break Russia ’s story – a rich and deep ideological one that includes more than a millennium of rule at the script of the czar , the upgrade and fall of the Soviet Union , and the Cold War – from the traditions and customs of its hoi polloi is no unproblematic task . Russians , as a culture , an empire and a state , have been shaped by faith , conflict , warfare and public security since the sixteenth century [ source : Hosking ] .
To much of the world , Russia be the crown precious stone of the former Soviet Union , the world ’s first recognized socialistic land and superpower [ informant : Pugh ] . Beginning in 1917 when revolutionaryVladimir Leninexecuted what would become the heavy imperial expansion ever , the Soviet Union and its Iron - Curtain image overshadowed Russia as a culture . But since the Soviet Union ’s disintegration in 1991 , Russia has reemerged [ source : Hosking ] . And outside of the shadow cast by nearly a one C of this pitiless bequest , the culture is blossoming as the land rebuild its interior identity .
Like the United States , Russia is a melting pot , originally settled by chemical group from northerly Europe and Asia who had to tame huge wild isolated from the ease of the earth [ source : Longworth ] . And just like the original settlement settled in the New World , these first Russian outposts helped instill in the people a strong sense of community , self - reliance and fierce nationalism . perchance it should come as no surprise then that these two Nation would eventually grow into the bookend great power that they became .
In this clause , we ’ll explore some Russian traditions and talk about the unparalleled geopolitical , environmental , and ethnical influences that shaped these practices . So neglect the images you may have of the hammer and reaping hook , the Red Army or Russian Bears and read on to detect how Russian traditions work , where they follow from and the purpose they are playing in helping a commonwealth reconstruct its national personal identity .
Traditional Russian People
Just as a commixture of Native Americans , early European explorers and eventually settler from Spain , England and France , shaped the United States , Russia shares a similar chronicle in that people groups from all over the supercontinent ofEurasiafound their elbow room to this region [ root : Crozier ] .
Slavictribes , nomad that made their territory the eastern part of the country near what would eventually become Poland , are some of the first lasting settlers in the area [ author : Britannica ] . Though the Slavs were never for good force from this land , they were often overtaken by invading group that included theKhazarsand ScandinavianVikings[source : Britannica ] .
In the 13th century Russia was in the hired hand of theMongols , a herculean invading violence that significantly altered the country ’s history . And even though this " Golden Horde " was eventually defeated , they never fully evaporate and managed to observe a mien in Russia for nearly a century [ Source : Crozier ] .
From these other and violent bloodline , a fantastically diverse Russia was born . But the going of the Russian Empire in World War I , the rise to power of Joseph Stalin and his harsh agency stunt the ethnical development of the country until 1991 when communism lose its handle and the USSR ( Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ) was dissolved .
While the flop of the Soviet Union make hardships including the loss of some canonic social services , it also grant birth to an environment of cultural freedom that did n’t be before . But for all of its struggles , Russia has some of the most colorful ways to express itself . Its iconic , onion - domed computer architecture andSoviet Realisticartwork , which the tyrannous Communist party champion because it feel nontextual matter belonged to the citizenry and should concenter on education and inspiration , are just a couple of examples .
Cultureandeducationare two extra areas in which Russia has left an indelible impression . Catherine the Greatfirst introduced concert dance in an endeavor to emphasize culture and education , and this art form blossom out with the influence of Italian and Gallic dance company in the 19th and 20th centuries [ germ : Hosking ] . Today Russian ballet is think among the pure aspect of the nontextual matter . And Russia ’s emphasis on scientific discipline and education date all the path back to Peter the Great , who found reforms that focused on high education in orderliness to bear out his vision for modernization [ Source : Hosking ] .
Such an interesting refinement must have something to offer in the kitchen , proper ? Check out the next section and learn about some traditional Russian culinary art .
Traditional Russian Food
As the large area on the planet , spanning terrain ranging from frozen tundra to profuse forests , it should fall as no surprisal that this geography make a wide scope of cuisine .
But it took metre for Russia to develop its palate . You might even say that Russian savor in the Middle Ages were tiresome . A predominantly agricultural society , the early Russians typically went very luminance on meat and lumbering on the veggies . Cabbage , turnips and beet were the basic , append by rye food grain , which were used for bread and beer ( in that order ) [ generator : Chamberlain ] .
Oddly enough , it was enslavement to the encroach upon Mongols in the 13th C that brought some culinary assortment . These foreign influences give up a raw domain from the East , where exotic spices like cinnamon and ginger , as well as fruit preserves and alimentary paste , were introduced to the Russian diet . The state has develop a repute over the centuries for having co - opt many of the things now considered traditionally Russian from its neighbors . For deterrent example , Russia hijackedbeef stroganoff , thin strips of sautéed squawk served over attic , from the French , and the idea forzakuski , modest , flavoursome hors d’oeuvres or salads , originate in Germany , but both have amount to be known as decidedly Russian part to worldwide cuisine [ root : Perelman ] .
Borscht , one of the most recognizable Russian dishes , is the solution of making lemonade out of lemons . Or rather beets , which were copious and cheap . Ukrainian ( not Russian ) fudge used them to make a soup that could be serve hot or cold-blooded , and seasoned to taste with the lowly spices they had uncommitted . From these pocket-size beginnings borscht trickled into Russian dwelling and finally became the quintessential dish of Russia , span class ancestry and discover its way into every kitchen and restaurant [ beginning : Schultze ] .
Another authoritative staple in the Russian diet is thepotato . In 1839 Russian grain crops failed , make the government to follow up mandatory development of murphy on usable land to make up a food for thought modesty in the event of shortage . Even though this move was initially unpopular among farmers , the potato produce payoff up to four times that of grain and finally became the prevailing food harvest in not only Russia but also all of Eastern Europe [ source : Hosking ] .
So what do you assume to cover up a physique shaped by a steady dieting of starch and grain alcohol ? We ’ll try on some traditional Russian clothing on the next page .
Traditional Russian Clothing
Just as the food choices in Russia are shaped by equal parts landscape and European remark , clothing trends and traditions move along the same agate line . in all likelihood the most iconic Russian garment – well , more of an appurtenance – is theushanka . These typical , pelt - lined cap with their trademark earlap protect Russians from brutally cold winters . They also include a heavily cushioned leather diadem that not only provided full of life passion to the headland , but also protect it from blunt force trauma , such as drop off on the ice . Comfortable and practical !
process our way down , thekosovorotkais a traditional shirt that may be worn by serviceman or women that typically extends down past the waist and is commonly long - sleeved . The sleeves service dual role ; first , to tender tribute from the ingredient and second , to show off , as they were sometimes elaborately decorated with embellishment . The kosovortka fell out of popularity for workaday use when mere , more working garments became more readily available [ reservoir : Schultze ] . Today , the kosovortka is mostly cosmetic , reserved for celebrations or Russian folk fete .
Peasant girls in the northerly part of Russia got to stroll around insarafans . These were long , wide-eyed dresses that unremarkably dwell of thin shoulder shoulder strap and a Vanessa Stephen - shaped nightgown design , quite possibly , to be the least flattering garment a Russian cleaning woman would ever wear down . And sarafans were unremarkably accompanied by akokoshnik , a traditional headdress pattern to twin the dress . Kokoshniks came in a variety of shapes and size , but are most recognisable as halo - shape , spanning auricle - to - ear over the crown of the head . This shape is the reasonableness kokoshnik is also the term used for a specific type of archway - forge ornamental constituent in Russian architecture . The popularity of the kokoshnik infiltrated other culture over time , influence vogue in the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe . The style expanded even farther away , being wear by Padme Amidala in " Star Wars Episode I : The Phantom Menace . "
Today ’s Russia is a country and order in transition , and this article has only reach on some of the many influences that have descend to bear on Russian traditions .
