Russian Folklore
She sits at a crossroads after sunset. She has only one eye, and her name means «evil» in Russian. Who is she?
Likho (One-Eyed Likho)
This novel begins with a society ball and ends with the French invasion of Russia. Its title contains two opposites. What is it?
War and Peace
If I say «Moscow», «Baikal», and «the Oka River» — what do they have in common?
They are all toponyms.
A translator turns Снегурочка into Snowgirl. Why is this wrong, and what is the correct translation?
Wrong: Snowgirl sounds modern and Western. Correct: The Snow Maiden — a cultural analogue that preserves the fairy-tale quality.
This is a traditional Russian steam bath. People hit themselves with birch branches and then jump into cold water. What is it?
banya
His soul is hidden in an egg, inside a duck, inside a hare, inside a chest, under an oak tree on an island. He kidnaps beautiful women. Who is he?
Koshchei the Deathless
This 12th-century epic tells of a prince who went to war and lost. Its title contains the word «campaign». What is it?
The Lay of Igor's Campaign
If I say «Dmitry», «Vassily Shuisky», and «Peter Feodorovitch» — what do they have in common?
They are all anthroponyms.
A translator turns Иван-дурак into Silly John. Why is this a disaster?
Wrong: Silly John turns a Russian folk hero into a generic English fool. Correct: Ivan the Fool — a transliteration that preserves the Russian name.
This wooden doll contains smaller and smaller dolls inside. It is the most famous Russian souvenir. But its name comes from an old Russian female name — which one?
matryoshka — from the name Matryona
Three heroes appear in Russian byliny. One is the eldest and the strongest, one is famous for slaying a dragon, one is known for his cunning. Name all three.
Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich, Alyosha Popovich
The hero of this novel could have become a woodcutter, but he chose a different purpose for his instrument. In the end, he commits murder and struggles with his conscience. What is the novel
Crime and Punishment
If I say «The Time of Troubles», «The Era of the Impostors», and «The Thaw» — what do they have in common?
They are all chrononyms.
A translator turns Кощей Бессмертный into The Bone Man. Why is this wrong?
Wrong: The Bone Man loses the idea of immortality. Correct: Koshchei the Deathless — a hybrid translation that keeps the name and the meaning.
This is a fermented drink made from rye bread. It is a traditional Russian beverage. What is it?
kvass
This magical bird steals golden apples from the tsar's garden. Its feathers glow so brightly that they light up the whole room. What is it?
The Firebird
If you see him during your evening stroll through Saint-Petersburg, you may have angered forces beyond your comprehension. Spoiler: you will not outrun this thing, at least Pushkin says so
The Bronze Horseman
If I say «Koshchei the Deathless», «Baba-Yaga», and «The Firebird» — what do they have in common?
They are all mythonyms.
A translator turns гусли into guitar. Why is this a disaster?
Wrong: guitar is a completely different instrument. Correct: gusli (transliteration) or dulcimer (cultural analogue), with a note about the difference.
This is a type of Russian epic poem, passed down orally for centuries. It tells of the deeds of the bogatyri — heroes like Ilya Muromets. What is it?
bylina
This character could have become a very successful businessman. His domain includes many channels, rivers, and lakes, so trade routes would be under his control. He would get rich quickly, and money would flow like water. Who is he?
Vodyanoi (the water spirit)
This phrase is often used jokingly. It looks like this: «The Repin painting, ...» — and the missing word means arriving at the unwanted result. What is (are) the missing word(s)?
«The Repin painting, we've arrived» (картина Репина, приплыли). Настоящая картина - "Монахи. Не туда заехали" от Льва Григорьевича Соловьёва
If I say «Cossacks», «Tatars», and «Chukchi» — what do they have in common? And why is it dangerous to confuse these with toponyms?
They are ethnonyms — names of peoples. They are not toponyms (places). Confusing them is dangerous because it can lead to political and cultural misunderstandings.
A translator turns Змей Горыныч into Dragon Bob. Why is this a disaster?
Wrong: Dragon Bob destroys the cultural context, sounds ridiculous, and turns a mythic monster into a cartoon character. Correct: Zmey Gorynych (transliteration) or Gorynych the Dragon (hybrid).
These were travelling entertainers in medieval Russia — musicians, dancers, and jesters. They were often persecuted by the Church and the Tsar. They appear in Rimsky-Korsakov's operas. What were they called?
skomorokhi