Russia is the country worth learning about even if you do not have any Russian friends or acquaintances. Its history, scientific discoveries, industrial developments and modern international relations draw attention of many nations in the world. Learn more about this country and Russian people by reading articles about Russian culture, traditions, superstitions and everyday life.
One of the main peculiarities of Russian hospitality is that friends are always welcome to come and visit. You don't even need to make a call or set a certain time for visiting. Just come and the host will be glad to see you.
One of the greatest samples of folk wooden art of Russia is wood engraving and wood painting. Russia owns rich forest resources. That is why the early Russian houses were made of wood. This resulted in a tradition to decorate wood and create wooden items for the household, which is now one of the oldest folk arts of Russia.
Russian Matryoshka is the best souvenir from Russia. Matryoshka is a set of wooden dolls that are very traditional, skilfully decorated and carved by Russian masters and even carry the smell of Russia with them. It is a symbol of Russian folk art and handicraft.
The two cities (Moscow and Saint Petersburg), histories of which are so closely related, are absolutely different: while Moscow was built chaotically and has traces of many old events, Saint Petersburg is relatively new and very-well organized. All major events, changes and revolutions happened in these two main cities and then gradually affected other cities of Russia. That is why there are often called the two capitals of Russia.
In order to really enjoy a Russian banya (Russian bathhouse), you need to follow certain rules which will let you feel better and avoid bad consequences after a Russian steam bath. People with bad heart and poor health should not take a Russian steam bath, or they should do it only at moderate temperatures.
People tend to simplify things they don't understand by creating established views or ideas which later turn into myths. And it is not just the misunderstanding that created many American myths about Russian people. Years of cold war between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. produced myths about military advantage, atomic research and people's hatred that at times simply didn't exist. Now those myths are gone, but there are still some that remain in people's minds.
Russians and Americans are two nations that are extremely different from one another. Long years of Russian tsarism and communism, and American capitalism and democracy lay a huge gap between us. Our difference in mentalities creates a perfect ground for prejudice and misunderstandings. There is a number of Russian myths about American people that have been nurtured by mass-media and politicians for years.
If you want to make a call to Russia, it is better not to use your regular mobile or home phone plan as the rates will most likely be much higher than the rates of other providers who specialize in international calling. There are several relatively cheap services you can use to make a call to Russia.
Many people are interested in Russian military relics. One of the things you can buy while traveling in Russia is a Russian badge. A Russian badge usually has military symbols. A great variety of them is sold in Moscow underground passages and souvenir stores all over the country.
Cheburashka is a fictional character from children's book by a soviet writer Eduard Uspensky, which later became a whole series of Soviet cartoons. While the character was invented by Eduard Uspensky, his actual image was created by an animation artist Leonid Shvartsman. Now Cheburashka has become a very popular Russian toy.
A Russian icon is more part of religion, than part of Russian culture. However, even though it is rare to see a Russian icon of (let's say) Christ the Savior in a house of a Russian atheist, for a long time icons have also been considered unique artwork and historical relics.
One of the greatest samples of folk wooden art of Russia is wood engraving and wood painting. Russia owns rich forest resources. That is why the early Russian houses were made of wood. This resulted in a tradition to decorate wood and create wooden items for the household, which is now one of the oldest folk arts of Russia.
Russian Matryoshka is the best souvenir from Russia. Matryoshka is a set of wooden dolls that are very traditional, skilfully decorated and carved by Russian masters and even carry the smell of Russia with them. It is a symbol of Russian folk art and handicraft.
The two cities (Moscow and Saint Petersburg), histories of which are so closely related, are absolutely different: while Moscow was built chaotically and has traces of many old events, Saint Petersburg is relatively new and very-well organized. All major events, changes and revolutions happened in these two main cities and then gradually affected other cities of Russia. That is why there are often called the two capitals of Russia.
In order to really enjoy a Russian banya (Russian bathhouse), you need to follow certain rules which will let you feel better and avoid bad consequences after a Russian steam bath. People with bad heart and poor health should not take a Russian steam bath, or they should do it only at moderate temperatures.
People tend to simplify things they don't understand by creating established views or ideas which later turn into myths. And it is not just the misunderstanding that created many American myths about Russian people. Years of cold war between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. produced myths about military advantage, atomic research and people's hatred that at times simply didn't exist. Now those myths are gone, but there are still some that remain in people's minds.
Russians and Americans are two nations that are extremely different from one another. Long years of Russian tsarism and communism, and American capitalism and democracy lay a huge gap between us. Our difference in mentalities creates a perfect ground for prejudice and misunderstandings. There is a number of Russian myths about American people that have been nurtured by mass-media and politicians for years.
If you want to make a call to Russia, it is better not to use your regular mobile or home phone plan as the rates will most likely be much higher than the rates of other providers who specialize in international calling. There are several relatively cheap services you can use to make a call to Russia.
Many people are interested in Russian military relics. One of the things you can buy while traveling in Russia is a Russian badge. A Russian badge usually has military symbols. A great variety of them is sold in Moscow underground passages and souvenir stores all over the country.
Cheburashka is a fictional character from children's book by a soviet writer Eduard Uspensky, which later became a whole series of Soviet cartoons. While the character was invented by Eduard Uspensky, his actual image was created by an animation artist Leonid Shvartsman. Now Cheburashka has become a very popular Russian toy.
A Russian icon is more part of religion, than part of Russian culture. However, even though it is rare to see a Russian icon of (let's say) Christ the Savior in a house of a Russian atheist, for a long time icons have also been considered unique artwork and historical relics.