Uchites

Uchites is the Russian language learning supplement to Russian Life magazine. Begun with support from the Russkiy Mir Foundation, its intent is to tie language learning exercises and readings into material that is published in each issue of the magazine. As each issue is published, a PDF copy of the Uchites supplement will be posted here, so that teachers can easily print out extra copies for students. Or so students can mark up these copies of Uchites, rather than their copies of Russian Life.

If you have comments or feedback on the Uchites supplements (for example, how you are using them, corrections, etc.), please send us a comment and we will post them on this page, to share with other teachers.

Uchites 40: Russian Riddles ~ September/October 2016

Uchites 41: The Three Bears ~ November/December 2016

Uchites 42: Maslenitsa ~ January/February 2017

Uchites 43: Russian Names ~ March/April 2017

Uchites 44: Vladimir Vysotsky: "I do not Love" ~ May/June 2017

July 1, 2017
Uchites 45: Vladimir Mayakovsky, "Good and Bad"

September 1, 2017
Uchites 46: Konstantin Ushinsky: "Four Wishes"

November 1, 2017
Uchites 47: Verbs of Motion

Uchites 48: Celebrating the New Year ~ January/February 2018

Uchites 49: Leonid Gaidai ~ March/April 2018

Uchites 50: "A Song About Paintings" ~ May/June 2018

Uchites 51 (Jul/Aug 2018): Proverbs and Sayings

Uchites 52 (Sep/Oct 2018): The difficulty of translating common idioms.

Uchites 53 (Nov/Dec 2018): The incomparable Eduard Uspensky

Uchites 54 (Jan/Feb 2019): Jan/Feb 2019 - Love and Separation

Uchites 55 (Mar/Apr 2019)

Five Wild Facts about St. Basil's Cathedral

On October 14, 1991, St. Basil’s Cathedral was reopened after six decades. Here are five fun facts in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Cathedral’s rebirth.

Culture History Religion Russia File

January 28, 2020

Meet Russia's favorite sable

Siberian sable fur was once Russia's biggest luxury export, but now we can't get enough of Instagram star Umora, the sable inspiring Russians to never look at fur coats again.

Animals Internet Interview Russia File

May 26, 2016

Two Miracles of Russian Love Poetry

On the occasion of Pushkin's birthday, we offer a post on the challenge of translating his most famous love lyrics, "Я вас любил," with a bonus look at Innokenty Annensky's "Среди миров."

Literature Russia File

October 31, 2016

Why Stalin's Corpse Was Exhumed on Halloween

The body of Joseph Stalin was removed from the mausoleum on Red Square on October 31, 1961. It may not be as spooky as Halloween, but the former leader still haunts Russia today.

History Politics Social Issues Russia File

June 22, 2020

Why Invading Russia was Hitler's Downfall

June 22, 2020, marks the 79th anniversary of Operation Barbarossa, the Nazi invasion of Russia that changed the course of WWII and, perhaps, history itself.