Culture of Russia

Classic Russian cuisine: at peak in 19th c.   Foodstuffs. Fish: rivers and lakes. Great Lent and fast periods (>1/2 year). Forest: berries, mushrooms. Gathering mushrooms. Meat. Pork. Mutton. Beef. Preserves. Cucumbers. Cabbage. Sweet preserves. Fruit: preserves, dried. Veggies. Potatoes. Grains. Bread. Milk and dairy products (tvorog; buttermilk; sour cream). Eggs. Influences from former republics: [… Read More]

Animal Tales   The basic pattern of the animal tale is simple: There is a meeting between animals (or between an animal and a person). There is a repetition, not necessarily three-fold Of a situation Of a speech Of an event The tales are heavy in dialogue Which can be either all prose Or rhymed, [… Read More]

Magic Tales: The Male Hero The youngest son, if there is more than one son. He has parents, quite often both a father and a mother. He is passive and helpless. He cannot go on until a helper tells him what to do and where to go. He always disobeys orders. When he does what [… Read More]