Culture & Customs

“About the dangers of alcohol, volumes have been written on the benefits of more than one brochure! From lack of education, we walk for five days and crawl for two! And, on Saturday morning, Russia from space looks like.”

– An unintelligible sign alerting Muscovites to the effects of alcohol.

Hundreds of kitties need homes in Novosibirsk – and this lady bought them one.

The minimum price of vodka, set by Russia's Ministry of Finance, has been raised. Barely.

Russia has an ultranationalist, pro-Putin motorcycle gang. Because of course it does.

The Snow and Ice in Moscow international festival, happening now, brings together artists from across the world to create brilliant works of art. 

The newly released Wordle game now has a Russian language version! Go try it out! 

In this week's Odder News: a propaganda failure, fishing robots, and a cross-dressing bandit.

“Usually, to put money on a card, you need an ATM; with magicians, everything is much simpler: just rub a coin and it becomes invisible.”

– Eugene, at Nevyansk prison, as he shows off a magic trick.

Russia's Arctic towns are overdue for a makeover and graffiti is just what these chilly outposts need.

In an effort to prevent the "cult of selfishness," Russia's Ministry of Culture is implementing a project to preserve traditional values in 2022.

In honor of Chekhov's birthday, we present his story, "The Fiasco," translated by Bob Blaisdell. And a video version...

Religious or not, January 19th marks the day in which thousands of Russians dunk themselves in freezing waters for the annual Epiphany swim.