November 01, 2018

Warm Feelings for the Cool Weather


Warm Feelings for the Cool Weather
Some Treats to Offset Any Halloween Tricks

1. Here’s a story that’ll make you wag your tail. A man and his dog in Krasnoyarsk survived alone for three weeks in the Siberian wilderness after a bear-driven wrong turn during a mushroom-picking excursion. Viktor Vinogradov cooked mice for his dog, Thor, and the two shared a half-bottle of cooking oil that they found in a hunter’s hut. Eventually, Vinogradov and Thor found a group of forest workers and then made their way home. If this man and dog weren’t best friends before this, we’re sure they are now.

Thor is home

Photo: Rossiya TV

2. For the love of languages! This week, President Putin signed a decree that established a foundation to preserve the native languages of Russia. The organization will be based in Moscow and will be funded through a mixture of federal funding and donations. This is a response to concerns over the decline of the many native languages of Russia, which were further put at risk by restrictions on education in these native languages. The new foundation will encourage both the preservation and the study of these precious languages.

3. There must be something in the water… shark memes are making big waves in Russia these days. Specifically, Russians are laughing themself silly over Blåhaj, an Ikea-produced stuffed shark, who they like putting in relatable situations. Apparently, something about the shark’s expression makes it the perfect avenue for human expression. However, Blåhaj’s popularity is double-edged, as apparently they are now out of stock!

The sharks of business

Photo: @akula_innokentiy

In Odder News:

Tuapse flooded

Photo: angelika6969

  • This actually is scary: floods in Krasnodar’s Tuapse are taking everything along with them

  • Now for the even worse news: if you like the shawarma joints in Moscow, you’re out of luck. All 252 of them were found to violate health regulations!

  • Hot potato! One Russian official threw his bribe out of the car while being chased by police

Quote of the Week:

“Dad hunted mice and cooked them over a fire for the dog. Later they found a hunter's hut and a half-bottle of cooking oil, which they rationed out between them. It was enough to keep their strength up.”

Tatiana, daughter of Viktor Vinogradov, tells his (and Thor’s!) story


~And a special thanks to David Edwards for the story about Viktor and Thor!~

Want more where this comes from? Give your inbox the gift of TWERF, our Thursday newsletter on the quirkiest, obscurest, and Russianest of Russian happenings of the week.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955