Диалог о Саратове на английском языке
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- HI! How are you going to spend your holidays?

- I’d like to visit Saratov and have a look at the most interesting monuments of the town.

- That’s great!

- By the way, do you know why it is called Saratov?

- As far as I know, the name Saratov is derived from the Turkic words "Sary Tau" that means Yellow Mountain in the Tatar language as the city is surrounded by a few sandy hills. And do you know anything about its history?

- Well I have read that the history of Saratov goes back for four hundred years and the town emerged in 1590 to protect the south-eastern borders of the Moscow State from nomads and to safeguard the Volga navigation.

- Right. You know Saratov is 400 years old but today it is a thoroughly modern center with its specious squares, avenues and streets, its green parks and gardens. The central shopping district of Saratov is Kirov Avenue. You know, it is a traffic-free zone, a beautiful walking street with many outdoor cafes, restaurants and stores. It’s definitely worth-visiting.

- Yes, it is really a very nice place. And how many parks are there in Saratov?

- Many, and the first and most well-known park is the Park of Victory on the Sokolova Hill. There is a huge monument in the park with cranes at its top which honours the memory of Saratov citizens who perished in the Great Patriotic War.

- And what about theatres in Saratov?

- I can say that actually Saratov is a great centre for theatre, opera and ballet. The first theatre appeared in Saratov in 1803. The Chernishevskiy Opera and Ballet Theatre which stages Russian and world classics, the Drama Theatre, which presents classical and modern plays, the theatre for Young Spectators, the repertory of which is interesting for children and grown-ups, are among the most popular.

- I think, it’ll be very interesting to me to see a play in the Chernishevskiy Opera and Ballet Theatre.

- No doubt. And besides present-day Saratov is one of the most important cultural centres in Russia. It possesses many museums, a rich picture gallery and libraries.  

- As for the galleries, I’ve read about the Fine Art Museum, which bears the name of Radishchev and which contains more than 15000 outstanding works of Russian, Soviet and European Art.

-Well, I see it is really a very interesting town. Thanks for telling me this. I hope to see you during the holidays.

- Of course. I’ll be your guide! We’ll put up at the Slovakia Hotel situated on the embankment and enjoy the beautiful panorama of the town from the upper floor of the sixteen-storied building. Museum Square is an interesting architectural ensemble with the Trinity Cathedral.

- Oh, I know. It is a fine monument of Moscow baroque dating from the 17th century.

- You are so well-read. I’m looking forward to our holiday.

- So am I!