Earlier this month, author Charles Cumming was invited on a trip to Russia, organized by the British Council, as part of the 2014 ‘UK-Russia Year of Culture’ programme. They stayed in Moscow and Tarusa, visiting some absolutely incredible places – Tolstoy’s house at Yasnaya Polyana, Chekov’s country estate, the Kremlin – and soaking up the local culture (and, we assume, a sensible amount of vodka).
In case you didn’t catch Charles’s live tweets from Russia, we’ve provided a recap below. And if you want to see more of his accomplished photography, head on over to his facebook page ( to get a peek inside the Grand Kremlin Palace, see close-ups of Chekov’s writing desk, and James Bond’s swimming trunks!
Charles Cumming @CharlesCumming · Sep 7
Inside the Grand Kremlin Palace on Saturday afternoon pic.twitter.com/ID9F7PjpaE
Charles Cumming @CharlesCumming · Sep 8
At Kim Philby’s grave in Kuntsevo cemetery @StMartinsPress @HarperFiction #BritishCouncil #Moscow2014 @BenMacintyre1 pic.twitter.com/TBQAbrNDz9
(If you have read Charles’s novel, The Trinity Six, you’ll appreciate this photo of him standing by Kim Philby’s grave.)
Charles Cumming @CharlesCumming · Sep 9
The room in which he wrote War & Peace #Tolstoy #BritishCouncil pic.twitter.com/FYqMNw9ZmE
Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvtunzelmann · Sep 8
UK authors visit Anton Chekhov’s house. The only one tall enough to ring Chekhov’s lunch bell is @CharlesC umming. pic.twitter.com/2HrHAYw70T
Charles Cumming @CharlesCumming · Sep 11
Chess players in Gorky Park. The man in the cap beat me in 18 moves
Charles Cumming @CharlesCumming · Sep 9
Tolstoy’s grave in the forest at Yasnaya Polyana pic.twitter.com/aByJLbiNRQ
Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvtunzelmann · Sep 8
The most anguish-inducing breakfast I have ever seen. Welcome to rural Russia! @Tussymarx @CharlesCumming pic.twitter.com/oiyuevI6qn
Charles Cumming’s latest novel is A Colder War. You can follow him on twitter here and find him on facebook here
