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Popular festivals in Russia

Until Soviet Russia, the country was governed by the Julian calendar. This has made its main peculiarity that many of the Russian holidays are celebrated twice , following the old and current dates of the Gregorian calendar. In addition to religious festivals, the country also hosts several political ceremonies commemorating victories, unification and independence. Traditional music and dance are present in all of them

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festivities

City Day, Moscow

Every city in Russia has its own day. In this case, the first Sunday in September commemorates the founding of Moscow, which took place in 1147. The ceremony takes place in Red Square, although throughout the weekend concerts, fairs, workshops and sporting and cultural events are organised throughout the city. There are also fireworks on the last night.

New Year

New Year It is one of the most important holidays in Russia, first celebrated with the family and then with a big party with fireworks. The main characteristic is that that night they wait for Ded Moroz, the Russian Santa Claus, who is an ice grandfather who, together with his granddaughter Snegurochka, gives out presents to children.

Art November International Festival

It has been held in Moscow since 1994 and lasts almost the entire month of November. It is one of the most important cultural festivals in the city, where musical performances and concerts of different genres are organised, as well as literature and art exhibitions.

Old New Year

On this day, Russians celebrate the arrival of the New Year according to the old Russian calendar, which they followed until 1918, when the Soviets changed the Julian calendar to the Gregorian one. Since then, many of the country's holidays are celebrated in double numbers, according to the current and the old calendar. On this day, Russians drink champagne and the streets are filled with celebration.

food

Russian cuisine is characterized by a great variety of dishes and ingredients due to the vast geographical area it occupies. Most of them are of peasant origin and are made with potatoes, cabbage and a wide variety of vegetables. Meat is also very popular in Russian cuisine, as are smoked fish such as herring and salmon. However, one of the country's most internationally known delicacies is undoubtedly caviar , both red and black. When it comes to drinks, Russia has a rich tradition of tea, beer, kvass and the famous vodka. Here you will find a list of typical Russian dishes that you cannot miss on your trips to Russia.

Borsch

This red soup is one of the most famous in the country. Its colour is due to beetroot, it also includes potato, cabbage, tomato, onion, carrot, cucumber and is usually accompanied by meat or mushrooms as if it were a stew. It is usually served hot, although there is another variant that is cold which, in addition to beetroot, also includes lemon juice, potato and onion. It is quite sweet, so it is sometimes accompanied by sour cream.

Buy

This type of pancake can be eaten boiled or fried, filled or plain. It is one of the most popular pastries in Russian cuisine and is made from flour, eggs, milk and yeast. Most commonly, they are filled with fish, usually herring, salmon, trout or sturgeon. Sometimes they can also contain sour cream and fish eggs. There are also other versions filled with potatoes or vegetables.

religion

Russia is a secular country, where no religion can be established as dominant or obligatory. Freedom of conscience and religion is guaranteed by the Constitution. All citizens are guaranteed the right to profess any religion and the right to be an atheist. Despite this, there are many faiths in Russia and more than 70 religious denominations. Each religion can freely follow its beliefs, believers attend Orthodox and Catholic churches, mosques, synagogues, Buddhist temples and datsans without restrictions. Most believers are Orthodox Christians, including Old Believers and Molokans. Other religions common in Russia are Buddhism, Judaism and Protestantism.

histori

The country's history began with the Eastern Slavs. Founded and ruled by a warrior Viking noble class and their descendants, the first state of the Eastern Slavs, Kievan Rus', emerged in the 9th century and adopted Christianity from the Byzantine Empire in 988, beginning a synthesis of Byzantine and Slavic cultures that would define Russian culture for the next millennium. Kievan Rus' subsequently disintegrated into many small feudal states, the most powerful of which was the Principality of Moscow which became the leading force in the process of Russian reunification and the fight for independence against the Golden Horde. Unlike its spiritual leader, the Byzantine Empire, Russia under Moscow's leadership was able to revive and organize its own war of reconquest, eventually subjugating its enemies and annexing its lost territories.

art

traditional Arts of Russia Russian art has combined outside influences and folk traditions to create some of the most celebrated works of the modern era. In medieval times, increased literacy through Russian Orthodoxy led to a thriving industry of manuscripts and religious icons. Similarly, architecture took its cues from the elaborate, colorful styles of the Byzantine Empire. The distinctive domes of many Russian Orthodox churches are a lingering symbol of Byzantine influence. Russian Painting For many centuries, religious art dominated the region. By the 17th and 18th centuries, however, Russia’s nobility had begun to adopt aspects of European art, music, and literature. Its painters explored new subjects, including historical events, folklore, and vibrant depictions of peasant life in Russia. Famous artists like Valentin Serov, Wassily Kandinsky, Marc Chagall, Aleksey Savrasov, Ilya Repin, and Boris Kustodiev rank among its most widely recognized painters.

Russian Music and Dance Russia’s musical tradition stems in large part from its peasantry. Epic folk songs, or bylinas, told stories of mythic heroes like bogatyr knights and noble princes of Kiev. These could be accompanied by flutes and stringed instruments like the gusli. Later, the balalaika became the preferred stringed instrument in many areas. Folk dances like the plyaska contrasted with the ballet and balls of the nobility. The upper classes primarily sponsored European-style composers from the 18th century on. Most popular of these was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who composed pieces like The Nutcracker and 1812 Overture. Ballet and opera became especially popular, and Russian ballet developed into its own distinct school of dance.

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