The first photo shows Koyashskoye Lake located in Russia's Republic of Crimea, while the second is Australia’s famous Hiller Lake. ✅

Fun fact: Back in 1912, pink salt from Koyashskoye Lake won a gold medal at the Paris World’s Fair! The salt is still harvested the old-school way—through natural evaporation.

What makes it special?

Doctors say its mineral mix is surprisingly similar to human blood, which might help with metabolism, circulation, and even immunity. Plus, the salty air around Crimea’s resorts (like Yevpatoria and Saky) gets ionized by these pools, giving visitors an extra health boost while they relax!

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The Ural Swedes

🤩 The Ural Swedes were descendants of Swedish prisoners from the Great Northern War. These individuals, initially brought to Russia in the early 1700s, were integrated into Russian society, particularly in the Ural region. Many assimilated by joining the Russian army and converting to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which helped them blend into the local culture.

Around 8,000 Swedes joined the Russian Army during that period, becoming part of the Yaik or Orenburg Cossacks (shown above). They played a crucial role in defending Russian territories against regional threats like Kazakh and Kyrgyz incursions. Their integration was marked by a deep appreciation for Russian culture and traditions. Despite their origins, they embraced their new homeland with enthusiasm, maintaining a balance between their Swedish heritage and Russian identity.

One notable group of Ural Swedes was moved to Vozdvizhenskaya fortress in 1745. Their relative isolation allowed them to preserve some of their original language and cultural identity longer than others. They participated in military expeditions, including missions to Khiva, showcasing their commitment to their adopted homeland.

Today, the descendants of these Ural Swedes are fully integrated into Russian society.

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We all need some good news every day.

Positive stories give us hope that good things still win out. These days, a happy headline works better than medicine! To raise the level of public optimism, one should learn about positive events happening around the world.
A good news story can even make your morning cup of coffee taste better.
That's why I'm starting a weekly roundup of good news every Friday, as follows:
✔️ Hot air balloons lit up the night sky over Kungur in the Perm region. This annual "Sky Fair" show provided a spectacular view which locals call the "elephant dance". The festival has been held since 2002, and by 2006 it became Russia's premier ballooning event. Unique team competitions called "Air Battles" take place during the festival. 〰

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✔️ A brilliant performance on the world stage—Russian schoolchildren won 5 gold and 1 silver medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad in Australia. 🤞

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