Russian culture has a long history and tradition, which Russian people are very proud of.

Russians consider themselves as a well educated nation. They read a lot: books are cheap, and one can afford to buy 5-10 books a month without serious damage to a family budget.
Russians are also fond of live performances at theatres and since tickets are affordable (prices in cinemas and theatres are comparable), they enjoy attending theatres: opera, musical, ballet, drama etc.

Generally every city has a few theatres. The theatre culture was developed during the Soviet times when tickets were sold through schools and enterprises: cities were divided into areas and there was a theatre agent responsible for each particular area. The agent would bring tickets for distribution to every enterprise and school in his area and the person responsible for “culture sector” would organize collective visit to the theatre. People had the opportunity to attend theatres from the early age, starting from attending performances in a Muppet theatre, then moving to the Youth Drama Theatre, then to Drama, Musical and Opera, according to their age. Also attending performances in a company is always much more fun, which contributed to the popularity of theatres. This is how most Russian people have developed their taste for live performances.

Movie theatres are also becoming popular in Russia and they are equipped with the latest sound systems. When Russian people talk about movie theatres, they will usually say “cinema”; if they talk about “theatres”, they mean live performances.

Russian culture is non-individualistic. The power of an individual in Russia is much less than in the western countries and most deals are pushed through family, friends and acquaintances. A Russian saying is, “One is not a soldier in the battlefield” . In Russia, you still need to know people in power to make things work. This is why they maintain more friendships than an average westerner. They often have to rely on their friends to help them out. You know someone who knows someone who is in power; this is the way most Russians have the things done. If you know the right person, you can have the most difficult things done with little effort.

The majority of Russians consider themselves as Christians, and belong to Russian Orthodox Church. Church service in Russia can be attended any day of the week and performed every day 2 or 3 times (early morning at 3 a.m., then at 8 a.m. and then in the evening at 7 p.m.). Church marriage is not official in Russia. A couple has to register their marriage with government authorities first to be allowed to have church ceremony performed.

Medical aid and education in Russia are free, though Russians joke that education becomes less and less free with every year. One can still get a university education for free by passing the entrance tests (exams), but the universities have to decrease the number of students studying on a free basis because of poor state financing.

Since both education and culture facilities used to be widely available, Russians can be considered a highly cultured nation. Their general knowledge is very good: they know a little bit about virtually everything. At secondary schools, they study not only the history of Russia but also the world history, including American and European history. In the same secondary school course (11 years school qualification is mandatory in Russia) young Russians study world literature, world music, and world geography. Many books of western authors are mandatory reading in the course of literature (in Russian translation of course). The standard secondary school program includes studying of a foreign language for 6 years (grades 5-11), usually it is English but also can be French, German or Spanish. Most subjects in the course of a secondary school are mandatory for all schools throughout the whole Russia, and only since recently there are some subjects that students can choose in addition to the general course.

Intellectually, Russians are interesting people to talk to and enjoy deep subjects. Philosophy is still a mandatory subject when you study for a degree and one of the 3 compulsory subjects for PhD qualifying exam (the other 2 are foreign language and the specialty itself).

Russians are very straightforward. Their manners are not bad, they are just Russian. Russia is quite a tough country and Russians usually do not hesitate to say what they think in a way that doesn’t leave room for any misunderstandings. When they meet or phone each other, they seldom spend time on questions like “How are you?” and go straight to the point. They are not rude; it’s just a way of doing things.

Having a university or college degree is common. Russia has a high educational level (more than 40% of the total population has college or university degree).
It’s not of any wonder if a woman with university degree works as a secretary. Having a Ph.D. is also not a big deal, and doesn’t give you a big advantage; good knowledge of English will provide you with a better competitive edge. The position that one has in a company is not as important as the company in which he or she works.

Russians like to emphasize their different attitude towards material values and consider themselves as sincere, cordial, understanding and unselfish. They like to talk about “specifics of Russian soul” or “mysterious Russian soul”, and repeat the famous phrase of a Russian poet “You can’t understand Russia by your mind”.

Generally, Russians love their country. They can criticize it severely, but if you try to do the same they will defend it furiously. They feel like citizens of the largest county in the world, which has rich history and deep cultural roots, and they are proud of it.

admin :: Oct.31.2007 :: Recent News :: No Comments »

There has been some changes in Russian visa regulations, which were implemented a few days ago.

1. A foreign citizen can now obtain a Russian visa ONLY in the country of his/her citizenship. One can also obtain a Russian visa in another country but will need to present to the Russian consulate a permit of stay in that country valid for more than 90 days. A visa may also be issued in a country other than an applicant’s own in case of urgent necessity, such as participating in international, governmental, official, scientific, sport and cultural events. A final decision in these cases would be left up to the consulate.

2. A multiple entry business visa allows nationals of all countries to stay in Russia up to 90 days out of the period of 180 days.

3. A multiple entry visa is only available for people who have been issued a Russian visa before. If this is your first visit, you are only eligible to obtain a single or double entry visa for 1 to 3 months, which is the only way now to stay in Russia for longer than 50% of time if you plan to live here (apart from getting a residence permit or an official work permit, which enables you to stay in Russia for as long as you are employed here). A copy of your previous Russian visa should be enclosed in your application for a multiple entry invitation.
A possible workaround for the 1st rule would be to get a simple registration, not an official visa-permit of stay and try to get a visa with it. It’s still an official document, and the consulate might be OK with it. For example, in Germany one can get a “registration” (anmeldung) quite easily in a local area council office. If anybody knows about this possibility in other countries, please, post it here.

admin :: Oct.29.2007 :: Russian Visa News :: 2 Comments »

The new Regulations of getting Russian Business Visa for EU citizens come into effect on June 1. To obtain a Business Visa to Russia an applicant must now present an original invitation letter from the inviting Russian company to a Russian consulate or embassy abroad.

Unlike the previously used Letters Of Invitation, which were issued by Passport and Visa Department or Ministry of Foreighn Affairs, the new letters are to be written by the company itself on its stationery, signed by the Director and stamped.

N.B. The new Regulations concern ONLY EU citizens. Citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark will require Letters of Invitation issued by Passport and Visa Department / Ministry of Foreighn Affairs to apply for their Russian visas.

However, as it often happens in Russia, even though the law is signed in the effect, the forms that will have to be used, requirements to the letter contents, the procedure of the letter approval and many other details have not yet been finalized. We urge you to contact affiliated agencies for up to date information.

admin :: Oct.23.2007 :: Russian Visa News :: No Comments »

1. Sochi is the largest resort region of the Russian Federation. It stretches for 147 km along the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar region and includes the Krasnaya Polyana mountain resort area.

2. Sochi is divided into four administrative districts: Adler, Khosta, Central and Lazarevsky, and it borders the Georgian Republic in the south.

3. On the map, Sochi can be found on the same latitude with Toronto, Nice and the Gobi desert. As its charming landscapes and scenery are so reminiscent of the Mediterranean, Sochi is often referred to as the “Russian Riviera”.

4. As Sochi is situated between the Caucasian Mountains and the Black Sea, it enjoys the most northern subtropical climate on earth. As a result, its Krasnaya Polyana mountains have great snow conditions and are largely protected from the wind. These unique conditions cannot be found anywhere else in Europe.

5. Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in the Russian Caucasus is considered the highest mountain in Europe. Mont Blanc in comparison is 4,810 m. The average height of the Caucasus mountains around Sochi are 2,000m.

6. The climate in Sochi is subtropical and the city usually has 200 sunny days a year. The average summer temperature is +26° C and -3° C in the winter. You can swim in the sea from April until October, and go skiing from October through May.

7. There are no large industrial facilities in the Sochi area, so the air quality, especially in Sochi’s Krasnaya Polyana area, is considered among the very best in the world.

8. Sochi is a city with more then 400,000 inhabitants representing over 100 nationalities. Over four million tourists visit Sochi annually and with over 250 spa facilities in the area, health and leisure tourism are the city’s leading sources of economy.

9. Sochi has over 200,000 hectares of forests, 4,000 of which are within Sochi Centre. Sochi encompasses several specially protected natural zones: the Caucasian National Biosphere Reserve, Sochi National Park, the Russian Federation National Wildlife Sanctuary, and over 30 botanical gardens and parks and nature sanctuaries housing over 30,000 wild-life plant species.

10. The Sochi tennis school became the launching pad for the careers of many Russian tennis stars, including Maria Sharapova and Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

admin :: Oct.22.2007 :: Sochi 2014 :: No Comments »

Set in a spectacular location, on the coast of the Black Sea and at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia, Sochi is vying for the opportunity to invite the world to a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of winter sport at the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Sochi 2014 Winter Games will serve as a gateway to the future for Russia, opening unprecedented opportunities for the development of winter sport, reinvigorating the entire Sochi region and bringing to life the spirit of Olympism for millions of Russian citizens.

The historic legacy of the Sochi 2014 Games cannot be overstated. Coupled with the Russian Government’s programme for the redevelopment of the region that is already under way, the Games will create a world-class resort destination where millions of winter sport enthusiasts from around the world will have the opportunity to enjoy brand-new, affordable facilities built for the sport of the 21st Century.

For the first time ever, Russian elite athletes will be able to hone their skills at a world-class alpine training and competition complex, taking winter sport in Russia to new heights.

Never before have the long-term plans for the development of a region aligned so perfectly with the long-term needs of the Olympic Movement.

Behind our vision for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games is the overwhelming support of the Russian nation and the Russian Government, which has given absolute guarantees to the IOC to deliver on every promise of Sochi 2014.

Sochi 2014 and the entire nation are committed to bringing the visionary and realistic plan for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games to life and delivering a once-in-a-lifetime Games to the Olympic Movement.

admin :: Oct.22.2007 :: Sochi 2014 :: 1 Comment »

Traditional Russian cuisine is an important part of Russian national culture. Russian cuisine is one of the most popular and widely spread in the world. French cuisine is festive and elegant, Chinese cuisine is exotic, Russian cuisine is healthy and delicious. Russian cuisine derives its rich and varied character from the vast and multicultural expanse of Russia. Its foundations were laid by the peasant food of the rural population in an often harsh climate, with a combination of plentiful fish, poultry, game, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Crops of rye, wheat, barley, and millet provided the ingredients for a plethora of breads, pancakes, cereals, kvass, beer, and vodka. Flavorful soups and stews centered on seasonal or storable produce, fish, and meats. Pies have always been a part of the holiday fare. The pies are customarily filled with different kinds of meat, fish, and berries. Large areas covered by woods and forests were abundant in berries and mushrooms and this accounted for a wealth of “gifts of the forests” on the Russian table.
Russian cuisine was renowned for diverse delicacies, especially refreshments (zakuski), made of fish. Russian rivers, lakes and seas yielded much of this tasty and useful kind of food. Soups and stews that were made from the poultry and meats that were hunted, were richly flavored and popular meals throughout the cold winter months. Bread is a staple of Russian cuisine, and there’s nothing in the world to compare to Russian black rye bread. Heavy and meaty, with a characteristic ’sour’ taste, Russian rye bread is nearly hearty enough to be a meal in and of itself, and a meal is not complete without bread.
Russian cuisine represents a wonderful bouquet of many cultural traditions and influences that have been absorbed over many centuries. For instance, a drink as Russian today as tea, was brought to Russia as the most precious gift from a Mongolian khan. Today Russia is the largest importer of tea in the world, and Russians drink tea 3–5 times a day. Tea has always been served with candies, pies, pryaniki (Russian gingerbread) and pastries.

As centuries passed, growing contacts with Western countries led to numerous borrowings in Russian cooking, enriching Russian cookery. Smoked meat, pastry cooking, wines and chocolate are a few culinary items that were introduced in the 16th to the 18th century. Although most of these refined foods were only available to the rich and aristocratic circles in Russia, it added to the Russian cuisine and meals that would become traditional Russian dishes. Primordial Russian products such as caviar, smetana (sour cream), buckwheat, rye flour, etc. have had a great influence on world-wide cuisine.

RussiaGateway Consultant :: Oct.18.2007 :: Recent News :: No Comments »

All of the following documents must be received by our office before processing your visa to Russia. These requirements apply to citizens of all countries with the exception of immigrants from Russia and the Soviet Union. Former Russian and Soviet citizens should call our office for further details.

RUSSIAN VISA REQUIREMENTS:

* Order Form, thoroughly completed
* Your actual passport with at least 2 blank visa-designated pages. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after intended departure from Russia
* One passport-size photograph
* US citizens: Two copies of this Russian visa application form, completed and signed
* Non-US citizens: Two copies of this Russian visa application form, completed and signed
* Payment: A company or personal check or money order made payable to “RussiaGateway.com”. To pay for your Russian visa by credit card, please download the credit card authorization form. Include the form in the package that you mail to us.
* If you apply for a visa valid for more than 3 months you must submit HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate.

Russian visas to citizens of the following countries are issued only upon providing proof of permanent residency in the United States (photo copy of the green card) and own letter of invitation (discounts apply). List of countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Nigeria, N. Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri-Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam.

On the basis of reciprocity, mandatory medical insurance is required, for the citizens of Estonia, Israel, as well as for the citizens of Schengen Agreement Member States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden).

Children apply for separate visas if they travel on their own passports. Non-traveling parents must confirm in an affidavit their consent for their children’s travel. If the child’s surname differs from that of his (her) parents, a copy of the child’s birth certificate must be enclosed.

admin :: Oct.18.2007 :: Recent News :: No Comments »

The tactics for every hunt are different, and the preparations required vary wildly from region to region. However, there are a few key supplies that every successful hunter needs.
Weapon

Whether you choose to hunt with a bow or a firearm, it’s important to select your weapon carefully. You’ll want to choose the right size of gun or bow for the game you’re seeking. At the same time, it’s imperative that you choose a weapon you are both comfortable and confident using. Without this first key ingredient, you won’t have a chance of succeeding in your hunt.

Optics

There’s little point packing up your favorite rifle for the hunt if you haven’t got a great scope to go with it. People’s preferences vary, and what’s ultimately most important is taking along a scope or binoculars that work well for you, and that you’re used to working with. Be sure to bring along any prescription glasses you typically require, as well as some sunglasses.

Ammo

Like your choice of weapon, deciding which ammunition best suits the job at hand is partially a matter of personal preference and partially common sense. You want to be sure you’re not going after big game with an inadequate load. By the same token, you don’t want to obliterate your target with too much punch.

Camping

Depending on the size of your party, you’ll need to bring along the basic essentials for any camping trip. A tent, sleeping bag, mess kit, cook stove, fuel, matches, food, drink and wash kit are essentials. Also, be sure to bring a smaller survival kit you carry with you at all times in case you’re separated from your party – stock it with a minimal first aid kit, a few rations and a bit of drink.

Hunting

We all hope a good hunt ends with a kill – so you’ll want to be prepared for this. Bring along a couple sharp hatchets, a folding saw, a good hunting knife and a sharpening stone, as well as some lightweight rope and suitable meat bags. For smaller game, you only really need a big hunting knife and the meat bags.

A little advice

Wanted to Know About Hunting but Never Dared to Ask,” to get a head start on this year’s hunting season with tips and advice from experienced hunters.

admin :: Oct.16.2007 :: Recent News :: No Comments »