Russian Culture Essay Example

cultural history of Russia. With vast forests, wood was the natural medium for building many structures such as churches, large dwellings, boats, furniture, household utensils, and even children’s toys. Additionally, wood was used for heating houses (Gippenreiter). In the past, Soviet times saw a well-developed system of community and work where those who participated in community work were rewarded with benefits. Before the Perestroika reform established by Gorbachev, everything belonged to the state, and there was no private property. The state controlled distribution and awarded the most active citizens.

Despite the disruption of the volunteering system during Perestroika, Russians demonstrate a robust community spirit and an outstanding work ethic. Unlike Western societies, Russian culture prioritizes collectivism over individualism and heavily relies on personal networks for business deals. Moreover, most Russians are Christians affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church - a significant milestone for a nation that enforced atheism as its state religion for seven decades. In addition to Christianity, Russia also legally recognizes Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism as religions.

Despite the existence of several other religions in Russia, only four are recognized as legal. While medical care and education are free in the country, they suffer from insufficient quality and quantity. The higher education and medical systems have been declining steadily since Perestroika. Although Russians possess a high level of intelligence, their lack of respect for laws such as traffic regulations is a significant issue due to their history of challenges and difficulties.

According to the text, Russians have a reputation for being reckless drivers and careless pedestrians. Additionally, stealing or lying is not viewed as a serious offense unless it involves stealing from family or friends. The

concept of private property is not recognized in Russian culture, including intellectual property. Prior to Perestroika, Russians had limited freedoms and were subjected to oppression, poverty and stripped of their basic human rights. This resulted in many individuals speaking out against the Russian government.

Despite achieving many wonderful accomplishments, including inventing the h-bomb and developing thermonuclear fusion, renowned Russian Andrei Sakharov was among the many who were ostracized, tortured, and often killed for their activism for human rights. Notably speaking out against the government, Sakharov ultimately met controversial ends on December 14th, 1989 following his exile and torture. Nevertheless, his legacy has left an indelible impact on Russian history and it is believed that if he had not passed away prematurely, he would have continued to be a transformative force in shaping the country's future.

According to Lourie (409), towards the end of his life, Sakharov transformed into an exceptional politician who led battles in Congress, interacted with industrial workers, and crafted a new constitution. He was widely accepted as the only public figure able to unite his vast country, which was exhausted and decaying yet responsive to honesty, professional achievement, suffering, and precise thinking. Meanwhile, Russian women face discrimination and are only valued if married or accompanied by a man. When Americans marry Russians, they often encounter pessimistic and negative attitudes as Russians tend to expect things to go wrong.

According to Visson (193), a consequence of negativity is the perception that the world is an unpleasant place where deceitful individuals are predominant. The remnants of Stalinist paranoia lead to presuming guilt until innocence is proven, and some Russians who reject Soviet Marxism still perceive the world

through this ideology. However, Russians are used to unpredictable situations and adapt well to new regulations, as demonstrated by their successful adaptation. Currently, Russia's economy shows steady growth. Although socialism's benefits no longer exist, Western capitalism's full advantages have not yet been fully realized.

In general, Russians possess a deep affection for their nation and take immense pride in their cultural legacy. As inhabitants of the world's biggest country, they boast a rich past and profound cultural heritage that they are delighted to associate with! Works Cited "Ancient Russia." Retrieved 25 October 2007 ;http://www.geographia.com/russia/rushis02.

As suggested by V. Gippenreiter, you can discover the captivating and multifaceted culture of Russia by visiting http://www.russia.com/culture/. (Source: http://www.russia.com/culture/, accessed on 25 October 2007.)

"Kizhi" can be accessed at http://www.russia-in-us.com/Kizhi/. This information was retrieved on October 25th, 2007.

Richard Lourie's book "Sakharov" and Lynn Visson's "Wedded Strangers" are both publications. "Sakharov" was published in 2002 by University Press based in Hanover, New England. "Wedded Strangers" was published in 1998 by Hippocrene Books located in New York City.