Russian Leisure

Russia may be viewed as a land of permafrost. While the climate is on the cold side, Russia thrives on a rich cultural history that has produced many leisure activities. From the range of soups that fill Russia’s cuisine to the world renowned ballets first performed on their soil, there is no shortage of Russian delight.

Food and Beverage

Russian dining is marked by their soups, fish and meats. Okroshka is a popular cold soup made from kvass, which is an alcoholic beverage made from rye bread, mixed with beef and cabbage. Soup is generally the first of a three course meal. The main dish is usually beef or poultry, either boiled or baked. Fish is popular due to the limitations of the Orthodox Church, which calls for the fasting from meats on certain religious holidays. The third course most commonly consists of coffee and blini. Blinis are thin, sweet pancakes made with a yeast batter. Fine dining in Russia came about with strong influence from the French during the Tsarist era and is based around a meal with fourteen courses.

The most well-known of the Russian beverages is vodka. This alcoholic drink is made with a large margin of variation throughout the country. Vodka can be made with grain or potato and may be flavored with a wide range of ingredients, from hot-pepper to different kinds of fruits.

The Arts

Russian artists have affected ballet and literature greatly. The ballets of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky have not only become Russian classics, but worldwide icons. It is hard to think about Christmas and not think about Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. The popularity of Russian ballet that started in the early 19^th century continues today.  The Kirov Ballet Company in St. Petersburg and the Bol’shoy Ballet Company in Moscow are still two of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world.

For those long train rides on Russia’s Trans-Siberian Express, there are the great novels of Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Their novels, War and Peace and Crime and Punishment have left giant marks on the world of literature and art in general. Russian literature has a long list of greats. Five of the Noble Prizes for literature have been awarded to Russians.

Architecture

Russia’s most iconic form of architecture is the Renaissance style of Russian Orthodox churches. They are characterized by bright colors and coned decorative structures on top of the steeples. Red Square in Moscow has almost every style of Russian architecture. From the medieval style of the Voskresensky Gate, to the Renaissance style of St. Basils Cathedral, to the Imperialist style of the Zemsky Prikaz building.