Russia St Basil's Cathedral, Moscow CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE.

What Would You Like To Learn? Click on the elements of culture below to read, listen, and watch lessons related to Russian culture. HISTORY Food Folk Tales Language Arts/crafts Singing Music Instruments When all of the links are purple, you have finished your travels!

Russian history Russia or, also officially known as the Russian Federation, is a country in northern Eurasia. Capital: Moscow President: Vladimir Putin Population: 143 million (2012) Official language: Russian Language Government: Federal republic, Semi-presidential system, Constitutional republic Land: 6,592,800 sq mi – Largest Country Click the Around World image for an interactive timeline! Click the flag for a Crash Course in Russian History! BACK

language Click below for a Russian Language instructional video. BACK

Russian Food Harsh climates and vast land determine much of what Russians eat. Common: Soups, Stews, seasonable foods or storable produce, fish, meats. (click the bowl of stew for a clip from “Bizarre Foods” – Russia) 16 th -18 th Century introduced more imports. Crops of rye, wheat, barley and millet provide ingredients for breads, pancakes, cereals, and drinks. BACK

Folk tales – stories! Click to learn about Baba Yaga, a witch from Russian Folk Tales. Click to watch and listen to a Baba Yaga story which is different than the one we read in class. (On the site, choose “Play this story” above the image. Click to watch and listen to a Baba Yaga story which is different than the one we read in class. (On the site, choose “Play this story” above the image. Click to hear Mrs. Merk tell the Baba Yaga story from class.Click to hear Mrs. Merk tell the Baba Yaga story from class. (Also on our website if you are at home.) Russian folklore takes its roots in the pagan beliefs of ancient Slavs and now is represented in the Russian fairy tales.Slavs BACK

Nesting Dolls – Click the picture for information. BACK Art History – Click the picture for information. Let’s make some in class! Click here for the file. Let’s make some in class! Click here for the file.

Dance Typically one man dances with two women. Troika = a horse drawn sled or carriage. It is usually pulled by 3 horses, hence there are 3 dancers. Find some partners! Let’s try it!!! Also referred to as “Gopak” or “Hopak.” Included in Ukrainian Folk Dance. No fixed pattern of steps. Click the image for a dance about “The Dashing Troika.” BACK Click the image for a dance called “Cossack.”

Let’s Sing About: “The Dashing Troika” Click for more lyrics and the English translationClick for more lyrics and the English translation. Click for more lyrics and the English translationClick for more lyrics and the English translation. BACK

Balalaika Various sizes, hence various pitches 3 strings Late 18 th – Early 19 th Century Played with hands or plectrum (like a pick) NEXT Click the instrument for a video!

Gusli One of the oldest Russian instruments Strings Plucked instrument Left hand damps strings not played Right hand strums or plucks NEXT Click the instrument for a video!

Iozhki At least 2, “clacked” together Used in Folk Music, and sometimes with orchestras Similar to “castanets” or “castanuelas” NEXT Click the instrument for a video!

Akkordeon - AccordiOn “Bayan” – Russian chromatic button accordion Early 20 th Century (named after 11 th Century Boyan) Reeds are wider than most similar instruments NEXT Click the instrument for a video!

kalyuka No finger holes Made from hollow plant stems – Modern – PVC Pipe Upper end is open Tradition – played on summer evenings after hay harvest (when reeds were found to make one) BACK Click the instrument for a video!