I arrived to “Praga” restaurant by smallest Russian vehicle - “Oka” one-door tiny car, where we were packed, four National-Bolsheviks, counting our driver - Yuri, ex-patrol man. Other distinguished guests of Radio “Echo of Moscow” were driving much more distinguished vehicles - I noticed them stepping out of foreign “BMW’s” and “Mercedeses”. Yuri have stayed in his tiny car, as I comrades Dmitri and Iliya went to restaurant. We when through metallo-detectors, then mounted on second floor, where jass band was playing. “Praga” is old-fashion building full of columns, huge windows, carpets, palm trees, all that retro chic, you know. So Jazz is playing, National-Bolsheviks on my sides, I am entering that gathering of beaumonde. It is 19:15. Although soiree have started at 19, the place is swarming with people.
First who I saw was chef-editor Alexei Venediktov, his red scalp hair looking like a barbed wire bouquet. My butterfly-tie, white shirt and black velvet jacket made him happy. He shaked my hand and said in delighted voice - The only man wearing a butterfly-tie here is the leader of National Bolsheviks party! - I have counted on your appreciation - said I. Congratulations, your radio is only one left island of liberty in Russia.