All Featured Articles

12 Myths/Truths About Russians and Vodka
February 3, 2018
12 Myths/Truths About Russians and Vodka

Think you know your vodka? Take this True/False quiz (just 12 items) about Russians and their vodka and see if you are right about that...

Happy 200th, Dostoyevsky!
October 30, 2021
Happy 200th, Dostoyevsky!

On this, the occasion of the great writer's 200th birthday, we offer some links to stories we have published about him over the years, as well as some cool videos. Happy reading and viewing!

Magical Kefir
August 22, 2016
Magical Kefir

Kefir is the most popular fermented milk in Russia. But it did not get there overnight. Kefir and Russia have a long history...

By Philip Seifi
Using Laughter to Cope
September 7, 2021
Using Laughter to Cope

These eight outstanding Soviet comedies show ​​some of what has made Russians laugh over the past century. Most are still watched today. (First in our new series on learning about Russia through its films.)

Five Wild Facts about St. Basil's Cathedral
October 14, 2016
Five Wild Facts about St. Basil's Cathedral

On October 14, 1991, St. Basil’s Cathedral was reopened after six decades. Here are five fun facts in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Cathedral’s rebirth.

By Alice E.M. Underwood
Russian Genealogy
February 20, 2014
Russian Genealogy

A comprehensive listing of resources, online and off, for researching your Russian roots, courtesy of Ginny Audet.

By Ginny Audet
Peace, Land, Bread
April 23, 2014
Peace, Land, Bread

Peace! Land! Bread! This was the battle cry of the 1917 October Revolution (old calendar) that changed the history of Russia and indeed the entire world. Since the time of Ivan the Terrible, the tsars concentrated on centralization of their power and control. The most common way of doing this was to take power away from the nobility, appeasing them by giving them dominion over their land and workers. This soon developed into the oppressive, slave-style condition known as serfdom.

By Linda DeLaine and Evgenia Sokolskaya
Meet Russia's favorite sable
January 28, 2020
Meet Russia's favorite sable

Siberian sable fur was once Russia's biggest luxury export, but now we can't get enough of Instagram star Umora, the sable inspiring Russians to never look at fur coats again.

Who Invented the Ancient Slavic Gods, and Why?
March 15, 2017
Who Invented the Ancient Slavic Gods, and Why?

How it was that in the eighteenth century Russian mythology was trumped-up in the Western manner? Who wanted it? And where did we get Lel, Yarilo and Zimtserla? We explain everything you'd want to know about Russian fakelore.

By Kasya Denisevich
Russian/Soviet War Movies You Can Stream
May 9, 2020
Russian/Soviet War Movies You Can Stream

Some of the best Russian and Soviet films about World War II that you can stream online.

A Russian Gift
April 6, 2020
A Russian Gift

A look at how the Jesuits, Pope Francis, and Georgetown University all share an interesting connection to Russia.

The Most Useful Russian Inventions
May 7, 2015
The Most Useful Russian Inventions

What do radio, television, the periodic table, and helicopters have in common? Russians were involved in developing all of them – and more!

By Eugenia Sokolskaya
Why Don't Russians Smile?
January 10, 2014
Why Don't Russians Smile?

It is a common trope that Russians never smile. Which of course is interpreted to mean they are unfriendly, gloomy, sullen – positively Dostoyevskian. This, of course, is a complete misreading of body language and cultural norms.

When Russian Cuisine Turns Georgian
March 17, 2019
When Russian Cuisine Turns Georgian

Why is Georgian food so popular in Russia? Turns out there's more to it than deliciousness.

Russia's Year of Horror
February 24, 2023
Russia's Year of Horror

After a year of horrific war, why does a magazine like Russian Life continue? Why not simply wash our hands of it and walk away?

Why Stalin's Corpse Was Exhumed on Halloween
October 31, 2016
Why Stalin's Corpse Was Exhumed on Halloween

The body of Joseph Stalin was removed from the mausoleum on Red Square on October 31, 1961. It may not be as spooky as Halloween, but the former leader still haunts Russia today.

By Alice E.M. Underwood
Sad Smiles and Kremlin Corruption
August 22, 2020
Sad Smiles and Kremlin Corruption

Recounting a 2008 meeting with activist Alexei Navalny, before he rose to prominence.

Famous Americans with Russian Roots
November 18, 2016
Famous Americans with Russian Roots

America is a land built by immigrants. We researched famous Americans with Russian roots and offer this compilation.

By Letitia Rydjeski
Inside Brighton Beach's Babushka Beauty Pageant
May 31, 2020
Inside Brighton Beach's Babushka Beauty Pageant

A lovely short film on Brighton Beach's Your Highness Babushka Beauty Contest.

Vodka vs. Coronavirus
March 20, 2020
Vodka vs. Coronavirus

Russia’s Ministry of Health discussed ways vodka can affect the coronavirus (spoiler alert: not much).

Why Invading Russia was Hitler's Downfall
June 22, 2020
Why Invading Russia was Hitler's Downfall

June 22, 2020, marks the 79th anniversary of Operation Barbarossa, the Nazi invasion of Russia that changed the course of WWII and, perhaps, history itself.

By Alice E.M. Underwood
Eight Russian Desserts To Make Your Mouth Water
September 14, 2019
Eight Russian Desserts To Make Your Mouth Water

Forget vodka – dessert is the best part of Russian meals.

By Tiffany Zhu
Coronavirus Coping: Russian Lit has the Answers
March 14, 2020
Coronavirus Coping: Russian Lit has the Answers

Russian literature has an answer for everything. In the times of coronovirus, this is your guide.

Two Miracles of Russian Love Poetry
May 26, 2016
Two Miracles of Russian Love Poetry

On the occasion of Pushkin's birthday, we offer a post on the challenge of translating his most famous love lyrics, "Я вас любил," with a bonus look at Innokenty Annensky's "Среди миров."

By Anatoly Liberman
10 Things (And 5 Jokes) You Didn't Know About Brezhnev
December 19, 2016
10 Things (And 5 Jokes) You Didn't Know About Brezhnev

Soviet leader Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev would have been 110 on December 19. There are plenty of fun facts and surprising jokes behind the eyebrows.

By Alice E.M. Underwood

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Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

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