in syria. police clashed with protesters in the croatian capital where hundreds took part in a rally against joining the e.u. head of sunday's membership referendum recent surveys suggest forty percent of the population are against joining the bloc. within the e.u. itself more anti austerity anger with protests in romania bloc second poorest countries leading to the nation's worst violence in more than a decade thousands have been out in the streets demanding the resignation of the government and president for more than a week. up next the moscow out team takes you to florence to look for traces of russian culture in italy stay with us.

hello and welcome to the program today the moscow team are in italy as we continue our exploration of russian culture abroad music from tar koskie or condone ski racing creativity has been studied and celebrated for centuries around the world so joe be martyred on roots as we take a look at russian influence and connections one of the most beautiful historic and romantic cities in the world florence. christians have been fascinated with italian culture for centuries florence is often compared to st petersburg. with its architecture and classical entertainment see consisting of art music and literature it's easy to draw comparisons to the cultural grounds you're of russia's former capital. around the major cities in italy today and you definitely hear the chit chat excited russian tourists they devour the social scene here and they're exploring what it has to offer now more than ever before which is really an example

of those i feel him in florence and my children in russia was raised studying the culture of the renascence and the principles of humanism and this city is the essence of such coaches as does this state is doing just before you just are stuck with it as we feel comfortable here which is it really doesn't even seem like a foreign country and italians are very friendly probably in all my life was to an interest it's hellen arts and russian art nothing else because it's the most maybe fancy is the most difficult difficult technique difficult collars. everything else they're all dozens of connections. between italy and russia dissociation within the field of art goes back centuries. we arrived at the russian art academy located in a grand building in the center of the city it brings together all the lovers of all ages and nationalities you can almost feel the creativity as you walk in here.

many students have taken sabbaticals to come to florence and learn more about art the school is angled towards classical russian teaching methods and takes individuals back to basics studying the works of old masters. nice work. classes the taking is part of a full time course we can't or evening classes and a whole range of subjects to study from campus painting to much touring but why come to a russian arts school in florence. because we're kind of training to see for it where you can get a did you ever see the like under. our schools around here it's just very focus of spirit affected it actually i never planned to come to parents to you i'm painting i can't do sculpture but i was convinced by the russian method and all the way that they they teach me my dream and improve the scene as i came here and most

of the buildings are still authentic show it does give the shuttle program be ideal background for all to make sure. many live models are using the conses tools in english russian and italian shouldn't take visual photographs with the aim of recreating the image in sketch form. based on consequence additions and values in the modern art world because here is learning about site size technique. of the training here besides the basics of technique the use of color and the study of anatomy out of portraits most of the changes here offer russia and they bring with them a whole range of classical knowledge and experience having trained at various prestigious universities in moscow and st petersburg and being sent to and say help

each student find that expression whatever standard that may be the school in france is aware that many of our colleges around the world are opening up to contemporary styles and radical new training methods and on that note to discuss the academy's objectives let's meet this week's guest. lovely to meet you so tell me about the academy here in florence of a here during two years which is years ago started with the first course but into a funeral of already doing ten years doing different kind of water shops and gold care demand i want to bring a russian academic classic school. of european stay with us and of course bring spiritual waters and art which is very important for us to mention european students where you have russian or international italians or it's almost an international of the students which is

a half from belgium or from italy from you glance from america around the world can anybody come here or they have to be you know i just an artist. no no i think you can be here which is normally students just sending their application form together with the war but after one the year of professor choosing if that student will continue filthier second which is we don't have an answer an exam but we have exam after one year were serious and the tutors are mostly russian teachers that most are russian which is that it's teachers a who are already graduated in russia who is a professional artist but himself the most time of. war in the russian russian government academy well many of the art schools around the world they focus now on contemporary art maybe here the training is more strict with this russian roots maybe. balance because our opinion of where giving plastic

foundations called base without foundation a classic school base you can develop your own style a diverse a school the nonprofessional way. which is it's me in our opinion that we're bringing school in the people and this is school will develop their own. well it was great to meet you and good luck with it thank you there was a lot but. so what other cultural links is florence have with russia one of the most celebrated filmmakers of the twentieth century person director undertow kosky lived in france in the one nine hundred eighty s. in the capital of tuscany took a walk on his two last films and sacrifice he was even pronounced as an honest citizen of florence by its authorities took over the left italy and nine hundred eighty six and moved to paris where he died the same year now a memorial plate to be seen on the house in vs i'm nicolo but the filmmaker lived

and worked. in the beautiful surroundings of florence nestled in the tuscan countryside as a hotel bearing or name the damage of country result is a modern four star hotel then after the famous person wealthy and influential demetre family from the eighteenth century but themselves had a villa in this part of italy and they definitely chose the location wisely as the views here a spectacular and relaxing. about twenty minutes drive from the center of florence the hotel offers a hundred rooms and suites with all modern comforts absolutists. how a hotel is there for business and leisure changes that the middle family used to enjoy the surroundings many centuries ago and now our guests can enjoy the same nature and the most festive it is to relax.

florence is a sensational city the center is an open i'm easy in itself every corner is a photo opportunity no wonder many famous russian figures came to live here. the esky for example chose florence not only because of its inspiring the true so many other foreigners but many because of the library they contain russian periodicals he wrote the idiot here in january one thousand nine hundred eighty nine after seventeen months of work. another russian legend spent a considerable length of time in italy was the composer tchaikovsky he came to florence in the year eight hundred seventy eight to write quietly in a villa overlooking the city situated on the beautiful street via the sun leonardo twenty minutes outside the city it has a completely different feel to the center of florence it was stated that tchaikovsky called florence the city of dreams for him it was one of the best locations in the world as he enjoyed the architecture landscapes and soul of the

area he said it was one of the most inspirational places to live and to work he wrote the famous russian opera the queen of spades here in italy in eighty ninety and back in russia to celebrate his beloved city he wrote the piece souvenir to florence. from the art world in florence or oligarchs and their glamour shots on the island of capri the prism of russian influence and connections in italy and vice versa isn't it too apparent and not just here but it is closer to many european cities than you think is the love affair with all things european shows no signs of slowing down. the punch of the here bridge is a beautiful medieval landmark not to be missed as

a focal point of the city it represents medieval florence in all its glory and whether you are chinese english american russian the historic landmarks and fantastic cultural world of florence with a long standing russian italian connections a something everyone should church what an amazing city well unfortunately that's the time we have left on this week's program see you again at the same time next week until then for me and the rest of the team. now.

to.

bryanston if you only bought some from phones to pressure. groups don't talk t.v. dot com. is he. east.

islam is when an overwhelming majority of egypt's first parliamentary election since hosni mubarak was deposed a year ago the muslim brotherhood took almost half the seats on the lower house that will hold its first session in two days. the future of the arab league mission in syria caught between those saying the observers presence reduce the violence and others slamming it for a lack of progress members meeting in cairo now to discuss whether to extend the monitors work in syria. police clashed with protesters in croatia's capital where hundreds took part in a rally against joining the you ahead of sunday's membership referendum recent

surveys suggest forty percent of the population are against joining the block. and . with the new word self more anti austerity anger with protests in romania the blocks second poorest country leading to the nation's worst violence and more than a decade thousands have been on the streets demanding the resignation of the government and president of more than a week. keeps up next with our sports update stay with us here on r.t. . hello welcome to the sports and here are the top stories. majestic maria chirac of the brits germany's angry straight sets to go into the last sixteen of the astray and while they respond to write about and more russians fall on the third day about . while strength to strength depending men's champion novak djokovic cruises to

a straight set when a nickel out to reach the fourth round. also goes through. and winning ways alexander off scores the way not as elite reached the rocky olympic team to want to reach the final of the friendly match world cup tournament in dubai . but first to tennis and world number four maria sharapova has gone through to the fourth round of the australian open with a comprehensive six one six two victory over an injury but two thousand and eight champion had had limited preparation for the first grand slam of the season but has dropped only five games in three matches so far i wouldn't call it. going to be before the match so if you prepare self well enough and if. you play well enough to win with a comfortable scoreline. so germany's sabine lisicki who came from.

russia's spectacular because that's over two six six four six two the final score. while it's also the end of the road for the arizona writer who suffered a shock defeat at the hands of a fellow russian except that he never got about next place another uphill challenge in the guise of returning five time champion serena williams the american was in devastating for against the risk to let iran while yet another russia maria kirilenko pulled out with a leg injury to set down a good second seed at the foot to the czech republic the wimbledon champion is looking for her second major title and the chance to meet for caroline wozniacki at the top of the world rankings. when i play the first five games. from. our last match when i play big. but how i played today and hopefully it will be continued. standing in the way next is

form what world number one ana event of each the serbian needed just over an hour or two out miss america by new king six three six for the she aims to return to spray the final for the first time since two thousand and eight. going to be very tough one i mean by that is definitely playing. one of the heart is the moment then it's going to be great for me and bode. really in our. day and draw my best of her and you know the bathroom. wall over on the men's side reigning champion novak djokovic powered past nicolette move the top right is actually six six one six one victory just over an hour french scuzzy looking. you're taking his situation right now in matter but looking just over my game was was really really well really fantastic going from from serve to the return all the

shots going to the mat so. i'm happy with the way my first first week went here in australia hopefully i can continue the same way. and also through is former finalist jo wilfried tsonga the frenchman was an easy winner over portugal's federico after taking three sets by a six two school mark. meanwhile fall season twice beaten form is andy murray is also through following a straightforward pummeling the frenchman michael llodra play kazakh up and come out recalled pushkin state of the brilliant fight back by going one fish to win in three hours and forty minutes to sit down with ferrera became argentina's it nastier challenge in straight sets and next up the game is ryszard s.k. france serbia's blanco tips are a bit. football announcement's top scorer alexander goes a goal of netted the winner as the russian champions beat the iraki limpet team two one in the friendly match world cup tournament in dubai just eight minutes or

a man should walk off the set in a long cross but alexander will cart off to open this impinges very excited to strike at making amends for missing him every chance however a quick counter attack early in the second half saw the rock is level mohamed abdalla falling in equaliser. i have a fifteen minutes later i was in it found the game winning goal danko last of it chipping in across the country go up to knock the ball with a confused goalkeeper so two one was the way finished and take a second to try to get a static final to spend between. one elsewhere the transfer saga continues because status after the match the city and argentina striker has reportedly rejected a move to mega rich perry signs among the french media does an ounce don't find it in italy much had been reached but the deal fell through at the last minute after both sides failed to finalize terms and reports have suggested twenty seven

alternatives will be earning more than ten million. all this new. meanwhile italian giants into milan have also targeted the striker have so far failed to match that is valuation bar manager at everton one cheney insists to. use impossible. i don't want to see you we are the problem for you is important not to restart to play because it. is and to remember that the employee. is no good for him. meanwhile a crunch they have english premier league football is on sunday we'll see match the man chinese city host in-form title rivals top them while second place manchester united travel to arsenal spurs are thirty five points behind united manager harry redknapp has once again played down his side's championship ambitions. we want to go to a world and come away with from the game but. you. have said many

times you know six point seven point eight point lead can evaporate very quickly can't they were seen it's only two arms over the years so it's a play for everybody still but it's like everything i keep saying that top four is is really where we want to be we want to get champions league football anything above that is a bonus for us. well meanwhile chelsea striker didier drogba has confirmed he will remain at stamford bridge until at least this summer the ivory coast star has scored ninety eight goals in two hundred seventeen league games for the blues and has been strongly linked with the leave to chinese side try high shamrock drug was contract is set to expire in june said he is free to talk to other clubs the police are reportedly offering thirty three year old a twelve month extension function what reportedly set to give the strike a three year deal progress to pay for the ivory coast i get sit down in equitorial guinea on sunday for what could be his last africa cup of nations. to the n.b.a.

in our overall leader chicago continue their impressive form with a one hundred fourteen to seventy five when in cleveland to inflict a worst ever home defeat on the cavaliers all the bulls superstar derrick rose was missing his third straight game with a strange left big toe but the bulls barely missed him as you all during the visitors in front twenty seven twenty six at the end. chicago began to pull away in the second round for going to carlos boozer made the score sixty five forty four thirty in the third while in the fourth everything went wrong for the cavs losing the ball giving richard hamilton an opportunity for two easing points there in chicago run out winners by thirty nine points to time may fourteenth victory from seventeen games so far last week feeds into the next base eight games against teams who made the playoffs last year. and finally russia's pentasa leads are marking one hundred years since the sport came to the country but for the olympics fast

approaching there's little time for the best performance of last year to celebrate as a bouncer gorski reports. russia has been a powerhouse this past decade in modern pentathlon the national team winning men's gold at three straight olympic games and dreaming of bollywood in the footsteps of sydney gold medal was called ski by weaving in athens and then again. in beijing and the man himself knows that nothing short of flawlessness in each discipline will be enough for a third straight. there's not one particular thing to work on as a pentathlete you pretty much have to do well in every discipline if you cannot perform at the highest level in every event you will never be able to become an olympic medalist in a century of shooting swimming fencing equestrian and cross country is being marked in russia the london two thousand and twelve looms large amid celebrations of past accolades and well moyes said if it's top of the european and world championships

in two thousand and eleven there are plenty of youngsters caught on the thirty two year old heels only two athletes will go to represent their country this summer a selection process which will definitely challenge the coaching staff. will have to make a choice based on who gives us the best chance to win but it will be a tough one after this season. champion and runner up medals going for them. in our past champions so no doubt the selection process is going to be tough with other competitors such as two thousand and ten world champion sergei currie arkin cannot be ruled out of the qualifying yet another man i know this summer the recently turned twenty four year old knows exactly who he has to be for the spot if he is to achieve that podium feat. we all know who are opponents who so the main thing for us is to get selected for the olympic games we've had the first preparation paid already now starting the second phase of our work now out of the after that will be entering a series of competitions so i'm going to work hard and hopefully stay injury free

and i said so plenty at stake for russian what is a historic year for the sport in the country and while there's been no shortage of pentathlon glory during the past decade the pressure is greater than ever for the russians to win their fourth straight uganda gorski r t. that's old school for this bill isn't.

islam is when an overwhelming majority of egypt's first parliamentary election since mubarak was deposed the muslim brotherhood takes almost half the votes. the future of the arab league mission in syria caught between those saying the observers presence reduced violence and others slamming the group for a lack of progress. protesters clashed with police in croatia's capital where hundreds take part in a rally against joining the e.u. way ahead of sunday's membership vote. within the e.u. itself more anti austerity agora pro.