Culture & Customs

How much would you pay for a feline once caressed by the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin?

"Dear residents! My deepest apologies. I confess I went too far with the alcohol. I am ready to financially compensate for the damage for the toys."

– A note from an anonymous Christmas tree thief from Krasnoyarsk, published January 10.

Start the new year off right by adding a little more Russian art to your social media platforms. 

In this week's Odder News: the weirdest New Year's show ever, the most eco-friendly person ever, and great news for Russia's orphan care system.

Fiscal sanctions may be devastating for an economy, but food sanctions are a punch to the gut.

Russians put mayonnaise on everything. Even robberies, apparently.

Six films in Russian cinema with foreign characters as their heroes.

TikTok isn’t just for kiddies these days. The video streaming platform offers a range of people, such as those of Russia’s many ethnic groups, the opportunity to educate others about their cultures.

Our bimonthly roundup of news on Russia most others missed.

An excerpt from the new book, The Gambler Wife, a glimpse into the life and motivations of Dostoyevsky's very successful wife.

August 27, 1698, was a day of historic importance for the grooming of the Russian male. It was then that Tsar Peter I (known to history as “the Great”), armed himself with scissors and undertook to mercilessly clip beards from the faces of summoned noblemen and boyars.

In Russian, neither a Scrooge nor a Plyushkin be!