Search by tag «History» 50 results

  • How Cyrillic Script Came to Be

    As you probably know, in Russia we use the Cyrillic alphabet as opposed to Latin. Why is that so, where did it come from, and were there other Slavonic scripts in the past?

    03.07.2023

  • ITMO University During World War II

    June 22 is the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow in Russia. On June 22, exactly 82 years ago, German troops invaded the Soviet Union, causing millions of people, including students and staff of LITMO (the Leningrad Institute of Fine Mechanics and Optics, the former name of ITMO University) to go to the front. But even with the ongoing war, research activities were not put on stop. Scientists who remained in the city continued their studies despite the harsh realities of the war, designing and repairing optical devices, including those meant to protect Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Learn more about how the university lived and worked during the Second World War in the article.

    22.06.2023

  • Research Under Siege: How Leningrad Scientists Fought to Overcome Famine

    On May 9, Victory Day is celebrated in Russia to mark the end of World War II. In honor of the occasion, ITMO.NEWS and ITMO’s Historical Museum look back on the work of Leningrad scientists who developed new food products for the besieged city.

    05.05.2023

  • Sculpture, Architecture, and History: Exploring St. Petersburg’s Historic Cemeteries

    Visiting a graveyard is an unlikely choice of weekend activity. Eerie atmosphere, superstition, and Gothic fiction have made cemeteries synonymous with the morbid and the macabre. Yet they have more to offer than just horror stories. Why not step outside and explore while the weather is nice?

    14.04.2023

  • Letopis: Find Out What Happened 900 Years Ago

    It’s possible thanks to chronicles – historical documents also known as letopisi among East Slavic peoples. 

    10.04.2023

  • Before Passports: Documents of the Past

    In Russia, the civil registration system was created only in 1918. However, there was a need to certify personal identity way before that. How was it done?

    06.03.2023

  • The 5 Railway Terminals of St. Petersburg

    In this companion piece to our destinations article, let’s find out more about the history and quirks of our city’s five major railway stations, or vokzals as they are known in Russian.

    12.08.2022

  • Student Spotlight: Kento Hasegawa, Japan

    A Japanese native whose passion is to learn Russian history and culture. That’s what best describes Kento, a participant in ITMO’s summer school in Russian language and culture. His keen interest in learning Russian and becoming a professional translator left us in awe. We got the opportunity to catch up with him and learn all about his experiences in our city. From enjoying the city’s observation decks to getting lost in the grandeur of the Hermitage, let's dive deep into the life of Kento Hasegawa.

    28.07.2022

  • Vladimir: An Ancient City on the Golden Ring

    Have you ever heard of Russia’s Golden Ring? A group of ancient cities that were part of the Old Rus, are now sights to see and not too far from Moscow. As you set off to explore the Golden Ring, the first city along the way is Vladimir, the former capital of medieval Russia. I decided to venture out there on my vacation to find out what Vladimir had to offer.

    11.05.2022

  • Student Spotlight: Fatameh Haidari Monfared, Iran

    A student of history and tourism management, Fatameh appreciates Russia’s heritage like no other. Guess what her go-to spots in St. Petersburg are? Of course, it’s the museums. She loves spending time there as they offer a lot to learn. In her spare time, she likes to travel, read books, and pen her experiences. Read on to learn more about Fatameh and her time in St. Petersburg.

    21.04.2022