Italy in Saint-Petersburg

Francesco Attolini

Photographer, gallery owner 010101, lives in Saint-Petersburg for 1,5 years/p>

Kazanskiĭ Cathedral[1]

It is known that Kazanskiĭ Cathedral was built on the model of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. But I think the authors have done much more than a copy - they brought a soul to this project. This is fantastic piece of architecture, a new style was born in St. Petersburg - a mixture of Italian taste with Russian traditions. In my opinion, it was a great solution of your king - to gather different architects in the city to create your own kulture that delights. This is a big art project. I can say that I'm doing the same: I used to be an artist, and organized my own exhibitions in Russia, now support Italian authors, who are exhibited here. Carlo Rossi street [2]

Carlo Rossi street is my favourite street in Saint-Petersburg. It is ideal not only in terms of the geometry and general ensemble, but also very light, especially against the background of the street Lomonosov. I live in Russia for one and a half of year. At first time I came to Saint-Peterburg as a tourist in 2005. The first impresion - the city of light as I came in June, it was hot and sunny, white nights. I think that there is no any problems with the weather in Saint-Petersburg. To be honest I like winter very much - I`m happy when the streets are snowy. Nevsky prospect (Anichkov Palace, Public Library) [3]

I like walking at the city when I have free time. Snow, wind, rain - it doesn`t matter. I like living in the center, on Nevsky prospect. Citizens prefer living at the outscirts as it is calm and fresh air there. But I like to be in the center of cultural life. Moreover I feel Italian culture in each house. Regarding the non-stopping restoration of the center, in my opinion it is good.

In 2006 and 2007, when I came here with master classes, I began to recognize the scale of modern art in St. Petersburg. I saw the opening of new projects - "Etagi" for example - saw new galleries, I saw the movement. I like living in the city which grows. That`s why I decided to move there. I have a lot of friends in Russia. It is a part of my job. However, I know literally seven or eight Italians here, not more. Despite the fact that I almost do not know Russian, language barrier doesn`t nterfere. I think that the fact that Russians are bad in knowledge of other languages​​, the same stereotype as that everybody eats only pizza in Italy. Of course I can cook pizza, I`m a good cooker, but anyway. You can try good Italian, for example, in the restaurant Gusto, in the "Attic" or in the cafe "Italy". I love pancakes with sour cream and even can cook borsch.