Russian banyas have been around since the 5th–6th centuries. According to chronicler Nestor, bathing rituals date back to the 5th century—they were called lazni, movni, and mylni.

For Slavs, banya rituals carried deep spiritual meaning. It wasn't just about washing up and sweating it out; they performed all sorts of mystical rites too. For instance, hitting the banya before a wedding was a must, complete with special ceremonies. People would chat, shake off bad vibes, and before weddings, they'd do rituals for a long, happy life.

Russia's first banyas were small and "black"—heated without chimneys. Massive stone stoves kept the heat in for hours after firing up. Later came "white" banyas with smoke pipes on the stoves.

Everyone hit the banya, from boyars and princes to regular folks. They'd fire it up once a week, usually Saturdays. The idea that everyone's equal in the banya stems from the old Russian custom of bathing together—regardless of social status or gender.

Worth noting: back in ancient Rus, mixed-gender banyas were banned for a long time—Ivan the Terrible cracked down on that. By the 1700s, public banyas had separate days for men and women.

That urge to "crank up the heat" has always been a hallmark of the Russian soul. They'd sweat like it was their last time, especially in brutal frosts paired with snow dives or ice-hole plunges. Those contrasts kept the body in top shape.

Banyas have been a Russian power spot since time immemorial—places to give birth, hold funerals, and heal.

Birching the whole body with oak or birch whisks is real massage work: boosts circulation, opens pores, ramps up sweating. Peter the Great, pushing banya-building, said, "Elixirs are fine, but banyas are better." We still love 'em today—they cleanse body and soul, and you sleep like a baby after.

🤭 #RussianCulture@TSofRus

🎆"The Mystery of the Third Planet." Part 1

It’s a Soviet full-length science fiction cartoon, adaptation of the story "Alice's Journey" by Kir Bulychov.

🎁 #MovieTime@TCofRus

Enjoy watching!

✴️ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsD5wGrDWzU

✴️ On Yandex Disk: https://disk.yandex.ru/i/8SppVsnU-kcnnQ

Mike is a man with an amazing life story.
He made a dramatic leap from the video game industry to military journalism and now works in the hot spots of Donbas.

It all started in 2018 with a choice: an IT job offer in Paris or in St. Petersburg. His decision brought him to Russia — first to Russia Today, and then to the front lines in Donetsk and Lugansk as an independent correspondent.

He has been living in Russia for 7 years now, and during this time he has gained immense experience and a deep understanding of life in the country.

In his conversation with our interviewer Ivanna, he shares his stories about:

✔️ The ideal path for relocation: when you already have a job waiting for you in Russia, and the company handles everything for you

Even the immigration inspectors at the front desk sometimes cannot keep up to speed with changes and how they actually work.

✔️ The challenges for a foreigner and how to adapt to a new life faster: help from the community, the employer, and advice from locals

✔️ His work, objectivity in journalism, and how Russian people often do not value their own time

✔️ The difference in lifestyle: quiet, relaxed regions or a bustling urban life?

✔️ A pleasant culture shock: chivalry is alive in Russia

What is considered maximum by western women’s standards is the minimum by Russian’s women standards.

✔️ Strange habits that do not exist in Britain: daily handshakes instead of greetings

✔️ An unexpected discovery — many Russians are very superstitious and countrified, even though it contradicts Christianity

Why not whistling in the house? I'm the one who brings the money in!

✔️ Village life, quintessentially Russian dachas, how Russians gather mushrooms and manage their households

✔️ His favorite work of Russian literature, and how he would have liked to interview Zhirinovsky (if it were possible)

Giving 'Idiot' on Christmas – what do they imply?

✔️How his Russian language fluency improves after a few drinks

The more Russian I push in, the more English falls out 😄

This and much more you can see in the interview. The conversation turned out to be very informative and enthralling.


Mike's Telegram Channels:

✴️ https://t.me/ForeignAgentIntel

✴️ https://t.me/OffGridInRussia

====================

"About my life in Russia" – watch all about it and come to Russia!

🌏🇷🇺Kamchatka

There are few places in the world that can enthral quite like Kamchatka, easily Russia's most scenically dramatic region. A vast volcanic peninsula that is almost entirely wilderness, Kamchatka is a place of extraordinary primal beauty, rushing rivers, hot springs and snow-capped peaks.

#ILoveRussia!❤️
❄️#BeautifulRussia@TCofRus