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Russian National Anthem or the Hymn of the Russian Federation is an adaptation of the national anthem of the Soviet Union. The Anthem is one of the main official state symbols of the Russian Federation, along with the Russian Flag and Coat of Arms. The National Hymn of Russia was composed by Alexander Alexandrov. The lyrics were written by Sergey Mikhalkov. The "unbreakable union" of the Soviet Union was removed from the modern Russian Anthem. The current version of the anthem was adopted on December 25, 2000 for the music and December 30, 2000 for the lyrics. During the official performance of the Russian Anthem people should be in an upright position and men should have their headwear removed.
(Pros, 2017)

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The State Anthem of the Russian Federation, performed by various singers at the Russia Day jubilee in Sevastopol, Crimea, Russia on 12 June 2015.

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The most common Russian soup is “Borsch“, a soup made of beets and meat, which is usually served with sour cream.
(Parallel, 2017)

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The majority of the population in Russia is Russian Orthodox (the current percentage ranges somewhere between 60% and 80%), however the exact percetage is hard to find. There are a lot of  people that aren't willing to share their religious beliefs, so a lot of the statistics have high percentages of nonreligious, other, or none. (Wachtel & Dewdney, 2017)

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In 1697, Tsar Peter I visited the Netherlands to learn about the most advanced techniques in shipbuilding. He was impressed by the simple design of Dutch flag and modeled Russian flag after the Dutch flag by having the stripes arranged white-blue-red. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Communists adopted a Red Flag that contained a gold hammer, sickle, and gold-bordered red star in the upper hoist corner as the official flag of the newly created USSR. As the Communist regime started falling apart, the original white-blue-red Russian national flag was restored on August 21, 1991.
(Russia Flag, 2017)

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The Russian Ruble is the official currency of Russia. The ruble is the oldest national currency in the world after the British pound. The ruble has been used in the Russian territories since the 13th century. Currently, One Russian Ruble is worth 0.017 US Dollars.
(Jose, n.d.)

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During the funeral, it is common for there to be readings from scripture, hymns, and psalms. Psalm 118 is a common choice for the services, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." During the service, mourners circle the open coffin in a counter-clockwise direction and kiss the person who has died. The priest will then sprinkle soil and holy water into the coffin. Mourners will then follow the coffin to the cemetery where they will observe a short graveside service. Many people throw branches of fir and juniper as the funeral procession passed to cover the mourners' tracks. They will also take a different route home after the burial. These things are done to apparently confuse evil spirits.
(Zone, 2017)

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There is a difference in schools in rural areas compared to suburban and urban areas. Rural schools can look like a single room with one teacher and students have to travel far with lack of school bus system. Urban schools tend to be over populated. Diplomas can be given in three languages, however there are more than three languages spoken around the country putting some at disadvantage. Some school have shortage in supplies and textbooks. Lack of technology and well run facilities are issues as well. All of these due to lack of funding.
(Hays, 2008)

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For most of its history, Russian architecture has been predominantly religious. For centuries, churches were the only buildings to be constructed of stone, and today they are almost the only buildings that remain from its ancient past. The basic elements of Russian church design emerged fairly early, around the 11th century. The buildings have sharply-sloped roofs and a multitude of domes. The characteristic onion dome first appeared in Novgorod on the Cathedral of Sancta Sophia, in the eleventh century.
(Russian Art & Architecture, 2005)

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“Shchi” is a common hot soup which is made of cabbage. Shchi is a traditional soup of Russia where it has been known as far back as the 9th century and has been considered a Russian staple for many years. The major components of shchi are cabbage, meat, mushrooms, flour, and spices.
(Parallel, 2017)

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In Russia, a typical teaching style is memorization. Students are expected to know great detail of content area and facts of a subject. There is less focus on higher level questions that focus on designing and analyzing. Students are expected to know, comprehend and apply all information.
Classrooms are structured with students sitting in rows and teacher giving lectures. Students are expected to not question the information being taught. Discipline is consistent and students are scolded for misbehavior. Classes start by standing up and saying hello to teacher. If a teacher is unable to make it to the class the teacher will leave work behind and the students will do it on their own with out a replacement teacher or substitute.
(Clyde, 2014)
(Hays, 2008)

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Russian is the official language in Russia with 85.7% of the population speaking it. Other common languages are Tatar (3.2%) and Chechen (1%). 10.1% of the population speaks some other language. About a third of Russians (30%) speak English to one degree or another: 20% can read and translate using a dictionary, 7% are familiar with colloquial language, and 3% are fluent speakers.
(Interfax, 2015)
(CIA, n.d.)

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Russian pancakes, also known as "blini" or "blinchiki", are really special for people raised in Russia. Russian pancakes are much wider and thinner than American-style pancakes but not as thin and wide as crepes.
(Szeliga, 2015)

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Peculiarities of the National Fishing is a Russian comedy. General Ivolgin, forester Kuzmich, and good-natured Lyova lose their way on a fishing trip and wind up in a neighboring country, where they decide to have a good time anyway but end up leaving their vodka and fishing equipment behind.
(Peculiarities of the National Fishing, 1997)

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Mt. Elbrus is a stunning volcanic peak located in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia and at 18,510 feet it is Europe's, as well as Russia's, highest peak.
(Mt. Elbrus South Side, n.d.)

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In Russia, there are many traditions that are followed within the family. The most important, seems to be birthdays. When someone has a birthday it is an excuse for the whole family to get together and celebrate and they truly take advantage of many birthdays throughout the year. While on the other hand weddings don't seem to be as celebrated, often times taking place in a courtroom.
When a child is born, they are almost immediately baptized, regardless of the religious views of the family, it just happens to everyone.
(Shutaya, 2017)

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Students begin required education at the age of six years old. The first nine years are basic education and then the students transition to secondary school for the last two years. Students have choices to which type of school to attend for the secondary part of their education. They can choose between Lyceums, Gymnasiums and general schools. There is also an option to go to a vocational school where they can learn a trade while taking their general classes.
Lyceums are focused on mathematics and sciences, while Gymnasium is focused on humanities and languages. The average student teacher ratio is 19:1. At the end of the 9th grade their is a government required exam. This helps students to choose the best option for them. At the end of 11th grade there is another required exam in Russian and Math. Students have a choice to take other subjects as well. This exam is used to send to Universities to get admission, as well as, reduced cost.
Students's grades are giving in number (5 highest). If they do well on exams they receive gold and silver medals.
(Nikolaev & Chugunov, 2012) (Clyde, 2014)
(Hays, 2008)

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When it comes to pop culture in America you may think of music from Beyonce,  Leonardo DiCaprio finally getting his Oscar, memes about politics, and even people rapping about politics. Comparatively, Russian culture is much different, and yet somewhat similar.
Lately in Serov (a small town in Russia), they have been influenced by American Culture, and have been skateboarding on every surface they can, even on rails in the town's center square.
Russians have even fully embraced the psychic bandwagon, and most people are into the paranormal. There are even government-sanctioned healers across the country.
Russia also loves... cats. Everyone in Russia adores cats and even has a cat theater that shows none other than cats, and only cats.
(ABC News, 2017)
(Golgowski, 2015)
(Shutaya, 2017)

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"Moscow Cat Theatre" - Cats perform in Circus acts FULL Documentary short

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Download Our Apple or Android Apps: http://bit.ly/Snag_Apps Watch Free Movies Online: http://bit.ly/snag_films Like Us On Facebook: http://bit.ly/snag_fb Follow Us On Twitter: http://bit.ly/Snag_Tweets You'll be hard-pressed to find a more unusual circus, or father-daughter performing duo. The Moscow Cat Theatre is just that: a travelling show of cats that perform amazing tricks for the owners who love and train them.

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Valenki are traditional Russian winter footwear. Made of sheep's wool, these warm felt boots have been worn by generations of Russians. Valenki are not water-resistant, therefore they are often worn with a strip of leather on their sole or rubber galoshes to protect the felt.
(Kantor, 2013)

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The Kremlin is a fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and the Alexander Garden to the west. The complex serves as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation.
(The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2016)

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Russia has adopted a bit of meme'ing culture by creating post-soviet chic fashion; They added stars to tshirts and put Putin's face on display on streets.
On the other hand, memes in Russia have been put on hold due to a law that prevents impersonating or sharing edited images of public figures that aren't in-context.
(ABC News, 2017)
(Golgowski, 2015)

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An important public marketplace and meeting place in Moscow, Red Square houses the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral, the State Historical Museum and the enormous GUM Department Store, as well as a modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site of large-scale military parades and other demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength.
(History.com Staff, 2011)

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Alexey Pajitnov

Inventor of Tetris

Igor Sikorsky

Helicopter Designer/ Inventor

Sergey Brin

Co-founder of Google

Voronov Brothers

Warner Brothers Entertainment

Ayn Rand

Novelist

Isaac Asimov

Writer and Biochemist

(Rydjeski, n.d.)

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Russian nesting dolls are decorated wooden dolls also known as matryoshka dolls or babushka dolls. The first Russian nesting doll set appeared in Moscow in the 1890s. It was carved by Vassily Zviozdochkin and consisted of eight dolls of decreasing size placed one inside the other. The dolls depicted a mother carrying a rooster, inside are her seven children, the smallest being a sleeping baby.
(Holmes, 1996)

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Most Russians celebrate the Orthodox Calendar, which means that their "Christmas" is just after New Year's. They typically celebrate on New Year's Eve but have another small celebration on the actual day on January 7th. The old orthodox calendar also celebrates  New Year's on January 14th.
They also have Easter which is a week after American Easter typically, but it follows a complex formula for figuring out when it is.
("Public Holidays in Russia within 2017")

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Mt. Elbrus South Side. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https://www.rmiguides.com/mt-elbrus-southside

Wachtel, A. B., & Dewdney, J. C. (2017, September 13). Religion. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Russia/Religion

Szeliga, E. (2015, September 23). Ultimate Russian Pancakes: Traditional Recipe • Happy Kitchen.Rocks. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https://happykitchen.rocks/ultimate-russian-pancakes/

ABC News. (2017, May 26). Lively Pop Culture Flourishing in Russia. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126077&page=1

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The State Hermitage Museum is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The Hermitage Museum complex consists of five buildings—Winter Palace, Large Hermitage, Small Hermitage, New Hermitage, and the Theatre of Catherine the Great. Each of the buildings was designed by celebrated architects from the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the buildings house the Hermitage’s unique European, Russian, Impressionist and Modern, Roman, Greek, Islamic, and Egyptian collections.
(Hermitage Museum Foundation History, 2015)

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Golgowski, N. (2015, April 10). Russia outlaws misleading internet memes. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/russia-outlaws-misleading-internet-memes-article-1.2181177

Parallel, 5. (2017, September 27). Traditional Russian Food | Experience Russian Culture. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https://www.56thparallel.com/traditional-russian-food/

Rydjeski, L. (n.d.). Famous Americans with Russian Roots. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https://russianlife.com/stories/online-archive/famous-americans-with-russian-roots/

Interfax. (2015, December 03). Percentage of Russians who speak English doubles to 30%. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https://www.rbth.com/news/2015/12/03/percentage-of-rusians-who-speak-english-doubles-to-30_547189

Nikolaev, D., & Chugunov, D. (2012). Education System in the Russian Federation: Education Brief 2012(World Bank Studies). Washington DC: World Bank. doi:https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/lib/drexel-ebooks/detail.action?docID=888794

Hays, J. (2008). Schools in Russia. Retrieved from http://factsanddetails.com/russia/Education_Health_Transportation_Energy/sub9_6a/entry-5142.html#chapter-1

Shutaya, L. (2017, October 20). Russian Life versus American Life [Personal interview].

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Pros, R. T. (2017). Retrieved October 25, 2017, from https://www.russian-translation-pros.com/russian-national-anthem.html

Russia Flag. (2017). Retrieved October 25, 2017, from http://russiaflag.facts.co/russianflagof/russiaflag.php

Jose. (n.d.). Moscow, capital city of Russia. Retrieved October 25, 2017, from http://www.visitcapitalcity.com/europe/moscow-russia

Zone, F. (2017, August 22). Russian Funeral Traditions: Folk Culture & Orthodox Funerals. Retrieved October 25, 2017, from https://www.funeralzone.co.uk/blog/russian-funeral-traditions

Russian Art & Architecture. (2005). Retrieved October 20, 2017, from http://www.geographia.com/russia/rusart01.htm

Contact CIA. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2098.html

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Holmes, G. S. (1996). Matryoshka Doll. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from http://www.encyclopedia.com/history/modern-europe/russian-soviet-and-cis-history/matryoshka-doll

Kantor, V. (2013, January 24). Traditional Russian footwear showcased in Moscow. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https://www.rbth.com/arts/2013/01/24/traditional_russian_footwear_showcased_in_moscow_22157.html

Hermitage Museum Foundation History. (2015). Retrieved October 20, 2017, from http://www.hermitagemuseumfoundation.org/the-museum/history/

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2016, September 06). Kremlin. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/technology/kremlin

History.com Staff. (2011). Red Square. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from http://www.history.com/topics/red-square