A covered gallery and porch were added to the Annunciation Cathedral, the house church of Russian princes and tsars, under Ivan the Terrible. From 1572, he would go there from the palace for divine services, but would no longer be allowed to enter the church itself. Why? It turns out, it was all about… wives!
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
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Welcome to Russia Beyond, the ultimate destination for anyone with a passion for all things Russian! Our Telegram channel, @russiabeyond, is the perfect place for you to immerse yourself in the rich culture, history, and language of Russia. Whether you're a seasoned traveler looking for insider tips, a language enthusiast eager to learn Russian, or simply someone fascinated by Russian art and literature, we've got you covered. Join our community of like-minded individuals and engage in discussions, share experiences, and connect with fellow Russia enthusiasts from around the world. Our channel is not just a platform for information sharing, but a vibrant community where you can make new friends and expand your knowledge about Russia in a fun and interactive way. Stay updated on the latest news, events, and trends in Russia, and discover hidden gems that will make your Russian journey even more exciting. Have questions or suggestions? Feel free to reach out to our dedicated admin @pulya. Russia Beyond is more than just a Telegram channel - it's a gateway to a world full of wonders waiting to be explored. Join us today and embark on a fascinating journey into the heart of Russia!
Gateway to Russia
16 Feb, 11:08
Question time!
If you could take part in a Russian winter activity, what would it be? (ice fishing, banya, troika rides, etc.)
🤓 Gateway to Russia
If you could take part in a Russian winter activity, what would it be? (ice fishing, banya, troika rides, etc.)
Gateway to Russia
16 Feb, 09:36
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood: The Grandeur and History of One of St. Petersburg's Main Landmarks
Video by: instagram.com/photo_surkhaev
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: instagram.com/photo_surkhaev
Gateway to Russia
16 Feb, 08:51
How Empress Anna Ioannovna arranged a creepy wedding in a palace made of ICE!
For her own entertainment, the empress kept a whole staff of jesters at court, including dwarfs, giants, hunchbacks and exotic foreigners. One of her favorites was the miniature Avdotya Buzheninova – either a Kalmyk or a Kamchadal woman with brightly shining skin.
At the end of 1739, the empress decided to marry off Avdotya. And, as a groom, she chose a jester nicknamed Kvasnik.
Kvasnik was once Prince Mikhail Golitsyn. Because of his love for an Italian woman, he converted to Catholicism, which enraged Anna Ioannovna.
The prince was deprived of his property, transferred to the rank of jester and forced to serve kvass to the ruler and her guests – hence the nickname. The empress not only approved of her courtiers' mockery of the unfortunate man, but also encouraged it in every possible way.
For the jester's wedding, an entire palace was built out of ice. All the furniture, dishes and even the food in it were also made of ice.
On February 17, 1740, the “newlyweds” were placed in a cage carried by a real elephant. Several hundred people from each nationality took part in the wedding procession, who were brought to St. Petersburg from all corners of the empire and dressed in their national costumes.
Golitsyn and Buzheninova were married in a church and left in an ice house for the night, with soldiers posted at the entrance to prevent them from leaving. Everyone was sure that they would die, but the unfortunates miraculously survived, although they were very cold.
After the death of Anna Ioannovna in October of the same year, the staff of jesters was dispersed. The prince was given back his position and part of his property. He did not abandon his Avdotya and lived with her in marriage until 1742, when she died during childbirth.
Credit: State Russian Museum; The Hermitage
🤓 Gateway to Russia
For her own entertainment, the empress kept a whole staff of jesters at court, including dwarfs, giants, hunchbacks and exotic foreigners. One of her favorites was the miniature Avdotya Buzheninova – either a Kalmyk or a Kamchadal woman with brightly shining skin.
At the end of 1739, the empress decided to marry off Avdotya. And, as a groom, she chose a jester nicknamed Kvasnik.
Kvasnik was once Prince Mikhail Golitsyn. Because of his love for an Italian woman, he converted to Catholicism, which enraged Anna Ioannovna.
The prince was deprived of his property, transferred to the rank of jester and forced to serve kvass to the ruler and her guests – hence the nickname. The empress not only approved of her courtiers' mockery of the unfortunate man, but also encouraged it in every possible way.
For the jester's wedding, an entire palace was built out of ice. All the furniture, dishes and even the food in it were also made of ice.
On February 17, 1740, the “newlyweds” were placed in a cage carried by a real elephant. Several hundred people from each nationality took part in the wedding procession, who were brought to St. Petersburg from all corners of the empire and dressed in their national costumes.
Golitsyn and Buzheninova were married in a church and left in an ice house for the night, with soldiers posted at the entrance to prevent them from leaving. Everyone was sure that they would die, but the unfortunates miraculously survived, although they were very cold.
After the death of Anna Ioannovna in October of the same year, the staff of jesters was dispersed. The prince was given back his position and part of his property. He did not abandon his Avdotya and lived with her in marriage until 1742, when she died during childbirth.
Credit: State Russian Museum; The Hermitage
Gateway to Russia
15 Feb, 14:35
A lighthouse gets illuminated by the Northern Lights in Naryan-Mar. These incredible images were shot by local photographer and Northern Lights hunter Viktor Kulikov.
Video by: t.me/viktoriuz_photo
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: t.me/viktoriuz_photo
Gateway to Russia
15 Feb, 11:51
A wildling named Styr in ‘Game of Thrones’, Tin Woodman in ‘The Wizard of Emerald City’ and Koroviev in ‘The Master and Margarita’ are all Yuri Kolokolnikov, the new star of Netflix's ‘The White Lotus’ series.
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
15 Feb, 10:58
Taking a Soviet retro train in the Moscow metro! 🚇
⛓️ Subscribe on YouTube for more interesting videos
Gateway to Russia
15 Feb, 09:35
A Pacific walrus was spotted among pancake ice floes in Chukotka’s Beringia National Park. These animals live in the coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean
Video by: Ruptly/Maksim Antipin @merops
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: Ruptly/Maksim Antipin @merops
Gateway to Russia
14 Feb, 14:35
Ice-floating in Vladivostok. Swimmers in Russia’s Far East refuse to let sub-zero temperatures get the better of them!🥶👙
Video by: Ruptly/@icefloating_v
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: Ruptly/@icefloating_v
Gateway to Russia
14 Feb, 13:05
On Valentine's Day, here’s your most important handy guide!
❤️ Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
14 Feb, 11:41
Europe and the United States celebrate St. Valentine's Day on February 14. But, did you know that February 14 is also the day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius?
It was these two monk brothers from Byzantium who created the first alphabet for Slavonic writing. They also translated the texts of Holy Scriptures into Old Slavonic.
It is known for sure that Cyril and Methodius created Glagolitic text, while Cyrillic, despite its name, was most likely invented by their followers.
Its letters were easier to write and more similar to the Greek alphabet, which was already familiar to many people. The Cyrilic alphabet would then go on to become widespread in the most Slavic countries.
📸 Legion media
🔔 Gateway to Russia
It was these two monk brothers from Byzantium who created the first alphabet for Slavonic writing. They also translated the texts of Holy Scriptures into Old Slavonic.
It is known for sure that Cyril and Methodius created Glagolitic text, while Cyrillic, despite its name, was most likely invented by their followers.
Its letters were easier to write and more similar to the Greek alphabet, which was already familiar to many people. The Cyrilic alphabet would then go on to become widespread in the most Slavic countries.
📸 Legion media
Gateway to Russia
14 Feb, 10:22
Happy St.Valentine’s day! ♥️
🇷🇺 Мы вас любим, дорогие читатели!
🇬🇧 We love you, dear readers!
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
🔔 Gateway to Russia
🇷🇺 Мы вас любим, дорогие читатели!
🇬🇧 We love you, dear readers!
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
Gateway to Russia
14 Feb, 10:20
Russian wordlists: Love & relationships ❤️
It's time to enrich your vocabulary with some words related to the most beautiful feeling in the world, love! Our list will help you both to confess your love and to talk about relationships.
love – любовь (lyubov)
to love – любить (lyubit)
to fall in love – влюбиться (vlyubit’sya)
to confess one’s love – признаться в любви (priznat’sya v lyubvi)
to date (go out) – встречаться (vstrechat’sya)
to hug – обнимать/обнять (obnyat’/obnimat’)
I love you – я тебя люблю (ya tebya lyublyu)
my love – любовь моя (lyubov’ moya)
a couple – пара (para)
relationship – отношения (otnosheniya)
a date – свидание (svidaniye)
proposal – предложение (predlozheniye)
marriage – брак (brak)
wedding – свадьба (svad’ba)
a girlfriend – девушка (devushka)
a boyfriend – молодой человек (molodoi chelovyek)
fiancé/groom – жених (zhenikh)
bride – невеста (nevesta)
honeymoon – медовый месяц (medovy mesyats)
spouse – супруг (suprug/a)
wife – жена (zhena)
husband – муж (muzh)
lover – любовник (lyubovnik)
mistress – любовница (lyubovnitsa)
If you're learning Russian, you should really join our Telegram chat! https://t.me/gatewaytorussia
📷 Pixabay
🔔 Gateway to Russia
It's time to enrich your vocabulary with some words related to the most beautiful feeling in the world, love! Our list will help you both to confess your love and to talk about relationships.
love – любовь (lyubov)
to love – любить (lyubit)
to fall in love – влюбиться (vlyubit’sya)
to confess one’s love – признаться в любви (priznat’sya v lyubvi)
to date (go out) – встречаться (vstrechat’sya)
to hug – обнимать/обнять (obnyat’/obnimat’)
I love you – я тебя люблю (ya tebya lyublyu)
my love – любовь моя (lyubov’ moya)
a couple – пара (para)
relationship – отношения (otnosheniya)
a date – свидание (svidaniye)
proposal – предложение (predlozheniye)
marriage – брак (brak)
wedding – свадьба (svad’ba)
a girlfriend – девушка (devushka)
a boyfriend – молодой человек (molodoi chelovyek)
fiancé/groom – жених (zhenikh)
bride – невеста (nevesta)
honeymoon – медовый месяц (medovy mesyats)
spouse – супруг (suprug/a)
wife – жена (zhena)
husband – муж (muzh)
lover – любовник (lyubovnik)
mistress – любовница (lyubovnitsa)
If you're learning Russian, you should really join our Telegram chat! https://t.me/gatewaytorussia
📷 Pixabay
Gateway to Russia
14 Feb, 07:57
Watch the amazing process of creating decorations for the Mariinsky Theater! 😲
Video by: vk.com/nikolay_lauhin_mariinsky
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: vk.com/nikolay_lauhin_mariinsky
Gateway to Russia
13 Feb, 14:34
Mesmerizing winter forest in the Russian countryside…! ❄️🌲🤩
Video by: t.me/e_karepanov
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: t.me/e_karepanov
Gateway to Russia
13 Feb, 09:38
After painting this portrait, artist Valentin Serov refused to work with the Romanovs!
The author of the famous ‘The Girl with Peaches’ was a fashionable painter and even the tsar family commissioned portraits by him. Serov painted Emperor Alexander III, the tsar’s children and other family members. And he also painted several portraits of Nicholas II.
This image of the tsar in a gray everyday uniform of the Life Guards of the Preobrazhensky Regiment turned out to be special. It is not a ceremonial, but a chamber, even intimate portrait. At first, the artist was offered to paint from a photograph, but he refused, so the emperor had to pose for several sessions.
Nicholas II commissioned this portrait as a gift to his wife. Except that the empress did not like the work very much. She pointed out the “inaccuracies in the drawing of the face” to the artist. According to rumor, Serov even offered Alexandra Fyodorovna herself to correct everything, while he himself, subsequently, refused to write to the royal family again.
Read more about other famous paintings of Serov in our article!
https://www.gw2ru.com/arts/226205-russian-artist-serov-paintings
📷 Tretyakov gallery
🤓 Gateway to Russia
The author of the famous ‘The Girl with Peaches’ was a fashionable painter and even the tsar family commissioned portraits by him. Serov painted Emperor Alexander III, the tsar’s children and other family members. And he also painted several portraits of Nicholas II.
This image of the tsar in a gray everyday uniform of the Life Guards of the Preobrazhensky Regiment turned out to be special. It is not a ceremonial, but a chamber, even intimate portrait. At first, the artist was offered to paint from a photograph, but he refused, so the emperor had to pose for several sessions.
Nicholas II commissioned this portrait as a gift to his wife. Except that the empress did not like the work very much. She pointed out the “inaccuracies in the drawing of the face” to the artist. According to rumor, Serov even offered Alexandra Fyodorovna herself to correct everything, while he himself, subsequently, refused to write to the royal family again.
Read more about other famous paintings of Serov in our article!
https://www.gw2ru.com/arts/226205-russian-artist-serov-paintings
📷 Tretyakov gallery
Gateway to Russia
13 Feb, 09:33
Ice sculpture festival in Krasnoyarsk, inspired by Tchaikovsky
Video by: Ruptly
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: Ruptly
Gateway to Russia
13 Feb, 07:35
How an enemy of the USSR became its… hero
In June 1941, the Slovak Republic invaded the Soviet Union, together with the Wehrmacht. The Nazis had created this totalitarian satellite state on the ruins of Czechoslovakia in 1939.
However, not all Slovak soldiers dreamed of fighting for Germany. Some willingly surrendered to the Red Army or defected to the partisans.
Captain Jan Nalepka, the chief of staff of the 101st Regiment of the 2nd Security Division, was also an anti-fascist. He formed an underground group in his unit and actively encouraged soldiers to desert.
In early 1942, Nalepka established contact with Byelorussian partisans, helping them with weapons and intelligence. On May 15, 1943, he and a group of servicemen joined the partisan unit of Major General Alexander Saburov.
Jan was appointed commander of a partisan unit, which consisted of his compatriots. The fighters set up ambushes, destroyed German garrisons and derailed enemy trains.
The brave Slovak died during the liberation of the city of Ovruch on November 16, 1943. Two years later, he was posthumously awarded the title ‘Hero of the Soviet Union’.
Credit: Public Domain
🤓 Gateway to Russia
In June 1941, the Slovak Republic invaded the Soviet Union, together with the Wehrmacht. The Nazis had created this totalitarian satellite state on the ruins of Czechoslovakia in 1939.
However, not all Slovak soldiers dreamed of fighting for Germany. Some willingly surrendered to the Red Army or defected to the partisans.
Captain Jan Nalepka, the chief of staff of the 101st Regiment of the 2nd Security Division, was also an anti-fascist. He formed an underground group in his unit and actively encouraged soldiers to desert.
In early 1942, Nalepka established contact with Byelorussian partisans, helping them with weapons and intelligence. On May 15, 1943, he and a group of servicemen joined the partisan unit of Major General Alexander Saburov.
Jan was appointed commander of a partisan unit, which consisted of his compatriots. The fighters set up ambushes, destroyed German garrisons and derailed enemy trains.
The brave Slovak died during the liberation of the city of Ovruch on November 16, 1943. Two years later, he was posthumously awarded the title ‘Hero of the Soviet Union’.
Credit: Public Domain
Gateway to Russia
12 Feb, 14:33
Why are Plato & Aristotle depicted in frescoes of the Annunciation Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin?
One of the oldest Moscow churches was built in 1484-1489. Although Italian masters were working in the Kremlin at that time, architects from Pskov were invited for the Annunciation Cathedral. The grand ducal house church was home to particularly valuable items – icons and relics. The cathedral’s iconostasis is a real treasure: it contains icons of the 14th-15th centuries, masterpieces created by Andrei Rublev and Theophanes the Greek.
The vault of the church’s galleries is painted with images of ancient poets and philosophers – Virgil, Homer, Aristotle, Plato, Plutarch. But what connection do they have to the Orthodox Church?
There actually is a valid connection, you only have to pay attention to the scrolls in their hands. For example, Socrates wrote: “No evil will befall a good man. Our soul is immortal. After death, the good will be rewarded and the evil will be punished.” Plato, meanwhile, holds a scroll with the following saying: “We must hope that God himself will send down a heavenly Teacher and Instructor to men.” That is, they depict sayings about life and morality that are consistent with Christian teaching.
So, there is no contradiction. Moreover, Christian ascetics and teachers themselves referred to philosophers to show that the ancients had a premonition of the emergence of a new faith.
Credit: natmint/Getty Images, Moscow Kremlin museums, Yuri Kaplun/Sputnik, Balabanov/Sputnik
🔔 Gateway to Russia
One of the oldest Moscow churches was built in 1484-1489. Although Italian masters were working in the Kremlin at that time, architects from Pskov were invited for the Annunciation Cathedral. The grand ducal house church was home to particularly valuable items – icons and relics. The cathedral’s iconostasis is a real treasure: it contains icons of the 14th-15th centuries, masterpieces created by Andrei Rublev and Theophanes the Greek.
The vault of the church’s galleries is painted with images of ancient poets and philosophers – Virgil, Homer, Aristotle, Plato, Plutarch. But what connection do they have to the Orthodox Church?
There actually is a valid connection, you only have to pay attention to the scrolls in their hands. For example, Socrates wrote: “No evil will befall a good man. Our soul is immortal. After death, the good will be rewarded and the evil will be punished.” Plato, meanwhile, holds a scroll with the following saying: “We must hope that God himself will send down a heavenly Teacher and Instructor to men.” That is, they depict sayings about life and morality that are consistent with Christian teaching.
So, there is no contradiction. Moreover, Christian ascetics and teachers themselves referred to philosophers to show that the ancients had a premonition of the emergence of a new faith.
Credit: natmint/Getty Images, Moscow Kremlin museums, Yuri Kaplun/Sputnik, Balabanov/Sputnik
Gateway to Russia
11 Feb, 10:07
Buryatia in 3 Russian words
This huge republic in Eastern Siberia boasts many natural wonders, the main one being Lake Baikal. However, Buryatia has other symbols, as well.
1⃣ ИВОЛГИНСКИЙ ДАЦАН (Ivolginsky Datsan)
The Ivolginsky Datsan (Buddhist monastery-university) is the most famous datsan in Buryatia and an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over the world. It is there that the residence of the head of the Buddhists of Russia, the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama Damba Ayusheev, is located.
2⃣ БАЙКАЛ (Baikal)
Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and the largest natural reservoir of fresh water. The age of Lake Baikal is estimated at 25-35 million years. Hundreds of rivers flow into it, but only one flows out – the Angara.
3⃣ БУУЗЫ (Buuzy)
This national Buryat dish resembles a yurt in its appearance – a portable frame dwelling used by Turkic nomads with a crown opening at the top. In ‘buuzy’, this opening provides special air circulation during baking.
🔔 Gateway to Russia
This huge republic in Eastern Siberia boasts many natural wonders, the main one being Lake Baikal. However, Buryatia has other symbols, as well.
1⃣ ИВОЛГИНСКИЙ ДАЦАН (Ivolginsky Datsan)
The Ivolginsky Datsan (Buddhist monastery-university) is the most famous datsan in Buryatia and an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over the world. It is there that the residence of the head of the Buddhists of Russia, the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama Damba Ayusheev, is located.
2⃣ БАЙКАЛ (Baikal)
Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and the largest natural reservoir of fresh water. The age of Lake Baikal is estimated at 25-35 million years. Hundreds of rivers flow into it, but only one flows out – the Angara.
3⃣ БУУЗЫ (Buuzy)
This national Buryat dish resembles a yurt in its appearance – a portable frame dwelling used by Turkic nomads with a crown opening at the top. In ‘buuzy’, this opening provides special air circulation during baking.
Gateway to Russia
11 Feb, 08:33
How a movie by Soviet director Vladimir Menshov conquered the WORLD
On February 11, 1980, the premiere of the movie ‘Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears’ took place. However, the Soviet two-part movie about the fates of three girlfriends and the search for true love might not have appeared. After all, no one believed in the success of director Vladimir Menshov’s idea. But, in the end, his movie was shown at the Soviet box office for two straight years and among its foreign viewers was none other than U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Valentin Chernykh's script could have also gone unnoticed. The melodramatic story paled against the background of stories about labor exploits and war dramas. Menshov almost turned Chernykh down, but he noticed the unusual plot – the heroine, going to bed, winds her alarm clock and wakes up… 20 years later!
The director significantly expanded the script, but a new problem arose: the actors he invited did not want to be involved in what they considered a run-of-the-mill movie. In the end, the main role was played by Vera Alentova, the director's wife, her friends portrayed characters Irina Muravyova and Raisa Ryazanova, while the role of Gosha was played by the already legendary star of the movie ‘The Cranes Are Flying’ Alexei Batalov.
No one expected that the movie would become a national favorite, but, in the first year of its release, a reported 90 million people watched it! And then, the "passable melodrama" beat Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece ‘The Shadow Warrior’ and ‘The Last Metro’ by Francois Truffaut to win an Oscar for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ in 1981. True, Vladimir Menshov's Soviet superiors did not let him go to the ceremony itself and he learned that the movie won the prestigious award from the news.
The Soviet movie was purchased by more than a hundred countries – everyone wanted to know how the young director's movie had conquered the Academy of Film. And U.S. President Ronald Reagan watched it before negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev to try to better understand the mysterious Russian soul.
And, after 45 years, ‘Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears’ has not lost one bit of its charm and special sincere intonation. And the song ‘Alexandra’, which was written especially for it by Dmitry Sukharev, Yuri Vizbor and Sergey Nikitin, is recognizable from the first notes!
Credit: Vladimir Menshov/Mosfilm, 1980
🔔 Gateway to Russia
On February 11, 1980, the premiere of the movie ‘Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears’ took place. However, the Soviet two-part movie about the fates of three girlfriends and the search for true love might not have appeared. After all, no one believed in the success of director Vladimir Menshov’s idea. But, in the end, his movie was shown at the Soviet box office for two straight years and among its foreign viewers was none other than U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Valentin Chernykh's script could have also gone unnoticed. The melodramatic story paled against the background of stories about labor exploits and war dramas. Menshov almost turned Chernykh down, but he noticed the unusual plot – the heroine, going to bed, winds her alarm clock and wakes up… 20 years later!
The director significantly expanded the script, but a new problem arose: the actors he invited did not want to be involved in what they considered a run-of-the-mill movie. In the end, the main role was played by Vera Alentova, the director's wife, her friends portrayed characters Irina Muravyova and Raisa Ryazanova, while the role of Gosha was played by the already legendary star of the movie ‘The Cranes Are Flying’ Alexei Batalov.
No one expected that the movie would become a national favorite, but, in the first year of its release, a reported 90 million people watched it! And then, the "passable melodrama" beat Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece ‘The Shadow Warrior’ and ‘The Last Metro’ by Francois Truffaut to win an Oscar for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ in 1981. True, Vladimir Menshov's Soviet superiors did not let him go to the ceremony itself and he learned that the movie won the prestigious award from the news.
The Soviet movie was purchased by more than a hundred countries – everyone wanted to know how the young director's movie had conquered the Academy of Film. And U.S. President Ronald Reagan watched it before negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev to try to better understand the mysterious Russian soul.
And, after 45 years, ‘Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears’ has not lost one bit of its charm and special sincere intonation. And the song ‘Alexandra’, which was written especially for it by Dmitry Sukharev, Yuri Vizbor and Sergey Nikitin, is recognizable from the first notes!
Credit: Vladimir Menshov/Mosfilm, 1980
Gateway to Russia
11 Feb, 05:43
In Yakutsk, winter is not just a season; it's a way of life. Local traditions, unique architecture, and incredible winter landscapes make this frosty corner of the world a place you’ll want to return to
Video by: instagram.com/bochkov.roman1
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: instagram.com/bochkov.roman1
Gateway to Russia
10 Feb, 15:42
On the ice edge: Vladivostok locals go winter fishing against all odds… 🎣 🐟
Video by: t.me/primsimba
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: t.me/primsimba
Gateway to Russia
10 Feb, 14:21
February 10 marks the 135th anniversary since the birth of great Russian writer Boris Pasternak. His magnum opus was the novel ‘Doctor Zhivago’. And here’s why you should definitely read it, if you haven’t already!
🔔 Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
10 Feb, 09:10
Quiz time!
How many names of animals can you find?
👇 Write your answers below!
P.s. This post will help you!
#russianclasses
💥 Gateway to Russia
How many names of animals can you find?
P.s. This post will help you!
#russianclasses
Gateway to Russia
10 Feb, 06:37
Dear readers!
If you are not yet a member of our "Gateway to Russia" chat - you're missing out on being a part of the biggest community of Russian lovers!
You can ask us any question there - be it about culture, travel, history or learning the language.
We will try to help you out!
❗️ Join here - https://t.me/+tM-XKGpzJMcxODAy
If you are not yet a member of our "Gateway to Russia" chat - you're missing out on being a part of the biggest community of Russian lovers!
You can ask us any question there - be it about culture, travel, history or learning the language.
We will try to help you out!
Gateway to Russia
10 Feb, 05:40
Greeting the sun in Norilsk! 🌞 The polar night in this northern city lasts 45 days and, in February, the daylight lasts for about 5 hours…! 😲
Video by: t.me/arnorilsk
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: t.me/arnorilsk
Gateway to Russia
10 Feb, 05:16
We've gathered some of the most reputable and trusted websites where you can learn Russian: online and for free.
Good luck!
(P.S. Soon it will be possible to learn Russian on our website too!)
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Good luck!
(P.S. Soon it will be possible to learn Russian on our website too!)
Gateway to Russia
09 Feb, 17:40
Waking up in Norilsk at -40! Red Stones, a natural location near the Russian northern city, looks simply unreal in winter
Video by: Evgeny Kochergin/vk.com/conf_arctic
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: Evgeny Kochergin/vk.com/conf_arctic
Gateway to Russia
09 Feb, 17:15
Russian songs translated: ‘American boy’
This was one of the most popular hits of the 1990s and is about a Russian girl’s American dream.
🎵 LISTEN
American boy, ой-ой, мой boy, ой
(Boy) American boy, ой-ой, мой boy, ой-ой
American boy, oh-oh, my boy, oh
(Boy) American boy, oh-oh, my boy, oh-oh
Я играю на балалайке
Это самый русский инструмент
Я мечтаю жить на Ямайке
На Ямайке балалаек нет
I am playing the balalaika
This is the most Russian instrument
I dream of living in Jamaica
There are no balalaikas in Jamaica.
И нету счастья в личной жизни
Проходят зря мои года
Ну где ж ты, принц мой заграничный?
Приходи поскорей, я жду тебя
And there’s no happiness in my personal life
My years are passing in vain
Oh, where are you, my foreign prince?
Come quickly, I'm waiting for you
CHORUS (Привев)
American boy, American joy
American boy for always time
American boy, уеду с тобой
Уеду с тобой, Москва, прощай
American boy, ой-ой
Уеду с тобой
American boy
American boy, American joy
American boy for always time
American boy, I’ll leave with you
I’ll leave with you, Moscow, goodbye
American boy, oh-oh
I’ll leave with you
American boy
Я простая русская девчонка
За границей сроду не была
Ты американец, ты мальчонка
Увози меня, и все дела
I am a simple Russian girl
I’ve never been abroad
You’re American, you’re boy
Take me with you, that’s all.
Я буду плакать и смеяться
Когда усядусь в Mercedes
И буду в роскоши купаться
Приезжай поскорей за мной, я здесь
I’ll cry and laugh
When I sit in Mercedes
I'll bathe in luxury
Come quickly for me, I'm here.
CHORUS (Привев) - THREE TIMES (Три раза)
📷 Kira Lisitskaya (Photo: Impact Photos, Roman Denisov, imagebroker.com/Global Look Press; freepik.com)
#russiansongs
🤓 Gateway to Russia
This was one of the most popular hits of the 1990s and is about a Russian girl’s American dream.
🎵 LISTEN
American boy, ой-ой, мой boy, ой
(Boy) American boy, ой-ой, мой boy, ой-ой
American boy, oh-oh, my boy, oh
(Boy) American boy, oh-oh, my boy, oh-oh
Я играю на балалайке
Это самый русский инструмент
Я мечтаю жить на Ямайке
На Ямайке балалаек нет
I am playing the balalaika
This is the most Russian instrument
I dream of living in Jamaica
There are no balalaikas in Jamaica.
И нету счастья в личной жизни
Проходят зря мои года
Ну где ж ты, принц мой заграничный?
Приходи поскорей, я жду тебя
And there’s no happiness in my personal life
My years are passing in vain
Oh, where are you, my foreign prince?
Come quickly, I'm waiting for you
CHORUS (Привев)
American boy, American joy
American boy for always time
American boy, уеду с тобой
Уеду с тобой, Москва, прощай
American boy, ой-ой
Уеду с тобой
American boy
American boy, American joy
American boy for always time
American boy, I’ll leave with you
I’ll leave with you, Moscow, goodbye
American boy, oh-oh
I’ll leave with you
American boy
Я простая русская девчонка
За границей сроду не была
Ты американец, ты мальчонка
Увози меня, и все дела
I am a simple Russian girl
I’ve never been abroad
You’re American, you’re boy
Take me with you, that’s all.
Я буду плакать и смеяться
Когда усядусь в Mercedes
И буду в роскоши купаться
Приезжай поскорей за мной, я здесь
I’ll cry and laugh
When I sit in Mercedes
I'll bathe in luxury
Come quickly for me, I'm here.
CHORUS (Привев) - THREE TIMES (Три раза)
📷 Kira Lisitskaya (Photo: Impact Photos, Roman Denisov, imagebroker.com/Global Look Press; freepik.com)
#russiansongs
Gateway to Russia
09 Feb, 16:39
This artist creates incredible sculptures out of… air balloons! 🎈🎈🎈
Video by: Ruptly
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: Ruptly
Gateway to Russia
09 Feb, 15:16
It’s better to visit raccoons with empty pockets, in order not to tempt excessive curiosity! And dropping by the hedgehog café is meant to bring you peace. Read about these cuddly hotspots and other unusual places in Moscow and St. Petersburg with, for example, owls or capybaras!
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
09 Feb, 13:16
Russian picture dictionary: Metro
Learning a language is always easier when you can visualize the words!
METRO/SUBWAY (МЕТРО)
Платформа – platform
Пассажир – passenger
Эскалатор – escalator
Тоннель – tunnel
Поезд – train
Машинист – train driver
Дежурная по станции – station attendant
Рельсы – rails
#russiandictionary
📷 Alexandra Koroleva
Learning a language is always easier when you can visualize the words!
METRO/SUBWAY (МЕТРО)
Платформа – platform
Пассажир – passenger
Эскалатор – escalator
Тоннель – tunnel
Поезд – train
Машинист – train driver
Дежурная по станции – station attendant
Рельсы – rails
#russiandictionary
📷 Alexandra Koroleva
Gateway to Russia
09 Feb, 08:34
On this day, February 9, 1904, the Russo-Japanese War began.
The two powers clashed in a struggle for geopolitical dominance in the Far East. The world was confident that the mighty Russian Empire would easily defeat the daring Japanese.
However, in reality, everything turned out differently.
The theater of military operations was too far from the main center of the country and the Russian army experienced major problems with communications and supplies. In addition, the Russian troops turned out to be worse prepared for war than their Japanese opponents.
In fact, Russia was never able to achieve a single significant victory over Japan. At the same time, the army suffered a number of serious defeats on land and the navy suffered a heavy defeat in the ‘Battle of Tsushima’ in May 1905.
On September 5, 1905, both parties concluded a peace treaty in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Russia recognized Korea as a sphere of Japanese influence, ceded the south of Sakhalin Island to Tokyo and gave lease rights on a number of territories in China.
The defeat in the war stirred up Russian society and became one of the main reasons for the First Russian Revolution of 1905-1907, which engulfed a significant part of the empire.
The international authority of the state also fell significantly. Thus, China, which had always viewed its northern neighbor with apprehension, began to look down on Russia as a “paper dragon”.
Credit: Viktor Bulla/МАММ/МDF/russiainphoto.ru
🤓 Gateway to Russia
The two powers clashed in a struggle for geopolitical dominance in the Far East. The world was confident that the mighty Russian Empire would easily defeat the daring Japanese.
However, in reality, everything turned out differently.
The theater of military operations was too far from the main center of the country and the Russian army experienced major problems with communications and supplies. In addition, the Russian troops turned out to be worse prepared for war than their Japanese opponents.
In fact, Russia was never able to achieve a single significant victory over Japan. At the same time, the army suffered a number of serious defeats on land and the navy suffered a heavy defeat in the ‘Battle of Tsushima’ in May 1905.
On September 5, 1905, both parties concluded a peace treaty in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Russia recognized Korea as a sphere of Japanese influence, ceded the south of Sakhalin Island to Tokyo and gave lease rights on a number of territories in China.
The defeat in the war stirred up Russian society and became one of the main reasons for the First Russian Revolution of 1905-1907, which engulfed a significant part of the empire.
The international authority of the state also fell significantly. Thus, China, which had always viewed its northern neighbor with apprehension, began to look down on Russia as a “paper dragon”.
Credit: Viktor Bulla/МАММ/МDF/russiainphoto.ru
Gateway to Russia
09 Feb, 06:15
Especially for ‘Gateway to Russia’, the Institute of Russian Literature (Pushkin House) of the Russian Academy of Sciences has compiled a list of works that anyone who is interested in Russia and Russian culture should get acquainted with.
According to Valentin Golovin, director of the Institute, when compiling the list, literary scholars set themselves the task of "expanding as much as possible the list of those names that have long been eternal companions of mankind".
Check it out! Could you count how many of these books you have already read?
🤓 Gateway to Russia
According to Valentin Golovin, director of the Institute, when compiling the list, literary scholars set themselves the task of "expanding as much as possible the list of those names that have long been eternal companions of mankind".
Check it out! Could you count how many of these books you have already read?
Gateway to Russia
09 Feb, 05:37
Just a Russian girl going on adventures in the North!
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
08 Feb, 14:44
This small church in Russia made it into the Guinness Book of Records!
A small church located in the middle of the Vuoksa River in Leningrad Region is famous not only in Russia. The Church of St. Andrew is recognized as the only one in the world built on an island, the foundation of which was a monolithic rock protruding from the water.
It is about 100 kilometers from St. Petersburg to the village of Melnikovo. A little over an hour of travel and a peaceful landscape opens up before you: on an island (with an area of only 100 square meters) in the middle of the river stands a small wooden church. You can get to it via a bridge.
The church was built in 2000 according to the design of Andrei Rotinov. He was inspired by the architecture of one of the most famous and ancient Russian churches – the Ascension in Kolomenskoye, Moscow. The church was consecrated in the name of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called: It is believed that he visited these places and even baptized local residents in the waters of the Vuoksa.
Wedding and baptism services and ceremonies are held there. But, many come simply to admire the magnificent scenery: it seems that the church literally floats above the water and the harsh Karelian nature shades its discreet beauty.
Credit: Legion Media, Eduardo Fuster/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
🤓 Gateway to Russia
A small church located in the middle of the Vuoksa River in Leningrad Region is famous not only in Russia. The Church of St. Andrew is recognized as the only one in the world built on an island, the foundation of which was a monolithic rock protruding from the water.
It is about 100 kilometers from St. Petersburg to the village of Melnikovo. A little over an hour of travel and a peaceful landscape opens up before you: on an island (with an area of only 100 square meters) in the middle of the river stands a small wooden church. You can get to it via a bridge.
The church was built in 2000 according to the design of Andrei Rotinov. He was inspired by the architecture of one of the most famous and ancient Russian churches – the Ascension in Kolomenskoye, Moscow. The church was consecrated in the name of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called: It is believed that he visited these places and even baptized local residents in the waters of the Vuoksa.
Wedding and baptism services and ceremonies are held there. But, many come simply to admire the magnificent scenery: it seems that the church literally floats above the water and the harsh Karelian nature shades its discreet beauty.
Credit: Legion Media, Eduardo Fuster/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Gateway to Russia
08 Feb, 13:45
How Moscow's AI-inspired restaurant guide ‘Ultima Guide’ works
Yandex recently released the ‘Ultima Guide’, a restaurant guide for the Russian capital, which was created with the help of AI technologies. Its preparation involved not only people, but also a neural network, which studied 28,500 points on the gastronomic map of Moscow.
When compiling the guide, the neural network took into account more than 100 parameters. For example, the establishment must have been operating for at least three months and not part of a chain. Out of thousands of cafes and restaurants, the network compiled a long-list of 312 finalists, evaluating them by reviews, calls for taxis, orders and ratings. The best were chosen by voting - 21,000 users of the company's services and more than 100 experts participated in the voting. This is how a list of 51 restaurants appeared.
The final version includes a variety of establishments. It includes a luxurious caviar bar in the city center, the project of Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, ‘Cafe Pushkin’, one of the most famous Moscow restaurants of Russian cuisine and even the immersive ‘Krasota’ gastro-theater.
Credit: Ultima Guide
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Yandex recently released the ‘Ultima Guide’, a restaurant guide for the Russian capital, which was created with the help of AI technologies. Its preparation involved not only people, but also a neural network, which studied 28,500 points on the gastronomic map of Moscow.
When compiling the guide, the neural network took into account more than 100 parameters. For example, the establishment must have been operating for at least three months and not part of a chain. Out of thousands of cafes and restaurants, the network compiled a long-list of 312 finalists, evaluating them by reviews, calls for taxis, orders and ratings. The best were chosen by voting - 21,000 users of the company's services and more than 100 experts participated in the voting. This is how a list of 51 restaurants appeared.
The final version includes a variety of establishments. It includes a luxurious caviar bar in the city center, the project of Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, ‘Cafe Pushkin’, one of the most famous Moscow restaurants of Russian cuisine and even the immersive ‘Krasota’ gastro-theater.
Credit: Ultima Guide
Gateway to Russia
08 Feb, 06:49
The Evenki from Buryatia repeat their ancestors' patterns on their faces in the photo project ‘Sewn Faces’
The Evenki, an indigenous people of Eastern Siberia, used to tattoo their faces and hands in an unusual way. They took deer hair, dyed it black with stone or soot, threaded it through a needle and literally stitched various ornaments into the skin. The owners of such tattoos were dubbed “sewn faces” and notes about them have been preserved by 18th-century ethnographers Jacob Lindenau and Johann Georg Gmelin.
A group of friends from Ulan-Ude – Olga Dashieva, Olga Imeeva, Daria Bakhanova, Ruslan Vachelanov and Elena Tsydynova, who are engaged in the study and preservation of Evenki culture – decided to repeat the patterns on their faces.
“The tattoos were drawn for us by makeup artists,” says Olga Dashieva. “We only found out about the Evenki tattoos via hearsay. So, we wanted to embody this feature of the Evenki ethnic group in reality. By the way, recently, young performer ‘ULTAN KAI’ (Maxim Karamzin) got a tattoo inspired by our project.”
The tattoo figures represent deer antlers, paths, tambourines and idols. They were applied to emphasize the different social statuses (hunter, reindeer herder, etc.) and also as an amulet against evil spirits.
Today, the characteristic Evenki patterns remain only in embroidery and bone carving; tattoos are no longer made. But, researchers note that such marks are also characteristic of other ethnic peoples of the North, including the Yakuts, Chukchi and Eskimos.
📷 Zorik Darbakov + https://vk.com/evenkil
🤓 Gateway to Russia
The Evenki, an indigenous people of Eastern Siberia, used to tattoo their faces and hands in an unusual way. They took deer hair, dyed it black with stone or soot, threaded it through a needle and literally stitched various ornaments into the skin. The owners of such tattoos were dubbed “sewn faces” and notes about them have been preserved by 18th-century ethnographers Jacob Lindenau and Johann Georg Gmelin.
A group of friends from Ulan-Ude – Olga Dashieva, Olga Imeeva, Daria Bakhanova, Ruslan Vachelanov and Elena Tsydynova, who are engaged in the study and preservation of Evenki culture – decided to repeat the patterns on their faces.
“The tattoos were drawn for us by makeup artists,” says Olga Dashieva. “We only found out about the Evenki tattoos via hearsay. So, we wanted to embody this feature of the Evenki ethnic group in reality. By the way, recently, young performer ‘ULTAN KAI’ (Maxim Karamzin) got a tattoo inspired by our project.”
The tattoo figures represent deer antlers, paths, tambourines and idols. They were applied to emphasize the different social statuses (hunter, reindeer herder, etc.) and also as an amulet against evil spirits.
Today, the characteristic Evenki patterns remain only in embroidery and bone carving; tattoos are no longer made. But, researchers note that such marks are also characteristic of other ethnic peoples of the North, including the Yakuts, Chukchi and Eskimos.
📷 Zorik Darbakov + https://vk.com/evenkil
Gateway to Russia
10 Jan, 13:26
Grace on Ice: When Age is No Barrier to Skill. Confident movements and elegance honed over the years
Video by: vk.com/charityshoprussia
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: vk.com/charityshoprussia
Gateway to Russia
10 Jan, 11:34
Check out these views of Teriberka in Murmansk region!
🔔 Gateway of Russia
Gateway to Russia
10 Jan, 07:47
Nick continues taking lessons from me! :)
This time we tried to pronounce a popular tongue twister which trains K and P sounds.
I think, he did it great!
🤨 Did YOU manage to pronounce the tongue twister?
P.S. it wasn’t easy even for me, a native speaker, to pronounce it!
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
🔔 Gateway to Russia
This time we tried to pronounce a popular tongue twister which trains K and P sounds.
I think, he did it great!
P.S.
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
Gateway to Russia
09 Jan, 13:01
What does the expression “to bring out the Babylons” mean?
The phrase “ничего себе, какие Вавилоны выводит” (“nichego sebe, kakie Vavilony vyvodit”) or “wow, what Babylons he brings out” is most likely addressed to a drunk person. This is said about a tipsy person, who is heading somewhere with an unsteady, staggering gait.
The “patterns” they draw with their feet, make observers make such an ironic remark. The expression also has another meaning. For example, in Vladimir Dahl’s explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, “to bring out the Babylons” means to write unevenly, with “dancing” lines.
This comparison began to be used in cases when they wanted to talk about something confusing. For example, winding, looping roads or rivers were called ‘Babylonish’.
An English equivalent would be: “To make a Virginia fence.”
Credit: Kira Lisitskaya
#russianexpression
💥 Gateway to Russia
The phrase “ничего себе, какие Вавилоны выводит” (“nichego sebe, kakie Vavilony vyvodit”) or “wow, what Babylons he brings out” is most likely addressed to a drunk person. This is said about a tipsy person, who is heading somewhere with an unsteady, staggering gait.
The “patterns” they draw with their feet, make observers make such an ironic remark. The expression also has another meaning. For example, in Vladimir Dahl’s explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, “to bring out the Babylons” means to write unevenly, with “dancing” lines.
This comparison began to be used in cases when they wanted to talk about something confusing. For example, winding, looping roads or rivers were called ‘Babylonish’.
An English equivalent would be: “To make a Virginia fence.”
Credit: Kira Lisitskaya
#russianexpression
Gateway to Russia
09 Jan, 11:05
Did you know that Russia has more than 100 active volcanoes?
Video by: https://путешественникдв.рф
🔔 Gateway to Russia
Video by: https://путешественникдв.рф
Gateway to Russia
09 Jan, 07:26
Soft Ice: Light Blue and White on the Lids. Makeup inspired by winter landscapes, focusing on light, frosty shades
Video by: instagram.com/prokopenko_stylist
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: instagram.com/prokopenko_stylist
Gateway to Russia
08 Jan, 13:29
Perestroika changed the USSR completely and brought absolutely new way of life. And brand new characters take center stage in the movie - prostitutes who target foreigners. Though all of them dream of a better life and, of course, of a true and pure love.
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
08 Jan, 12:02
No Brakes, No Fear / 2019
#Finland
In ice speedway, motorcyclists race around a track on bikes with no brakes on frozen surfaces. The documentary tags along two racers as they gear up for the European Individual Ice Speedway Championship. Spiked tires, dramatic clashes and intense rivalry - riders prove why their sport is the coolest.
🌍 No Brakes, No Fear on rt.doc
#Finland
In ice speedway, motorcyclists race around a track on bikes with no brakes on frozen surfaces. The documentary tags along two racers as they gear up for the European Individual Ice Speedway Championship. Spiked tires, dramatic clashes and intense rivalry - riders prove why their sport is the coolest.
🌍 No Brakes, No Fear on rt.doc
Gateway to Russia
08 Jan, 11:01
How many Russian words starting with 'Ts' do you know?
#russianalphabet
🔔 Gateway to Russia
#russianalphabet
Gateway to Russia
08 Jan, 09:47
Let’s cook a famous Russian salad! And no, we don't mean Olivier :)
I’m talking about ‘Herring Under a Fur Coat’ - ‘селёдка под шубой’.
Click here for a more detailed recipe.
❓ Ever tried this salad? Send us pics of your creations if you decide to give the recipe a shot!
📸 : Yulia Mulino
#russianclasses
💥 Gateway to Russia
I’m talking about ‘Herring Under a Fur Coat’ - ‘селёдка под шубой’.
Click here for a more detailed recipe.
#russianclasses
Gateway to Russia
08 Jan, 06:25
Incredible snowy Belogorsky Monastery in Perm
Video by: t.me/parmatime
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: t.me/parmatime
Gateway to Russia
07 Jan, 17:00
Our Lady of Vladimir, Our Lady of Kazan, Our Lady of Theodore… Russian iconography has dozens of its own venerated images of the Mother of God. Their history is associated with many miracles.
Many Russian Orthodox Church holidays are dedicated to them and believers still treat them with special reverence.
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Many Russian Orthodox Church holidays are dedicated to them and believers still treat them with special reverence.
Gateway to Russia
07 Jan, 15:25
Snow is no obstacle for the residents of Sochi…! 🌴❄️🍸
Video by: t.me/chokolatellaa
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: t.me/chokolatellaa
Gateway to Russia
07 Jan, 13:27
Are you into young adult literature? Then you should definitely try Tolstoy's autobiographical trilogy. An incredible sincere and very psychological piece about growing up and maturation of the greatest Russian author.
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
07 Jan, 07:24
Manul kittens from Novosibirsk Zoo enjoying the start of winter!
Video by: https://vk.com/id447839222
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Video by: https://vk.com/id447839222
Gateway to Russia
07 Jan, 07:01
Reutov in 3 Russian words
This satellite city of Moscow was once a major center of the textile industry. Nowadays, it is a science city with high scientific and technical potential. Here are three of its main symbols.
1⃣ ЮРИЙ БОРИСОВ (Yuri Borisov)
One of Russia’s most talented actors was born in Reutov on December 8, 1992. At the end of 2024, he was nominated for an American Golden Globe Award for his role in the movie ‘Anora’.
2⃣ НПО МАШИНОСТРОЕНИЯ (NPO Mashinostroyeniya)
The Scientific and Production Association (NPO) of Mechanical Engineering has been operating in Reutov since 1944. Among its developments: cruise and intercontinental ballistic missiles, missile systems, as well as various space systems and devices.
3⃣ КОЛОКОЛ (BELL)
There is a legend that Reutov got its name from the ‘Reut’ bell , whichб with its ringing, warned of the enemy approaching Moscow. The bell was placed on the city’s coat of arms and, in 2005, a monument to it was erected there.
#russiancities
💥 Gateway to Russia
This satellite city of Moscow was once a major center of the textile industry. Nowadays, it is a science city with high scientific and technical potential. Here are three of its main symbols.
1⃣ ЮРИЙ БОРИСОВ (Yuri Borisov)
One of Russia’s most talented actors was born in Reutov on December 8, 1992. At the end of 2024, he was nominated for an American Golden Globe Award for his role in the movie ‘Anora’.
2⃣ НПО МАШИНОСТРОЕНИЯ (NPO Mashinostroyeniya)
The Scientific and Production Association (NPO) of Mechanical Engineering has been operating in Reutov since 1944. Among its developments: cruise and intercontinental ballistic missiles, missile systems, as well as various space systems and devices.
3⃣ КОЛОКОЛ (BELL)
There is a legend that Reutov got its name from the ‘Reut’ bell , whichб with its ringing, warned of the enemy approaching Moscow. The bell was placed on the city’s coat of arms and, in 2005, a monument to it was erected there.
#russiancities
Gateway to Russia
06 Jan, 13:27
This giant epic novel is often attributed no less than 'War and Peace' of the 20th century. It tells us about the Cossack life on the backdrop of Russia’s most turbulent times – the Revolution and the Civil War, which broke the old world’s order.
Hesitating between the Reds and then the Whites, the main character struggles finding which side is right.
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Hesitating between the Reds and then the Whites, the main character struggles finding which side is right.
Gateway to Russia
06 Jan, 12:01
#russianclasses
Gateway to Russia
06 Jan, 07:28
Meet solyanka: Russian essential hangover soup
Russians are still celebrating the New Year's... Yes, they have holidays and days off up until January 8.
So after finishing up their mayonaisy New Year salads, Russians crave something fatty and salty... and a lot of liquid. So hot soup if a perfect thing.
Borsch takes too much time to cook, while solyanka is your choice.
This soup has an unusual sour-salty taste - it’s all about the pickles, olives, lemon and, sometimes, kvass that are added to it.
You can actually make solyanka with fish or mushrooms, but a meat one is the most popular. And you can add any type of meat, sausages and smoked ham.
During the Soviet era, solyanka was even sold as instant soup in cans. Now solyanka is served nearly everywhere in Russia, ranging from student canteens to high-end restaurants.
📷 Legion media
#russiankitchen
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Russians are still celebrating the New Year's... Yes, they have holidays and days off up until January 8.
So after finishing up their mayonaisy New Year salads, Russians crave something fatty and salty... and a lot of liquid. So hot soup if a perfect thing.
Borsch takes too much time to cook, while solyanka is your choice.
This soup has an unusual sour-salty taste - it’s all about the pickles, olives, lemon and, sometimes, kvass that are added to it.
You can actually make solyanka with fish or mushrooms, but a meat one is the most popular. And you can add any type of meat, sausages and smoked ham.
During the Soviet era, solyanka was even sold as instant soup in cans. Now solyanka is served nearly everywhere in Russia, ranging from student canteens to high-end restaurants.
📷 Legion media
#russiankitchen
Gateway to Russia
05 Jan, 14:24
Heart of a Soap Bubble: Lightness and Tenderness. An incredible blend of beauty and fragility
Video by: instagram.com/olchatyu
🔔 Gateway to Russia
Video by: instagram.com/olchatyu
Gateway to Russia
05 Jan, 13:16
Fans of 'Mad Max' and the 'Star Wars' will be intrigued by this Soviet steampunk movie: two random Soviet citizen find themselves in another galaxy, where they meet aliens who happen to have a spaceship. But how to return home? That's the challenge they have to handle.
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
05 Jan, 09:25
Did you know that Dostoevsky wrote not only heartbreaking novels, but also almost vaudeville-like stories?
We’ve handpicked some Russian literary classics that will make you cry – from laughter!
🤓 Russia Beyond
We’ve handpicked some Russian literary classics that will make you cry – from laughter!
Gateway to Russia
04 Jan, 14:25
Russian songs translated: ‘Valenki’ (‘Валенки’)
This is a folk song about Russian winter boots that will make you want to dance the ‘khorovod’!
🎵 LISTEN
‘Валенки’ – ‘Valenki’
Валенки да валенки, ой, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Нельзя валенки носить, не в чем к милому ходить.
Valenki, yes valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
I can’t wear valenki, nothing to put on to go to my dear.
Припев (Chorus)
Валенки, валенки, эх, не подшиты, стареньки,
Валенки, валенки, эх, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Ой ты, Коля, Николай, сиди дома, дома, не гуляй.
Не ходи на тот конец, ох, не носи девкам колец.
Hey you, Kolya, Nikolai, sit at home, don’t go out.
Don’t go to the other side, oh, don’t carry rings to girls.
Припев (Chorus)
Валенки, валенки, эх, не подшиты, стареньки,
Валенки, валенки, эх, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Чем подарочки носить, ой, да лучше валенки подшить.
Чем подарочки носить, лучше валенки подшить.
Better stitch valenki, than to carry gifts.
Better stitch valenki, oh, than to carry gifts.
Припев (Chorus)
Валенки, валенки, эх, не подшиты, стареньки,
Валенки, валенки, эх, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Суди, люди, суди, Бог, как же я любила,
По морозу босиком к милому ходила.
Judge, people, judge, God, oh how I loved,
I was walking barefoot in the frost to my dear.
📷 Kira Lisitskaya
🔔 Gateway to Russia
This is a folk song about Russian winter boots that will make you want to dance the ‘khorovod’!
🎵 LISTEN
‘Валенки’ – ‘Valenki’
Валенки да валенки, ой, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Нельзя валенки носить, не в чем к милому ходить.
Valenki, yes valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
I can’t wear valenki, nothing to put on to go to my dear.
Припев (Chorus)
Валенки, валенки, эх, не подшиты, стареньки,
Валенки, валенки, эх, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Ой ты, Коля, Николай, сиди дома, дома, не гуляй.
Не ходи на тот конец, ох, не носи девкам колец.
Hey you, Kolya, Nikolai, sit at home, don’t go out.
Don’t go to the other side, oh, don’t carry rings to girls.
Припев (Chorus)
Валенки, валенки, эх, не подшиты, стареньки,
Валенки, валенки, эх, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Чем подарочки носить, ой, да лучше валенки подшить.
Чем подарочки носить, лучше валенки подшить.
Better stitch valenki, than to carry gifts.
Better stitch valenki, oh, than to carry gifts.
Припев (Chorus)
Валенки, валенки, эх, не подшиты, стареньки,
Валенки, валенки, эх, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Суди, люди, суди, Бог, как же я любила,
По морозу босиком к милому ходила.
Judge, people, judge, God, oh how I loved,
I was walking barefoot in the frost to my dear.
📷 Kira Lisitskaya
Gateway to Russia
04 Jan, 11:23
Nenets reindeer herder children enjoying nomad life!
Video by: vk.com/nenets89
🔔 Gateway to Russia
Video by: vk.com/nenets89
Gateway to Russia
04 Jan, 09:01
Arnaud Fass is originally from Strasburg, France, but now lives in Tula, Russia. He first came to Russia in 2001 and stayed. He went into business, and then became a professional steam master – he steams Russian bath lovers.
Why he chose Russia and the bath, what surprises the Frenchman in Russia and how his wedding took place in the Russian style!? Read in our material.
🤓 Russia Beyond
Why he chose Russia and the bath, what surprises the Frenchman in Russia and how his wedding took place in the Russian style!? Read in our material.
Gateway to Russia
03 Jan, 16:31
Who is the Russian that conquered 14 of the world's highest peaks?
⛓️ Watch more on YouTube!
Gateway to Russia
03 Jan, 14:01
Comrade Warrant Officer, may I scratch you behind the ear?
This cat must now be addressed according to the regulations: “Comrade Warrant Officer!” Yes, that's right: the tailed one named Tolik from the ‘Semenychi’ special unit has been promoted to the rank of warrant officer of the internal service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Animals from fire stations of different regions of Russia serve in this unit of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. In addition to Muscovite Tolik the Cat from the 89th fire station of the capital, it has cats Dymok from Smolensk Region, Ballon from Arkhangelsk Region, Lafet from Kursk Region and Pompa from Volgograd Region.
‘Semenychi’ make sure that there are no rodents in fire stations and go out in the morning to form up together with their human colleagues. And, of course, they always create an atmosphere of home comfort and warmth. By the way, they named the special unit in honor of a cat: Semyon served at a fire station in Tyumen, but, last year, he was sadly hit by a car.
Tolik received the title on the occasion of the ‘Day of the Rescuer’. He was also given tiny epaulettes and promised a uniform.
Credit: Ministry of Emergency Situations
🤓 Gateway to Russia
This cat must now be addressed according to the regulations: “Comrade Warrant Officer!” Yes, that's right: the tailed one named Tolik from the ‘Semenychi’ special unit has been promoted to the rank of warrant officer of the internal service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Animals from fire stations of different regions of Russia serve in this unit of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. In addition to Muscovite Tolik the Cat from the 89th fire station of the capital, it has cats Dymok from Smolensk Region, Ballon from Arkhangelsk Region, Lafet from Kursk Region and Pompa from Volgograd Region.
‘Semenychi’ make sure that there are no rodents in fire stations and go out in the morning to form up together with their human colleagues. And, of course, they always create an atmosphere of home comfort and warmth. By the way, they named the special unit in honor of a cat: Semyon served at a fire station in Tyumen, but, last year, he was sadly hit by a car.
Tolik received the title on the occasion of the ‘Day of the Rescuer’. He was also given tiny epaulettes and promised a uniform.
Credit: Ministry of Emergency Situations
Gateway to Russia
03 Jan, 13:01
Xmas & New Year's vibes in Sochi be like... 🎄☀
Video by: t.me/chokolatellaa
🔔 Gateway to Russia
Video by: t.me/chokolatellaa
Gateway to Russia
03 Jan, 11:45
After eating a million holiday dishes, it’s time to get fit. Here are some Russian tips for that!
❔ What are yours? Share in the comments!
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
🔔 Gateway to Russia
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
Gateway to Russia
02 Jan, 16:31
5 Russians portrayed as good guys in Hollywood movies 😉
⛓️ Watch more on YouTube!
Gateway to Russia
02 Jan, 14:54
The best New Year selfies? In the subway, of course!
Not only streets and parks, but even subway stations have been decorated for the New Year in Moscow. The entrances to the vestibules now look like portals into a fairy tale, while underground platforms have been transformed into magical kingdoms.
The arch of the entrance to the ‘Krasnye Vorota’ station shimmers with huge multicolored dragees, which look like they were made at the famous Willy Wonka chocolate factory. Brightly colored gift boxes with bows have appeared at the ‘Semyonovskaya’ subway station. It’s not just a station, but a giant present of some kind! And ‘Krasnopresnenskaya’ has turned into a real palace and literally sparkles with festive illumination.
Gift boxes and Christmas tree baubles have also appeared under the ceiling of the escalator gallery at ‘Vorobyovy Gory’ and arches with toys have been installed at ‘Trubnaya’. You will find Ded Moroz, snowmen, stars and even Christmas trees!
By the way, the main winter wizard, having come from his residence in Veliky Ustyug to the capital, also managed to find the time to step into the capital's subway and congratulate passengers on the upcoming New Year!
Credit: Pelagia Tikhonova/Sputnik; Ramil Sitdikov/Sputnik; Moscow Department of Transportation (https://t.me/DtRoad)
🤓 Gateway to Russia
Not only streets and parks, but even subway stations have been decorated for the New Year in Moscow. The entrances to the vestibules now look like portals into a fairy tale, while underground platforms have been transformed into magical kingdoms.
The arch of the entrance to the ‘Krasnye Vorota’ station shimmers with huge multicolored dragees, which look like they were made at the famous Willy Wonka chocolate factory. Brightly colored gift boxes with bows have appeared at the ‘Semyonovskaya’ subway station. It’s not just a station, but a giant present of some kind! And ‘Krasnopresnenskaya’ has turned into a real palace and literally sparkles with festive illumination.
Gift boxes and Christmas tree baubles have also appeared under the ceiling of the escalator gallery at ‘Vorobyovy Gory’ and arches with toys have been installed at ‘Trubnaya’. You will find Ded Moroz, snowmen, stars and even Christmas trees!
By the way, the main winter wizard, having come from his residence in Veliky Ustyug to the capital, also managed to find the time to step into the capital's subway and congratulate passengers on the upcoming New Year!
Credit: Pelagia Tikhonova/Sputnik; Ramil Sitdikov/Sputnik; Moscow Department of Transportation (https://t.me/DtRoad)
Gateway to Russia
02 Jan, 12:23
Buryats shred the snow in their national costumes!
Video by: t.me/rcnt03
🔔 Gateway to Russia
Video by: t.me/rcnt03
Gateway to Russia
02 Jan, 08:02
Why is a verst called ‘Kolomenskaya’?
Before 1918, distances in Russia were measured not in kilometers, but in versts. Incidentally, they differ slightly from each other: one verst is 500 sazhens or 1066.8 meters. Verst posts were installed along roads, so that travelers would know how much further they had to go to their destination. For brevity, they were called ‘versts’.
The road from Moscow, from the Kaluga outpost, to the residence of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in Kolomenskoye was marked with these very posts. The solid stone pillars were faced with marble and decorated with eagles. They were also distinguished from ordinary versts by their “height” – they were significantly higher than ordinary signs. This is where the expression “верста Коломенская” (“Versta Kolomenskaya”) or “Kolomenskaya verst” came from. Over time, this is how they began to talk about very tall, thin people.
In the novel ‘Peter the Great’ by Alexei Tolstoy even the emperor, who was distinguished by his great height, got it: "He was already going on 15. He was as tall as a Kolomna verst."
By the way, it was under Peter the Great that they began to install verst poles indicating the distance when laying roads. And, under Alexander I, they began to paint them in a slanting stripe, so that they could be seen even in bad weather.
Credit: Kira Lisitskaya (Photo: Public domain; A. Eliseev/Diafilm, 1979); Public domain
#russianexpression
💥 Gateway to Russia
Before 1918, distances in Russia were measured not in kilometers, but in versts. Incidentally, they differ slightly from each other: one verst is 500 sazhens or 1066.8 meters. Verst posts were installed along roads, so that travelers would know how much further they had to go to their destination. For brevity, they were called ‘versts’.
The road from Moscow, from the Kaluga outpost, to the residence of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in Kolomenskoye was marked with these very posts. The solid stone pillars were faced with marble and decorated with eagles. They were also distinguished from ordinary versts by their “height” – they were significantly higher than ordinary signs. This is where the expression “верста Коломенская” (“Versta Kolomenskaya”) or “Kolomenskaya verst” came from. Over time, this is how they began to talk about very tall, thin people.
In the novel ‘Peter the Great’ by Alexei Tolstoy even the emperor, who was distinguished by his great height, got it: "He was already going on 15. He was as tall as a Kolomna verst."
By the way, it was under Peter the Great that they began to install verst poles indicating the distance when laying roads. And, under Alexander I, they began to paint them in a slanting stripe, so that they could be seen even in bad weather.
Credit: Kira Lisitskaya (Photo: Public domain; A. Eliseev/Diafilm, 1979); Public domain
#russianexpression
Gateway to Russia
01 Jan, 16:31
5 of the best places in Russia for winter sports!
⛓️ Watch more on YouTube!
Gateway to Russia
26 Dec, 15:05
Glass Bay is in the suburbs of Vladivostok, named for its beach covered with polished glass and porcelain particles. These particles are harmless due to long-term sea polishing.
💥 Gateway to Russia
Gateway to Russia
26 Dec, 14:05
Question time!
Do you follow any Russian sports disciplines or teams? How about individual athletes - got any favorite ones, current or retired? Drop them in the comments! ⚽🏒🎾⛸️🥊🏀🏓🏐
🔔 Gateway to Russia
Do you follow any Russian sports disciplines or teams? How about individual athletes - got any favorite ones, current or retired? Drop them in the comments! ⚽🏒🎾⛸️🥊🏀🏓🏐
Gateway to Russia
26 Dec, 12:01
On this day in 1825 the Decembrist rebellion took place in St. Petersburg
On December 1, Emperor Alexander I died. Political uncertainty arose in the country: his brother Konstantin was supposed to inherit the throne, but had secretly refused it several years earlier. The second brother of the deceased tsar - Nicholas, was next in line. And the rebels took advantage of the situation.
The conspiracy involved young noblemen, including guard officers who advocated for radical changes in the political system of the state, including the introduction of a constitution, freedom of the press, the abolition of serfdom, and a number of others. Many of them had fought against Napoleon in Europe and admired its political system and way of life. After the war, they hoped for change at home, but none materialized.
The Decembrists, as they would be known later, then decided to act. They lured some of the guard regiments to their side, convincing them of the need to defend the rights of the "legitimate ruler", Konstantin.
On December 26, the conspirators brought troops to Senate Square in St. Petersburg to prevent the Senate from swearing allegiance to Nicholas. They demanded that it publish a national Manifesto proclaiming the establishment of a temporary revolutionary government. However, they were too late — the meeting had already taken place. The Decembrist leaders were confused, and troops loyal to Nicholas gathered on the square and dispersed the rebels.
After the suppression of the rebellion, its five leaders — Pavel Pestel, Sergei Muravyov-Apostol, Kondraty Ryleyev, Pyotr Kakhovsky, and Mikhail Bestuzhev-Ryumin — were executed. 121 people were stripped of their ranks and nobility, 99 were sentenced to hard labor and exiled to Siberia, while the rest were sent to the Caucasus with the rank of privates. More than 3,000 soldiers of the rebellious regiments faced punishment.
Credit: Hermitage Museum
💥 Gateway to Russia
On December 1, Emperor Alexander I died. Political uncertainty arose in the country: his brother Konstantin was supposed to inherit the throne, but had secretly refused it several years earlier. The second brother of the deceased tsar - Nicholas, was next in line. And the rebels took advantage of the situation.
The conspiracy involved young noblemen, including guard officers who advocated for radical changes in the political system of the state, including the introduction of a constitution, freedom of the press, the abolition of serfdom, and a number of others. Many of them had fought against Napoleon in Europe and admired its political system and way of life. After the war, they hoped for change at home, but none materialized.
The Decembrists, as they would be known later, then decided to act. They lured some of the guard regiments to their side, convincing them of the need to defend the rights of the "legitimate ruler", Konstantin.
On December 26, the conspirators brought troops to Senate Square in St. Petersburg to prevent the Senate from swearing allegiance to Nicholas. They demanded that it publish a national Manifesto proclaiming the establishment of a temporary revolutionary government. However, they were too late — the meeting had already taken place. The Decembrist leaders were confused, and troops loyal to Nicholas gathered on the square and dispersed the rebels.
After the suppression of the rebellion, its five leaders — Pavel Pestel, Sergei Muravyov-Apostol, Kondraty Ryleyev, Pyotr Kakhovsky, and Mikhail Bestuzhev-Ryumin — were executed. 121 people were stripped of their ranks and nobility, 99 were sentenced to hard labor and exiled to Siberia, while the rest were sent to the Caucasus with the rank of privates. More than 3,000 soldiers of the rebellious regiments faced punishment.
Credit: Hermitage Museum
Gateway to Russia
26 Dec, 11:01
What does the expression “orphan of Kazan” mean?
A person who pretends to be unhappy in order to make others pity them is called a “сирота Казанская” (“sirota Kazanskaya”) or “orphan of Kazan”. Where did this expression come from? It's all about… Ivan the Terrible!
According to one version, when Ivan the Terrible's troops conquered Kazan in 1552, many local children were orphaned. They were placed in boyar and peasant families to be raised and sympathetically called “orphans of Kazan”. However, juvenile swindlers immediately took advantage of the situation and began to pass themselves off as orphans.
There is another version also connected with the conquest of the Kazan Khanate. The defeated ‘murzas’ (‘princes’), in the hope of preserving their wealth and getting closer to the royal court, tried to behave as modestly as possible and agreed to accept Orthodoxy. For this, they received the humorous nickname ‘The Orphans of Kazan’.
Credit: Gateway to Russia (Photo: M.V. Petrov-Maslakov; Samara art museum)
🔔 Gateway to Russia
A person who pretends to be unhappy in order to make others pity them is called a “сирота Казанская” (“sirota Kazanskaya”) or “orphan of Kazan”. Where did this expression come from? It's all about… Ivan the Terrible!
According to one version, when Ivan the Terrible's troops conquered Kazan in 1552, many local children were orphaned. They were placed in boyar and peasant families to be raised and sympathetically called “orphans of Kazan”. However, juvenile swindlers immediately took advantage of the situation and began to pass themselves off as orphans.
There is another version also connected with the conquest of the Kazan Khanate. The defeated ‘murzas’ (‘princes’), in the hope of preserving their wealth and getting closer to the royal court, tried to behave as modestly as possible and agreed to accept Orthodoxy. For this, they received the humorous nickname ‘The Orphans of Kazan’.
Credit: Gateway to Russia (Photo: M.V. Petrov-Maslakov; Samara art museum)
Gateway to Russia
26 Dec, 09:47
What’s the difference between Ded Moroz & Santa Claus?
The most important character at Christmas in the West is Santa Claus, while Russia has its own kind elderly man with gifts – Ded Moroz (Father Frost).
Both characters are variations of the so-called ‘Christmas gift-bringer’, which exists in the folklore of many countries. Santa Claus, the most common character for Catholic Christians, is derived from St. Nicholas. The Russian Ded Moroz, meanwhile, comes from Slavic fairy-tale folklore.
Let’s find out how they differ from each other.
📷 Natalya Nosova
💥 Gateway to Russia
The most important character at Christmas in the West is Santa Claus, while Russia has its own kind elderly man with gifts – Ded Moroz (Father Frost).
Both characters are variations of the so-called ‘Christmas gift-bringer’, which exists in the folklore of many countries. Santa Claus, the most common character for Catholic Christians, is derived from St. Nicholas. The Russian Ded Moroz, meanwhile, comes from Slavic fairy-tale folklore.
Let’s find out how they differ from each other.
📷 Natalya Nosova
Gateway to Russia
26 Dec, 09:05
There's something haunting about Yakutsk at -50C, with its strong winds and near-zero visibility! Follow us on a small tour of the frozen kingdom.
Video by: https://vk.com/id828182894
💥 Gateway to Russia
Video by: https://vk.com/id828182894
Gateway to Russia
26 Dec, 07:50
Russian picture dictionary: New Year🎄
Learning a language is always easier when you can visualize the words. Here’s a picture that will help you memorize words devoted to the topic of ‘New Year’s Eve’!
NEW YEAR (НОВЫЙ ГОД)
Шампанское – champagne
Мандарины – tangerines
Конфеты – candy
Красная икра – red caviar
Дети – children/kids
Новогодняя ёлка – New Year’s tree (Russian version of Christmas tree)
Дед Мороз – Grandfather Frost (also known as ‘Father Frost’, Russian Santa Claus)
Звезда – star
Подарки – gifts
Игрушки – toys
📷 Alexandra Koroleva
#russiandictionary
💥 Gateway to Russia
Learning a language is always easier when you can visualize the words. Here’s a picture that will help you memorize words devoted to the topic of ‘New Year’s Eve’!
NEW YEAR (НОВЫЙ ГОД)
Шампанское – champagne
Мандарины – tangerines
Конфеты – candy
Красная икра – red caviar
Дети – children/kids
Новогодняя ёлка – New Year’s tree (Russian version of Christmas tree)
Дед Мороз – Grandfather Frost (also known as ‘Father Frost’, Russian Santa Claus)
Звезда – star
Подарки – gifts
Игрушки – toys
📷 Alexandra Koroleva
#russiandictionary
Gateway to Russia
25 Dec, 13:31
Why Russia celebrates Christmas in January
The Russian Orthodox Church marks one of the most important Christian holidays not on December 25, but on a different date. Why?
In the Russian Empire, Christmas was originally celebrated on December 25. Before the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, Russia lived by the “old” Julian calendar, while the entire West had already accepted the “new” Gregorian calendar.
All the dates in Russia’s Julian calendar were 13 days behind the Western.
In 1918, Soviet Russia switched to the Gregorian calendar, and, according to the new style, all the dates shifted by 13 days.
As a result, Orthodox Christmas fell on January 7.
📸 Sergei Pyatakov / Sputnik
🔔 Gateway to Russia
The Russian Orthodox Church marks one of the most important Christian holidays not on December 25, but on a different date. Why?
In the Russian Empire, Christmas was originally celebrated on December 25. Before the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, Russia lived by the “old” Julian calendar, while the entire West had already accepted the “new” Gregorian calendar.
All the dates in Russia’s Julian calendar were 13 days behind the Western.
In 1918, Soviet Russia switched to the Gregorian calendar, and, according to the new style, all the dates shifted by 13 days.
As a result, Orthodox Christmas fell on January 7.
📸 Sergei Pyatakov / Sputnik
Gateway to Russia
25 Dec, 12:34
How many Russian words starting with 'F' do you know?
#russianalphabet
🔔 Gateway to Russia
#russianalphabet
Gateway to Russia
25 Dec, 12:01
Would you travel hundreds of kilometres in freezing temperatures, barely catching any sleep, just to witness something unique? These Russians are willing to endure Arctic conditions just to witness the extraordinary Northern Lights. You can join them on their quest in our film.
Aurora Hunters / 2021
#Russia
🌟 docuplanet x rt.doc
➡️ Watch more documentaries like this on our platform en.rtdoc.tv
Aurora Hunters / 2021
#Russia
Gateway to Russia
25 Dec, 09:02
Unbelievable Russian Cossack whip cracking!
Video by: vk.com/clubkazachiysalut & vk.com/kid__dynamite
💥 Gateway to Russia
Video by: vk.com/clubkazachiysalut & vk.com/kid__dynamite
Gateway to Russia
25 Dec, 08:15
Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating today! 🎄
In Russia, Christmas is on the 7th of January.
I’ve chosen a word for today’s quiz - and it means ‘greeting/congratulation’🎉
👇 Let’s see how many Russian words you can come up with using it!
#russianclasses
🔔 Gateway to Russia
In Russia, Christmas is on the 7th of January.
I’ve chosen a word for today’s quiz - and it means ‘greeting/congratulation’
#russianclasses
Gateway to Russia
25 Dec, 06:58
Grinchmobile' drifting in Novosibirsk. The Soviet car decorated to match the season was noticed in the outskirts of the Siberian megapolis.
Video by: Ruptly
💥 Gateway to Russia
Video by: Ruptly
Gateway to Russia
24 Dec, 14:05
Take a tour around the Faberge Museum in St. Petersburg! 🧐
Video by: @fabergemuseum
💥 Gateway to Russia
Video by: @fabergemuseum
Gateway to Russia
24 Dec, 11:02
What the Vologda airport terminal looks like in the SOVIET style
Russia's last typical Soviet airport, built in the late 1970s, recently reopened after reconstruction. And it has been transformed into a quasi retro art space.
The most “tasty” part of the terminal is the buffet with Soviet-era tea sets that look like they were just taken out of grandma’s cupboard. The menu is appropriate: fried pies with potatoes, sandwiches with sprats and ‘Napoleon’ cake. Next door is a stylized soda machine.
You’ve probably seen slot machines in old Soviet photographs. The terminal also had some: ‘Battleship’ and table hockey from those times.
Authentic booths with pay phones, meanwhile, were preserved under the stairs.
The central zone of the terminal is now a small waiting area in the form of a Soviet living room. Two armchairs and a rack with books and suitcases against the background of a carpet. Here you can take an atmospheric photo and watch the airplanes take off and land.
The journey into the past begins in Moscow: 32-seat Soviet Yak-40s fly to Vologda – the Vologda airport can only accept this type. Nowadays, airplanes from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Veliky Ustyug fly there.
However, a new, modern terminal will be built next to this one in 2025. The “Soviet” terminal will become a museum, a public space for events and a movie platform.
📷 Pavel Kuzmichev
💥 Gateway to Russia
Russia's last typical Soviet airport, built in the late 1970s, recently reopened after reconstruction. And it has been transformed into a quasi retro art space.
The most “tasty” part of the terminal is the buffet with Soviet-era tea sets that look like they were just taken out of grandma’s cupboard. The menu is appropriate: fried pies with potatoes, sandwiches with sprats and ‘Napoleon’ cake. Next door is a stylized soda machine.
You’ve probably seen slot machines in old Soviet photographs. The terminal also had some: ‘Battleship’ and table hockey from those times.
Authentic booths with pay phones, meanwhile, were preserved under the stairs.
The central zone of the terminal is now a small waiting area in the form of a Soviet living room. Two armchairs and a rack with books and suitcases against the background of a carpet. Here you can take an atmospheric photo and watch the airplanes take off and land.
The journey into the past begins in Moscow: 32-seat Soviet Yak-40s fly to Vologda – the Vologda airport can only accept this type. Nowadays, airplanes from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Veliky Ustyug fly there.
However, a new, modern terminal will be built next to this one in 2025. The “Soviet” terminal will become a museum, a public space for events and a movie platform.
📷 Pavel Kuzmichev
Gateway to Russia
24 Dec, 10:01
Just a winter’s day in a park in downtown Krasnodar! 😍 ❄️
Video by: vk.com/south_notes
💥 Gateway to Russia
Video by: vk.com/south_notes
Gateway to Russia
24 Dec, 09:01
This Russian woman pretended to be a man to fight against Napoleon!
‘Cavalry Maiden’ and ‘Russian Amazon’ – these were the names given to Nadezhda Durova, the heroine of the Patriotic War of 1812 against the French.
In her memoirs, Nadezhda admitted that, since childhood, she was more drawn to boyish games than to feminine hobbies and even had “disgust for her sex”: “The saddle was my first cradle; a horse, weapons and regimental music – my first children's toys and amusements.”
Marriage and the birth of a child did not bring her any joy. In 1806, Nadezhda cut off her braids, got hold of a military uniform and joined the army under a male name – she knew how to handle a sabre and ride a horse perfectly.
Durova took part in the war of the Fourth Coalition against the French and was even awarded the St. George Cross and promoted to non-commissioned officer for saving a wounded officer in the Battle of Guttstadt in early June 1807.
However, Durova was soon exposed and was about to be sent home. It was then that the woman asked Emperor Alexander I personally to let her stay in the army, so he met her halfway.
The ‘cavalry maiden’ bravely fought the enemy during the Patriotic War of 1812 and even served as an orderly for Mikhail Kutuzov, commander-in-chief of the Russian army.
The following year, she was dismissed. Durova returned home and devoted herself entirely to literary work.
Credit: Public Domain
💥 Gateway to Russia
‘Cavalry Maiden’ and ‘Russian Amazon’ – these were the names given to Nadezhda Durova, the heroine of the Patriotic War of 1812 against the French.
In her memoirs, Nadezhda admitted that, since childhood, she was more drawn to boyish games than to feminine hobbies and even had “disgust for her sex”: “The saddle was my first cradle; a horse, weapons and regimental music – my first children's toys and amusements.”
Marriage and the birth of a child did not bring her any joy. In 1806, Nadezhda cut off her braids, got hold of a military uniform and joined the army under a male name – she knew how to handle a sabre and ride a horse perfectly.
Durova took part in the war of the Fourth Coalition against the French and was even awarded the St. George Cross and promoted to non-commissioned officer for saving a wounded officer in the Battle of Guttstadt in early June 1807.
However, Durova was soon exposed and was about to be sent home. It was then that the woman asked Emperor Alexander I personally to let her stay in the army, so he met her halfway.
The ‘cavalry maiden’ bravely fought the enemy during the Patriotic War of 1812 and even served as an orderly for Mikhail Kutuzov, commander-in-chief of the Russian army.
The following year, she was dismissed. Durova returned home and devoted herself entirely to literary work.
Credit: Public Domain
Gateway to Russia
24 Dec, 08:52
Vyborg in 3 Russian words
Vyborg is one of the most colorful cities in Russia. Medieval Swedish buildings stand side by side with houses from the times of the Russian Empire, the Finnish Republic and the Soviet Union. Here are three of its main symbols.
1⃣ ВЫБОРГСКИЙ КРЕНДЕЛЬ (Vyborg krendel)
This popular delicacy has been baked in Vyborg since the 14th century. The local ‘krendel’ (‘pretzel’) has an exquisite taste due to the presence of various spices in it. Russian rulers Peter I and Alexander III were very fond of this delicacy.
2⃣ ВЫБОРГСКИЙ ЗАМОК (Vyborg Castle)
The castle was founded by the Swedes in 1293 and, for a long time, served as their main outpost in the Eastern Baltic. For the Russians, the castle has always been a thorn in the side. Only in 1710, during the Northern War, was it captured by the army of Peter I.
3⃣ ВЫБОРГСКИЕ ДРАККАРЫ (Vyborg Drakkars)
These ships were built specifically for the filming of the Soviet-Norwegian movie ‘Trees Grow on the Stones, Too’, dedicated to the Viking Age. When the movie was completed, the ‘drakkars’ were donated to the city for its active assistance in the filming process.
#russiancities
🔔 Gateway to Russia
Vyborg is one of the most colorful cities in Russia. Medieval Swedish buildings stand side by side with houses from the times of the Russian Empire, the Finnish Republic and the Soviet Union. Here are three of its main symbols.
1⃣ ВЫБОРГСКИЙ КРЕНДЕЛЬ (Vyborg krendel)
This popular delicacy has been baked in Vyborg since the 14th century. The local ‘krendel’ (‘pretzel’) has an exquisite taste due to the presence of various spices in it. Russian rulers Peter I and Alexander III were very fond of this delicacy.
2⃣ ВЫБОРГСКИЙ ЗАМОК (Vyborg Castle)
The castle was founded by the Swedes in 1293 and, for a long time, served as their main outpost in the Eastern Baltic. For the Russians, the castle has always been a thorn in the side. Only in 1710, during the Northern War, was it captured by the army of Peter I.
3⃣ ВЫБОРГСКИЕ ДРАККАРЫ (Vyborg Drakkars)
These ships were built specifically for the filming of the Soviet-Norwegian movie ‘Trees Grow on the Stones, Too’, dedicated to the Viking Age. When the movie was completed, the ‘drakkars’ were donated to the city for its active assistance in the filming process.
#russiancities
Gateway to Russia
23 Dec, 17:25
To see such a colorful Arctic sky, residents of Norilsk have to drive just a few kilometers out of the city.
Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?
📷 Mikhail Podolyak, Alexander Suslov
🔔 Gateway to Russia
Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?
📷 Mikhail Podolyak, Alexander Suslov
Gateway to Russia
23 Dec, 15:33
Did you know that rollercoasters originated in Russia? 🤯
⛓️ Watch more interesting facts about Russia on YouTube!
Gateway to Russia
23 Dec, 14:15
The USSR’s largest SEX scandal 😱
In 1955, the careers of several prominent party figures and officials were ruined because of this incident.
It turned out that several ministers and academicians, including the USSR Minister of Culture Georgy Alexandrov, were involved in… running a brothel! The victims were young actresses and ballerinas who were simply afraid to refuse the courtship of such high ranks.
It is still unknown exactly where the debauchery took place. According to some sources, it was in the countryside house of writer Konstantin Krivoshein, according to another, in his Moscow apartment.
The ‘gang’ was revealed by accident: the mother of one of the girls wrote a letter personally to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
Khrushchev became extremely mad and called everyone into his office. He shouted at them for a long time and then asked a member of the Academy of Sciences Alexander Yegolin: “Well, Alexandrov is a young man, I can understand. But, you, at your age, why did you go there?”
According to legend, Yegolin replied: “I did nothing, I just stroked…”
In Russian, ‘to stroke’ translates as ‘гладить’ (‘gladit’), so after that, as a play of words, the scandal was dubbed “The Gladiators' Case”. 😂
All “gladiators” lost their posts and were expelled from Moscow. Alexandrov was sent to the Academy of Sciences in Minsk, while the others were sent to the Urals.
📷 Nikita Khrushchev; Georgy Alexandrov; Alexander Yegolin (c) Bettmann/Getty Images; Archive images
🔔 Gateway to Russia
In 1955, the careers of several prominent party figures and officials were ruined because of this incident.
It turned out that several ministers and academicians, including the USSR Minister of Culture Georgy Alexandrov, were involved in… running a brothel! The victims were young actresses and ballerinas who were simply afraid to refuse the courtship of such high ranks.
It is still unknown exactly where the debauchery took place. According to some sources, it was in the countryside house of writer Konstantin Krivoshein, according to another, in his Moscow apartment.
The ‘gang’ was revealed by accident: the mother of one of the girls wrote a letter personally to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
Khrushchev became extremely mad and called everyone into his office. He shouted at them for a long time and then asked a member of the Academy of Sciences Alexander Yegolin: “Well, Alexandrov is a young man, I can understand. But, you, at your age, why did you go there?”
According to legend, Yegolin replied: “I did nothing, I just stroked…”
In Russian, ‘to stroke’ translates as ‘гладить’ (‘gladit’), so after that, as a play of words, the scandal was dubbed “The Gladiators' Case”. 😂
All “gladiators” lost their posts and were expelled from Moscow. Alexandrov was sent to the Academy of Sciences in Minsk, while the others were sent to the Urals.
📷 Nikita Khrushchev; Georgy Alexandrov; Alexander Yegolin (c) Bettmann/Getty Images; Archive images
Gateway to Russia
23 Dec, 13:05
Let’s take a look at Russian dishes we make every year.
#russianclasses
Russia Beyond
30 Nov, 15:35
Check out this gorgeous Scandinavian-style lighthouse on the Oka River near the city of Ryazan!
Video by: instagram.com/yakdm
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: instagram.com/yakdm
Russia Beyond
30 Nov, 13:28
Russian songs translated: ‘There is so many golden lights’ (‘Огней так много золотых’)
A lyrical composition sung by a lonely woman who has fallen in love with a married man from the Soviet movie 'It Happened in Penkovo' (1958).
🎵 LISTEN
Огней так много золотых
На улицах Саратова
There are so many golden lights
On the streets of Saratov.
Парней так много холостых
А я люблю женатого
There are so many single guys,
But I love a married man.
Парней так много холостых
А я люблю женатого
There are so many single guys,
But I love a married man.
Эх рано он завел семью
Печальная история
Oh, he started a family too early,
It’s a sad story.
Я от себя любовь таю
А от него тем более
I hide my love from myself,
And from him even more.
Я от него бежать хочу
Лишь только он покажется
I want to run away from him,
As soon as he appears.
А вдруг все то о чем молчу
Само собою скажется
What if everything I keep silent about,
Will come out on its own?
А вдруг все то о чем молчу
Само собою скажется
What if everything I keep silent about,
Will come out on its own?
Его я видеть не должна
Боюсь ему понравиться
I shouldn’t see him,
I am afraid he’ll like me.
С любовью справлюсь я одна
А вместе нам не справиться
I can handle the love alone,
But together, we can’t handle it.
С любовью справлюсь я одна
А вместе нам не справиться
I can handle love alone,
But together we can’t handle it.
#russiansongs
📷 Stanislav Rostotsky/Gorky Film Studio, 1957
💥 Russia Beyond
A lyrical composition sung by a lonely woman who has fallen in love with a married man from the Soviet movie 'It Happened in Penkovo' (1958).
🎵 LISTEN
Огней так много золотых
На улицах Саратова
There are so many golden lights
On the streets of Saratov.
Парней так много холостых
А я люблю женатого
There are so many single guys,
But I love a married man.
Парней так много холостых
А я люблю женатого
There are so many single guys,
But I love a married man.
Эх рано он завел семью
Печальная история
Oh, he started a family too early,
It’s a sad story.
Я от себя любовь таю
А от него тем более
I hide my love from myself,
And from him even more.
Я от него бежать хочу
Лишь только он покажется
I want to run away from him,
As soon as he appears.
А вдруг все то о чем молчу
Само собою скажется
What if everything I keep silent about,
Will come out on its own?
А вдруг все то о чем молчу
Само собою скажется
What if everything I keep silent about,
Will come out on its own?
Его я видеть не должна
Боюсь ему понравиться
I shouldn’t see him,
I am afraid he’ll like me.
С любовью справлюсь я одна
А вместе нам не справиться
I can handle the love alone,
But together, we can’t handle it.
С любовью справлюсь я одна
А вместе нам не справиться
I can handle love alone,
But together we can’t handle it.
#russiansongs
📷 Stanislav Rostotsky/Gorky Film Studio, 1957
Russia Beyond
30 Nov, 07:01
The Amber Room: A treasure from the ‘gold’ of the Baltic Sea
The world-famous Amber Room was a gift to Peter the Great from Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I.
It arrived in St. Petersburg in 18 boxes, with detailed instructions on how to unpack the priceless amber panels. Governor-General Prince Alexander Menshikov reported to the emperor: “Some small pieces have fallen out, but they can be glued back together and even if there were no others, they can still be put back on. It is true to say that this is the most amazing thing the world has ever seen.”
The amazingly beautiful Amber Room was originally installed in the Winter Palace. But, after a few years, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna ordered it to be moved to her new country residence, Tsarskoye Selo. Architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli added gilded wood carvings, mosaic panels made of agate and jasper and mirror pilasters.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Amber Room was stolen by German troops. They displayed their trophy in the Königsberg Castle. But, during the retreat, it was taken away and the treasure disappeared without a trace.
In 1983, a copy of the Amber Room began to be built. Six tons of Kaliningrad amber were used to recreate it. Twenty-four years later, the public finally got to see it again.
Credit: Tsarskoye Selo state museum
💥 Russia Beyond
The world-famous Amber Room was a gift to Peter the Great from Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I.
It arrived in St. Petersburg in 18 boxes, with detailed instructions on how to unpack the priceless amber panels. Governor-General Prince Alexander Menshikov reported to the emperor: “Some small pieces have fallen out, but they can be glued back together and even if there were no others, they can still be put back on. It is true to say that this is the most amazing thing the world has ever seen.”
The amazingly beautiful Amber Room was originally installed in the Winter Palace. But, after a few years, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna ordered it to be moved to her new country residence, Tsarskoye Selo. Architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli added gilded wood carvings, mosaic panels made of agate and jasper and mirror pilasters.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Amber Room was stolen by German troops. They displayed their trophy in the Königsberg Castle. But, during the retreat, it was taken away and the treasure disappeared without a trace.
In 1983, a copy of the Amber Room began to be built. Six tons of Kaliningrad amber were used to recreate it. Twenty-four years later, the public finally got to see it again.
Credit: Tsarskoye Selo state museum
Russia Beyond
30 Nov, 05:34
A fairy tale Russian wooden house! 😍
Video by: instagram.com/liliya_pr_8
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: instagram.com/liliya_pr_8
Russia Beyond
29 Nov, 15:34
Snow fun in Norilsk, one of the northernmost cities in the world
Video by: @Biznoteru
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: @Biznoteru
Russia Beyond
29 Nov, 11:01
What does the expression “in the blue eye” mean?
If someone says “на голубом глазу” (“na golubom glazu”) or “in the blue eye”, they are not telling the truth. But, they are not just lying, they are pretending to be naive and inexperienced, like a baby.
There are several versions of the origin of this expression. One of them is related to the blue color of babies’ eyes. That is, when people use the phrase “in the blue eye”, they mean that the person is being hypocritical. An English equivalent would be: “With a straight face.”
It is interesting that there are several other expressions related to vision. For example, “не моргнув и глазом” (“ne morgnuv i glazom”) or “without blinking an eye”. This is said when someone wants to emphasize that a person immediately made a decision, without experiencing anxiety or doubt. There is a similar phrase in English: “Without batting an eye.”
Credit: Kira Lisitskaya (Photo: Robert Recker, Imgorthand/Getty Images)
#russianexpression
💥 Russia Beyond
If someone says “на голубом глазу” (“na golubom glazu”) or “in the blue eye”, they are not telling the truth. But, they are not just lying, they are pretending to be naive and inexperienced, like a baby.
There are several versions of the origin of this expression. One of them is related to the blue color of babies’ eyes. That is, when people use the phrase “in the blue eye”, they mean that the person is being hypocritical. An English equivalent would be: “With a straight face.”
It is interesting that there are several other expressions related to vision. For example, “не моргнув и глазом” (“ne morgnuv i glazom”) or “without blinking an eye”. This is said when someone wants to emphasize that a person immediately made a decision, without experiencing anxiety or doubt. There is a similar phrase in English: “Without batting an eye.”
Credit: Kira Lisitskaya (Photo: Robert Recker, Imgorthand/Getty Images)
#russianexpression
Russia Beyond
29 Nov, 10:01
Where do cosmonauts prepare for flights? In the Star City settlement in the Moscow Region!
The ‘Yuri Gagarin’ Cosmonaut Training Center, established in 1960, is located there. The settlement is closed to the public, but you can enter either on a tour or as a candidate for a flight into space. The first is easier!
What can you see? For example, the local CF-18 centrifuge, the largest in the world. This simulator determines what space overloads a person is ready to bear. And, in the swimming pool, they simulate weightlessness conditions and practice various situations in space. There are also other simulators, spacesuits, and spaceship models.
In addition, the Center’s museum stores Yuri Gagarin’s personal belongings, items that have been in space and scientific equipment used by cosmonauts.
And, if you want to feel weightlessness, you can fly in a real Il-76 ‘MDK’ training airplane simulator. In it, you will feel the lunar and Martian gravity.
You must book the tour at least 21 working days in advance, while foreign citizens – a minimum of 60 days in advance.
📸 Grigory Sysoev, Ilya Pitalev, Roman Sokolov/Sputnik, Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
💥 Russia Beyond
The ‘Yuri Gagarin’ Cosmonaut Training Center, established in 1960, is located there. The settlement is closed to the public, but you can enter either on a tour or as a candidate for a flight into space. The first is easier!
What can you see? For example, the local CF-18 centrifuge, the largest in the world. This simulator determines what space overloads a person is ready to bear. And, in the swimming pool, they simulate weightlessness conditions and practice various situations in space. There are also other simulators, spacesuits, and spaceship models.
In addition, the Center’s museum stores Yuri Gagarin’s personal belongings, items that have been in space and scientific equipment used by cosmonauts.
And, if you want to feel weightlessness, you can fly in a real Il-76 ‘MDK’ training airplane simulator. In it, you will feel the lunar and Martian gravity.
You must book the tour at least 21 working days in advance, while foreign citizens – a minimum of 60 days in advance.
📸 Grigory Sysoev, Ilya Pitalev, Roman Sokolov/Sputnik, Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
Russia Beyond
29 Nov, 07:01
Let’s continue the topic with Russian fairy tale characters!
We also use them to describe people - so take notes to be creative😉
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on YouTube!
#russianclasses
🔔 Russia Beyond
We also use them to describe people - so take notes to be creative
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on YouTube!
#russianclasses
Russia Beyond
29 Nov, 06:01
How a Russian Cossack almost killed Napoleon
This happened on January 29, 1814, after the Battle of Brienne between the French and Russian-Prussian troops. It was a victory for Bonaparte.
The emperor was returning to his camp from the battlefield when he was suddenly attacked by a Cossack detachment that had infiltrated the French troops from behind. During the skirmish with the convoy, one Cossack broke through to Napoleon and aimed to pierce him with his pike.
Bonaparte was saved from death by his adjutant, Lieutenant General Gaspard Gourgaud, who shot the Cossack with his pistol.
Gourgaud himself also miraculously survived that day. The blow from the Cossack’s pike struck his Legion of Honor cross, which he had earned for his distinction in the Battle of Dresden in 1813.
Credit: Public Domain
💥 Russia Beyond
This happened on January 29, 1814, after the Battle of Brienne between the French and Russian-Prussian troops. It was a victory for Bonaparte.
The emperor was returning to his camp from the battlefield when he was suddenly attacked by a Cossack detachment that had infiltrated the French troops from behind. During the skirmish with the convoy, one Cossack broke through to Napoleon and aimed to pierce him with his pike.
Bonaparte was saved from death by his adjutant, Lieutenant General Gaspard Gourgaud, who shot the Cossack with his pistol.
Gourgaud himself also miraculously survived that day. The blow from the Cossack’s pike struck his Legion of Honor cross, which he had earned for his distinction in the Battle of Dresden in 1813.
Credit: Public Domain
Russia Beyond
29 Nov, 05:34
A craftswoman from Russia makes these toy houses from the most ordinary cotton wool
Video by: https://vk.com/public212264927
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: https://vk.com/public212264927
Russia Beyond
22 Nov, 16:25
We're finally going to visit the Tretyakov Gallery!
How much are the tickets? Let’s check together!
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
🔔 Russia Beyond
How much are the tickets? Let’s check together!
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
Russia Beyond
22 Nov, 16:08
Midnight sun and a blooming tundra — is this how we imagine the Arctic to be?
The editors of the educational project 'Children of the Arctic' battle the most widespread myths about the North.
Find out more: https://vk.com/public210625393 / https://arctic-children.com
💥 Russia Beyond
The editors of the educational project 'Children of the Arctic' battle the most widespread myths about the North.
Find out more: https://vk.com/public210625393 / https://arctic-children.com
Russia Beyond
22 Nov, 14:33
Question time!
What are three words that come to mind when you think of Russia?
💥 Russia Beyond
What are three words that come to mind when you think of Russia?
Russia Beyond
22 Nov, 14:01
Saints canonized before the division of the church into Catholic and Orthodox are equally revered by both faiths to this day. Among them are popes. Find out who they were and why they are so popular in our latest history report.
💥 Russia Beyond
Russia Beyond
22 Nov, 12:01
On this day, 83 years ago, the ‘Road of Life’ opened, saving under siege Leningrad
German troops closed the blockade ring around the second largest city in the Soviet Union on September 8, 1941. The only way to connect Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) with the “mainland” was via Lake Ladoga.
Already in November, the question of winter arose – what would happen after navigation ceased?
On November 17, a group of soldiers from the 88th separate bridge-building battalion came out onto the thin ice. They had to walk 30 km and mark the route with signposts (poles).
The Chief of Logistics of the Leningrad Front, Lieutenant General of Technical Troops Zakhar Kondratyev recalled:
“The snow dust blinded the eyes, the storm wind burned the face, knocked people off their feet… The ice cracked menacingly… The soldiers tied themselves with ropes… Each one carefully watched his comrade, ready to immediately rush to the rescue in case of trouble.”
The group was noticed – German artillery opened fire on them. Nevertheless, the next day, the exhausted scouts reached the opposite bank.
On November 22, 1941, the first transport with food went to the city along ‘Military Road No. 101’, known as the ‘Road of Life’.
The road was used until the blockade was broken in early 1943. During this time, more than a million goods were delivered to the city and about 1.5 million residents were evacuated to the “mainland”.
Credit: Archive photo
Russia Beyond
German troops closed the blockade ring around the second largest city in the Soviet Union on September 8, 1941. The only way to connect Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) with the “mainland” was via Lake Ladoga.
Already in November, the question of winter arose – what would happen after navigation ceased?
On November 17, a group of soldiers from the 88th separate bridge-building battalion came out onto the thin ice. They had to walk 30 km and mark the route with signposts (poles).
The Chief of Logistics of the Leningrad Front, Lieutenant General of Technical Troops Zakhar Kondratyev recalled:
“The snow dust blinded the eyes, the storm wind burned the face, knocked people off their feet… The ice cracked menacingly… The soldiers tied themselves with ropes… Each one carefully watched his comrade, ready to immediately rush to the rescue in case of trouble.”
The group was noticed – German artillery opened fire on them. Nevertheless, the next day, the exhausted scouts reached the opposite bank.
On November 22, 1941, the first transport with food went to the city along ‘Military Road No. 101’, known as the ‘Road of Life’.
The road was used until the blockade was broken in early 1943. During this time, more than a million goods were delivered to the city and about 1.5 million residents were evacuated to the “mainland”.
Credit: Archive photo
Russia Beyond
Russia Beyond
22 Nov, 10:24
The cold season is no reason to stay at home. Let's visit Russian Santa, hunt for the northern lights and get acquainted with the New Year's capital.
💥 Russia Beyond
Russia Beyond
22 Nov, 08:07
Peterhof’s water symphony captivates the imagination, turning every visit into an unforgettable journey through time.
Video by: instagram.com/photo_surkhaev
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: instagram.com/photo_surkhaev
Russia Beyond
22 Nov, 06:08
Land of the Leopard National Park is considered the 'most thickly cat-populated' protected natural area in Russia.
This is a unique region in the southwest of Primorsky Krai that was not affected during the glacial period
💥 Russia Beyond
This is a unique region in the southwest of Primorsky Krai that was not affected during the glacial period
Russia Beyond
21 Nov, 15:06
Vadim Ordinartsev’s impressive jump over Elbrus entered history as a unique feat — three world records in the skies above the Caucasus
Video by: Ruptly
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: Ruptly
Russia Beyond
21 Nov, 12:16
The Jasper room has appeared in Orenburg
Russia has more than just Amber and Agate Rooms. The new Hermitage-Eurasia Center in Orenburg recently opened the Jasper Room! The semi-precious stone used for its creation was mined at the Orsk deposit.
Jasper vases and bowls decorate the halls of the Hermitage - this material was valued for its richness of shades not only by craftsmen, but also by the monarchs who commissioned it. Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine that someone would be able to create an entire room out of this stone. But, Orenburg masters managed to accomplish this task.
The variegated jasper of Mount Polkovnik has been known for 250 years. The stones mined there are characterized by unusual patterns - as if some magician had painted bizarre patterns on the stones with a brush. It is believed that local jasper has more than 350 different shades.
The work was supervised by Nikolay Mestyashev, a master stone cutter, who has been working with jasper for more than 20 years. According to him, the task of creating an entire room from this stone was not an easy one. Jasper is a very hard material, the craftsmen sawed through less than a centimeter in a minute to gradually reveal the stone pattern and create real masterpieces. From scratch, such work would have taken at least 4-5 years, but the stonecutters already had the material, so it took a little over a year.
The 75-square-meter room is decorated with jasper panels consisting of plates no thicker than 4 mm. Twenty-three tons of stone were processed for their production and only three were selected for the panels.
The collection of works made of semi-precious stone - various vases and caskets, which Mestyashev collected over 46 years, is now stored in the Jasper Room.
Credit: Hermitage-Eurasia center
💥 Russia Beyond
Russia has more than just Amber and Agate Rooms. The new Hermitage-Eurasia Center in Orenburg recently opened the Jasper Room! The semi-precious stone used for its creation was mined at the Orsk deposit.
Jasper vases and bowls decorate the halls of the Hermitage - this material was valued for its richness of shades not only by craftsmen, but also by the monarchs who commissioned it. Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine that someone would be able to create an entire room out of this stone. But, Orenburg masters managed to accomplish this task.
The variegated jasper of Mount Polkovnik has been known for 250 years. The stones mined there are characterized by unusual patterns - as if some magician had painted bizarre patterns on the stones with a brush. It is believed that local jasper has more than 350 different shades.
The work was supervised by Nikolay Mestyashev, a master stone cutter, who has been working with jasper for more than 20 years. According to him, the task of creating an entire room from this stone was not an easy one. Jasper is a very hard material, the craftsmen sawed through less than a centimeter in a minute to gradually reveal the stone pattern and create real masterpieces. From scratch, such work would have taken at least 4-5 years, but the stonecutters already had the material, so it took a little over a year.
The 75-square-meter room is decorated with jasper panels consisting of plates no thicker than 4 mm. Twenty-three tons of stone were processed for their production and only three were selected for the panels.
The collection of works made of semi-precious stone - various vases and caskets, which Mestyashev collected over 46 years, is now stored in the Jasper Room.
Credit: Hermitage-Eurasia center
Russia Beyond
21 Nov, 10:22
Want to enjoy beautiful scenery from the train window? Here are some travel ideas that will captivate you with unique and unusual views.
💥 Russia Beyond
Russia Beyond
20 Nov, 15:06
A fairy tale Russian table spread…! 🤤
Video by: instagram.com/yaga.rest
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: instagram.com/yaga.rest
Russia Beyond
20 Nov, 13:17
"We began making our own films, not imitating anyone or trying to be like anyone else," says Aleksey Romanov, a director from Yakutia. Despite having a population of around just one million, his homeland ranks third for film production in Russia. Yakutian films are beating Hollywood’s superheroes. Tune in to our new premier to see the local legends of the silver screen.
Lights, Camera, Yakutia! / 2024
#Russia
🎚️ docuplanet x rt.doc
➡️ Watch more documentaries like this on our platform en.rtdoc.tv
Lights, Camera, Yakutia! / 2024
#Russia
Russia Beyond
20 Nov, 10:14
An unusual challenge for today! The task is to make new words from ‘гимнастика’.
👩🎓 How many words did you create? Share below!
#russianclasses
🔔 Russia Beyond
#russianclasses
Russia Beyond
20 Nov, 10:06
This cable car in Vladivostok has been running since 1962!
Video by: instagram.com/krasivoe_vl
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: instagram.com/krasivoe_vl
Russia Beyond
18 Nov, 15:00
This ANCIENT idol was created in the early Iron Age!
This is not an ordinary idol, this is the idol of the master of the Angara taiga! On the top of a hill, located on the left bank of the Taseeva River in the Motyginsky District, Krasnoyarsk Territory, there is an unusual ancient monument – a sculpture made of a block of sandstone, on which a man's face has been carved.
The Ust-Taseev idol was discovered in 1976. It dates back to the Early Iron Age (that is, the 4th-1st century BC) and is considered to be one of the northernmost stone sculptures in Asia. Many beliefs are associated with it, for example, one of them says that if you fall asleep there, you will have very realistic and nightmarish dreams.
In a severe thunderstorm, lightning always strikes the hill: having discovered this unusual feature, the people who lived there erected the sculpture and began to bring it gifts. Oer time, many tribes “modified” its appearance to resemble them. Initially, it was similar to the Siberian Scythians – with a beard, mustache and furrowed eyebrows. And, by the time of the Russians' exploration of Siberia, it had acquired more mongolian facial features. Scientists believe that the Tungus, having become acquainted with tobacco, decided to share their valuable discovery with the idol: that's how it got a hole for a pipe.
Credit: Service for State Protection of Cultural Heritage Objects of the Krasnoyarsk Territory / @krasookn
💥 Russia Beyond
This is not an ordinary idol, this is the idol of the master of the Angara taiga! On the top of a hill, located on the left bank of the Taseeva River in the Motyginsky District, Krasnoyarsk Territory, there is an unusual ancient monument – a sculpture made of a block of sandstone, on which a man's face has been carved.
The Ust-Taseev idol was discovered in 1976. It dates back to the Early Iron Age (that is, the 4th-1st century BC) and is considered to be one of the northernmost stone sculptures in Asia. Many beliefs are associated with it, for example, one of them says that if you fall asleep there, you will have very realistic and nightmarish dreams.
In a severe thunderstorm, lightning always strikes the hill: having discovered this unusual feature, the people who lived there erected the sculpture and began to bring it gifts. Oer time, many tribes “modified” its appearance to resemble them. Initially, it was similar to the Siberian Scythians – with a beard, mustache and furrowed eyebrows. And, by the time of the Russians' exploration of Siberia, it had acquired more mongolian facial features. Scientists believe that the Tungus, having become acquainted with tobacco, decided to share their valuable discovery with the idol: that's how it got a hole for a pipe.
Credit: Service for State Protection of Cultural Heritage Objects of the Krasnoyarsk Territory / @krasookn
Russia Beyond
18 Nov, 13:57
‘Carnival Night’, ‘The Irony of Fate’, ‘Office Romance’ and many other movies loved by audiences were directed by Eldar Ryazanov (1927-2015). On the birthday of this legendary director, we recall his main hits.
💥 Russia Beyond
Russia Beyond
18 Nov, 11:47
There are plenty of unique characters in Russian fairy tales.
💧 Vodyanoy is a water spirit. He usually appears as an old man with a huge belly and green hair and beard.
🐺 The Grey Wolf and 🐴 The Little Humpbacked horse are wise animals who help Ivan Tsarevitch and Ivan the Fool.
🪶Nightingale the Robber is a robber from Russian folk poems. He’s famous for his strong whisper, which can even knock down a man.
🐦🔥Finally, Firebird is bascially a phoenix - often coveted by a tsar of some sort, owing to the bird's magical ability to bring joy and good fortune!
❓ Have you read any of Russian fairy tales?
📸 : Garri Bardin/Soyuzmultfilm, 1979; Владимир Торопчин/Мельница, 2007; Геннадий Спирин/Рипол-Классик, 2012 г; Юрий Кавер/Sputnik; Владимир Милашевский/Детская литература, 1986
#russianclasses
🔔 Russia Beyond
🪶Nightingale the Robber is a robber from Russian folk poems. He’s famous for his strong whisper, which can even knock down a man.
🐦🔥Finally, Firebird is bascially a phoenix - often coveted by a tsar of some sort, owing to the bird's magical ability to bring joy and good fortune!
#russianclasses
Russia Beyond
17 Nov, 14:01
American professor William Brumfield about the old Russian town of Tikhvin, where prominent composer Rimsky-Korsakov was born.
💥 Russia Beyond
Russia Beyond
17 Nov, 11:21
🎵 Listen to this 1962 song about the Volga River.
Many Russians still love to sing it at the table gatherings.
💥 Russia Beyond
Many Russians still love to sing it at the table gatherings.
Russia Beyond
17 Nov, 08:37
Did you know that Russia has the longest railway in the world?
And yes, it’s the famous Trans-Siberian Railway.
At 9,288 km long, it’s more than twice the length of the second-longest (Toronto to Vancouver in Canada). The journey from Moscow to Vladivostok takes around six days and travels through the Ural Mountains and a lot of forests.
📷 Legion Media
#didyouknow
🔔 Russia Beyond
And yes, it’s the famous Trans-Siberian Railway.
At 9,288 km long, it’s more than twice the length of the second-longest (Toronto to Vancouver in Canada). The journey from Moscow to Vladivostok takes around six days and travels through the Ural Mountains and a lot of forests.
📷 Legion Media
#didyouknow
Russia Beyond
17 Nov, 07:08
Blogger Shamil Gunibsky shares incredible views from the Caucasus Mountains! 🏔️
Video by: t.me/sh_gunibsky
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: t.me/sh_gunibsky
Russia Beyond
16 Nov, 15:20
We bet you know or even have read Tolstoy's 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina'. But are you familiar with his last novel 'Resurrection'?
The writer himself considered it his finest work, by the way!
💥 Russia Beyond
The writer himself considered it his finest work, by the way!
Russia Beyond
16 Nov, 13:06
Why was a Soviet gymnast called the ‘Bride of Mexico’?
Nineteen-year-old #Soviet gymnast Natalia Kuchinskaya competed at the 1968 #Olympic Games in Mexico City. That year, the already difficult situation at the international competitions was further complicated by the fact that Soviet troops had entered Czechoslovakia. Kuchinskaya's main competitor was Czech athlete Vera Caslavska, gold medal winner at the previous Olympic Games in Tokyo... But, as soon as the Soviet gymnast stepped onto the platform, the audience gasped in admiration. Neither the fans nor the athletes had ever seen such grace and beauty. Natalia Kuchinskaya not only won the balance beam and team events, but also won the hearts of the fans.
"The heat was deadly, the air was thin! After the first day of competition, we arrived at the Olympic Village completely exhausted. And, suddenly, they came and said: ‘I have been chosen as the ‘Bride of Mexico City’! I didn't have time to be proud, because they explained to me: according to their legends, this is the most beautiful girl who is sacrificed to the gods. So that they will have mercy and protect the city. I ask: ‘And why am I being sacrificed? I am from the Soviet Union’," the athlete later recalled.
The next day, the newspapers were full of the following headline: "#Russian gymnast is the bride of Mexico!"
Credit: Yury Somov/Sputnik, AP, M. Gankin/Sputnik
💥 Russia Beyond
Nineteen-year-old #Soviet gymnast Natalia Kuchinskaya competed at the 1968 #Olympic Games in Mexico City. That year, the already difficult situation at the international competitions was further complicated by the fact that Soviet troops had entered Czechoslovakia. Kuchinskaya's main competitor was Czech athlete Vera Caslavska, gold medal winner at the previous Olympic Games in Tokyo... But, as soon as the Soviet gymnast stepped onto the platform, the audience gasped in admiration. Neither the fans nor the athletes had ever seen such grace and beauty. Natalia Kuchinskaya not only won the balance beam and team events, but also won the hearts of the fans.
"The heat was deadly, the air was thin! After the first day of competition, we arrived at the Olympic Village completely exhausted. And, suddenly, they came and said: ‘I have been chosen as the ‘Bride of Mexico City’! I didn't have time to be proud, because they explained to me: according to their legends, this is the most beautiful girl who is sacrificed to the gods. So that they will have mercy and protect the city. I ask: ‘And why am I being sacrificed? I am from the Soviet Union’," the athlete later recalled.
The next day, the newspapers were full of the following headline: "#Russian gymnast is the bride of Mexico!"
Credit: Yury Somov/Sputnik, AP, M. Gankin/Sputnik
Russia Beyond
16 Nov, 09:17
Sharlotka apple pie: the taste of Russian fall
This #dessert is so easy to make that even a child can handle it!
Every fall Russians pick tons of apples at their dacha countryside. And they literally don't know what do to with them! Homemade jams and drinks, salads, and simply sliced apples as snacks... but it all becomes boring soon.
So as the last resort Russians bake the Sharlotka apple pie. Ingredients are simple and cheap. A few apples, a glass of sugar, a glass of flour and three eggs. Mix everything together and bake! That's it!
By the way, this apple pie is a simplified version of the Charlotte Russe dessert, invented by the French chef of Emperor Alexander I. Initially, it was a cake with cream and whipped cream, which later turned into a biscuit with apples.
📷 Legion media
💥 Russia Beyond
This #dessert is so easy to make that even a child can handle it!
Every fall Russians pick tons of apples at their dacha countryside. And they literally don't know what do to with them! Homemade jams and drinks, salads, and simply sliced apples as snacks... but it all becomes boring soon.
So as the last resort Russians bake the Sharlotka apple pie. Ingredients are simple and cheap. A few apples, a glass of sugar, a glass of flour and three eggs. Mix everything together and bake! That's it!
By the way, this apple pie is a simplified version of the Charlotte Russe dessert, invented by the French chef of Emperor Alexander I. Initially, it was a cake with cream and whipped cream, which later turned into a biscuit with apples.
📷 Legion media
Russia Beyond
16 Nov, 07:08
This summer, 12 kittens were born to two female Pallas' #cats. Look how they have grown in just a few months!
Video by: https://vk.com/id447839222
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: https://vk.com/id447839222
Russia Beyond
15 Nov, 16:08
10-year-old Vasilisa Ermakova has become a global sensation in the world of #snowboarding
Video by: Ruptly
💥 Russia Beyond
Video by: Ruptly
Russia Beyond
15 Nov, 14:06
Agate Rooms: A ‘terem’ like Olympus
Catherine II confessed in a letter to the architect Falconet that she "would like to have a project of an antique house, planned as in ancient times". Her dream was realized by Scottish architect Charles Cameron. In Tsarskoye Selo, he created a whole complex of buildings in the image of Roman baths, which included the ‘Cold Bath’.
On the first floor, there were swimming pools and steam rooms, while, on the second floor, which was called the ‘Agate Rooms’, there were offices, including the Agate and Jasper, a library and reception halls. There, the empress studied documents in the mornings and answered letters. Different types of jasper were used to decorate the second floor, including the ‘Urazovskaya’ jasper, which was dubbed ‘meat agate’, because of its rich, deep red color. Hence, the name of the entire floor.
Unlike the panels of the legendary Amber Room, which could be moved from palace to palace, the jaspers of the Agate Rooms were created to decorate only this building. The stone plates were glued to the walls, massive doors, columns and complemented with marble and porphyry.
The combination of Roman #architecture with decoration in the style of Russian mosaics made an indelible impression. Poet Gavriil Derzhavin called it “a ‘terem’ equal to Olympus”.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Agate Rooms suffered greatly: German troops broke the doors, destroyed the bronze decor and damaged the jasper panels. After restoration, the building returned to its original appearance. Today, you can see the luxurious Agate Rooms only in the summer in good weather.
Credit: Tsarskoye Selo State Museum
💥 Russia Beyond
Catherine II confessed in a letter to the architect Falconet that she "would like to have a project of an antique house, planned as in ancient times". Her dream was realized by Scottish architect Charles Cameron. In Tsarskoye Selo, he created a whole complex of buildings in the image of Roman baths, which included the ‘Cold Bath’.
On the first floor, there were swimming pools and steam rooms, while, on the second floor, which was called the ‘Agate Rooms’, there were offices, including the Agate and Jasper, a library and reception halls. There, the empress studied documents in the mornings and answered letters. Different types of jasper were used to decorate the second floor, including the ‘Urazovskaya’ jasper, which was dubbed ‘meat agate’, because of its rich, deep red color. Hence, the name of the entire floor.
Unlike the panels of the legendary Amber Room, which could be moved from palace to palace, the jaspers of the Agate Rooms were created to decorate only this building. The stone plates were glued to the walls, massive doors, columns and complemented with marble and porphyry.
The combination of Roman #architecture with decoration in the style of Russian mosaics made an indelible impression. Poet Gavriil Derzhavin called it “a ‘terem’ equal to Olympus”.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Agate Rooms suffered greatly: German troops broke the doors, destroyed the bronze decor and damaged the jasper panels. After restoration, the building returned to its original appearance. Today, you can see the luxurious Agate Rooms only in the summer in good weather.
Credit: Tsarskoye Selo State Museum
Russia Beyond
15 Nov, 12:01
Never been to the Tretyakov Gallery? Today I'm showing you how to get there!
❓ Are you familiar with the name of the place? What would you like to see there?
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
🔔 Russia Beyond
P.S. Catch more of my lessons on TikTok!
#russianclasses
Russia Beyond
15 Nov, 11:12
WEIRD ads from Tsarist Russia
You can't always immediately understand what these posters and postcards are advertising. But, it’s impossible to take your eyes off them!
A giant child walks along the roofs of #Moscow buildings. Where is he rushing? To get candy, of course!
The goal of any advertisement is to clearly show the advantages of the product.
The protagonists of these advertisements were not just people, but also animals.
For example, here, they advertise the ‘Rakovye sheiki’ candies.
A company of frogs advertises perfumes from the St. Petersburg factory of Vasily Aurich.
In addition to regular advertising, the ‘Einem’ confectionery factory created an entire artistic series. For example, themed postcards that were sold together with a box of chocolates. Sailboats and airplanes, seafaring, prehistoric animals – what wasn’t there! It's unlikely there was chocolate in the time of the dinosaurs. But why not fantasize?
And this ad promised customers the strength of a lion. Just a cup of cocoa – and you can defeat the king of beasts.
Dourdin beer lovers, meanwhile, must have remarkable strength!
Hair growth products were advertised by gnomes…
…and typewriters – by strongmen!
Even a drowning man would be happy with a chocolate bar.
This is not a romantic plot, but an advertisement for shoe polish.
A flower with a woman's face is depicted on a candy ad…
…and cosmetics…
…and even wines!
Credit: Archive photo
💥 Russia Beyond
You can't always immediately understand what these posters and postcards are advertising. But, it’s impossible to take your eyes off them!
A giant child walks along the roofs of #Moscow buildings. Where is he rushing? To get candy, of course!
The goal of any advertisement is to clearly show the advantages of the product.
The protagonists of these advertisements were not just people, but also animals.
For example, here, they advertise the ‘Rakovye sheiki’ candies.
A company of frogs advertises perfumes from the St. Petersburg factory of Vasily Aurich.
In addition to regular advertising, the ‘Einem’ confectionery factory created an entire artistic series. For example, themed postcards that were sold together with a box of chocolates. Sailboats and airplanes, seafaring, prehistoric animals – what wasn’t there! It's unlikely there was chocolate in the time of the dinosaurs. But why not fantasize?
And this ad promised customers the strength of a lion. Just a cup of cocoa – and you can defeat the king of beasts.
Dourdin beer lovers, meanwhile, must have remarkable strength!
Hair growth products were advertised by gnomes…
…and typewriters – by strongmen!
Even a drowning man would be happy with a chocolate bar.
This is not a romantic plot, but an advertisement for shoe polish.
A flower with a woman's face is depicted on a candy ad…
…and cosmetics…
…and even wines!
Credit: Archive photo
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 19:56
What foreign products were available in the USSR?
Tangerines from Morocco, processed cheese from Finland, canned vegetables from Hungary and Bulgaria – Soviet housewives knew how to make an impressive holiday table spread.
Products from abroad, as well as other goods, came mainly from the Socialist Bloc countries, rarely from the Western powers. One of the first capitalist countries to start supplying products to the USSR was Finland. Boxes of ‘Viola’ brand cheese with a girl on the label were eagerly bought. As were frozen vegetables from Poland and canned vegetables from Bulgaria and Hungary.
Almost every housewife had a jar of green peas for the New Year's table. Some products, such as bananas, were bought unripe. A bunch of green bananas (they were imported to the USSR from Ecuador and Cuba) was hidden in a cupboard, where it was supposed to lie until it ripened.
A typical picture from a Soviet movie: The main protagonist shows his apartment and, in one of the rooms, of course, there is a scarce wall unit with a bar, where bottles of foreign alcohol are displayed. The Soviet Union was regularly supplied with Czech beer, Bulgarian brandy and Romanian vermouth. And PepsiCo decided not just to begin supplying after establishing a working relationship with the Soviet government. In 1959, it presented its products at an exhibition in Moscow's Sokolniki Park and, in the 1970s, the first workshop for the production of the flagship drink opened in Novorossiysk.
Credit: Gennady Scherbakov/Sputnik
💥 Russia Beyond
Tangerines from Morocco, processed cheese from Finland, canned vegetables from Hungary and Bulgaria – Soviet housewives knew how to make an impressive holiday table spread.
Products from abroad, as well as other goods, came mainly from the Socialist Bloc countries, rarely from the Western powers. One of the first capitalist countries to start supplying products to the USSR was Finland. Boxes of ‘Viola’ brand cheese with a girl on the label were eagerly bought. As were frozen vegetables from Poland and canned vegetables from Bulgaria and Hungary.
Almost every housewife had a jar of green peas for the New Year's table. Some products, such as bananas, were bought unripe. A bunch of green bananas (they were imported to the USSR from Ecuador and Cuba) was hidden in a cupboard, where it was supposed to lie until it ripened.
A typical picture from a Soviet movie: The main protagonist shows his apartment and, in one of the rooms, of course, there is a scarce wall unit with a bar, where bottles of foreign alcohol are displayed. The Soviet Union was regularly supplied with Czech beer, Bulgarian brandy and Romanian vermouth. And PepsiCo decided not just to begin supplying after establishing a working relationship with the Soviet government. In 1959, it presented its products at an exhibition in Moscow's Sokolniki Park and, in the 1970s, the first workshop for the production of the flagship drink opened in Novorossiysk.
Credit: Gennady Scherbakov/Sputnik
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 18:57
Maria Sharapova has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame! 🎉 🎾
The tennis player won the poll, in which Hall of Fame members, historians, journalists and fans all vote in. The induction ceremony, meanwhile, will take place in August 2025, ahead of the U.S. Open.
The athlete becomes the third Russian to be bestowed with such an honor. Before her, only tennis players Marat Safin and Evgeny Kafelnikov had been elected.
Maria Sharapova is one of the most titled Russian and world tennis players. She has won five ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments and was atop the world rankings five times in her career.
She retired in 2020 at the age of 32.
📷 Fred Lee/Getty Images
💥 Russia Beyond
The tennis player won the poll, in which Hall of Fame members, historians, journalists and fans all vote in. The induction ceremony, meanwhile, will take place in August 2025, ahead of the U.S. Open.
The athlete becomes the third Russian to be bestowed with such an honor. Before her, only tennis players Marat Safin and Evgeny Kafelnikov had been elected.
Maria Sharapova is one of the most titled Russian and world tennis players. She has won five ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments and was atop the world rankings five times in her career.
She retired in 2020 at the age of 32.
📷 Fred Lee/Getty Images
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 16:56
Russian Toy: A Little One with a Big Heart
One of the smallest breeds in the world, the Russian Toy is a cheerful, tireless companion who happily participates in all of their owner's activities. Whether it’s traveling or dancing!
Before the revolution, small decorative breeds were very popular in Russia, with English Toy Terriers especially prized. But, after that, interest in breeding them almost died out. Only in the 1950s did cynologists decide to create a new type of small companion dog. And it turned out even better - two varieties, smooth-haired and long-haired. In 1997, the first unified breed standard was approved. In 2006, both varieties - the Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier and the Russian Smooth-Haired Toy Terrier - were united under the common name ‘Russky Toi’ (‘Russian Toy’). Eleven years later, the breed was recognized by the FCI.
It is a small, elegant dog (when fully grown, its average height is 22-27 cm) with a perky tail and large erect ears has a cheerful and affectionate character. Rich colors with tan points - black, brown, blue, lilac, red with black or brown - immediately distinguish it from all others. And the "fringe" on the ears and tail of the long-haired variety emphasizes its graceful silhouette.
Dogs of this breed look like toys, but this is only one of the many advantages of the breed. They are ready to participate in long walks and travel or play sports: Russian Toys love to participate in agility games and even in dog dances, which invariably delight the audience!
Credit: Ekaterina Chesnokova/Sputnik, Natalia Seliverstova/Sputnik, Legion Media
💥 Russia Beyond
One of the smallest breeds in the world, the Russian Toy is a cheerful, tireless companion who happily participates in all of their owner's activities. Whether it’s traveling or dancing!
Before the revolution, small decorative breeds were very popular in Russia, with English Toy Terriers especially prized. But, after that, interest in breeding them almost died out. Only in the 1950s did cynologists decide to create a new type of small companion dog. And it turned out even better - two varieties, smooth-haired and long-haired. In 1997, the first unified breed standard was approved. In 2006, both varieties - the Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier and the Russian Smooth-Haired Toy Terrier - were united under the common name ‘Russky Toi’ (‘Russian Toy’). Eleven years later, the breed was recognized by the FCI.
It is a small, elegant dog (when fully grown, its average height is 22-27 cm) with a perky tail and large erect ears has a cheerful and affectionate character. Rich colors with tan points - black, brown, blue, lilac, red with black or brown - immediately distinguish it from all others. And the "fringe" on the ears and tail of the long-haired variety emphasizes its graceful silhouette.
Dogs of this breed look like toys, but this is only one of the many advantages of the breed. They are ready to participate in long walks and travel or play sports: Russian Toys love to participate in agility games and even in dog dances, which invariably delight the audience!
Credit: Ekaterina Chesnokova/Sputnik, Natalia Seliverstova/Sputnik, Legion Media
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 15:24
Why is Eastern Europe so gray and gloomy? 🤔
⛓️ Watch more on TikTok
💥 Russia Beyond
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 14:55
This Soviet artist turned photographs into 3-D art objects
Vladimir Kupriyanov experimented with photography, turning prints into art objects and large-scale canvases.
A theater director by education, Kupriyanov was able to create photographs literally out of nothing. He could stop a wedding procession to persuade the bride and groom to run for the camera, taking close-up shots.
He used not only his own photographs, but also found ones, creating installations out of them. Overexposed, divided into parts, superimposed in several layers on top of each other, frames turned into three-dimensional photo objects.
In the early 1990s, the artist created a series of panels consisting of several photographs. For example, from a photograph of workers at one of the Moscow factories, an almost biblical work was born: ‘Do not cast me away from Your presence’.
And he supplemented the portrait series of factory workers with the text from Pushkin's poem ‘The daylight has gone out…’.
The ‘Vladimir Kupriyanov. Return of Time’ exhibition runs at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art until November 24.
Credit: Moscow museum of modern art
💥 Russia Beyond
Vladimir Kupriyanov experimented with photography, turning prints into art objects and large-scale canvases.
A theater director by education, Kupriyanov was able to create photographs literally out of nothing. He could stop a wedding procession to persuade the bride and groom to run for the camera, taking close-up shots.
He used not only his own photographs, but also found ones, creating installations out of them. Overexposed, divided into parts, superimposed in several layers on top of each other, frames turned into three-dimensional photo objects.
In the early 1990s, the artist created a series of panels consisting of several photographs. For example, from a photograph of workers at one of the Moscow factories, an almost biblical work was born: ‘Do not cast me away from Your presence’.
And he supplemented the portrait series of factory workers with the text from Pushkin's poem ‘The daylight has gone out…’.
The ‘Vladimir Kupriyanov. Return of Time’ exhibition runs at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art until November 24.
Credit: Moscow museum of modern art
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 13:46
How a Russian ‘fleet of lunatics’ almost started a war with Great Britain
This story happened during the Russo-Japanese War. On October 15, 1904, the Second Pacific Squadron left Libau (Liepaja) and set off on a long voyage to the Far East, bypassing all of Eurasia.
The ships’ crews were in constant tension. Even there, so far from Japan, everyone expected an attack by submarines and enemy warships disguised as merchant ships.
“Everyone is tracking a barely noticeable light on the horizon, looking for signs of suspicious ships against the illuminated sky,” Vladimir Kostenko, a naval engineer on the battleship ‘Oryol’, wrote in his memoirs.
Ultimately, on a foggy night from October 21 to 22, in the Dogger Bank area of the North Sea, near the English city of Hull, the Russian squadron mistook a group of unknown ships for Japanese torpedo boats and attacked them.
To their horror, the Russian sailors soon realized that the “boats” were British fishing trawlers. As a result of the “battle”, one trawler sank, five were damaged, two fishermen were killed and six were wounded.
The Dogger Bank incident outraged British society and the local press dubbed the Russians “pirates” and “a fleet of lunatics”.
“It is almost inconceivable that any men calling themselves seamen, however frightened they might be, could spend twenty minutes bombarding a fleet of fishing boats without discovering the nature of their target,” wrote ‘The Times’.
The countries found themselves on the brink of military conflict. And only lengthy negotiations and monetary compensation paid by Russia settled the matter.
The Second Pacific Squadron, in turn, continued its voyage, as it turned out, to meet its inglorious death in the ‘Battle of Tsushima’ in May 1905.
Credit: Legion Media
💥 Russia Beyond
This story happened during the Russo-Japanese War. On October 15, 1904, the Second Pacific Squadron left Libau (Liepaja) and set off on a long voyage to the Far East, bypassing all of Eurasia.
The ships’ crews were in constant tension. Even there, so far from Japan, everyone expected an attack by submarines and enemy warships disguised as merchant ships.
“Everyone is tracking a barely noticeable light on the horizon, looking for signs of suspicious ships against the illuminated sky,” Vladimir Kostenko, a naval engineer on the battleship ‘Oryol’, wrote in his memoirs.
Ultimately, on a foggy night from October 21 to 22, in the Dogger Bank area of the North Sea, near the English city of Hull, the Russian squadron mistook a group of unknown ships for Japanese torpedo boats and attacked them.
To their horror, the Russian sailors soon realized that the “boats” were British fishing trawlers. As a result of the “battle”, one trawler sank, five were damaged, two fishermen were killed and six were wounded.
The Dogger Bank incident outraged British society and the local press dubbed the Russians “pirates” and “a fleet of lunatics”.
“It is almost inconceivable that any men calling themselves seamen, however frightened they might be, could spend twenty minutes bombarding a fleet of fishing boats without discovering the nature of their target,” wrote ‘The Times’.
The countries found themselves on the brink of military conflict. And only lengthy negotiations and monetary compensation paid by Russia settled the matter.
The Second Pacific Squadron, in turn, continued its voyage, as it turned out, to meet its inglorious death in the ‘Battle of Tsushima’ in May 1905.
Credit: Legion Media
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 12:55
Did you know that Russian troops were once in Rome?
This happened during the war of the second anti-French coalition of 1798-1802. At the beginning of the campaign, the French subjugated almost all of Italy.
Russia, Austria and Great Britain could not allow such an expansion of French influence. The Apennine Peninsula became a field of fierce struggle.
The Russian army, led by the brilliant Field Marshal Alexander Suvorov, fought successfully in the north of Italy, while the Russian fleet under the command of the equally talented Admiral Fyodor Ushakov operated in the Mediterranean Sea and landed troops on the southern coast.
Thanks to one of these landings in May 1799, the French lost Naples. In the fall, it was Rome's turn.
A detachment of 800 bayonets under Colonel Anton Skipor advanced to the "eternal city". In addition to the 2,000-strong French garrison, there were forces of local pro-French republicans in Rome.
However, when the enemy learned of the approach of the Russians, it immediately capitulated. However, it surrendered not to Ushakov, but to Horatio Nelson's English squadron operating in that area.
The insulted admiral ordered Skipor to leave for Naples, but soon received a request from the cardinals to send Russian soldiers to Rome anyway – to maintain order there. Which happened on October 11, 1799.
"The delight with which the residents greeted us brings the greatest honor and glory to the Russians. From the very gates of St. John to the soldiers' quarters, both sides of the streets were dotted with inhabitants of both sexes. Our troops could hardly pass. ‘Vivat Pavlo primo (Russian emperor Paul I)! Vivat Moscovito!’ was proclaimed everywhere with applause," reported Lieutenant Pyotr Balabin.
The Russians remained in the city for some time and then went to liberate Malta from the French.
Credit: Mikhail Ivanov
💥 Russia Beyond
This happened during the war of the second anti-French coalition of 1798-1802. At the beginning of the campaign, the French subjugated almost all of Italy.
Russia, Austria and Great Britain could not allow such an expansion of French influence. The Apennine Peninsula became a field of fierce struggle.
The Russian army, led by the brilliant Field Marshal Alexander Suvorov, fought successfully in the north of Italy, while the Russian fleet under the command of the equally talented Admiral Fyodor Ushakov operated in the Mediterranean Sea and landed troops on the southern coast.
Thanks to one of these landings in May 1799, the French lost Naples. In the fall, it was Rome's turn.
A detachment of 800 bayonets under Colonel Anton Skipor advanced to the "eternal city". In addition to the 2,000-strong French garrison, there were forces of local pro-French republicans in Rome.
However, when the enemy learned of the approach of the Russians, it immediately capitulated. However, it surrendered not to Ushakov, but to Horatio Nelson's English squadron operating in that area.
The insulted admiral ordered Skipor to leave for Naples, but soon received a request from the cardinals to send Russian soldiers to Rome anyway – to maintain order there. Which happened on October 11, 1799.
"The delight with which the residents greeted us brings the greatest honor and glory to the Russians. From the very gates of St. John to the soldiers' quarters, both sides of the streets were dotted with inhabitants of both sexes. Our troops could hardly pass. ‘Vivat Pavlo primo (Russian emperor Paul I)! Vivat Moscovito!’ was proclaimed everywhere with applause," reported Lieutenant Pyotr Balabin.
The Russians remained in the city for some time and then went to liberate Malta from the French.
Credit: Mikhail Ivanov
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 12:01
“Viy” by Gogol is 💯 the most terrifying book in Russian literature.
Absolutely what you need on Halloween eve. 👻
It is the tale of a priest who has to hold a funeral service for a young girl. This funeral would have been routine, except that the dead girl suddenly wakes up as a witch and calls on her devilish friends and ghouls to form a coven.
🔔 Russia Beyond
Absolutely what you need on Halloween eve. 👻
It is the tale of a priest who has to hold a funeral service for a young girl. This funeral would have been routine, except that the dead girl suddenly wakes up as a witch and calls on her devilish friends and ghouls to form a coven.
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 09:54
How the USSR & the U.S. almost started World War III
On ‘Black Saturday’, October 27, 1962, the world was one step away from a nuclear apocalypse. A Soviet anti-aircraft missile shot down an American U-2 Lockheed reconnaissance aircraft over Cuba, killing the pilot.
This day marked the culmination of the Cuban Missile Crisis between the USSR and the U.S. The conflict between the superpowers arose, due to the Soviet Union’s deployment of R-12 medium-range missiles in friendly Cuba, capable of reaching Washington.
This step was a response to the Americans’ deployment of PGM-19 ‘Jupiter’ medium-range missiles in Turkey in 1961. According to USSR Defense Minister Rodion Malinovsky, they “could reach Moscow in 10 minutes”.
On October 22, the U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Cuba. Their reconnaissance planes constantly flew over the island, but the Soviet anti-aircraft systems did not touch them.
When one such plane was finally shot down on October 27, the situation began to escalate rapidly. President John F. Kennedy's advisers suggested that he launch an invasion of Cuba and strike at the Soviet troops stationed there.
Cuban leader Fidel Castro, in turn, called on Nikita Khrushchev to strike the United States. However, the leaders of the superpowers ultimately chose the path of negotiations.
And the intensive dialogue between the leaders of the two countries bore fruit. The USSR agreed to remove its offensive weapons from Cuba. The Americans pledged to remove the ‘Jupiters’ from Turkey and guaranteed the security of the ‘Island of Freedom’.
In January 1963, after a joint appeal by the United States and the USSR, the issue of the Cuban Missile Crisis was excluded from the agenda of the UN Security Council.
Credit: MPI/Getty Images
💥 Russia Beyond
On ‘Black Saturday’, October 27, 1962, the world was one step away from a nuclear apocalypse. A Soviet anti-aircraft missile shot down an American U-2 Lockheed reconnaissance aircraft over Cuba, killing the pilot.
This day marked the culmination of the Cuban Missile Crisis between the USSR and the U.S. The conflict between the superpowers arose, due to the Soviet Union’s deployment of R-12 medium-range missiles in friendly Cuba, capable of reaching Washington.
This step was a response to the Americans’ deployment of PGM-19 ‘Jupiter’ medium-range missiles in Turkey in 1961. According to USSR Defense Minister Rodion Malinovsky, they “could reach Moscow in 10 minutes”.
On October 22, the U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Cuba. Their reconnaissance planes constantly flew over the island, but the Soviet anti-aircraft systems did not touch them.
When one such plane was finally shot down on October 27, the situation began to escalate rapidly. President John F. Kennedy's advisers suggested that he launch an invasion of Cuba and strike at the Soviet troops stationed there.
Cuban leader Fidel Castro, in turn, called on Nikita Khrushchev to strike the United States. However, the leaders of the superpowers ultimately chose the path of negotiations.
And the intensive dialogue between the leaders of the two countries bore fruit. The USSR agreed to remove its offensive weapons from Cuba. The Americans pledged to remove the ‘Jupiters’ from Turkey and guaranteed the security of the ‘Island of Freedom’.
In January 1963, after a joint appeal by the United States and the USSR, the issue of the Cuban Missile Crisis was excluded from the agenda of the UN Security Council.
Credit: MPI/Getty Images
Russia Beyond
27 Oct, 08:36
Did you know that the largest cat in the world (Siberian tiger) lives in Russia?
Indigenous to the forests of eastern Russia, these endangered giants can grow to over 3m long, and weigh up to 300kg.
📷 Vostock-Photo
#didyouknow
🔔 Russia Beyond
Indigenous to the forests of eastern Russia, these endangered giants can grow to over 3m long, and weigh up to 300kg.
📷 Vostock-Photo
#didyouknow
Russia Beyond
26 Oct, 17:58
3 flights in Russia that work like a time machine
If you fly these routes, you will find yourself at your destination earlier than you left! And all because of the time difference!
There are 11 time zones in Russia, so passengers on these flights literally find themselves in a “time machine”.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – Moscow. The time difference between Moscow and the capital of Kamchatka Krai is 9 hours and the flight time is 8 hours and 50 minutes. Thus, you arrive in Moscow 10 minutes earlier than you took off!
Anadyr – Moscow. Between Chukotka and Moscow, the difference is also 9 hours, but the flight time is 8 hours 10 minutes. The airplane arrives 50 minutes before the departure time.
Magadan – Moscow. The time difference between the cities is 8 hours, but the flight time is 7 hours 40 minutes. So, passengers arrive 20 minutes before the departure time.
True, if you fly from Moscow to these cities, on the contrary, you will arrive the next day.
Have you ever flown on such flights?
📷 Ilya Naymushin/Sputnik
💥 Russia Beyond
If you fly these routes, you will find yourself at your destination earlier than you left! And all because of the time difference!
There are 11 time zones in Russia, so passengers on these flights literally find themselves in a “time machine”.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – Moscow. The time difference between Moscow and the capital of Kamchatka Krai is 9 hours and the flight time is 8 hours and 50 minutes. Thus, you arrive in Moscow 10 minutes earlier than you took off!
Anadyr – Moscow. Between Chukotka and Moscow, the difference is also 9 hours, but the flight time is 8 hours 10 minutes. The airplane arrives 50 minutes before the departure time.
Magadan – Moscow. The time difference between the cities is 8 hours, but the flight time is 7 hours 40 minutes. So, passengers arrive 20 minutes before the departure time.
True, if you fly from Moscow to these cities, on the contrary, you will arrive the next day.
Have you ever flown on such flights?
📷 Ilya Naymushin/Sputnik
Russia Beyond
26 Oct, 15:51
What does the expression “not good for shoe soles” mean?
During an argument, you may hear: “Он в подметки не годится” (“on v podmyotki ne goditsa”) or he's “not good for shoe soles”! What do shoe soles have to do with it?
In the old days, they used to wear ‘lapti’ (bast shoes) woven out of tree bast. To make them last longer, leather soles were attached to them. The material had to be durable, otherwise they quickly became unusable. On average, one pair could be worn out in four days during the warm season! Poor quality leather, of course, could not be used for shoe soles.
That is why the expression “not good for shoe soles” began to be used when someone wanted to draw attention to the bad qualities of something.
In Chekhov's story ‘Belated Flowers’, the protagonist falls in love with the doctor who treated her and her brother: “She looked at him and compared his face with those faces that she has to see every day. How unlike this scholarly, tired face were the haggard, dull faces of her suitors, Yegorushka's friends, who bore her with their daily visits! The faces of idlers and drunkards, from whom she, Marusya, had never heard a single kind, decent word, were ‘not good for shoe soles’ for this cold, impassive, but intelligent, arrogant face.”
One could also say: “It does not compare in any way”, “There is nothing to look at” or “It should be worse, but there is nowhere to go”. An English equivalent would be: “Not fit to hold a candle.”
Credit: Kira Lisitskaya (Photo: Andrey Arkusha/Global Look Press)
#russianexpression
💥 Russia Beyond
During an argument, you may hear: “Он в подметки не годится” (“on v podmyotki ne goditsa”) or he's “not good for shoe soles”! What do shoe soles have to do with it?
In the old days, they used to wear ‘lapti’ (bast shoes) woven out of tree bast. To make them last longer, leather soles were attached to them. The material had to be durable, otherwise they quickly became unusable. On average, one pair could be worn out in four days during the warm season! Poor quality leather, of course, could not be used for shoe soles.
That is why the expression “not good for shoe soles” began to be used when someone wanted to draw attention to the bad qualities of something.
In Chekhov's story ‘Belated Flowers’, the protagonist falls in love with the doctor who treated her and her brother: “She looked at him and compared his face with those faces that she has to see every day. How unlike this scholarly, tired face were the haggard, dull faces of her suitors, Yegorushka's friends, who bore her with their daily visits! The faces of idlers and drunkards, from whom she, Marusya, had never heard a single kind, decent word, were ‘not good for shoe soles’ for this cold, impassive, but intelligent, arrogant face.”
One could also say: “It does not compare in any way”, “There is nothing to look at” or “It should be worse, but there is nowhere to go”. An English equivalent would be: “Not fit to hold a candle.”
Credit: Kira Lisitskaya (Photo: Andrey Arkusha/Global Look Press)
#russianexpression
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