Moscow: “This is certainly the highlight of my trip to Russia,” said Fatima as she came out of Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow’s iconic Red Square.
In a country known by history enthusiasts as the mysterious land of the tsars, it is easy to assume the young Bahraini woman would be more shaken by the opulent museums and historical buildings.
As she careers between the major sites of the capital she is exploring for the first time, Fatima never thought the sight of a man who died 90 years ago and who is lying in a dark room would give her such a feeling.
She was not a fan of Lenin, but had read books about him, the Kremlin and Red Square and watched numerous films showing the famous places, and here she is now in the same setting, enjoying every minute.
Fatima is among the Bahrainis who are discovering Moscow, a capital that up until recently conjured up pictures of intrigue, deep mystery and endless problems.
“I am pleased that I was able to burst out of the restricting mental confines of the almost two-dimensional trips, the West or the Far East,” she said, her eyes glistening with joy. “I decided to go north and visit a country that has been highly significant on the world stage, but that many people in the Gulf have been keeping away from. There are so many important places, so much history that make past events become vivacious right before your eyes. History here is so tantalisingly alive and the whole experience has set my heart aflutter,” she said.
Rasha, another Bahraini, said that she was grateful a new chapter had opened in relations with Russia.
“I have discovered that all the prejudices and biases were wrong,” she said. “There is nothing better than direct communication and interaction with people to discover the richness of humankind and civilisation.”
The new air link between Moscow and Bahrain is set to make travel easier amid pledges by the Russian embassy in Manama to offer its best services to get visas.
Gulf Air started the direct route to Moscow on October 28 with great fanfare, and two ministers, Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al Khalifa, Minister of Culture, and Sameera Bint Ebrahim Bin Rajab, the State Minister for Information Affairs and the Official Spokesperson for the Government, were among the first travellers to board the plane.
“The air link completes the cultural bridge, consolidated by the King’s recent visit to Russia,” Shaikha Mai said. “Gulf Air’s direct flights to Moscow will enhance tourism, cultural and civilisational exchange between the two friendly countries.”
King Hamad was last month on a visit to Russia where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Wonderful opportunity
“I am delighted Gulf Air is directly connecting Moscow and Bahrain as a product of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa’s successful visit to Russia and of an earlier visit by His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and the First Deputy of the Prime Minister, to Moscow,” Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Maher Salman Al Musallam.
“An agreement of mutual air transport was signed, paving the way for direct flights between Manama and Moscow. His Majesty’s visit marked the beginning of new strategic business, investment and tourism cooperation prospects between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Russian Federation. We hope our passengers will experience and enjoy Russia’s historic capital city,” he said.
The pronounced Bahraini enthusiasm for the new relations with Russia was supported by the kingdom’s ambassador in Moscow.
“Relations are moving forward steadily and the cooperation here is impressive,” he said. “At the tourism level, Bahraini families with children do have great opportunities and facilities to have memorable times,” he said at The Ritz-Carlton in the heart of Moscow.
His words were echoed by the hotel manager, Mark Neukomm.
“History, shopping, arts and nature combine to give the city special flavours. Families from the Gulf have several options to enjoy calm and enriching experiences here. They have real opportunities to unwind and to explore,” Neukomm said.
Metres away the Kremlin, the apex of Russian political power, the celebrated Red Square, the 400m by 150m area of cobblestones where much of Russian history has unfolded, and St Basil’s Cathedral, the architectural symbol of Russia present some of the most irresistible temptations in the world.
Nearby, formal history is pared down by music and love as the Bolshoi Theatre, home to the Bolshoi Ballet asserts its worldwide iconic prestige.
“I am rediscovering the new Moscow where the main buildings have not changed, but the new generation of people living here is truly different,” Abdullah, another Bahraini who studied in Russia, said. “It is obvious that the country, while still glorifying its past, is keen on maintaining its status in the world.”
Azza, a senior manager at Gulf Air, said that she was grateful for the new dimension in the relations with Russia.
“It is a breakthrough that we see as a wonderful opportunity. We have established the direct flight and we already have a satisfactory numbers of passengers,” she said.
Victor Smirnov, Russia’s ambassador to Bahrain said: “This direct route is a great success and a wonderful testimony to the growth of our bilateral relations,” he said. “There are ample opportunities and we look forward to people from both countries to seize them in the best possible way,” he said.
