IN BRIEF

Published: April 3, 2013 (Issue # 1753)

Laugh for Longevity

ST. PETERSBURG (SPT) — People with a healthy sense of humor usually find an inventive way out of difficult situations, Maria Galimsyanova, an associate professor in psychology at St. Petersburg State University, said April 1, Interfax reported.

“The sense of humor exhibited in an unpleasant or unexpected situation is often a defense reaction that helps [somebody] to get through difficult times. Therefore in order to live easily and joyfully it’s important to teach oneself to find something funny in any setback. Usually, a good joke can relieve tension, depression or fear, and helps to release accumulated aggression,” Galimsyanova said.

The psychologist said humor also makes people feel better physically. Witty people always win the interest and respect of the public easier, and many people listen to them.

“The problem of people who lack a sense of humor is that they think too rationally. They thoroughly plan every minute of their life and try not to step aside from their plan. As a result, any unplanned event causes them substantial stress.”

On April 1, Russia marked April Fools’ Day.

New Director for BDT

ST. PETERSBURG (SPT) — The new artistic director of St. Petersburg’s Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theater, or BDT, Andrei Moguchy, plans to maintain the theater’s traditions, Russia’s culture minister Vladimir Medinsky told journalists last week, Interfax reported.

Moguchy, one of Russia’s leading modern theater directors, said he would not bring in any “bloody” changes.

“I’ve made a decision to take a risk. Everything will be slow and painless. However, my priority is to focus on working with the actors,” Moguchy said.

Moguchy said the decision on his new position came quickly and without warning for him. However, he will maintain his obligations to the city’s Alexandrinsky Theater, where he also worked, he said.

BDT is one of the city’s leading drama theaters.

Soccer Stadium Costs

ST. PETERSBURG (SPT) — The cost of FC Zenit’s new soccer stadium in St. Petersburg may end up totaling 34 billion rubles ($1.1 billion), the St. Petersburg Construction Committee said Friday, Interfax reported.

Work began on the new soccer stadium on Krestovsky Island in 2007. However, in light of Russia’s application for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the project was subsequently revised in order to completely meet FIFA’s requirements on capacity and safety.

At the moment the stadium, whose cost was previously valued at 44 billion rubles ($1.4 billion), is more than 30 percent complete.

On March 20, St. Petersburg vice-governor Marat Oganesyan said the estimated cost of the stadium would be corrected downwards.