Barnaul as a Cultural Center of Siberia

 

For almost three centuries Barnaul has been one of the major cultural centers of Siberia. Today the spiritual traditions are continued by the Shukshin Drama Theatre, the Theatre of Musical Comedy, the Children’s and Puppet Theatres, as well as by the Little Musical Theatre. The Shukshin Drama Theatre offers a wide mixture of plays: new works, modern classics, contemporary foreign plays and experimental drama. The Theatre of Musical Comedy presents mainly musicals.

The local Philharmonic Society offers diverse cultural programme. The lovers of classical music can enjoy a Symphony Orchestra and an organ; the admirers of Russian folk traditions are fond of the “Ogonki” (Small Light) dance ensemble. Prominent men of art of Russia and other countries frequent the Philharmonic Society.

Bright, exuberant folklore festivals are known all over Russia, and the “Siberia”, an orchestra of Russian folk instruments, takes part in them, but the spectators themselves – all those who can sing, dance and entertain people – join the holiday.

Pop music stars usually meet their young fans at the Palace of Sport, its accommodation capacity amounts about 6000 people.

The cultural life of the city has become more active especially among children and youngsters. Gifted young men often participate in the competitions, they tour around European countries. To support such children, the city has formed a special fund “Young Musicians of Barnaul”, which has offered several grants. Their tuition is carried out according to a definite system – mostly through musical and art school, there are ten of them in the city. The local Academy of Culture and Arts contributes a great deal to the spiritual education of our youth. The same aim is pursued by the creative activity of the writers’, painters’ and architects’ associations, by publishing newspapers and magazines. Some Cossack and German cultural centers have recently appeared.

 

 

Word – building

 

5.Memorize word-building patters.

a) Nouns we use to describe people’s jobs can have the following suffixes: -er, -or, -ist and -ian. Use these suffixes to make the words below into new nons.

 

Art piano dance admire

Music sing contribute produce

b) Make these adjectives negative by choosing the correct prefix (un-, in-, im-) for each word.

 

- interesting

- successful

- usual

- practical

- educated

- ambitious

- definite

 

6.There is a special group of adjectives ending in -ed or -ing. The -ed adjectives describe how we feel about something and the -ing adjectives describe a person or thing. Complete the sentences which follow each of these situations. Use the correct form (-ed or -ing) of the words below.

 

Excite surprise disappoint astonish

 

a) You thought you would get an excellent mark but you got a satisfactory one. The result was …

b) You’re going to see your favourite rock band in concert. You feel more and more … as the day gets closer.

c) The world is full of joy. It is all very …

d) The magician actually flew in front of our eyes. The sight was … .

 

 

Text Comprehension

 

7.Choose the appropriate alternatives in each of the following sentences:

Diverse (cultural / historical) programme is offered by the local Philharmonic Society.

The lovers of classical music can enjoy a Symphony Orchestra and a (harpsichord / organ).

A city is normally interested in forming a special (bank / fund) for the young musicians.

The cultural life of the city has become (more / less) active.

 

8.Find words in the text which have a similar meaning to these definitions. The first letter is given to help you.

 

a) liked by a lot of people p__________

 

b) of great importance, fame p__________

 

c) related to culture c__________

 

d) a play, or film with spoken words, songs or dances m__________

 

e) modern, belonging to the present time c__________

 

f)a special place for the performance or plats t__________

 

9.Test yourself.

 

1. The Shukshin Drama Theatre offers…

 

a) musicals,

b) puppet shows.

c) wide mixture of plays.

 

2. The local Philharmonic society offers…

 

a) stage performances,

b) diverse cultural programmes,

c) diverse scientific programmes.

 

3. The lovers of classical music can enjoy…

 

a) a symphony orchestra and a harpsichord,

b) a symphony orchestra and an organ,

c) a jazz orchestra and a piano.

 

4. The cultural life of the city has become more…

 

a) interesting,

b) boring;

c) active.

 

5. … young men often participate in the competitions.

 

a) good;

b) gifted;

c) great.

 

6. They tour around … countries.

 

a) Asian;

b) African;

c) European.

 

7. The local … of the Culture and Arts contributes a great deal to the spiritual education of our youth

 

a) University;

b) Institute;

c) Academy.

 

10.Agree or disagree with the following statements ( ‘That’s right (true), according to the text …, That’s wrong (not true), according to the text …, That’s not quite true, according to the text …’)

 

a) The Theatre of Musical Drama presents mainly musicals.

b) The admirers of Russian folk traditions are fond of the Symphony orchestra.

c) The “Siberia”, an orchestra of Russian folk instruments takes part in folklore festivals.

d) The cultural life of the city has become more active especially among students.

e) The local academy of Arts and Culture contributes a great deal to the cultural education of our youth.

 

11.Answer these questions.

 

a) Why is Barnaul considered to be one of the major cultural centres of Siberia?

b) How many active theatres has Barnaul currently? Name them.

c) What can you say about the local Philharmonic Society?

d) How many people does the Palace of Sport accommodate?

e) What special fund has the city formed?

f) What Barnaul creative associations do you know?

 

 

Text organization

 

12.a) The five sentences below are mixed up. Put them in the correct order according to the text.

 

Some Cossack and German cultural centers have appeared recently.

Pop music stars visiting Barnaul usually meet their fans at the Palace of Sports.

Today the Shukshin Drama Theatre continues the spiritual traditions.

Bright folklore festivals are held in Barnaul.

To support such children, the city has formed a special fund.

 

b) Suggest suitable titles to the paragraphs

 

 

Vocabulary

 

13.A number of multi-word expressions are used in the text. Match the part on the left with one on the right and check you understand the meaning of each expression you make.

 

 

Spiritual Musical Modern Contemporary Experimental Cultural Classical Folk Prominent Folklore

classics plays programme music men festivals instruments drama theatre traditions

 

 

14.Which of the words below do you think “ideally” means?

 

a. thoughtfully,

b. perfectly,

c. preferably,

d. knowledgeably.

 

15.Give the English for:

 

поддерживать, зритель, принимать участие, Академия Культуры и Искусств, творческая деятельность, спектакль, камерная музыка, одаренный, танцевальный ансамбль, духовные традиции, театр музыкальной комедии, кукольный театр, современные зарубежные пьесы, разнообразная культурная программа, филармоническое общество, симфонический оркестр, выдающийся, часто посещать, веселый, яркий, способствовать.

 

16.Give the Russian for:

 

to frequent, contemporary foreign plays, folklore festivals, to entertain, to participate, creative activity, performance, chamber music, dance ensemble, spectator, to support, to be fond of, the Children’s Theatre, the Puppet Theatre, spiritual traditions, prominent, gifted, bright.

 

17.Correct the mistakes in these sentences.

 

a) The admirers of Russian traditions are fond with the “Ogonki”.

b) Every Saturday I go in the Shukshin Drama Theatre.

c) I am listening chamber music.

d) These associations contribute the spiritual education of children.

e) We talked for the problems of art.

 

Oral practice

 

18.a) Interview your partners and ask them what interesting things they did last Sunday. Use the ideas below to help you.

 

a) go to the Shukshin Drama Theatre?

b) go to the Philharmonic Society?

c) take part in folklore festivals?

d) visit the Palace of Sport?

e) participate in the competition?

 

b) Now find out more information from your partner. Use the question words below to help you.

 

What …?

When …?

Where …?

Why …?

Who …?

How …?

How many (much) …?

 

19.Complete the dialogues.

 

1. A: How many theatres are there in your city?

B: …

A: …

B: Not, so far.

2. A: …

B: No wonder.

A: …

B: It is great.

3. A: …

B: Usually by bus and by trolleybus.

A: ...?

B: I think, it is near Demidov Square.

 

20.Read and dramatize the dialogue:

 

- Excuse me, sir. Does the train take me to Sovetov Square?

- No, you go as far as Lenin Street. Trolleybus’ll take you right there.

- Oh, but trolleybuses are so pecked at this time.

- Then you can walk up to Sovetov Square. It won’t take you much time.

- I’m really lucky to meat you. I was told in London about your theatres. Two days ago our tourist group was taken to the local Philharmonic society. I was much impressed by the Symphony orchestra and an organ. Our guide recommended me to go to the Theatre of musical Comedy.

- Oh, I see. It’s such a thrill too see a musical like “My Fair Lady”. Where were you last night? What did you see?

- Well, I saw plenty of quite fantastic places: the Palace of Sport, Demidov Square, the German cultural centre.

- That’s it. My heart is swelling up with pride. But you have to get off, sir.

 

21.Dramatize the following dialogue with your partner, one of you acting as an interpreter from Russian into English.

 

- Где вы живете?

- I live in Barnaul, one of the major cultural centres of Siberia.

- В вашем городе много театров?

- Today there are five active theatres in Barnaul.

- Что идет в драматическом театре им. Шукшина?

- The Shukshin Drama Theatre offers a wide mixture of plays: new works, modern classics, contemporary foreign plays and experimental drama. What sort of show would you like to see?

- Мюзикл, “Моя Прекрасная леди”. Мне очень нравится эта пьеса.

 

22.Speak on the following topics using the words and expressions of the text:

 

- Barnaul active theatres;

- Folklore festivals;

- Creative associations;

- Cultural life of children.

 

23.Retell the text.

 

Viewpoint

 

This text focuses on the Cultural Life of Barnaul. Among other things, think about the role of the Altai State Academy of Culture and Arts in the further development of the spiritual life of our citizens.

 

24.Read the texts and get a general idea of them. Speak on:

 

- Demidov Square;

- The Museum of Regional Studies;

- Museum Traditions of Barnaul;

- Altai Cultural Traditions;

- Altai Artists;

- The Peoples’ House.