🍴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.

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🥰 A capybara baby was born at the Moscow Zoo

In the video, it is literally one hour old, trying to stand on its legs, and after a few attempts, it succeeded.

#interestingvideos

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🇷🇺 Blini – a symbol of Russian cuisine!

When it comes to Russian food, blini are likely the first thing that comes to mind.

Blini are thinner than Western-style pancakes and differ from French crêpes, as they are made with yeast-based dough.

📝 The recipe is quite simple:

First, mix the dough using yeast, flour, water and/or milk, eggs, melted butter, salt, and sugar.

After letting the dough rise twice, pour it onto a well-heated, oil-greased pan and fry the blini, flipping them as needed.

🇷🇺 Interestingly, the Russian language traditionally uses the verb “pech' ” (to bake) for blini, even though they are “fried” in a pan. This dates back to when blini were baked in a traditional Russian oven.

The options for serving blini are endless: sour cream, cottage cheese, jam, condensed milk, red caviar, and more.

You can also add various fillings inside the blini themselves.

☀️ Blini history spans centuries. In ancient times, they symbolized the sun and spring, making them a key part of Maslenitsa—a folk holiday celebrating the farewell to winter.

Blini are typically served for breakfast, often on weekends, but they’re also a staple at festive gatherings.

👵 Despite their simplicity, every Russian grandmother has her own “signature” blini recipe.

So, you could travel across all of Russia and never find two blini that taste exactly alike!

#Russiancuisine

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🇷🇺🇺🇸 Donald Trump can come to Russia at any moment when such a visit is agreed upon, even on Victory Day, said the press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov.

President Putin will be glad to welcome all heads of state from around the world who are ready to share with us the joy and pride of this day.

The Kremlin representative assessed the scale of preparations for the first meeting between the presidents of Russia and the USA. He believes that if the countries were in a state of regular dialogue and normal relations, it would require less effort.

#news

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👱‍♀ Makosh is the Slavic goddess of fate, fertility, and magic, one of the key figures in the Slavic pantheon, embodying the feminine principle, destiny, and fertility.

🪡 Makosh spins the threads of human lives, aided by her two sisters (or daughters) — Dola and Nedola. Dola brings happiness, while Nedola brings trials. She is associated with spinning, weaving, and embroidery, so it was believed that artisans working with pure intentions receive her blessing. She also protected the home hearth, women in childbirth, and strengthened family ties.

📔 Makosh remains a symbol of wisdom, labor, and the connection between generations. Her charms and rituals are relevant for those who value traditions, seek harmony, and wish to influence their fate through creativity and spiritual practice.

#mythologyofRussia

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📰 I can't wait to perform at Red Square and sing in the name of peace.

🇮🇹🇷🇺 The legend of Italian music, beloved by millions of people around the world, including Russia, Al Bano announced the preparation of a "concert for peace" in Moscow with his participation. The singer announced this news about two months ago, but now, according to him, it is already about a specific time frame: late summer to early autumn.

💬 The performer of the world hit Felicità shared that he received an invitation from his Russian concert director.

"I received a wonderful message from the person who was my impresario in Russia, thanks to whom I sang for Putin four times. He told me the following: 'Free the end of August to early September because we are going to hold a concert dedicated to peace,'" Al Bano said.

📌 According to the singer, the impresario has never let him down in professional matters, which means that this event will definitely take place this time as well.

#news

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Yakut People (Sakha): Guardians of the North in the Heart of Russia

🇷🇺 The Yakuts, or sakha (self-designation), are one of the most numerous indigenous peoples of Siberia, whose history and culture are inextricably linked to the harsh expanses of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Their population exceeds 478,000 people, making up about 55% of the region's population, while preserving unique traditions, language, and worldview shaped by extreme climatic conditions.

📜 The Yakuts are a Turkic people whose ancestors, according to researchers, migrated from the Baikal region to the Lena River basin in the 14th-15th centuries. The basis of their ethnogenesis consisted of kurykan tribes that mixed with local Tungus and Yukaghir groups. Legends say that the ancestral figures of the Yakuts — Elléy Bootur and Omogoy Baai — led the people to the Tuymaada Valley, where Yakutsk later emerged. In the 17th century, with the arrival of Russian Cossacks, Yakutia became part of Russia, which led to the spread of Orthodoxy but did not completely displace ancient beliefs.

📔 The Yakut language belongs to the Turkic family but stands apart, retaining archaic features. Its closest relative is the Dolgan language. A writing system based on Cyrillic with additional symbols appeared in the 19th century. Today, about 450,000 people speak Yakut, and the epic Olonkho, performed by storytellers called olonkhosut, is recognized as a masterpiece of UNESCO's oral heritage.

👻 The Yakut worldview is permeated by syncretism: shamanism, the cult of nature spirits (aiyy), Tengriism, and Orthodoxy intertwine in their rituals. Each element — fire, water, forest — has its own guardian spirit.

🎉 The Ysyakh is the main holiday, symbolizing the rebirth of nature. Celebrated on the day of the summer solstice, it includes the osuokhai dance, horse racing on Yakut horses, and rituals honoring the sun deity.

🥶 The Yakuts are skilled herders, having bred unique breeds of Yakut cattle and horses capable of surviving at -60°C. In summer, herds grazed in meadows, while in winter, they were kept in barns. Hunting, fishing, and gathering supplemented their diet, while agriculture (barley) spread under the influence of Russian settlers. Their traditional dwelling is a balagan (log yurt) with a hearth in the center and sleeping areas along the walls. In summer, they built birch bark urasy, and since the 20th century, they have transitioned to wooden houses.

👕 The national costume of the Yakuts is a masterpiece of functionality: fur coats, leather trousers, and reindeer skin boots. Women's wedding outfits were adorned with silver and beads, and the ornament featuring the lily-sandana flower symbolized a connection to nature.

💎 Today, Yakutia is a region where ancient traditions coexist with modern technologies. The republic is famous for its diamond deposits, and the Yakuts actively participate in the political and cultural life of Russia. Despite globalization, they preserve their language, revive the names of their ancestors, and hold festivals such as Ysyakh Tuymaada, attracting thousands of participants.

#PeoplesOfRussia

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😍 Winter Petersburg at Sunset

#VideoOfTheDay

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💬 Negotiations on Ukraine involving the Russian official delegation are set to take place in the capital of Saudi Arabia tomorrow.

🇺🇸 From the U.S. side, participation is likely to include Secretary of State Mark Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

🇷🇺 Media also discussed the preparation for the visit to Riyadh by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Trump also stated that he may meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia "very soon."

#news

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🐻‍❄️ Have you ever seen a polar bear doing a somersault? No? Now you have!

#InterestingVideos

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🇷🇺💬 Sergey Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov are flying to Saudi Arabia on behalf of Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov reported.

Other statements from the press secretary of the Russian president:

— The meeting of representatives from Russia and the U.S. in Riyadh will primarily focus on restoring relations between the two countries.

— Saudi Arabia was chosen for contacts between Russia and the U.S. as it suits both parties.

— The dynamics of the special operation are well known, and international experts observe and accurately document it.

— Discussions among Europeans about the need to stop the conflict in Ukraine are a positive development.

— Western brands will be able to return to Russia on a competitive basis, which would be in the interest of Russian consumers.

— Moscow has carefully recorded the statements made at the Munich conference, but it is too early to draw conclusions.

— Peskov considers it premature to discuss whether Europe can participate in negotiations on Ukraine.

— No substantive negotiations regarding the deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine have taken place.

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⚡️ "The West will answer for everything; hiding behind a 'nuclear umbrella' will not work."

🇷🇺 The West will have to answer for supporting the Nazi regime in Kyiv and the associated crimes. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a press conference following talks with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric:

"When a Nazi regime is encouraged and when such a Nazi regime is armed to kill its own citizens, all of this is done with the expectation that 'somehow we will get through and sit it out under the nuclear umbrella,' that will no longer be the case. One must answer for one's actions. This is stated in the Bible as well."

‼️ Lavrov also emphasized that the West is violating its own rules, which it once established, resorting to unfair competition, ignoring the presumption of innocence, and trampling on the inviolability of property and freedom of expression.

🇪🇺 Commenting on the exclusion of EU representatives from the negotiation process regarding Ukraine, the minister added that Europe will try to "extort" a freeze of the conflict to continue military actions. "The philosophy of the Europeans hasn't gone anywhere, so I don't know what they would do at the negotiating table," the minister noted.

#news

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