Now on air
01:30
The bastion of emperor Paul
Russian Emperor Paul the First was so fascinated by the period of knights and the Middle Ages that he had a real castle built for himself – called BEP (the Bastion of Emperor Paul) — complete with a moat, drawbridges, narrow windows and high towers. Centuries later the historical building, located just outside of St. Petersburg in the suburb of Pavlovsk, has become a design hotel. The castle’s rooms in which the Emperor himself once stayed have become elegant apartments. The hotel has about two dozen rooms, each which is unique in its own way with the décor lending to an atmosphere of the gloomy yet romantic period the Paul loved so much without imitating its style. RTG TV presenter Evgenia Altfeld set off to learn about the artists who helped create this historic design hotel and discovered just why the Emperor insisted there be secret staircases as well as the explanation behind the na...
Special task force of the Moscow police
OMON, also known as the Russian Special Purpose Mobile Unit is a special police unit created for the rapid response and prevention of social unrest. Nowadays OMON forces are everywhere and no large event takes place without their participation — be it a football match, concert or a rally. Members of OMON work to maintain social order and public safety in both urban settings and hot spots. Their responsibilities include suppressing riots, arresting criminals and freeing hostages and the locating and deactivating explosive devices. Who exactly are these camo-clad men, how do they train and how do they feel when taking part in these special operations? Tune in to RTG TV’s programme The Special Forces of the Moscow Police to find out.
Now on air
01:30
Special task force of the Moscow police
Maxim Syrnikov — historian of Russian cuisine
Maksim Syrnikov is used to getting work offers he just can’t refuse from the most popular restaurants in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities. After all, he seems to know all of the tricks and secrets to Russian cuisine and has travelled thousands of kilometres in search of old, forgotten recipes. He has gone smelt fishing near Vologda and conserved apples in the province of Vladimir. Maksim Syrnikov is a man of many trades — he is a historian, a chef, a traveller and a writer. His tasty last name, Syrnikov, is the Russian word for a type of cheese pancake and is really his last name and not a pseudonym. During the reign of Peter the Great, his family founded a cheese factory in Tver, giving them their last name. Syrnikov however inherited a lot from his ancestors, not just their surname. He also shares their love and interest for delicious Russian food.
Now on air
01:15