The mysterious letter Y: uniqueness and origin
The Russian language has undergone many changes over hundreds of years of existence. It is unlikely that you would understand now a person who lived 500 years ago in Russia. There are letters in the Russian language that did not exist before. And there are those that have gone out of use. It may seem that the letter «Y» appeared in the alphabet quite recently. But it is not so. Unique letters [....]
St. Petersburg and New York: Two Capitals of Art
What do St. Petersburg and New York have in common? Far from just the fact that these names are spelled with a dash. They are two cultural capitals of the most developed and largest countries in the world. And they are true centers of creativity. But there are also significant differences. Art of St. Petersburg Peter is the center of classical art. When you walk through the historic part of the city, you literally get into the 18th [...].
International Literacy Day: Why September 8 Matters
Did you know that literate people have their own holiday? September 8 is the International Day of Education and Literacy. And it is not just a day on the calendar that has been assigned a certain meaning. This holiday has made the whole world a better place and helped millions of people. History of Literacy Day World organizations have always fought to eradicate illiteracy. This has become especially relevant in [.....]
Russian Food in America: From Borscht to Pirozhki
Borscht is one of the traditional symbols of Russian cuisine. This word is known on every continent. And borscht in America is not just known. This soup has entered the diet and adapted to the tastes of Americans. But not only borscht is loved by Americans. Russian dishes in America For centuries, Russian people immigrated to America. And in the 90's were even created whole [...].
Russian Classics in Hollywood: From Tolstoy to Chekhov
Russian classics in Hollywood have already become classics too. Many works by Russian writers have become beloved in most countries of the world. The books have been translated into hundreds of languages. And somewhere they are even studied in schools and institutes. And movies based on these immortal masterpieces are actively filmed all over the world. And in Hollywood. Today we will talk about Hollywood adaptations of Russian books by American directors. [...]
New English Words of 2025: How Language Keeps Evolving
Any language develops and adds new words every day. This happens under the influence of changes in the world, technology and the political situation. And of course, thanks to trends. If there are special events in the world or in a country, most new words are related to them. And if new trends appear in youth movements, then a new slang appears. New words of Russian [....]
Why Kids Refuse to Learn Their Parents’ Language (and How to Change That)
Many parents want to develop bilingualism in their children. After all, it is so useful. Children will speak and think in two languages at once and keep in touch with their native ones. But many children do not want to learn the language of their parents. And there are several reasons for this. Why a child does not want to learn the native language? The main reason is the lack of need. И [...]
When Does Summer Really Begin? Why Seasons Start on Different Dates Around the World
June 1 in Russia is the happiest day for children. After all, it is the first day of summer. But on September 1 in CIS countries all children go to school and autumn comes. But why then in the USA and EU countries autumn comes on September 22 or 23? It's because in Russia it is customary to count on [...].
Yuri Nikulin: The Clown Who Made a Nation Smile
Yuri Nikulin is a great entertainer. He amused the whole country. At the mere sound of his name, many people feel warm nostalgia for their childhood. He was a kind clown and a favorite Soviet actor. His name is familiar to every Russian-speaking person who was born before 2000. And to many young people, too. He devoted his life to the smiles of other people. But as it turned out [....]
Mini-Me Fashion: Why Parents Dress Like Their Kids (and Vice Versa)
Almost every girl adores dolls and dreams of having a little copy of herself. Even psychologists say that children dress dolls and play with them as if they were themselves. Perhaps that's why the Mini-me trend has emerged. But what is it? Why is it so popular right now? A new trend in family style After the boom of «beige moms» a new trend has emerged. [...]