Butter (usually added in all meals and spread on bread)
Also popular: cabbage, milk, sour cream, curds, mushrooms, lard, cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, berries, honey, sugar, salt, garlic, onions. To cook, you will need vegetable oil, salt, and pepper.
Religion in Russia
A chart on Religion in Russia in Time magazine for May 27, 1996 shows Russian Orthodox as 71.8% of the population in Russia, Muslim 5.5%, Catholic 1.8%, Protestant 0.7%, Buddhist 0.6%, Jewish 0.3%, Other 0.9%; no affiliation 18.9%.
Russian Orthodox church is largest autocephalous, or ecclesiastically independent, Eastern Orthodox church in the world. Its membership is estimated at between 40 and 80 million.
Christianity was apparently introduced into Kievan Rus by Greek missionaries from Byzantium in the 9th century.
An organized Christian community is known to have existed at Kiev as early as the first half of the 10th century, and in 957 Olga, the regent of Kiev, was baptized in Constantinople.
Undoubtedly influenced by his Christian grandmother and by a proposed marriage alliance with the Byzantine imperial family, Olga's grandson Vladimir I (c. 956-1015) prince of Kiev, from among several options, chose the Byzantine rite. Baptized in 988, he led the Kievans to Christianity. His son Yaroslav encouraged translations and built monasteries
Russian Art
From icons and onion domes to suprematism and the Stalin baroque, Russian art and architecture seems to many visitors to Russia to be a rather baffling array of exotic forms and alien sensibilities.
The tradition of icon painting was inherited by the Russians from Byzantium.
It began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition of early Byzantine churches.
Although the use of images wasn't banned, it did prompt a thorough appreciation of the difference between art intended to depict reality and art designed for spiritual contemplation.
That difference is one of the reasons that the artistic style of icons can seem so invariant.
Russian Architecture
For most of its history, Russian architecture has been predominantly religious.
Churches were for centuries the only buildings to be constructed of stone, and today they are almost the only buildings that remain from its ancient past.
The plan is generally that of a Greek cross (all four arms are equal), and the walls are high and relatively free of openings. Sharply-sloped roofs (tent roofs) and a multitude of domes cover the structure.
The characteristic onion dome first appeared in Novgorod on the Cathedral of Sancta Sophia, in the eleventh century.
On the interior, the primary feature is the iconostasis, an altar screen on which the church's icons are mounted in a hierarchical fashion.
Russian Holidays
Russian holidays present a motley picture — new and old, official and unofficial, professional and private, religious and secular.
The New Year is first on the calendar and in popularity.
Next is February 23, Day, known until recently as Soviet Army Day, popularly viewed as holiday for all men and closely followed by its female counter-part, Women's Day, March 8, when women receive flowers, presents and are toasted by men.
November 4 - Day of the National Unity is the newest Russian holiday.
Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 to commemorate the millions fallen in World War II.
Russian Sports
Sports played a major role in the Soviet state in the post-World War II period.
The achievements of Soviet athletes in the international arena, particularly in the Olympic Games (the Soviets first participated in the 1952 Summer and the 1956 Winter Olympics ), were a source of great national pride. Although Soviet athletes were declared amateurs, they were well supported by the Sports State Committee.
Soviet national teams were especially successful in ice hockey—winning numerous world championships and Olympic gold medals—volleyball, and, later, basketball. Soviet gymnasts and track-and-field athletes (male and female), weight lifters, wrestlers, and boxers were consistently among the best in the world.
Even since the collapse of the Soviet empire, Russian athletes have continued to dominate international competition in these areas.
As in most of the world, football (soccer) enjoys wide popularity in Russia.
Famous Russians
Peter the Great - the person who created a Russian Empire and made it one of the most powerful countries
Kutuzov, Mikhail - is a student of Suvorov, won the War of 1812 year when Napoleon attacked Russia and captured Moscow. By his leadership we captured Paris.
Lenin, Vladimir - is the "father of Russian revolution", the first communist leader. His real name is Ulyanov.
Pugachyova, Alla - used to be a very famous pop singer in the 80s, now she doesn't sing a lot, but is stilled loved by many Russians. I suppose it's more not for her songs, but for the image.
Putin, Vladimir - the second President of the Russian Federation
In Conclusion…
I think Russia is a very interesting country.
I would like to try some Russian foods.
I think Russia would be too cold for me to live in.
Russia has many interesting aspects of their society and culture.
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