EUROPE & RUSSIA: The Cultures of Russia
Chapt 16, Sect 3
1.
How have ethnic groups in and around Russia affected Russian history?
Religious and ethnic heritage has been a powerful bond among Russians for hundreds
of years. When the Soviet Union began to break apart, many smaller ethnic groups
were given the right to rule themselves so they would not leave.
2.
How are the people of Russia reconnecting with their cultural traditions?
When the Soviet Union began to break apart, there has also been a renewed
interest in religion and in creating new works of art.
heritage
customs and practices that are passed from one generation to the next
repress
to put down
propaganda
spread of ideas designed to support some cause
Leo Tolstoy
novelist who wrote about Russia in the 1800s (Anna Karenina)
Peter Tchaikovsky
classical composer (The Nutcracker)
St. Petersburg
elegant Russian city founded by Peter the Great in 1703; a mixture of European and
Slavic cultures can be seen in its architecture
Nuggets:
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The Russian Orthodox Church is a branch of Christianity; largest religious group in
Russia.
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80% of Russians belong to the ethnic group of Russian Slavs; generally live in the
western (European) part of Russia.
More than 75 different ethnic groups live in Russia. These groups speak languages
other than Russian, have different customs, and have different religions. Many of
these ethnic groups are small, and live in regions of Siberia, where the isolation
from the rest of Russian preserves their unique cultural traits with little change.
Muslims make up Russia’s second largest religious group; followers of Buddhism live
near Russia’s border with China.
Some small ethnic groups tried to break away from the Russian government, but the
Russian government has tried to keep them by giving them the right to rule
themselves and repressed any moves toward independence by these groups.
Vasily Kandeinsky, Russian painter, modern art, early 1900s
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Under communism, the creation of great new works of art nearly came to a halt.
Soviet government believed all arts should glorify communism, and banned any art
they did not like.
The Winter Palace, the grandest building in St. Petersburg, is a 1,000-room palace
that was the winter home for Russian czars. It is now a fine art museum.
Changes in allowing the free expression of cultural and religious expression is
allowing Russia to recover the riches of its past.
EUROPE & RUSSIA: The Cultures of Russia
NOTE TAKING
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Cultural Expression
in Soviet Union
Forbid to practice of religious beliefs
Banned many artists if their work
did not glorify communism.
Free public education
Chapt 16, Sect 3
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Cultural Expression
in Federation of Russia
Renewed practice of religious beliefs
Returned to creating new works of
art.
Free education has continued
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SUMMARY: Although the Soviet government of the 20th century tried to control the Russian People’s religious
beliefs and creative expression, many of their cultural traditions have survived.