RUSSIA

Russian culture has a long and rich cultural history, steeped in literature, ballet, painting
and classical music. While outsiders may see the country as drab, Russia has a very visual
cultural past, from its colorful folk costumes to its ornate religious symbols.

Languages

Russian is the official language, many Russians also speak English as a second language.
More than 100 minority languages are spoken in Russia today, according to the BBC. The
most popular is Dolgang, spoken by more than 5.3 percent of the country's population,
according to the CIA. Other minority languages include Tartar, Ukrainian, Chuvash, Bashir,
Mordvin and Chechen. Although these minority populations account for a small percentage
of the overall Russian population, these languages are prominent in regional areas.
Religions

"Religion has always been a primary component of Russian life, even during times of
oppression," Wagner said.

There are nearly 5,000 registered religious associations in Russia. More than half follow the
Russian Orthodox Church, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian
Federation. Islam is the second largest religion; about 10 percent to 15 percent of Russians
practice Islam, according to the CIA World Factbook.
"The third most popular religion in Russia after Christianity and Islam is Tengrism, a form of
pagan, animistic and shamanic religion," said Christina de Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet
and Southgate College in London. Tengrism originates from the Turk and Mongol
populations of Central Asia and has enjoyed a revival in parts of Russia as it is seen as part
of a certain Central Asian ethnic identity by some regional independence movements.

Arts, literature and architecture

Ballet is a popular notable art form coming out of Russia. Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi
Ballet is a classical ballet company based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and known
throughout the world. The Mariinsky Ballet in Saint Petersburg is another famous ballet
company in Russia.

Russian literature has also had a worldwide impact, with writers such as Leon Tolstoy ("Anna
Karenina" and "War and Peace") and Fyodor Dostoevsky ("Crime and Punishment" and "The
Brothers Karamazov") still being read around the world.
Russian Vodka

Vodka is the famed national alcoholic beverage of Russia. It makes cameo appearances in
Russian literature, it is a regular attendee of Russian celebrations, makes joke worthy
slaves out of those lacking willpower, and its soothing manner encourages conversation.
it's delicious served chilled and drunk neat as the Russians do, or over ice with a slice of
lemon, or in a wide variety of cocktails. As such, we think it’s about time vodka shakes off
its reputation as a bland, flavourless spirit.9

Russian Nesting Dolls.

Russian nesting dolls, or matryoshka dolls, are usually painted to depict smiling women in
lace shawls. They are popular souvenirs for travelers to Russia. Russian nesting dolls can
also be painted with themes out of Russian culture. For example, some matryoshka dolls
show the images of Orthodox cathedrals or scenes.

5 safety rules in Moscow and in Russia

1.Use various taxi apps instead of catching a taxi on the street

Instead of getting a traditional taxi on the street, try to get one online via Gett or Yandex
taxi. It’s really the easiest way to get a taxi in Moscow as well as the cheapest. Using the
taxi apps would help you to avoid one of the common scams in Moscow.

2. Stay at the properties around the city centre or within the Sadovoe Koltso (
Garden Ring Road)

3. Don’t let suspicious people buy you drinks

One of the rare occurring scams (but it still happens though) is letting people you just met
buy you drinks, get you drunk and then steal your wallet
4. Always carry your passport (or a copy with you)

Russia has mandatory army service for all the males and if you’re a male and you’re young
(you look younger than 30) or you have a Middle-Eastern look (that has nothing to do with
the army), you could be stopped by police by a routine check
5. Try to learn a couple of phrases in Russian or have Google Translate at hand
all the time

Unfortunately, people in Russia don’t usually speak English very well or at all. However, it
doesn’t mean that Russians are unfriendly. Even in Moscow, it’s not so easy to get around
by metro, if you don’t speak Russian or read Cyrillic

6. Don’t take photos of government buildings or military people

Russian militaries and police are very strict when it comes to taking photos. So when it says
“no photos”, it does mean that no photos are allowed.

Russian Easter

Easter is one of the two most important holidays in Russia. Russian culture of old has
mingled with more modern religious culture to create a hybrid of the two, which can be
seen in the tradition of decorating eggs.

The Russian Easter egg tradition dates back to pre-Christian times when people saw eggs as
fertility symbols and as devices of protection.

St. Basil's Cathedral

Its distinctively colorful onion domes and its location in Red Square makes St. Basil's
Cathedral one of the most famous emblems of Russia. it is such an expected part of Red
Square that it may go under-appreciated, The cathedral is named for Basil the Fool, or
Basil the Blessed, who was a contemporary with Ivan the Terrible, the tsar who ordered it
built.
Colorfully painted onion domes first appeared during the reign of Ivan the Terrible,
according to Lonely Planet. They are commonplace in Russian architecture and are
predominant atop church structures. It has been speculated that they represent burning
candles or vaults to heaven and often appear in groups of three representing the Holy
Trinity.

Moscow's Bolshoi Theater

The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow has been putting on performances important to Russian
culture for almost 200 years and is the home of the renowned Bolshoi Ballet company,
founded in 1776.
Russian Space Tradition

Russia has a serious tradition of space exploration and can claim the achievement of sending
the first human being into space. Yuri Gagarin, and other cosmonauts and important figures
in Russian space exploration history

Russian Wedding Traditions

June is the traditional month for weddings in Russia when the sky is usually clear, the
weather perfect and the days long. But there are many wedding traditions which are
uniquely Russian.

FOOD

Borscht
Borscht is a beet soup that originated in the Ukraine and was quickly adopted as a Russian
specialty as well. Beets may seem like a strange base for soup to many Westerners, but
there are plenty of reasons that this hearty soup is one of Russia’s most famous dishes. It
is full of meat and sautéed vegetables, including cabbage, carrots, onions, and potatoes.
It can be served hot or cold, and is best served with a dollop of fresh sour cream on top.
Ukha
If you like seafood, try ukha, a fish soup with a clear broth. Many different kinds of fish
can be used to make this soup, including bream, wels catfish, northern pike, and ruffe.
Morozhenoe
Russians love ice cream, called morozhenoe. It is common to find it on many restaurant
menus with a variety of toppings to choose from—like fruit, nuts, or chocolate.

It has been 20 years since Vladimir Putin came into power.

Russia's current leader was first appointed acting prime minister by former Russian
president Boris Yeltsin in 1999. He then became the country's president himself in
December that year.
President Putin has led Russia for a long time, but he's quite a controversial figure and
opinions about him are very divided - both in Russia and around the world.
Some see him as a strong, charismatic leader who has worked hard to earn Russia a place
alongside some of the most powerful countries in the world. Opinion polls in Russia
repeatedly say how popular he is among his people.
But his opponents think he leads by force, that he has taken away many people's freedom,
and disagree with how he runs Russia and deals with world affairs.