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TwitterThis week Maslenitsa started. Now, when we have Wikipedia there's no sense to explain , I guess.
Her Name Was Nikita
Январь 29th, 2010 4 Comments
I wonder, who told people of that script that Nikita was a female name? I know in some countries some names can be both male and female. Some Russian male names have female forms too, such as
How To Charm/Treat A Russian Woman
Январь 21st, 2010 5 Comments
I found this article on . I don't like to add others' articles to my blog but it fits my topic. Besides, everything written there is true and I wouldn't be able to write better. Though I added some comments. Can't help that 
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The success of your relationships with a Russian lady depends on your behavior.
It is not a secret that there are number of differences between Russian women and western women. First of all it is connected with traditions and mentality.
And for those who decided to look for a Russian woman for marriage it is very important to know for sure what Russian woman expects from man on the first date.
Here I give you 8 tips which will help you to avoid a lot of mistakes and make your relationships effective and successful.
How To Catch And Hold A Soap Bubble?
Январь 16th, 2010 No Comments
Have you ever tried to catch a soap bubble? I never thought it was possible but once in a Soviet cartoon I saw the way to do it. In fact it is very easy 
Traditional Russian Embroidery. Part 2. Ladies Of Fertility (Mothers Of The World)
Январь 14th, 2010 No Comments
Mothers' images were especially sacred in Russian tradition. That's why before 19th century you can find them only on fabrics used for fertility rituals (wedding, birth, and harvesting). Later, Mothers' worship turned into just "family", "household" rituals by mid-1800's. But in ancient times, Mothers were considered as the owners of the world, animals, soil and water.
In "The Word Of Idols" - the ancient Russian manuscript of the 12th century - the ancient author describes the pagan religion of gods Rod (the Creator, Birth) and Rozhanitsas (Ladies of Fertility, the Creator's wife and daughter). He writes about it as about a whole belief, but scientists think that Rozhanitsas as goddesses are much more ancient than Rod. According to archaeological researches, Rozhanitsas were worshiped even in Paleolithic, and the Rod religion was formed only in agricultural age. Moreover, in the 15th century Rozhanitsas become the most important spirits in peasants' agricultural rituals.
Traditional Russian Embroidery. Part 1. The Sun Symbol
Январь 10th, 2010 No Comments
Embroidery wasn't just an ornament; it was supposed to protect the person from evil power. The fabric was considered to be evilproof because it was made by tools with charms. Hence, the areas that were not covered (neckband, sleeves, bottom of the clothes), the chest and the waist were vulnerable and needed protection.
Thread material mattered. Cotton is good to protect from an evil eye and curse, silk is good for business as we would say now and to keep the mind clear, wool helps those who have been already touched by evil influence, flax pacifies.
Embroideries were usually made with red threads. Red color is the color of the fire and the sun. Knots could affect the energy flow so they were unacceptable.
The most popular charm symbols were the Sun, Ladies of Fertility and Birds ("swans", "peacocks", "hens").
The Sun
The Sun is the most ancient and important symbol of pagan religion and traditional craft. Researchers found it even in the Neolithic cave paintings. Pictographs for the Sun are:
Video: New Year Couplets Of Medvedev And Putin Translated
Январь 5th, 2010 No Comments
Yesterday I found out the New York Times was impressed with this animation. They even wrote an article called . Well, I can't say it is making fun of them. In my opinion there's fun made of what and whom they sang about.
I am flattered the NYT watches our shows and their reaction to these harmless couplets even makes me smile. It looks like people over there think that we hide under our couches scared trying to be quiet and being afraid to make a sound not to get in jail. I have to disappoint you, it's not true.
I hear and read a lot of criticism towards our leaders and those critics are still safe and sound and keep talking whatever they like.
Yes we don't have opposition parties. That is we do, it's Communist party but not what other observers call "democrats". Those "democrats" have been ruling the country since the USSR dismissal and all they did were robbing people, delaying salaries for months, robbing people once again, delaying pensions for months and all that chaos was crowned with the deep crisis in 1998 when people's savings turned into dust once again. So we don't want those cheaters in our government any more. But if anyone sympathizes them, you are always welcome take them to your country to love and cherish for better and for worse in sickness and health.
OK, since it had such an effect, I decided to translate the couplets with my notes. Sorry, it's clumsy.
Video: Pictures On The Sand
Январь 2nd, 2010 No Comments
This video shows the winner of " Ukraine ’s Got Talent", Kseniya Simonova, 24, drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated sand table showing how ordinary people were affected by the German invasion during World War II. Her talent, which admittedly is a strange one, is mesmeric to watch.
The images, projected onto a large screen, moved many in the audience to tears and she won the top prize of about Ј75,000.
She begins by creating a scene showing a couple sitting holding hands on a bench under a starry sky, but then warplanes appear and the happy scene is obliterated.
Merry Christmas
Декабрь 25th, 2009 3 Comments
...to those Christians who live by the Gregorian calendar. I am Orthodox and our church lives by the Julian calendar, so our Christmas is celebrated on January 7. The Christmas is attended by carol-singing and fortunetelling (usually about the future groom). I will tell more about it later.
Before the 1917 Revolution we officially used Julian calendar and our Christmas came on December 25 too. In 1918 adopted the Gregorian calendar (which we call “new style”) and the next day after Jan 1, 1918 was Jan 14, 1918. But the church refused to do that and continued celebrating the religious holidays by the Julian calendar (“old style”) because it was used in Christ's time. Besides, Apostolic Cannons prescript not to celebrate the day of Holy Easter at the same time with Judaists and the “old style” never violates that rule.
Some Short Moscow Legends
Декабрь 23rd, 2009 No Comments
Ploshchad' Revolyutsii, The Subway Station
1. Sculpture “Scout with a dog”. Students have coming to it to ask for luck since 1938. They rub the dog's nose to pass the test, or its paw to pass the exam.
