November 08, 2018

Our Untold Stories


Our Untold Stories

Ever wonder what we don’t publish? Well, here it is. The scraps on our cutting room floor, and last week’s fourth-best story – all collected in one wonderfully semi-interesting place. So, while these things didn’t happen last week, they are still keepers that it was a shame not to share.

One unfortunate Russian child got a 2 (equivalent to an American “D”) for not watching a movie for homework. The class? Physical education. The movie? Going Vertical, a movie about the 1972 Soviet basketball team prevailing over the US in the Olympics (to be fair, it’s an inspiring cinematic experience). Does that seem unfair to you? Luckily, some parents thought so as well, and the kid’s bad mark was removed.

Calling it art forgives everything… one Russian city councilman’s wife had the brilliant idea of making a dance video in the middle of a busy street. Her twerking was not only a bit out of place, but it literally stopped traffic (including three ambulances!). Dance responsibly, people!

After funding for a local homeless shelter fell through, a businessman in Khabarovsk had the great idea of donating his used buses to serve as temporary shelters. The buses have a bathroom, beds, and heating.

Bus shelters

Photo: Moscva News Agency

What do priests bless in Russia? Well really, the question should be what don’t priests bless in Russia? Because what they do bless includes everything from a Soyuz rocket to cats to metro cars.

After a fan brought a carpet to a FC Rostov soccer game, the natural thing occurred: the team released a limited edition carpet-themed jersey. What’s the pile? Sorry, can’t help you. But it sure does tie the room together...

Carpet jerseys

Photo: FC Rostov

Want more where this comes from? Give your inbox the gift of TWERF, our Thursday newsletter on the quirkiest, obscurest, and Russianest of Russian happenings of the week.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955