Archive for March, 2008
Yet Another Public Holiday: С Восьмым Марта! Posted by josefina on Mar 8, 2008
The 8th of March is International Women’s Day, which in Russian translates into Междонародный женский день, or, even better – выходной день [public holiday]. Since the 8th of March this year falls on a Saturday, the Russian Federation has decided to solve this situation in two ways – one way for those not working or…
The Russian Emotion: to like or not to like Posted by josefina on Mar 5, 2008
Everybody knows how to say I love you. «Я люблю тебя» is as much a given as vodka and borsch – and just as much of a cliché. But what about saying “I like you” instead? Not as romantic perhaps, and perhaps not as thrilling, either. Perhaps I find Russians expressions of liking and disliking…
Масленица: A Farewell To Winter! Posted by josefina on Mar 1, 2008
Do not be afraid, and do try not to be confused, if some Russian tells you that March 1st is the first day of spring in Russia. It may be hard to believe if you take a look around; especially with below zero temperatures lingering in many parts of the country and most of it…