Soviet Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz

[Christian Zulus]

Dear Christophe,

many thanks for giving me the prize, despite the fact, that I only answered a little bit more than 50 % of the questions .

Now I promoted to the 1st rank of Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz answerers (9 good answers) - maybe we should create a own medal for members, who answered 10+ questions: "Meritorious Answerer to the GMIC Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz" .

My new question will follow in a few minutes.

Best regards

Christian

[Christian Zulus]

NEW QUESTION

AN OUTSTANDING SOVIET/RUSSIAN ARTISTIC FAMILY

Who are they? For what got they famous?

4 people - all still alive: Father (HSL, Stalin Prizes 1941, 1942 & 1950), Mother, older son & younger son.

Father and mother are well known writers for poetry, lyrics and children books. The two sons are well known filmmakers. Since last year the younger of the two brothers works as a keen lobbyist for Serbian interests - Kosovo, etc.

1. Question:

What are the exact names of the 4 family members?

2. Question:

Which are the two best known works of the father? - Everyone knows them

3. Question:

Which was the first movie the older brother produced in America?

4. Question:

Which movie of the younger brother won the two most important competions (USA & France) for movies in the western world?

5. Question:

Which movie had been the graduation-work of the younger brother at VGIK and what is the content of that short film?

Due to the fact, that the questions are not really difficult or tricky, the winner has to answer ALL questions in a sufficient way.

Best regards

Christian

[Christophe]

Before switching completely to Christian new question, I have to give all the complete answers to my previous questions about the Soviet Honorary Revolutionary Weapons.

The Sword :

1a. Who were the two first Soviet military leaders who have been awarded such a Honorary Weapon (sword) ?

S. S. Kamenev & V.I. Shorin.

I made a mistake earlier in saying that Christian's answer was correct . In fact, Budyonny was the 3rd one to been awarded such a weapon, on 20 November 1919.

Kamenev was Commander-in-Chief of all the armed forces of the Soviet republic. Shorin, as Budyonny, were two of the legendary heroes of the Civil War. Byudonny, who has been awarded Tsarist area orders and medals and later became Marshal of the Soviet Union.

1b. When did this happen ? Particularity of this event, in terms of timeline ?

It happened on 8 August 1919, for both of them (Kamenev and Shorin).

The particularity is that the first rewardings of these weapons have been made before its official approval (8 April 1920).

The Firearm :

2a. Who were the two first Soviet military leaders who have been awarded the Firearm Honorary Weapon ?

S. S. Kamenev & S. M. Budyonny.

2b. When ? Specific point about this ?

26 January 1921, Order No. 28 by the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic.

The specific point is that Budyonny and Kamenev were the only Soviet figures to have been awarded twice a Honorary revolutionary Weapon (sword + revolver).

The 1930 Sword :

3a. Between 1921 and 1930, no Honorary Revolutionary Weapon has been awarded. Only one (a sword) has been since, in 1930.

When ? To whom ? For which achievement ?

S. S. Vostretsov "for outstanding feats in extinguishing the conflict on the Chinese Eastern Railway in 1929". His sword has been awarded on 23 April 1930.

3b. What is the specificity of this sword compared to the ones awarded in 1919-1930 ?

It beared the Order of the Red Banner of the Soviet Union (instituted meanwhile), and no more the Order of the Red Banner of the RSFSR.

Ch.

[Christophe]

(...)

Now I promoted to the 1st rank of Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz answerers (9 good answers) - maybe we should create a own medal for members, who answered 10+ questions: "Meritorious Answerer to the GMIC Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz" .(...)

Christian

Welcome to the Club. I'm seriously thinking about it...

Cheers.

Ch.

PS : Now, back to your question.

[Christophe]

NEW QUESTION

AN OUTSTANDING SOVIET/RUSSIAN ARTISTIC FAMILY

Who are they? For what got they famous?

4 people - all still alive: Father (HSL, Stalin Prizes 1941, 1942 & 1950), Mother, older son & younger son.

Father and mother are well known writers for poetry, lyrics and children books. The two sons are well known filmmakers. Since last year the younger of the two brothers works as a keen lobbyist for Serbian interests - Kosovo, etc.

1. Question:

What are the exact names of the 4 family members?

2. Question:

Which are the two best known works of the father? - Everyone knows them

3. Question:

Which was the first movie the older brother produced in America?

4. Question:

Which movie of the younger brother won the two most important competions (USA & France) for movies in the western world?

5. Question:

Which movie had been the graduation-work of the younger brother at VGIK and what is the content of that short film?

Due to the fact, that the questions are not really difficult or tricky, the winner has to answer ALL questions in a sufficient way.

Best regards

Christian

Christian,

Here are my answers :

1.What are the exact names of the 4 family members?

Sergey Vladimirovich Mikhalkov. Father. Russian author of children's books and satirical fables, he had the opportunity to write the lyrics of his country's national anthem on three different occasions.

Natalia Konchalovskaya. Mother. Poet, she was daughter of the avantgarde artist Pyotr Konchalovsky.

Andrei Konchalovsky. Older brother. Movie maker.

Nikita Mikhalkov. Younger brother. Movie maker.

2.Which are the two best known works of the father?

The National Anthem of the Soviet Union or the "Hymn". This new anthem was presented to Stalin in the summer of 1943 and was introduced as the country's new anthem on January 1, 1944. New lyrics have been written again by him in 1977, were approved on 1 September 1977 and were made official with the printing of the new Soviet Constitution in October 1977.

The National Anthem of Russia, which was officially adopted in 2001.

3. Which was the first movie the older brother produced in America?

Runaway Train (1985).

4. Which movie of the younger brother won the two most important competions (USA & France) for movies in the western world?

Mikhalkov's Burnt by the Sun (1994). The film received the Grand Prize at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, among many other honours.

5. Which movie had been the graduation-work of the younger brother at VGIK and what is the content of that short film?

A Quiet Day at the End of the War (1970).

I hoe I wuill get my 10th right answer and the Order of Meritorious Answerer to the GMIC Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz...

Cheers.

Ch.

[Guest RedThreat]

Re:

Red Threat has been warned for rude behaviour, which will not be tolerated here at GMIC. Now back to the quiz.

I am not going to tolerate Ed_Haynes's derisive comments. He violated no bantering rule stated in Christophe's opening post on this thread. It is my understanding that Christophe also intended no bantering to apply to questions asked. Below is an excerpt from Christophe's post:

3. To ensure we keep this thread friendly, there should be no heckling, bantering, quarrelling or arguing with another person when he or she does not correctly answer the trivia question. Never forget we are amongst Gentlemen (or -women).

Judging by Christophe's and Christian's posts, they consider my question suitable for this thread. If my question was indeed inappropriate, Ed_Haynes could have politely reminded me of this fact. Instead, he didn't consider me worthy of attention and mocked my question when addressing Christophe.

If the forum administration continues to endorse Ed_Haynes's ungentlemanly spite, I do not wish to be a member of this forum.

Christophe, apologies to you for interrupting the quiz. I had to defend myself.

Simon

[Christophe]

Well, I think (and hope) there are a lot of misunderstandings here, and I think that differences of language don't help. I want to think there is nothing serious behind all this, and - that's the rule - our Chairman has got the final word. In my opinion, enough has been now said about this incident, and I propose we all shake hands now, remain vigilent, and go back to the quiz.

Cheers.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Christian,

Here are my answers :

1.What are the exact names of the 4 family members?

Sergey Vladimirovich Mikhalkov. Father. Russian author of children's books and satirical fables, he had the opportunity to write the lyrics of his country's national anthem on three different occasions.

Natalia Konchalovskaya. Mother. Poet, she was daughter of the avantgarde artist Pyotr Konchalovsky.

Andrei Konchalovsky. Older brother. Movie maker.

Nikita Mikhalkov. Younger brother. Movie maker.

2.Which are the two best known works of the father?

The National Anthem of the Soviet Union or the "Hymn". This new anthem was presented to Stalin in the summer of 1943 and was introduced as the country's new anthem on January 1, 1944. New lyrics have been written again by him in 1977, were approved on 1 September 1977 and were made official with the printing of the new Soviet Constitution in October 1977.

The National Anthem of Russia, which was officially adopted in 2001.

3. Which was the first movie the older brother produced in America?

Runaway Train (1985).

4. Which movie of the younger brother won the two most important competions (USA & France) for movies in the western world?

Mikhalkov's Burnt by the Sun (1994). The film received the Grand Prize at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, among many other honours.

5. Which movie had been the graduation-work of the younger brother at VGIK and what is the content of that short film?

A Quiet Day at the End of the War (1970).

I hoe I wuill get my 10th right answer and the Order of Meritorious Answerer to the GMIC Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz...

Cheers.

Ch.

Christian,

Did I win my Order ?

Ch.

[Christian Zulus]

Christian,

Did I win my Order ?

Ch.

Christian,

Here are my answers :

1.What are the exact names of the 4 family members?

Sergey Vladimirovich Mikhalkov. Father. Russian author of children's books and satirical fables, he had the opportunity to write the lyrics of his country's national anthem on three different occasions.

Natalia Konchalovskaya. Mother. Poet, she was daughter of the avantgarde artist Pyotr Konchalovsky.

Andrei Konchalovsky. Older brother. Movie maker.

Nikita Mikhalkov. Younger brother. Movie maker.

2.Which are the two best known works of the father?

The National Anthem of the Soviet Union or the "Hymn". This new anthem was presented to Stalin in the summer of 1943 and was introduced as the country's new anthem on January 1, 1944. New lyrics have been written again by him in 1977, were approved on 1 September 1977 and were made official with the printing of the new Soviet Constitution in October 1977.

The National Anthem of Russia, which was officially adopted in 2001.

3. Which was the first movie the older brother produced in America?

Runaway Train (1985).

4. Which movie of the younger brother won the two most important competions (USA & France) for movies in the western world?

Mikhalkov's Burnt by the Sun (1994). The film received the Grand Prize at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, among many other honours.

5. Which movie had been the graduation-work of the younger brother at VGIK and what is the content of that short film?

A Quiet Day at the End of the War (1970).

I hoe I wuill get my 10th right answer and the Order of Meritorious Answerer to the GMIC Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz...

Cheers.

Ch.

Dear Christophe,

more than perfect answers - congratulations .

Due to the fact, that Nikita Michalkov's great movies had been French productions, I assumed, that you will answer the questions .

Nikita Michalkov http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikita_Mikhalkov is my favorite filmmaker and "Burnt by the Sun" is my favorite movie. I am happy to have even "A Quiet Day at the End of the War" with German subitles on video .

The original title of "Burnt by the Sun" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnt_by_the_Sun should be - if you translate from Russian to English - "These, who are weary (or tired) with the sun". That's a little bit different to the "Hollywood-Title", but still somehow o.k. The big scandal had been the German title of the movie in old "Cold-War-Manner": "The sun, which cheats us" ("Die Sonne, die uns t?uscht"). Not even Goebbels would have dared to rename the Soviet Eisenstein-movies . Christophe, what is the English translation of the French title of the movie?

Here, the English cover of the DVD (Michalkov + daughter):

Here, the German cover of the DVD, with the "Cold-War-Title", but showing Michalkow with 3 RBs :

If you don't know the movie, please get the DVD - you won't regret .

I also want to present the 2 versions of the Soviet/Russian anthem written by Nikita's father Sergey http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Mikhalkov in 1944 and 2001:

Michalkov?s 1944-version of the anthem:

The unbreakable union of free republics

Great Russia has welded forever;

Created by will of the peoples, long live

The united, mighty Soviet Union!

Chorus:

Be renowned, our free Fatherland,

Reliable bulwark of the friendship of peoples!

Soviet flag, people's flag

Let it lead from victory to victory!

Through tempests shined on us the sun of freedom,

And the great Lenin lit us the way.

Stalin brought us up -- on loyalty to the people,

He inspired us to labor and to heroism!

Chorus:

????

We developed our army in battles,

We will sweep the vile aggressors from the way!

In battles we settle the fate of generations,

We will lead our Fatherland to glory!

Chorus:

????

Michalkov?s 2001-version of the anthem:

Russia?our sacred state,

Russia?our beloved country.

A mighty will, a great glory

Are yours forever for all time!

Chorus:

Be glorious, our free Fatherland,

Ancient union of brotherly peoples,

Ancestor given wisdom of the people!

Be glorious, country! We are proud of you!

From the southern seas to the polar region

Lay our forests and our fields.

You are one in the world! You are one of a kind,

Native land protected by God!

Chorus:

????

Wide spaces for dreams and for living

Are open to us by the coming years.

Our faith in our Fatherland gives us strength.

So it was, so it is, and so it will always be!

Chorus:

????

I actually prefer the lyrics of the 1944-version .

Here is a photograph of Sergey Michalkov from the 2005 Victory-Day-Celebrations (he is always wearing his HSL):

Best regards

Christian

[Christian Zulus]

Re:

I am not going to tolerate Ed_Haynes's derisive comments. He violated no bantering rule stated in Christophe's opening post on this thread. It is my understanding that Christophe also intended no bantering to apply to questions asked. Below is an excerpt from Christophe's post:

Judging by Christophe's and Christian's posts, they consider my question suitable for this thread. If my question was indeed inappropriate, Ed_Haynes could have politely reminded me of this fact. Instead, he didn't consider me worthy of attention and mocked my question when addressing Christophe.

If the forum administration continues to endorse Ed_Haynes's ungentlemanly spite, I do not wish to be a member of this forum.

Christophe, apologies to you for interrupting the quiz. I had to defend myself.

Simon

Dear Simon,

but to adress Ed as "Mr. Smartass" is not just funny "bantering", but a real insult - just my opinion.

Your reaction had been out of all proportion to Ed's pro-Soviet statements.

So, please Simon, say sorry to Ed and everything will be in proportion again .

Many thanks .

Best regards

Christian

[Belaruski]

Just my two pennies... Sometimes mistakes are mad because when reading a post you don't konow how the person actually "said it".

All too often irony and banter appear to be hostile. Unfortunately that is the nature of the discussion board format. It's a alot harder to qualify yourself, or add emphasis than in conversation.

Anyway, carry on with the quiz!

[Christophe]

Thanks, Christian. I'm again the happy winner...

"Burn by the sun" was in french "Soleil trompeur".

My turn, now to find a new challenge...

Cheers.

Ch.

Pic : The French and Russian versions.

[Christian Zulus]

"Burn by the sun" was in french "Soleil trompeur".

Dear Christophe,

so the french translation - "Soleil trompeur" = "The deceptive (or: misleading) Sun" - is also a wrong one and in the "Cold-War-Style" .

BTW: What are your favorite movies from Nikita Michalkov?

Waiting for your new question - the second one within one day .

Best regards

Christian

[Nick]

If the forum administration continues to endorse Ed_Haynes's ungentlemanly spite, I do not wish to be a member of this forum.

Bye bye....

[Christophe]

Let's quit Russia, and move to Berlin...

My question...

Question 72

For the first time since Napoleon 1st, and during the Cold War era, a French Head of State visited Berlin.

1. When did this event take place ?

2. Where was it : West or East Berlin?

3. Who was this French Head of State ?

and as a bonus :

4. He pronounced a famous sentence relating to Berlin. Which one ?

Who will answer at least the 3 first questions ?

Good hunt and good luck.

Cheers.

Ch.

Edited March 4, 2007 by Christophe

[Christian Zulus]

Answer of question No. 72

Dear Christophe,

I hope my answers are right and I can promote to the 1st rank of good answerers again .

1. October 1979

2. West-Berlin

3. VGE (= Val?ry Marie Ren? Giscard d'Estaing)

4. ?

To answer question No. 4 is difficult, because VGE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val%C3%A9ry_G...d_d'Estaing said and wrote quite a lot concerning Germany or divided Berlin, due to the fact, that he and his close friend, the German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmut_Schmidt , had been true allies and THE motor of the Eurpean unity. Both great politicians are still alive and very, very active .

Well, during VGE's 1979-visit to West-Berlin, he stated and emphasized, that France will guarantee the security and freedom of West-Berlin.

Best regards

Christian

[Christophe]

Dear Christian,

Nothing is impossible to you ...

Here are the answers :

For the first time since Napoleon 1st, and during the Cold War era, a French Head of State visited Berlin.

1. When did this event take place ?

2. Where was it : West or East Berlin?

3. Who was this French Head of State ?

The visit of French President Val?ry Giscard d'Estaing took place on 29 October 1979, in West Berlin to confirm the Allies commitment to a free city. Helmut schmidt was the Bundeskanzler.

and as a bonus :

4. He pronounced a famous sentence relating to Berlin. Which one ?

He said : "La libert? de Berlin, c'est aussi la n?tre" ("Berlin's freedom is also our freedom").

This sentence is now engraved on a bronze plaque in the Staatsbibliothek, in Berlin.

After this visit in 1979, the next French President to visit Berlin will be Fran?ois Mitterrand, in October 1985.

Christian, again, Congratulations!!! You are the winner!!!

So you are again promoted to the 1st rank of Good Aswerers!!!

Cheers.

Ch.

[Christophe]

For Christian , new stats :

This small game has now been launched 16 months ago now (on 1 Nov. 2005), and since :

* 72 questions asked,

* with 892 answers,

* This quiz has been viewed more than 9230 times.

* 29 Members of the Forum played, and 21 correctly answered at least 1 question :

Nb of good answers :

* 10 : Christian (Zulus) and Christophe

* 9 : Bryan (Soviet)

* 8 : Simon (Red Threat)

* 4 : Ed (Haynes)

* 3 : Andreas (Alfred) and Kim (Kimj).

* 2 : Auke (Ferdinand), Belaruski, Chuck (in Oregon), Gerd (Becker), Ivan (Piramida), Jan (vatjan), Order of Victory, and Wild Card.

* 1 : Darrell, Daredevil, Dave (Navy FCO), Dudeman, Rick (Stogieman) and Steen (Ammentorp).

This is a great achievement. Thanks to all for your participation.

Bravo Christian!!!

Now, let's continue to have fun with the 73th question... Christian's!!!

Cheers.

Ch.

[Christian Zulus]

Dear Christophe,

many thanks for your congratulations, but Wikipedia is always a great help .

Of course, you have to know, where to look after and you have to have a certain basic knowlodge about the topic.

My new question - now about Soviet airplanes - will follow soon.

Best regards

Christian

[Christian Zulus]

NEW QUESTION

WHO DESIGNED THE MAGNIFICENT JET-FIGHTER MiG-15 ?

Gentlemen,

we all know, that the Soviet Union had built magnificent jet-fighters - MiG-15, -21, -29 or Su 27, etc. At their time, all of them had been superior to the US-jet-fighters: In the late 1940s the MiG-15 and in the early 1980s the MiG 29 had been matchless .

In the very early years of the "Cold War" the Soviet Union had problems at two fields of aircraft design: Jet-fighters & heavy bombers, despite the fact, that they had in WW II the best piston-engined fighters, the best ground-attack fighters and the best medium bombers.

The problem of the heavy bomber had been solved by Stalin & Co. by producing a 1:1 copy of the US B-29, the Tu-4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-4 .

The problem with a superior jet-fighter had been more difficult, because there had been nothing to copy.

First Stalin & Co. got the British for delivering the jet-engines, the Rolls Royce Nene http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Nene - there had been a Labour-Government at that time in the UK and Churchill had been out of power .

Then they got an outstanding german aircraft designer, who worked for a leading german company during the TR and got rather famous - specially for jet-fighters. That german engineer came to the Soviet Union with some approbriate blue prints, he made in the last years of the TR for his german company.

Instead for Adolf Hitler he built now the supreme jet-fighter for Joseph Stalin and for MiG military aviation bureau.

So, the magficent MiG-15 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-15 was borne - british engines & german design .

At the press conference at the presentation of the MiG-15 Mikhail Gurevich (HSL, 5x Stalin Prize & 1x Lenin Prize) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Gurevich said, that his contribution to the design of the MiG-15 had been rather small.

My question is:

Who from Germany designed the MiG-15 in the 1940s in the Soviet Union ?

Best regards

Christian

[Christian Zulus]

FURTHER HINTS

Gentlemen,

the german enigineer in question worked for one of the really great, hughe and famous german aircraft companies. The company does not exist anymore.

He and his twin-brother Walter had been the chief-engineers of that company.

Not Walter, only the other of the twins, had been kidnapped by the Soviets and brought to the CCCP, where he had to stay till 1952.

Please look at the design of the MiG-15 and compare that design to the jet-fighter designs of that famous german aircraft company - specially to the sketches of the last years of the TR.

After the presentation of the MiG-15 german experts said: "That's XXXX's airplane after his sketches and blue-prints he did for his company XXXX in Germany!"

But the engineer XXXX always denied after his return to the FRG, that he had something to do with the MiG-15. But for what other reason did the Soviets keep that famous jet-fighter designer till 1952 in the CCCP .

Happy hunting at Wikipedia .

Best regards

Christian

[Knarf]

The peopee are probably Siegfrid G?nter and Brunolf Baade. The Plane was called Mig because most work on it was done by Germans. Mig means Made in German

Frank

[Christian Zulus]

MiG = Made in Germany

The peopee are probably Siegfrid G?nter and Brunolf Baade. The Plane was called Mig because most work on it was done by Germans. Mig means Made in German

Frank

Dear Frank,

congratulations - one of the two names is the right one .

You have to choose .

BTW: Siegfried is the right spelling for Dr. G?nter ...

Some hints:

Have a look at the Wikipedia-sites of the big TR-aircraft-companies: Heinkel, Messerschmitt, Junkers, etc.

Who of these two (outstanding) german engineers had a twin brother?

Walter G?nter or Walter Baade?

Who returned 1952 to the GDR (DDR) and immedeatly to the FRG (BDR) - Dr. G?nter or Prof. Baade?

Here is a german Wiki-Link to Brunolf Baade: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunolf_Baade

O.K., now your choice should be easy .

Best regards

Christian

[Knarf]

The right person was siegfried G?nter

Frank

[Christian Zulus]

The right person was siegfried G?nter

Frank

Dear Frank,

perfect & congratulations - Dr. Siegfried G?nter designed the MiG-15 in the CCCP

G?nter brothers at Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BCnter_brothers

And the MiG-15 is a very typical Heinkel-design: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinkel

Even the Heinkel He 178 from 1939, the first jet-plane in the world, had more or less the same basic design: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinkel_He_178

But the MiG-21, -25, -27 & -29 had been true Soviet designs, without any traces of Made in Germany .

No it is your turn to post a tricky question here at the Quiz-Section .

Best regards

Christian