Modern Languages Summer homework We would like you to do some research over the summer into the culture of the country/countries where your chosen language is spoken. Please print out the booklet attached or fill it in electronically. The booklet will later be used in conversation classes. You should fill in at least 5 pages of this booklet in the foreign language (apart from Russian beginners who should fill it in in English). There is an example for you on each page.

RUSSIAN CULTURE AND SOCIETY

Russian pop music Dima Bilan

Dima Bilan is a Russian singer, songwriter and actor. He won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 for Russia with his song “Believe” He has had several Russian number one hit records. He is one of 4 coaches for the Russian reality TV show “The Voice” The genre of his music is pop, R&B and soul.

Russian classical music Tchaikovsky

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in 1840. He began piano lessons at age 5 and was as adept at reading music as his teacher by the age of 8. The death of his mother when he was only 14 had a profound effect on him and he suffered from depression throughout his life. Despite this he produced hundreds of pieces of music including the famous ballets: The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. His work remains extremely popular today.

Russian theatre The Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is situated in central Moscow and is a landmark of the capital city and of Russia. It was founded in the 18th century. Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake premiered here in 1877. It is world famous and attracts many tourists. As a result, prices can be much higher than in other theatres.

Russian traditions The Russian dacha

A dacha is a summer home in Russia. They are very popular as places of recreation for city dwellers, to enable them to have small gardens for growing food. Fishing and hunting are popular leisure activities at the dacha. In the summer months many Russians travel to their dachas on buses or electric trams (elektrichki) as well as by car now.

Living in Moscow Moscow state department store “GUM”

GUM (State/Main Department Store) is situated in the very centre of Moscow on Red Square. It is the largest department store in Russia and was built towards the end of the 19th century. GUM became a tourist attraction due to its size and ornate interior. It is now more like a Western-style shopping mall.

Russian festivities Maslenitsa :‘Farewell to winter’ celebrations

Maslenitsa is a festival combining many different traditions: folk, pagan and Christian. For some people, it means simply celebrating the end of a long, bitterly cold winter. That is why it is often called ‘Farewell to winter’. The centrepiece of a traditional Maslenitsa is a pancake (blin). Blinis are eaten with various toppings such as jam, honey and sour cream. As Maslenitsa is celebrated in the last week before Great Lent when many Russians switch to a vegan or vegetarian diet, it is a good way to use up remaining eggs and butter!

Russian lakes and rivers Lake Baikal (Image: ria.ru) and the river Volga

Baikal is a lake in southern Siberia. It is the world’s deepest and oldest. The Volga flows through the European part of Russia, linking many of Russia’s major cities – Kazan, Samara, Saratov, Tolyatti and Volgograd.

St. Petersburg White nights

‘White nights’ is a phenomenon which occurs during the summer months north of, or around, the Arctic Circle, where the sun does not fully set even at night. In St.Petersburg, it is celebrated with a two-week festival full of cultural events: opera, ballet, concerts, exhibitions. Many of the city’s museums stay open all night.

Russian traditional food Borsch (Image: Tochka.net)

Borsch is a traditional Slavic soup, eaten with plenty of bread and a good helping of sour cream. Its main ingredients are beetroot, white cabbage, tomatoes and potatoes. It can be made using beef, pork, chicken or vegetable stock. In many Russian families, borsch appears on the table almost every day, particularly in the colder months of the year. It is rich and heart-warming, making it the perfect choice for the Russian winter.