Zimfira Madan’s Favorite Things

Russian Prose Writer:
Anton Chekhov.  When I read his stories and novels, I can feel everything what he writes about:-the smell of the forest, beauty of nature, temperature of the air. He is able to give precise characteristics of people in a very few words. He has a very good sense of humor.

 Lev Tolstoi. I am always amazed at how Tolstoi can describe the huge historical scenes and battles and at the same time write very lyrical scenes full of feeling.

Boris Akunin. It is impossible to stop reading his books till the end. His books give me joy and entertainment.

Russian Poet:
Alexander Pushkin, because his poems always fill me with joy, charm and good feelings. It is like coming close to a mystery that is impossible to solve, and yet one is always attracted to this mystery.
 
Marina Tsvetaeva is a unique, passionate genius. Her poetry destroys stereotypes, delusions and illusions, and fills you with power and new feelings. The poems have original intonation and particular rhyme. For me, her poetry is a miracle.

Composer:
Sergei Rachmaninov. His music is full of freedom and perfect harmony. Sergei Rachmaninov helps me in my every day life, as his music fills me with great energy and love.

Sergei Prokofiev.  Ballets: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Romeo and Gillette’,  ‘Stone Flower”. His music is so expressive, that I always want to dance with it .It is wonderful!

Conductor:
Vladimir Spivakov. He has his own and very interesting expression of music, it always shocking!

Piano Player:
Sviatoslav Rishter. When he is playing, he is so deep in music. He is very romantic.

Ballet Dancer:
Maya Plisetskaya, a virtuoso technique and amazing artiste. You need to see her  to understand my enthusiasm about her.
           
Russian Painter:
Victor Vasnetsov. I like him maybe because my childhood was filled with his pictures in fairy tales books.

Russian Film:
“Kin-Dza-Dza” by Georgi Danelia. This is a fantastic move about our life. There are many jokes, allegories, funny things, and wonderful actors. I can watch it over and over again and it never gets boring, always a source of pleasure.

Russian Actor:
Evgenii Leonov.  He had great talent of playing roles as if he had lived and experienced each and every one of them.  He portrayed very different characters in all of his movies, but still had his own unique manner of acting.
                         
Russian City:
St. Petersburg. Very beautiful city, old and the same time modern, with a multitude of great museums, churches, parks, bridges, assembles, historical buildings, palaces of past emperors and empresses, and wonderful people!

Russian Dish:
Pelmeni (dumplings) .You must try them, and I am sure you would fall in love with them forever!  I am not kidding!

Past-times:
Study of natural medicine, dancing, gardening, listening to classical music, reading, traveling, organizing events for Russian children.