Culture & Customs

St. Basil the Blessed is both a well known Moscow landmark and cherished saint. Learn about the ten pillars of the cathedral and what it means to be a 'fool for Christ.'

Ryabina is the stuff of Russian song and folklore. Here, it is the focus for this issue's snowball berry red recipe...

Russia's history of taking to the spas, in the shadow of military conflict.

A consideration of harvest time naturally leads to this recipe for Olady, or Apple Fritters. Quite tasty they are, too!

The Saami people (Russian population: 1,800) struggle to survive as a small national group in Russia.

Easter survived by stealth and cunning through the Soviet era. Now it is making a triumphant comeback in Russia as the country grasps religion anew.

Russia puts a cork in wine imports from Georgia and Moldova. Are the reasons political or otherwise?

A look at the cats that guard one of the world's great museums.

Time to bring in the cabbage, and put it in a tasty pie! This column offers a great recipe for a kapustnik (cabbage pie), plus offers a look back at the origin of Russian bees - gatherings for communal labor.

A look at the astonishing rise in cell phone use in Russia. One report indicates that over 60% of Russians now have cell phones, versus just 25% two years ago.

Yelena Ivanovna Molokhovets was the author of Russia's most famous cookbook, A Gift to Young Housewives, first published in 1861. Here is a warm duck soup from her book, plus a bit of history on this important tome.

A look at Russian fast food over the past century, in honor of our story on the Moscow Metro. The recipe is for toasted sunflower seeds.