Russian Culture
A Focus on Ballet
17th Century
Foreigners brought ballet to Russia
Tsar Alexis Mikhaiovich introduced ballet for his wedding festivities
18th Century
Nobles lived far away from capital, so sought out for entertainment. They set up ballet troupes composed of serfs (farmers, slaves)
St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet School was the first school of ballet
Frenchman Jean Batiste Lande
Wrote a letter requesting a ballet school.
May 15th 1738 he was granted what is now the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg.
The start of ballet becoming indigenous!
Charles-Louis Didelot
“Father of Russian Ballet”
1801 – Sparked the 1st great period of ballet. He believed that “ballet is an action explained by a dance.”
8 types of Religion
Russian Orthodox 71.8%
Muslim 5.5%
Catholic 1.8%
Protestant 0.7%
Buddhist 0.6%
Jewish 0.3%
Other 0.9%
No Affiliation 18.9%
Language
Russian is the native language
Most widespread of the Slavic languages
Belongs to the Indo-European language group
Mariinsky Theatre
Opened in 1783
Known as one of the best theatres in the world
Traditional Folk Dances
Barynya
Gypsy
Russian Sailors Dance
Metelitsa
Today's Culture Similarities
Multi-Ethnic
Continental
Great Powers
Regard themselves as chosen nations
Messianic mission
Think big!!!
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RussiaCentralized |
Russian Proverb
"Don’t hurry to reply, but hurry to listen"
"Know what you want and stick to it"