From Karelia (Russia) with LOVE Ms. Natalia Ivanova, TEA Fellow 2014

Traditional object Wooden spoon

Map of Russia

Karelia, Russia

 Borders to Finland  The area of Karelia is 180,5 thousand square km. (1.0% of the territory of the Russian Federation).  As of January 1, 2014, population of residents of the Republic of Karelia made 634,400 people. Urban population makes 79.2%.  The Republic of Karelia is multinational: Russians make 82.2%, Karelians are 7.4%, Byelorussians are 3.8%, Ukrainians are 2.0%, Finns are 1.4%, Veppsians are 0.5%, other nationalities make 2.7%. Indigenous population – Karelians and Veppsians – have their own language and writing system.

Tourist attractions of Karelia

Waterfall Kivach  Kivach Waterfalls is the second large in Europe (the first one is Rhein Waterfalls). The height of the waterfalls is 10.7 meters. It is located on the river Suna in central part of Karelia.

Kizhi Island  The architectural complex includes 70 monuments of folk wooden architecture of XV-XX centuries. The gem of the complex is the Kizhi Pogost Ensemble. It consists of the Church of the Transfiguration of Our Saviour (1714), the Church of the Intercession (1764) and the bell-tower (1874).

Valaam Island  It is located in the northern part of the Ladoga lake. There is an ancient monastery there. Valaam is also famous for various cultural natural objects: gardens, parks, avenues.  As the cloister is not mentioned in documents before the 16th century, different dates - from 10th to 15th centuries - have been expounded.  In 1989 the male monastery of Transfiguration of the Saviour located on the island of Valaam began functioning again.

Petroglyphs  Petroglyphs are prehistroic rock carvings which were made by the ancient man. Petroplyphs are exceptionally valuable evidence of the remote past coming to us from the Neolithic Age. The age of Karelian Petroglyphs is estimated at 6 thousand years.

Petroglyphs of Karelia  There are a lot of theories trying to explain what prehistoric people wanted to say with these signs. Sometimes the real life is shown: animals, birds, boats, humans, hunting scenes.  Onego Lake Petroglyphs in contrast to realistic White Sea Petroglyphs are more symbolic and fantastic: the sun and the moon, different signs and imaginary creatures

Kindasovo  As a capital of national Karelian humour, Kindasovo welcomes guests.  On the central meadow in the village and on thematic platforms one will see performances of folklore bands of our area and visitors from other territories, get acquainted with articles of national arts and crafts, participate in contests, side- shows, competitions by sea and by land, excellent prizes are waiting for you!

Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia  Founded – 1703, by Peter the Great  Location – north-west of Russia, by the Onega Lake  Population – 280,000  Schools – 50  Theatres – 5  Museums - 6

ART of Karelia

Kalevala, National Epic Song  Tamara Yufa Lemminkainen in Pohjola 1963, paper, gouache, Indian ink, 80x56 sm

National folk groups / clubs…  There are lots of different well-known folk groups, clubs etc. in Karelia. Some of them are:  KruugaKruuga  Kantele  Vepssky Folk Chorus  Myllarit Myllarit  Russian Folk Groups Russian Folk Groups  etc.

Traditional cuisine

Karelian food  The oldest traditional pasties usually had a rye crust, but the North Karelian and Ladoga Karelian variants also had wheat alongside of rye to improve the baking characteristics of the available rye breads. The common fillings of this era were barley and talkkuna. The 19th century first introduced potato and buckwheat as new fillings, and later due to trade, also rice and millet.

Karelian mushrooms and berries

Karelian fish  Fish rolls are usually made from salted herring and some vegetables (marinated onions, cucumbers, different spices are added).

Karelian hot pot  The hot pot is usually seasoned with black pepper and salt. Common vegetables such as carrot, onion, and root vegetables are acceptable additions to the stew.  Like most other Karelian foods, the Karelian hot pot is traditionally cooked in a pot placed inside an oven. In Karelia, it is usually referred to as just 'oven stew'. The term Karelian hot pot can be used to refer to nearly any food that contains meat and that is prepared in this traditional Karelian fashion.

Pies for the son-in-law  Made from flour, water, salt. Put some sugar and roasted in oil.

Education in Karelia, Russia

Education in Russia.

 Schools (Lyceums, Gymnasiums):  Elementary (1-4 grade / 6-7 – years old)  Middle (5-9 grade / – years old)  High (10-11 grade / – years old)

Lyceum #1, Petrozavodsk 3 buildings:  Kindergarten (300 students)  Elementary (1-5 grades – 672 students)  Middle + High (6-11 grades – 683 students)

Thanks for attention!