The very first manned space flight took place on 12th April 1961. Of course, it would be more than eight years before American astronaut Neil Armstrong would make history and be the first man to walk on the moon. But…
Why does Russia celebrate Easter at a different time?
Have you ever thought about why Easter in Russia falls at a different time to the holiday in the west? It’s all to do with the calendar. In Russia, dates are set from the Julian calendar while in the UK,…
Understanding Defender of the Fatherland Day
Ladies, it’s time to go shopping! But before you get too excited, it’s not for you. This month, there’s a very special day in Russia which is dedicated to men, and I’m not referring to one particular man and Valentine’s…
Pancake week in Russia
How were your pancakes this year? In the UK we’ll have consumed them on Shrove Tuesday but in Russia, limiting this sweet treat to just one day just can’t be done. In Russia, the week-long festivities are known as the…
Why not visit the Tretiakov Gallery next time you’re in Moscow?
It’s a well known fact that St Petersburg has a world-renowned art museum in the form of the Hermitage, but did you know there’s a historic gallery in Moscow that’s equally worth a visit? 185 years ago, on 27 December…