Russian Language and Literature

Before 1918, distances in Russia were measured not in kilometers, but in versts. Incidentally, they differ slightly from each other: one verst is 500 sazhens or 1066.8 meters. Verst posts were installed along roads, so that travelers would know how much further they had to go to their destination. For brevity, they were called ‘versts’.

Founded in the 12th century, Veliky Ustyug is the same age as Moscow. Today, it is home to 28,000 people and even a real Father Frost. Here are three of its main symbols.

A person who pretends to be unhappy in order to make others pity them is called a “сирота Казанская” (“sirota Kazanskaya”) or “orphan of Kazan”. Where did this expression come from? It's all about… Ivan the Terrible!

Founded in 1255 by the Teutonic Knights, Königsberg became part of the USSR after World War II. In 1946, it changed its name to Kaliningrad. Here are three of its main symbols.

Listening to this song, you won't be able to resist the temptation to dance! That’s because it’s one of the most popular Soviet and Russian New Year hits!

About a task that has not even been started yet, one could say: “Конь не валялся” (“Kon ne valyalsa”) or “The horse hasn’t wallowed yet”. There are several versions regarding the origin of this phrase and not all of them are connected with horses.

Learn the letter 'У' and discover the famous Russian mountains.

This satellite city of Moscow was once a major center of the textile industry. Nowadays, it is a science city with high scientific and technical potential. Here are three of its main symbols.

They have their own language!

Turn on this popular Soviet song and you’ll immediately feel the cozy winter vibe!

5 tips that may help you, too!

Nothing good can be expected if someone threatens: “Я тебе покажу, где раки зимуют!” (“Ya tebe pokazhu gde raki zimuyut”) or “I'll show you where the crayfish are wintering!” It means that a person wants to punish their opponent or teach them a lesson for something.

Learn the letter 'Т' and discover the only kremlin in Siberia.

Liven up the conversational!

Vyborg is one of the most colorful cities in Russia. Medieval Swedish buildings stand side by side with houses from the times of the Russian Empire, the Finnish Republic and the Soviet Union. Here are three of its main symbols.

Learning a language is always easier when you can visualize the words. Here’s a picture that will help you memorize words devoted to the topic of ‘winter’!

Every Russian kid is raised on this song, which states what exactly it is to be a friend. A true anthem of loyalty and getting together with people for the smallest reasons!

“Подоплека дела” (“Podoplyoka dela”) or “The background of the matter” is the real reason for something, hidden or not obvious to everyone.

Learn the letter 'С' and discover the Black Sea resort.

Thanks to its unique lace-making traditions, Volgoda is called the Lace Capital of Russia. It is also consistently included in the list of the best cities in the country for recreation. Here are three of its main symbols.

Vasilisa the Beautiful, Kaschei the Immortal... Which character do you look like?

A lyrical composition sung by a lonely woman who has fallen in love with a married man.

You'll be surprised, but the English words 'nose', 'secret', 'goose', as well as a few others, actually sound very familiar in Russian!

If someone says “на голубом глазу” (“na golubom glazu”) or “in the blue eye”, they are not telling the truth. But, they are not just lying, they are pretending to be naive and inexperienced, like a baby.

Learn the letter 'Р' and discover the mountain park in Karelia.

Russia’s wolf population is the highest in the world. It’s no wonder that these gray forest dwellers have appeared in so many Russian expressions and proverbs.

Construction of a new academic building for the University of Tyumen (UTMN) has recently been completed in Tyumen. It has become the largest of those newly built educational structures in the Ural Federal District and is expected to serve as a central hub within the city’s historical scientific and educational cluster.

How to treat cold with Russian folk remedies? Find out in our video!

Salekhard is the only city in the world located on the Arctic Circle. Here are three of its main symbols.

What's the difference between 'я у стола' and 'я под столом'? We explain in our new video!