Points of Russia: Exploring the Land of the Tsars

Snapshots of Russian Life Through Photography Have you ever thought about taking a peek into Russia's past and what life was like in the days of the Tsars? As one of the oldest and most powerful countries in the world, Russia has a long, rich and interesting history and culture. For centuries, many of its real and mythological tales have been passed down from generation to generation. Now, thanks to photography, we can get a glimpse into what life was really like in those times. Photography in Russia has a long tradition, and it has become increasingly popular in the contemporary era. In the past, the production of photographs was much more limited due to the high costs associated with taking pictures. Photographers would often be expensive and photography equipment had to be carefully transported and produced. As a result, few photographs were created and preserved, but those that were paint an interesting picture of what life was like in Russia. The first official photographs o...

Discovering Russia’s Cultural Diversity Russia, the largest country in the world, is known for its beautiful landscapes and its complicated history. But what is often overlooked is its remarkable cultural diversity. From traditional Russian Orthodox traditions to the folklore of the Tatar, Udmurt, Sami, and other indigenous minorities, there is something to appeal to everyone. Traditional Russian Art and Music Traditional Russian music has a long and varied history, with roots stemming from Byzantine devotional music and the Western European classical style. Russian artists and composers have continued to develop their music into the 21st century, blending elements of Celtic and Finnish music with traditional ethno-music, as well as incorporating elements of jazz and classical music. Russian art is just as diverse and unique. Russian artists draw from various historical and cultural periods, from the Russian Minimalism of Kasimir Malevich, to the Realism of Ilya Repin, and the Symbol...

Celebrating Russian Holidays Have you ever thought about how Russians celebrate their holidays? Celebrating traditional Russian holidays can be a wonderful experience that will give you a glimpse into life in the land of the Tsars. Here we will look at some of the most popular holidays and discuss their traditions and customs. Christmas Although the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, the majority of Russians still celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January. This is because, for over 50 years during communist rule, the Orthodox holiday was not celebrated or even acknowledged. The main activities of Orthodox Christmas day in Russia involve going to a church service followed by a big feast that includes some traditional dishes, such as kutia (the main course) and meats. Christmas decorations are also a big part of the celebration and are usually made from natural materials such as straw, branches and berries. Easter Like Christmas, the celebration of Easter in Russia...