Dalhousie Department of Russian Studies
Room 3025, 6135 University Avenue NS B3H 4R2 Halifax, NS, Canada

We wish everyone a Happy New Year! S Novym Godom! New Year is a major holiday in many Russian-speaking countries. Before the New Year families decorate New Year tree. On New Year Eve families and friends exchange presents, have a big festive dinnerand enjoy firework displays. The traditional food on the dinner table usually includes olivier (more famous as Russian salad), tangerines and red caviar sandwiches. The holiday in Russian-speaking countries borrowed many Christ...mas attributes during the USSR times, when Christmas traditions became secularized and Christmas itself was not celebrated publicly. These days Christmas celebrations are becoming more popular. The holiday is celebrated on January 7th, asOrthodox Church continues following an old Julian calendar (different from Gregorian calendar followed in the secular world and by other Christians). The different calendars are also the reason why on January 14 some Russian-speaking people celebrate such a unique holiday as an Old New Year - New Year according to the old Julian calendar.

Dal Russian Studies Department Professor Yuri Leving published new books: "Poetry in a Dead Loop (Mandelstam and Aviation)" and "Joseph Brodsky in Rome" in 3 volumes. Make sure to check them out

We hope everyone is safe and healthy during the quarantine. While we all hope that the curve flattens soon and the situation comes back to normal, here are a few suggestions of the resources to use during the quarantine to expand your knowledge of Russian language and about Russia. 1. Arzamas Educational project about the history of culture. It includes a lot of materials about the Russian culture and art and would be a useful source of information for the students with adv...anced Russian. The project includes online lectures, articles, podcasts, as well as photo and video materials. As the website is in Russian only, it might be difficult to navigate at first, therefore here are some suggestions on where you could start from. Check out "Russian Language History in 18 minutes". The video is in Russian language with English subtitles and is using a funny and creative way to tell about the history of Russian language from Kiev Rus to modern times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDSn1HWY8J8&t=912s You might also like the podcast Перемотка, which features stories from the family archives in Russia. The podcast uses a simple language, therefore making it a good material for practicing listening for intermediate and advance Russian learners. https://arzamas.academy/special/peremotka The website also provides an impressive choice of animation. Check out old and modern Russian clay cartoons with the English subtitles. https://arzamas.academy/materials/1229 2. Coursera Are you already taking any courses at Coursera? There are a few courses which might be of your interest. Doing Business with Russia https://www.coursera.org/learn/business-russia Understanding Russians: Contexts of Intercultural Communications https://www.coursera.org//intercultural-communication-russ 3. Virtual Hermitage Museum Visit A 5-hours journey through Russia’s iconic Hermitage museum is not to be missed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49YeFsx1rIw 4. Культура.РФ Educational project about the Russian culture - a great source of articles, interviews, lectures, news in the Russian culture and art circles, documentaries and feature films. The website is in Russian only, therefore it will be most suitable for advanced Russian learners. https://www.culture.ru Stay healthy and #stayhome

Yesterday the Russian poetry was in the air. Poetry from different centuries, spanning more than a thousand years was read by the talented students from the Department of Russian Studies during the Poetry & Music Night. #dalrussian #dalhousierussian #russianpoetry @ Dalhousie University

Department of Russian Studies invites everyone for the Poetry & Music Night on March 11. Join if you: love poetry and music... have interest in Russian culture look for an opportunity to speak Russian with native speakers and other Russian language learners want to take a break from classes and assignments want to meet new people just have not yet decided how to spend a Wednesday evening next week. No matter what your reason is, we are looking forward to seeing you! Please send a message if you would like to perform at the event. #dalrussian #dalhousierussian

Did you get to meet our professors Dr. Leving and Dr. Choubine at the Program & Major Expo today? If you missed out this opportunity, no worries. You can email us your questions about the Russian program at [email protected] @ Dalhousie Student Union

This week we will be hosting our online Dissertation Research Workshop! There is still time to register to hear presentations by academics from across the world, and perspectives from a UIUC doctoral student conducting research abroad. Save your spot now: https://tinyurl.com/sr728u8

If you are a foodie, Maslenitsa is a holiday you would enjoy! This year the holiday is Feb 24 to March 1. There are five more days to learn more about it and practice your pancake-cooking skills with friends or family. What is Maslenitsa? It is an Eastern Slavic holiday, celebrated during one week before the 40-days pre-Easter fasting season (or Great Lent). Maslenitsa is one of the oldest Slavic holidays, combining pagan and Orthodox traditions. It originated as a sun-festi...val and a celebration of the end of the winter. What to do during Maslenitsa? Eat! This is the great time of gastronomic pleasures for foodies. Pancakes (bliny) are at the center of the festivities, as their shape embodies the sun. All other kinds of food containing eggs, butter, milk and many other dairy products are welcomed. Have fun! Maslenitsa week is the time of outdoor celebrations and mischief with various performances, games and traditional Maslenitsa market. #dalrussian #dalrussianstudies #maslenitsa