All you need to know about Orthodox Lent and Easter
Pancake Week has come to an end. We gained some weight eating delicious pancakes with caviar and jamming them with sour cream. We burned the straw figure of Maslenitsa on fire and hope that this pagan ritual will bring us good luck for the rest of the year. Why does orthodox lent last for 40…
How Russians Celebrate Maslenitsa: Profound Guide
What is Maslenitsa? You may call it ‘Russian Mardi Gras’ or even ‘Beltane’. And there are many other analogs: ‘Fastelovend’ in Cologne, ‘Fassenacht’ in Mainz, Carnival in Rhineland and other similar celebrations in the Czech Republic, Denmark, and England. Maslenita is a holiday that highlights the beginning of spring. According to ancient traditions, each day…
What does Russia celebrate on November, 4th?
On November the 4th Russians will celebrate a National Unity holiday. One hidden truth about it is that at least half of people (this number is provided by Public Opinion Foundation) don’t know what we should celebrate, and what was the reason for this public holiday, they just enjoy a day off. If you like street…
10 Alternative Souvenirs From Russia
What to do if you can buy a “Matryoshka” and a samovar in the souvenir shops worldwide, and you really want to bring an outstanding souvenir from Russia? Of course, you can find some alternatives! National Russian hats are recognizable around the world. Almost every tourist in Moscow considers it his duty to buy “Ushanka”…
All You Wanted to Know About Victory Day in Russia
Why May 9 Is Such an Important Date in Russia? May 9 – Victory Day in the war with Nazi Germany is one of the most glorious holidays in Russia. Why is this military holiday so important? In the Berlin operation of 1945, which became the final in the Great Patriotic War, more than 2.5…
A Guide to Moscow’s May Festivals 2021
The calendar of holidays in Russia is quite intense. On the one hand, it is connected with the great history of the country, on the other hand, Russians just love holidays! Russia’s holiday calendar is a great reflection of its diverse history, many public and patriotic holidays date back to Soviet times. In Russia, traditions…
Most famous Russian women
Historical Background On this day there were mass demonstrations of women in Petrograd, who demanded the right to vote (look at the banner in the picture) and protested against famine and World War I. Four days later Tsar Nicholas II signed an order that allowed women to vote but it didn’t help to stop revolutionary…