New books launched at heart of Russia.

More than 80 Russians braved gusts of unseasonable snow and Siberian winds to attend the Moscow launching of Russian-language editions of four MRA books in May. The St Andrew's orthodox publishing house had suggested a series on silence and listening. The books were Helene Guisan's La Tierce Presence (The Third Presence), Philippe Lobstein's Les Silences de M L'Inspecteur (The Inspector's quiet moments), Paul Gundersen's Incorrigibly Independent and Paul Tournier's A Listening Ear.

Guisan, from Switzerland, Lobstein from France, and Finnish businessman Gundersen spoke at the launching. It took place at the Marina Tsvetaeva Museum--she was one of the great 20th Century poets of Russia. Beside a large photograph of the martyred Orthodox priest, Alexander Men, Mme Guisan asked, `How can we ever thank Russia enough for the way she has translated her suffering into beauty and faith through her art and literature?'

Lobstein, whose late wife was Russian, moved the audience by speaking in Russian. Through her he had grown to love Russia, and now something of her spirit was living on through this venture.

Gundersen spoke as a veteran of the Finland's war against Russia. He also spoke of the need for ethical values in business.

Andrew Stallybrass, the Swiss publisher of the four titles, drew applause when he spoke of a direct ancestor in the early 19th Century who had been a Protestant missionary in Siberia. His great-great-grandfather had translated the Bible directly from Hebrew and Greek into Buryat, the language of the Mongols, and printed it on the mission's own press.

Irina Yazikova, a professor of Christian culture at St Andrew's, said, `These are books that educate the heart. Russians are tired of ideologies and words. But there is a need for books like these that share practical experience and stress the need for us to listen to each other and to the Other.'