MOTHER’S DAY IN RUSSIA

Russian women deserve more than one holiday a year!

Was your Black Friday hunting successful enough? For students who learn Russian in Petrozavodsk it definitely was! Although their shopping list was a bit different – they were looking for presents and souvenirs from Russia for their moms because the occasion was special. On the last Sunday of November people in Russia celebrate the Mother’s Day. Russian women (mothers in particular) get flowers, presents and sincere congratulations on this day. They say one should be considerate towards his/her mother all the time (not only on special holidays) but that is a perfect opportunity to show once again our gratefulness and to the beloved ones.

How do people in Russia celebrate Mother’s Day

The holiday is celebrated on various days all over the world and inherently it’s idea was in honoring motherhood and maternal bonds. Trying to emphasize family values and to recall the significance of mother in everyone’s life Russian State Duma put forward an initiative to establish the holiday. Starting with the year 1998 (by President Boris Yeltsin edict) Russian people celebrate both International Women’s Day and Mother’s day.

On this day mothers in many Russian regions are awarded medals, diplomas, badges of honor and ranks for special merits. Festivals and performances are organized all over the country, Despite the fact that forget-me-not is a symbol of this holiday, mothers are given all kind of presents starting from hand-made postcards and poems to teddy bears and bottles of favorite wine. But the greatest present is gathering together with the family.

Enjoy Russian Host moms are moms in double measure

On behalf of Enjoy Russian language school we would like to congratulate our caring, open-minded and friendly host mothers who support the students and always try to create warm and cordial atmosphere for them. Even if they have their own children they become mothers for our  students and keep in touch with them after Russian language course ends. Thank you so much for your patience and tenderness!

For those of you who wants to experience Russian host moms’ hospitality we offer various Russian language courses. Come to Petrozavodsk and you will see!

FALSE SYMBOLS OF RUSSIA

What are false symbols of Russia?

There are some things that are considered to be Russian symbols and are really popular among foreigners that visit Russia. They buy these things as souvenirs and bring them home to always keep Russia in their houses and hearts.

The only problem is that these things are usually never used by Russian people nowadays. Most of them don’t have them in their houses and have never had before.

The first vivid example is Matryoshka

It is also known as a Russian nesting doll.  It is a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another. The first Russian nested doll set was carved in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin and designed by Sergey Malyutin who was a folk crafts painter. There is a museum of matryoshka in Moscow. There are lots of amazing beautiful dolls there. Matryoshkas could be a real treat for kids, but unfortunately most Russian people don’t buy them for their children, maybe because usually you can’t find a matryoshka in kids stores in Russia – only in souvenir shops, where they cost a fortune.

A samovar (literally “self-boiler”) is a heated metal container traditionally used to heat and boil water in and around Russia as well as in other countries: Central Europe, South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, Iran, Kashmir and the Middle-East. Since the heated water is typically used to make tea, many samovars have a ring-shaped attachment (Russian: конфорка) around the chimney to hold and heat a teapot filled with tea concentrate.

Though traditionally heated with coal or charcoal, many newer samovars use electricity to heat water in a manner similar to an electric water boiler. Antique samovars are often prized for their beautiful workmanship.
Nowadays there are not so many people that have samovars at home. Usually if they do, those samovars were left after their grandparents and are never used anymore. Now people use electric kettles to boil water for tea, though samovar would make this process much more interesting and traditional.

Most people in the world imagine bears and vodka when they think of Russia, right? Vodka is true, but bears… Of course there are bears in woods in Karelia or Siberia. But bears do not walk around centers of Russian cities, and we don’t keep them at home as out pets: it’s too dangerous!:)

Though some symbols of Russia are already too old and outdated, they all are nice and interesting. But if you want to know more about real Russia, come to us this winter or any other time, learn Russian and have fun! Apply for a Russian language course

SOVIET CARTOONS – LEARN RUSSIAN AND HAVE FUN!

Idiom quotes from the old Soviet cartoons

Every Russian person knows such cartoons as “Three from Prostokvashino” or “Nu, pogodi”. People watched them so many times and liked them so much that some quotes from these cartoons became idioms that people often use in modern Russian language. Let’s see a few examples:

1. Мужчина в самом расцвете сил! – A man in the prime of his life!

Cartoon “Malish and Karlson” (Малыш и Карлсон) is based on the story “Karlsson on the roof” by Astrid Lindgrens. Russian people love Karlson! He is an example of how people should enjoy their life. The phrase “Мужчина в самом расцвете сил!” can only be used to describe a man (a guy), who is in his perfect age, he is full of energy and very handsome.

2. Свободу попугаям! – Freedom for parrots!

3. А я ещё крестиком вышивать умею – And I even know, how to embroider stitches

When somebody praises you by saying that you can do so many different things, the best way to make a joke out of it is to say “А я ещё крестиком вышивать умею”.

4. Кто ходит в гости по утрам, тот поступает мудро! – The one that makes a visit to people’s places in the morning does the wise thing.

It’s actually a part of the song of the famous Russian Winnie the Pooh. He is singing it in the morning when going to visit the Rabbit with the Piglet. If you are visiting somebody in the morning, a fun thing to say is  “Кто ходит в гости по утрам, тот поступает мудро!”

Have fun while learning Russian! Come to Petrozavodsk “Enjoy Russian” Language School

Russian vocabulary with pictures

Words for hairstyles in Russian

ЧЁЛКА

Чёлка (bangs) are short hair cover your forehead

КОСА

Коса (braid) has been always considered to be a symbol of the feminine beauty. There is a saying in Russian “Коса – девичья краса” (a braid is the girl’s beauty).

ХВОСТ (ХВОСТИК)

Хвост is a ponytail in Russian, the favorite hairstyle of lots of busy women in Russia.

Learn Russian in Russia! Apply for a Russian language course now!

We’re happy to announce Russian language groups and dates for the upcoming spring of 2018!
Use your chance to register!

Starting dates:
A2 level: 05.03.2018
A2+ level: 19.03.2018
B1 level: 16.04.2018

Duration: 2-12 weeks
Cost: from 470 euro (tuition fee and homestay with breakfast for 2 weeks)

To apply please follow the link https://enjoyrussian.com/courses/standard/
For details contact info@enjoyrussian.com

TOP 5 MOST POPULAR RUSSIAN FOLK SONGS

5 legendary Russian songs that people know and sing all over the world

Each of the following songs has an interesting backstory, and is well-known both in Russia, and outside its borders. Check out the list and if you think anything is missing, write a comment.

5 Podmoskovnye Vechera

“Подмосковные вечера” (Moscow nights) is one of the best known Russian songs abroad. Originally, it was called Leningrad Nights but the title was changed after it was used for a documentary.

At first, the song was not particularly popular but suddenly – and much to the surprise of those who wrote it – the USSR couldn’t get enough of it. Soon after it started making waves abroad when young American pianist Van Cliburn (who won the first International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow in 1958) became a symbol of the thaw in Russian-American relations at the time.

4. Калинка-малинка

Today there are reports that the song was written by Ivan Larionov about 150 years ago. The song’s popularity in Russia and abroad is explained by the fact that it is included in the repertoires of many different music groups. The popularity of the song is so great that the title “Kalinka-Malinka” has become a common name of Russian restaurants abroad.

3. Валенки

Valenki are traditional Russian winter footwear, essentially felt boots: the name valenok literally means “made by felting”.

Here is the translation of “Valenki” song into English.

Valenki, oh valenki, you’re old and worn

You are now unwearable

And so I can’t go out to see my sweetheart

Valenki, oh valenki, you’re old and worn

Valenki, oh valenki, you’re old and worn

Oh, you Kolya, Kolya, Nikolai, sit at home and don’t go out

Don’t go to that end of the street, and don’t give rings to the girls

Valenki, oh valenki, you’re old and worn

Valenki valenki

Instead of bringing presents, you’d better patch up your valenki

Valenki, oh valenki, you’re old and worn

Valenki, oh valenki, you’re old and worn

Both God and people are witnesses to my love

I went barefoot through the frost to my sweetheart

Valenki, oh valenki, you’re old and worn

Valenki valenki

2. Катюша

Katyusha (a diminutive from of Katerina/Catherine) was written in 1938 but it wasn’t until WW11 that people went crazy for the song. It’s about a girl longing for her lover who joins the army and is sent to a distant outpost.

Some believe its success is down to the fact that a famous Russian rocket launcher used by the military was also nicknamed Katyusha – the weapon played an important role in WWII.

1.Finally number one… Ой, мороз, мороз

“Oy, Moroz, Moroz” (Oh, frost, frost…) is a great song that will help you to feel a real Russian winter, how cold you might be outside and how warm it is when you get back home to your family.

Enjoy Russian with “Enjoy Russian” Language School! Apply for a Russian language course

KEEP CALM AND LOVE SNOW!

International annual contest of ice and snow sculptures in Petrozavodsk

While looking for a perfect Russian language course in Russia we pay attention not only to professionalism of Russian tutors but also to the eventful and interesting life of the Russian city we are going to stay. In February Karelian city of Petrozavodsk becomes the cultural and international center which gathers together people from the whole Republic and different countries. Traditional Russian and Karelian songs and dance styles, sport competitions, exhibitions and workshops – that is how the Contest of Hyperborea gained its’ popularity. Joining this colorful event makes learning Russian in Petrozavodsk thrilling, mysterious and wonderful!

Blowing off the snowflakes from Karelian legends and Russian history

When Russian people live with snow for that long (in Petrozavodsk – from November till April) they take it as an advantage and become very creative. “Let’s turn the massive snow cubes into masterpieces” they say. More than 100 participants create about 35 great stories and monuments with no regrets that they are in danger of melting. Artists come from Italy, France and Spain, Norway, Finland and Sweden, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Canada and the United States. The fact that some of them are professional sculptor does not play any role, because their material is snow and ice! Participants are given only one week to turn the giant ice/snow cube (there are two nominations and they can choose the material to work with) into the live story and after that the jury and Petrozavodsk citizens decide on the best one.

It is really difficult to decide what impress you more, artists or their masterpieces while you take a walk on the Onego lake embankment in February. The process of creation is so magnificent – you may see here Russian fairy tales’ characters coming to life and you feel the synergy of human being and Mother Nature. You can find here the scenes out of Karelian and Finnish national epic Kalevala, animals, outrageous and surreal characters.

It is like blowing off the snowflakes from legends and history: more time master spends with his creation, the more snow goes away. And every year artists bring to life new and extraordinary ideas.

What keeps people warm in the gloomy Karelian weather?

• To let people of Petrozaavodsk fully enjoy the Festival organizers do their best:
• They cook Fish soup – about 200 liters!
• Arrange Fishermen contest and fire show;
• Invite people of all ages to participate in ice-race called “Ice Onego”;
• Organize workshops and exhibitions, compete in songs singing and outdoor Karelian games

Join Enjoy Russian group course in February  or choose an individual one and you will see (and feel) that Hyperborea is the coolest event ever!

Russian in Russia for basic (A2) level next March: 

Study Russian effectively in a mini-group, practice Russian with Russians, reach your goals in the Russian language with EnjoyRussian School! 

Starting date: March, 05 
Duration: 4 weeks 
Tuition fee: 640 euro for 80 lessons 

Apply here: https://enjoyrussian.com/courses/standard/ 
Get more details: info@enjoyrussian.com 

БЛИНЫ И ПОЦЕЛУИ СЧЕТА НЕ ЛЮБЯТ! ONE SHOULD NOT COUNT KISSES AND PANCAKES!

Russian spring holidays. Maslenitsa

To many students who come to learn Russian language in Petrozavodsk becoming a part of main Russian holidays seems to be the most exciting opportunity.  Russian New Year and Russian Old New year (to be discussed later), Orthodox Christmas and Victory day are well-known in comparison to some other Russian holidays like Maslenitsa (Масленица). The spring holiday is devoted to bidding farewell to winter and welcoming spring. And to solve out this uneasy double task people in Russia need the whole week. Pancake week (also known as Butter week)! It is one of the most colorful, bright and tasty Russian holidays which has its origins in Russian pre-Chrisitian times.

How do Russian people celebrate Maslenitsa?

The holiday is celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. For the whole Maslenitsa week all dairy products are permitted and because of that it’s also known as “cheese-fare week”. What is more, Russian people can not imagine living these 7 days without pancakes. Traditionally it was a symbol of sun and warmth and even in modern days people bake a lot of pancakes  especially from Thursday to Sunday. The last day is devoted to asking for each other forgiveness and is called “Forgiveness Sunday”. That last day is the time when the full-scale celebration starts: with sledding and ice-skating, snowball competitions and sleigh rides, outdoor competitions and performances. The key element here is burning Maslenitsa Lady (made of straw and fabric) on a bonfire. Ashes might be thrown in the snow to fertilize the soil.

Maslenitsa was praised in songs and masterpieces of many Russian artists and poets. Alexander Pushkin, Michail Lermontov, Pyotr Vyazemsky were describing the holiday as one of the most favorite, exciting and desirable for Slavic people.

Russian proverbs about Maslenitsa and  Pancake week

• Масленица семь дней гуляет (Maslenitsa is being celebrated for 7 days)
• И самый хладнокровный человек любит горячие блины (Even the most dispassionate person loves pancakes)
• Не житье, а Масленица! (life is Maslenitsa/ life is a bed of roses)
• На горах покататься, в блинах поваляться  (To go downhill sledding, to have a roll on the pancakes)
  
  To celebrate Maslenitsa in Russia In 2018 choose  group or individual course and come to Petrozavodsk in spring!

Sauerkraut sounds German, though mostly in Russia people eat it that much

It’s getting cold, there are not so many fresh vegetables left (those that are in supermarkets are imported and not delicious), so all types of pickled things are coming back to the shop shelves.

Because summers pass by in the blink of an eye and winters drag on forever, pickling is an important part of Russian cuisine. In order to preserve the harvest of the summer, Russians pickle everything they can — from cabbage to mushrooms to apples to whole tomatoes.

A bit of history

The process of соление (pickling) is well-known in Russia, and any traveler visiting Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus will undoubtedly come across several traditional pickled dishes that seem strange and exotic. With a relatively short growing season, preserving food has always been of special importance in Russia.

Traditionally, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine developed their own original methods of preservation without using vinegar. Besides соление (salting), these cultures also often use квашение (fermentation), and мочение (steeping). Even in the 12th century, the people of old Rus’ salted their cucumbers and fermented their cabbage.

In modern Russia

Nowadays there are not so many people, who pickle vegetables themselves. Mostly those are gradmas, who live in a village or have a dacha and own vegetable garden there. Younger people prefer to buy pickled vegetables in shops or markets. The favorites are usually pickled cucumbers, tomatoes and cabbage.

Sauerkraut in the Russian way

Sauerkraut is finely cut cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria. It has a long shelf life and a distinctive sour flavor, both of which result from the lactic acid that forms when the bacteria ferment the sugars in the cabbage.

Try Russian food in Russia and learn Russian in Petrozavodsk! Apply for a Russian language course

Full Russian immersion course in February of 2018: 

- Intensive Russian course (from 4 lessons a day); 
- Professional, experienced and creative native speaking teachers; 
- Interesting and diverse lessons with games, videos, projects and lots more;
- Russian homestay with caring and talkative Russian families;
- Cultural activities – events, parties, excursions, trips, craft shops;
- Support of Russian volunteers, speaking practice.

Duration: 2-4 weeks
Starting date: Feb, 05
Cost: from 320 euro (2-week tuition fee for 40 group lessons)

Apply here: https://enjoyrussian.com/courses/standard/
Get more details: info@enjoyrussian.com 

5 interesting facts about Russian Antarctic station “Vostok”

Here in Petrozavodsk where Enjoy Russian school is located students who come to learn Russian language in Karelia live with snow for maximum 3 months. They come here, enjoy pretty landscapes, learn Russian individually or in a group and they leave. But the locals have no choice but to spend 5-6 months in snow throughout the year and this is not even a verge. Russian researchers from Antarctic station Vostok live at the Pole of Cold with the lowest temperature on Earth (about -80/-90°C) 9-10 months straight! Some say Russians are brave, some say these people are crazy. But it doesn’t change the fact they deserve admiration.

What you may not know about the place where even Russian space technologies might be tested

1.  The whole station is covered with snow. The station founded by the Soviet Union in 1957 was named after the ship of the First Russian Antarctic Expedition. During the winter only 12-13 people leave at the station to maintain its work till the summer time expeditions. The station itself is the number of frame houses interconnected by tunnels and covered with snow. Even
2.  Want to find Antarctic penguins? Go somewhere else. People who live at the station are constantly asked if there is a chance to find penguins nearby. And the answer is “no”.  You need to move to other 5 Russian stations or choose the location other countries work at. By the way the total amount of Antarctic stations is about 90.
3. The age of the water under the station is 200-300 000 years. Lake Vostok is a unique reservoir because the water did not abut the atmosphere ever. The discovery made by Russian explorers is known as one of the most significant in the scientific world.
4. Antarctic researchers know how to keep eggs from spoiling. Russian film director Olga Stephanova was living at the station for a while and was impressed by a number of fats. Especially this one seemed to be super cool. Basically all you need to do is to turn all the eggs upside down once in 20-25 days. That’s the Russian ‘polar bears’ secret:)
5. A fly was the only one ‘pet’ at the station. You are not allowed to take any pets to the station. And explorers say there was a fly they were living with for a long time. And the problem was that a cook was so determined to do his job perfectly that he killed a fly once he saw it  the kitchen. Sad but true. And since then – no pets at all.

Enjoy Russian winter activities in December: not that cold but also exciting!

This winter Enjoy Russian school gives you an opportunity to experience a tiny part if this extreme buried-under-snow way of life and enjoy snowy landscapes! Take an individual course in December and January and come to the Russian North!

• You’ll see beautiful nature of Karelian winter: snowy fairy-tale sceneries, northern lights, visit snow and ice annual festival!
• Enjoy Russian banya and ice swimming, take a ski tour or arrange a picnic in the winter forest!
• Visit dog and deer farm, take a trip to world famous Kizhi island!
• Taste all kinds of traditional Russian and Karelian food whilestaying with a Russian host family and hear all interesting stories about Russian history, life in Russia and Soviet Union, amazing or weird Russian traditions firsthand from your hosts;

And bside that you’ll significantly improve your vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Thant’s what you need if you really want to reach the best results in Russian for a short period of time. By the end of the course you’ll be surprised by the progress you’ll have made!

STUDENTS WRITE ABOUT ENJOY RUSSIAN SCHOOL IN UNIQUE LANGUAGES

Try to read and understand! Impressions from Russian lessons in Sanskrit

A couple of months ago, Vishwesh from India had been learning Russian language at Enjoy Russian school. Once he saw us putting up the students testimonials about the study process and the school itself in their mother tongues he decided to send us his thoughts in Sanskrit language. This language is spoken by less than 1% of Indians so we are surpeised and excited to have some words about the school written in the authentic classic Sanskrit style.

यथा चित्तं तथा वाचो यथा वाचस्तथा क्रियाः। चित्ते वाचि क्रियायांच साधुनां एकरूपता॥ रशियाः कारेलियाप्रांतस्य पित्रोझावोद्स्क राजधानी अस्ति। तत्र स्थिता एंजाॅयरशयिन संस्था रशियनभाषाप्रशिक्षणार्थ अतीवा उत्तमा। छात्रानां सुगमविद्याप्रदानं, सरलता सत्यभाषणं, अद्रोहः, शांतिरपैशूनं, मार्दवंह्रीरचापलं इत्यादि गुणैभिः तस्या जनाः सुशॊभिताः। ताः दीर्घसूत्री न भवन्ति, स्वकर्मानुष्ठानम् समयेन करोति, सदा मधुरं भाषणं करोति च। मम निमंत्रका अलीना अध्यापिका ओल्गा च श्लाघ्यतमा। एंजाॅयरशियनस्य प्रदाय तथा अभियाचन वर्धिष्णुविश्ववंदितः भवतु एतन्मनिषा मम श्रीचरणे प्रार्थनाश्च।

Enjoy Russian is an excellent institute for learning Russian language and culture

And here comes the translation:

“There is no difference between thoughts, speech, and actions of a noble person. Petrozavodsk is the capital of the Republic of Karelia in Russia. In that city, EnjoyRussian is an excellent institute for learning Russian language and culture. Its employees excel at education and management, value simplicity and truth, refrain from anger and faultfinding, and embody gentleness, modesty, and determination. They are punctual in their work and are approachable. My host Alina and teacher Olga were most excellent. I wish EnjoyRussian the best and pray that this institute grows well and becomes more and more successful.”

Thank you, Vishwesh!

And if you have ever learnt Russian language with us, you can write a couple of words about your experience in your own language. If not, then choose a course and write something afterwards!

10 reasons to participate in a 3-month Russian immersion program in spring 2018: 

1. You’ll have 240 Russian lessons. You’ll significantly improve your vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Thant’s what you need if you really want to reach the best results in Russian for a short period of time. By the end of the course you’ll be surprised by the progress you’ll have made; 

2. You’ll taste all kinds of traditional Russian and Karelian food while staying with a Russian host family and hear all interesting stories about Russian history, life in Russia and Soviet Union, amazing or weird Russian traditions firsthand from your hosts;

3. You’ll have a chance to visit the Kizhi island twice: in March by snowmobiles to see the silent beauty of snowbound Kizhi Pogost and in May by hydrofoil to take a relaxing walk along the green island under the sun;

4. You’ll have enough time to visit all repertoire of the Musical theatre (opera, ballet, operetta), concerts of the Philharmonic Hall and modern performances of Creative Workshop Drama Theatre;

5. You’ll celebrate all spring Russian holidays with Russians: eat “blini” for the whole week, burn the scarecrow of winter and dance in a round during Maslenitsa, cook an Easter bread “kylitch”, color the boiled eggs and toll a bell on a bell tower at Easter and participate in celebratory parades dedicated to the Labor day and Victory day during the May holidays;

6. You’ll visit all speaking clubs arranged by EnjoyRussian School: game club to remember lots of new Russian words in a fun way, literature club to read Russian classic literature, movie club to watch Soviet and Russian movies and cartoons, discussion club to learn a lot about Russian culture, traditions and superstitions;

7. You’ll see full-flowing Kivach waterfall;

8. You’ll meet all the Russian volunteers of EnjoyRussian School with whom you’ll visit all must-see and must-eat places in Petrozavodsk;

9. You’ll participate in all kinds of cultural activities from winter sports and theater backstage excursion in March to horse-riding and picnics in May;

10. You’ll see beautiful nature of Karelia in all its views: from snowbound fairy-tale sceneries and northern lights, icebreaking and snow melting to green and blossoming sceneries and white nights.

Apply for the 12-week program starting from March, 05: https://enjoyrussian.com/courses/long-term/
For more information, please contact info@enjoyrussian.com 

HOW TO PACK FOR YOUR RUSSIAN WINTER TRIP

Essentials you need to spend perfect Russian holiday

For those of you who prefer a real trip to Russia instead of taking Russian lessons by Skype (that are also possible to sign up for) we made up a list of things you should definitely pack into your bag before you are on your way to Russia.

• Warm clothing. Be ready to dress warmly and put on 3-4 layers. Do not forget earmuffs or hat and mittens, winter boots (waterproof are more preferable) that would not be slippery and grab maybe a blanket scarf. The temperature might be close to -25C. But anyways check the weather forecast before you go.
• Don’t forget about some dressy outfits especially if you are going to be here during the festive season (ссылка на программу праздничную). You can be invited at Christmas or New Year dinner by your host family or Russian friends, or go to theatre performance one day. So be sure you have something beside your super-cozy winter essentials.
• Your camera. 100% – you will see many cool places during your trip. At least you should take a picture of snowy landscapes and Russians eating icecream outsideJ
• Prepare a list of commonly used phrases – even if you are a total beginner in learning the language make sure you know some words to find your way even before you start you Russian language lessons: Здравствуйте – Zdrastvooyte – Hello, Извините – Eezveeneete –  Excuse me, Как добраться до_____ ? (kak dabratsya do) How do I get to _____ ? Спасибо – Spaseeba –  Thank you
• Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and Chekhov novels. Or anything you would love to read in Russian. In comparison to Europe where distances are not that small and you can cross several countries in a day in Russia it will take you hours to get to another city. That is why it’s better to have something to read.

What to do in Russia during winter time?

Enjoy Russian language school organizes some exciting winter activities for the students depending on their interests and recklessness!

• Ice fishing
• Snowmobile driving
• Dog sledding
• Skiing, skating and snowboarding, outdoor winter games
• Annual festival of ice and snow (Hyperborea)
• Cooking class “New Year traditional dishes in Russia”
• Moreover: Russian banya any time you want, street festivals, Nothern lights!

Join us in winter! Choose individual or group courses and the dates you want to come to Petrozavodsk and spend magic holiday in Russia! And if you are not ready to wait for the program starts, feel free to sign up for our Skype course!

GUESS WHO LOVES CATS THE MOST IN THE WORLD

Dalia Research made a survey to find out how many people from different countries have cats at home

They asked more than 43,000 people worldwide whether they had felines. Russians were the most enthusiastic cat fans, the only nation where more than half of respondents had cats, 59% of people surveyed said they keep a feline friend at home.

According to Gfk, recently the number of pets in the world has increased. At the same time, people in most countries prefer to keep dogs (33%) and only 23% prefer cats. For example, in the USA, 49% of residents keep dogs, 35% – cats. In Russia, the situation is quite opposite.

Why do Russians love cats so much?

Scientists believe, it is due to the peculiarities of culture. The hairy cat is a symbol of Veles, the patron of animals of the ancient Slavs, and the link to the other world, which is able to recognize evil spirits. In Russian tradition, cats are endowed with wisdom, and dogs – only with negative features. In modern Russian language you can call a person who did something bad – a dog (СОБАКА), but people in love call each other a kitten, a little cat: КОТЁНОК, КОТИК.

Probably Russia is the only country that has a theatre of cats, called the Kuklachev Cat Theatre. At this unusual theatre, acrobatic cats do all kinds of stunts for the audience’s delight! Director Yury Kuklachev says, “We do not use the word train here because it implies forcing an animal to do something, and you cannot force cats to do anything they don’t want to. We play with the cats.”

Cats in Hermitage

Cats have been working for The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg since the 18th century. The drafty hallways of the palace of the time were being overrun by rats and mice. As a solution, Empress Elizabeth ordered to import a carriage with cats, in 1747… and they have been on the duty to keep the Hermitage rodent free ever since. Currently, there are over seventy cats residing in the Hermitage, with their own headquarters in the basement, where they are fed and taken care of. Sometimes there are even tours organized for everyone who wants to see the life of the Hermitage cats.

In Karelia we also have a famous museum cat, whose name is Kesha. He lives on the Kizhi island, and works as a warden of the museum and symbol of the island. According to diply.com, Kesha is one of the 25 most beautiful cats  in the world. Kesha is a favorite of Kizhi tourists – often when he appears guides lose control of the group – all attention goes to the cat.

Learn Russian in Russian and visit Petrozavodsk cat cafe! Sign up for the Russian language course