Search by tag «Russian culture» 82 results
Koliada: Russian Trick-or-Treating?
What do Halloween and Russian Orthodox Christmas (January 7) have in common? Asking neighbors for sweets, of course!
07.01.2021
5 Things That Make St. Petersburg Russia's Cultural Capital
St. Petersburg is a city with many names and faces: the Venice of the North, the Cradle of Three Revolutions, the City of White Nights – and, above all, the cultural capital of Russia. And if you’ve ever wondered about the origins of this honorable title, here are some facts and figures to convince you of its right to bear it.
07.12.2020
Finno-Ugric Spots of St. Petersburg
Russia is known as a multinational country, and rightfully so – around 200 ethnic groups inhabit it and each of them has its own unique culture. Today, let’s talk about the Finno-Ugric peoples of Russia and where you can learn more about them without having to leave St. Petersburg.
01.12.2020
Russia on Film: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Donning fur coats year round, drinking vodka with every meal, and plotting evil schemes are just some of the ways in which filmmakers love to portray Russians. But are they true? Let me take my ushanka off and take a closer look at some of the most common stereotypes.
23.11.2020
How to Explore the World of St. Petersburg’s Young Artists
Local grand venues, such as the Hermitage and the Russian Museum, seem like an obvious choice if you feel like enjoying masterpieces of classical art. However, where do you go if you want to check out some works by hip young artists? We have some suggestions.
10.11.2020
Speak Like a Russian: Phrases From Soviet Movies We Know by Heart
Well, you alcoholics, idlers, hooligans… Who wants to work today? This is not us picking on you – it's a quote from a famous Soviet movie that every Russian knows by heart. These mind-boggling catchphrases and witticisms might have you scratching your head when you hear your friends use them, seemingly at random. But they're part of the Russian psyche, and you can get in on the game!
09.11.2020
Russian Horror Stories: What Do We Find Spooky?
Halloween is not all too popular in Russia and yet you can’t call us cowards – we love spooky stuff, too, but in our own way. Bloody red gloves? A haunting Queen of Spades? A terrifying matryoshka? Find out what stories Russian children tell to frighten each other – and get goosebumps all over.
26.10.2020
Discover Yamal Peninsula: Wise Up and Learn to Welcome Change
Sometimes I am terrified by how little I know about my own country and especially its many regions. Not long ago, I stumbled upon a short course on Yamal, a peninsula in Western Siberia, surrounded by northern seas, and it shook my world in so many ways that I can’t help but share what I learn in hopes to change yours – if only a little!
19.10.2020
Are Russians a Gambling Nation?
Let’s add a little excitement to this mundane Monday and discuss games of chance (and why Russians love them).
28.09.2020
Digging Deeper: Literary Origins of St. Petersburg Metro Stations
It’s no secret that the St. Petersburg Metro is one of the world’s most exquisite and beautiful underground transit systems. But its interiors aren’t the only things worth noting. While anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the Russian language will probably be able to glean the meanings of most of its stations’ names, there are a few that would require a bit more in-depth knowledge of Russian culture. Today, we’ll look at some of the stations that bear the names of Russian writers, poets, and other masters of the written word.
04.08.2020