Myths about Russia: part one in a series

Russian+Winter

Andrew Perevalov

Russian Winter

Editor’s note:  Andrew Perevalov is a foreign exchange student from the Russian Federation.  Andrew has agreed to write a series of articles about his homeland.  Later in the school year, Andrew will report on his experiences in the United States.  Check back frequently to follow Andrew’s adventures in America.

Russia is large, endless and amazing country. Its territory and culture are so diverse that each time you come here, you find something new and unusual. The full name of the country is Russian Federation. It came through the time of principalities, empire and the Soviet Union, so Russia is a country with a thousand year-long history. It is a home for 190 nationalities and for centuries all the world’s biggest religions have been coexisting peacefully in Russia.

However, foreigners usually have some really strange ideas about the country. I’m sure, if you hear the word “Russia,” you will imagine a bear, balalaika and so on. But these are completely wrong opinions about Russia. Our culture and our life include a lot of interesting facets that are worth speaking about. So, in a series of articles, let me introduce you to my motherland.

Weather

That’s probably the worst myth about Russia. Maybe you have heard that in Russia winter lasts all year. But we also have all other seasons: spring, when we have snowdrops; summer, when it’s popular to go to the seaside — Sochi, for example, which is also famous for hosting the Olympics in 2014; and autumn, when our forests turn red, yellow and orange. I suppose, the Russian environment is one of the best things about my country.