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May 9, 2012
Lumia

Regional Spotlight: Russia



Over to the land of Chekov, Vodka and the Red Square this week, where Nokia Connects takes a look at everything hot cool coming out of Russia. (See what I did there…?)

via edesposti

Russia’s digital and mobile landscape has been transformed over the past few years with the arrival of social networks. In the first four months following its launch in Russia in 2010, Facebook use grew by 376 per cent – not to mention the 25 million Russians who currently use home-grown networking site VK. Recently, a study by Comscore put Russia as the most socially engaged country in the world. Amazing.

Which is why this month’s launch of the Nokia 808 PureView in Russia is so important – keeping the world’s most social population up to date with the most cutting-edge mobile technology.

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Speaking of social media in Russia, it’s hardly surprising that these videos of Nokia’s Amazing Lift Experience went viral in the country. I don’t want to ruin the surprise by telling you what happens when this man gets into a lift, so you’ll just have to watch the video and find out!

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Now is also the time of year that the White Nights Festival starts kicking off in St. Petersburg – a packed schedule of ballet, opera and classical music events that run all night long to celebrate the fact that the sun never sets during the summer season in this part of the world. As one Russian singer tweeted:

‘Come join us in Russia… soon [we will have] the white nights – the night as bright as day.’

White Nights in St. Petersburg, via brynosaurus

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May (or May 9, to be exact) also marks Victory Day in Russia – the anniversary of the end of WWII in 1945 – which is celebrated across the country with military parades, fireworks and general festivities.

via theatlantic

That’s it for this week’s spotlight on Russia, I hope you’ve come away knowing a little more about this amazing country than you did at the beginning! Stay tuned for more regional spotlights coming your way and, as ever, if you have any comments, suggestions or general observations, then drop them my way either below or on Twitter.