LOCAL

The Estate of Muraviev-Apostols, Russian aristocrats who were among the leaders of Decembrist Revolt, has seen better days. It was built in the beginning of the XVIII century next door to the former townhouse of Prince Golitsin. Although the Muraviev-Apostols estate looks immaculate from the outside, inside its a different story. But last Thursday, during a reception, the estate was promised a complete renovation. 

It is significant that such promise was made at the presentation of a book that just might hold the key to renovating Russia. The book "A Dream of Russia and How to Achieve It" was written by Rostislav Ordovsky-Tanaevsky Blanco, a graduate of Simon Bolivar University in Caracas, and the founder of Rostik International. He is also the descendant of Russian immigrants.

Born in Venezuela, Blanco always dreamed of coming to Russia. Upon his arrival to the Soviet Union in 1984, he was confronted with a lack of decent restaurants and film for his camera. Where others saw a problem, Blanco saw opportunity. He returned to Venezuela and devised a business plan that was soon brought to fruition. Three years later, Moscow saw the grand opening of the first Focus photo shop, as well as the first Spanish restaurant.

While Rostislav made a substantial contribution to business development in Russia, he always felt that he could do more for his second motherland. "Ten years ago I read a book - A Dream of Venezuela - that moved me deeply. Ever since then I had an aspiration of writing a similar book about Russia," Rostislav said at his book presentation. Now we are able to see for ourselves how grand and at the same time simple this dream is.

Among the artists, sportsmen and businessmen that attended the book presentation, there wasn't a single person not moved or inspired by the book. "The fact that the author of the book is not some get-rich-quick artist, but an established and trustworthy businessman means that we should really listen to what he has to say and follow his advice," said Svyatoslav Belza, an honored worker of arts. Larissa Latynina, on Olympic medalist, mentioned that even Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has read the book.

Can this mean that Russia is already on the road to a new and improved future? We can dream.

By Katya Vinogradova