Volunteers spend their weekend cleaning parks
Russia sees a revival of subbotnik or the traditional volunteering efforts to clean up public spaces on Saturdays
An insider's take on Moscow's cultural identity
Sergey Kapkov, head of the Moscow Department of Culture, talks to students about the cultural crisis in Russia and about the difference between Moscow and St. Petersburg
More Russians see India as “true path” to spirituality
Some Russian certified yoga teachers have become as flexible and professional as Indian masters and look to become spiritual gurus for their compatriots back home
Active retirees reinvent Babushka concept
Many Russian grandmothers are no longer devoting all their time babysitting grandchildren and gardening. Some retirees are taking advantage of a wide range of opportunities
Lake Baikal Marathon: Running on black ice
Adventurous athletes brave sub-zero temperatures (and evil spirits) to run on the frozen Siberian lake
First female helicopter squadron: Light on their wings
The Hummingbirds squadron comprises of elite women pilots who have demonstrated tremendous flight control skills
Russian folk art invades pop culture in Moscow
Traditional Russian folklore designs are back in style: Porsches around Moscow painted with motifs from Russian lacquer boxes, people sporting clothes with tapestry-work designs, and kitchen fridges painted with blue Gzhel porcelain patterns
Traditional Russian footwear showcased in Moscow
Felt boots dating back to the 19th century are on display at a small museum in the center of the city
Christmas season fortune telling - Russian style
The fortnight following the Orthodox Christmas is considered the best time to try out age-old methods to predict the future
Ice rinks open in Moscow
More than 1,500 ice-rinks are opening up all over Moscow this winter. Turn up with your own skates or rent some when you get there
How Russians celebrated New Year before revolution
The New Year did not become Russia’s main holiday until Soviet times. In the Russian Empire, in the early 20th century, there were several holidays at the turn of the New Year
Clothes by a free spirit, tied to Tolstoy
The fashion team behind OMSK Belgium are happy to explain why trend-setters around the world are suddenly wearing the image of Leo Tolstoy
Christmas fairs open in Moscow
Mulled wine, a rooster on a stick, a chocolate Santa and other seasonal jolliness – it all adds up to a Christmas fair. This year, Moscow is planning over a hundred fairs, offering the chance to revel in the atmosphere of the seasonal holidays
New Year tree season in full swing in Russia
Russian New Year and Christmas would be unthinkable without a tree. Christmas trees are put up everywhere: from houses and apartments to squares and shopping malls. They can be natural or artificial, and there are many special rules and even laws ass
New options for toasting the New Year
Many Russians may still break out a bottle of Soviet champagne on Dec. 31, but the growing trend toward high-end wines indicates that a change is imminent
The hierarchical system of buying New Year presents
Soviet Champagne and a box of chocolates for the grown-ups and a box of sweets for the kids – that’s the standard New Year gift for Russians when you don’t know what to give. But there are some other options on offer
Graffiti goes mainstream in Moscow
Even Mayor Sergei Sobyanin recently said that graffiti artists should be invited to paint the city's pedestrian underpasses
Russian comes up with a new model for eco-friendly living
Roman Sablin wears green and nothing but green. His sneakers, jacket, mobile phone, and even his moped are all green. He hugs everyone, even people he is meeting for the first time
Members of the sidelined elite
Military pilots and cosmonauts have been a staple of Russia’s national elite since the Soviet era, but both occupations fell on hard times these past two decades, and their prestige has plummeted
Russian hearts are warmed by the frost
The last few winters in Moscow have delighted residents with plenty of snow, glorious sunshine and Jack Frost nipping at their nose. Everything is in place to make the most of the leisure opportunities the season has to offer