Culture & Customs

Tyanushki - hot caramel sauce - over cranberries is a perfect treat as fall sets in.

Lenin statues have been taking a beating lately, especially in Ukraine.

As summer turned into fall, a series of highly public spats broke out in Russia, with celebrities and cultural figures demonstrating deeply polarized attitudes about the crisis in Ukraine, the Kremlin, and history.

A social state, a sense of community and shared decision making, an oddly distant government, home-grown values, and being split between Europe and Asia – according to Russians, this is what makes Russia special. But Boris Dubin's findings show that what really makes Russia special is Russia's ability to pretend no one else exists.

So, one thing about publishing is that not all the books come out perfect. So, rather than toss a few "seconds" in the recycle bin, we decided to hold a contest. Winners got free, slightly irregular books. We had fun reading the responses.

What could be more Russian than enjoying freshly cooked shashlyk at the summer dacha? Yet summer has many "seasons" of its own. And they vary even within regions.

On how the new smoking ban will play out.

On the Russian art of food preservation, and a refreshing summer recipe for melon preserves.

What is the deal with Russian men locking lips in greeting? Is it a thing? Or was it just a Brezhnev thing?

A look at the recent prohibitions on smoking and foul language.

Russia is not known as a soccer powerhouse. But it does have a devoted fan base and will host the 2018 World Cup. We look back at 1994, the first time Russia qualified for the World Cup and a Russian player made history.

Think you know Yuri Vizbor? Think again! Sure, you may have heard his songs, but did you know he was also a teacher? An alpinist? A journalist? A radio operator?