Russians
There is a sizable community of Russians in the UAE. They are expatriates who have moved into the country in attraction of good job opportunities and its contrasted all-year-round sunny weather conditions. According to various estimates, as many as 18,000 Russian expatriates and overall above 55,000 Russian speakers from CIS (former Soviet Republics) countries live throughout the country, with the majority having made Dubai and Northern Emirates their home. The UAE is also a popular visiting destination, with above 1,000,000 tourists from Russia & CIS visiting the country each year. There are a number of business and cultural groups and organizations dedicated within the community, such as Russian Business Council in Dubai and Northern Emirates, operating under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Russian Cultural Club in the American University of Sharjah; Russian Women Union “Rossiyanka” to name a few. The Dubai Russian Private School is a secondary school using a curriculum approved by the Russian Ministry of Education and is designed to cater to the Russian speaking community needs. There are also a number of Russian-language publications in the country: Russian Emirates magazine (dedicated to the luxury lifestyle and fashion), Business Emirates magazine (dedicate to the property, business and investments; the official publication of the Russian Business Council), as well as East Sprigs UAE Travel Guide book for Russian speaking tourists and visitors of the UAE, printed & published by the Russian Emirates Publishing House and actively promoted and circulated. There is a “Russian Radio – A Worldwide Network” broadcasting on 96.3FM all over the UAE. Dubai has often been described as a playground for Russian VIPs, where large portions of property are bought. Some locals insist that as much as half of the Palm Jumeirah, the first of the city's scheduled three man-made islands, which is already handed over, eventually owned by Russian speakers. In a playful reference to the extremely popular bi-monthly publication, the news agency Russia Today has unanimously referred to the UAE as the "Russian Emirates”.
Read more about this topic: Expatriates In The United Arab Emirates
Famous quotes containing the word russians:
“If the Russians have gone too far in subjecting the child and his peer group to conformity to a single set of values imposed by the adult society, perhaps we have reached the point of diminishing returns in allowing excessive autonomy and in failing to utilize the constructive potential of the peer group in developing social responsibility and consideration for others.”
—Urie Bronfenbrenner (b. 1917)
“But these Russians are too romantic—too exaltés; they give way to a morbid love of martyrdom; they think they can do no good to mankind unless they are uncomfortable.”
—H. Seton Merriman (1862–1903)
“The Russians imitate French ways, but always at a distance of fifty years.”
—Stendhal [Marie Henri Beyle] (1783–1842)