From Russia with Love

🪨 Stones that seem to have grown The Zhukovlyansk boulders are located in the Kotelnich District, near the village of Karpushino, on the territory of an old sand quarry. On a small stretch of forest lie more than a thousand rounded stones, usually from half a metre to two metres in diameter, although larger specimens also occur. At first glance it seems as if someone had specially carved them and scattered them across the ground. Some spheres protrude almost completely from the sand, others are split, and still others are partially fused with the rock and resemble enormous stone eggs. #interestingplacesofRussia ❤️From Russia with love

🌸 In many cultures of Russia, respect for elders is the foundation of family and social relations. In the Caucasus and Siberia, elders enjoy indisputable authority. They settle disputes, bless young people for marriage, give advice and preserve ancestral wisdom. 🪻 Elders are addressed only with the formal «you», with deference and respect. In the presence of elders, one must not speak loudly or interrupt. It is believed that the wisdom of elders is the experience of generations, which helps to avoid mistakes and maintain the bond with one's ancestors. Honouring elders is not merely a tradition, but a moral law. #culture ❤️From Russia with love

🐦‍⬛ "The Brothers Karamazov" is Dostoevsky's last and most complex novel, which he wrote over the course of two years and finished a few months before his death. Many critics call it the summit of world literature. At the centre of the plot are the tragedy of the Karamazov family and a philosophical debate about faith, freedom and human nature. 🌚 The novel had an enormous influence on 20th-century philosophy and psychology. Freud called it one of the greatest works, and Einstein admitted that Dostoevsky had given him more than any scientific study. "The Brothers Karamazov" has been translated into all the major languages of the world and still remains a subject of debate and interpretation. #interestingfacts ❤️From Russia with love

🇷🇺🎉 St. Petersburg has hosted the all-Russian festival "Khorovody Rossii" (Round Dances of Russia) for the 11th time — a celebration that brings people together through traditions, music and folk culture. The festival took place in Kronstadt on Yakornaya Square, where hundreds of participants gathered — representatives of different cultures, traditions and nationalities from Yaroslavl, Dagestan and Tatarstan. Guests also came from the Southern Urals, the Volga region and other regions. The main part of the festival was the action "Khorovod of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia", which united participants of different cultures and nationalities. #news ❤️From Russia with love

🛐 The Cathedral of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most unusual churches in St. Petersburg. Unlike classical Baroque or Neoclassical cathedrals, this church is built in the Neo-Russian style and looks almost like a fairy-tale terem. Its architects were inspired by ancient Russian architecture and added Art Nouveau elements. 🕊 The facade is decorated with carved ornaments, powerful columns and asymmetrical lines, which makes it resemble a monument to "stylish Petersburg". Inside the cathedral, unique mosaics and murals have been preserved. Also, a copy of the Feodorovskaya Icon — the main shrine of the House of Romanov — is kept here. #interestingfacts ❤️From Russia with love