People & Bridges. A Story of One Passion.On those who brought the blues to Russia6 stories in the "Moscow" section — from the People & Bridges archive on the people who brought the blues to Russia.
Alexander Tsarkov · Arbat Blues ClubAlexander Tsarkov on Arbat Blues Club — Moscow's first blues venue.
Yuri Kostin · House by the Road. Part 2.Yuri Kostin on "Dom u Dorogi" on Dovatore, Guest Artists, and How the Club Era Ended in Khamovniki.
Yuri Kostin · The House by the Road. Part 1.Yuri Kostin on the Legendary Blues Club "Dom u Dorogi". Part 1
Alexei Kalachev · Blues in Belyavo.# 1990s. How a Legendary Blues Club in Belyaevo Appeared and What It Was Like The 1990s in Moscow were a time of radical change and cultural renaissance. While the city was experiencing economic turbulence and social upheaval, underground music scenes were flourishing, and blues—once forbidden or marginalized—was finally finding its place in the mainstream. One of the most important chapters in Moscow's blues history is the story of a club in the Belyaevo district. This modest venue became a sanctuary for blues lovers and musicians, a place where the music that had been suppressed for decades could finally breathe freely. The club emerged almost organically from the community of dedicated blues fans and musicians who had kept the tradition alive during the Soviet years. What began as informal gatherings in apartments and small venues gradually transformed into something more organized and ambitious. Belyaevo, a residential area in the southwest of Moscow, became an unlikely epicenter of the Russian blues scene. The club's survival depended on the passion of its core community. Without significant government support or corporate backing—things unthinkable in the West—the venue operated on a shoestring budget. Musicians often played for minimal compensation, sometimes just for the love of the music and the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. Fans became part of the extended family, helping to organize events, spread the word, and keep the lights on. The Belyaevo club hosted performances by both established Soviet-era blues musicians and emerging young talent. It became a proving ground for bands, a classroom for aspiring musicians, and a gathering place for everyone who understood that blues was not just entertainment—it was a form of spiritual expression, a connection to something authentic and deeply human. This was blues in its purest form: stripped of commercial pretense, driven by genuine passion, and rooted in a community that understood its cultural significance.
A crowbar, a power drill, a hammer, and a stepladder — all these tools are essential for staging a blues festival. Where did the "Bridges" festival come from, what made it memorable, and why did it become iconic?
Vladimir Rusinov · Blues in RussiaVladimir Rusinov, Creator of "Bridges," on Why We Need a Real Blues Festival and Faith in the Impossible.