Sixteen years. That’s how long it took me to forget something that had been with me since childhood — until an ordinary Tuesday, checking the date on my atomic clock, something at the back of my mind stirred. 07/07. Ivan Kupala. A pagan solstice ritual, a Soviet-era water fight, a saint’s day that survived a state with no religion at all.
The Soviet Winnie-the-Pooh cartoon is a masterclass in Russian verbs of motion disguised as entertainment. Unlike Disney’s bouncy bear, the Soviet Винни-Пух philosophizes in perfect syllabo-tonic verse while teaching you when to use пойти versus идти. Watch him get stuck in Rabbit’s door and suddenly you’re understanding Russian etiquette, colloquial expressions, and why grammar rules sometimes need to be forgotten, not memorized.
“Одноэтажная Америка” – это травелог двух советских писателей, проехавших на автомобиле через всю Америку времён Великой депрессии.
Этот эпизод посвящён Сергею Козлову и его необычным сказкам. Вы узнаете, почему сказки, где нет злодеев и героев, так понравились читателям всех возрастов.
This post explores a surprising 1979 Soviet film, “The Adventures of Electronik,” that tackles big questions about AI, free will, and critical thinking. We delve into the movie’s themes, its creators’ backgrounds, and how this sci-fi gem from the Cold War era feels strangely relevant today.
Привет! Это подкаст “Пять минут” и я, Евгения Власова. Новый сезон подкаста я хочу посвятить вопросу, который мне задают чаще
As a Soviet kid, I was mesmerized by my first encounter with Barbie, a glamorous doll unlike our childish Soviet toys. Brought by my friend Vika from Germany, Barbie’s elegance and bendable knees captivated our gang. We worshipped her, but when Vika moved away, leaving Barbie behind felt like losing a piece of our childhood dreams.
In Russia, the beard transcends style, embodying cultural and political significance. Rooted in Proto-Indo-European bhar-dha, борода symbolized sacred tradition after 988, with shaving fines. Peter the Great’s beard tax aimed to modernize, possibly due to hygiene or insect fears. By the 19th century, beards marked Russian identity for Slavophiles. In Soviet times, they evoked outdated peasantry, yet 1960s intellectuals embraced them.
In this episode of “Пять минут,” I, Евгения Власова, speak about the Soviet New Year. Once overshadowed by Christmas, it became Russia’s main holiday post-revolution, replacing bourgeois traditions with Soviet cheer. By the 1960s, ideology faded, leaving vibrant school celebrations with spinning Christmas trees and lavish feasts. Despite shortages, people created joy with loved ones, proving a holiday needs heart, not abundance.
Привет! Вы слушаете двадцать шестой выпуск подкаста Пять Минут. Меня зовут Евгения Власова. Я лингвист, я веду блог Proper Russian
The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia’s Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries is a nonfiction book written by
One of my students once asked me, “Why do Russians want Stalin back? He was a mass murderer and killed
