikiforovich Plevako (1843-1908) was a famous Moscow lawyer. · Traits of cultured people, by Anton Chekhov

Informal way to say “good bye” in Russian, similar to just “bye” or “see you”. · Tulubaikaporia ep.9

The Polevayevs were a family reported by M.P. Chekhov to have played a negative role in the lives of Nikolai and Alexander Chekhov. · Traits of cultured people, by Anton Chekhov

French for “excuse the expression”. · Drama, by Chekhov

Prosphora is a small loaf of leavened bread used in Orthodox Christian liturgies, symbolizing the body of Christ in the Eucharist. · On Literature, Revolution, Entropy, and Other Matters

Pud is an old Russian unit of weight, about 16.4 kg or 36 lb. Big fish, that. · Vanka

From Russian “само” (self) and “гон” (distill, run) — a homemade alcohol (moonshine), the foundation of Russian village alchemy. The Soviet state periodically criminalised and tolerated the practice in alternating waves, never quite eradicating it. Neither scientific precision nor legal permission feature prominently in its production, which traditionally occurs in copper apparatuses of questionable engineering passed down through generations. Samogón’s potency fluctuates wildly on the continuum between “temporary blindness” and “ancestral visitation,” with flavour profiles ranging from “burning tire” to “aggressive pear” and much more. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

The “samovar” (самовар) literally means “self-boiler” (from “сам” / self and “варить” / to boil), looks like a large metal kettle-like urn. Since the 18th century or so, the ritual of chai-drinking (чаепитие) around a samovar has constituted the quintessential expression of Russian conviviality, where conversations flourished for hours over endless cups of zavarka (concentrated chai) diluted with hot water from the spigot. The absence of this item from the abandoned hut says a lot: without a samovar, no proper home exists, only shelter. · Tulubaikaporia ep.10

K.E. Savrasenkov was an owner of a hotel and restaurant on Tverskoy Boulevard in Moscow (not the best ones, considering the preceding few words). · The only writing advice you need, Anton Chekhov edition

Fyodor Osipovich Schechtel was a famous Russian architect, a friend of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. At the beginning of the 1880s, Schechtel involved Nikolai Pavlovich Chekhov in the construction and design of the Antaeus theatre. But after a fee was paid to Nikolai, he disappeared. He used to do that often. Later, he appeared, asked for additional money and disappeared again. “I’m tearing my hair and teeth out of despair: Nikolai is gone and has covered every trace of himself,” Schechtel wrote to Anton Chekhov at the time (which probably was one of the catalysts for the translated letter). “What to do? Help me on your part, too, and once he shows up, make him understand that, having made a commitment, he must at some point fulfil it <…>. I’m going on a search again today, perhaps I’ll have more luck…” · Traits of cultured people, by Anton Chekhov

“Shabootnous” is an anglicisation of the Russian provincial and rural dialectism “шабутной” or “шебутной” (shabootnóy), someone erratically unpredictable yet endearingly so. · Tulubaikaporia ep.4

Unlike the previous rhetorical sequence, this describes “good places”, or rather “geographical curriculum vitae for spiritual searching.” “Belovodye” (Беловодье, lit. “White-Waters”) is a legendary utopian land from Russian folklore, a paradise of righteous living, abundant harvests, and religious freedom that was believed to exist somewhere beyond Russia’s borders. Old Believers and religious dissidents spent centuries seeking this mythical realm in Central Asia, the Altai Mountains, and even Japan. The “Land of Chud” references the Chud’ (Чудь), a mysterious ancient people in northern Russian folklore, who, rather than submit to Christian conversion or conquest, chose to bury themselves alive, descending underground where legends claim they still dwell in hidden kingdoms. “Shambhala” is a pure spiritual kingdom hidden somewhere in Inner Asia, accessible only to the morally pure and spiritually advanced Buddists. In esoteric tradition, it represents both a physical place and a state of consciousness. But what about Tulubaika? Is it a “bad” or “good” place? No one knows, though might as well! · Tulubaikaporia ep.10

traditional Russian cabbage soup, quite sour, quite plain, quite domestic; can stay out of the fridge for days and still be consumable. · Gooseberries

Sieni is the unheated entrance passage of a Russian house, separating the heated living quarters from the outside. · Vanka

Konstantin Apollonovich Skalkovsky (1843-1906) was a Russian mining engineer, traveler, and writer known for his cosmopolitan lifestyle and somewhat scandalous reputation. The photograph Chekhov references—allegedly showing Skalkovsky with a Japanese prostitute—had become notorious in Russian intellectual circles. · Chekhov's Romantic Escapades

See also: footnote on “alt girlie.” “Skufidon” (скуфидон) is the final form of “skuf.” It’s a portmanteau of “skuf” and “Cupidon”, the Russian word for Cupid. · Tulubaikaporia ep.3

A name that’s a bit too Slavic. His parents desperately wanted to maximise his patriotic credentials, hence this. “Slavoslavovich” is a patronymic, meaning his father was also named Slavoslav. It’s not a middle name but rather a distinct way of formally addressing a person. The US equivalent might be “Liberty Freedom Jefferson” or “Patriot Eagle Washington,” while Brits might encounter a “Winston Britannia Churchillton.” · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

An Eastern European version of sour cream, typically with higher fat content, thicker and more resistant to heat, making it more versatile in cooking. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

Germany had Sonderweg, which does translate to “special path”. It is a concept that describes the belief that the country had a unique historical and cultural development that set it apart from other Western nations. The idea was used to justify Germany’s distinct political trajectory, which ultimately led to the rise of Nazism and World War II. I bet many countries have a similar idea and it doesn’t necessarily lead to tragedies if it’s not misused by the government to justify the harmful politics. In the Russian context, the term “особый путь” (osobyy put’) is often used to describe Russia’s perceived unique historical, cultural, and geopolitical position, distinct from both Western and Eastern nations. This concept is often employed by Putinists to justify Russia’s political system, foreign policy decisions, and its resistance to adopting Western liberal democratic values. Like the German Sonderweg, Russia’s “special path” narrative can be seen as a way to rationalize and legitimize the country’s divergence from the democratic norms and principles of other developed nations. So far, it has brought more harm than good. · How to Be "Good"

A sotsky (lit. a hundredman) was a low-ranking official in the local government system of pre-revolutionary Russia. The term “sotsky” derives from the word “сотня” (sotnya), meaning “a hundred”, as the sotsky was typically responsible for overseeing around one hundred households in a rural area. The sotsky’s duties included maintaining order, investigating minor crimes, and assisting in tax collection. They were chosen from among the peasants and served as intermediaries between the villagers and higher authorities. The position was abolished after the Russian Revolution of 1917. · Innocent Speeches ep.1

Starshina (lit. “senior” or “elder”)—an elected head of a volost (also see n. 4), an administrative unit comprising several villages in pre-revolutionary Russia. The starshina was responsible for the affairs of the volost, including tax collection, execution of official orders, and representing the interests of the peasants before the authorities. · Innocent Speeches ep.1

Stuart Gilbert (1883-1969), a literary scholar and translator. He became close to Joyce in 1927 in Paris when he retired after many years of service in Burma. He participated in the translation of “Ulysses” into French, and then authored “James Joyce’s Ulysses: A Study” in 1930, in which, at Joyce’s request, he interpreted the novel in accordance with a scheme compiled by the writer in 1921, explaining its structure and concept, semantic load and structure of episodes, analogies with Homer’s “Odyssey”. Some things in the book were considered a bit far-fetched, for example, the correlation of each episode with a specific organ of the human body, and in addition, with a specific science or art, colour, and symbols. This made some writers, including Vladimir Nabokov, not to take Joyce’s theoretical constructions and Gilbert’s faithful following of them seriously. According to Nabokov, Joyce, in a conversation with him in the late 1930s, regretted the existence of Gilbert’s work, equating it to a kind of advertisement. Eisenstein, as can be seen from his memoirs, read Gilbert’s book in the year of its publication and treated it with complete trust. · James Joyce and the cinema of the future

Sports betting/gambling facilities. · From An Idealist's Memoir, by Chekhov

A traditional Russian three-horse carriage team harnessed side-by-side, with the middle horse trotting while outer horses gallop. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

Tsar Cannon was Moscow’s famous 16th-century bronze behemoth that never fired a shot in battle. Thus the cocktail is a twist on the classic French 75, also named after cannons, however, while the French original is based on gin and champagne, the Tsar Cannon incorporates rather stronger an unusual flavours. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

The two-finger sign was central to the Old Believers’ practices, a group that split from the Russian Orthodox Church in the 17th century over ritual reforms, including changes from the two-finger to the three-finger sign of the cross, marking a significant point in the schism. · On Literature, Revolution, Entropy, and Other Matters

A minimalist fish soup. Its defining feature is the pure, concentrated fish broth. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

Ushanka (from ushi, “ears”) is a winter fur hat with ear flaps, also known as “embodiment of Russianness in Western film often purchased ironically at markets by people who will never experience −30°C”. The position of the flaps encodes the wearer’s entire philosophy and political / ideological background: up (optimist, tourist, or cop), down and tied (realist), down and untied (yolo-man, or disco cop, Harry Du Bois in a Revolutionary’s Hat). · Tulubaikaporia ep.11

A novella by Yevgeny Zamyatin, originally published in 1912. · Psychology of Creativity

Valenok, and plural valenki, is felted wool footwear traditionally worn in Russian winters. Aggressively non-waterproof. · Tulubaikaporia ep.11

Truth is above friendship, from Latin. · Traits of cultured people, by Anton Chekhov

Vestnik Evropy (Herald of Europe) was a prominent liberal monthly journal published in St. Petersburg from 1866 to 1918. · What Dostoevsky and Turgenev promised each other

The term “volkhv” (волхв) designates a pre-Christian Slavic priest-magician. It’s unclear whether volkhvs represented an organised pagan priesthood or were merely village practitioners of folk magic who also resisted Christianisation and whom Christian chroniclers conveniently demonised. An English term for it could be “magus”, “sorcerer”, or “pagan priest”, or all three at once. · Tulubaikaporia ep.9

In pre-revolutionary Russia, a volost (волость) was an administrative subdivision of a rural district (uyezd). The volost was a unit of peasant self-government, typically encompassing several villages and rural communities. It had its own elected officials, including a volost elder (starshina) and a volost clerk, who were responsible for maintaining order, collecting taxes, and resolving local disputes. The volost office served as the administrative center for the area. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent administrative reforms, the volost system was gradually phased out and replaced with new territorial divisions. · Innocent Speeches ep.1

A green, violet-scented liquid. Made from mild spirit tinted green and violet perfume, used as water for hair. It has no medicinal properties but cleanses the hair well. · Where is that City N?

I am using “The Wake-up Caller” instead of “The Alarm Clock” because it’s closer etymologically to the original title “Budilnik” (“Будильник”). · The only writing advice you need, Anton Chekhov edition

Yakimanka is a street in Moscow where А. Chekhov lived, and where often his promiscuous brother “took a breather” in between his benders. · Traits of cultured people, by Anton Chekhov

A Russian euphemism for a psychiatric hospital or asylum, deriving from the yellowish paint traditionally used on these institutions’ facades during the olden days. The phrase — colour aside — might also carry significant cultural weight beyond its literal meaning due to the Soviet practice of “punitive psychiatry”, where political dissidents were diagnosed with fabricated conditions like “sluggish schizophrenia” and institutionalised against their will. · Tulubaikaporia ep.1

Yvette Guilbert was a French cabaret singer and actress of the Belle Époque. · Sergei Eisenstein's memories of James Joyce

A term derived from the Slavic root “znati” (to know), possibly meaning “the one who knows”. This is a name for a village folk healer in the pagan tradition. · Tulubaikaporia ep.12

Wiki: Virginia Zucchi (1849-1933) was a famous Italian ballerina. She was known as “the Divine Zucchi” or even “the Divine Virginia” for her artistry, expressiveness, and virtuosity. · A Conversation Between A Drunken Man And A Sober Chort, by Chekhov