Culture & Customs

For many centuries, shchi soup has been a staple of Russian cuisine. There is evidence that shchi was known in Rus long before the adoption of Christianity in 988 A.D.

How to use fillers to make your Russian more colloquial.

This week, depressing news about divisions and birth rates can only really be counteracted with a smile over the Orthodox church’s new take on sex.

St. Nicholas, Babouschka, Christmas Eve festivities . . .Ded Moroz leading to Christmas on January 7th.

The story of André Tchelistcheff, the Russian who saved Napa.

In a strange turn of events, Russians living near the Amur Tiger are being prosecuted for killing the animals that nearly killed them. 

Musicians have not been spared from the criminalization of protest and expression. We also share Ilya Yashin's final words.

An excerpt from Darra Goldstein's new cookbook, Beyond the North Wind, in which she ruminates on the place of birch in Russian culture, food, and history.

Bits of data that offer insights into trends and events in Russia.

Sergei Bodrov, Jr., shines in Netflix's Top 10 list in Brat's first week.