Culture & Customs

Whether you think INF stands for Instant New Fear or Internationalism Never Falters, this week’s got you covered with both politics and otherworldly events.

St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 as a port on the Baltic Sea, and about 10% of its surface area is water. So we meet a boat rental company owner and find out the best place for pizza in the city.

This fascinating wooden sculpture exhibition is running in St. Petersburg through mid-Febuary. For those who cannot visit, we offer a photo feature and notes from the curator.

Whether it’s stealing a favorite painting, living your Russian dream, or feeding your supposed enemy, these Russians channel Nike and Just Do It.

In the summer of 1922, Ruth Epperson Kennell, a children’s librarian, left New York City for the far reaches of Siberia. She travelled with her husband Frank and 132 other ‘pioneers' who were eager to establishing industrial and agricultural communes to aid the ‘new Russia’.

Russia's Central Bank believes people's financial illiteracy and economic troubles stem from bad messaging in Russian folk tales. Could it be true?

A project in which readers meet regular St. Petersburgers, to learn about their lives and their favorite places in the Northern Palmyra. First up: coffee!

Russian Orthodox Christmas has come and gone, leaving us with all sorts of holiday lunacy. 

The Australian edition of 60 Minutes traveled to Oymakon last winter and brought back this story. 

Most people will associate Russia and Russians with tea, yet coffee is not some sort of Ivan-Come-Lately to Mother Russia.

Krylov on democracy and how leaders are chosen: "However just the rules and laws, in unjust hands or beaks or paws they can be bent to serve the goal of leaders loath to lose control."

“Grandfather” Ivan Krylov was widely known for his gargantuan appetites and for the dinner parties regularly thrown in his honor. Our recipe for Ukha should satisfy.