Culture & Customs

For some 300 years, the residents of Gorodets, near Nizhny Novgorod, have been making a spicy cookie famous throughout the country, and perhaps the world.

Russia announces "Sputnik Light," the not-actually-low-cal version of their Sputnik V vaccine.

Julia Frey's parents, Victor and Victoria, created beautiful feasts in the Soviet times. For Victor, it meant getting cake equipment tailor-made and becoming the best baker in town. For Victoria, it was cooking a Russian and Ukranian storm. Julia cooks, bakes and reminisces about her "great childhood" in London.

“The demand for primitive toys suggests that not all of society, but a certain stratum, are inclined to simple decisions. Our society is approaching a situation where we will collapse into the abyss of simple solutions to complex issues.”

– Russian psychologist, politician, and head of the Department of Personality Psychology at Moscow State University Alexander Asmolov warns of the risks of Simple-Dimples, Squishies, and Pop-its

News of Britney Spears’s recent appearance in court has crossed the globe, and a well-meaning group of supporters in Russia have taken offense at her plight.

A policeman had a bright idea for how to use his money to help his native village. 

St. Petersburg hosts one-eleventh of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament this summer.

In this week's Odder News, a noble Hermitage cat predicts the UEFA tournament in St. Petersburg, new rules for flying with pets, and Russia's three biggest problems.

“Everything in the world displeases me, but, above all, my displeasure in everything displeases me.”

– “Darth Putin” on Twitter parodies Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments after his meeting with Joe Biden on Wednesday, June 16

Ever been so desperate for a vacation that you're willing to go into debt? According to a new study, more and more Russians are.

In this week's Odder News, moose loose, ghost spotted, and hemp growing under the government's nose.

If you enjoy a hefty pour (or three!), you might think twice about what you consume to offset the effects of a night of drinking.