They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but did you know that the Russian flag is thought to be based around that of the Netherlands? To understand why, we need to go back to the reign of Peter…
Celebrate Kupala night with us!
On the night of the 6th to 7th July, Russians, along with Poles, Slavs, Lithuanians and more, celebrate Kupala Night. Also referred to as the Feast of St John the Baptist, this celebration relates to the summer solstice. Remember we…
The Festival of Smelt in St. Petersburg
Do you know what the village of Lewiston in New York State has in common with the elegant Russian city of St Petersburg? They both stage a festival every May dedicated to the smelt. This little fish makes an appearance…
Victory day in Russia and the country’s best military museums
It’s Victory Day in Russia on 9th May, marking the anniversary of the Allied triumph at the Eastern Front at the end of World War Two. If you’re interested in all things military, then you’ll want to time your visit…
Russia’s Easter celebrations
Easter’s celebrated a little differently in Russia, though you will find similarities with the British holiday as well. Known as Paskha, the holiday has at least a thousand year history and is the most important date on the Russian Orthodox…