Russian Final Culture

VKontakte (ВКонтакте)

Russian social network similar to Facebook; created in 2006 by Pavel Durov.

“VKontakte, don’t forget —
Pavel Durov’s internet

Russian Superstitions

Don’t whistle, youll loose your money.

If you eat of a knife you will become mean.

You shouldn’t shake hands across a door threshold for example, its bad luck.

Moscow & St. Petersburg attractions –

Moscow: Красная площадь (Red Square),

Большой театр (Bolshoi Theatre), ГУМ (GUM);

St. Petersburg: Эрмитаж (Hermitage),

Храм Спаса на Крови (Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood), Петергоф (Peterhof).

Pushkin’s duel location

на Чёрной речке (at the Black River); opponent Georges Dantes; reason: rumors insulting his wife.

Late arrival phrase

Они говорят: «Извините, я опоздал, можно войти?».

Russian holidays

Новы́й год (1 января): family, tree, gifts;

May 1 — Spring and Labor Day: Still a public holiday with parades, picnics, and rest. Celebrates labor, spring, and solidarity.

День Победы Victory Day: (9 мая): parade, laying flowers at monuments.

Великая Отечественная война

Means “The Great Patriotic War”; Soviet name for the Eastern Front in WWII; traditions include Victory Day parade, laying flowers at monuments.

Siege of Leningrad facts

lasted 872 days; over 1 million civilian deaths; Nazis completely encircled and bombarded the city.

Питер FM

Romantic comedy/radio drama set in St. Petersburg; shows modern youth life, radio culture & city landmarks.

Home remedies (when sick)

thermometer under the armpit; hot tea with raspberry jam; vodka compresses; honey with lemon.

Traditional dishes

каша (porridge) breakfast;
блины (pancakes)

Toasts formula

use «За» + accusative.

Russian writers & works

Александр Пушкин: «Пиковая дама»;
Лев Толстой: «Война и мир»;
Александр Блок: «Ночь, улица, фонарь, аптека».

Birthday greeting

«С днём рождения!»; culture: bring gifts, make toasts, celebrate at home with family.

The birthday person is the host

Traditional instruments

Балалайка: 3-string plucked triangular-body instrument;
Домра: round 3-string folk mandolin;
Баян: Russian button accordion.