Buryats: Guardians of Baikal and the Traditions of the Mongolian World

🇷🇺 The Buryats are an indigenous Mongolic-speaking people of Russia, whose history and culture are inextricably linked to the expanses of Siberia, the shores of Lake Baikal, and the steppes of Transbaikal. Their self-designation, buryaad zon, reflects a centuries-old connection to the lands where they formed as an ethnic group as early as the 5th–6th centuries, incorporating elements from Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungus-Manchurian tribes. Today, the Buryats reside in the Republic of Buryatia, Ust-Orda, and Agin districts.

🐺 The ethnonym "Buryat" still sparks debate. One version links it to the Turkic word buri — "wolf," a totemic animal for many Mongolic tribes. Other hypotheses point to Mongolic roots: bu ("gray") and oyrot ("forest people"). Russian settlers in the 17th century referred to them as "brotherly people," a term that later became established in documents.

📔 The Buryat language belongs to the Mongolic branch of the Altaic family. In Russia, it has official status and a written form based on Cyrillic.

🙏 The religious landscape of the Buryats is multifaceted:
- Shamanism is an ancient belief where mediators (shamans) connect the world of people with spirits. It is particularly strong in the Irkutsk region.
- Buddhism (Gelug school) arrived in the 17th century and became the foundation of spiritual life in Transbaikal. Buddhist temples (datsans) with their vibrant architecture are a hallmark of the region.
- Orthodoxy spread among western Buryats after their incorporation into Russia but remains less influential.

🛖 The nomadic past has left its mark on daily life. The traditional dwelling is a yurt (гэр), oriented with the entrance facing south. Inside, there are strict divisions between the male (western) and female (eastern) zones, while the northern part is reserved for honored guests. Buryat clothing is functional and symbolic: the male дэгэл (a sheepskin robe) and women's dresses adorned with coral and protective coins demonstrate status and regional differences. Special importance is placed on customs of mutual aid (тухаламжа), where the community collectively addressed household tasks, and strict rules of hospitality. For example, stepping on the threshold of a yurt was considered a bad omen, and gifts to guests could not be refused.

😳 Today, the Buryats face challenges: urbanization, mixed marriages, and the dominance of the Russian language threaten the preservation of ethnic identity. The Republic of Buryatia responds with language education programs, festivals like "Altarghana," and support for traditional crafts.

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😍 In Irkutsk, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Eastern Sayan Mountains, the mountain range, and the Tunka Valley.

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🧙‍♂️ Koschei the Deathless is one of the most mysterious and multifaceted characters in Slavic mythology and folklore. His image combines traits of an evil sorcerer, a ruler of the underworld, and a symbol of the eternal struggle between life and death.

☠️ Koschei is depicted as a thin, bony old man with a long gray beard, sometimes resembling a skeleton. He rules over the realm of the dead, which is located "beyond the three nines of the lands." His castle is surrounded by gold and jewels, symbolizing frozen nature and winter's chill.

🪄 In Russian fairy tales, Koschei abducts beautiful maidens, transforms people into animals or stones, and his victory signifies the temporary triumph of death over life. However, he is always defeated by a hero who embodies the forces of spring and light.

🪡 Koschei's life is hidden in a chain of objects: "death at the end of a needle, the needle in an egg, the egg in a duck, the duck in a hare, the hare in a chest, the chest on an oak." The destruction of the needle leads to his demise.

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💒 Malye Korely is a state museum-reserve of traditional Russian wooden architecture in the Arkhangelsk region, Russia.

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🇷🇺 A Walk Through St. Petersburg

Would you like to visit this city?

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💬🇷🇺 "We hope that Russia's position will be clearly heard and that the dialogue will continue": Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, commented on the upcoming Russian-American negotiations in Riyadh.

"The whole world is watching to see if the US and Russia can improve their relations, because better relations will allow us to address a large number of global challenges," said Kirill Dmitriev.

🇺🇸 The head of the RDIF also noted that the US president is "actively addressing a large number of problems in the world" and expressed hope for a "positive discussion, positive dialogue" between the Russian and American delegations.

📉 After leaving the Russian market, "American businesses have lost over $300 billion," and therefore, for the US, establishing economic cooperation with Russia is "extremely important," Dmitriev reported.

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🇷🇺 Lavrov and Ushakov have arrived at the venue for negotiations with the American delegation in Riyadh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

📍 The meeting will take place at the Diriyah Palace.

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🇷🇺💬 Progress in negotiations between Russia and the US is possible in the next 2-3 months — currently, Moscow and Washington are only at the beginning of the dialogue, stated RDIF head Dmitriev. The very fact of the negotiations indicates the failure of the West's policy of containing Russia.

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🇷🇺🇺🇸 The Russian and American delegations in the corridors after the morning session of negotiations in Riyadh.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, stated that a working lunch is currently taking place.

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🇷🇺🇺🇸 "Putin will decide for himself when contacts with the US on Ukraine will begin" — Russian and American delegations have concluded negotiations in Riyadh.

📰 The Russian-American negotiations in Riyadh have ended, lasting 4.5 hours. A press briefing on the outcomes will begin shortly.

What the participants from the Russian side stated to journalists:

— The President of the Russian Federation will decide for himself when contacts with the US on Ukraine will begin, said Ushakov;

— A meeting between Putin and Trump is unlikely to take place next week; it is difficult to talk about specific dates, and close work is needed, Ushakov reported;

— Ushakov emphasized that there was a serious discussion on all issues — overall, the negotiations went well. It is still difficult to say that Russia and the US are getting closer, but there was a conversation about it;

— Russia and the US discussed during the negotiations that the two great powers cannot avoid communicating with each other, stated Dmitriev. He also described the meeting as positive.

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✔️ Peace in three stages. Russia and the US propose a three-step peace plan that includes first a ceasefire, then elections in Ukraine, and finally the signing of a final agreement.

📌 In this regard, the countries consider the condition of holding elections in Ukraine as one of the key elements for a successful resolution process.

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🇷🇺 Pelmeni – a classic of Russian cuisine

Pelmeni are one of the most popular, simple, and universally loved dishes in Russian cuisine.

These are small products made from thin dough, filled with minced meat.

🥩 🧅🧂 The classic filling is a mixture of beef and pork, seasoned with salt, pepper, and onion.

Pelmeni are boiled in salted water or broth until cooked and served hot. They are often enjoyed with sour cream, butter, vinegar, or mustard.

❄️ Many believe that the history of pelmeni traces back to Siberia, where this dish was especially valued for its nutritional value and ability to be stored for long periods in frozen form.

Over time, pelmeni have become an integral part of cuisine throughout Russia.

🗺️ Undoubtedly, similar dishes exist in many cuisines around the world: Georgian khinkali, Korean pelmeni, Central Asian manti—the list goes on.

😋 Therefore, to diversify your cultural experience, we recommend you try Russian pelmeni—you certainly won’t go hungry!

🎉By the way, today, February 18, we celebrate a wonderful holiday—Pelmeni Day!

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🇷🇺🇺🇸 The USA has begun to better understand Russia's position — Lavrov

🇷🇺 The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov, stated that Russia and the USA have agreed to ensure the prompt appointment of ambassadors. The parties also agreed to eliminate obstacles in the work of diplomatic missions. The conceptual approach to further cooperation was defined by the presidents earlier, Lavrov clarified.

Key statements by Sergey Lavrov:

— The conversation was very productive; the parties not only listened but also heard each other. The USA has begun to better understand Russia's position, noted the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry;

— Russia and the USA agreed that each country should be guided by its national interests. They do not always coincide, but when they intersect, the efforts of the states need to be combined, Lavrov emphasized;

— Involving Ukraine in NATO is one of Biden's biggest mistakes, stated Lavrov. If Trump were president, he would not have allowed it;

— Russia and the USA agreed that a process for Ukrainian settlement will be formed in the near future, and negotiators will be appointed. Consultations on Ukraine will become regular after the negotiation teams are appointed;

— The American side is interested in resuming consultations on geopolitical issues, including conflicts in various parts of the world;

— The USA has expressed interest in removing barriers to mutually beneficial economic cooperation;

— Lavrov did not see any "three-step plan" from the USA for resolving the Ukrainian conflict;

— The attack by Ukrainian drones on the oil refinery in the Krasnodar region is essentially an attack on Kazakhstan's energy infrastructure;

— The USA proposed to impose a moratorium on attacks on energy facilities, and Russia explained that it does not attack civilian objects.

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🇷🇺 The Udmurts are one of the indigenous peoples of Russia, belonging to the Finno-Ugric ethnic group. Their history, culture, and traditions have developed over many centuries in the Volga-Kama region, and today they are an integral part of the cultural diversity of the country.

📜 The Udmurts descend from the indigenous tribes of the Volga-Kama area, whose roots are connected to the Ananyin (8th–3rd centuries BC) and Pyanoborsk archaeological cultures. After the dissolution of the Praperm community, they formed as a distinct people inhabiting the middle Pre-Ural and Prikamye regions. By the 12th century, interactions began with Russian settlers, and by the 15th and 16th centuries, the northern Udmurts became part of the Moscow state, while the southern Udmurts joined after the fall of the Kazan Khanate. The Udmurts gained statehood in 1920 with the establishment of the Vot Autonomous Oblast, which later became the Udmurt Republic.

🏹 The foundation of the traditional economy consisted of agriculture, hunting, fishing, and beekeeping. The Udmurts were known for their crafts: men engaged in woodworking, while women practiced embroidery and weaving.

🏞 Holidays and rituals are closely linked to natural cycles and agriculture. For example, Gerber is dedicated to the completion of sowing work, Vozhodyr (analogous to Svyatki) is about the expulsion of evil spirits, and Vӧy (Maslenitsa) was accompanied by sledding and the burning of straw effigies.

👻 Before Christianization, the Udmurts practiced paganism, worshipping nature spirits (of water, forests, and homes) and supreme deities such as Inmar (god of the sky) and Kildysin (god of the earth). Even after the adoption of Orthodoxy in the 19th century, many pagan rituals persisted, such as animal sacrifices and ritual washings in the bath before holidays. The cult of ancestors held a special place: it was believed that they visited the living on days of remembrance.

📔 The Udmurt language belongs to the Perm branch of the Finno-Ugric family. It has northern and southern dialects, as well as notable borrowings from Tatar and Russian. The modern alphabet based on Cyrillic was established in the 1930s. However, it is not mandatory to study in schools. Despite this, language courses are available in the republic, and the media publishes materials in Udmurt.

📍 Today, the Udmurts predominantly live in the Udmurt Republic, as well as in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and other regions. Their population in Russia is about 386,000 people.

🧑‍🦰 An interesting fact is that Udmurts are distinguished by their red hair, making them one of the "reddest" peoples in the world.

🎉 They even hold a "Red Festival" in Izhevsk, which highlights the uniqueness of their appearance and culture.

💓 The Udmurts are a people with a rich past and vibrant identity, having managed to preserve their identity despite the influence of neighboring cultures. Their traditions, language, and spiritual practices continue to thrive, enriching the multifaceted palette of the Russian nation.

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🇷🇺 The Turquoise Lake in Crimea usually does not freeze at all, or the ice crust on it is quickly covered by a blanket of snow. However, this time it was completely covered by a perfect layer of ice of an amazing color.

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💧 The Vodianoy is a mythological creature from Slavic folklore, a water spirit that inhabits rivers, lakes, swamps, and other bodies of water. He is considered the master of the water element, possessing a dual nature: on one hand, he can be dangerous and vengeful, while on the other, he can protect those who respect him.

🎭 The Vodianoy is often depicted as an old man with a long green beard, covered in moss and algae. Sometimes he has fish-like features, such as webbed fingers or a tail. He can change his appearance, transforming into a fish, an animal, or even a tree to deceive people.

🌁 The Vodianoy prefers deep pools, whirlpools, and areas near watermills. He can also appear on land, especially at night, to play tricks on people or punish them for disrespecting the water.

💪 The Vodianoy remains one of the most vivid characters in Slavic mythology, embodying the power and mystery of the water element. His image continues to inspire artists, writers, and folklore researchers.

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😮 Lakhta Center Tower at sunset, Saint Petersburg

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✨ Lake Teletskoye, a journey into the past

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🇷🇺 Preparations for the 80th anniversary of Victory have begun in Balashikha.

🇷🇺 On May 9, servicemen of the Separate Operational Purpose Division named after Dzerzhinsky will march in formation on the cobblestones of Red Square. Over the next two months, the military will undergo serious training, with workouts taking place five times a week.

The servicemen are practicing elements such as leg lifts and alignment in ranks to develop muscle memory and "perfectly execute" their movements during the parade.

"The parade requires very serious and extensive daily preparation. And when you are part of a military formation during these trainings, you realize the level of responsibility that is placed upon you," said one of the servicemen of the National Guard of Russia.

He also noted that during the parade, "no mistakes are allowed," as its participants represent the honor of entire troops.

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⚡️ This is a breakthrough! Eco-friendly batteries are being developed in Moscow.

📰 In the laboratory of Challenge award winners, Professors Evgeny Antipov and Artem Abakumov from Skoltech, materials have been developed that allow for battery production without lithium — one of the most expensive and scarce raw materials.

🔋 Moreover, the scientists have closed the production loop from mineral raw materials to finished lithium-ion batteries, where the key component is the cathode material.

🇷🇺 Next year, a gigafactory for lithium-ion battery production will start operating in Krasnaya Pakhra. Over the next six years, the city will purchase 25,000 batteries from the factory for public transport. These batteries will last significantly longer and will be available for mass production.

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