Diana Iuzvovich
05.08.2008
3
For more than a thousand years of its existence, Russian culture has managed to
become one of the richest, thanks to its age-old traditions, spiritual values and
customs, and cultures in the world. Russia has experienced a lot, from its formation
in 862 to our days. It has changed many names, as Kiev Rus in its beginning, the
Russian State under Grand Duke Ivan the Third of Moscow, the Russian Empire
under Peter the First, the Soviet Union of Socialist Republics and the modern
Russian Federation. But no matter how the times changed, Russia’s culture was
becoming only richer, despite any adversity. Russia has always been a multi-ethnic
country, which is why it was able to reach such latitudes, from Ratmanov Island to
Cape Dejneva. There are more than 190 peoples in Russia, to which Russian
culture obligates its diversity. Each people is unique, from their traditional
celebration dresses to their spiritual values and worldview. However, what are the
true core values of Russian culture?
The family plays a central role in the life of Russian society. From time
immemorial, one of the main values for the inhabitants of Russia is their families.
The family is the keeper of the traditional Russian culture of everyday life;
through it, the historical connection of generations is realized, destroying which
society won't have its future because who does not remember the past has no future
The most important family values of Russians include maintaining the health of
their relatives, mutual understanding, respect and care for each other, happiness
and harmony, fidelity, well-being and prosperity, and love. Peace in the family
means peace in the country, because of which in Russia there is such a tendency to
family values.
Russian hospitality is an important part of national culture, which permeates all
spheres of Russian society. Since ancient times, hospitality has been an integral
feature of the Russian character, reflecting moral values and respect. Not for
nothing one of the most ancient traditions of Russia is "Bread and Salt". For the
guests take out bread and salt. Bread - one of the main dishes, which symbolizes
abundance and prosperity. Offering food on bread means wanting prosperity and
abundance. Salt is also symbolic and is considered a symbol of life, longevity and
friendship. Salt is associated with a valuable and necessary element without which
a full life is impossible.
Both these values, hospitality and the family, permeate various aspects of
Russian society, from everyday customs to festive traditions. They form the basis
of Russian culture, reflecting its spiritual richness and deep traditions. These values
strengthen relationships between family members and with people outside the
family and, in my opinion, can be adopted by a Commonwealth to strengthen
society and make cooperation better.