Photo Essay

The Soviet Union Before the Coup

By Paul Skowronek

Staff Writer

hen I traveled to the Russian and Kazak Soviet Republics with five other students in early August, 1991, I could have never imagined that only a few short days after returning to the United States the same quiet stone streets I strolled in Moscow's main square would be occupied by tanks and soldiers. Seemingly overnight, the socialist economic experiment which took three quarters of a century to build toppled under the weight of peristroika and glasnost. The images that follow show a peaceful nation; very much in contrast to the monumental events which followed.
Moscow

Saint Basil's Cathedral during mid-afternoon stands majestically at one end of Moscow's square.

This stately building, a symbol of the old union, once housed the Supreme Soviet, the USSR's legislative branch.

This orthodox church is one of many in Moscow. Communism shunned active religious activity, but today, churches such as this are again active.

Serving as our lodging while spending three nights in Moscow, the Hotel Cosmos was built in the late 1970's to accommodate people connected to the 1980 summer Olympic Games. This is Russia's second best hotel yet it remains noticeably a shade below United States hotels in rooms, food, and service.

Alma-Ata
After leaving the capital city, we flew East to the capital of the Kazak Republic located in the foothills of the Himalayas. The people here seemed much happier than the Muscovites we encountered, and the standard of living was noticeably higher.

Strolling leisurely through a park close to our hotel, we encountered this handsome mansion.

Climbing the Himalayan foothills proved to be quite a physical challenge for some of the members of our group.

Leningrad
Two days after reaching Alma-Ata we flew west to Leningrad, today, St. Petersburg. The cloudy, rainy weather cast our visit here in a peculiar light.

This is my ticket for our flight from Alma-Ata to Leningrad. Given no choice in the matter, we flew Aeroflot, the official Soviet airline for all of our internal flights. After five hours in the air, I developed a new appreciation for American carriers. Tea, sausage, and a cracker just was not enough to fill me up.

Here, the square in Leningrad appears somber amongst the heavy gray clouds. Surrounding the square, the yellow buildings comprise the Hermitage, a renowned museum. It would take many days to thoroughly tour everything on display.