Comparing Different Cultures in Russia

Have you ever wondered what are the cultures and lifestyles in Russia like? Being the largest nation in the world with over 180 nationalities, Russia stands out as one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Not only does the huge area offer plenty of cultural differences, but those differences are also strongly linked to the many religions practiced there. In this article we’ll take a look at the different lifestyles, cultures and religions found in Russia and how they compare.

To start, we’ll take a look at religion in Russia. Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in Russia, constituting around 65% of the population. The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest denomination of Orthodox Christianity in the country, being divided into 15 autonomous churches and numbering around 100 million members. Other governmental recognized religions in Russia include Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and more.

Along with the varied religious beliefs comes an array of cultural practices and customs. All these variations add to the rich diversity of Russia and contribute to the overall national identity. For instance, many Russians practice their religion by having small chapels or sanctuaries in their homes. They also observe the traditional holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, and visit their local churches often. Other traditions include folk dances and festivals such as matryoshka doll making and holding Easter egg decoration contests.

Russian culture also has its own unique language, Russina. With its characteristic nasal vowels and consonants which are different from the other languages spoken in Russia, it is considered to be the language of the people. However, with the increasing influence of English over the years, Russian has become more and more influenced by it, resulting in the mixing of the two languages. Most Russians are bilingual and can speak both English and Russian fluently.

Furthermore, there is also a strong tradition of art and literature in Russia. Everything from painting to sculpture to works of literature. From classics authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Alexander Pushkin and Nikolai Gogol, to more modern day authors like Vladimir Nabokov and Boris Pasternak, Russian literature has always been of high quality. In terms of art, Ivan Kramskoy and Ivan Aivazovsky are two of the most influential painters of the 19th and 20th centuries in Russia.
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In conclusion, Russia stands out amongst many countries for its immense diversity and culture, with different religions and lifestyles of its various ethnicities. Not only does this offer a unique insight into the country, but it also adds much texture and colour to the overall character of the nation.
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