Friends of RCC Best of Russia Tour

UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA

"Russia is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma."--Winston Churchill. "You cannot understand Russia with your mind."(You must experience it)--Fyodor Tyutchev. Perhaps these scenes from the 2007-2009 FRCC "Best of Russia" exhibit tour, will provide enlightment.

The double eagle Seal of Russia was adopted from Byzantium over 500 years ago.

The Russian tricolor flag was first ordered by Peter the Great to be flown on vessels.

Peter the Great and Catherine the Great, Russia's most famous Czar and Czarina.

St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow---today's most recognizable symbol of Russia.

Russian History. The more than one thousand years of Russian history---since the 9th century Viking princes set up a state in the river valleys between the Baltic and Black Seas, which they called “Rus”---is defined primarily by Russia’s political, religious, artistic, literary and scientific development. Politically, Russia has had three distinct forms of government: autocratic (Princes and Czars, - 9th century-1917), socialistic (Soviet communism, 1917-1991) and democratic (Federation, 1991-present). With respect to religion, Russia has maintained, without change, the Russian Orthodox faith as the dominant religion from the beginning, i.e. since 988 AD when Vladimir of Kiev chose Christianity for the Russian state. While many other religions are present, the Orthodox Church has been, and is, an important influence on many aspects of Russian life. Russian art and literature reflect Russian creativity, and the depth of the Russian soul---and best describe what it means to be Russian: the suffering and triumphs, the tragedies and humor---all of which are embodied in the Russian spirit and human nature. Russians have always had an affinity for, and have valued highly, the development of science from the earliest times to the exploration of Space. Competitions - literary, musical performances and athletics - are prominent in Russian culture. Because of the work ethic and desire to achieve on the part of the Russian people, and the emphasis on education (e.g., Russia leads the world in number of public libraries), Russia has always emerged as a world leader at each phase of its existence. Geography: Russia is the largest country in the world (11 time zones), possesses large quantities of natural resources from oil to diamonds to timber and, stretching from the Artic to its southern beaches on the Black Sea, contains nearly every type of topography and climate except for the distinctly tropical.

International Space Station--joint project of Russia and the U.S.---contained in the Space Library 4 -wall & ceiling mural.

The painting Eternal Ballet contains the four century history of ballet, including Pavlova, Tchaikovsky, Baryshnikov. Scene: Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

Pushkin, Russia's most famous poet was great grandson of a black Russian general Abram Hannibal--godson of Peter the Great.

Caviar, along with Beef Stroganoff & Strawberries Romanov are among Russia's most famous foods.

www.frccusa.org

THE RUSSIAN FLAG, SEAL AND NATIONAL ANTHEM

Russian Flag

The Russian Flag, the tricolor, was ordered by Peter the Great, in 1705, to be flown on all merchant ships sailing on major Russian rivers. There are several theories as to why Peter chose this flag as the symbol of his country. One is that his father, Czar Alexis, had designed a similar red, white and blue ensign for his favorite ship, The Eagle. The significance of the three colors has changed through history: white (nobility), blue (honesty), red (courage and love). Also, from top to bottom, the white, blue, red colors represented the three cardinal virtues of Faith, Hope, Love. (For additional interpretations, see www.russianembassy.org, "State Symbols".) The tricolor was readopted as the Russian Flag by degree of President Yeltsin (1993) and by Federal Law in 2000.

The Russian tricolor was first ordered to be flown on maritime vessels by Peter the Great. It was officially adopted as the national symbol at the 1856 Paris Congress ending the Crimean War. It was temporarily replaced for 38 years by a black-yellow-white banner by Czar Alexander II, (Czar Nicholas II reinstated the tricolor) and the communist hammer and sickle flag for 76 years. In 1993, President Yeltsin reinstated the tricolor.

Russian Seal

The Seal of Russia, the two-headed eagle, was adopted by Ivan the Great in 1472 from Byzantium. Ivan had married Sophia Paleolog, the niece of Constantine XI, the last Byzantine Emperor. This symbol of Russia for over 400 years,was readopted, after the communist period, as the national emblem by Presidential Degree of 1993 and by Federal Law in 2000.The double eagle faces both east and west, as Russia rests in both Europe and Asia and its culture reflects the influence of both. On the eagle's chest is St. George slaying the dragon, the ancient symbol of Moscow, symbolizing the fight of Good versus Evil. This scene of St. George often appears in Russian Icons.

Official, and historic, Russian Seal at the RCC

The Seal was adopted in the 15th century from the ancient symbol of Byzantium, the eastern capital, and later capital (330AD), of the Roman Empire. Byzantium (Constantinople) had great influence on Russian culture, including architecture, religion and language.

Russian National Anthem

With the advent of the Russian Federation, because many Russians liked the music, but not the words of the Soviet anthem, the music was retained with new words by Sergei Mikhalkov.

MUSIC AND PHONETICS Russian & English words - See Below

Russian National Anthem - Russian & English Words