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Arts and life

long read

Dmitri Shostakovich, Football Fanatic

Inside this composer with an orderly mind beat the heart of a football fanatic.
culture trends

Russia's Good Year at the Awards

Innovation, experimentation and breaks with tradition were celebrated at this year's awards ceremonies.
culture clips

On This Day Rock Legend Viktor Tsoi Died

Viktor Robertovich Tsoi was born and raised in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. The Russian rock legend and frontman of the group Kino was the only child...
cultural clips

On This Day Writer Dmitry Merezhkovsky Was Born

Dmitry Merezhkovsky was born in St. Petersburg in 1866 in a family of a government official. In his teen years, and with his mother’s support, he...
build your own babushka

A Story of Art and Russian Grandmothers

A gallery of miniature scenes from Russian life made by artist Irina Verkhgradskaya.
Local art

Moscow Art Group Takes St. Petersburg By Storm

If you don't know the art group AES + F, their enormous show at the Manege is where to start.
historic clips

On This Day: The Kursk Submarine Disaster
Holy day

Russia's Muslims Celebrate Kurban Bairam

Kurban Bairam, considered one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar, is celebrated by millions of Muslims in Russia.
eco-living

Downshifting in Russia: Who’s Fed Up With the Big City?

While rural flight increases in Russia, some young families are moving in the opposite direction.
street art

No Sex and Drugs: Moscow Regulates Graffiti, but Who Owns the Streets?

Works depicting violence, pornography, profanity, tobacco, explosives and drugs are strictly forbidden.
the beat goes on

Last Gasp Moscow Music Festivals

Dress warmly - or put on a swimsuit - for Moscow's last music festivals. Really.
Once Upon a Time ... in Moscow

Tarantino ‘Shocked By Moscow’ in First Visit to Russia Since 2004

The director, in town to promote his new movie, went on a highly publicized Kremlin tour but stressed that he came to Moscow to see his fans.
historical clips

On This Day in 1945 the Soviet Union Declared War on Japan

In 1945 the U.S.S.R. was at war with Japan for a week, but that week broke the Japanese resistance.
Virtual reality

Tourism + Technology = New Moscow Attraction

Here's a new way to see Moscow: take a walk with a fascinating fictional guide.
transgender life

Russia’s Transgender Community Struggles for Acceptance

Medical and bureaucratic hurdles make life hard despite recent signs that attitudes are changing.
Must-see museum

Fabergé and the Link of Times

In St. Petersburg, be sure to stop in at this relatively new and truly fabulous museum.
culture clips

On This Day Ilya Repin Was Born

The most well-known and renowned Russian artist of the 19th century, Ilya Repin's influence and significance in art has been likened to Leo Tolstoy in...
culture clips

On This Day Architect Konstantin Melnikov Was Born

Today we celebrate an architect who truly thought outside the box.
long read

'It's Only a Joke, Comrade!'

A fascinating study of the role of jokes - emotional, societal, political - under Stalin.
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