We re-share some of our favorite stories from 2019. They may not be the most noteworthy or newsworthy stories, but we felt they were the most fun.

The bride said that they encountered no problems because they had already changed their appearance to look like a traditional man and woman, and had received new documents that reflect their gender identity.

Political entities and 97-year-old veterans on social media, transgender marriage, and sushi at office parties show Russia is ready for 2020
 

Ded Moroz and kindergarten parents conceive of the Christmas spirit very differently. Also, Russians may have domesticated the first dog.

Pie not in the sky, vampires against anti-vaxxers, cooks for cats… not to mention self-improvement in advance of the New Year

A cold flag, a resolved cold case, and the not-cold-at-all hearts of Russian children

Brezhnev’s traffic ticket goes on sale, Crimea shows up in Astrakhan, and a man gives an all for his cat.

Fish aren’t food, ice cream is medicine, ferns are pickles

Psychic cats and patented tools are priceless. Hot dogs cost 39 rubles.

In which we visit the weird world of the homegrown Russian Buzzfeed.

Russians send the Night’s Watch to New Jersey and bottles to Brazil; they welcome a Swedish girl to speak and immigrants to share their imya (name). 
 

Can samogon predict recessions? Can a balloon seduce Elon Musk? And can Putin grow babies in labs? Find out this and more in this week’s TWERF.