From visual arts to Orthodox spirituality, explore the pillars of Russian culture
Visual Arts
Russian Visual Arts: A Thousand Years of Creation
A comprehensive panorama of Russian visual art from medieval icons to diaspora artists in Western Europe, including the Perestroïk'art collection and Germano-Russian painters.
Music
Russian Music: Orthodox Choirs, Classical Composers and Folk Traditions
A deep dive into the richness of Russian music: from the Znamenny chant of Orthodox liturgy to Glinka, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, including Russian choirs in Western Europe.
Literature
Russian Literature: The Great Tradition from Pushkin to the Present
A panorama of Russian literary greatness: from Pushkin and the Golden Age to the dissident poets, Nobel Prize winners in exile, and the challenges of translating Russian into European languages.
Diaspora
The Russian Diaspora in Europe: From White Russian Exile to Modern Communities
A historical and contemporary portrait of Russian emigration in Europe: the four waves of exile, Cardinal Mercier's role in Belgium, Orthodox communities, and cultural associations active today.
Traditions
Russian Traditions: From Cossack Culture to Orthodox Celebrations
A guide to the essential traditions of Russian culture: the Cossacks, the samovar, Orthodox celebrations from Christmas to Maslenitsa, the bania ritual, and Russian folk crafts.
Spirituality
Orthodox Spirituality in Russia: Liturgy, Icons and the Living Faith
A guide to Russian Orthodox spirituality: the historical journey from the Baptism of Rus to the post-Soviet revival, the theology of the icon, monastic life, and the diaspora church in the West.
Language
The Russian Language: History, Cyrillic Alphabet and Learning Guide
A complete guide to the Russian language: from the creation of the Cyrillic script by Saints Cyril and Methodius to modern learning methods, and the role of Russian as a cultural key.
Cinema
Russian Cinema and Theatre: A Century of Artistic Excellence
A panorama of Russian excellence in cinema and theatre: Eisenstein's revolutionary montage, Stanislavski's Method, Soviet classics, Tarkovsky's spiritual cinema, and the Ballets Russes.
History
Russian History: Key Events from the Founding of Rus to the Present
A comprehensive history of Russia from the founding of Kievan Rus to the present: the Mongol invasion, Peter the Great's reforms, the 1917 Revolution, the Soviet era, and post-Soviet Russia.
Culture
Understanding Russia: Key Cultural Concepts Every Visitor Should Know
An exploration of the five untranslatable Russian concepts essential for understanding Russian culture: toska (spiritual longing), doucha (soul), mir (world/commune/peace), avos' (fatalistic hope) and intelligentsia.
15 Essential Russian Films: From Eisenstein to Zvyagintsev
A curated selection of 15 essential Russian films across three eras — Soviet classics (1925-1970), the Golden Age (1970-1991), and contemporary cinema (1991-2026) — with viewing context and cultural background.
Russian Character Through an Ethnologist's Eyes: An Interview with Dr. Irina Sokolova
In this exclusive interview, ethnologist Dr. Irina Sokolova explores the contradictions and depths of Russian cultural character — from dvorovaya kultura to the post-2022 identity fracture.
The Russian Diaspora in Belgium: A Historian's Account from 1920 to Today
Viktor Makarov, historian at ULB, traces the Russian presence in Belgium from the White emigration of 1920-1921 to the diaspora of 2026 — across a century of ruptures and reinventions.
Learning Russian as an Adult: The Complete Method Guide for English Speakers
Russian is challenging but deeply rewarding for English speakers. This guide covers the Cyrillic alphabet, the 5 major grammar shocks, the best resources, and a 45-minute daily routine to reach conversational level.
Russian Orthodox Icons: Theology, History, Technique, and Collecting
From the Council of Nicaea to Andrei Rublev's Trinity, this guide explores the theology, history, painting techniques, and cultural significance of the Russian Orthodox icon.
Russian-English Glossary: 40 Essential Words to Unlock the Slavic World
Forty Russian words arranged by theme — the Russian soul, daily life, the table, history and politics, religion and art — that illuminate dimensions of Russian culture that translation alone cannot convey.
Russian Orthodox Holidays: From Christmas to Maslenitsa — A Complete Guide
Russian Orthodox holidays follow the Julian calendar, 13 days behind the Gregorian. This guide covers Rozhdество (Christmas), Paskha (Easter), Maslenitsa, and the complete liturgical year with dates and customs.
The Russian Soul (Dusha): Melancholy, Generosity, and the Slavic Spirit
Dusha (душа) is one of the central concepts of Russian culture. This guide explores its emotional, spiritual, and social dimensions, and what it reveals about the Slavic psyche.