Cultures and Lifestyles of Russia

1-Why does Russia have so many ethnic groups?

• As the Russian Empire expanded, different people came under its control.

2-List the largest and second largest ethnic groups in Russia. 1-Russians, or Slavs who descended from Muscovy.

They live throughout Russia, but most live west of the

Urals.2-

Tartars: Muslim descendants of the Mongols.

Ukrainians who are the descendants of Slavs who settled

the area around Kiev.

3-Explain the Soviet government’s view of religion.• People were not allowed to practice religion.

• The Soviet government promoted the position in its schools that there is no god or other supreme being.

4-What is Russia’s major religion?

• Eastern Orthodox Christianity

5-Early Russians developed a strong oral tradition,

or passing stories by word of mouth from generation

to generation.

Later Russian writers and musicians

drew on these stories, or on folk music for their

work.

The Russian people’s strong sense of

nationalism, or feelings of loyalty toward their

country, is reflected in many artistic works.

6- Peter Illich Tchaikovsky wrote world famous

ballets such as “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker.”

Igor Stravinsky wrote the “Firebird Suite.”

Today the “Bolshoi Ballet” of Moscow; the “Kirov” of

St. Petersburg are among the world’s most

famous ballet companies.

7-a-Who wrote War and Peace? Leo Tolstoy

b-What does War and Peace describe? Russian’s defense against the French invasion in 1812.

8- a-Write 2-3 facts about writers during the Soviet era.

1-Did not have freedom of expression.

2-They were required to promote government policies in their works.

3-Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who wrote about the harsh conditions of Communist society, spent time in Russian prison camps before he was forced to leave the country.

b-Explain how writers in Russia are treated today•Writers are generally free to write on any topic.

•Recently, however the government placed new limitations on freedom of speech

9- Write 3-4 facts about science in the Soviet Union

•For decades, the Soviet Union emphasized education in the sciences. •As a result, Russia has many scientists, mathematicians and doctors.

•During the Cold War, Russian scientists helped the Soviet Union compete with the United States in space exploration.

•In 1961, Russian Yuri Gagarin was the first person to fly in space.

•Since 1998, Russians have joined with Americans and other countries in building the International Space Station.

10- List 6 facts about everyday life in Russia

•Most Russians live in cities west of the Urals.

•City residents generally live in large apartment buildings rather than in single-family houses.

•Housing is scarce and often expensive: grandparents, parents and children share the same apartment or house.

•Many Russian mothers work outside the home and grandparents help take care of the household: cook, clean, shop and care for young children.

•Middle-class and wealthy Russians may own country homes called dachas

•In the coldest areas, people take extra steps to keep their homes warm: Some homes in Siberia have 3 doors at each entrance. This

prevents a cold blast of air from rushing in when outside doors are opened.

11- a-List 2 facts about sports in Russia

Most popular sports are winters sports played indoors.

During the Communist years, the Soviet Union placed great emphasis on training world-class athletes.

Today, Russian hockey players, figure skaters and gymnasts are strong competitors in international events

b-List 2 facts about holidays in RussiaIndependence Day, the newest holiday, falls on June 12 and marks Russia’s declaration of autonomy, or independence from the Soviet Union.

New Year’s Eve is one of the most festive holidays. Russian children decorate a fir tree and exchange presents.

In the spring, they celebrate: Maslenitsa. This weeklong holiday marks the end of winter and includes snowball fights, sleigh rides and parties. Straw dolls that represent winter are burned to signal the beginning of spring.

12- a-List 5 facts about transportation in Russia

Russia is so large that people and goods must often be transported over great distances.

Railroads were the primary means of transportation during the Soviet era and still important today.

The heavily populated area west of the Urals is covered by an extensive railroad network system.

This railroad system is linked to the Trans-Siberian Railroad, which runs from Moscow in the west to Vladivostok in the east.

Completed in the early 1900s, it is the longest rail line in the world. The railroad made it possible to exploit, or use, Siberia’s natural resources.

12- a-List 5 facts about transportation in Russia

Russia still lacks an effective highway system. No multilane highway system links major cities, and the roads that do exist are in poor condition.

There are few gas stations or restaurants along the roads.

The government is currently building a 6,600-mile highway across the country. When completed, it will be the longest national highway in the world.

12- b-List 3 facts about communications in Russia

Russia’s communications systems also need improvement. For years, telephones were less common in Russia than in most European countries.

Since the early 1990s, major improvements have been made.New phone lines allow for the rapid transfer of information, making it easier to use the Internet.