When, in the midst of the “gas conflict” between Russia and Ukraine, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in an interview with the weekly Der Spiegel, mournfully reproduced the favorite mantra of “our Western neighbors” about the “undemocratic” nature of Russia, for some reason I did not want to believe Merkel.

On the nineteenth of December, an event took place, which, without exaggeration, can be called one of the most significant events last year, despite the fact that it was practically not covered in the central media. In Alexander House, a round table "Youth - Media - Politics: Planning 2006", organized by the "Russian magazine", was held.

My plate is actually electric, but the whole New Year's week in the atmosphere it smelled clearly with gas.

Nothing is eternal under the Moon. Everything flows and changes. It was 2005 - it became 2006. And on the third day of the new year, I felt an important change. No, I understand that the indestructibility and eternal constancy of things and ideas are impossible and even harmful. And we have to agree with Heraclitus, who declared 2500 years ago that the main source of life is the ever-changing and all-consuming fire. Moreover, changes can be very positive.

It makes no sense to deny the obvious fact: Russia, the USA and the European Union are struggling for Ukraine. Since the beginning of 2006, this struggle in its intensity became comparable to the events of the fall of 2004, when the "Orange Revolution" occurred in Ukraine.

My stove is actually electric, but throughout New Year’s week there was a distinct smell of gas in the atmosphere.

The 74th number "UFO" represents "institutes of memory" - archives and library; In this sense, it becomes a continuation of a certain trend: the editorial preface is opened by a listing of thematic issues of humanitarian periodicals dedicated to the "memory archeology", "assignment of memory" etc. By and large, it was about history, historical myths and historical reconstructions (in this series, the significant 20th number of "domestic notes" ).

"I planned a personal exhibition in 1939, where the central place would be reserved for the portrait, and it was in them that my credo should be clearly and clearly expressed: after all, there was not enough year to become a fact. And now?" From the letter M.K. Sokolova (Siblag, Taiga station. 1940) In these lines - almost the entire biography of Sokolov. He was arrested almost the next day after he received a workshop that he had been waiting for three years.