Opinions
The Chessman Cometh
The Chessman Cometh [ En | Ru ]
An interview with globe-trotting chess promoter, former president, and freelance diplomat Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
INTERVIEW BY JOSHUA E. KEATING. MAY 9, 2012
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov garners an awful lot of press for the president of the World Chess Federation. But he’s not exactly your average chess buff. From 1993 to 2010, he was president of the Russian republic of Kalmykia and became known for his efforts to transform the remote Buddhist region into an international chess mecca as well as for his frank comments about an encounter with aliens he claims to have had in 1997. (He was also widely criticized for his autocratic rule over the impoverished republic.) Read the rest of this entry »
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“I am grateful that I exist in this world” – US-born Kalmyk Supreme Lama
“I am grateful that I exist in this world” – US-born Kalmyk Supreme Lama.
It is important not to give up hope, the sun is always going to shine tomorrow and there is always a brighter future, teaches Supreme Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche, born in America and preaching in Kalmykia. Read the rest of this entry »
FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov about end of the world
– Kirsan Nikolayevich, we would start with a question. Now all fide including build some plans – three years, five years in advance. While, on the other hand, we always reiterate that December 21, 2012, end of the world. Or the end of the world canceled ?
– Very interesting! You never know when life will come to an end. We are waiting for death, and, in principle, clearly know that we will end the physical existence on Earth. God gave us life, but it also has a beginning and an end. You can live Read the rest of this entry »
Council of Elders under the head of the Republic of Kalmykia appreciated governance of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
Council of Elders under the head of the Republic of Kalmykia appreciated governance of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
Ochir Kochunov, 71-year-old, member of party “United Russia” from Ketchenery village: The decree about the development animal husbandry, signed Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, was the impetus for the development of the industry throughout the Republic of Kalmykia.
Alexey Golovchenko, deputy from Priyutnenskiy district of Kalmykia: 17 years in Kalmykia have been significant changes, and all Read the rest of this entry »
I visited one of the most improbable places on Earth, the little-known Republic of Kalmykia
Tomas Van Houtryve about Kalmykia. Russian version
Earlier this year, I visited one of the most improbable places on Earth, the little-known Republic of Kalmykia.
Located on the arid steppe south of Volgograd, Kalmykia is Europe’s only Buddhist republic.
It also bills itself as a Mecca for chess players. It is the headquarters of the World Chess Federation (FIDE), and a suburb has been built near the capital, Elista, expressly for holding tournaments and offering vacation homes to former champions. The game is mandatory for all Kalmyk school children. Read the rest of this entry »
Celebration of 10 years of Chess City
The official proclamation by Ignatius Leong, FIDE General Secretary, declares:
“In the steppes was built the world’s first ever ‘chess city‘ which housed the foreign visitors who witnessed how a small city with a small population provided one of the best hospitality to the world chess community. I am sure the visitors today Read the rest of this entry »
“I am astonished by the spiritual values and traditions which are stored here” – admitted Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev
Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev visited Orthodox chapel and Central Buddhist temple of Kalmykia (kalmyk khurul).
Rashid Nurgaliyev is located in Kalmykia with brief working visit. In Elista Rashid Nurgaliev held meetings of the antiterrorist commission and Operations Staff, which was attended by representatives of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee and the Southern Federal District, reports KalmykiaNews agency.
After the meeting, Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev with President of FIDE and Kalmykia Kirsan Ilyumzhinov Read the rest of this entry »
Steven Seagal has visited Kalmykia attractions
Steven Seagal has visited Kalmykia attractions [ De | Ru | Es | Fr ]
Professional movie fighter, star of Hollywood – Steven Seagal arrived in Kalmykia, reported KalmykiaNews. One Read the rest of this entry »
Press about album ‘Shaman voices’
Press about album ‘Shaman voices‘ and Okna Tsagan Zam
“East-West fusion with a difference…done in a vastly better way than any other fusion with overtone singing that I’ve heard”.
Geoff Burton (UK fRoots magazine)
“Shaman voices” stands out for its confidence in its traditional sources while bringing Read the rest of this entry »
Leader of Buddhist republic of Kalmykia Kirsan Ilyumzhinov about to declare unilateral independence
BBC News
Mr Ilyumzhinov: Not ruling out independence
By regional analyst Malcolm Haslett:
The colourful leader of the small, mainly Buddhist republic of Kalmykia in southern Russia, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, has threatened to sever financial ties with Russia because he has not received any federal funds for months. Read the rest of this entry »
Paris, The cathedral of Notre Dame, God, reincarnation and soul
During that visit I finally found myself with an hour or two of free time. The meeting had been scheduled for the evening. Spring. I took a walk around the capital of France. Fine smells mingled with the thawing snow and the acrid car exhaust. I walked along a bridge, past two your people kissing, past a smiling street trader peddling badges, old coins and chains, and past British tourists. Suddenly I saw the world-famous Isle de la Cite and then the enormous grey wonder of the slowly approaching Notre Dame.
I bought a ticket, entered the building, sat down in the third row and felt my chest slowly fill with a sweet pain. How many times had I dreamed of coming here! I felt intimations of a miracle. Read the rest of this entry »
