On October 7, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will celebrate his 59th birthday. Putin, whose political career was launched over 20 years ago, has a packed schedule but still manages to find time for activities that have no relation to state administration.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolsky / Go to the mediabankOn October 7, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will celebrate his 59th birthday. Putin, whose political career was launched over 20 years ago, has a packed schedule but still manages to find time for activities that have no relation to state administration. On December 10, 2010, he performed the early rock ‘n’ roll standard “Blueberry Hill” with jazz musician Maceo Parker's band at a charity concert.
On October 7, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will celebrate his 59th birthday. Putin, whose political career was launched over 20 years ago, has a packed schedule but still manages to find time for activities that have no relation to state administration. On December 10, 2010, he performed the early rock ‘n’ roll standard “Blueberry Hill” with jazz musician Maceo Parker's band at a charity concert.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolsky / Go to the mediabankVladimir Putin also learned to play “From Where the Motherland Begins” on a grand-piano for a charity concert in St. Petersburg.
Vladimir Putin also learned to play “From Where the Motherland Begins” on a grand-piano for a charity concert in St. Petersburg.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolsky / Go to the mediabankOn April 15, 2011, the prime minister skated at a training session for young hockey players prior to the Zolotaya Shaiba (Golden Puck) tournament finals. Putin said it took him two months to learn to skate.
On April 15, 2011, the prime minister skated at a training session for young hockey players prior to the Zolotaya Shaiba (Golden Puck) tournament finals. Putin said it took him two months to learn to skate.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolsky / Go to the mediabankOn January 17, 2011, the prime minister learned curling in Khimki outside Moscow.
On January 17, 2011, the prime minister learned curling in Khimki outside Moscow.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Druszinin / Go to the mediabankThe prime minister regularly takes part in judo bouts.
The prime minister regularly takes part in judo bouts.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Panov / Go to the mediabankEverybody knows Vladimir Putin as an avid alpine skier.
Everybody knows Vladimir Putin as an avid alpine skier.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey DruszininIn November 2010, the prime minister test-drove a Formula-1 car for several hours on a racetrack where he reached speeds of up to 240 kph.
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© RIA Novosti . Alexey Druszinin
In November 2010, the prime minister test-drove a Formula-1 car for several hours on a racetrack where he reached speeds of up to 240 kph.
© RIA Novosti . Yana Lapikova / Go to the mediabankVladimir Putin learned to drive a three-wheeled motorcycle fairly recently. He rides his Harley-Davidson trike with members of the Night Wolves biker club.
Vladimir Putin learned to drive a three-wheeled motorcycle fairly recently. He rides his Harley-Davidson trike with members of the Night Wolves biker club.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Druszinin / Go to the mediabankThe Russian prime minister is fond of animals.
The Russian prime minister is fond of animals.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Druszinin / Go to the mediabankVladimir Putin’s colleagues know he likes animals and often present him with one. For instance, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov gave Putin a Karakachan puppy, a very popular breed in Bulgaria.
Vladimir Putin’s colleagues know he likes animals and often present him with one. For instance, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov gave Putin a Karakachan puppy, a very popular breed in Bulgaria.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolsky / Go to the mediabankIn 2008, Vladimir Putin received a little Siberian/Amur tiger for his 56th birthday and said it was the most unusual birthday gift ever.
In 2008, Vladimir Putin received a little Siberian/Amur tiger for his 56th birthday and said it was the most unusual birthday gift ever.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Nikolsky / Go to the mediabankVladimir Putin fitting a polar bear with a satellite-tracking collar in Zemlya Aleksandry (Alexandra Land) Island, part of the Franz Josef Land archipelago.
Vladimir Putin fitting a polar bear with a satellite-tracking collar in Zemlya Aleksandry (Alexandra Land) Island, part of the Franz Josef Land archipelago.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Druszinin / Go to the mediabankAnd, finally, Vladimir Putin likes fishing, just like most Russian men do.
And, finally, Vladimir Putin likes fishing, just like most Russian men do.