Culture & Customs

For years, photographer Igor Shpilenok has sought out the elusive wild tulips of Southern Russia and Kalmykia. Last spring he finally saw them. Sort of.

Two Russian-born athletes adopted by Americans make a triumphant showing in the land of their birth.

Our definition of a Russophile is not someone who blindly embraces all things Russian as superior, but someone who is innately fascinated by Russia because it is different, because it is interesting, because it is important.

Russia’s occupation cum annexation of Crimea is a tragedy no matter how you slice the salami tactics. One just wants to protest, boycott, DO something. But what? Well, like President Obama and the EU, we’re coming up a bit short on the list of feasible and effective sanctions. But here are a few things we recommend NOT doing.

These rich, slightly sweet pies from Karelia will warm up your end of winter days.

The North can bewitch you, as Nikolai Gernet is reminded when he visits one of Russia’s most remote and attractive outposts.

These strange, paddle-shaped boards, painted with lively folk motifs, had both practical and symbolic significance in village life.

A look at some recent events that made the news, but in ways not covered elsewhere.

The Sochi Olympic Games are now officially over. Suffering withdrawals? Here are five ideas for how to fill up all your viewing time.

There is nothing like a good old Russian ochered (line) to get close to the narod (people) and get some inside info. Standing in line, Russians tend to show solidarity, to open up and loosen their tongues. The perfect environment for a journalist... 

Russian Life Sports Editor Mikhail Ivanov was interviewed by Radio Canada (in French) in the aftermath of the US-Russia hockey match on February 15. Listen to the audio here.

Life without humor is dull. And that is even true when it comes to sports. Here at the Olympics, one cannot be exclusively focused on “ochki, goly, sekundy” (points, goals,seconds). So, time to look at the lighter side of things in Sochi.