Russian Accent | Blog of Nadia Sikorsky

Vladimir Jurowski: "Music can afford to be apolitical, but the musician cannot"

On September 15-19, 2025, a festival entitled "Macht Musik" – "Making Music" – will take place in Basel, an event that positions itself as "a festival dedicated to the freedom of art under dictatorship." On opening day, the principal conductor of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Rundfunk-Sinfoniorchesters Berlin, RSB), Vladimir Jurowski, representative of an illustrious Russian musical dynasty, will take his place at the podium. I offer you an exclusive interview with him; I hope it will answer several questions from my readers. We began in andante and moved to a candid conversation about his career, his relationship with Russia, and his views on the role of artists during times of political crisis.

The Secrets of the Gstaad Palace

The Palace, Roman Polanski’s black comedy, which has proven adept at provoking sharply polarized reactions, has been released in Swiss cinemas, first in the German-speaking part of the country and now in French-speaking Switzerland. The reception it has received has aroused our curiosity.

Vasily Petrenko: “Politics changes, but music remains …”

5, 6 и 7 марта за пульт Оркестра Романдской Швейцарии встанет, на сцене женевского Виктория-холла, российский дирижер, не нуждающийся в представлении любителям классической музыки. Предлагаем вашему вниманию эксклюзивное интервью маэстро.

Racism Swiss-Style, Seen by James Baldwin

The multitude of people one meets in life can easily be divided into two groups: those who lift us up and those who drag us down. The first group outweighs the second, and the earlier we choose it, the more interesting and fulfilling our existence becomes. In my youth, I had the incredible fortune of meeting many exceptional people who influenced me. James Baldwin is one of them.

‘Even the Hardest Heart Holds Kindness’

Сегодня в книжные магазины Швейцарии и Франции поступит роман известной российской писательницы Гузель Яхиной «Эшелон на Самарканд», выпущенный издательством Noir sur Blanc в переводе на французский Мод Мабийяр. Незадолго до этого события мы побеседовали с автором по Скайпу.

The Far West of the East

The Siberia Job in its original version is the fourth novel overall and the second thriller of American Josh Haven. It was published very recently, in 2023, and one should congratulate Éditions Buchet/Chastel for having it quickly translated into French and published under the surprisingly English title: Wild Wild Siberia.

“…and the darkness will fall”

Despite everything, this is still a season of light and gifts; of lux and luxury. So I decided to combine the two by going to La Scala for Boris Godunov. I know this opera by heart; I have seen it… I no longer remember how many times, in all kinds of productions, including at the Grand Théâtre de Genève and at Opernhaus Zürich.

“A Selfie with Anton Chekhov”

Так называется документальный фильм, которым открывается ретроспектива швейцарского режиссера Доминик де Рива в Швейцарской синематеке в Лозанне.

About the author

Nadia Sikorsky

Nadia Sikorsky grew up in Moscow where she obtained a master's degree in journalism and a doctorate in history from Moscow State University. After 13 years at UNESCO, in Paris and then in Geneva, and having served as director of communications at Green Cross International founded by Mikhail Gorbachev, she developed NashaGazeta.ch, the first online Russian-language daily newspaper, launched in 2007.

In 2022, she found herself among those who, according to Le Temps editorial board, "significantly contributed to the success of French-speaking Switzerland," thus appearing among opinion makers and economic, political, scientific and cultural leaders: the Forum of 100.

After 18 years leading NashaGazeta.ch, Nadia Sikorsky decided to return to her roots and focus on what truly fascinates her: culture in all its diversity. This decision took the form of this trilingual cultural blog (Russian, English, French) born in the heart of Europe – in Switzerland, her adopted country, the country distinguished by its multiculturalism and multilingualism.

Nadia Sikorsky does not present herself as a "Russian voice," but as the voice of a European of Russian origin with the benefit of more than 30 years of professional experience in the cultural world. She positions herself as a cultural mediator between Russian and European traditions; the title of the blog, "The Russian Accent," captures this essence – the accent being not a linguistic barrier, not a political position but a distinctive cultural imprint in the European context.

Events
Most read

That is the question at the heart of Swiss writer Micha Lewinsky's debut novel, Ben, or the Art of Escape, recently published in French by Phébus.

Sean McNamara’s 2024 film Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid in the title role, is now available on Netflix in many countries. When I came across it, my first thought was: why?

If you are still enjoying your summer holiday, or only preparing for it, let me recommend an excellent holiday read: Nick Harkaway’s Karla’s Choice, a compelling spy novel that skillfully takes us back to a not-so-distant past.