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And now to St Petersburg, where the Botanical Gardens are celebrating their 300th anniversary with the construction of a Japanese tea pavilion and pond. Our Russian correspondents take in the tranquility of the new Zen gardens.
Landscape masters are creating a Japanese corner on these 413 square feet in the St. Petersburg Botanical Garden.
The entire project will be completed for the 300th anniversary of the garden.
Today the pond and tea pavilion are being presented.
The roof is made by Japanese masters from tile, and was brought directly from Japan; but the poles were installed by Russian craftsmen.
And the cultural differences in construction were clearly visible:
[Alexei Skibin, Project Participant]:
"We could not do the standard Japanese connection, the elements are similar to a puzzle, very different from what we are used to."
The garden harmonizes with the natural landscape.
Here's a pond with a small island made specifically for Japanese koi.
These fish are essential inhabitants of such ponds in the homes of wealthy Japanese.
[Gleb Uspensky, Project Participant]:
"The ponds are very beautiful, fine, but they are not designed for winter, they are just set up to be admired. Carp are swimming in the upper layers of water, about half-a-meter down, it's very pleasant to watch them."
All elements of the garden have been created by St. Petersburg designers under the strict guidance of Japanese experts.
And although only half the work has been completed, it is already bringing satisfaction to the project's chief designer.
[Midori Yamada, Project Designer]:
"This is almost a Japanese garden Nigoten, Karesansui, a stone garden is not ready yet, well, little by little it should be done."
In addition to the Zen garden or rock garden, tea and landscape areas will also be created.
