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Russian Culture in English
Elena Geiko: Russian realia that cannot be translated into English and how to explain them
Ответов - 11
Elena Geiko: Russian Folk Costume. A Short History. Russian peasant clothing varied according to time of year and the church calendar. There were clothes for holidays and to wear every day, for the well-to-do and for the peasantry. Like ethnic groups throughout the world, Russian clothing is unique and special to its history and geography. Holiday headwear would consist of the kokoshnik (a head-dress) which would be embroidered with river pearls, golden threads, and a hanging meshwork of pearl or mother-of-pearl. The forms would vary from locality to locality with a distinct separation of married women and maidens. The main distinction was married women, according to the ancient eastern Slav customs, could not uncover her hair while in public or when doing housework. A maiden could plait her hair or go about bareheaded. A typical costume consisted of a shirt or blouse, a sarafan (light frock), a belt and an apron. Shirts were made of linen with flaxen embroiderey, silk. lace, golden threads and spangles. Collars and sleeves were decorated extensively. the typical color of the sarafan, skirts and blouses was red, as this color literally translates to "beautiful". The most prominent part of the women's costumes was the apron, which was thoroughly ornamented. Mens' clothing was simpler and more uniform over women's. Kosovorotkas (shirts fastened from the side) worn with narrow trousers were commonly in use. Shirts were cotton, silken or woollen. Footwear consisted of semi-highboots, highboots and bast shoes. The visored cap came into being in the late 19th century.
Elena Geiko: Traditional Russian clothing was designed to empathize Russian woman's inner dignity and emotional restraint. Russian costumes are not only beautiful, there are also convenient in wearing because they were created for work without restricting freedom of movement. Festive clothes and everyday clothes, married woman's and young girl's clothes differed only for details, decoration, color gamut. The variety of colors for traditional costume displays love for beauty and ethnic diversity. Red fabric cloth was considered to be the nattiest one, and, by the way, the Russian word "beautiful" comes from the word "krasny", the Russian for "red". Homemade canvas and wool clothes decorated with embroidery or woven pattern have been used most often for traditional peasant costumes. Embroidery came in different ornaments (rhombuses, crosses, herring-bones, stylized patterns of people and animals) performed in naturally painted threads. Red, blue, green, white, yellow - the color gamut was rich and various. Despite the social and territorial differences traditional Russian clothes had one thing in common, they had to be put as a cape, from the head. Soft silhouette without any cuts emphasized Russian lady's light steps. Dress and sleeves were getting wider to the lap; the fabric was decorated with symmetric pattern, or with other golden or silvery-like fabrics, furs, and embroidery. Patterned woman's headdress "kokoshnik", fine linen "rubashka" shirts, beautiful woman's dress "sarafan" with embroidery in brocade and silk, - all these are comfortable and nice clothes worn ages ago by Russian women. In the Northern districts of the region the means of decoration were modest and laconic in keeping with the architecture of those places. In the Southern districts the ornaments were brighter and more colourful. Every tiny detail made its contribution to the whole ensemble. A waist-belt was an indispensable part of it. Headwears were divided into women's and girls ones. They are embroidered with gold and pearls and are of great value. They were everyday clothes and holiday garments. Russian tradtional costume manifests folk art and conveys the spirit of the past and old bright culture of Russia.
Elena Geiko: Russian fur hats are known all over the world as the best heat savers protecting from severest frosts and winds. Russian fur hats are made from soft sheepskin and fluffy rabbit fur and specially designed to bring you the ultimate warmth and coziness. “Ushanka” mouton sheepskin hat is a traditional Russian winter hat. This Russian Ushanka hat has a soft leather outer shell with fur brim and fur ear flaps with cotton ties. The ear flaps can be pulled down for extra warmth or tied up on the top. Quilt lining is provided inside for your warmth and coziness.
Elena Geiko: Russian handmade hat named kartuz - traditional for men and spreaded in central Russia. This "kartuz" hat is close to Moscow fashion of 18-19 centuries.
Elena Geiko: Women's headwear, though varied in shape and style, was subject to one of the strictest regulations: no married woman could be seen in public with her hair showing. Maidens, on the other hand, were expected to have at least tops of their heads uncovered, and were free to show off their hair. The best known and probably oldest kokoshnik had a high front shaped like a crescent with rounded edges. The front of a kokoshnik is adorned with gold and pearl embroidery.
Elena Geiko: Kichka is traditional head-dress for married women, supplemented by numerous details, ribbons and flowers.
Elena Geiko: This flowered head wreath with silk ribbons is specially designed for Ukrainian costume.
Elena Geiko: Russian classic valenki felt boots and galoshi rubber shoes Russian Valenki, traditional winter boots made of felt, represent one of the key symbols of Russian cultural heritage. The history of valenki began many centuries ago. 100% sheep's wool is used to make seamless, warm and healthy felt boots according to unique Russian technology: each valenok is cut out of a single, seamless strip of lambswool. It is dipped in acid and then in boiling water, then before being oven-dried, it is beaten to form a heel and a point at the toe. Valenki felt boots have healing effect - for flu, rheumatic disease, feet massage. The lambswool hairs massage and stimulate blood circulation in the feet, strengthen the immune system. Kind and curing warmth! From old times valenki were national footwear in Russia, and were worn not only by peasants and military but also by members of the tsar family. Valenki resist the temperature down to 40 degrees C below zero. Being tested by military in arctic frosts they are of the better quality than Swedish or Norwegian ones. Galoshes are comfortable to wear with valenki in humid or rainy winter weather.
Liliana: Breathtaking, Elena! Thank you!!!
Michael Pankov: Thank, Elena! Very informative. Nice to see that we can be proud of the quality and functionality of Russian clothing (especially of Ushanka and Valenki with Galoshes)
Elena Geiko: Michael Pankov and the whole Upper Int group, thanks for inspiring me! I wouldn't have started the topic without you guys
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