Culture & Customs

In this week's Odder News, pregnant cows falling in rivers, drunk Pitertsy falling in rivers, mysterious runoff in the Black Sea, and going postal.

“Lids are very relevant seasonal paraphernalia for many. Everyone accepted the gifts, even adherents of other political views.”

– Local news from gorbatka.ru, on United Russia’s election campaign strategy.

You’ve not been fishing until you have explored the Volga River delta. And what better guide to take us there than the intrepid Andrei Borodulin?

Pressure on independent journalism, champagne importers, and some Olympics and architectural news.

In which our language insert looks at Russian words with German roots.

A crumble cake in Russia is something like banana bread in the US – the varieties are endless, and every avid baker has her “grandmother’s recipe” in their repertoire.

Two books reviewed: one on the origin of two perfumeries, another that is a memoir of an archpriest.

Listening to the intensely chromatic compositions of Sofia Gubaidulina can be challenging. You wouldn’t put her music on to relax or to be energized. As with any avant-garde work, taking it in can feel like work.

At the beginning of July, the Russian government re-tire-d a form of folk art  dear to many: the lawn tire.

A shawarma shop accidentally delves into urban agriculture, much to the delight of city residents. 

After almost ten years, the Alexander Palace, the final home of the Romanovs, is back and open for visitors.

Pizza-lovers be warned: a new scam in Russia is targeting those with a craving for cheese and pepperoni.