We make Russian News. We where on the Shipping News Channel in Russia. They...(More)

We make Russian News. We where on the Shipping News Channel in Russia. They where excited to see Aussies in Russia to learn the art of Model Ship Building. Here is a Translation into English Maritime News Woman in eye-glasses: More than 3 centuries ago emperor Peter the 1 learnt ship building skills from Europian craftsmen and led the Russian Empire to creating the Russian fleet. It seems the same approach was adopted by Australian model ship builders who visited our city to learn the secrets of how to build tiny ship masterpieces from their skilled and educated Russian counterparts. Woman's voice: Model ship building is not only a creative work on the border of art but also a way to learn fleet history and to contribute to the preserving of national traditions. Probably this was the main drive of two young Australian model ship builders: Antonio Ramos and Ivan Kramar who dared to cross half the globe in order to learn the art from Saint Petesburg craftsmen. This event seems to be the first step towards establishing a long hoped-for International Academy of model ship building. Alexander: I had the idea of creating an Academy of model ship building that is going to be both virtual and real. So, having installed a computer system of free international calls supported by video -- Skype -- I met model ship builders from many countries of the world including two Australian men. First they were thinking of inviting me to Australia so I can teach them model ship building sort of being on a business trip. However, later I thought may be we should invite them to Russia instead and take them to existing craft rooms and using available tools show them how Russian model ship builders create their masterpieces. Woman's voice: The Australian craftsmen will spend almost a month living on the banks of Neva river. We met them in a craft room of one of the Russian leading model ship builders -- Michail Bezverhniy, who is a winner of some Russian and world championships. Here, in a small flat on 'Shipbulding street', the representatives of the Green Continent are taking their first craft work lessons. Probably it is destiny that many Russian model ship builders live on a street with such a symbolic name. The visit to Saint Petesburg awakened a dream with the Australian model ship builders -- they want to create their first model ship that will be as good or even better than the works of their teacher Mikhail Bezverhniy -- whom they respectively call Doctor Mike. Anthony: Doctor Mike is an exceptional model ship builder, I hope I can adopt his skills to bring with me to Australia. This will help me to build models of high quality so I can take part in competitions on model ship building in Europe. I also plan to teach Australian craftsmen all technologies used by Russian model ship builders. Woman's voice: All the lessons of the Australian model builders are recorded on video. They plan to create a special video course about the basic techniques and art of model ship building. So those who are unable to visit Russia and witness the emergence of model ships with their eyes will be able to watch the video. There are no special institutes that offer training courses on model ship building both in Russia or abroad. Doctor Mike: There are no special insitutions on model ship building. Usually it is based on personal experience. I was interested in model ship building since childhood it was my hobby as most children have their own. This hobby developed over the years. So usually a relatively professional model ship builder has many years of experience. Woman's voice: The Saint Petersburg model ship building community has plans to establish an Academy of model ship building that will train restorers for maritime museums both in Russia and other countries. There is also a dream that there will be at least one model of the historic famous ships in every house of a Sea Capital (Saint Petersburg). (Katya, Thank you so much for Translation this :)(Less)