Art of Russia

Culture

Russian is the only official language. There are 35 different languages which are considered official languages in various regions of Russia, along with Russian. There are over 100 minority languages spoken in Russia today.

Traditional Russian clothing was designed to empathize Russian woman's inner dignity and emotional restraint. Russian costumes are not only beautiful, there are also convenient in wearing because they were created for work without restricting freedom of movement. Russian traditional costumes manifest folk art and convey the spirit of the past and old bright culture of Russia.

This days Russia is considered to be a very attractive fashion market with a great demand for the luxurious segment. However, Russian fashion industry is mostly based on import with its retail market being the largest one in Eastern Europe.

Despite the financial and economic difficulties the fashion industry in Russia is growing: young designers get education in prestigious schools and colleges abroad and once they are back home they open their own fashion houses in Russia.

Russian Fashion Week is the key one in the industry and the largest fashion week in Eastern Europe that can be attended "by invitation" only. The event has discovered dozens of new designers and has presented numerous international designers to the Russian market.

Art of Russia

Classical ballet came into Russia in the 18th century. By the end of the 19th century the national school of ballet had finally formed. Nowadays Russian classical ballet traditions are supported and developed by dancers and choreographers not only from Russia but from all over the world.

The Hermitage, Russian Museum and Mariinski Theatre in Saint Petersburg, the Bolshoy Theatre and Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow are recognized as significant symbols of cultural Russia. Folk art is also very important for culture of Russia. Russian fine arts, literature, music and dancing art have incorporated centuries-old national cultural traditions and achievements.

Originality and national peculiarity are reflected in folklore music and dances, in legends and tales, in traditions of national crafts.

Religion in Russia is diverse, with a 1997 law naming Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism as important in Russian history. Orthodox Christianity is Russia's traditional and largest religion, deemed a part of Russia's "historical heritage" in a law passed in 1997.Russian Orthodoxy is the dominant religion in Russia.

The cuisine is diverse, as Russia is by area the largest country in the world. Russian cuisine derives its varied character from the vast and multi-cultural expanse of Russia. Moreover, it is necessary to divide Russian traditional cuisine and Soviet cuisine, which has its own peculiarity. Its foundations were laid by the peasant food of the rural population in an often harsh climate, with a combination of plentiful fish, poultry, caviar, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Crops of rye, wheat, barley and millet provided the ingredients for a plethora of breads, pancakes, cereals, beer and vodka.

Russia is one of the most successful countries at a number of sports and continuously finishing in the top rankings at the Olympic Games. Among the most played sports in Russia are basketball, ice hockey, bandy and football. Other sports widely played in Russia include rugby league, handball, weightlifting, gymnastics, figure skating, biathlon, boxing, wrestling, martial arts, volleyball, rugby union, and skiing.

Healthcare

2013, the average life expectancy in Russia was 65.1 years for males and 76.5 for females. The average life expectancy of 70.8 years at birth is nearly 6 years shorter than the overall average figure for the European Union or the United States.

The biggest factor to this relative

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