Russian world

Diversity of cultures and religions

Russia is a country where more than 190 ethnic groups live, each of which has its own unique culture, history and heritage.

One of the largest peoples of Russia are Russians, who make up the main ethnic group — about 80% of the country's population. The Russian Russian people have an ancient and rich history, and the Russian language is one of the most widely spoken and important languages in Russia.

Besides Russians, Russia is inhabited by many other peoples. For example, Tatars, Bashkirs, Chuvash, Mordvins, Buryats, Chechens, Ingush and many other nationalities have their own historical and cultural characteristics. They preserve their traditions, customs and languages, making the multinational nature of Russia one of its striking cultural aspects.

Map of the peoples of Russia

146,4

million

80,85%Russians
3,61%Tatars
1,28%Chechens
1,20%Bashkirs
0,82%The Chuvash
0,78%The Avars
0,72%Armenians
0,68%Ukrainians
0,48%Dargins
0,45%Kazakhs
0,43%Kumyks
0,40%Kabardians
0,40%Ingush
0,37%Lezgins
0,37%Ossetians
0,37%Mordvins
0,37%Yakuts
0,36%Azerbaijanis

Russia is proud of its peoples and recognizes their right to preserve and develop their culture. The state supports and encourages the study of languages and traditions of various peoples, holds national holidays and festivals in order to preserve and promote the diversity and cultural heritage of Russia.

The multinational nature of Russia is one of its main assets and makes the country interesting and unique. Interaction and mutual understanding between peoples contributes to the development of tolerance, cooperation and mutual respect, making Russia hospitable to all who wish to get acquainted with its culture and society.

Russia is not only a multinational, but also a multi-confessional country, where representatives of various religions live. The main religions in Russia are Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism.

Regions and their traditions

Russia is a huge country consisting of many regions, each of which has its own unique traditions and culture.

For example, Siberia is famous for its national cuisine and handmade products. Traditional dishes include dumplings, pies, kebabs and soups, as well as mead and kvass. Siberian craftsmen are known for their skills in working with wood, leather and textiles.

The Urals is another region rich in traditions. Here you can find many craft workshops where unique metal, glass and ceramic products are created. The Urals is also famous for its natural attractions.

The North Caucasus is a region where many peoples with different traditions and cultures live. Here you can get acquainted with the unique cuisine, which includes dishes of meat, rice and vegetables. Unique handicrafts such as carpets, souvenirs and jewelry can also be found in the North Caucasus.

Each region of Russia has its own unique traditions that make the country multifaceted and interesting for travelers and tourists.

The main holidays of Russians

Russian culture is widely appreciated all over the world. Foreign theaters regularly stage operas, plays and ballets by Russian composers, the paintings of Russian artists are admired by visitors to world museums, and connoisseurs of literature learn Russian to enjoy the works of F.M. Dostoevsky, L. N. Tolstoy, A.S. Pushkin and other great writers and poets in the original.

New Year

The most important and favorite holiday of Russians is with a Christmas tree, gifts, long family feasts and grand fireworks. It is celebrated on the night of January 1. The main attributes of the New Year in Russia are the good Santa Claus and his granddaughter Snow Maiden, champagne, caviar, Olivier salad, chiming of the chimes and congratulations of the head of state on TV, as well as mandatory viewing of the Soviet comedy "The Irony of Fate".

The nativity of Christ

The second most important holiday after Easter for Orthodox Christians in Russia. On the night of January 6-7, solemn divine services are held in Orthodox churches throughout the country. At Christmas, Russians decorate houses and arrange feasts. It is also customary to guess, unmarried girls hope to find out the name of the groom. It is believed that Christmas predictions are the most accurate.

Tatiana's day
(Day of Russian Students)

It is celebrated on January 25th. In 1775, on the day of memory of the early Christian martyr Tatiana of Rome, Empress Elizabeth signed a decree on the foundation of Moscow University (now Moscow State University), which later became the center of Russian science and culture. Over time, the university's birthday became a celebration of Russian students. In 2005, this status was officially consolidated. On this day, students honor their patroness Tatiana and celebrate the end of the winter session.

Defender of the Fatherland day

In the Soviet years, it was celebrated as the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy, congratulations to all military and military personnel. In modern Russia, February 23 is a holiday not only for the military, but also for all men, regardless of whether they served in the army or not. On this day, in addition to congratulations, they expect small gifts from colleagues, relatives, friends, their wives and girlfriends. Russians are joking: what a woman will give to her chosen one on February 23 depends on what her gift will be on women's Day (March 8).

Medicine

The traditional Slavic holiday of seeing off winter and meeting spring. It is celebrated during the week before Lent, during which it is customary to visit pancakes. On the last, seventh, day, there are mass celebrations, which end with the ritual of seeing off winter, when an effigy of Maslenitsa is burned.

International Women's Day

The International Day of Struggle for Women's Rights in Russia is celebrated simply as Women's Day. On the eighth of March, the entire female population of the country, from girls to grandmothers, turns into an object of worship and adoration: on this day they are told only pleasant things, given flowers and gifts.

Easter

The oldest Christian holiday is celebrated in Russia in early spring. On this day, solemn divine services are held in Orthodox churches, Russians greet each other with the phrase "Christ is risen", to which it is customary to answer "Truly risen". Easter cakes are baked or bought especially for Easter and eggs are painted.

Spring and Labor Day

In Soviet times, International Workers' Solidarity Day was celebrated on May 1. The holiday was official and had an ideological connotation. The main attributes are large—scale marches along the central streets of cities, including the Red Square in Moscow, greeting the leadership of the Communist Party from the stands. Now it is a Celebration of Spring and Labor. The marches are organized by trade unions protecting the rights of working Russians.

Victory Day

One of the most important holidays of the country: on May 9, the victory of the USSR over Nazi Germany and the end of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) are celebrated. On this day, large-scale celebrations are held throughout the country: a march to the Grave of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, military parades in hero cities and fireworks, concerts. Russians honor veterans.

Day of Russia

It is celebrated annually on June 12. On this day, festive events and concerts are held throughout the country. It was established in honor of the adoption in 1990 of the declaration on state sovereignty of the Russian Federation.

Religious holidays of the peoples of Russia

Representatives of various faiths living in Russia have their own traditions. In particular, Muslims observe Ramadan (the month of obligatory fasting), celebrate Eid al-Adha (the holiday of the end of fasting) and Eid al-Adha (the spring festival of sacrifice); Jews celebrate Hanukkah (the Jewish holiday of candles) and Passover (Jewish Easter); Buddhists — Sagaalgan (the holiday of the White Month, the first day of the lunar New Year calendar) and Zula Hural (the feast of a thousand lamps).

The Russian world abroad

Russia establishes diplomatic ties around the world and actively promotes language and culture abroad: cooperates with foreign universities, organizes various cultural events, and creates representative offices in other countries.

Promotion of Russian education

Rossotrudnichestvo actively promotes science and culture in Russia and cooperates with partner universities around the world. Russian houses take part in the selection of foreign students to Russian educational institutions every year and work with graduates.

Popularization of the Russian language and culture

Youth projects

Every year Rossotrudnichestvo invites about 2,000 people from different countries to Russia, including within the framework of the New Generation project, the purpose of which is short—term study trips to Russia for young representatives of public, business and scientific communities of other countries.

The Russian culture abroad

The Royal Theatre in London (Royal Opera House) regularly stages Tchaikovsky's favorite ballets — "The Nutcracker", "Swan Lake" and "Sleeping Beauty".

The Soviet and Spanish director Angel Gutierrez created the Chekhov Theater in Madrid (Teatro de Camara Chejov de Madrid), where performances based on the works of this famous writer take place.

Mikhail Kalatozov's film "Cranes are Flying" won the hearts of foreign viewers and was awarded the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. And famous foreign directors make references to the works of director Andrei Tarkovsky in their films. Tarkovsky's film "Solaris" won the Grand Prix in Cannes.

Russians in other countries

The Russian Diaspora is among the top 10 most numerous around the world: according to various estimates, from 20 to 30 million ethnic Russians and their descendants live outside of Russia. The largest number of our compatriots live in Europe and North America. The largest Russian diasporas are located in Germany, France, Canada, Argentina and the CIS countries.

Support for graduates of Russian universities abroad

The World Alumni Association is an organization uniting speakers of Russian higher education abroad. Today, the Association is represented by national departments in 68 countries. The main goal of the Association is to strengthen cooperation between countries, as well as to increase the effectiveness of scientific, economic and cultural ties.

Russian media in the world

The Russia Today media network occupies a high place among the world's media, adjacent to such news services as CNN, BBC, Euronews. RT news is available in 6 languages. And Sputnik news agency is published in more than 30 languages; among them — English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Turkish and others.