Culture & Customs

How do you win over the village beauty who has a thing for animals? Kolya is determined to find out.

Mushrooms have always been a part of the Russian diet, going back to ancient times,

A telling photo from Voronezh's Central Market.

“Mother Russia” is much more than a stereotype. Everyone has opinions on it, Russian rock musicians included.

Presidents eating ice cream, kids reporting toy theft to police… summer is almost over, thank Allah. 

Readers send us their stories of interesting train journeys and interactions.

A former lawyer saves 233 lives, and a guy finds hell in Yaroslavl. Also, your next delivery guy might deliver on horseback.

Suing Putin (not over the protests) and selling a babushka's jam.

As opposition protests rock Moscow, we look at how contemporary artists have interpreted the actions of Russia's riot police.

Lakes vanish, free food appears, and a priest speaks to the dead.

This week, Russians are caught in the act by means of butter, watermelon, and a controversial color

There may be no better way to understand Russia than spending a few days chugging across the country by train. Here are our tips for how to make the most of it.