Moscow is losing the landmarks of its post-Soviet cultural life. Meduza revisits the nightclubs, bookstores, cafes, and markets that helped define an era.
Moscow’s first generation of post-Soviet clubs and independent establishments was largely short-lived, with most closing within 15 years. Those that made it into the 2020s, however, achieved cult status. For those who have left Moscow in the past four years, the city still conjures memories of Propaganda, Saigon and newer favorites like Entuziast. But these cherished institutions are now disappearing, too. Rents and other expenses are climbing, and more and more of the sites these establishments once occupied are being redeveloped. Meduza revisits some of the capital’s cultural and commercial