Gr7 SS Learn 2.7 Cultural Diffusion in Europe and Russia

russia

Explore the Culture of Russia

start

key information

Capital City

Read more

Official Language

Read more

Religion

Read more

Click play to listen to the Russian National Anthem.

Culture

Performing Arts

Music

The arts have played a rich history in Russia. Ballet, a form of dance, was founded in Russia in 1776. The Bolshoi Ballet is a world renowned classical ballet company based in the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

Russian music is renowned worldwide. Composers like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ("Swan Lake", "The Nutcracker") and Igor Stravinsky ("The Rite of Spring") are celebrated for their contributions of classical music.

Push play to listen to "The Nucracker", performed by the Moscow Orchestra.

Push play to see a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet.

Literature

Cultural Symbol

Russian literature produced some of the world's most renowned literary works. Writers like Leo Tolstoy wrote "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina" and Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote "Crime and Punishment".

Russian nesting dolls, also known as matryoshka dolls, are considered both art and a cultural symbol of Russia. Each doll is made from wood and fits inside a large doll. They are hand-painted with intricate designs and vibrant colors.

iMPORTANT RUSSIAN SITES

Kazan

St. Basil's Cathedral

The Kremlin

State Hermitage Museum

Tartarstan

Moscow

Moscow

St. Petersburg

Located in Moscow's Red Square, Saint Basil's Cathdral is one of the most iconic symbols of Russia. Its distinctive onion domes, vibrant colors, and intricate architecture make it a symbol of Russian medieval architecture. The cathedral was built in the 16th century during the reign of Ivan the Terrible.

The Moscow Kremlin is a historic fortress at the heart of Moscow, housing several palaces, cathedrals, and the official residence of the president of Russia.

The State Hermitage Museum is one of the largest and most renowned art museums in the world. It houses an extensive collection of art and cultural artifacts, including works by European masters, ancient artifacts, and a significant collection of Russian art. The museum is housed in the Winter Palace, a former residence of Russian emperors.

Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tartarstan, a federal subject of Russia. It is located on the banks of the Volga River in the western part of Russia. Kazan is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, with a unique blend of Russian and Tatar influences.

Moscow, Russia

Moscow is the capital city of Russia and the largest city in the country. It is a major center for government, culture, history, and business. Moscow is home to the famous Kremlin (the seat of the Russian government) and Red Square, where you’ll find the colorful St. Basil’s Cathedral with its onion-shaped domes.The city has a mix of old and modern buildings, with ancient churches, museums, and theaters alongside tall skyscrapers and busy shopping streets. Moscow is also known for its Metro system, which is one of the most beautiful and efficient in the world. As one of the most important cities in Europe, Moscow plays a key role in Russia’s politics, economy, and cultural life.

Official Language

Russian is the official language of the Russian Federation and is the most widely spoken language across the country. It is also one of the most spoken languages in the world, especially in parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Russian is a Slavic language, meaning it shares roots with languages like Ukrainian, Polish, and Bulgarian. Russian is written using the Cyrillic alphabet, which has 33 letters. While it looks different from the Latin alphabet used in English, many of the sounds are similar. The alphabet was developed by Byzantine missionaries and is still used in other countries like Bulgaria and Serbia. Learning to read and write in Cyrillic is an important part of understanding Russian culture and history.

Religion in Russia

The main religion in Russia is Christianity, specifically Russian Orthodoxy, a branch of the Eastern Orthodox Church. About 70–75% of Russians identify as Russian Orthodox. The religion has shaped Russian traditions, art, and architecture. During the time of the Soviet Union, religion was suppressed, and people were not free to practice their faith. After the Soviet Union ended in 1991, religious freedom returned. The second-largest religion in Russia is Islam, with many Muslim communities in regions like Tatarstan and the North Caucasus. These groups have their own traditions and have been part of Russia’s culture for centuries.