(A taste of) Russian culture
Russia has never belonged nor to the East, nor to the West. Russia has always been something in between, combining both European and Asian traditions and habits. Being the biggest country in the world, Russia represents numerous nationalities, confessions and cultures scattered from the Baltic to Bering seas. However, Russian culture is most often associated with Slavic culture, their rich history, philosophy and arts. Russian classical music, ballet and literature are also world famous and greatly influenced the world culture.
Russians consider themselves as highly cultured and well educated people. This is due to the availability of education and culture facilities, such as free libraries, TV channels specializing in culture.
Lifestyle
Russian culture is less individualistic than in Western countries. The opinion and behavior of a person is strongly influenced by family, friends and acquaintances. Family still plays a vital role in people’s lives and the relationships between family members are often conventional – with a man as a head of a family.
Communication in Business
Small talks always go prior to a business talk, and personal relations are of major importance for closing a business deal. Serious matters can be solved in a free and friendly atmosphere in a banya, or at a dacha, having few drinks. That is called “a meeting without ties”. A lot of time is spent on discussing so-called personal life. Colleagues often talk about family situations, love affairs and their problems at work. People also can enjoy giving numerous advices.
Drinking traditions
Russians adore creating a reason for drinking, such as meeting a new person or celebrating a graduation of someone’s child. The person who can drink a lot of vodka and doesn’t get drunk is highly respected. It’s not a rare occasion when business deals are solved while drinking. Vodka is the most popular drink during all kind of occasions: birthday parties, funerals, marriages, and many other official and non-official holidays.
Funny movie about Russian stereotypes
(click on the picture below)
19 March – 16 September 2011
From 19 March to 16 September Splendour and Glory will provide the first overview in the Netherlands of the time-honoured spiritual and artistic traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church. More than 300 religious artefacts – icons, fresco fragments, robes, paintings, historical books and gold and silver objects associated with Christian worship – form the tangible evidence of this rich and enduring sacred institution. Themes in the exhibition include the Church’s Byzantine origins and tradition, ecclesiastical feast days with Pascha (Easter) as the high point of the religious calendar, and the tsars and their "private" church. On display for the first time are an imposing iconostasis, exceptional fourteenth-century frescoes from Pskov and a wealth of magnificent icons from the Hermitage St Petersburg and other renowned Russian collections.
   
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