Culture & Customs

“Alcohol is the most harmless component of beer. The remaining minor components that give the beer its properties - foam, color, taste - are extremely unhealthy compounds for human health.”

- Expert in narcology, Daniil Pokrovsky

A Russian comedian made a joke and then decided he needed to flee the country to avoid arrest.

In this week's Odder News: a forgetful traveler, spaceman transport, and the seal of approval.

“We creatively solve any problems: from opening a bottle to paying taxes.”

– Russian musician Sergei Shnurov, on the Russian people.

This popular holiday tradition has believers plunging into ice-cold water… voluntarily!

Russia has everything, including Amazonians.

A panda in the Moscow zoo destroyed a pine tree. It was anything but an accident.

They could not have been more different, but both these Vladimirs had a huge impact on Russian history.

In this week's Odder News: a Pushkin theme park, a boot-kicking contest, and just the kind of entrepreneurial shake-up the world needs right now.

What would you rather visit: a cathedral or a distillery?

All I want for Christmas is to smell like Putin. (Unboxing a mysterious Putin-esque cologne.)

Does that cat fit in your carry on? Russia mulls flying fat cat regs.