Before telling about the cultural traditions of Russia, I suggest defining the very term “tradition”. What does he mean by himself? Is this concept relevant today or can it be safely called a relic of the past?
So, it is customary to call customs or traditions the ideas, habits, rites and skills of a particular country, area or region that have both practical and social significance. They are transmitted, as a rule, from generation to generation and act as a kind of regulator of social relations.
1. "Tasty" traditions of Russia. Kitchen
Throughout history, Russian cuisine has been able to incorporate world-wide cooking traditions.
For example, at the beginning, salads brought, by the way, to Russia from Europe, were prepared mainly from vegetables.
It took several centuries for the Oriental meat dishes to finally appear on Russian tables, such as manti, barbecue, dumplings.
But in general, we can say that Russian cuisine has gone through six stages of its development:
- Stage I (from IX to XVI century) was called "Old Russian dishes";
- II stage (XVII century) - Moscow state cuisine;
- III stage (XVIII century) - cuisine of the era of Peter and Catherine;
- Stage IV (late 18th century - 19th century) - St. Petersburg cuisine;
- Stage V (XIX — XX centuries) - national Russian cuisine ;
- VI stage (from 1917 to the present day) - Soviet cuisine.
And only after all the stages passed, the modern kitchen has become more modernized and has collected many traditions and recipes.
The gastronomic traditions of Russia are very diverse. Now the most famous and traditional dishes are borscht, cabbage soup, topiary, fish soup, beetroot soup and pickle. These first courses are very tasty and will, without any doubt, beautify any dining table. In addition, dumplings, crepes, hodgepodge and okroshka are also considered the most popular among Russians and guests of our country.
Try to stop the foreigner and ask him what he means by the word "Russian". Do you know what will answer? That's right: bears, felt boots, vodka, caviar, borscht and pies! For me, at one time it was a real discovery to find out that, it turns out, vodka is not a genuine Russian drink at all, it was brought to the country from Italy in the fifteenth century. But such a meat delicacy as beef stroganoff, despite the foreign sound, is actually a long-standing Russian dish.
2. Family traditions in Russia
The spiritual atmosphere of the house, which includes the habits and lifestyle of its inhabitants, which are passed down from generation to generation - this is what family traditions represent.
What can they be expressed in? It seems to me, first of all, in the ability to love, value and respect loved ones, as well as in the desire to spend as much free time with them as possible.
In Russia, people are pleased to give and bring gifts and souvenirs to each other from trips, to compliment or support in difficult times.
Our family traditions carry a combination of spiritual values and show the level of development of the family. And in ancient times, such traditions were also based on religious, social and historical traditions and rites.
We can say that they are unique to each Russian family, although common points can still be traced.
For example, a man and a woman must fulfill different roles and responsibilities. A woman is a wife, a mother who gives birth and feeds children, and a man is a getter, he makes money and protects the family.
Children must respect and help their parents. It is the man who offers the hand and heart in Russia, and the woman, in turn, decides on the readiness to enter into this marriage.
In addition, there are family and religious holidays, which every Russian family celebrates differently. Many customs, of course, are very individual and are passed from father to son, or from mother to daughter. But all of them are aimed at bringing family members closer together and establishing relations in the family as a whole.
3. Signs and beliefs of our country
The first signs and customs appeared in ancient centuries, when psychology, ethics, and market relations did not yet exist.
If you delve into history, you can find out that primitive people associated beliefs with the forces of nature. That is why, probably, many signs are simply impossible to explain from a scientific point of view. They exist, but absolutely do not lend themselves to any logic.
For example, did you know that in Russia it is not customary to give handkerchiefs, as it is believed that they will bring tears, and they are usually given out at a funeral.
In addition, indoor plants must be gifted wholeheartedly, otherwise they will fade. Strange, right? It always seemed to me that the flower would fade if the person to whom such a gift was given would not water it or follow it properly. Then what does the soul have to do with it? No logic!
Each Russian family has its own signs and beliefs. Bad ones are scattered salt, a black cat that crossed the road, a birthday congratulation in advance, a woman with empty buckets, and much more.
The traditions of Russia with a good sense are to be born with a large number of moles on the body, to break the dishes.
In general, everyone, of course, determines for himself what he really believes in. Nevertheless, let there be more good signs than bad ones.