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Maslenitsa: the meaning, history, and traditions of “Russian Mardi Gras”
Russians generally have a bad rap as being dour and grumpy. Some Russians will even agree with this characterization, making a point…
The Battle of the Ugra: How Rus Threw Off the Tatar Yoke
It was late autumn, 1480 AD. Russian warriors, under the command of Grand Prince Ivan III, stood on the banks of the…
The Meeting of the Lord: Old Russia’s Groundhog Day
Did you know that Groundhog Day is also a Russian holiday? Ok, not exactly, but February 2 (which is celebrated today on…
I’m Self Publishing My First Novel This Year
Friends! Mark your calendars. I’m publishing my first novel. The Song of the Sirin will be available for purchase online on July 1, 2017….
The problem of Church and state: Russia in 1917
A major theme in my first novel, A Lamentation of Sirin, is the difficult relationship between Church and state. It seems clear to…
How old Russian words hilariously change their meanings
One of the more fascinating articles I’ve read recently is one about “untranslatable emotions” in different languages. I was tickled to find…