December 30, 2021 Phallic-Shaped Ice Rinks, Flying Dyed Morozes, and Frightening Elevators In this week's Odder News, stay out of the elevator, be careful where you ice skate, and Ivan Urgant says goodbye to 2021 in grand fashion. Holidays Pop Culture Sports Transportation Odder News
December 29, 2021 Sock the Competition The Russian town of Rasskazovo hosts the very first all-Russian sock knitting championship. Art Culture Russia File
December 29, 2021 Courting Father Christmas "Since I am also a lawyer, I can act as an attorney for Father Christmas, and remind the plaintiff that Father Christmas fulfills wishes and gives gifts only to good girls and boys. Let him analyze his behavior and, perhaps, find something that has prevented Father Christmas from presenting him with gifts for the New Year holidays. This will be the main line of defense." – On December 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to defend Father Christmas after a St. Petersburg lawyer sued the gift-bringer. Holidays Humor Law Quote
December 28, 2021 Droning on About Lake Baikal Robotic drones are now being used to monitor the ecological situation of Lake Baikal. Environment Regions Russia File
December 27, 2021 Nice Teeth, Gift Horse A holiday survey detailed Russians' preference for gift-receiving. Gifts Holidays Russia File
December 26, 2021 10 Things About Moscow at the End of 2021 (With Pictures!) Despite the pandemic (and a bad reputation for a distinctly Russian grimace), it’s not all sad faces in Moscow at the end of 2021. Architecture Art Cities & Towns Moscow Travel Russia File
December 25, 2021 Fyodor in Florence Florence, Italy, is joining in on the Dostoyevsky anniversary fun. Art Biographies Culture Int'l Relations Literature Russians Abroad Russia File
December 24, 2021 School Lunch Gourmet An annual Russian competition to decide the best school cafeteria cook in all the land was held recently. Education Food & Drink Russia File
December 23, 2021 Bunkers, Beglov, and Bad Weather In this week's Odder News, next year will be better, St. Petersburg's mayor should move to Africa, and bunkers are hip. Architecture Int'l Relations St. Petersburg Odder News
December 22, 2021 Trading COVID for a Car Thankful for the care they received while ill, one citizen gladly gives away their wheels for the greater good. Gifts Health Transportation Russia File
December 22, 2021 A Sweet Treat "Ancient instincts work – I licked the thing." – Hermitage artist-restorer Galina Fedorova discovers a candy stuck to the ball gown of Grand Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, sister of Tsar Nicholas II. Art Culture History Quote
December 21, 2021 Snow Fright A granddaughter of Father Christmas who is blonde, slim, and very kind? This year’s Snow Maiden doesn’t seem to fit the bill. Culture Holidays Russia File