The Nanai: Guardians of Culture Along the Amur

🇷🇺 The Nanai are an indigenous people of Russia, residing in the Khabarovsk Krai and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, primarily along the Amur River and its tributaries. Their population numbers around 12,000. They are also known in China as the Hezhen, but the Russian Nanai retain a unique cultural identity.

📜 The ancestors of the Nanai formed in the Amur region through interactions with Tungusic and Mongolian groups. In the 17th century, contact with Russian Cossacks began, and by the 19th century, the region became part of Russia. The Soviet era brought collectivization, a shift to a sedentary lifestyle, and the suppression of shamanism, which eroded traditional ways. Today, elements of their beliefs coexist with Orthodox Christianity and Buddhism.

📔 The Nanai language belongs to the Tungusic-Manchu group. A Cyrillic-based writing system was developed in the 1930s, but the language is now endangered: only about 1,500 people speak it fluently. Schools offer native language classes, and folk ensembles preserve oral traditions.

🎣 Their traditional economy revolved around fishing (salmon, sturgeon) and hunting (wild boar, deer). Fish were used for food, clothing (from skins), and trade. Gathering wild plants supplemented their diet. Today, many Nanai combine traditional practices with modern livelihoods.

😱 Fun fact: The Nanai once practiced a tradition where a girl was taken into her future husband’s family as a child, raised until puberty, and taught the customs of their household.

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🎭 An Unusual Performance of Dostoevsky’s Work Staged at the Vakhtangov Theatre

🧐 From Dostoevsky’s densely populated novel, director Vladislav Nastavshev selected only four characters: Prince Myshkin, Nastasya Filippovna, Parfyon Rogozhin, and Aglaya Epanchina.

No other characters appear in the play. Such “intimacy” suits a smaller stage better than a grand one. But the director has his own vision.

📔 Dostoevsky’s novels are called “polyphonic.” This means each character claims to possess some ultimate truth. From the collision of these truths, a new reality emerges, where diverse voices resonate with equal force. In this sense, all characters in The Idiot are protagonists, and there is no single truth shared by all.

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🇷🇺💬 Russia views the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States as an effort to create a new security architecture in the region. This was stated by Sergey Lavrov during a press conference following the meeting of foreign ministers of Russia and the "Sahel Three" in Moscow.

‼️ The Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that Kyiv is attempting to destabilize Africa by openly supporting terrorists in the Sahel.

🤝 Russia will assist the Alliance of Sahel States in building capacity and enhancing combat readiness, Lavrov announced.

The Alliance of Sahel States includes Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. The bloc was established in September 2023 to ensure the collective defense of the three nations.

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🇷🇺 Is Linkin Park Returning to Russia?

The legendary band has filed an application to register a new logo, which will allow them to perform legally in the country.

If approved, this will mark Linkin Park’s first visit to Russia with their new lineup following the tragic death of Chester Bennington. Emily Armstrong has joined the band as their new vocalist.

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😰 R-504 "Kolyma" – one of the most dangerous roads in Russia, especially during the winter season

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❤️ Irkutsk: The Heart of Siberia and the Beauty of Baikal

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🇷🇺💬 “They hear Russia’s position” — RDIF Head Kirill Dmitriev on progress in negotiations with US administration representatives

📰 Meetings between RDIF Head Kirill Dmitriev and representatives of the US administration took place in Washington, where they discussed economic cooperation between the two countries, including the potential return of American companies to Russia and possible joint projects.

Following the talks, Dmitriev stated that a dialogue capable of overcoming disagreements exists — noting that, unlike the Biden administration, the Trump administration listens to Russia’s position.

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🇷🇺 A shashlik embargo has been proposed in Russia ahead of the May holidays.

❌ The State Duma has suggested temporarily restricting pork and poultry exports and introducing duty-free import quotas until June 1.

Outings to nature and cooking shashlik have become a cherished tradition for Russians during the May holidays, whether at their dacha or in a park.

📈 Unsurprisingly, demand—and with it, meat prices—skyrockets exponentially during this season.

The initiative aims to stabilize the market and keep prices affordable.

What do you think of this idea?

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🌋 Eastern side of Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka

Tolbachik Volcano is one of the most unusual in Kamchatka. It consists of two peaks: the active Plosky Tolbachik and the dormant Ostry Tolbachik.

The last major eruption occurred in 2012–2013, altering the landscape. Now, you can see solidified lava flows, ash fields, and bizarre volcanic formations.

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🇷🇺Moscow has taken second place in the world in terms of the number of resident billionaires, according to Forbes magazine.

The data indicates that 90 billionaires currently reside in the capital. Their number has increased by 16 individuals over the past year.

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