Alexander Palace restoration will begin next year - 2009

[vladm]

Robert, excellent parallel about interest in Lenin and Stalin vs NII and his family. We can see today line to Lenin mausoleum, just to see Lenin's corps (how disgusting for my taste). People in general, like to see conforming attractions with their life style and level of education. For example, folks who visiting France usually go to Versailles and only few extend to Château Vaux le Vicomte and Fontainebleau (last one my favorite, I like it much much more than Versailles).

Sian, I would agree with Robert about it, in Yekaterinburg not much attractions, we don't have there seven-eleven and  Century theater - to amuse locals, so people go to religious gathering, regardless what this all about (please don't kick me severely for this one, my sister lives in Yekaterinburg).

sckkr, super idea, one problem to get approval from Tsarskoye Selo GMZ - title owner of the building, I seriously doubt who ever will be decision maker, will pass it through like that, because in this case exact amount of restoration will be available for public with all consequences.

[vladm]

If Putin would go to the AP and kiss the door then maybe things would happen.     Russians  like to follow the leader.  [I don't mean that as a criticism.]

Actually Douglas, I agree with you on this one 100%, I think if some one or group of people, would bring attention of Putin or Medvedev to this matter, it could become large hit, especially because of the cool relations between West and Russia, if some one remember letter from Samantha Smith, it could be achieved the same effect. For Russian Government today is very important, they are listening West on some matters, and can listen and carry on with dialog.

[Vladimir_V.]

If Putin would go to the AP and kiss the door then maybe things would happen.     Russians  like to follow the leader.  [I don't mean that as a criticism.]

Well, our Prime Minister likes to kiss different things.  : ))

Putin Kisses a Tiger
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the Ussuri reserve in Siberia on August 31, 2008 to observe researchers monitoring tigers in the wild. Scientists demonstrated a new satellite tracking collar fitted with GPS-Argos receiver and a tranquilizer gun to the Prime Minister. Then they took him to the taiga forest where a rare 5 year-old female Amur tiger was trapped.
Putin helped measure the Amur tiger's incisors before placing a satellite transmitter around the neck of the animal, which can weigh up to 450 kg. The journalists also mentioned that Putin actually kissed the tiger "Good bye".
http://meignorant.com/putin_kisses_tiger


But I don`t think that Russians go to kiss Amur tigers because it is far away .
Douglas, is it admissible to kiss a photo of a tiiger only?

[Robert_Hall]

And, a few years ago, he kissed the Tummy of a little boy, did he not?

[Vladimir_V.]

And after it to kiss a simple door?

[Douglas]

Yes, Putin did kiss the stomach of that little boy.  He did kiss the tiger...fine.

No, Vlad, a kiss of a photo does not count.  If Putin cannot go to the palace then the door should be taken off it's hinges and brought to Putin for the kiss.

I suppose Putin will kiss me when if I go to Russia.  I would prefer a chaste kiss from him...thank you!  But maybe not?

Douglas

[BobAtchison]

Someone earlier mentioned about the ballastrade.  They were originally carved from wood.  During the reign of Nicholas II many of these were replaced by cast ones.  There used to be original wood ones up there and many of the ones from Nicholas's time.  I was told that some of them in 1992 were 200 years old.  I have no idea what the situation is now up there.

[Douglas]

I thought I read somewhere that the balusters [the verticle posts] were being replaced with a resin impregnated cement casting.  Hopefully  the balustrades  horizontal rail  is being replaced with this same material also.  Anything made of wood would be completely out of consideration.

One would think that a 200 year old wooden balustrade would be in need of replacement due to dry rot.

[Ivan Gurlokov]

Certainly good news to hear that AP is to be restored - at Tsarskeo Selo last week I made a quick detour to have a look at the Palace - it was certainly in a sad state. Reading comments on Prime Minister Putin (above) and having seen the wonderful (if somewhat OTT) restoration he has done at the Konstantinovsky Palace there is strong argument for a subtle restoration on what was essentially a family home.

[BobAtchison]

The cast ones from Nicholas's time had iron (it looks like iron) rods in them.  This caused them to split and crack when water penetrated them.

[Robert_Hall]

Some "family home". It was a palace full of servants, staff, guards and a separate kithen building.  For a family so isolated from reality and cocooned that could hardly breath.
 If it is to be restored, I, personally like to see it as was originally, late 18th early 19th century. Not that dreadful look  A&E inflicted on it.

[Michael HR]

A&E? Please forgive my ignorance but not sure who this means?

[Douglas]

I believe that Robert may be referring to the Public Television programs/channel called A & E........Arts & Entertainment.    I assume they may have done filming at the palace.  Robert can correct  or modify this post  if  I am in error.

[Robert_Hall]

Actually, that was typo.  I meant N&A.  My eyesight is really going and I need a new keyboard.  But Douglas is correct,  A&E would refer ro the arts and entertainment channel.

[Janet Ashton]

Actually, that was typo.  I meant N&A.  My eyesight is really going and I need a new keyboard.  But Douglas is correct,  A&E would refer ro the arts and entertainment channel.

Or "Accident and emergency". I thought you were having a joke about Nicholas and Alexandra....