pouët.net

Never?

Never ever?

biggest problem seems to be to get the visa.. you dont quite seem to need it for other european countries, but aparentyl you do for russia.. and getting a visa can be a burocratic hassle...

Yep, I visited CC in 2004, and the biggest hassle indeed was with the Russian visa which took about a month to get. No other official hassle - I even bought the train ticket only about 15 minutes before leaving :)

Next time (maybe this year?), I should reserve a lot more time for seeing around the city. And some more time beforehand for making something for the compos :)

about the visa - organisers know a good travel agency that organises official invitations for foreigners. after that, getting a visa is a breeze.

i was in st. petersburg in 1996 and loved it. i would go again, IF i could afford to stay more than then party days. still, 50 eur for visa + trip from portugal (which REALLY is in the other side of the continent) is quite expensive.

but hey, we are also not expecting russian sceners at inerciademoparty (don't forget to come...) :)

2nytrik: yes, these groups (except t-rex) are inactive, but we have crolyx team, demarche, mayhem, 7dump, time is flowing, and groups are changing.
I think I should write "hitchiker's guide to russian demoscene" :)

i went to st.petersburg, russia once. It was a the most boring and stupid place in the world.

The fact that it was 1986, i was 8 and the city was called Leningrad might have had something to do with it, though..

viznut, how come it took so long time? at least in helsinki there's a travel agency where you can get a visa in 6 days.
uncle-x,, they do have mcdonalds in st. petersburg now so it's better!

Pegasus:
You heard that?


Intresting that nosfe says it better now that it has McD tho.. But who cares? THEY HAVE MC DONALDS!!

Kebab!

dipswitch, yeah, I'd love too... but in a young family of 2 students and a 1-month-baby finding extra cash for party traveling can be tricky... 8}

oh, 1 month baby?
best wishes!

thanks 8)

nosfe: finland is a "special case" with visas for Ru.

The cheapest visa you can do takes 15 days, + the time for the agency to organize stuff. To have the tourist visa you'll need an invitation from an hotel -> the angecy agreeing with the cc orgas should supply this. Something like 10Eur and one day.
The cost of visa depends on your country, like the insurance needed for EU citizens.

*But* if you just want to take a look at St.Petersburg (it's worth it) and visit the party for the weekend, you don't really need a visa. More precisely, you can get a few-days-visa when entering Russia. No need for registration and it will grant you the entry for a few days.

Not the cheapest way but doable, especially for Fiins, Swedes or sceners from baltic republics (IF they want to visit Russia ;)

Oh, and they promised much easier procedures. Next year... :/

If you care about money - there's good prizefund on CC in this year : 5000$ total for this moment. So, it will be a good chance to earn money for experienced sceners ;)

5000 $ : gosh ! Isn't that the price for a balistic missile in this country ?

everyone knows that you can get a balistic missile for $2000 and a couple of crackwhores

Okay, I will open a secret - we sold some armoury and missles, and six t-72 tanks, to organise our demoparty =) Peace, brothers!

raynoa, next year, when i'll definetly come, keep the missiles for compo prizes. :)

hey, there are less than two months left to cc'2006, it's time to decide about visiting Russia!

Will gorbatjov attend cc'2006 ?

I've heard he quit the scene long ago...

Gorbatjov can beat Chuck Norris! He can make roundhouse kick with his head =)