Russian Video from Russia does what it says, providing a variety of videos from Russia, presented in English or with English subtitles, and brief descriptions of the videos. You can check out videos as they're posted, or sort through by categories (including
customs,
musical video,
science and technology, and
movie for the weekend). This last category ranges from
Russian Sherlock Holmes movies to
a traditional New Year romantic comedy,
a documentary on Yuri Gagarin to
a classic Russian children's tale of Old Hottabych,
an old genie freed in modern times.
posted by filthy light thief
on Jun 16, 2011 -
8 comments
“We try to follow the footsteps of our elders, who cleared the way for us with their clean minds, hearts, and bodies. They walked in clean land, drank clean water, breathed clean air, and ate clean food provided by Mother Earth. This is the
Red Road.” The powwow is an integral part of Native American life, offering the opportunity for peoples to gather and
celebrate their spiritual connections to their ancestors, the earth, community, and traditions through drum, song, and dance. The photography of
Ben Marra.
posted by netbros
on Apr 26, 2008 -
12 comments
Since the Middle Ages, German craftsmen have gone
'auf der Walz' (taken to the road) as part of a kind of working-pilgrimage that artisans make after completing an apprenticeship with a master craftsman. These travels are meant to teach them about work and life and takes precisely three years and one day; they are not allowed to return home before this time. The trip can take these young craftsmen and women (all must be under the age of 30) halfway around the world (
and often does) and they are allowed only a small rucksack. Other than that, they can bring along their uniform (
a simple black and white affair that almost defies description), their tools, undergarments, a sleeping bag, a book and their trademark walking stick.
Although today this is a dying tradition, and is often more traditionally known as being a
Journeyman today, it still exists and has inspired
some to write about the strage travellers they see on the road. Indeed, perhaps the most famous work this tradition inspired is Australian poet
Banjo Patterson, whose work
Walzing Matilda is
believed to have been inspired by this fascinating yet waning custom.
posted by Effigy2000
on Dec 14, 2006 -
28 comments
Mexican Day of the Dead, only with a twist: in Pomuch, in the Mayan area in Southeastern Mexico, Mayans celebrate their dead by digging out their remains, and cleaning them. Photos
here. The regular Day of the Dead of the dead festivities have been discussed previously on MetaFilter
here,
here, and
here. For those of you who may want to practice,
this is a story
en español. The link to the pictures might be NSFW.
posted by micayetoca
on Nov 2, 2006 -
21 comments
Sinterklaas is coming to town. Christmas comes early for Dutch children. Or rather, Sinterklaas does, having brought his gifts this weekend. While many Anglo-American Christmas traditions owe much to
marketing schemes, the Dutch attachment to mulled wine and spiced biscuits harks back to earlier times. Perhaps too much so: with ongoing racial tensions following the murder of Theo van Gogh, the annual debate over
'zwarte piet', Santa's blackfaced little helper, has been especially heated. (One advantage of artificial traditions is that they tend to avoid such messy questions.) Nevertheless, here's the motherlode of Sinterklaas links, including songs, recipes and background.
posted by holgate
on Dec 5, 2004 -
25 comments
Polar Bear Clubs have become
a traditional way to
greet the new year. The original US club seems to be in
Atlantic City, NJ, where winter bathers have been taking the plunge on New Years Day for over 100 years.
Some say that the plunges are rooted in the Nordic tradition of saunas and cold water bathing, but today most clubs focus on
fundraising, taking a sponsored dip for charity. On Jan 1, 2003
Ivy Granstrom took the plunge in Vancouver BC at the age of 91 -- her 75th New Years dip. New clubs are popping up all the time - everywhere from
Hampton, NH to
Busan, Korea to
Kirov, Russia -- even
Gainesville, GA boasts some Polar Bears.
posted by anastasiav
on Jan 2, 2004 -
14 comments
Mmmmm.
Pancakes.
Called by many names - Blintz, Palascinta, Flensjes, Pannkuchen, Po-Ping - yes, you know
they're yummy, but what do you know about their
history or their
religious significance? For instance,
Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day and for the past 53 years, women in
Olney, England and
Liberal, Kansas race down the streets of their towns flipping pancakes, continuing an English tradition that goes back more than 500 years. (
Melbourne, Australia has a Pancake Day race, too!
) The Russian Orthodox Church
celebrates Shrovetide with a type of pancake called Blini, and I think most of us know that
Latkes (potato pancakes) are
a traditional part of the Hanukah feast. (Although apparently there is
some debate on the virtues of
Latkes over Hamentashen.) On a more secular note, we've just missed the
2002 Fall Flapjack Festival, held every year in
Land O'Lakes, Florida.
Glenn, Michigan has an
annual Pancake Festival, too (since 1938). Hey! I'm getting hungry ... somebody
pass the Maple Syrup!
posted by anastasiav
on Nov 12, 2002 -
34 comments
The Sunday Funday Blues: This is supposed to be on of the worst Nintendo games ever. Heh. No wonder. Yet it seems appropriate. As does Storman' Norman's
Sunday Blues radio programme. What
is it about Sundays anyway? And what's the best way to survive them? What are the local traditions? Here in Portugal, it's the Sunday papers; not going to Church; feeling guilty; drinking too many Bloody Marys; late, enormous lunches; lazy love-making, listening to football on the radio and naps...
posted by MiguelCardoso
on Feb 24, 2002 -
27 comments
