These wild places are almost deserted and very little studied by humans and it is very difficult to get to. But, what awaits you if you do find a way through is stunning: sea lions, peregrine falcons and, of course, curious bears.

This year wasn’t marked by a big amount of Russian book translations published in English, as usually are. However, there are several remarkable volumes you might want to discover.

Try a healthy treat with cottage cheese from the Russian countryside. It’s just as good as a cheesecake.

The state that appeared in place of the USSR was created vastly differently.

The centerpiece of almost every Soviet living room was the cupboard, the main element of the furniture set (“wall”) with sliding glass doors and mirrored insides. Proud owners of such an item of furniture used to store only the most valuable things in it, both in material and spiritual aspects.