Magazine
Articles on Russian culture, traditions and cultural concepts
Articles on Russian culture, traditions and cultural concepts
Ballets Russes and Diaghilev: When Russian Dance Revolutionized Western Art
From Sergei Diaghilev to Nijinsky, the Ballets Russes upended Western dance, music, and stage design in the early 20th century — a total artistic revolution.
Festive Russian Cuisine: Interview with a Zakuski and Blini Specialist Chef
A chef specializing in festive Russian cuisine details the secrets of zakuski, blini-making, and the art of setting a traditional Russian table.
Restoring the Orthodox Icon: Interview with a Specialist Conservator-Restorer
A conservator-restorer specializing in Russian icons shares her daily work: technical gestures, ethical restoration dilemmas, and passing on a fragile sacred heritage.
Matryoshka: Symbol and Craftsmanship of Russian Folk Art
An icon of Russian craftsmanship, the matryoshka tells far more than a painted wooden doll's story: skilled craft, family symbolism, and a slice of Russian folk history.
The Dacha: Lifestyle, History, and Garden in Russian Culture
Far more than a second home, the dacha is a full Russian way of life: subsistence gardening, summer sociability, and an escape from the city dating back to Tsarist times.
Samovar: History, Function, and the Russian Tea Ritual
The samovar, Russia's traditional tea kettle, has shaped the social tea ritual for centuries. History, function, and etiquette of this living tradition.
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.