Star struck

MOSCOW: Barred by closed doors, this the closest I got to the ultimate centre of power in Russia: the Kremlin. The shining Soviet red star on top of the citadel's spears leaves no doubt: Vladimir Vladimirovych Putin's Russia is not quite finished with the era initiated by Lenin in 1922 and brought to an end by Gorbachev in 1991. (Photo by Bernadette Farrell)



Most of the three days in Moscow was spent with Sjur Bergan (left) and other hotshots of European higher education at a conference at the People's Friendship University of Russia. The theme was the role of students in higher education. Most of the speakers seemed to agree that student involvement is a must. It will probably take a quite a few years before students are truly recognised as equal partners, though.



The Russian capital is cold in November. Katharina, Bernadette, Tamara and Rossella were happy to find plenty of knitwear vendors in the famous street of Stary Arbat.



We searched in vain for a cheap meal at what appeared to be one of the most expensive restaurants in the city...



But the entertainment was impeccable. This guy was singing his heart out.