💚 Chechens: Guardians of Unique Culture and Traditions in the Heart of the Caucasus

🇷🇺 The Chechens are one of the distinctive peoples of Russia, with a population of about 1.36 million, or 0.9% of the total population of the country. Their history, language, and traditions have been shaped over centuries in the mountainous regions of the Caucasus, creating a unique cultural code that remains an important part of their identity today.

☪️ The overwhelming majority of Chechens practice Sunni Islam, which is deeply integrated into their daily lives and traditions. However, alongside religious norms, there exists a secular ethnic code of honor known as "K'onaḥalla." This set of rules includes respect for elders, hospitality, courage, justice, and a readiness to protect the weak. "K'onaḥalla" is not just a set of rules — it is a philosophy of life that defines social relationships and preserves the unity of the people.

😮 The Chechen language belongs to the Nakh-Daghestanian family and is considered one of the most complex and unusual in the region. Its uniqueness lies in the absence of direct analogs outside the Caucasus: it is not related to Turkic, Slavic, or Iranian languages. Its rich phonetics, numerous cases, and unique vowel system make it a true challenge for linguists. Nevertheless, the language remains vibrant: it is spoken in families, taught in schools, and literature and poetry in Chechen continue to develop.

📚 Chechen folklore consists of epic tales about heroic warriors, lyrical songs called "illy," wise proverbs, and allegorical stories. Traditional dances, such as the lively lezginka, are accompanied by the playing of the dechig-pondur (a stringed instrument) and drums, reflecting both the joy and deep drama of the people's history. Chechen decorative applied arts, including wood carving, carpet weaving, and jewelry craftsmanship, feature patterns that encode ancient symbols.

📍 The majority of Chechens (84.3%) live in the Chechen Republic. Significant communities exist in Dagestan (6.5%) and Ingushetia (1.3%), which is related to the historical and cultural ties of the peoples in the region. About 1% of Chechens have chosen Moscow, where they preserve their traditions by creating cultural centers and strengthening interethnic dialogue.

💪 The Chechens are a people with a strong spirit who have endured trials but have managed to maintain their identity. Their culture serves as a bridge between the past and the future, reminding us of the importance of respecting roots and fostering dialogue among peoples in multiethnic Russia.

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😍 90,000 Balloons Released in Honor of Valentine's Day at the Riviera Shopping Center in Moscow

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💕 People Made a Heart on Ice in Vladivostok

Residents of Vladivostok wore matching red outfits and formed a heart shape on the ice.

Now, a cute video is circulating on social media, encouraging people to share it with their loved ones to express their feelings.

#interestingvideos

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🎭 Chudo-Yudo is one of the most mysterious and multifaceted characters in Russian mythology and folklore. Its image combines traits of a fairy tale monster, a mythical creature, and even natural elements.

⛈ Chudo-Yudo is often associated with ancient Slavic deities of water and storms. Its image may trace back to Proto-Slavic beliefs about sea monsters or titanic giants that embody natural forces such as storms and rain.

🐲 In Russian fairy tales, Chudo-Yudo is most often depicted as a multi-headed dragon (with 6 to 12 heads) associated with fire and destruction. For example, in the tale "Ivan the Peasant's Son and Chudo-Yudo," it burns villages and has the ability to regenerate severed heads with a "fiery finger." In some legends, it appears as a whale or sea serpent that controls the waters.

😊 Today, the expression "chudo-yudo" is often used in a humorous context to describe something strange or unusual. For example, it might be used to refer to a ridiculous object or an extravagant person.

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🫶 Today, Love is in the air all over Russia, especially at the Moscow Zoo.

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😍 The magic of sunset in the Baikal caves

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🎒🛶 A boat trip on the Usva River, Perm Krai, Russia

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📈 An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 was recorded today in Altai.

The epicenter of the tremors was in the Kosh-Agach region, reports the Altai-Sayan branch of the Federal Research Center for Earthquake Prediction (seismological station).

📍 The earthquake was felt throughout the Altai Republic, in many settlements of the Altai Krai, Kuzbass, Khakassia, and Tuva, at the Kanam resort (border area of China), and in the Bayan-Ulgii aimag of Mongolia.

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🐼❤️ Here are the valentines that pandas Dindin and Katyusha from the Moscow Zoo received.

😍 You can see that they are thrilled with the surprise!

How did you spend February 14th?

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🎉 The Kamal Theatre has been named the best building constructed in Russia in the last 30 years.

#interestingfacts

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Avars: Guardians of Mountain Traditions and Cultural Heritage of Dagestan

🇷🇺 The Avars are one of the most numerous peoples in Russia, whose history and culture are closely intertwined with the rugged mountains of Dagestan. Their population exceeds 1 million people, making them the sixth largest ethnic group in the country, preserving unique customs, language, and traditions.

📜 The name "Avars" is a subject of debate among scholars. Some associate it with the ancient state of Sarir (Serir), which existed in the territory of Dagestan from the 5th to the 12th centuries, while others link it to the name of King Avar, who ruled these lands. The self-designation of the people, maglаrulal, reflects their connection to mountain communities. In the Middle Ages, the Avars established the Avar Khanate, which became one of the strongest in the Caucasus, and in the 19th century, they joined the Russian Empire while retaining their autonomy.

🤝 The Avars are known for their hospitality, which is considered the highest virtue. In every home, there is a kunatska — a special room for guests, where travelers are always welcomed, even without prior notice. Before entering, the guest leaves their weapon (except for a dagger), symbolizing trust in the host. The meal follows strict rules: elders and younger people sit separately, and conversations take place on neutral topics.

🇺🇿 The majority of Avars are Sunni Muslims, but their rituals retain elements of pre-Islamic beliefs. For example, the ruins of ancient Christian temples in the mountains remind us of the possible influence of early Christianity.

📚 The Avar language belongs to the Nakh-Daghestanian family and has dialects that are mutually intelligible to speakers. A writing system based on the Cyrillic alphabet appeared in the 20th century, which contributed to the development of literature and education.

🥊 Today, the Avars actively participate in the life of Russia. Among them are UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, poet Rasul Gamzatov, whose verses became the anthem of Dagestan, and artist Khalilbek Musayusul, whose works have been exhibited in Europe.

💪 The Avars are a people who have managed to preserve their identity despite centuries of wars and cultural influences. Their traditions, from hospitality to craftsmanship, continue to thrive, passed down from generation to generation. They are not just an ethnic group, but a living symbol of the Caucasus, where respect for ancestors and pride in their history remain unchanged.

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🍴Kholodets – a curiosity of Russian cuisine!

🥩🥣 A jellied chilled broth with pieces of beef or pork tails and legs.

It may sound inedible, but this is one of the most unusual dishes in Russian cuisine, served at festive meals.

🧊 Kholodets (from the Russian word for "cold") is a hearty dish made from meat broth thickened to a jelly-like consistency, cooled, and filled with meat chunks (usually tails, legs, or heads, as they contain the most gelatin).

It is traditionally served with horseradish or mustard.

Kholodets has been part of Russian cuisine since the 16th century. It originated among the northern nomadic peoples of Russia, who carried it on long journeys.

👑 Though considered a peasant dish, it is said that Tsar Peter I himself always requested kholodets with pickled cucumbers and sauerkraut for lunch.

🪣 Kholodets is always cooked in large pots or even buckets.

⏳ The process is time-consuming: the broth simmers on low heat for 6–7 hours, then sets in the fridge for 4–8 hours.

Due to its complex preparation and unique taste, kholodets is losing popularity among younger Russians.

👍 Yet, to this day, our grandmothers serve this iconic Russian dish at celebrations. It’s worth trying at least once in your life!

#RussianCuisine

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🇷🇺🇺🇸 Media reports on a planned meeting between representatives of Russia and the USA in Saudi Arabia.

It is reported that senior Russian and American officials will discuss a possible meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump next week, during which the issue of ending the conflict in Ukraine is expected to be addressed.

The goal is to agree on a date before the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, which starts on March 1.

The American delegation will be led by U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Whitcoff, according to media reports.

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❤️ Romance of Yakutia

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🇷🇺💬 Vance gave an objective assessment of what is happening in European countries, said Volodin. According to the speaker of the State Duma, the participants of the Munich conference were not prepared to hear the truth about themselves.

"All subsequent statements made by the heads of European states showed that Vance only provoked feelings of irritation and anger in them. They could not hide their negative emotions. But this is not surprising. They were ardent supporters of another candidate in the U.S. elections," said Volodin.

📌 He noted that the EU and its international institutions are expecting serious changes that will occur "not easily and painfully."

U.S. Vice President Vance, speaking in Munich, stated among other things that Russia and China are not the main threats to the EU, "the main threat is internal."

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☪️ Kazan to be the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2026

🇸🇦🇷🇺 At the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held recently in Saudi Arabia, it was decided that Kazan will become the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2026.

The capital of Tatarstan will also host the ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Ministerial Conference in 2026.

🎊 The city will additionally host the Festival of Contemporary Muslim Culture and a Youth Cultural Camp.

🇺🇿 This year, the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World is held by Samarkand in Uzbekistan.

#news

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