2014年10月1日 星期三

世界五大博物館之一聖彼得堡隱士博物館

國家隱士廬博物館(State Hermitage Museum)The State Hermitage 

 осуда́рственный Эрмита́жtr. Gosudárstvennyj Ermitáž

世界五大博物館之一聖彼得堡隱士博物館

跌跌撞撞之後,走進冬宮

聖彼得堡隱士博物館之旅

與內人一路跌跌撞撞的俄國之旅,經歷語言不通、交通轉折與許多意料之外的困難,終於來到夢中的 Saint Petersburg(聖彼得堡)

當火車駛入這座彼得大帝建立的北方之都時,我們彷彿也從一路的緊張與不安中,走進另一個世界。涅瓦河 Neva River(涅瓦河) 水色深沉,運河穿過古老街區,宮殿、教堂與橋梁在北國淡淡的天光下,呈現出一種既華麗又憂鬱的氣質。

來到聖彼得堡,有一個地方無論如何不能錯過,那便是名列世界最重要博物館之一的 The State Hermitage Museum(國立隱士博物館,又稱艾米塔吉博物館)

俄文館名  原有「隱居之所、幽靜居室」之意。然而,這座原本屬於沙皇與女皇的私人珍藏之地,後來竟成為一座收藏世界文明、向千萬世人敞開大門的藝術宮殿。

宮殿廣場前的碧綠色長夢

走過遼闊的 Palace Square(宮殿廣場),眼前的 Winter Palace(冬宮) 像一道綿延不盡的碧綠色波浪。

白色圓柱、金色裝飾與排列整齊的窗戶,在聖彼得堡的天空下顯得雍容而冷峻。這裡曾是俄羅斯帝國權力的核心,沙皇、皇后、親王、將軍與外國使節,曾穿著最華麗的衣飾,走過那些大理石階梯與金碧輝煌的長廊。

而我們只是兩名從台灣遠道而來、一路克服語言與交通障礙的普通旅人。

然而,藝術面前,帝王與平民終究都只是過客。

跨入冬宮大門的那一刻,旅途中的狼狽似乎都被留在了宮殿之外。映入眼簾的,是高聳的天花板、層層延伸的階梯、潔白的大理石與閃耀的鍍金裝飾。人站在其中,不由自主地放輕腳步,也放低聲音。

一座博物館,六座歷史建築

我在隨身攜帶的筆記本上,仔細抄下隱士博物館的建築:

  • The Winter Palace(冬宮)

  • The Small Hermitage(小隱士廬)

  • The Old Hermitage/Large Hermitage(舊隱士廬/大隱士廬)

  • The New Hermitage(新隱士廬)

  • The Hermitage Theatre(隱士博物館劇院)

  • The Reserve House of the Winter Palace(冬宮儲備庫)

後來隱士博物館的館舍又擴展到 General Staff Building(總參謀部大樓)Menshikov Palace(緬希科夫宮) 及其他展覽與儲藏設施。

僅冬宮本身便有一千多個房間;整個博物館則有數百間展廳對外開放。館藏超過 three million objects(三百萬件文物與藝術品),但實際展出的只是其中一小部分。

人們常說,如果在每件藏品前只停留一分鐘,也需要許多年才能看完。對一名旅人而言,想在一天之內「看完冬宮」,其實是一個不可能完成的願望。

我們能做的,只是在藝術的大海中,選擇幾道浪花,讓它們留在記憶裡。


那一天,我們不敢按下快門

進入館內後,我看見牆上與告示牌上密密麻麻的俄文。當時我的俄語有限,只能靠筆記本裡預先寫下的句子問路與買票。我似乎從告示中理解到「禁止拍照」,又見周圍的觀眾都沒有拿出相機,只是安靜地站在畫前欣賞,因此我與內人也不敢貿然按下快門。

於是,那一天留下的照片並不多。

起初難免覺得可惜;多年後再回想,卻覺得未必是遺憾。因為沒有忙著調整鏡頭,也沒有急著證明「我曾來過」,我們反而真正站在畫前,用眼睛觀看,用心記憶。

大家都很安靜。

沒有人高聲談笑,也少見此起彼落的快門聲。觀眾在林布蘭、達文西與拉斐爾的作品前停留,彷彿怕任何聲響都會驚動畫中沉睡了幾百年的靈魂。

有些旅行,最後留下的是照片;有些旅行,留下的卻是當時的一片寂靜。

冬宮收藏的並非大量複製品

當時我或許因為看見 Raphael Loggias(拉斐爾長廊) 是仿製自梵蒂岡的作品,便誤以為館內許多藏品也是複製品。後來才明白,這是一個需要修正的印象。

隱士博物館絕大多數重要繪畫、雕塑及文物,都是珍貴的 original works(原作)。達文西、拉斐爾、米開朗基羅、林布蘭、魯本斯、范戴克、莫內、塞尚、高更與梵谷的作品,並不是普通複製品。

比較著名的「仿製」空間,是凱薩琳大帝下令重建的 Raphael Loggias(拉斐爾長廊)。它依照梵蒂岡宗座宮內由拉斐爾及其工作室設計的長廊製作,在聖彼得堡重現聖經故事、花草、鳥獸與古典裝飾。這不是廉價複製,而是一座十八世紀依原作進行的等比例藝術再創造。拉斐爾長廊的複製背景

走進其中,拱頂上的圖像一格接一格向前延伸,花葉、神獸與人物在柔和色彩中彼此纏繞。人在長廊內行走,彷彿也走進了一部由圖像寫成的《聖經》。

凱薩琳大帝與三百萬件收藏的開端

隱士博物館的收藏規模,與 Catherine the Great(凱薩琳大帝/葉卡捷琳娜二世) 密不可分。

1764年,她購入一批西歐繪畫,成為隱士博物館收藏的重要起點。此後,她透過外交官、藝術商與歐洲代理人大量收購名畫、雕塑、寶石、書籍與古代文物。

她收藏藝術,當然出於個人愛好,也帶有鮮明的政治意圖。她希望向歐洲證明,俄羅斯不再是被西方視為邊陲的國家,而是一個有能力收藏、理解並代表歐洲文明的強大帝國。

她曾在 Small Hermitage(小隱士廬) 與親近友人舉行私人聚會。那裡遠離繁複的宮廷禮節,因此被稱為 Hermitage(隱居之所)。誰能想到,女皇的一處私人幽居,最後竟發展成擁有三百萬件藏品的世界級博物館?

一個人的收藏慾,有時竟能改變一座城市的文化命運。

沙皇走過的宮廷大廳

冬宮不只是博物館,也是一座仍保留帝國記憶的宮殿。

Peter the Great Memorial Hall(彼得大帝紀念廳) 以紅色天鵝絨、金色裝飾及彼得大帝的肖像,紀念建立聖彼得堡的沙皇。他把俄羅斯的視線引向波羅的海,也以近乎強硬的方式,逼迫這個古老國家走向現代歐洲。

St George Hall/Great Throne Room(聖喬治大廳/大御座廳),白色大理石、鍍金柱飾與皇室雙頭鷹共同構成帝國權力的舞台。這裡曾舉行重要宮廷典禮、接見、宴會與皇室儀式。

不過,俄國沙皇的正式 coronation(加冕典禮),主要是在莫斯科克里姆林宮的 Dormition Cathedral(聖母安息主教座堂) 舉行,而不是冬宮。冬宮主要是帝國日常統治、外交接待及宮廷生活的中心。

站在空曠的御座廳裡,我想到昔日滿堂的制服、勳章、珠寶與長裙。如今沙皇不在,臣子不在,音樂與舞會也都停止了;只有大廳仍保持莊嚴,像一座華麗的空殼,保存著早已消失的權力。

筆記本上的「鎮館五寶」

隱士博物館並沒有一套全世界一致公認的「鎮館五寶」。然而,華人旅遊書與導遊常從浩瀚館藏中挑選幾件最重要的作品,稱為必看珍寶。

在我的筆記本上,記著以下幾件:

一、米開朗基羅《蜷伏的男孩》

Michelangelo, Crouching Boy(米開朗基羅《蜷伏的男孩》)

少年低頭蜷伏,身體彎曲,手臂與腿收攏在一起。雕像似乎尚未完全完成,有些部位仍保留石材粗糙的痕跡。

然而,正是這種「未完成」,使它更像一個正在從大理石中掙扎而出的生命。

米開朗基羅相信,人物原本就藏在石頭裡,雕刻家的工作只是把多餘的石塊除去。站在《蜷伏的男孩》前,我彷彿看見一個年輕生命被困在冰冷石材之中,承受著人世尚未說出的痛苦。

他是在哭泣、沉思,還是在躲避命運?

雕像沒有答案。藝術之所以動人,常常正因為它拒絕給出唯一答案。

二、拉斐爾的聖母

隱士博物館收藏拉斐爾多幅重要作品,其中包括:

  • The Conestabile Madonna(《康尼斯塔比勒聖母》)

  • The Holy Family with the Beardless Saint Joseph(《無鬚聖約瑟的聖家族》)

拉斐爾筆下的聖母,不像高高在上的神祇,而更像一位溫柔的人間母親。她低頭看著懷中的孩子,神情平靜,卻彷彿已預知孩子未來的苦難。

母愛總是如此:在孩子尚未了解世界以前,母親早已替他感到歡喜,也替他預先承受憂傷。

三、林布蘭《浪子回頭》

Rembrandt, The Return of the Prodigal Son(林布蘭《浪子回頭》)

這是隱士博物館最令人久久無法離開的作品之一。

畫中的浪子耗盡財產、歷盡苦難,衣衫破舊地跪在父親面前。父親沒有責備,只把雙手輕輕放在他的肩背上。周圍人物隱沒在陰影裡,只有父親與兒子被溫暖的光照亮。

那雙手,一隻似乎寬大有力,另一隻卻溫柔纖細,既像父親,也像母親。

林布蘭晚年失去妻子、孩子、財富與聲望,因此他所畫的「回家」,不只是《聖經》故事,也像是一個歷盡滄桑的老人,為自己尋找最後的寬恕。

旅行的人走得再遠,內心最深的願望,也許仍只是有一個地方願意接納我們回去。

四、達文西《哺乳聖母》

Leonardo da Vinci, Madonna Litta(達文西《哺乳聖母》,約1490年代)

聖母在幽暗室內懷抱幼小的耶穌,身後兩扇拱形窗戶透出遠山與藍天。孩子依偎在母親懷中,畫面寧靜而親密。

這件作品在傳統上歸於達文西名下,但部分學者認為可能有他的工作室助手參與。無論最終作者歸屬如何,它仍保留了典型的達文西式柔和光影與深遠風景。

畫面沒有帝王宮殿,也沒有神蹟降臨,只有一位母親餵養孩子。

最神聖的事物,往往就藏在最平凡的動作裡。

五、達文西《柏諾瓦的聖母》

Leonardo da Vinci, The Benois Madonna(達文西《柏諾瓦的聖母》,約1478–1480)

年輕的聖母與孩子一起凝視手中的小花。她不像傳統宗教畫裡莊嚴、遙遠的聖母,反而像一位正在逗弄孩子的年輕母親,臉上甚至帶著自然的笑意。

那朵小花既是一場母子遊戲,也暗示耶穌未來的受難。

達文西把神性藏入人性,把預言藏進一個溫柔瞬間。也許真正偉大的藝術,從來不是讓人畏懼神,而是讓人從母親與孩子的目光中,理解愛本身便是一種神蹟。

從埃及、波斯到希臘羅馬

隱士博物館並不只收藏歐洲名畫。它更像一座濃縮的人類文明史,從史前時代一路延伸到二十世紀。

古埃及文物

Egyptian Antiquities(古埃及文物) 展區,可以看到:

  • Sarcophagi(石棺)

  • Mummies(木乃伊)

  • Reliefs(浮雕)

  • Papyrus(紙莎草紙)

  • 神像、護身符及日常器物

木乃伊安靜地躺在玻璃櫃中,死亡已過去數千年,肉身卻仍留在人間。古埃及人相信,只要身體、名字與靈魂得以保存,死者便能在另一個世界繼續生活。

然而,他們大概不曾想過,自己最後會遠離尼羅河,長眠在冰雪之國的宮殿裡。

西亞與兩河流域

Western Asian Art(西亞藝術) 包含來自巴比倫、亞述、波斯、土耳其與伊朗地區的銀器、雕塑、陶器及金屬工藝。

那些曾經強盛的帝國,如今只剩文字、器物與斷裂石像。帝王都以為自己的疆土可以延伸到永遠,歷史卻一次次證明:真正比王國長久的,往往不是軍隊,而是藝術。

古希臘與古羅馬

Classical Antiquities(古典時期文物) 展區內,排列著古希臘與古羅馬的雕像、陶瓶、錢幣與神話人物。

殘缺的大理石身體,仍保存著肌肉的力量與衣褶的流動。雕像失去手臂,神廟化為廢墟,然而古希臘人對人體比例、理性與美的追求,至今仍影響著世界。

史前藝術與珠寶

Prehistoric Art(史前藝術) 記錄人類在文字出現以前的生活;Jewellery and Decorative Art(珠寶與裝飾藝術) 則展示斯基泰、薩爾馬提亞、波斯、俄羅斯及歐洲不同時代的黃金與寶石工藝。

珠寶曾佩戴在國王、王后與貴族身上,如今主人已不可考,只剩黃金依然閃耀。

人會老去,權力會消失,黃金卻冷靜地看著一代又一代人為它著迷。

西歐繪畫的漫長河流

隱士博物館的 Western European Art(西歐藝術),像一條從文藝復興流向現代的藝術長河。

Italian Renaissance(義大利文藝復興) 展區,可以看見達文西、拉斐爾、提香等人的作品;在 Italian and Spanish Fine Art(義大利與西班牙藝術) 中,宗教、王權與人性彼此交織。

來到十七世紀的 Flemish Baroque(法蘭德斯巴洛克),則有:

  • Peter Paul Rubens(彼得・保羅・魯本斯)

  • Anthony van Dyck(安東尼・范戴克)

魯本斯的畫面充滿肉體、速度與生命熱力;范戴克筆下的貴族則修長、優雅而略帶疏離。華麗衣飾之下,畫中人物似乎都知道自己正在被後世觀看。

Dutch Golden Age(荷蘭黃金時代) 的林布蘭,把光從黑暗中慢慢召喚出來。他畫的不只是人的外貌,而是歲月在臉上留下的痕跡。

德國、瑞士、英國及法國藝術——German, Swiss, British and French Fine Art——則讓觀眾從宗教改革、宮廷肖像,一路走到法國新古典主義 French Neoclassicism(法國新古典主義)

至於莫內、塞尚、高更、雷諾瓦、馬蒂斯與梵谷等 Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art(印象派與後印象派藝術),今日許多重要作品主要陳列於宮殿廣場另一側的 General Staff Building(總參謀部大樓)

  • Claude Monet(克勞德・莫內) 把光畫成流動的空氣;

  • Paul Cézanne(保羅・塞尚) 從蘋果與山體中尋找永恆的結構;

  • Paul Gauguin(保羅・高更) 在遠方島嶼追尋原始色彩;

  • Vincent van Gogh(文森・梵谷) 則把孤獨、星光與生命的顫抖,一起留在顏料之中。

他們生前未必都受到理解,死後卻成為全世界爭相仰望的大師。命運有時殘酷:掌聲總在藝術家聽不見以後,才姍姍來遲。


俄羅斯藝術:終於回到這片土地的靈魂

看過埃及、希臘、義大利、荷蘭與法國,最後仍要回到 Russian Art(俄羅斯藝術)

俄羅斯藝術有一種特殊的沉重感。它的華麗背後常有苦難,宗教光輝之中又帶著土地、戰爭、信仰與人民命運的陰影。

東正教聖像 Russian Icons(俄羅斯聖像畫) 中,聖人的眼睛深沉而哀傷;帝王肖像展示權力與榮耀,民間題材卻描繪貧困、勞動與漫長冬季。

那一刻,我忽然明白,真正的俄羅斯並不只在宮殿的黃金中,也在托爾斯泰、杜斯妥也夫斯基與契訶夫筆下那些受苦、掙扎卻仍渴望救贖的人物之中。


沒有照片,記憶反而更加清楚

離開隱士博物館時,我們已經走得雙腳疲憊。

回頭望去,一間間大廳仍向遠處延伸。還有太多作品沒有看到,太多名字來不及抄下,太多歷史只能在短暫停留間匆匆掠過。

我低頭看看手中的筆記本。上面寫著歪斜的俄文、英文畫名、年代與藝術家的名字。有些拼錯了,有些記混了,有些地方只剩幾個不完整的字。

當時沒有拍下多少照片,我一度認為那是遺憾。可是多年後再翻閱這本筆記,反而覺得那些匆忙寫下的字,比照片更接近當時的自己。

照片記錄的是作品的外貌;筆記記錄的,卻是一個旅人在震撼中,努力不讓記憶消失的心情。

我們跌跌撞撞地穿過俄羅斯,最後走進聖彼得堡最華麗的宮殿。一路上曾因語言而迷失,因交通而焦急,也曾害怕遭到盤查;可是當我站在《浪子回頭》前,看見父親將手放在歸來的孩子肩上,旅途中所有的不安似乎忽然安靜下來。

也許每一段艱難的旅行,最後都在尋找這樣的一刻:

走過陌生、恐懼與迷路之後,終於在一幅畫、一座宮殿或一束從窗外照進來的光中,感到自己已經抵達。

冬宮收藏了三百萬件珍寶,而我真正帶走的,只有一本潦草的筆記,以及與內人並肩走過那些大廳的記憶。

那便已經足夠。

因為藝術終究不能被相機完全帶走;它只在我們凝望它的那一刻,悄悄進入生命,成為多年以後仍不會褪色的一部分。

館藏三百萬件

The Hermitage Museum complex:冬宮(The Winter Palace:、小隱士廬(Small Hermitage)、舊(大)隱士廬(大艾米塔吉皇宮,Large Hermitage)、新隱士廬(New Hermitage),和國家隱士廬劇院,冬宮儲備庫

1057間,開放參觀約400個展廳

彼得一世紀念廳沙皇加冕及舉辦婚禮的場所俄國沙皇凱薩琳大帝大肆採購

複製自梵帝岡拉斐爾長廊,

鎮館五寶:1.米開朗基羅的《蜷伏的男孩》、2.3.拉斐爾的《聖母子》與《聖家族》,4.林布蘭的《浪子回頭》。5.達文西的『哺乳聖母』(Madonna Litta1490-91)

古埃及(Egyptian antiquities):石棺、木乃伊、浮雕、紙莎草紙

西亞文物:

巴比倫、亞述、土耳、伊朗其銀器,雕塑

古希臘和古羅馬雕像、花瓶

Classical antiquities

史前藝術:Prehistoric art

Jewelry and decorative art

西歐藝術:Italian RenaissanceItalian and Spanish fine art

Dutch Golden Age and Flemish Baroque

German, Swiss, British and French fine artFrench Neoclassical, Impressionist, and post-Impressionist art

『柏諾瓦的聖母』(The Benois Madonna1478-80)17世紀法蘭德斯畫派(Flemish school)魯本斯(Rubens)、范戴克(Van Dyck)等的作品,印象派作家/莫內、塞尚、高更和凡高

俄國藝術:Russian art

 























票價:R700元









攝影照相暫時禁止公告

Photography and video recording are prohibited in temporary exhibitions.

The right to reproduce exhibition images from the museum’s collections is granted by the State Hermitage, only to organizations upon written request.

https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/visitus/main-museum-complex/information_page/Rules+and+Services+Information/?lng=en



2014年9月14日 星期日

俄羅斯

莫斯科》(train 793 kmKazan11h 12m)(克山)》 Novgorod( Volga River)下諾夫哥羅德(窩瓦河畔。是下諾夫哥羅德州的首府)契卡洛夫斯克》伏拉迪米爾》蘇茲達爾》莫斯科(flight)》聖彼得堡(train 2.4h)大諾夫哥羅德(沃爾霍夫河,伊爾門湖)聖彼得堡》莫斯科

Vladimir Oblast (俄羅斯弗拉迪米爾州)

Into Russia with Twenty Sentences and a Questionable Invitation

靠二十句俄語勇闖俄羅斯

My wife and I once travelled independently through Russia, relying on little more than an invitation letter purchased online and twenty useful Russian sentences written on a piece of paper.

At that time, independent travel in Russia was not easy. English was rarely spoken outside major tourist areas, railway stations were confusing, and buying a ticket could become a serious challenge. Even obtaining a visa required an official-looking invitation. We bought ours through the internet, but throughout the journey I worried that the authorities might discover that it was not a genuine personal invitation.

Whenever I saw a police officer, I instinctively tried to keep my distance. I feared being stopped, questioned, or asked to produce the invitation again. Ironically, toward the end of the journey, it was a Russian police officer who kindly showed us the way when we were completely lost.

This journey gradually changed my image of Russia. Behind its complicated bureaucracy, unfamiliar language, and sometimes stern-looking faces, we discovered a country filled with generous and warm-hearted people.

Moscow: The Beginning of Our Adventure

莫斯科:冒險的起點

Our journey began in Moscow(莫斯科), the immense capital of Russia. The city appeared powerful and solemn, with its broad avenues, monumental buildings, crowded metro stations, and memories of the Soviet era.

We visited Red Square(紅場), the colourful Saint Basil’s Cathedral(聖瓦西里大教堂), and the Kremlin(克里姆林宮). Standing before the red walls and towers, I felt that I had entered a place that had shaped centuries of Russian and world history.

Yet our greatest challenge was not understanding Russian history—it was simply finding the correct railway station and buying our tickets.

I carried a sheet of paper containing about twenty basic Russian sentences. They included:

“Where is the railway station?”
“Где вокзал?”(火車站在哪裡?)

“Two tickets, please.”
“Два билета, пожалуйста.”(請給我們兩張票。)

“What time does the train leave?”
“Когда отправляется поезд?”(火車幾點開?)

“Which platform?”
“Какая платформа?”(哪一個月台?)

“Does this train go to Kazan?”
“Этот поезд идёт в Казань?”(這班火車到喀山嗎?)

I had copied these sentences carefully, but I could hardly pronounce them. Whenever we needed help, I simply pointed to the appropriate sentence. Sometimes the person understood; sometimes my pronunciation caused even greater confusion.

The Long Train to Kazan 搭乘長途火車前往喀山

From Moscow, we took an overnight train to Kazan(喀山), approximately 793 kilometres away. The journey lasted about eleven hours and twelve minutes.

As the train left Moscow, the great city gradually gave way to forests, fields, small villages, and wooden houses. Lying in our sleeping compartment, we listened to the steady sound of the wheels and wondered what awaited us in the morning.

Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan(韃靼斯坦共和國), revealed a very different side of Russia. Russian Orthodox Christianity(俄羅斯東正教)and Tatar Islamic culture(韃靼伊斯蘭文化)coexisted within the city.

At the Kazan Kremlin(喀山克里姆林宮), the blue-and-white Kul Sharif Mosque(庫爾沙里夫清真寺)stood near the Orthodox Annunciation Cathedral(聖母領報大教堂). Seeing a mosque and an Orthodox church within the same historic complex was deeply impressive. It showed us that Russia was far more culturally diverse than we had imagined.

Nizhny Novgorod and the Volga 下諾夫哥羅德與窩瓦河

We next travelled to Nizhny Novgorod, the capital of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast(下諾夫哥羅德州). The city stands at the meeting point of the Volga River(窩瓦河)and the Oka River(奧卡河).

The Volga is often called the mother river of Russia. Standing above its wide waters, I began to understand why it occupies such an important place in Russian history, literature, and music. The river appeared calm and immense, carrying the memories of traders, soldiers, pilgrims, and ordinary families who had lived along its banks.

The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin(下諾夫哥羅德克里姆林宮)overlooked the rivers from a high hill. Its red-brick walls and towers seemed to guard the long history of this old commercial city.

Chkalovsk: Kindness in the Russian Countryside 契卡洛夫斯克:俄羅斯鄉間的人情

We continued to Chkalovsk(契卡洛夫斯克), a much smaller town associated with the famous Soviet pilot Valery Chkalov(瓦列里・契卡洛夫).

Travelling through the Russian countryside was completely different from visiting Moscow. Transportation information was difficult to find, English signs were rare, and almost nobody spoke English. At times, even determining where to wait for a bus seemed impossible.

It was here that we experienced the kindness of a compassionate Russian woman. Seeing that we were lost, she stopped to help us. We could not speak Russian, and she could not speak English, yet she patiently listened, examined our map and written notes, and tried to understand our destination.

She pointed down the road, made gestures to indicate a bus, and even waited to make sure that we did not miss it. Her clothing was simple and her manner modest, but her concern for two foreign strangers was sincere.

We never learned her name, and she probably never knew ours. Nevertheless, her kindness remains one of my clearest memories of Russia. Famous monuments may impress us for a moment, but an unexpected act of kindness can remain in the heart for a lifetime.

Asking Directions Without a Common Language 沒有共同語言的問路經驗

On another occasion, we approached a group of Russians to ask for directions. None of them spoke English. I showed them the name of our destination and pointed to one of the Russian sentences on my paper.

At first, everyone looked confused. Then they began discussing our problem among themselves. One person pointed to the left, another disagreed and pointed to the right. Someone imitated the movement of a train, while another used his fingers to indicate how many stops we needed to travel.

Soon, the simple act of asking directions became a lively group effort. They drew lines in the air, pointed at our map, moved their hands like vehicles, and repeated Russian words that we could not understand. My wife and I responded with our own gestures, nodding whenever we thought we understood.

Although our conversation contained almost no shared words, we somehow communicated through expressions, gestures, maps, and goodwill. They did not walk away simply because communication was difficult. They remained until they believed we knew where to go.

Their willingness to help touched us deeply. It taught me that language is important, but patience and sincerity can sometimes communicate even more.

Vladimir: Gateway to the Golden Ring 伏拉迪米爾:通往黃金圈的門戶

We then travelled to Vladimir(伏拉迪米爾), one of the principal cities of Russia’s Golden Ring(俄羅斯黃金圈).

Vladimir was once an important political and religious centre of the medieval Rus’ principalities(羅斯諸公國). Its Golden Gate(黃金之門) reminded us of the city’s former strength, while the Assumption Cathedral(聖母安息主教座堂) represented its spiritual importance.

Inside the cathedral, we saw ancient religious paintings and icons(聖像畫) associated with the great icon painter Andrei Rublev(安德烈・盧布廖夫). The solemn faces, candlelight, and fragrance of incense created an atmosphere very different from Western European churches.

My understanding of the ancient Moscow state became clearer here. Before Moscow grew into the centre of a powerful state, cities such as Vladimir had played essential roles in the political and religious development of Russia.

Suzdal: A Living Picture of Old Russia 蘇茲達爾:古老俄羅斯的縮影

From Vladimir, we continued to Suzdal perhaps the most enchanting town of the Golden Ring.

Suzdal seemed almost untouched by modern industrial development. Its wooden houses small river, green meadows, onion-shaped domes, monasteries, and ancient churches formed a peaceful picture of old Russia.

Church bells rang across the countryside, and white stone buildings rose above the green fields. Walking slowly through the town, we felt that we had stepped back several centuries into the world of ancient Muscovy(古莫斯科公國).

In Moscow, Russian history had appeared grand and powerful. In Suzdal, it became quiet, rural, and intimate. This was the Russia of monasteries, farmers, craftsmen, wooden villages, and religious faith.

Among all the places we visited, Suzdal was one of the most beautiful. Its beauty did not come from luxury but from simplicity, harmony, and the feeling that history was still alive.

Returning to Moscow and Flying North 返回莫斯科,再飛往北方

After completing our Golden Ring journey, we returned to Moscow. By then, we had become more confident. We still depended on our small sheet of Russian sentences, but railway stations and ticket counters no longer frightened us as much as before.

From Moscow, we flew to Saint Petersburg(聖彼得堡), Russia’s magnificent former imperial capital on the Neva River(涅瓦河).

Saint Petersburg felt completely different from Moscow. Moscow was powerful, traditional, and closely connected with the old Russian state. Saint Petersburg appeared more European, elegant, and open to the sea. Its canals, bridges, palaces, and classical façades reflected the ambition of Peter the Great(彼得大帝), who founded the city as Russia’s “window to Europe”.

We admired the Winter Palace(冬宮)and explored the Hermitage Museum(艾爾米塔什博物館). Its enormous collections of paintings, sculptures, and imperial treasures were almost overwhelming. One visit could never be enough to appreciate them fully.

The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood(滴血救世主教堂)was dazzling with its colourful domes and mosaics, while the grand avenues and canals gave the city a romantic beauty.

By Train to Veliky Novgorod 搭火車前往大諾夫哥羅德

From Saint Petersburg, we travelled by train to Veliky Novgorod(大諾夫哥羅德). Depending on the train service and route, the journey generally took several hours.

Veliky Novgorod stands beside the Volkhov River(沃爾霍夫河), which flows northward from Lake Ilmen(伊爾門湖). The quiet river and broad sky gave the old city a calm, timeless atmosphere.

This was one of the birthplaces of Russian history. The Novgorod Republic(諾夫哥羅德共和國)had once been a prosperous trading and political centre, maintaining connections with other parts of northern Europe.

Inside the Novgorod Kremlin(大諾夫哥羅德克里姆林宮), we visited Saint Sophia Cathedral(聖索菲亞主教座堂), one of Russia’s oldest churches. Its massive walls and ancient domes possessed a simple dignity. Unlike the elaborate palaces of Saint Petersburg, Veliky Novgorod spoke of an earlier Russia shaped by trade, faith, fortified cities, and powerful local communities.

Standing beside the Volkhov River, we could imagine medieval merchants sailing toward Lake Ilmen and carrying goods between Russia and the Baltic world.

Saint Petersburg and Back to Moscow 聖彼得堡,再回到莫斯科

After visiting Veliky Novgorod, we returned to Saint Petersburg and later completed our journey by travelling back to Moscow.

By then, Russia no longer seemed as frightening or inaccessible as it had at the beginning. We had crossed great distances by train, aeroplane, bus, and local transportation. We had travelled from modern capitals to small country towns and from the Islamic heritage of Kazan to the Orthodox heartland of the Golden Ring.

More importantly, we had learned to trust people.

From Avoiding the Police to Accepting Their Help 從躲避警察到接受警察幫助

Throughout the early part of the journey, I felt nervous whenever I saw the police. I worried about our online invitation letter and feared that a detailed inspection might create trouble. If officers appeared near a railway station, I quietly changed direction or tried not to attract their attention.

Near the end of the trip, however, my wife and I became badly lost. We had difficulty reading the signs, and none of our twenty Russian sentences could solve the problem. At last, a police officer noticed our confusion and approached us.

My first reaction was anxiety. I thought, “Will he ask for our passports? Will he examine our visas? Will he question our invitation?”

Instead, he listened patiently, looked at our destination, and kindly showed us the correct way. He did more than point from a distance—he led us far enough to make certain that we would not become lost again.

At that moment, I felt both grateful and slightly embarrassed. The person I had spent much of the journey trying to avoid had become the person who helped us when we most needed assistance.

It was a small incident, but it changed something within me. Fear often grows from imagination and unfamiliarity. Direct human contact can replace that fear with understanding.

The Russia We Remember 我們記憶中的俄羅斯

Before the journey, Russia seemed distant, severe, and difficult to enter. During the journey, we certainly encountered confusion, long distances, unfamiliar procedures, and a language we could not understand.

Yet the Russia we remember most clearly is the Russia of friendly people.

We remember the kind countrywoman who patiently helped two lost foreigners. We remember the group of people who used their hands, faces, and entire bodies to explain the correct direction. We remember strangers who examined our tickets, carried our bags, pointed toward platforms, and waited until they were certain we understood. We even remember the police officer whom I had feared, but who eventually became our guide.

My wife showed remarkable courage throughout the journey. Whenever I became worried, she remained calm. When my Russian pronunciation failed, she smiled and used gestures. Together, we confronted one difficulty after another and gradually discovered that independent travel is not only about seeing unfamiliar places. It is also about learning to solve problems, trust one another, and accept help from strangers.

Our paper containing twenty Russian sentences became creased and worn from constant use. It was not a proper phrasebook, and my pronunciation was certainly poor, but that little sheet of paper carried us across Russia.

We began with an uncertain invitation letterand a great deal of fear. We finished with memories of generosity, laughter, courage, and human warmth.

The palaces, cathedrals, rivers, and ancient cities were unforgettable, but the kindness of ordinary Russians was the most precious discovery of our journey.

My wife and I had set out to explore Russia. In the end, Russia taught us that even without a common language, sincere human hearts can always find a way to speak to one another.


香港直飛莫斯科

九十分鐘地鐵卡:一張 90 分鐘的車票允許在 90 分鐘內乘坐一次地鐵和任意次數的其他莫斯科公共交通工具。任何地鐵亭購都可以

買到此卡。

聖瓦西里主教座堂--俄國的歷史及藝術的象徵
紅場上矗立著聖瓦西里大教堂,又稱波克羅夫斯基大教堂,是莫斯科最著名的建築藝術作品。這座大教堂對俄羅斯人來說就像埃菲爾鐵塔對法國人一樣具有特別的意義。

大克里姆林宮建於 1837 年至 1849 年間,曾是沙皇莫斯科的住所。Built from 1837 to 1849 within this complex is the Grand Kremlin Palace that was formerly the Tsar's Moscow residence.
The guided tours are normally offered 2-3 times a month. You have to book it 3 weeks before for a 2-hour duration . 



貝爾拉姆與約瑟伐特教堂
Church of the Venerable Barlaam and Josaphat 


 The North Gate to theRed Square

Notable Kremlin Towers










                  Senate Square--home to Russia's presidential administration





       The Tsar Cannon (沙皇炮)is a large  artillery piece on display on the grounds of the Moscow         Kremlin. 金氏世界紀錄上最大的榴彈砲












俄羅斯的母親河--窩瓦河(Волга,又譯伏爾加河),全長3,692公里,是歐洲最長的河流,也是世界最長的內流河,流入裏海。
   基督救世主主教教堂世界上最大的東方正教教堂The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour  of  Moscow is the most important cathedral in Moscow,  the highest orthodox temple in the world.














                            古姆國立百貨商店(ГУМ)





















































































































憑著20句俄語走遍俄國大城小鄉

























































A typical Russian dinner will contain at least one salad, which is usually relatively heavy, filled with potatoes, mayonnaise, beets, onions, pickles, and different kinds of meat. Among them, the most famous is Olivier Salad, which usually contains boiled potatoes, carrots, eggs, peas, pickles, and boiled chicken or beef. 
Dinner is usually eaten quite late, say around 7 or 8 p.m. at the earliest in Russia.



Solyanka Soupa mix of fresh and cured beef or pork cooked with pickled cucumbers, capers, olives, tomatoes, onions, parsley and dill




You can always expect crepes in a Russian lunch, sometimes in soups, and even sometimes in dessert. 










































































































莫斯科街頭

紅場夜景
The Kremlin(克里姆林宮), Moscow's most recognizable structure, is a 15th-century fortified complex that covers an area of 275,000 square meters surrounded by walls built in the 1400s. The Grand Kremlin Palace with more than700 rooms—was once home to the Tsar family and is now the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation.




































Opened in 1824the Bolshoi Theater is home to the largest and one of the oldest ballet and opera companies in the world.

The Bolshoi building, which for many years now has been regarded as one of Moscow’s main sights, was opened on 20 October 1856, on Tsar Alexander II’s coronation day.



     Main Universal Store, Moscow's oldest and most upscale shopping center 





克里姆林宮





聖巴索大教堂St. Basil's Cathedral

莫斯科國家百貨公司









滴血大教堂































聖彼得堡運河
聖彼得堡涅瓦河與運河






涅瓦河
冬宮






世界五大博物館之一隱士博物館(場區世界第二)




波羅的海海口






























位於聶瓦河與聖以薩大教堂 彼得大帝騎馬的雕像(青銅騎士)











































































莫斯科歌劇院


彼得霍夫夏宮(Peterhof Palace)





聖母領報大教堂
沙皇鐘





National_Museum_of_China








古姆國立百貨商店(ГУМ)


蘇紫達爾
佛拉迪米爾
蘇茲達爾鄉下
佛拉迪米爾公車站

往下諾佛哥羅火車




 大諾夫哥羅德








































 Veliky Novgorod











































 Памятник Петру I 位於莫斯科河和Vodootvodny運河交點高98
彼得大帝的念碑雕像·





























































波羅的海上的越拉琴島Yelagin Island




































































































































伏拉迪米爾--伏拉迪米爾-蘇茲達爾大公國(Владимиро-Су́здальское кня́жество1168—1389所在地






























































































































































































面具之後,仍是那一夜的歌聲 The Phantom of the Opera

面具之後,仍是那一夜的歌聲 The Phantom of the Opera 每次來到倫敦(London),無論是獨自旅行,還是帶著學生參加遊學團,只要夜晚尚有一點空隙,我總忍不住走向燈火燦爛的西區(West End)。到了紐約(New York),只要時間允許,我也總想走進劇院...