5 of the most sumptuous balls held at the Court of the Tsars

The fame of masquerade balls held at the court of Russia’s Elizabeth and Catherine the Great spread across Europe.

Emperor Alexander III, however, was less enthusiastic about balls, and on the eve of his wedding he even refused to dance with his bride-to-be. But his consort, Empress Maria Feodorovna, made up for it by partying for the two of them.

Although he was not averse to a bit of dancing, the last Russian emperor, Nicholas II, was primarily concerned about his consort Alexandra Feodorovna, who didn't like balls due to her fragile health. However, it was her idea to hold a costume ball with a Neo-Russian theme that was the last such momentous high society event in the history of the Romanovs.

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Blessed Xenia: How a ‘holy fool’ from St. Petersburg became a beloved saint

In Russia, women with supernatural abilities were often treated with suspicion; so-called "blessed fools" were regarded with condescension, and "holy fools" were even prosecuted by decree of Peter the Great.

Saint Xenia of St. Petersburg, however, was an exception to all these rules.

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A spectacular, but forgotten ancient craft - forging a medieval ax - you're not gonna see that anywhere else! 🙀💪🏻

Video by: https://www.youtube.com/@user-sh3fz8km1q/featured

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The U.S. launched HUNDREDS of SPY BALLOONS against the Soviets during the Cold War

In February 1956, the Soviet Union issued a formal protest to the U.S. through diplomatic channels accusing the U.S. of violating Soviet airspace. Preceding the protest, the U.S. had sent hundreds of spy balloons toward Soviet territory.

Ironically, the Soviets benefited from the U.S. spy balloon program in the most unusual way.

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Question for the food lovers - especially the health-conscious among you!

If you could combine your knowledge of Russian foods and dishes into a healthy routine, what would your breakfast, lunch and dinner look like?

📷 Legion Media

#rb_questions

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Russian becomes ‘Mrs. Universe’ for the FIRST time in history

Prior to becoming the most beautiful woman in the universe, Elena Maksimova received three university degrees, built a career, raised two children and pursued diving in Australia.

She was never expected to receive the ‘Mrs. Universe’ crown. As people in her home village recall, Elena was always a “shy dormouse”. So, how did she do it? Read on to find out!

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This ancient polis called Tauric Chersonese in Sevastopol on the southwestern coast of Crimea was founded by the Greeks.

Some 2,000 years on, its ruins are still a beautiful sight.

📸 Legion Media

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Have a peek at the life of real nomadic reindeer herders among the mountains and snowfields in the wild tundra!

Video by: https://arctic-children.com/en/

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Tsar Nicholas II’s children: What we know about them

The last Russian tsar had four daughters – Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia and also the long-awaited heir son, Tsarevich Alexei. All the family members were very good friends; there were no significant conflicts between the children and their parents.

They went through a lot together: Alexei’s illness, World War I, during which the daughters and their mother tended to the wounded and the father with his son went to the front. And, of course, the revolution, after which they spent more than a year in captivity and were then assassinated.

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Who lives in Siberia?

Aside from Russians, more than 30 indigenous ethnic groups live in Siberia. And they still maintain their culture, history and language.

Among them are Turkic-speaking peoples: Yakuts, Tuvans; there’s also Mongol-speaking Buryats and Finno-Ugric Khanty and Mansi. But who else lives in Siberia?

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Why the ‘Night Witches’ and their commander were a nightmare for the Nazis in WWII

The Germans called this regiment of light bombers ‘Russian Mosquito Aviation’ and its members ‘Night Witches’. It was formed in October 1941, as part of the Red Army Air Force (alongside two other all-female regiments). It consisted of light bombers and was such a thorn in the side of the Germans that it acquired wide notoriety among them.

Yevdokiya Bocharova (Bershanskaya) was its one and only commander and she succeeded in turning it into a highly formidable fighting force. Twenty-three airwomen who served under her command were made Heroes of the Soviet Union. Bocharova herself, however, was never decorated with this high honor…

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It has still not been established who this young woman, depicted by the ideologist of “Russian Peredvizniki” artists, is. Ivan Kramskoi chose to keep the secret and did not reveal her identity, even in the diaries and notes found after his death. These days, one of the most emblematic portraits in Russian art is dubbed "the Russian Mona Lisa".

📸 ‘Portrait of an Unknown Woman’, 1883, Ivan Kramskoi / Tretyakov Gallery

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What models made the Moskvich a legendary car?

The famous Soviet car brand, whose history began with copying American Fords and German Opels, eventually started to produce decent original models that were popular not only in the USSR, but also in Great Britain, Belgium, France, Scandinavia, Finland, Germany and Southeast Europe.

In 1972, the pilot Moskvich automobile managed to beat BMW and Ford cars in a British motor rally, gritting out the victory.

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