ONE STATE, MANY COUNTRIES

5 reasons Russian trip might be equal to world cruise

Russia stretches over Europe and Asia. East-to-west distance is about 10 000 km. That is why its nature and climate so diverse from one region to another that taking a trip here may be equal to a world cruise. Here travelers and Russian language learners may find deep lakes and endless deserts, high mountains and naturally born caves, tranquil meadows and rapid rivers.  People from different countries say Russia has at least one feature similar to the place they come from. Here are 5 reasons depicting that Russia has it all.

1. Russian Iceland – Kamchatka

This is one of the most impressive places in the whole world. 20 huge geysers and thousands of hot springs make you believe you are in Iceland. Locals say it is similar to 20 roaring bears that ignore your presence. Everything around you is bubbling and smoking. Definitely worth visiting!

2. Russian Scotland – Komi Republic

The weathering pillars in Komi Republic is another great natural sight. That is hard to believe but 200 million years ago these 6 giant stones with the height up to 42 m were just ordinary mountains. It goes without saying that we see a masterpiece here with strong wind as the main artist.

3. Russian Switzerland – Altai

Altai Republic is located in the South-Central Siberia. The Altai Mountains cover the large part of the Republic and become a place with the most spectacular views.

4. Russian Arab Emirates – Chara Sands in Zabaykalsky region

Have you ever seen a  desert hidden in between taiga forests? Come to Zabaykalsky region. Standing in the middle of famous Chara Sands you may see mountains tops and mountain lakes and feel like in Arab Emirates desert.

5. Russian Finland – Karelia

The closest region if you head to Russia from Europe. The republic  is located right  next to Finland and has a common  border with the European Union. The land of lakes, stones and rivers attracts thousands of tourists each year.  This is a homeland for Enjoy Russian language school. So if you want to learn Russian and enjoy the unique nature you better choose Petrozavodsk in Karelia.

To visit 5 countries in a one trip come to Enjoy Russian school and make Karelia your first stop! Choose a course here!

THE MOST TASTY RUSSIAN LANGUAGE LEARNING MATERIALS!

How to serve Russian dumplings and cook raspberry buns?

Welcome to Enjoy Russian language school blog! One of the categories here is devoted to learning materials for you to simplify your Russian language exciting journey. But today’s post is a bit special. It’s not only about Russian grammar and the way Russians live. It’s about diverse and unique Russian cuisine. Some say it’s a mix of different cultures’ cooking traditions – Eastern European, Caucasian, Central Asian, Siberian, and East Asia. So grab a snack not to get hungry and make your recipe  book ready to Russian Cyrillic alphabet! Let’s go!

How to cook and serve Russian food?

What do Russians miss when they live abroad? The whole variety of products! ? Listen to the most tasty Russian podcast to find out!
1:58 – Bliny – what to serve with?
3:45 – Cottage cheese: rich in calcium
4:40 – Pelmeni or Russian dumplings – the origin
6:50 – Vareniki – sweet or salted?
8:00 – Pirog – big layered Russian pie
8:45 – Russian soups – borsch and okroshka
12:10 – Vinegret
13:20 – Meet jelly
14:00 – Russian traditional drinks

https://soundcloud.com/enjoyrussianschool/what-flavor-does-russia-have-russian-cuisine

Russian raspberry buns recipe

For those who wants not only learn something about Russian food but also to put knowledge into practice we suggest baking delicious and easy-to-cook Russian raspberry buns

• Put 1/4 cup of warm milk in a small bowl. Add 1 teaspoon flour and 1,5 teaspoon sugar and stir to dissolve. Let it stand about 5 minutes.
• Mix 1 cup of flour and 1/4 cup warm milk in a bowl. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix it. Cover the bowl with a towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place (for about two hours)
• Mix butter, 1 egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of sugar about 3 minutes. Add it to the dough; add in 1 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Preheat oven to 175 degrees C
• Cut the dough into 8 pieces and make 8 balls.
• Press down the center of each bun and fill the hollows with raspberry jam.
• Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
• Enjoy!

Follow our news and see you soon in Russia! Choose a course here

RUSSIAN GRAVITY FALLS

Vottovaara mountain in Karelia 

On September 3 Enjoy Russian language school starts a group course for people who wants to start speaking Russian in a short time (you may enroll here). We usually offer diverse cultural program to our students but sometimes they choose the places to visit in Karelia by themselves and this autumn we highly recommend you checking out some mystic places in Russian North. Why? Because here in Karelia we have it all: mountain idols, ancient petroglyphs, stone labyrinths and one more place – Vottovaara mountain. It can be compared to Gravity Falls  from the famous Disney series and here’s why.

A healthy habit to explore: what is Vottovaara mountain famous for?

They say one may find mystic spots almost in every Russian region. Near Chelyabinsk, lake Baikal,  Chukotka or even in Moscow (famous Patricarch’s  Ponds described by M. Bulgakov in his novel). The Republic of Karelia is not an exсeption.

People say Russian North is a place of energy and inner strength and that a trip around all the “unordinary” spots in Karelia may take 1 month. Vottovaara mountain (470 m) is a place that the locals are always asked about. The mountain was discovered about 30 years ago and still catches everyone’s attention. It is situated in the Central Karelia not  far from Segozero lake. Some ppeople are ready to take travelers there while others strictly say NO. Let us clarify what’s wrong with this place and why everyone should see this.

1. You may fall asleep in a second. That happened many times with travelers. May be because of ancient Saami people’s rituals or because of the placebo effect. Anyways, you should come to try.
2. Stones are everywhere. Almost 1500 stones that are called “seidy”. They look like absolutely typical stoenes but there is one tiny moment here. They are extremely heavy but when you get closer to one of them you notice that it stands on several stones that are extremely small in comparison with this big one. How did they get under? No one knows.
3. Spectacular view of the whole Karelia and even Finland. Even though it is not that high, you may see beautiful lakes and forests of Karelia and even a part of neighbouring country.
4. Go here if you are a UFO hunter. The locals say you may see here aliens from time to time.
5. The most tranquil place in Karelia and maybe in the Russian North. Not a single bird, fly or ant. Just you and the energy of mysterious Karelia.

TREKKING IN KARELIA NEAR THE WATERFALLS AND VOLCANOES

Top 3 Russian North Hiking Trails

Russian North attracts travelers not only from the very heart of Russia. Every year thousands of nomads seeking extreme experience and new emotions come to enjoy Karelian wild nature: touch the stones that are thousands years old, feel the energy of Russian forests, get inspired by the Northern lights, White nights… If you believe that to start speaking Russian you need only to bone up on the grammar you probably haven’t seen the way Enjoy Russian students live in Karelia. We travel all over the Russian North and practice Russian language with the locals! If you feel like making Russian learning special, take a look at the best hiking routes in Karelia and come!

Learn Russian and stop the time

When a bus takes you to the start of your route you really think that the time stops. No any irritating apps notifications, endless flow of tasks from your boss or thoughts about what to put into the kids lunch boxes. It’s only you and the Nature. Wild, Russian and Nordic. Depending on your vacation you may choose 3-4-day route or enjoy the real journey for 2 weeks. Professional local guides will show you the hidden places and teach how to get lost in the atmosphere (not physically but mentally).

Route 1. To the volcano

Karelia is a land of tranquility and piece. Never ever had anyone witnessed here earthquakes or storms. But ancient volcano Girvas that is 3 billion years old definitely deserves mentioning. This is the oldest sightseeing attraction in Karelia and a place of interest for many archeologists. Solidified lava, earth materials, multicolored stones will catch your attention from the very beginning. Even though the volcanic neck is hardly distinguishable you will feel the uniqueness of the place. When on a track your guide takes you to the highest viewpoints and shows steep cliffs and rocks.

Route 2. Red stones and waterfall in the National Park of Karelia

Trekking in Paanajarvi park is a great opportunity to follow the  traces of an earthquake that occurred here many years ago. Here between the rocks you may find the deepest lake in whole Scandinavia and Kola Peninsula. Get ready to the breathtaking views of deep canyons, fast rivers and singing waterfalls. Even locals will tell you that taking this route is a good way to get familiar with Karelian flora and fauna and to hear the call of the wild. Usually guides are happy to stop a group and take a break with Russian banya and traditional dinner and to share some stories about mysterious Karelian lands.

Route 3. The lake of mountain spirits

According to the Saami people legends, lake Seydozero has always been a sacred place where everyone could meet mountain spirits. That is the place where the oldest mankind civilization’s evidence was found – ancient fortifications, sanctuaries and astronomical objects. Nowadays the trekking path goes through the famous large meadow under which scientists and archeologist dedicatedly try to find the cave. Some say it was clearly seen on one picture taken in 1920-s. Since then no one actually knows if this fact is true. Come to Karelia and try to find out!

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Join Enjoy Russian school this summer and travel Russian North! Choose a course here

GREAT LENT BEGAN in russia! WHAT SHOULD WE EAT NOW?

The brightest, funniest and most entertaining of Russians holidays Maslenitsa has just finished. Yesterday a 49-day Great Lent began.

Great Lent, or the Great Fast in Russia

ВЕЛИКИЙ ПОСТ (Great Lent in Russian) is the most important fasting season in the church year in Russia, which prepares Christians for the greatest feast of the church year, ПАСХА (Easter).

In many ways Great Lent is similar to Lent in Western Christianity. There are some differences in the timing of Lent (besides calculating the date of Easter) and how it is practiced, both liturgically in the public worship of the church and individually. Observance of Great Lent is characterized by fasting and abstinence from certain foods, intensified private and public prayer, self-examination, confession, personal improvement, etc. In this post we will tell you what Russians eat during the Great Fast.

During the lent only lenten fare is permitted by the Russian Orthodox Church. At this time old Russian proverb “ЩИ ДА КАША – ПИЩА НАША” (shchi da kasha – pischa nasha) (cabbage soup to porridge – that’s our food) makes much sense. Of course, not all Russian people fast – only deeply religious ones. But during the Great Fast many restaurants serve lenten food.

Among prohibited products there are meat, milk, eggs. Fish is allowed on special days. There are food calendars that inform about which food is allowed to eat on which day.

The most popular Russian lenten dishes

During the Great Fast people usually eat potatoes, noodles, bread, different porridges, fruits, and vegetables. There are some traditional Russian dishes that are very popular during the lent.

Vinegret

It’s a Russian traditional vegetarian salad, made of beets, potatoes, sauerkraut, peas, pickles… Ingredients might slightly vary per household and restaurant.

Vareniki

It’s Russian and Ukrainian classic pierogi, loaded with cheesy potatoes and an easy melt in your mouth homemade dough! There lots of types of vareniki: with potatoes, with potatoes and mushrooms, with cherry, with cabbage… If you make the dough without eggs, vareniki will be a perfect lenten dish!

Pickled vegetables

It’s not easy to find really good fresh vegetables in this time of the year in Russia, so pickled ones are the best substitution

Do you want to try traditional lenten food? Come to Petrozavodsk, experience Russian culture, and learn the language at our Russian courses. Enroll here

THE LEGENDS OF THE NORTH

Go berserk and enjoy ancient sagas at Medieval times International Festival in Karelia!

Telling the truth not every student who comes to learn Russian language in the North of Russia lives with the host families. Of course Russian homestay is the best option however sometimes the call of the wild breaks down the system of “everything is on the right track”. The historical Campus on the shore of Onego lake (the 2d biggest lake in Europe by the way) is going to be established in August 2018. For those who seek some unique places to visit in Russia and some authentic activities to try the “Legends of the North Festival” is the first must-see-item!

Learn how to set a fire both to your Russian trip and on the ground

We’d already written the post about Karelia and North-West of Russia as a place where many legends were born. Golden Mermaids, stones  “seidy” and Karelian Nessy, stories about brave men who conquered the death and forest creatures helping travelers to find a way.  They say Karelia is a land for spiritually strong Russian men. According to the legend Karelian people ancestors came from the North and to survive in these harsh weather conditions they should have been pure in heart and strong in spirit.

“Legends of the North” Festival proves all mentioned above and is slowly becoming the event people associate Karelia with. On 5th of  August citizens are invited to be fully immersed by the authentic Nordic atmosphere of 9-11 centuries, try on some elements of clothes, armor and weapons, get acquainted with historical handicrafts and take part in numerous unique workshops and talk sessions:

• Moulded ceramics workshop
• Scandinavian poetry of scalds
• Elementary leather goods. Types of hides and skins. Their destination. Where to search for materials.
• the Swedish overtone flute making class
• archery and throwing knives workshops

The best place in Russia for those who’re attracted by the North

Not only the sounds of folk bands performance might be heard here but also metallic clang from everywhere! So the bravest ones may take a sword and become the best in the battle.

“That was the greatest show! The level of organizing was really high, we could take pictures with the warriors, fight with swords, watch and photograph handicrafts and life, learn something new and communicate with people who can’t imagine their life without the Legends of the North!” (says one of the participants in 2017)

Don’t you think it’s your turn to try this? Choose a course and come to Karelia!

LEARN RUSSIAN IN RUSSIA. WHEN TO GO AND FOR HOW LONG?

6 super-efficient weeks in Russia in summer 2018

If you set a goal of successful Russian language learning you probably face 2 key issues to resolve: when to go and for how long? The first answer mostly depends on your personal preferences, year schedule, studies and job while choosing the right period of time for full Russian immersion is supposed to deal with the progress you’d like to achieve in Russian. Let Enjoy Russian language school help you to decide!

The amount of hours you spend learning Russian does matter!

Enjoy Russian school has been teaching people of different ages and backgrounds for 15 years so far. As every educational institute we try to find the perfect formula for turning the study process in Russia into the most efficient one. Recently we’ve launched the idea of 6-week learning. Why is it perfect? Let’s ask our Education coordinator: “We offer Russian language programs for foreign students of any age and any level of proficiency in Russian – from beginner (А0) to advanced (С1/С2). Each course curriculum is carefully planned and structured. Every level course consists of 1-week modules, so a “module” is a portion of a language curriculum that is taught for one week. The length of a full course during which you’ll reach A2 level of the Russian language proficiency”.

Impressive, isn’t it?

And another advantage of this “module” system is that you may join the group whatever week you can, you will always know what topics to cover and how to many “moduls” are left.

6 weeks. I got it. When to go?

To make your stay in Russia both productive and spectacular come here in one of the most eventful seasons. Yes, in summer. Here in the North of Russia (where our school is situated) you may enjoy amazing activities this summer.

• Take a trip to Ruskeala canyon. That is the place where you can dive into the infinity and experience over-the-canyon bungee jumping; start your adventure with the rocks diving; touch the ancient stones and feel the energy of water while taking a boat trip; put up the tent, make delicious shashlyk and learn Russian hiking songs!
• Try delicious pies at the annual “Kalitki” Festival in Karelia. Kalitka (КАЛИТКА) – is a small open-faced pie from rye flour and water dough with different fillings: berries, cottage cheese,  millet, mashed potatoes. Take part in traditional Karelian outdoor competitions like kyykka (game similar to skittles), to make Karelian souvenirs (pottery, rag dolls, matted wool toys), to enjoy musical and dance bands performances and compete in valenki – throwing (traditional Russian winter boots).
• Join the greatest shipbuilding and navigation marathon “Kizhskaya regata”. More than 30 crews from Russia, Sweeden, Finland and Norway are to take part in this. Some say the event is even more bright than famous Historical Regatta in Venice.  It is the first Russian competition in which sportsmen should use traditional wooden boats. Kids and adults come to the festival in order to try themselves in all sorts of marine professions from boat builders to the keepers of Kizhi museums; to choose the best boat constructed by Russian and foreign artists and learn more about Onego shipping traditions.
• Go to Sherwood! Somewhere in between two major cities of Karelia the adventure park “Sherwood” is located. Known informally as a Seventh heaven the high ropes course makes Karelia attractive to tourists, extreme seekers, wild nature lovers. That is 100% right place if you want to experience the ground crumbles under your feet! 

FROM PETER THE GREAT TO THE MODERN DAYS

Festival of traditional shipbuilding and navigation “Kizhskaya regata”

What is the first thing each student coming to learn Russian in Petrozavodsk hears? Right! The fact that the capital city of Karelia was founded by Peter the Great. In 1703 the Emperor ordered to construct the arms factory on Lososinka river and later on it served as an important fortification against the Swedes. Peter’s “sea passion” and  geographical position of Karelia have destined its future as closely bounded to naval expeditions and marine life. Since 18 century Karelian people have been honoring the gifts mother-nature brought and organized numerous holidays and festivals and the upcoming great festival is going to take place in July and August 2018.

The place for which Karelia is known by the whole world

Every summer about 170 000 tourists come to Karelia to visit the unique place included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage. Somewhere in the Lake Onego famous Kizhi Pogost is situated. The impressive construction includes 2 wooden churches and a bell-tower that were built without a single nail in 17 century.  According to the legend, the builder threw into the lake the axe he was constructing the church with and said that nowhere in the world would man find something alike. Really and truly no one could reproduce the phenomenal buildings.

Spice up your Russian summer – greatest naval Festival in July and August

If you are currently choosing the right time to visit Karelian cultural and historical gem  think about coming to Russia in summer. More than 30 crews from Russia, Sweeden, Finland and Norway are to take part in annual traditional shipbuilding and navigation “Kizhskaya regata” from 30th of July to 5 of August. Some say the event is even more bright than famous Historical Regatta in Venice.  It is the first Russian competition in which sportsmen should use traditional wooden boats. Kids and adults come to the festival in order to:

• Try themselves in all sorts of marine professions from boat builders to the keepers of Kizhi museums;
• To choose the best boat constructed by Russian and foreign artists and learn more about Onego shipping traditions;
• To taste famous Karelian fish soup;
• To make their own wooden souvenirs, listen to folk bands and get driven away by locals’ performances.
• 
  

FIVE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT RUSSIA

Russia is a popular country among tourists. In 2017 approximately 3,3 million people visited Russia. But some people are suprised to see what they see in Russia, because unfortunately there are so many stereotypes people believe, which are not always true. Here are some facts about Russia:

1. Russia is located both in Europe and in Asia. The Asian part occupies 77% of the territory of modern Russia, and just the Asian part by itself is bigger than any other country in the world. 
2. There are not only Russians in Russia. Russia is a multinational state, which is also reflected in its constitution. More than 190 peoples live on its territory. 
3. The main religions represented in Russia are Christianity (mainly Orthodoxy, there are also Catholics and Protestants), as well as Islam and Buddhism. Tatarstan region with its beautiful capital of Kazan is an amazing mixture of Christianity and Islam, half of the people there is Muslim and another half – Orthodox.     
4.  Russian language is the same everywhere. Not like some other languages, there are no significantly different dialects (maybe just some slight changes in pronunciation of some words and some regional vocabulary), that’s why it’s a good language to learn: you can speak it in any Russian speaking country and will be understood. 
5. It’s not always cold in Russia! The average annual temperature in Sochi for example, is +14.2 °C. There is a distinct division of the year into the cold and warm seasons. In most places, including Mosow, Saint Petersburg and Petrozavodsk, there are beautiful warm springs with blossoming trees, hot summers, long rainy autumns and cold snowy winters.      

YOUR DELICIOUS RUSSIAN SUMMER

Karelian “Kalitki” Festival

On 16 of June 2018 the annual “Kalitki” Festival takes place in Karelia. What is Kalitka and how do Russians in Karelia usually spend this amazing and tasty holiday? Almost every student coming to learn Russian language in Petrozavodsk knows the answer and is familiar with the fact that Russia is a multicultural country. In this connection there are many special traditional holidays different ethnic groups in Russia celebrate year by year across the generations.

1. Russia is a multicultural country

According to the statistics there are about 186 ethnic groups in Russia. Both large and small ones (the population of ethnic groups vary from millions to 2-3 thousand) speak their own language and keep the ancestors’ traditions, beliefs and way of life. For instance the Kets of Siberia celebrate Bear holiday to honor the holy spirit of the local priests’ protector, the Bashkirs annually welcome the spring coming by celebration of Rooks’ Day, the  Mari people gather together on 12 of June to sing and dance in honor of the floral world and this Flowers’ Day goes back to ancient pagan traditions.

2. Karelian traditions’ revival

2010 population census says the number of  Karelian people in our Republic amounts to only 7% of the overall population. Therefore local government strongly supports the initiatives of Karelians to sustain their unique heritage.  Annual Kalitki Festival has been turning into the main representation of this traditional background. Kalitkia (КАЛИТКА) – is a small open-faced pie from rye flour and water dough with different fillings: berries, cottage cheese,  millet, mashed potatoes. Traditionally Karelian people were making those pies during the КОЛЯДКИ week (time after Christmas when people were singing traditional songs). Nowadays many Karelian housewives arrange the workshops to learn people make traditional pies by the ancient recipe and share the secrets with each other every June on this annual holiday. Not only KALITKI – cooking classes  attract people from the whole Republic and neighboring Finland. Guests also come to take part in traditional Karelian outdoor competitions like kyykka (game similar to skittles), to make Karelian souvenirs (pottery, rag dolls, matted wool toys), to enjoy musical and dance bands performances and compete in valenki – throwing (traditional Russian winter boots).

Certain day is not needed…

… to feel Karelian flavor and enjoy traditional pies cooking class. Enjoy Russian school students are always asked about cultural activities to spice up their stay in Russia. Almost every one chooses a kalitki-workshop with Anastsia. Guys follow the recipe and make everything by themselves, having a tea with incredible pies afterwards. You should see the masterpieces our students make! From tiny baby-pies to bigger ones in various  shapes.  Surprisingly all of them do this for the first time so quickly and light-handedly and treat  special baking tools like if they are professionals.

Former Helsinki’s deputy mayor considers Petrozavodsk an ideal city for learning Russian

Ilkka-Christian about dramatic history  of Petrozavodsk and his learning Russian experience

As you probably know Petrozavodsk where you can learn Russian language is situated close to the European Union and Karelia has a common border with Finland. May be that’s why many of Enjoy Russian students come here to practice Russian from this county. This autumn we were happy to host very hardworking and loyal student (who has been studying with us several times) Ilkka-Christian. What makes students come to Enjoy Russian more than once? Here is the testimonial of our Finnish student and his impressions from city and the school both in Russian and Finnish languages:

Лично думаю, что каждому финну надо посетить Петрозаводск, по крайней мере один раз в жизни потому, что в этом городе мы сталкиваемся и со своей собственной (!) драматической, иногда у нас замолчанной историей – на берегу Онежского озера финские коммунистические лидеры верили, что построили там социалистический рай, и финские националисты на военной форме исполнили свою разрушительную утопию о ”Великой Финляндии”. Но, конечно, финнам сегодня, прежде всего, было бы интересно ездить в ПТЗ потому, что нынешний город – близкий, красивый и развитый город, который покажет то, что Россия – это не только Москва и Питер. С точки зрения изучения языка город просто идеальный – всё находится поблизости. Школу могу сердечно порекомендовать потому, что здесь  хорошие условия, отличные преподаватели, эффективная организация и вообще хорошее соотношение цены и качества.

Jokaisen suomalaisen pitäisi käydä Petroskoissa ainakin kerran elämässään. Senkin vuoksi, että törmäämme täällä myös oman historiamme dramaattisiin ja joskus vaiettuihin käänteisiin – Äänisen rannoilla ovat suomalaiset kommunistijohtajat uskoneet rakentavansa sosialistista paratiisia ja täällä ovat sotilaspukuiset suomalaiset ”aakooässät” toteuttaneet yhtä lailla tuhoisaa utopiaansa Suur-Suomesta. Mutta ennen muuta siksi, että nyky-Petroskoi on läheinen, kaunis ja kehittyvä kaupunki, joka osoittaa, että Venäjä on paljon muutakin kuin Moskova ja Pietari. Kieliopintojen kannalta kaupunki on ihanteellinen, kaikki on lähellä. Enjoy Russian -koulua voin kokemukseni perusteella lämpimästi suositella – ajanmukaiset puitteet, erinomaiset opettajat, toimivat järjestelyt ja hyvä hinta-laatu-suhde.

HARD TO SUCCEED EVEN FOR ROBIN HOOD!

Discover your Russian summer and visit the high ropes course in Karelia

Does a name “Sherwood” ring a bell? It does! But we usually think first about the famous park in England, royal forest and Robin Hood. But how is that possible that almost every citizen of Karelia and its surroundings travels there more than once a year? Somewhere in between two major cities of Karelia the adventure park “Sherwood” is located. Known informally as a Seventh heaven the high ropes course makes Karelia attractive to tourists, extreme seekers, wild nature lovers and of course Russian lamguage learners!

Come here not to stare but to act!

Literally the place for jumping, stepping, climbing through and swaying all over! More than hundred m of ropes are installed to hold the platforms and connect the trees. Here you may find everything to challenge yourself from massive barrels and wooden bridges to huge triangle platforms and cubes. You can create your own strategy to pass the trail within a certain period of time or just set a goal of “being able to move” and explore the platforms one by one at your own pace. Once you are tired jump right into the transparent net serving as a life-saving blanket. That is 100% right place if you want to experience the ground crumbles under your feet! Take a look down and you will feel like a bird. It reminds the giant hammock at a height of 30-40 m. There is a big climbing wall by the entrance to Sherwood so you can combine favorite sports and as Russians say «убить двух зайцев одним выстрелом» – kill two birds with one stone. By the way never ever animals suffered here because the park is strictly protected by the local administration.

Spectacular location

The location is gorgeous. 2 hundred year old pines, the choir of unique birds you may find only in Karelia turn the place into a fairytale land and the magnificent lake view. Make sure you get down to the shore of lake Syamozero which is literally the best place to take a walk and have a picnic. Pitch up a tent, make tasty shashlyk with your Russian friends and go to pick blueberry, cranberry and mushrooms. Amazing landscapes bring many gifts in summer. Ask the locals and they will show you where the spring may be found. The purest water you’ve ever tried! You may also visit the similarly-named village with the ancient Karelian traditional houses (Изба) and take a boat trip or enjoy fishing at sunset.  If you want to chill even more after the ropes course take a bike and visit authentic church in a village Akhpoilla. It’s really unique construction because it was built by the Karelian people in 16 century with the observing Golden Section proportions.

You may either buy a ticket to St. Petersburg, take a train to Petrozavodsk and travel to local Sherwood by bus or can simply sign up for a course of Enjoy Russian school. Every summer our students enjoy not only Russian language learning but also exploring the surroundings of Petrozavodsk!

ANCIENT MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

Russian idiomatic expressions frequently used nowadays

While teaching Russian by Skype or in a classroom Enjoy Russian shool tutors are often asked by the students about some historical, cultural or scientific facts about Russia, Russian literature,  space industry etc. From time to time learners are interested in Russian measurement system people used especially when they talk about directions in Russian language. To be honest, not every Russian man is familiar with all the notions, but almost everyone uses some idiomatic expressions that contain one-two ancient measurement terms. Enjoy Russian school briefly tells you about the most frequently used notions.

5 common Russian expressions with measurement notions

1. Since ancient Rus’ and till the year 1925 Russian length measurement system included a number of units that grew out of use. For instance the one introduced by Peter the Great in 18 century was called It was equal to 21 English inches (or 71 cm). In modern days here in Russia we still use the expression:

Мерить всех на свой АРШИН. To measure everybody by one’s own ARSHIN – To judge people by yourself.

Another expression with the word:

Проглотить АРШИН. To swallow an ARSHIN – To stand very straight and still.

2. Another weight measurement unit is often used in everyday Russian (especially by teens) and can be viewed as Russian slang – pood – ПУД (that is about 16 kg or 36 lb). We use the following expression to say “something is going to happen 100%, most likely”.

Сто ПУДОВ (plural) – Hundred poods!

3. Another word is VERSTA – ВЕРСТА (which is about 1 km). The expression you may hear very often when in Russia is – Слышно ЗА ВЕРСТУ. This Russian expression means someone screams about something very loud and he/she can be heard everywhere (even 1 km away).
4. ЗОЛОТНИК (zolitnik – “golden one”) – about 4 grams of gold.

Мал ЗОЛОТНИК, да до́рог. A ZOLOTNIK is small, but expensive : when quality is more important than quantity.

5. МИЛЯ (milya) – mile basically, was equal to 7.4 km

Идти СЕМИМИЛЬНЫМИ шагами. To walk in 7-mile steps – To progress fast in something, to improve something quickly.

And if you want to progress fast in Russian (идти СЕМИМИЛЬНЫМИ шагами) join our Russian lessons by Skype or come to Petrozavodsk to Enjoy Russian language school! Choose a course here

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!”

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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.

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