Russian БЛИН: say or not to say?

Have you heard that Russian word BLIN has many meanings? It is actually one of the most common words in Russia because you can hear it absolutely everywhere. The first meaning of this word is PANCAKE. Does it mean that Russians eat pancakes all the time? 

Not really. Another meaning for this word is a negative БЛИН. It is a synonym to English DAMN!

For example, we can say:

• Вчера у бабушки были очень вкусные блины – Yesterday my grandma’s pancakes were superb!
  OR:

• Блин, я потерял мамину любимую книгу – Damn, I’ve lost mom’s favorite book.

• Я опоздал на поезд! Блин! – I missed the train. Damn it!

As you see, in Russian these two words are similar, but as they have different meanings we translate them into English in different ways.

However over the course of time the meaning of the word slightly changed, it became more neutral than positive. DLitt Natalia Bogdanova explains: “Nowadays we can hear the word BLIN mostly at home, in shops and cafes but not in offices and educational institutions. If initially it had only a negative meaning, now the native speakers do not put up any emotions into it.”According to the statistics, this word is number one by a frequency of use in everyday conversations. Well, if we do not take into account swearing words:)

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.