Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
175
Gorbushka Electronics Market
For a mind-boggling selection of software, music, DVDs, videos, and computer
games, head to Gorbushka, Moscow's biggest “underground” market for legal
and illegal electronic goods. In the 1990s, it was upgraded from a chaotic out-
door venue at Gorbunov Park to a spacious, clean warehouse up the street, on
Ulitsa Barklaya (it's visible from the Bagrationovskaya metro station). Despite
years of industry pressure, Russia remains a major producer of pirated software,
music, and movies. The good news is that efforts to fight piracy have brought
the prices of licensed goods down to levels well below what you'll pay at
home—for example, the latest
Die Hard
DVD was available in an official Russian
version the same time it was available in the United States, but at half the price.
At Gorbushka, the selection includes more and more licensed products, and a
fair share of obscure Russian recordings from decades past. The enormous hall
for vendors of CDs, DVDs, MP3s, videos, cassettes, and software is surrounded
by a larger network of minishops selling electronics of every kind, often quality
brand names at prices below the department stores. It's a good place to pick
up camera accessories or cheap batteries. If you want to buy movies, keep in
mind that not all DVDs can be viewed on your player at home, and that not all
offer English versions, so check with the vendor just in case. Russian videos are
in PAL format (not compatible with most North American VCRs), and even
American films are voiced over in Russian unless indicated. Be prepared for
crowds, especially on weekends.
Gorbushka offers a mix of legal products and pirated goods, but beware of
the stands you'll see in metro stations and at street corners around town: Their
only trade is the illegal stuff, from the latest Hollywood blockbuster to CD-
ROMs packed with Microsoft programs. Taking pirated goods out of Russia is
illegal, and Customs officers can (though rarely do) seize them when you leave
and levy a small fine.
8
MUSIC
Moscow's biggest bookstore, Dom Knigi (listed under “Books” earlier in this chapter),
has an extensive selection of Russian and international sheet music, and a decent selec-
tion of CDs as well.
Gorbushka
The vast and bustling market offers the broadest selection of Russian and
foreign artists, though you'll have to ask around if you're looking for anything obscure.
See the “Gorbushka Electronics Market” sidebar below for more information.
8-10 Ulitsa
Barklaya. Metro: Bagrationovskaya.
TOYS
See Detsky Mir under “Fashion & Shoes” above for the biggest source of toys in Moscow,
from baby rattles to high-tech video games. For more original Russian toys, check out the
Izmailovsky Market (described under “Great Shopping Areas,” earlier in this chapter) for
