The first external broadcast from Moscow was in German. On October
29, 1929, Moscow’s calls signs cut in through the air, and people throughout
the world could hear a voice in German, saying “Hier Spricht Moskau!” (“This
is Moscow!”).
The first programs lasted from 30 minutes to an hour and a half and were
broadcast every other day. They  included
news, mainly from the Soviet national daily “Pravda”, and feature stories
about this country, its history and modern life.
During the May 1 and November 7 national holidays, live broadcasts from
Red Square were organized, which carried interviews with foreign guests,
public activists, and cultural personalities from Germany and Austria.
Foreign language broadcasting required skilled announcers, translators
and editors. All of Radio Moscow staff were high professionals and did
their job excellently. They had unique opportunities to rub shoulders with
prominent statesmen, scientists and writers who came to Radio Moscow studios.
There were many foreign specialists too – native speakers from various
countries.
On November 7, 1929, less than a month after the first German broadcast
went on the air, Moscow began broadcasting in French. The first French
programs were hosted by Albert Josef. A born Frenchman, he came to Russia
in 1916 and hailed the 1917 revolution as the embodiment of ideals proclaimed
by the Paris Commune. Josef became a living legend of Radio Moscow. His
contribution to the organization and the development of foreign language
broadcasting, especially the French service, was enormous. “The staff was
fairly small, and we were all one big unit. We worked hard and with great
enthusiasm”, he recalled in one of his interviews. “Little by little, we
gained experience, broadcasting expanded and grew more diversified. Of
all our programs, “Mailbag” was certainly the most popular feature. We
received letters from both friends and enemies, and we answered both…”
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