It says a lot about a country when in the space of a few miles, you can see both an emblem of the nation’s glorious past as well as a testament to its promising future. This was certainly the case during my tour of Moscow this week, as I walked through Red Square and saw the Kremlin, Zaryadye Park, and greatest of all, Saint Peter’s Cathedral. The cathedral, which goes head to head with Europe’s most impressive churches, was flooded on the outside by tourists attempting to get a selfie with the iconic cathedral in the background. I certainly did not miss the opportunity to snap a few myself, but I was more impressed with Zaryadye Park. The park, which opened last autumn, is a testament to Russia’s avant-garde city planning. It includes a “floating bridge,” which overlooks the Moscow River, as well as a multi-purpose concert hall. From its intriguing architecture to its daring innovation, Russia, after all these years, remains at the forefront of culture.
