Students from Italy come to learn Russian in Petrozavodsk all the year round

From now on the University of Bologna (Forlì Campus) is the place each Russian volunteer knows about. The reason for that is because recently the teachers of Enjoy Russian language school had been teaching Russian to 8 great students from this University. Notwithstanding their language proficiency, each student made a huge step in learning Russian. Read what guys think about Russian hosts, study process and the city itself!

amazing facts about Russia

We bet you know this! 

Some stereotypes about Russia are not even close to reality! Make sure you know Russia better than Google:)  Here is the presentation that hopefully will make you want to come to learn Russian in Karelia! See you soon in Petrozavodsk!

WHAT DO RUSSIANS CELEBRATE ON 9TH OF MAY?

Victory Day symbols in Russia

On May 9, a national holiday is celebrated in Russia – Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, in which the Soviet people fought for the freedom and independence of their Motherland against fascist Germany and its allies. The Great Patriotic War was the most important and decisive part of the Second World War of 1939-1945. Enjoy Russian students who take a language course these days usually attend the Parade in Petrozavodsk and join the celebration.

St. George’s ribbon and parades

Since that time, the parades are held annually. On Victory Day there are meetings of veterans, solemn events and concerts. People lay flowers on memorials of military glory, memorials, and mass graves and honor those who had sacrificed with their lives. To say more, since 2005, the patriotic move “St. George’s ribbon” has been held with the goal of restoring and imparting the value of the holiday to the younger generation. On the eve of the Victory Day celebration, everyone can tie a St. George ribbon on the hand, bag or antenna of the car as a token of memory of the heroic past of the USSR as a symbol of military valor, victory, military glory and recognition of the merits of the soldiers. Every year traditional events take place in Petrozavodsk on May 9. The celebration of the Victory Day begins on the eve, May 8 at the temple in the name of the holy prophet Elias. Next morning on May 9 there is a solemn ceremony of laying flowers to the Eternal Flame will begin. Moreover, the youth hold the youth march of memory in honor of the soldiers of the Karelian Front, partisans and underground workers of Karelia. In the afternoon on Kirov’s square the concert is organized. At the same time in the floodplain Lososinka unfolds “Garrison Town” – a city project with interactive programs. The holiday always ends up with a festive firework.

MY RUSSIAN TOURISTIC CALENDAR

What to do in Russia in summer 2018?

Welcome to Karelia, the Republic in the North-West of Russia famous for its beautiful nature, cloudberry jam, common border with the European Union and rich cultural and historical background. All types of travelers come here to find both entertainment and self-fulfilling. Each summer Enjoy Russian language school in Petrozavodsk turns into the international center with  hundreds of students learn Russian, explore the lifestyle and make memories for life. 2018 is special not only because you may take a train to the closest FIFA 2018 Cup venue but also for cool events that will take place in Karelia itself.

The music, light and nature come together in Ruskeala canyon

Have you ever tried to be soaked by the music not behind the concert hall walls but among unique and strong rocks? Ruskeala marble canyon is one of the top sights in the North Ladoga region that is certainly worth visiting. Imagine yourself standing in front of the Norwegian Fjords, drinking water from Icelandic waterfall and enjoying the views of Scottish Lochs. That’s how it feels when you are there.  But the park does not narrow itself with only walking tours around the ancient mining spots but also gives an opportunity to witness the famous Russian artists’ and musicians’ ideas come alive.

This August Russian Bolshoi Theater and Karelian Musical Theater artists will literally transform your mindset and the way you used to see nature and music. On 10 and 11 of August the musical festival “Ruskeala Symphony” will take place in a famous canyon. The program is prepared by the Karelian State Philharmonic and Symphonic Orchestra. Famous Russian performes such as Nikolay Efremov, the “golden tenor of Russia” Yevgeny Yuzhin,  Timur Slanov, Anastasia Averina and others are expected to be on the unusual and thrilling stage.  Due to the open-air location the venue is able to host about 5000 people.

Step out from your comfort zone in Ruskeala park

Even if your Karelian trip dates differ from 10-11 August you still may enjoy numerous of cool things to do in Ruskeala throughout the summer:

• 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!

KARELIAN SUMMER THROUGH THE EYES OF A PHOTOGRAPHER

Life in Petrozavodsk is like this: half an hour and you talk to nature

According to the statistics, there are more than 700 000 of photographers in Russia. You can imagine how hard it is to find your niche and come up with your own style. The city of Petrozavodsk might be proud of numerous of talented people and Igor Podgorny is definitely one of them. Once you saw the pictures of a famous Karelian photographer it seems no one could portray Russian nature with Karelian flavor better. Known as an outstanding Russian blogger and photographer Igor finds his inspiration in Karelian landscapes, forest spirits and water rhythms.

One of the best 5 Russian photographers prefers Petrozavodsk to Moscow

We have to admit Karelia was that lucky not from the very beginning. Igor moved to Petrozavodsk from Moscow only five years ago. But why does the ambitious young man with a spark of potential give up such a «fertile ground» for self realization? Igor was asked this question plenty of times and every time answers the same:

Moscow is not that comfortable city, long distances and traffic jams. Of course there are better career opportunities but here in Petrozavodsk my children can go to school by themselves and the best thing here is that it takes you nothing to go to a forest with kids, drink tea with them on the shore of Onego and get back home before it gets dark. People in Moscow are deprived of such a pleasure.

A beauty of Karelia helps me a lot!

Igor believes Karelia and Petrozavodsk are very photogenic and could serve a magical source of inspiration. We should take pictures of that unique land to be able to keep it through generations. To that purpose a life of photographer never reminds groundhog day: get up at 5am  to  catch the break of dawn today and tomorrow stay up all night to shoot the Northern lights – that happens quite often. Igor had been working at Greenpeace Russia and believes that a really good photo may resolve the most complicated and contradictive issue.