Page Comment October 1978 Sketch of Russian way of life Dr. Deon Greer’s nine month stay in Russia with his wife and daughter turned out to be a total involvement in the Russian way of life for the three of them. Dr. Greer, professor of geography and former chairman of the Department of Geology and Geography was a USSR Academy of Science exchangee to study terminal (salt water) lakes of the USSR at the Water Problems Institute in Moscow. He and his family were seven and one half months in Moscow, one month in the Caucasus and two weeks in Siberia. His wife, Janice, took ballet and Russian and traveled daily on crowded inexpensive buses across the city for her classes and shopping. Seven-year-old Gina at- studies supplemented at home by her parents to keep her abreast of first grade work in the U. S. She learned Russian quickly. faculty, Virginie -Gorhan Arizona “We had interesting encounters with Gina Margaret’s teachers,’ said Dr. Greer. ‘“‘They badger both parents and children, dictating what students will wear and telling them exactly ‘how it is.’ ms are: country,’) If ication ig> be child allowed. and Gina bows. also “‘prescribed’”’ fur coat hat, boots (valenkies) and stockings. oun” enjoyed! Pants wore a and. long etown Off) austere lives with few comforts. Dr. Greer pointed out that most families have only one child. ‘‘They would like to have more but cannot afford them. The labor structure demands that everyone work. The children are very pampered. Baby sitters are virtually unheard of. Parents wouldn’t care of children. : The Russian people survive by learning ‘“‘how to get around the system.”’ Housing, including utilities, is very most of their income, which is about $225. per month per adult for food and alj) clothing, he said. The quality available is very poor. Most Russians save for automobiles uple Mary, 115. ior High} and other luxuries. Everything must be paid for with cash. Women carry a lot of money with them in case they run into a sale of quality items, for example, dresses from Finland. They will buy all ther anc o has here” they have enough aid at times a ember, Weberit fices in h 84408. MENT mni of “It’s really not any colder in Moscow than in Chicago but the Russians dress for and programs. jeans, coats, and sweaters. In the celebration of the a Meat has not been for sale in stores in Russian flag and extolled Stalin. At Christmas (called New Years) she danced with a little boy and in the spring they had a birthday party for Lenin. Through Gina’s enrollment in the Russian School the Greer’s met many more Russian people than would Siberia for many years. People obtain it revolution Gina carried by illegal means and as a result re seph [ff | uehl I} fy iy ‘ with them of the and Events sponsored by Office of Cultural Affairs in the Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts: Thursday Oct. 26 Harry Truman Show Wednesday Nov. Harp Friday 1 Nov. 3 Tuesday Nov. 7 Wednesday Russia Abrasenic-Yugoslavian Dancers Frank Wiens-Pianist Wednesday Nov. 15 Richard Wednesday Monday Tuesday Tuesday Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Thursday Tuesday Wednesday Nov. 30 Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Nov. 21 Wednesday Rodgers are usually KGB-state security 22 27 28 28 America Film Series (6) America Film Series (6) America Film Series (7) official prices are theater bear. Ambitious salesmen will ride a train 2,000 miles in the winter to sell a few cases of tomatos and ‘‘make killing” at $1 to $1.50 for a tomato. a 8 p.n 8 p.n Everything is sold 8 p.n are full-time ballet and | employees in | make a regular Russian salary. ‘The stars, however, make fantas amounts and are probably the rich people in the country,’’ Dr. Greer sa In addition to these cultural Buying food is a time-consuming proposition in Russia, with hours spent for it and another to get the item. Milk was often sour except in stores with the eve’ there are 100 theaters with live « tertainment, two circuses, race trac and 20 sports clubs with teams in kinds of sports. They are inexpens' and open to everyone. In his studies on terminal lakes | Greer and his family traveled to visit | lakes. They were guests of powerful m different stores.‘‘ and were often treated like royalty w Cultural events, however, florish in Russia. ‘‘On any night in Moscow there suites. He could usually speak Russian than the translators. are 10 or 15 ballets, 5 or 6 operas and many plays to choose from. An especially popular Avante written by Russian. people,’”’ explained Dr. Bulgakov, even Drawings by Janice Greer 8 p.r 8 p.r 8 p.n 12 p.n Scrolls’ Performers in opera, posted the traffic will agency. ‘‘Academicians are the only foreigners who can mix freely with the Eighty per cent of their acquaintances 8 p.1r America Film Series (7) In the open markets where farmers lines. 8 p.r 8 p.n 8 p.n Dec. 12 Dec. 13 Dec. 19 longest 8 p.r Americans) 8 p.n 8 p.n 8 p.n Wednesday Tuesday but they charge what 8 p.m (Young Mark Russell-Satirist America Film Series (5) America Film Series (5) Tuesday sell produce 8 p.r America Film Series (4) Dec. 20 8 p.r 8 p.Ir America Film Series (3) Dr. Clifford Wilson ‘‘Dead Sea America: Film Series (4) Dr. Clifford Wilson ‘“‘UFO’s” ‘“You stand in three lines-one to find Greer. Show America Film Series (3). Nov. 29 Wednesday (Homecoming) America Film Series (2) Nov. 13 Tuesday 8 p.1r from Audubon Film Series Nov. 8 Monday Quartet out how much an item costs, one to pay their offices where the only Russians they come in contact with are assigned members Val A. Browning, Ogden industrialist, and Dan Martino, director of the WSC Office of Cultural Affairs, study program offerings. Mr. Browning’s gift of a $1 million trust fund to build and enrich the cultural arts is bringing ‘‘some prestigious programs without charge and others at admission prices all can afford to the college. A broader and richer selection of cultural programs is made possible through income from the gift,’’ said Mr. Martino. The current season has 35 offerings representing bookings in ten categories — something for everyone. in long lines. Diplomats, correspondents and businessmen have to live in compounds together. They are guarded and drive to to work con- stantly live on the border of fear. They never know when they might be cracked down on. otherwise have been the case. tor then Greer. He pulled Gina to school each day on a sled. She participated in three October sident 1 vicesy money sell them again later at a profit. Although it is illegal to purchase from foreigners, the Russians were very eager to buy whatever they could from the Greer’s. They expecially wanted the children very protectively,’ said Dr. Wilson. ty reorge eBoer isaker stewart cer uss opposite inexpensive. Public transportation is cheap but terribly crowded. It takes 1 like nd _fruil) ad.”’ grade exactly another family member.‘ The Greer’s had to rely on other Americans and friends in exchanging dresses mistake is think of leaving a child with anyone but not a which from what they preach. This new class has all the privileges the Czar’s once received. The Russian people live very the are makes definite ‘‘privileged class.’’ They have special stores, hospitals and tran- teachers says ‘‘that’s wrong, sit down.” Girls wear onally if) personal) d I haves > a the people and their life-style is very conservative and _ hide-bound to tradition. Historically they have been conservative. Other Europeans would have revolted long ago. There is a sportation Margaret tended a Russian kindergarten with her | were Russian. Even though their Russian associates thought for many months they were really spies. Janice, outgoing and friendly, met parents at the school, play ground and park, Friends introduced them to friends. At a farewell in their honor they had 40 Russian friends attend which is unusual. ‘The USSR is extremely conservative. We think of Russia as revolutionary but the Garde modern play author, knocks the system and is sold out months in advance. entourages of 2 or 3 cars and expens: bet Dr. Greer is currently writing a b« on the worlds terminal lakes, along w different authors from around the wor He hopes to return to Russia for a ‘sh time to. wrap up loose ends on the bo