Russia has been through staggering upheaval with consistently profound consequences – this is one place where history does not pass by quietly. Populated by Slavic tribes, by the mid-9th century the first East Slavic state of Kievan Rus’ had emerged, stretching from Kiev in the south to Novgorod in the north, before its falling to the Mongol invasion during 13th century. In the 16th century under the rule of Ivan IV (the Terrible), Russia became a unified state and the conquest of Siberia began. Three centuries of Romanov rule commenced in 1613 when Michael Romanov was elected as tsar. Peter the Great has emerged as the most well known of this dynasty, transferring the country’s capital from Moscow to his newly built St Petersburg in 1703. Tsar Peter looked to the countries of the west for inspiration and set to work creating a country that was their equal.
From 1815, during the years that followed the Napoleonic Wars, Russia saw a series of autocratic leaders. The result was a growth in revolutionary tension, which came to a head during the reign of Nicholas II, who was to be the last Emperor of Russia. The October Revolution and death of the tsar and his family took place in 1917, and lead to the formation of the Soviet Union, the world’s first Socialist state.
The death of the revolutionary leader Lenin saw Joseph Stalin emerge as the dominant force in the Communist Party and the beginnings of possibly Russia’s most brutal period, punctuated by collectivization and rapid industrialization, show trials and gulags. During the years prior to WWII Stalin dragged the Soviet Union to a position of superpower on the world stage, but at great human cost. The post war years saw the death of Stalin and the beginning of the Cold War – a period of tense standoff between the Soviet Union and the West. This period came to a close with the break- up of the Soviet Union in 1991.
After the chaos of Yeltsin’s presidency in the 1990s, current president Vladimir Putin has maintained a firm grip over the Kremlin since taking power in 1999. Russia has regained a degree of stability and through oil and natural gas money, considerable wealth. However in the 21st century contradictions still prevail. These are clearly visible as the 2012 imprisonment of Pussy Riot, and other questionable incarcerations continue to undermine Putin’s attempts to present a modern Russia to the world.
Mainly Christian with the Russian Orthodox Church being the largest Christian denomination. Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish minorities also exist.
Social conventions:It is customary to shake hands when greeting someone, though never across a threshold. Company or business gifts are well received; if you’re invited to someone’s home do bring a token gift, but avoid clearing your plate when eating; leaving some food is considered as a good sign.
Conservative wear is suitable for most places – women will need to cover shoulders and wear long skirts to enter an orthodox church – and the seasonal weather should always be borne in mind. Smoking and drinking is widely acceptable, but the former has been prohibited in restaurants and cafes since 2014.
Russian society is still highly patriarchal and hierarchical; this may be reflected in chivalrous acts (men holding doors open for women for example) but it may also mean that women are taken less seriously, and engaging in ‘unfeminine’ behaviour may be interpreted wrongly, although being a visitor may get you some leeway. Be careful with gestures – in Russia, giving the ‘thumbs up’ sign is an insult not an ‘OK’.
It is prohibited to take photographs of any military installation and/or establishments or sites of strategic importance. Failure to abide by this could result in police arrest.
Russian is the official language, although there are over 100 other languages. English is widely spoken by younger people as well as some educated older people.
Language phrases:Beer = Peeva
Closed = Zakrity
Danger = Apásnost
Do you speak English? = Gavaritye pa anglisski?
Doctor = Vrach
Eight = Vosyem
Eighty = Vightysyat
Entrance = Vxot
Exit = Víxod
Fifty = Pyetdesyát
Five = Pyat
Forty = Sorty
Four = Chetíriye
Friday = Pyátneetsa
Goodbye = Do svidanya
Hello = Zdrástvuitye
Hotel = Gastínitsa
How are you? = Kak vi pazhivayetye?
How much does it cost? = Skolka stoyit?
I'm very well = U minya xarasho
I don't understand = Ya ne panimayu
I feel ill = Ya bolyen (male) / ya bolna (female)
Menu = Minú
Monday = Panedyélnik
My name is … = Minya zavoot …
Nine = Dyévyat
Ninety = Divyansyat
No = Nyet
One = Adeen
One Hundred = Sto
One Thousand = Tísicha
Open = Atkrity
Please = Pazhawsta
Restaurant = Ristorán
Saturday = Suobrday
Seven = Syem
Seventy = Syémdyesyat
Six = Shest
Sixty = Shistdyesyát
Sunday = Vaskresyénye
Ten = Dyésyat
Thank you = Spassíba
Thirty = Trítset
Three = Tri
Thursday = Chetvyérk
Today = Sivay án
Toilets = Tualyet
Tomorrow = Zavtra
Tuesday = Vtesday
Twenty = Dvátset
Two = Dva
Wednesday = Sryedá
Where is …? = Gdye …?
Wine = Vine
Yes = Da
