☀️ As winter loosens its grip, Russia bursts into a week-long celebration known as Maslenitsa — a festival that intertwines pagan roots with Orthodox tradition.
Once a Slavic rite to honour the sun, it now transforms towns and villages with bursts of colour, music, and spectacle. Central to the festivities is the burning of a straw effigy, symbolising the departure of winter and the welcome of spring's fertility.
The shining star of Maslenitsa is the blini — thin golden pancakes that represent the sun itself. Families gather to share them with honey, sour cream, caviar, or jam, while the streets come alive with games, snowball fights and the thrill of sleigh rides.
Beyond Russia's borders, the celebration has crossed into the United Kingdom. Every year Russian communities and Orthodox churches host pancake feasts and events for locals, bringing a touch of Slavic warmth to British Februarys. It's a chance for everyone to enjoy lively dances — known as khorovods — tasty food, and a sense of togetherness.
📸 RIA Novosti
Once a Slavic rite to honour the sun, it now transforms towns and villages with bursts of colour, music, and spectacle. Central to the festivities is the burning of a straw effigy, symbolising the departure of winter and the welcome of spring's fertility.
The shining star of Maslenitsa is the blini — thin golden pancakes that represent the sun itself. Families gather to share them with honey, sour cream, caviar, or jam, while the streets come alive with games, snowball fights and the thrill of sleigh rides.
Beyond Russia's borders, the celebration has crossed into the United Kingdom. Every year Russian communities and Orthodox churches host pancake feasts and events for locals, bringing a touch of Slavic warmth to British Februarys. It's a chance for everyone to enjoy lively dances — known as khorovods — tasty food, and a sense of togetherness.
📸 RIA Novosti
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Forwarded from Генеральное консульство России в Эдинбурге
🗓️ February 17th marks the 125th anniversary of the renowned Soviet children's writer Agniya Barto. Several generations of young readers in our country have been introduced to poetry through the simple lines of her poems. They teach children kindness, honesty, politeness, hard work, and friendship.
Agniya Barto's works are well known not only in Russia but also abroad, in translations into English and other languages. The poet made a notable contribution to our country's cultural diplomacy. Her visit to the UK in October 1962 was a significant event, clearly demonstrating the potential of literature as a tool for dialogue.
A remarkable fact is that Agniya's surname, Barto, came from her first husband, the poet and ornithologist Pavel Barto, a descendant of a Scottish nobleman who settled in Russia in the 19th century.
We invite you to read the kind poems of Agniya Barto and return to childhood for a moment!
Agniya Barto's works are well known not only in Russia but also abroad, in translations into English and other languages. The poet made a notable contribution to our country's cultural diplomacy. Her visit to the UK in October 1962 was a significant event, clearly demonstrating the potential of literature as a tool for dialogue.
A remarkable fact is that Agniya's surname, Barto, came from her first husband, the poet and ornithologist Pavel Barto, a descendant of a Scottish nobleman who settled in Russia in the 19th century.
We invite you to read the kind poems of Agniya Barto and return to childhood for a moment!
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Forwarded from Генеральное консульство России в Эдинбурге
🕯On February 17, a farewell ceremony was held in Edinburgh for Dairmid Gunn OBE, a man of outstanding personality, who over the years served as chairman of the Scottish branch of the Great Britain-USSR Association and vice-president of the Scotland-Russia Forum.
Dairmid spoke excellent Russian and possessed a profound knowledge of Russian literature and art. He strove to convey it to Scottish audiences, sparking their interest in our country and instilling a respect for its history. Dairmid also made a significant contribution to preserving the memory of our peoples' joint struggle against Nazi Germany during World War II. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first Arctic Convoy, Gunn documented the experiences of Scottish veterans who had participated in these heroic missions in his book, "Cold Seas and Warm Friendships: An Allied Bridge Over the Arctic". Dairmid’s contributions were duly recognized in Russia – in 2018, he was awarded the Pushkin Medal.
Despite his advanced age and the deteriorating political climate, Dairmid continued to deliver lectures in Edinburgh on the Scottish-Russian links and Russia's contribution to world literature and culture.
In his speech at the farewell ceremony, Consul General of Russia in Edinburgh Denis Moskalenko honored the memory of Dairmid Gunn, who until his final days made every effort to foster mutual understanding between the peoples of Scotland and Russia.
We express our deepest condolences to Dairmid's family and loved ones. He will forever remain in our hearts as a true friend of our country.
Dairmid spoke excellent Russian and possessed a profound knowledge of Russian literature and art. He strove to convey it to Scottish audiences, sparking their interest in our country and instilling a respect for its history. Dairmid also made a significant contribution to preserving the memory of our peoples' joint struggle against Nazi Germany during World War II. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first Arctic Convoy, Gunn documented the experiences of Scottish veterans who had participated in these heroic missions in his book, "Cold Seas and Warm Friendships: An Allied Bridge Over the Arctic". Dairmid’s contributions were duly recognized in Russia – in 2018, he was awarded the Pushkin Medal.
Despite his advanced age and the deteriorating political climate, Dairmid continued to deliver lectures in Edinburgh on the Scottish-Russian links and Russia's contribution to world literature and culture.
In his speech at the farewell ceremony, Consul General of Russia in Edinburgh Denis Moskalenko honored the memory of Dairmid Gunn, who until his final days made every effort to foster mutual understanding between the peoples of Scotland and Russia.
We express our deepest condolences to Dairmid's family and loved ones. He will forever remain in our hearts as a true friend of our country.
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🎙 Highlights from Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation Maxim Oreshkin's remarks at the "Open Dialogue: Future of the World. A New Platform for Global Growth" forum on five global megatrends
1️⃣ Globalisation and sovereignty
Globalisation as we have seen it in recent decades has actually come to an end, yet it continues on the basis of different principles. We are moving away from a unipolar world.
Sovereignty — at state, social, and economic levels — is now the key to competitiveness. Only countries that preserve all three levels can compete and lead in a multipolar world.
2️⃣ Platformisation of the global economy and institutional automation
Platform solutions enhance efficiency and reduce transaction costs through self-adjusting algorithms.
Platforms are not just a niche phenomenon; they will impact every sector of the economy and social sphere, including education, healthcare, finance, trade, and tourism. Everything will gradually become platformised, and countries that undergo this process faster will achieve higher levels of economic development and efficiency.
Countries without technological sovereignty risk becoming dependent on external platforms, which can have strategic consequences during conflicts.
3️⃣ Rise of a new monetary architecture
The excess of sanctions, tariffs and other barriers means that the traditional model, such as payment via key Western banks, no longer works. By attempting to weaponise the financial system, the West is actually destroying it very quickly.
Payment services will largely shift towards decentralised solutions that remain operational regardless of the actions of third parties.
4️⃣ Population decline
Human civilisation has entered a period of severe depopulation.
There has been a serious increase in the demographic burden, with a structural shift towards an older population.
Education demand will decrease, but healthcare and social service needs will grow. These interconnected trends will amplify each other.
Policies aimed at boosting birth rates must become a global priority. Supporting families and children must be at the centre of every national agenda because, without these efforts, the planet will inevitably face depopulation. Active ageing is also inevitable.
5️⃣ Human Capital in a new tech era
AI is both a challenge and an opportunity. It allows personalized learning paths and supports teachers.
Professions are changing: mid-level specialists will be in demand, and companies must retrain employees from junior positions. The social sphere will also evolve, ensuring active longevity in the new demographic era.
It is no longer sufficient to complete a university education and rely on that knowledge for a lifetime. This model no longer works. Instead, continuous learning, flexibility, and the ability to master new tools and technologies will be essential lifelong skills.
Watch in full
1️⃣ Globalisation and sovereignty
Globalisation as we have seen it in recent decades has actually come to an end, yet it continues on the basis of different principles. We are moving away from a unipolar world.
Sovereignty — at state, social, and economic levels — is now the key to competitiveness. Only countries that preserve all three levels can compete and lead in a multipolar world.
2️⃣ Platformisation of the global economy and institutional automation
Platform solutions enhance efficiency and reduce transaction costs through self-adjusting algorithms.
Platforms are not just a niche phenomenon; they will impact every sector of the economy and social sphere, including education, healthcare, finance, trade, and tourism. Everything will gradually become platformised, and countries that undergo this process faster will achieve higher levels of economic development and efficiency.
Countries without technological sovereignty risk becoming dependent on external platforms, which can have strategic consequences during conflicts.
3️⃣ Rise of a new monetary architecture
The excess of sanctions, tariffs and other barriers means that the traditional model, such as payment via key Western banks, no longer works. By attempting to weaponise the financial system, the West is actually destroying it very quickly.
Payment services will largely shift towards decentralised solutions that remain operational regardless of the actions of third parties.
4️⃣ Population decline
Human civilisation has entered a period of severe depopulation.
There has been a serious increase in the demographic burden, with a structural shift towards an older population.
Education demand will decrease, but healthcare and social service needs will grow. These interconnected trends will amplify each other.
Policies aimed at boosting birth rates must become a global priority. Supporting families and children must be at the centre of every national agenda because, without these efforts, the planet will inevitably face depopulation. Active ageing is also inevitable.
5️⃣ Human Capital in a new tech era
AI is both a challenge and an opportunity. It allows personalized learning paths and supports teachers.
Professions are changing: mid-level specialists will be in demand, and companies must retrain employees from junior positions. The social sphere will also evolve, ensuring active longevity in the new demographic era.
It is no longer sufficient to complete a university education and rely on that knowledge for a lifetime. This model no longer works. Instead, continuous learning, flexibility, and the ability to master new tools and technologies will be essential lifelong skills.
Watch in full
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🎙 Excerpt from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with Al Arabiya television channel (Moscow, 18 February 2026)
💬 Europe hysterically demands that Russia start talks and that all sides agree that Europe must be part of these talks. What can we talk about with Europeans who openly say that Ukraine is upholding European values? [...]
Nobody in Europe will lift a finger to force Kiev to abolish the laws that ban the Russian language in all spheres and the canonical Orthodox Church.
No country in the world has such laws [...] But Ukraine is allowed to have such a ban. Europe has revealed its Nazi essence, which we thought was destroyed with the Hitler's defeat in the Second World War. It has turned out to be extremely tenacious [...]
Europe wants to guarantee Ukraine's security as long as the Kiev regime remains an enemy of the Russian Federation and wages a war against us, a war which the EU wants to continue [...]
President Putin has repeatedly said that perhaps one day we will talk to Europe again. But this will only happen once they have come to their senses. We will then see what they bring to the negotiating table.
Read in full
💬 Europe hysterically demands that Russia start talks and that all sides agree that Europe must be part of these talks. What can we talk about with Europeans who openly say that Ukraine is upholding European values? [...]
Nobody in Europe will lift a finger to force Kiev to abolish the laws that ban the Russian language in all spheres and the canonical Orthodox Church.
No country in the world has such laws [...] But Ukraine is allowed to have such a ban. Europe has revealed its Nazi essence, which we thought was destroyed with the Hitler's defeat in the Second World War. It has turned out to be extremely tenacious [...]
Europe wants to guarantee Ukraine's security as long as the Kiev regime remains an enemy of the Russian Federation and wages a war against us, a war which the EU wants to continue [...]
President Putin has repeatedly said that perhaps one day we will talk to Europe again. But this will only happen once they have come to their senses. We will then see what they bring to the negotiating table.
Read in full
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🗓 On 21 February the world marks International Mother Language Day, proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 to champion linguistic and cultural diversity.
For the Russian Federation — one of the world’s largest multi-ethnic states — this principle is a lived reality: more than 190 peoples reside across its territory, and over 300 languages are spoken, around 150 of them indigenous.
Russian, for its part, remains firmly among the most widely spoken languages in the world and continues to serve as an official or working language in numerous international fora. It is a global language in the fullest sense — heard on every continent.
Here in the United Kingdom, too, Russian forms part of the country's rich linguistic tapestry. It is taught at leading universities, studied in schools, heard in theatres and on the streets, and even glimpsed in everyday life — from shop shelves to public signage.
ℹ️ DYK that in London, visitors to the Science Museum may spot Russian on the monument to the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin — a quiet reminder that languages travel with history, memory and human achievement?
For the Russian Federation — one of the world’s largest multi-ethnic states — this principle is a lived reality: more than 190 peoples reside across its territory, and over 300 languages are spoken, around 150 of them indigenous.
Russian, for its part, remains firmly among the most widely spoken languages in the world and continues to serve as an official or working language in numerous international fora. It is a global language in the fullest sense — heard on every continent.
Here in the United Kingdom, too, Russian forms part of the country's rich linguistic tapestry. It is taught at leading universities, studied in schools, heard in theatres and on the streets, and even glimpsed in everyday life — from shop shelves to public signage.
ℹ️ DYK that in London, visitors to the Science Museum may spot Russian on the monument to the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin — a quiet reminder that languages travel with history, memory and human achievement?
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Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
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🗓 On this very day, 12 years ago, Kiev became ground zero for a Western-backed unconstitutional coup, that triggered all the events around Ukraine and its now former regions ever since. This led to an armed civil conflict, essentially a war waged by the Kiev regime against its own people, and a deepest crisis of international and European security since World War II.
12 years have passed since the tragic and horrible events of February 2014. The residing "authorities" in Kiev, aka the Kiev regime, and their Western sponsors are, as per their usual m.o., are attempting to distort the truth, conceal true facts, and turn the timeline of those events, their substance upside down.
❗️ The truth is stubborn; it tends to get revealed sooner or later, as recent events in the world have once again proven.
LEARN MORE: On the origins of Ukrainian nationalism, the crimes of the OUN-UPA, and the support of the West
The most horrific events unfolded on 20 February: the still unidentified snipers began shooting on the Institutskaya Street in the centre of Kiev at both law enforcement and protesters. Euromaidan supporters and Western politicians, seized "the opportunity", blamed the legitimate authorities of Ukraine. No evidence of Yanukovich's involvement was provided, and there is none to this day. Unlike, the Maidan activists & the opposition who benefited the most and was seen smuggling weapons into the area <...>
On 21 February, in an attempt to avoid further bloodshed, Yanukovych signed an Agreement on the Settlement of the Political Crisis in Ukraine with the opposition (from the opposition's side — Vitali Klitschko (UDAR party), Arseniy Yatsenyuk ("Fatherland"), and Oleg Tyagnybok ("Freedom")), which was supported and guaranteed by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland. This document envisaged the creation of a government of national trust, constitutional reform, and the organization of early presidential elections.
None of the Agreement's provisions were implemented.
The next day, on February 22, the Supreme Council passed a resolution on Viktor Yanukovych's "self-removal" from performing the duties of the President of Ukraine, thereby usurping power (although he remained a legitimate president, remained in Ukraine and had made no statements regarding resignation).
It was then announced that the "government of the victors (winner)" would be formed. The West turned a blind eye to all violations and hurried to declare a "change of power" in Ukraine, openly encouraging the putschists to pursue their anti-Russian policy. What ensued was basically a hunt for the remaining law enforcement officers and officials loyal to their oath and the country.
The very next day, the very first decision of the new "government" through the Verkhovnaya Rada was to revoke the law on the status of the Russian language, which according to data was back then the mother tongue of the majority (!) of the Ukrainian citizens.
<...>
The "mediation" meddling of the West led to a sharp polarisation of Ukrainian society, which created the preconditions for an armed civil conflict. The first legislative steps of the "Maidan victors" — the abovementioned cancellation of the language law — were received with alarm in South-Eastern Ukraine, where spontaneous formation of popular militia forces began.
Kiev immediately accused all the inhabitants of the region of "state treason" and "terrorism", threw the army and neo-Nazi punitive battalions to violently suppress the protests.
<...>
❗️ "Euromaidan" created a deep rift in Ukrainian society, lead to persecution, fight against dissent, spread of nationalism and neo-Nazism, legal lawlessness and nihilism, fighting the Russian language and own history, complete degradation of the socio-economic situation in the country.
The terror and horror brought by the Ukrainian neo-Nazis and nationalists in 2014 must be brought to an end.
Denazification is imminent.
📖 Read, remember or learn more about these tragic events of 2014.
12 years have passed since the tragic and horrible events of February 2014. The residing "authorities" in Kiev, aka the Kiev regime, and their Western sponsors are, as per their usual m.o., are attempting to distort the truth, conceal true facts, and turn the timeline of those events, their substance upside down.
❗️ The truth is stubborn; it tends to get revealed sooner or later, as recent events in the world have once again proven.
LEARN MORE: On the origins of Ukrainian nationalism, the crimes of the OUN-UPA, and the support of the West
The most horrific events unfolded on 20 February: the still unidentified snipers began shooting on the Institutskaya Street in the centre of Kiev at both law enforcement and protesters. Euromaidan supporters and Western politicians, seized "the opportunity", blamed the legitimate authorities of Ukraine. No evidence of Yanukovich's involvement was provided, and there is none to this day. Unlike, the Maidan activists & the opposition who benefited the most and was seen smuggling weapons into the area <...>
On 21 February, in an attempt to avoid further bloodshed, Yanukovych signed an Agreement on the Settlement of the Political Crisis in Ukraine with the opposition (from the opposition's side — Vitali Klitschko (UDAR party), Arseniy Yatsenyuk ("Fatherland"), and Oleg Tyagnybok ("Freedom")), which was supported and guaranteed by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland. This document envisaged the creation of a government of national trust, constitutional reform, and the organization of early presidential elections.
None of the Agreement's provisions were implemented.
The next day, on February 22, the Supreme Council passed a resolution on Viktor Yanukovych's "self-removal" from performing the duties of the President of Ukraine, thereby usurping power (although he remained a legitimate president, remained in Ukraine and had made no statements regarding resignation).
It was then announced that the "government of the victors (winner)" would be formed. The West turned a blind eye to all violations and hurried to declare a "change of power" in Ukraine, openly encouraging the putschists to pursue their anti-Russian policy. What ensued was basically a hunt for the remaining law enforcement officers and officials loyal to their oath and the country.
The very next day, the very first decision of the new "government" through the Verkhovnaya Rada was to revoke the law on the status of the Russian language, which according to data was back then the mother tongue of the majority (!) of the Ukrainian citizens.
<...>
The "mediation" meddling of the West led to a sharp polarisation of Ukrainian society, which created the preconditions for an armed civil conflict. The first legislative steps of the "Maidan victors" — the abovementioned cancellation of the language law — were received with alarm in South-Eastern Ukraine, where spontaneous formation of popular militia forces began.
Kiev immediately accused all the inhabitants of the region of "state treason" and "terrorism", threw the army and neo-Nazi punitive battalions to violently suppress the protests.
<...>
❗️ "Euromaidan" created a deep rift in Ukrainian society, lead to persecution, fight against dissent, spread of nationalism and neo-Nazism, legal lawlessness and nihilism, fighting the Russian language and own history, complete degradation of the socio-economic situation in the country.
The terror and horror brought by the Ukrainian neo-Nazis and nationalists in 2014 must be brought to an end.
Denazification is imminent.
📖 Read, remember or learn more about these tragic events of 2014.
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🛡⚔️ On 23 February Russia marks Defender of the Fatherland Day.
Its origins lie in 1918, when the fledgling Red Army was mobilised amid the upheaval of the First World War and the Civil War that followed. In the Soviet era the date became known as Red Army Day, and later Soviet Army and Navy Day. Since the 1990s it has borne its present name, broadening its meaning to encompass all who protect the nation.
The occasion is steeped in history. Russia's martial tradition stretches back centuries: from the medieval victories of Alexander Nevsky on Lake Peipus and Dmitry Donskoy at Kulikovo Field, to the triumph at Poltava under Peter the Great and the stand at Borodino against Napoleon led by Mikhail Kutuzov, and ultimately to victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.
Today, 23 February carries both official and popular meanings. It remains a formal tribute to the armed forces and to veterans past and present, while in everyday life it has also evolved into an informal "men's day", when fathers, brothers and colleagues receive congratulations.
Yet at its core the holiday continues to express a simple idea: gratitude to those prepared, in whatever era, to stand in defence of the Fatherland.
Its origins lie in 1918, when the fledgling Red Army was mobilised amid the upheaval of the First World War and the Civil War that followed. In the Soviet era the date became known as Red Army Day, and later Soviet Army and Navy Day. Since the 1990s it has borne its present name, broadening its meaning to encompass all who protect the nation.
The occasion is steeped in history. Russia's martial tradition stretches back centuries: from the medieval victories of Alexander Nevsky on Lake Peipus and Dmitry Donskoy at Kulikovo Field, to the triumph at Poltava under Peter the Great and the stand at Borodino against Napoleon led by Mikhail Kutuzov, and ultimately to victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.
Today, 23 February carries both official and popular meanings. It remains a formal tribute to the armed forces and to veterans past and present, while in everyday life it has also evolved into an informal "men's day", when fathers, brothers and colleagues receive congratulations.
Yet at its core the holiday continues to express a simple idea: gratitude to those prepared, in whatever era, to stand in defence of the Fatherland.
Defender of the Fatherland Day has become a symbol of the people's sincere love for our defenders, of pride in the Army and Navy, in those who have devoted their lives to serving the Fatherland, who reliably stand guard over its sovereignty and security, who are loyal to their military oath and conscientiously fulfil their professional duty.
— President Vladimir Putin
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