Project on Russia
Sep. 14th, 2004 09:03 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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learn_russianHey guys, I'm back again to pester the natives about a few facts that you wouldn't really be able to find in any encyclopedia. I was wondering if there were any folktales you guys have been told that really screams RUSSIA. My friend told me that there is the story of the Snow Queen, which I'm going to read now, but I don't think it really says RUSSIA, you know? Are there any other stories you guys can tell me about whose significance is unique to Russia?
I also need to know about the dress over there. I know its modern, but in what way? Would girls be more likely to dress conservatively or not so much, like they came out of a Christina Aguilera video? Pictures would be nice... ^_^
Third, I was wondering if you guys could recommend a single song that can represent the kind of music that is over there. I listen to tons of Russian music, so this isn't a blind question. I know that there are tons of genres, and I don't want to get into equality here lol. I just mean a song that kinda represents the music overall, or of a major icon (Even though I hate Britney, I could probably consider a song by Britney Spears to be perfect in this case).
Lastly, can anyone tell me about the major holidays/celebrations over there? I know like what dates are important and stuff through my research, but I'd really like to hear what a native thinks or does at some of these.
I made some Suvorov cookies as recommended earlier and I think they came out well. I'm ready to blow my class out of the water with my presentation ^_^. Thank you all so much for your help! It is much appreciated!
I also need to know about the dress over there. I know its modern, but in what way? Would girls be more likely to dress conservatively or not so much, like they came out of a Christina Aguilera video? Pictures would be nice... ^_^
Third, I was wondering if you guys could recommend a single song that can represent the kind of music that is over there. I listen to tons of Russian music, so this isn't a blind question. I know that there are tons of genres, and I don't want to get into equality here lol. I just mean a song that kinda represents the music overall, or of a major icon (Even though I hate Britney, I could probably consider a song by Britney Spears to be perfect in this case).
Lastly, can anyone tell me about the major holidays/celebrations over there? I know like what dates are important and stuff through my research, but I'd really like to hear what a native thinks or does at some of these.
I made some Suvorov cookies as recommended earlier and I think they came out well. I'm ready to blow my class out of the water with my presentation ^_^. Thank you all so much for your help! It is much appreciated!
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no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 06:58 pm (UTC)But that's me.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 07:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 07:10 pm (UTC)The first thing that comes to my mind is Колобок (it's about a Roll... ahem... or a Bun, that was baked by an old lady and then abandoned her to see the world, but ended up eaten by a sly fox).
4) New Year might be the most important one; it's celebrated pretty much as Christmas in USA, save all the religious stuff. Decorated fur-tree, presents, the whole family at one table, president addressing the people just before midnight, champagne (important! "Soviet Champagne" is a tradition), and Olivier salad and fireworks. At midnight the chime sound from the Kremlin (Moscow) is broadcasted all over the country; you are supposed to concentrate on your most important wish while the clock strikes and then drink some champagne when the clock strikes twelve. The wish will be granted during the upcoming year. :-)
Funny thing about New Year is that in Russia it is celebrated twice: we have the Old New Year on January, 13 (because of the discrepancy between Julian and Gregorian calendars, that were both in use in Russia at different times). It's not quite official - but still it is celebrated: people gather together and have a few drinks, and make some fireworks, and all that.
From the religious point of view the most important holiday is Easter, because of its philosophical meaning. In Orthodox tradition the Easter is considered somewhat more important than Christmas, if I am not mistaken (I'm not much into it - let others correct). The celebrating is not lighthearted, but solemn and dignified. People greet each other with the words: "Христос воскрес!" - "Воистину воскрес!" and kiss three times. Or they are supposed to do so according to the tradition.
Traditional easter food is кулич (a yeast-dough cake with raisins, saffron and spices, iced and decorated with paper flowers on top) and пасха (treat shaped like a pyramid, made from ground cottage cheese, sourcream, eggs, sugar, raisins, etc.). These are prepared ahead and brought to the church on Easter, where the priest consecrates the food by sprinkling some holy water on it.
Later:
Date: 2004-09-14 09:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 07:12 pm (UTC)And for music- what about DDT? I think they do a great job representing the transition of Russian music and culture from the late 1980s to the 1990s. I'd recommend "Chto takoe ocen'" or "Eto vsyo" ("Что такое осень," "это всё").
I'm not a native but all of my TAs and Russian friends always celebrate International Women's Day (which, as a woman, I think is great.)
What did you think of the Suvarov cookies?
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 07:12 pm (UTC)hope it helps?
oh and animal farm was about the russian revolution heh. but its not a folk tale. i had a book of russian folktales and one was about Ivan and the sun where something steals the sun? ill try to get back to you with the name maybe tommorrow if it would be of some help.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 07:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 07:14 pm (UTC)konok garbunok
a character in many russian folktales is "kashey bezsmertniy" and baba yaga so anything with them would probably scream russia
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 07:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-15 01:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 08:40 pm (UTC)Dress: not very conservative. Pink is in the year, very much so. Tight, I guess kinda Christina Aguilera, but not quite that skimpy. Young girls anyway. Blue jeans with a slight kick-flare. Pointy shoes. High heels.
Song: Hm. I can't help but think of Las Ketchup (not Russian I know) when I think of last summer anyhow.
Celebrations: don't forget teacher's day! Can't remember exactly when that one is but as an English language teacher I rather like it.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-16 06:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 11:24 pm (UTC)Hey, that's just great, you've just provided us with a new great holiday! Thanks a lot. I know I'm too old to rock'n'roll, but even my weak memory keeps the date December 31 / January 1 pretty well...
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 09:21 pm (UTC)"kolobok" (колобок) is a very represntative russian fary tale, therе are many other, however, i can recall some unique ones like "аленький цветочек" ("burbone flower?" i dunno how its translated in english) or "репка" ("turnip").
"Dress code" is just like in the US, but one thing to keep in mind - Russians inadequately react on flip-flops. I was a rebel when i came over wearing those. (im from a small town up north, so that's probably why) also - thongs shall not be seen! that's all i have to say about that... oh yeah "lifeguard" "track and field" or "baseball" sweatshirts aint cool, nobody cares...
Teachers day is the 1st of sep.
music wise - im not all that familiar with pop culture. i like old russian rock music. (very crucial if someone has a guitar and gets dunk or something like that) so old rock bands - someone mentioned DDT, its a good one, "kino" кино is another one. Pilot (пилот) and spleen (сплин) are the popular ones right now, Zemfira (земфира) is a _great_ one too... I know many others, but i don’t wont to bore you, if i haven’t yet.
good luck.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 10:26 pm (UTC)no, not really. the 1st of sep - is the Day of Knowledge
and Teachers day this year will be celebrated the 5th of oct (usualy it is spend after first week-end of October)
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 09:38 pm (UTC)There are lots of Russian folktales. They have been passed down in oral tradition for hundreds of years. In modern times they've been written down and published, so the "standard" versions you find in books may be slightly different to stories you hear from grandparents, etc.
As an oral tradition, folk tales follow certain formulas that are familiar to the audience. There are poetic devices and plenty of room for the teller to embellish story as needed to suit the occasion. If you're reading English translations, pay attention to whether the translator remains true to the old folksy sayings in the original tales.
Some classic stories---
Ivan Tsarevich and Firebird
Apples of Youth and the Water of Life
Maria Morevna
Ilya Muramets
Ruslan and Lyudmila
Vasilisa the Beautiful
major holidays/celebrations over there
The following is a list of official Russian state holidays-
1 January: New Years Day
7/8 January: Christmas
23 February: Motherland Defender Day
8 March: International Women Day
1/2 May: Mayday / Labor Day
9 May: Victory Day
12 June: Independence Day
7 November: Day of Accord and Conciliation (aka October Revolution)
12 December: Constitution day.
There are also Church and Folk holidays, as well as minor state holidays from modern times. Some are very ancient and nobody observes them. Others are fairly obvious as modern holidays--
* Christmas corresponds to the older folk tradidions of Sviatki and Koliada.
* The week before Lent is known as Maslenitsa - lots of bliny!
* Easter, as well as Palm Sunday and Clean Thursday are all observed.
* St. George's Day, first day cattle are driven out to pasture in spring.
* Radunitsa comes 2 weeks after Easter and is like Memorial Day for family members.
* The week before Trinity corresponds to the older festival for the Rusalnaya. Any funerals put off over the wintertime were performed on Semik, the Thursday of Rusalnaya week.
* Midsummer coincides with John the Baptist and Ivan Kupalo.
* Holiday for Perun or Perkonas. A scary holiday in late July where peasants pray that their crops are not destroyed by storms or fire. Not observed in modern times.
* St. Ilya's day in early August - after this date swimming is forbidden. Sometimes also used to mark harvest schedules.
* There are 3 mini-holidays known as Spas in August that mark harvest events-- honey spas, apple spas and nut spas.
* Mokosh Day. After the harvest is complete and the ground is frozen, offerings of vegetables are made to Mokosh, or Moist Mother Earth.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 10:40 pm (UTC)Ilya Muramets
Ruslan and Lyudmila
Ilya Muramets - that is not a folktale, but certainly kind of folklore, in russian it's called "былина", kind of song, russian epic
Ruslan and Lyudmila - it's an author's tale by A. Pushkin
There are also Church and Folk holidays
I've only heard of most of them :) we celebrate only Maslenitsa and Easter
no subject
Date: 2004-09-15 12:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 11:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 11:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-15 08:52 pm (UTC)That trip is actually one of the main reasons why I'm trying to learn Russian, so I can go back and actually be able to talk with people and experience life with them. :-)