ElektroweekendNovember 17, 2007 Northeast of Moscow there are three wonderful towns not far from one another. ElektrogorskMapAdditional, artistically executed units for lighting up the pavements have been added to the roadside lampposts. The units overlook the rainwater ditches mournfully.  The history of this town, which has its own heavenly protector, is literally being written as we speak. 
25th November There’s nothing else to do here because they don’t have what is known as the city centre in other populated areas. ElektrostalMapThe central boulevard — an exemplar of well-preserved Stalinist construction. Practically devoid of exogenous elements. The streets around it are reminiscent of the area around “Profsoyuznaya” metro station, except that they’re a good deal neater.  They’ve got their own telephone demiboxes.  And their own rubbish bins, which have pulled their tilted heads into their shoulders.  This place never ceases to astound: here’s a post office branch built into a bus stop.  The latest addition to our collection of coppers’ creativity (also cf. Kaluga). This is what short phone numbers look like in Elektrostal (don’t forget the five-digit code):  In case of motor vehicle accident or car theft. Call us! Courtyards in Elektrostal are bedecked with information panels depicting a street sweeper drowning in shit. The dogs, lovingly captured at this critical moment, are continuing to shit on the street sweeper from all directions.  Got a dog — scoop its poop ElektrougliMapI’ve always associated the name of this place with an electric fireplace, plastic logs flickering, the heat radiating from somewhere else altogether. Turns out it’s a village.  I love Elektrougli! |
