The Daily Teaser — 27-5-2014: Saint Petersburg

You know, I think the phrase is “Uh-oh” … possibly … 

You see, I’ve just looked out of my window: and the BBC’s weather app seems to be as accurate as ever.

It’s been pissing down.

And looks like it’s going to keeping pissing down for the rest of the day.

And possibly for the rest of the week.

Now, my GP always encourages me to make sure I take a walk, every day.

And, bless her, always manages to hand out a meaningful look, if I don’t.

Saying that … ?

I don’t know she had this weather in mind … !

~≈Ç≈~

But times a wasting: let’s get a move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and bagging five out of five.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 27th May, 1703, saw Tsar Peter the Great found Saint Petersburg.   On which river does the city stand: the Moskva, Volga or Neva?

Q2) Which gulf does that river empty into?

Q3) The city was renamed by Russia’s Tsar, during World War 1.   What did he call it … ?

Q4) More to the point, what was it renamed in 1924 … ?

Q5) Saint Petersburg is Russia’s second biggest city, by population.   What’s Russia’s biggest city … ?

Q6) Saint Petersburg is one of three cities seen as Federal Cities of the Russian Federation, with Moscow being another.   Which very disputed Crimean city is the third?

Q7) Which Saint Petersburg museum was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great?

Q8) Natalia Makarova, Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov have all lived or worked in the city: what have they all worked as … ?

Q9) Russia’s president — Vladimir Putin — was born in Saint Petersburg: in which year of the 1990s did he enter politics?

Q10) Finally … Saint Petersburg is twinned with two cities in the UK.   Name either.

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th May, 1909, saw the birth of former Manchester United manager, Sir Matt Busby.   Who’s the team’s newly announced manager … ?

A1) Louis van Gaal.

Q2) Five years earlier, 26th May, 1904, saw the birth of George Formby.   Which of his 1937 songs was banned by the BBC … ?

A2) With My Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock.

Q3) 26th May, 1923, was the first time the Le Mans 24 hour race was run.   In which country is Le Mans … ?

A3) France.

Q4) 26th May, 1966, saw British Guiana become independent.   What’s it now called … ?

A4) Guyana.

Q5) Finally … 26th May, 1906, saw the opening of Vauxhall Bridge.   With Vauxhall at its south end, what’s on it’s north bank: Pimlico, Belgravia or Fitzrovia … ?

A5) Pimlico.

I’ll leave you with The Infernal Dance of King Kashchai, by Saint Petersburg native, Igor Stravinsky … 

And this thought …

“Old St Petersburg remains a beautiful stage set but to the Russians it is not what Rome is to the Italians or Paris to the French. The decisions are made in the Kremlin. The city of Peter remains a museum, open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.”

Joseph Wechsberg.

Have a good day.

*        Yeah, it was he, and Sir Matt Busby’s, birthday, yesterday, Debbi†‡: I usually try and link the quote and the tune to a birthday.   (Well … ok, not everyday’s!   It’s not Igor Stravinsky’s birthday …)

†        I might have to sit down with that album, now I think of it: it’s supposed to be the best jazz album ever made … 

‡        Actually, Debbi, did I ever tell you about a big Bollywood number, called Deewangi, Deewangi?   It’s a BIG, Bollywood number, from a film called Om, Shanti, Om. It’s got this BAD habit of ear-worming its way into my brain at sudden moments: just now, in fact …