Culture & Customs

“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.

In which Communists hate Georgian food, a cross is accidentally paved over, and the King of Spades rules Russia.

Join us on a visit to Brighton Beach, a slice of Russia in America that has been shaped by the immigrant experience.

This week’s “criminals”: politicians with dead souls, chocolate Robin Hoods, kid-conductors, and a woman who just wants to go home.