Moscow -- Several downtown blocks were shut down last weekend by men in black suits carrying assault rifles. The crème de la creme of Moscow, including Mayor Luzhkov and his wife came out. George Banson and Al Jerreau performed on a stage suspended inside the biggest concert hall in the city; fruits made of pure gold arranged on marble vases; Bentleys and a $10,000,000 penthouse for presents -- this is a snapshot of the biggest wedding Moscow has seen yet. There was a $5,000 bounty for capturing paparazzi, so no one could get close enough to take a decent picture.
The bride, Alsou Safina, is the daughter of the LUKOil founder Ralif Safin; she is also a pop star and "royalty". Russian and European newspapers have dubbed her "The Oil Princess". The groom, Yan Abramov, is a son of the "royal Armenian Jewish clan of Abramovs". I'll let the reader try to make sense of what this combination of words mean. The "Abramov Clan" is officially "involved in the Russian oil business". This also doesn't tell you much, but says everything you need to know at the same time.
Yan Abramov is a young man who started his own fireworks business, in which his family has heavily invested. The business is still "small and can't be compared to the turn-around of the rest of the family". Alsou has resided all her life in London with her mother and younger brother; however she owns a $10,000,000 estate in the Moscow suburbs. Alsou has the most expensive music videos and arrangement you'll find in Europe these days. She has no real talent for singing, but she still won second place in the English-language Eurovision best pop song contest in 2000. She also found time to star in the British horror movie "Spirit Trap". Russian oil money can take you far, even when the nation is starving; that's for sure.
Yan Abramov used to date Mariah Carey; he would take her out in Moscow and launch fireworks from the banks of Moscow River to impress her. However Mariah wasn't "royal" enough, so he dumped her. Then it was the turn of Ksenia Sobchak, the daughter of a Russia politician, who supposedly is also "royal". But she wasn't a pop singer, and the relationship didn't work out very well. Then he found Alsou who was perfect: a singer, "royalty", and also the child of a loaded Tatarstan family.
Imagine if the speakers of the US Senate and House of Representatives and the mayors of several major American cities were joined by all the pop and rock stars and mafia dons for a wedding for a British-educated pop star and the heir of a "Royal clan involved in oil business". I don't think this would be possible under any conditions in a country like America with the rule of law. However, almost anything is possible in Russia. We couldn't make this stuff up if we tried.
The list of politicians in attendance included Mayor Luzhkov and his corrupt wife (the queen of Moscow construction kickbacks), the speaker and vice speakers of the Duma (Russia's Parliament), the speaker of the Russian Senate, and the mayors of the oil boomtown of Baku and Bugulmi (the newlyweds respective hometowns).
Also in attendance was Josef Kobzon a former Russian crooner and MP (with legal immunity in Russia), who now controls numerous pharmacies, bars, and night clubs in Moscow. Kobzon and his family have been banned from travelling to America by the U.S. Department of State for international arms trafficking. The ex-governor of Russia's troubled region of Ingushetia also attended along with numerous Russian pop stars and many young men never seen before in public.
The Moscow godfather Kobzon in his speech wished that the newlyweds would be married forever; he told Alsou not to divorce her husband and to lose him "in only one way -- by becoming a widow". Mayor Luzhkov said that the city's plans to encourage the birth of more children will be completed in the near future, "thanks to the fertility of Alsou". The Duma's biggest clown, Vladimir Zhirinovsky (also the vice-speaker of the Russian Parliament), joked in his speech that he had finally arrived in Moscow's "real high society".
Moscow's real high society had to have special holograms saying "YA" to get into the restricted part of the city. When they entered the concert hall "Russia" they were in a paradise, with exotic birds flying above and golden fruits placed on marble posts. The walls and ceilings of the hall were covered with purple silk, where "YA" letters were sewn in gold, with orchids wrapped around the madonna lily trees. The food served consisted of everything but items that regular Russians can afford (i.e. tons of black caviar, which goes for $100 a pound at the grocery stores).
Among the wedding presents were a Bentley, given to the newlyweds by "Yanik's friends", and a $10 million penthouse in downtown Moscow, a gift from the parents of the children.
The guests left at 3 am, only to come back for more festivities the next day at noon.
Once more Russia showed the entire world the definition of conspicuous consumption and total excess, in a country where the average salary (including the 32 billionaires) is $300 a month.
This post was prepared based on the information provided by a personal friend who works for one of the Russian government news agencies. There are no good photos available (that $5,000 bounty for every paparazzi beaten senseless really worked) and there was no major news report on the wedding in any of the Russian media.
You can listen to Alsou's new song by following this link and clicking the play button at the left bottom corner of the page, or watch her music videos on You Tube here.
In conclusion, we want to make it clear that Russia Blog wishes the royal young couple nothing but the very best - a happy, fertile, and lifelong marriage.
Quite a family eh?
To go along with her oil baron father - Alsou's brother and sister are top rated tennis players, with the mother being a prominent tennis coach.
Just to point out, Alsou is not at all related to Marat and Dinara Safina. Marat and Dinara are brother and sister, but have nothing to do with Alsou. Two totally different families, the only thing they have in common is their surname.
Iryna:
For sure?
I recall reading that the father of Marat and Dinara father is a very wealthy individual, who if I'm not mistaken is in the oil business.
I gather that their could be two wealthy sets of Safins in the same business.
As far as I know Marat and Dinara's parents are both in the sports industry, and definetely not in oil. Just check out the website for Marat Safin and u will see.
P.S. But both families are still extrememly talanted, successsful and famous.
Iryna:
Without double checking, I'll trust your steadfastness on this point and acknowledge my apparent error which is likely my worst yet (I don't make too many of them).
I'm not going to go too gung ho in researching this since it's a celebrity/society matter which I consider as simultaneously interesting but "soft" in terms of a news issue. I will make a greater effort of researching Russia's "beautiful people." (attractive, young and wealthy)
I defintely recall a reference to Marat's father being involved in the oil business. I also recall reading about Marat's father possibly acquiring a football club.
Perhaps both of those instances were the same error I made.
Well, to be honest, I dont agree when you say that she doesn't sing well.
She has a gentle and feminine voice as well as is being really pretty.
Despite that she is the daughter of her father she is not a bad singer (is it her fault to have such parents :p)?
Anyway, I think that she's not worse and even is much better thanmany other Russian singers, and yes, she has no relations with the tennis player brother and sister.
Lilit, Yuri wrote the piece and I edited it. I don't have many opinions about Russian pop singers, as I've just started learning the language and listening to a few Russian bands like Lyube.
Again, we wish the bride and groom nothing but the best. Thanks for reading.
"royal armenian jewish clan of abramovs"
How is this meant? Somehow I even never heard of the Abramov family. Nothing is written about them in the internet, too.
to bb:
Yes. That's what they call themselves and that's what they make others call them. As you can tell from the post I'm very skeptical about their "royalty". I don't know them, so I can't really comment on the Armenian, Jewish or Clan part... :)
Thank you for reading the blog.
hi! i`ve read that u look 4 the information ab. bramovs. Here in baku they say that his father i mean yan`s f... was a sailor . But today i`ve read that he`s a banker. ...
So the Abramov family has something to with Baku? But Armenians and Azerbanji are really "racist" to themselves.
If they did invite people from Baku to the wedding, I hardly believe that these were Azerbajani's, more Jews or Armenians. (if the family is jewish/armenian)
found this article by accident... Such a shame... Who wrote this nonsence??? So? What is it with you? She has no ability to sing but she won the contest millions are willing to win? She is from a wealthy family and that is a shame? Country is "starving"? And all the people who are having money are corrupt? Such a narrow way of looking at the world. Stereotypes combined with inability to think.
Dear A,
With all the respect, I have lived in Russia, Ukraine and America for extended periods of time. This (wedding) is not normal. Even Hollywood doesn't do it. If you search around the blog, or read my biography, you'll find out that I'm very far from "eat the rich, give to the poor". I believe in capitalism and hard work, and actively practice these values. If you are familiar with the details of the 90-s privatization and the life of common Russian people, you would be more inclined to agree with this post.
Please take a look at the other articles. I hope you find them more interesting and appealing than this one.
Thank you,
Yuri
hurrah to consumerism - that is a great way of spending all those money that Russia gets from the oil - somehow money got spent on alsou wedding - and what a surprise not 150 millions were invited.
that's Tartar-Mongol blood talking - if you have a 1 rouble show you have a 100.
will this country ever learn?
it is just a shame this wedding - i mean i feel embarrassed for my country.
maybe she is a good singer, maybe she is pretty, maybe her country can afford a lot BUT no-one gave her a royal status and it is petit bourgouse to behave in such manner - one a peasant is always a peasant no matter what he/she is dressed in...
it is just a bit of a shame and more traffic for poor Muscovites - they suffer a lot from it even without stupid weddings of celebrities...
Dear Yuri,
Yes, I will read more of your articles. And probably will get your point better.
However I am familiar with what was happening in Russia. Privatization happened 13 years ago. And for now it doesn't really matter what happend during the time when the country was in crisis. For now we have Lukoil as really "transparent" Joint Stock company, Vagit Alekperov is the director of it and the company is one of the Russian market leaders. If you believe in capitalism, why you put the label of “mafia†on the director of the most profitable Russian oil company, who definitely made a capital of few billions?
This wedding is not normal and Hollywood doesn’t have it? Since what time Hollywood is a norm of wealth? Isn’t it obvious that those people (actors and whoever) are just poor like rats, comparing to someone who manages the successful oil company?
The whole attitude of yours reminds me Russia in early Nineties. Mafia war, criminal level and corruption, the whole population is starving…do you know personally anyone in Russia who earns that average $300? I don’t. And what is wrong with the country having a layer of elite? Isn’t it obvious that the society has few classes having different lifestyle?
Regards,
A
A - we're not saying that the President of Lukoil is "mafia", but when the Mayor's wife is known to dominate Moscow construction kickbacks, and a close associate of the Mayor attended who now runs most of the city's high end bars and nightclubs (and has been banned from travelling to the US!), and this don tells the couple that they must only be separated by death, well, what else can we say?
Dear A,
Of course no one in Moscow makes $300. May be they do officially, but we all know... But my point is that it is wrong to show off the wealth in the country which is not doing that “well", and I can through in things like: shutting down the blocks (and messing up Moscow traffic again!), having marriage registration done not at a Russian ZAGS (place where marriages are to be registered), but somewhere else, inviting people Charlie is talking about, etc.
I do welcome the comments, and as you can see we have quite few different opinions here.
Thank you for reading the RussiaBlog.
Charlie Ganske - more I read - less I can understand. So... Who is the "mafia"? If you are denying now the chain Russia=Oil=Lukoil=Mafia, then what is the point of the loud name "The Mother of All Mafia Weddings"?
Who is next? Luzhkov's wife? So she is the one who is a face of the criminality? Is there any way that you can prove that, or the common rumor is the case? Besides… Look at Moscow now and how different it is from 15 years ago. Luzhkov made a modern city out of the Soviet ruins. Personally I just admire what he did.
Kobzon didn't get American visa? Well... There are thousands people not getting it. So then we have to discuss the behavior of US embassy and not the property/buisness someone owns.
Someone said that the couple must only separated by death? Yes… Why you are acting as if you are 7 and you just found that there is no Santa. You know what they meant and I don’t see anything shocking. I agree that it was badly phrased but if THAT is the case why somebody can be blamed in being “mafia†– I am giving up. You can put the same label on me as well.
So… My point is following – if the only argument is still that they have a party while the nation is starving, then the Russian government has to prohibit such things as: Russian Fashion Week, movie festivals, beauty contests and anything that has a budget of more then $1000.
Charlie Ganske – maybe I just didn’t get your point. But thanks for posting my opinion.
Yuri – not expressing the wealth and being like everyone in the country. Taking in consideration those who cannot afford simple food. Yes, I can recognize this. It reminds me too much of a lifestyle of 1917-1987. By saying that it is not right to express the wealth in the country like Russia we are just narrowing the freedom of individuals… to a Soviet level. It is like you are not allowed to be rich if you are in Russia and if that “shame†happened to you then you have to try your best to hide it…
Yuri what would you like to tell to average Russian person? “My dear, your country is not doing well. That is why you live in sh-t. So, please get used to it, look at what is happening in Hollywood and hope that one day someone from the “wealthy†country will be tolerant enough to give you an example of the good life in some other place where you will never belong.†My way of saying would be – “The life is imperfect. But your country is growing, businesses are becoming bigger. Look, we have a new class of people who are completely beating the standards of wealth in any other country. Hey, open your eyes, the glamourous life is possible in Russia.†Don’t you think that personal growth of every single individual is directly depended on the examples that the person sees every day?
Why we cannot take a cosmopolitan way of looking at the world and accept that Russian elite class is a strong force. Look – Russia is one of major sources of profit for such brands as Dolce&Gabbana, DSquared2, Armani etc. It says something about the consumption of the Russian citizens and that as well positions the market to the “well developed†category.
The major struggle of “putting the economy on the rails†is passed… So… Why is it necessary to treat it still like an underdeveloped village with feudal laws?
Yuri please make it clear for me: what would you like Russia to be?
I have pondered over a response to A for a week now. While I appreciate the loveliness of an extravagent lifestyle, and the joy of bling, my soul says there is more. There is great wealth in Russia, and even greater wealth to be gained in the current system. But there is also great disparity. Did those who gained their wealth do it through hard work and good values? Or was it scounderalism and theft? And who did they steal it from? The pensioner who cannot afford food or toilet paper? Who was killed in the process?
I am not Russian, though I have a Russian name. (actually generations ago on the Volga river my ancestor founded a village.)
I am an American who grew up in poverty, and believes in the Horatio Alger stories of hard work and values that transcend materialism. It certainly worked for me, and other successful people I know. That is the American way.
Maybe those rules will never apply in Russia. But to glorify materialism and conspicuous comsumption while forsaking 99% of the rest of the country is wrong. A culture that embraces that is morally bankrupt. Those who have wealth are obligated to be positive stewards of their assets. Make the world a better place. Cure AIDS! Stop Global Warming. Eradicate polio in Third World Nations.
Create real opportunity for the gifted musician or artist who has no choice but to go to the Army draft and be tortured and killed. Provide a living wage for the brilliant scientist, so he doesn't have to leave the country to survive, or sell his knowledge to the highest bidder, regardless of its sponsorship of terrorism. Support the career of a great piano teacher, so she can pass her great inspiration on to a new generation of composers and performers.
Perhaps I am naive in thinking there is a better way. Or I misinterpret the way that is being represented here. Or as an American, I am a hypocrite. But as a world citizen, thinking about more than oneself is critical to being part of real humanity. And those who have it abundantly are obligated to use it in a morally and spiritually congruent way.
A, I think that an American citizen answered it for me.
thanx for this article, it's basically the only good article on the net about this wedding.
Tanya, thank you for your reply. I am so happy that I really triggered your mind.
Oh yes… I can completely agree with all your arguments of morality and the need to make the world a better place. Of course I have the same wish.
However… I would like to explore more the whole issue of that morality. Well… If we would like to pretend to some kind of objectivity in the description of social differentiation of the society based on the amount of hard work and good intentions… Then can you please explain me what created Paris Hilton, or other kid of wealthy parent in the US, where people suppose to gain the wealth in the American way of hard work? How come that is “normal†and not bothering your soul?
Let’s start from the beginning of your arguments. You are talking about certain people that might be stolen something from pensioners. Yes… I agree that you might have this opinion because the lack of information about Russian history. Let’s go a bit into history of Russia and the whole idea about the privatization. Okay… Here is the situation – we have a government that sees that it cannot manage major companies and there should be someone who can take some risk and take those businesses out of crisis. Agree with me that selling those companies to foreign investors is deadly for country’s economy.
So… Many companies were privatized that time. Some people got them by accident. There would be one person or another getting those businesses and that would create that amount of hate or jealousy from someone who were not lucky enough to be in a right time in a right place with the right connections.
Not all the privatized companies became successful after that. However few people, also known as “oligarchsâ€, managed half dead businesses to become successful and profitable. It is so weird for me that nobody considers that as a hard work.
Dear Tanya, imagine that you got from the government the oil company that is in crisis, the income level is below expenditures, equipment should be renewed and government cannot support you. What would you do? Find an artist to make his life better or think of piano teacher who has to give an inspiration to next generation. Come on! Be realistic and not mess business with government’s responsibilities.
Don’t believe to anyone who tells you that 99% of the country has no toilet paper and cannot afford bread. It is not how things are… Being poor in Russia is completely personal choice. Hey… Not everyone on this planet wants to do the hard job. And it is always easy to complain about the government and how it is doing nothing. If the person cannot take a responsibility on his own life – that human being is hopeless… Am I wrong?
Right now I am living in a third world country and I see the difference between this place and Russia. I am sorry to say it but one of the major economic contribution that Russia has, came from oligarchs, who, according to Yuri, didn’t create anything.
He has to open his eyes and admit that oil industry is working, gas industry is working… And someone did it… Or Yuri believes in magic.
But thank you so much for your response. Please look at the world the way it is, enjoy the good things that are happening on the planet and don’t apply your sense of morality to what you were reading in media.
Wow! Thank you, Yuri for your blog. It was interesting to read. I just knew the basics about Alsou and nothing about her new husband. Thank you to everyone who posted because the arguments were a great read for me as well. I was born in Ukraine and lived there until I was 12. I received an apportunity to move to America and to this day am thankfull. I still have family in Ukraine which allowes me to be grounded and appreciative. I know how it used to be and I know that with my family it has changed some but not much.
I do not think badly of rich people, good for them, but I do think that it discourages people who are poor to see such extravigant parties and weddings.
I don't agree with A, that "being poor in Russia is a personal choice". I don't think that I have ever met a person who wanted to be poor. I do believe that there are people who are not willing to work hard and therefore they are poor, but it is very hard to become "well off" in a country that does not have a lot of apportunity for an average person. And if you come from nothing it's hard to pick yourself out of that without hard work and perhaps someone's generousity.
When I lived in Ukraine, people had money but there was no food or clothes to buy. Now I am told it is the other way. My sister makes $100 and would not survive on it if my grandparents did not have land in the village to grow food. There will always be rich and there will always be poor. It's how you look at those people that determine how you live. You can look at the rich and dispise them for it, tell yourself that they got their riches by being jerks and unlawful. I'd rather look at the poor and try to do better but also remember them. I don't think I would wear my prettiest dress to a house of a friend who I knew was not so "well off" as me. That's why I'm a little dissapointed to see that Alsou would allow such a wedding for herself, but then I do not know her.
There is really no need to defend the rich, because they don't care what the poor have to say about them anyway.
You can't be 44558 serious?!?
Dear Yuri! Please tell us more about yourself.
hey oh my gosh you too are so perfect together.Russia just get's better every minute.Now the part I read in this article is so mafia . I never read something in the article ever in my life.Several downtown blocks were shut down last weekend by men in black suits as {THE Greatest MAFIA and Biggest Mafia in the WORLD}carrying assualt rilfes AK-47 or AK-74 to protect and make sure nothing goes stupid.
She is stunning, I hope they have a long and loving married life together, and lets hope she stays in London, her home for many years.
Good Luck Alsou & Yan.
As for Russians whinging on about their economy and how mega rich oil barons run the country, I am sorry and have no sympathy for you, you have the right to vote, and you always vote for the wrong people.
Making a mistake once is stupid, making the same mistake is pathetic.
he is so unattractive. yuck. I'm sure money played a little role in their marriage.
Guys,
i just have got the chance to know them personal along with the parents of Yan...
Just for your info - they are great people - nice, kind and polite....
So, don^t be jealous, please!
All the best to all of you and wish you to be so rich and famous one day!
regards,
Alsou looks so beautiful!!!
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