Culture of Russia

Lore & Background

Russian folklore takes its roots in the pagan beliefs of ancient Slavs. Epic Russian bylinas are an important part of Slavic mythology, with the oldest of the Kievan cycle recorded in the Russian North, especially in Karelia. Many Russian fairy tales and bylinas were adapted for animations or feature movies by directors such as Aleksandr Ptushko and Aleksandr Rou. Poets including Pyotr Yershov, Leonid Filatov, and Alexander Pushkin created well-known poetical interpretations or original fairy tale poems. Folklorists consider the 1920s the Soviet Union's golden age of folklore, as the new government focused on establishing administration and building the economy rather than controlling literature. Two primary trends of folklore study emerged: the formalist school, focusing on artistic form and poetic devices, and the Finnish school, concerned with connections among related legends across Eastern Europe. The Russian Association of Proletarian Writers (RAPP) specifically censored fairy tales and children's literature, removing them from bookshelves. Yuri Sokolov, head of the folklore section of the Union of Soviet Writers, promoted folklore as the oral tradition of the working people. Convinced by these arguments, the Soviet government began collecting and evaluating folklore, handpicking stories that promoted collectivist spirit. Local folklore centers arose in major cities, ensuring appropriate versions of folktales were published. During Stalin's rule, authors wrote Communist folktales called noviny, combining structures of old byliny with contemporary Soviet life. Folk performers underwent education in Marxist ideology and traveled to gain insight into working-class lives; some became highly valued members of Soviet society, and a number were elected to the Union of Soviet Writers despite illiteracy.

Reader's Guide

Russian culture's significance lies in its synthesis of diverse influences and its profound impact on global arts, sciences, and literature. The nation's writers and philosophers have shaped European thought, while its contributions to classical music, ballet, theatre, painting, cinema, and sport are internationally recognized. Pioneering achievements in science, technology, and space exploration further underscore its global legacy. The Russian language, the most geographically widespread in Eurasia and a UN official language, serves as a medium for a substantial portion of the world's scientific literature and information storage. The evolution of Russian folklore illustrates the interplay between tradition and state ideology: initially repressed under Stalin as a remnant of the old system, it was later co-opted to promote Communist values through curated tales and newly created noviny. This process highlights how cultural expression can be shaped by political forces while retaining its roots in ancient Slavic mythology and oral tradition. The legacy of Russian culture remains a complex tapestry of indigenous traditions, external borrowings, and state-directed transformations.

Did You Know?

• Over a quarter of the world's scientific literature is published in Russian.
• Russian is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
• The oldest bylinas of the Kievan cycle were recorded in the Russian North, especially in Karelia.
• During Stalin's rule, new Communist folktales called noviny were created, combining old byliny structures with contemporary Soviet life.