Vanished sights and sounds Join Meduza’s holiday initiative to bring readers a taste of the Russia many lost in February 2022

Since February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and sparked international condemnation and countless sanctions, whole generations of Russophiles and professionals have lost access to a country that, for many, had become a kind of second home. The war and the Putin regime’s rapidly accelerated authoritarianism have forced hundreds of thousands of Russians into exile, and it’s also made Russia unsafe to visit for many of Meduza in English’s most devoted readers.

In these difficult times, we do our darndest to be a bridge between people inside Russia and the outside world. With the holidays fast approaching, Meduza has cooked up an idea we’re pretty excited about.

So, here it is: We’re creating a list of things our foreign readers miss the most about Russia. Meduza has already appealed to its exiled Russian-language audience for suggestions, and now we’re turning to you, our anglophone public.

If the current state of affairs in Russia keeps you away, but you find yourself fondly remembering or wishfully wondering about particular sights and sounds in the country, let us know. We’ll ask our readers inside Russia to visit that site and snap a photo, film a video, or record some audio. Maybe it’s a monument you never saw. Or it could be your favorite corner bar.

Before the New Year, we’ll compile what we can collect and share it with you. Let it be our little holiday gift.