Archive for 'Traditions'
He Said “Poyekhali!” Posted by Nadya on Apr 12, 2021
Today, Russia celebrates Cosmonautics Day (День Космона́втики), also known as The International Day of Human Space Flight. On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut (Do you want to know why Russians call their astronauts cosmonauts? Read THIS BLOG) Yuri Gagarin made the world’s first orbital flyby of the Earth (Земля́). Exactly twenty years later, the first…
Protect Your Home With Domovoi Posted by Nadya on Mar 18, 2021
If you want to protect your home, you do not have to install security cameras and alarms. You can get a domovoi. What is “домовой“ Домово́й (domovoi, domovoy, or domovoj – singular, домовы́е–domovye – plural; literally, “[it] of the house”) is a house spirit in Slavic (славя́нский) folklore (фолькло́р). You can also read about other…
The A-Z of the Russian Banya Posted by bota on Mar 15, 2021
A trip to ру́сская ба́ня (Russian banya/ Russian sauna) is a healing cultural experience for your mind and body. Many Russians have a баня (banya) on their dachas and might be enjoying the “jumping in the snow after banya” in their backyards with the last of this winter’s snow. Tips for Russian sauna: Avoid drinking…
Famous Russian Borodinsky Bread Posted by Nadya on Feb 24, 2021
Today we will enter the holy kingdom of Russian bread. Bread in Russia There has long been a well-known saying in Russia: “Bread is the head of everything.” Russians have always associated the presence of bread (хлеб) on the table with a manifestation of joy, sadness, and hospitality. Generally, the attitude towards bread in post-Soviet…
Dear Ded Moroz: Writing letters in Russian Posted by bota on Dec 18, 2020
Did you forget to write a letter to Santa for Christmas this year? I ‘ve got great news for you: Russian Grandfather Frost (Де́душка Моро́з) is still accepting mail (more on essential Russian words for New Year’s here). So, let’s practice letter writing in Russian together and get some wishes out into the universe. We…
Halloween Words & Phrases Posted by Nadya on Oct 29, 2020
Everyone’s favorite in the United States, Halloween is gaining popularity in Russia. And since the festival of spirits, witches, and pumpkins is tomorrow, I hope it will be helpful to put together a list of words and phrases on this topic. I’m sure at least some of you were wondering what the Russians do on…
Weird Russian Omens And Superstitions Posted by Nadya on Oct 20, 2020
– Honey, you have been with me all through the bad times: when I was fired, my business failed, when we lost our home. When I was hospitalized, you also were there to support me. You know what? …