Petrozavodsk Local Customs

2 more images

Coming from the Western Europe, we are more used to drink coffee, for us coffee is like a cult, part of our culture.

Arriving in Russia, i was really impressed, people don't drink coffee so much, sometimes at all, but they consume liters of tea, and believe me, thea is really a cult, every occasion is good to have a thea, specially for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but as well when you have guests.

Let's spend some words about that.
A samovar is a heated metal container who is traditionally used to heat and boil water in Russia.
Heated water is usually used to make tea, for this reason samovars have an attachment on the tops of their lids to hold and heat the theapot, filled with thea concentrate.

Traditionally is heated with coal / charcoal but inside shops you can find samovars who use electricity to heat water.

In every shop you can find tea, but i don't mean the classic tea in the bag, but concentrated tea.
If you have the chance, buy it, try different flavours and enjoy it with your friends, it's really worth it.

4 more images

If you decide to visit Karelia in the Mid. of February, you can take part in the Annual International Festival of Snow and Ice sculptures "Hiperborea" in spite of that you are professional sculptor or just would like to try it for the 1st time ;)
If you prefer to watch than to build - you can visit enbankment of Onego Lake when all musterpieces are ready :)
It's the type of rest for whole family - so take your children and grandparents and go ahead!

Expect to undergo a medical at the swimming centre, since a Doctor is generally in residence to ensure that you are heathly before letting you use the facilites. You will be issued with a certificate after checking, that will allow you then to use the facitilies of the centre.

The movie theater is equipped with sound system Dolby Stereo Surround (developed in 1992). Loudspeakers surround you from all sides. It is not only the volume which differs, Dolby Stereo Surround gives you an almost dimensional touch of sounds and dialogues, real feelings, music of better quality.

We offer you comfortable arm-chairs and convinient aisles. The floor will be soon covered with special covering for better sound atmosphere.

Petrozavodsk, Pervomaiskii av., 2

Karelian state museum of regional history was founded in 1871 when G.G.Grigoriev was the governor of the Olonets province. It is one of the oldest Russian museums. Since 1993 it has been located in the buildings of historical architectural group on the former Petrovskaya (Round) square (now - Lenin square). This architectural group is a very intersting place of federal importance, representing architectural style of XVIII century, created by Bazhenov school's architects.

In the early XX century the museum had 7 thousand items, now their amount is approximately 120 thousand. Museum possesses rich collections of porcelain from Russia and Western Europe (XVIII - XX centuries), art mending of Alexander factory, copperware of Staroobryadcheski (Old believers) communities, items made of Karelian birch, folk clothes, headgears of XIX-XX centuries, manuscripts and printed books of Cyrillic scripts of XVI-XIX centuries, Olonets money of 1918 and other unique collections.

In last years the museum has started to launche more exhibitions. As a result of immense research, collection and restoration work new original expositions were created. They explore historical and cultural inheritance of Karelia that have not been noticed before: "Pomor ship", "Copper antiquity", "Petrozavodsk municipal Duma", "Alexander factory - for its town and country" and so forth. In Germany and Finland exhibitions "Henrich Fogeler and Karelia", "Everyday life and arts of Padany Karelians", "World of a Veps woman", "Traditional northern clothes" worked. The museum hosted exhibitions from Germany and Holland.

Petrozavodsk, Lenina square, 1

The theater was founded in 1955. Its capasity is 721 people. Its repertoire includes most popular classic operas and ballets for all ages, music fairy-tails and ballets for children, history of Triffuldino (A two masters' servant) for teenagers. The top of the season is the ballet "Silfida". The special pride of the theater is national ballet "Sampo" based on the Finnish epic poem "Kalevala". It was staged in 2000 at the International opera festival in Savonlinna (Finland).

Art manager of the theatre is Nina Rautio, art director - Dmitri Utikeev, Vladimir Stachinski is the music director.

The theatre hosts the "Masks" hotel possessing singe and double rooms, restaurant, sauna, conference-hall for 50 guests.

Open :
Daily (Monday is day off). Evening performances start at 7 p.m. on weekdays, at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Day performances start at 11.30 a.m.
Tickets are sold from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday - off day).


Petrozavodsk, Kirov square, 1 %c

If you are in Karelia dont miss trying borsch. This well-known beet soup is also popular here. I like it very much with fresh dill and green onions.

It is deemed most uncool to break wind in public or anywhere really.

Also it is considered unlucky to whistle indoors.

Don't try to outdrink the locals...You WILL regret it I assure you...