On Cosmonautics Day, let us recall a curious story related to Yuri Gagarin who, after the famous space flight, received a one-time (!) Pass to the 200th Section of GUM - a secret "store" for the highest party nomenclature, workers of trade missions of fraternal countries and one of the most closed places in Moscow. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, Gagarin, who was considered a man of fashion and dandy, has bought mainly the gifts for his wife Valentina. These were real treasures - a vail of French perfume and a fashionable neckpiece.
Fr om the book of art historian and journalist G. Revzin "GUM Encyclopedia":
"In the late 50's and early 60's GUM has become a place where Soviet women could hope to become at least a bit like unearthly beauties. It was here that the legendary 200th Section with a special service of the party elite was established. A place wh ere even in the era of deficit it was possible to buy a Chanel suit – a cherished dream of actresses, ballerinas, diplomats and television broadcasters.
200th Section was a state secret. There was a special militia post at the entrance to the section from Red Square, the internal entrance from the "Fabric" department was carefully disguised, the strictest instructions were given to sales assistants.
Members of the Politburo and their wives were allowed there without passes. Galina Brezhneva, for example, made regular raids on the 200th section, dressing another lover from feet to head.
Other rough & ready to the elite could get into the reservation of deficit by one-time passes on the basis of an application from the Central Committee. For example, Yuri Gagarin received a one-time pass to the 200th section after the space flight. This became a tradition: cosmonauts were awarded with the admission to the 200th section after returning from the flight. The pass as if was equated with the medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union."
You do not need to fly into space to visit GUM stores today: they are open for you daily from 10.00 to 22.00.
Cosmonautics Day Greetings! And see you in GUM!
On Cosmonautics Day, let us recall a curious story related to Yuri Gagarin who, after the famous space flight, received a one-time (!) Pass to the 200th Section of GUM - a secret "store" for the highest party nomenclature, workers of trade missions of fraternal countries and one of the most closed places in Moscow. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, Gagarin, who was considered a man of fashion and dandy, has bought mainly the gifts for his wife Valentina. These were real treasures - a vail of French perfume and a fashionable neckpiece.
Fr om the book of art historian and journalist G. Revzin "GUM Encyclopedia":
"In the late 50's and early 60's GUM has become a place where Soviet women could hope to become at least a bit like unearthly beauties. It was here that the legendary 200th Section with a special service of the party elite was established. A place wh ere even in the era of deficit it was possible to buy a Chanel suit – a cherished dream of actresses, ballerinas, diplomats and television broadcasters.
200th Section was a state secret. There was a special militia post at the entrance to the section from Red Square, the internal entrance from the "Fabric" department was carefully disguised, the strictest instructions were given to sales assistants.
Members of the Politburo and their wives were allowed there without passes. Galina Brezhneva, for example, made regular raids on the 200th section, dressing another lover from feet to head.
Other rough & ready to the elite could get into the reservation of deficit by one-time passes on the basis of an application from the Central Committee. For example, Yuri Gagarin received a one-time pass to the 200th section after the space flight. This became a tradition: cosmonauts were awarded with the admission to the 200th section after returning from the flight. The pass as if was equated with the medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union."
You do not need to fly into space to visit GUM stores today: they are open for you daily from 10.00 to 22.00.
Cosmonautics Day Greetings! And see you in GUM!
