A group of kids approach as we arrive on the main square of the legendary Soviet summer camp, Artek. Dressed in the same colorful uniform, they greet us with a chant, "Artekovtsi! Our beloved Artek!

Freemasonry came to Russia in 1731 when Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England Lord Lowell appointed Captain John Phillips Grand Master of Russia, who subsequently preached among a small circle of ...

According to one theory, ‘Russian roulette’ emerged in the Tsarist army as a relatively “safe” trick that easily impressed onlookers. Wulich […] invited us to sit around in a sign. [We] silently ...

As someone who has made a name for himself in trying to shatter myths about Russia, I get a lot of questions about what it takes to move here. Be warned: none of anything below is a reason to give up ...

Despite its location deep within the former imperial Chinese province of Manchuria, Harbin has a peculiar Russian feel to it. The secret, we found out, lies in its history. Go back 150 years and the ...

A distaff in Russia was treated not just as a household item but also as a work of art. Their unique decor has fascinated museum curators and collectors for more than two centuries. In terms of their ...

The country is home to many ethnicities and cultures, so as you might expect, there are many types of humble abode, from ‘izbas’ to igloos. The history of the Russian izba dates back a long way, and ...

Syrniki – aka Russian cottage cheese pancakes – are one of the most beloved national breakfasts. With just five ingredients and 20 minutes you’ll have a second-to-none morning dish with a signature ...

Thousands of Spaniards continued to fight each other, and brought their civil war to the vast expanses of the Soviet Union. Here, the Republicans, who had been defeated in Spain, were finally able to ...

To describe the Soviet penal system, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who survived eight years of Gulag incarceration, wrote a massive book titled ‘Archipelago Gulag’ after collecting hundreds of memoirs of ...

During the 70 years of the existence of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the number of constituent parts changed, but most of the time there were 15 of them. Here is the list. In the beginning ...

Drivers in the coldest regions make blankets for their car engines, and some even keep the motor running from autumn until spring! In many Russian regions harsh winters are the norm – people and their ...