What better way to wrap up Season 1 Episode 20 of Curious Sisters Podcast than by trying to cram in 20 interesting (hopefully) facts about Russia? Correct answer - no better way! Technically, this was a rhetorical question, which does not require an answer, but we digress... Tune in to learn a thing or two (or maybe 20) you didn't know about Russia.

The word of the episode - spasibo (Russian: спасибо) - thank you. Bonus word of the episode - pozhalusta (Russian: пожалуйста) - you are welcome.

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Bones, ribs, my grandma's skeleton...what do they have to do with music? This week Kat and Nastia discuss how an underground subculture of music lovers and bootleggers defied censorship and came up with a brilliant solution to distribute music that was banned from broadcast in the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Amazingly, they built their own recording machines and used an extraordinary means of copying forbidden jazz, rock 'n' roll and banned Russian music to risk making their own records.

The word of the episode - otkrytka (Russian: Открытка) - postcard

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Svyatki is a time when Russians all over the country would spend doing crazy things, forgetting about work, and celebrating. During this period, spirits and the devil would run wild, people would dress up, carol from door to door, hold mock funerals, play pranks on their neighbors, indulge in fortune-telling, and more. A few of the traditions have been preserved to this day! Join Kat and Nastia as they discuss this wild pagan festival and share their personal experience.

Please rate, review, share, and subscribe anywhere you listen. Thank you for listening and please remember to share our podcast with your friends and family. The world needs to know all about it!

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Grandfather Frost or Ded Moroz is a legendary figure similar to Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus who has his roots in Slavic mythology. The tradition of Ded Moroz is mostly spread in East Slavic countries and is an important part of Russian culture. Join Kat and Nastia while they discuss the origins of fur-cloaked Ded Moroz, his place of residence, his cute sidekick Snegurochka, as well as, what makes him so different from his worldwide counterparts.

The word of the episode - podarok (Russian: подарок) - a gift.

Please rate, review, share, and subscribe anywhere you listen. Thank you for listening and please remember to share our podcast with your friends and family. The world needs to know all about it!

Email us at curioussisterspodcast@gmail.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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Russian weddings are much more than just getting the bride down the aisle. Typically, they are big multiple-day events associated with many rituals and games involving kidnapping and ransom, unbelievably long toasts, people shouting “gor’ko” (meaning “bitter”), possible fights, obstacle courses, and much more. Join Kat and Nastia for this week's discussion of traditional Russian weddings so you can learn what to expect in case you ever get invited to one.

The word(s) of the episode are muzh & zhena (Russian: муж & жена) - husband and wife.

Please rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen. Thank you for listening! Email us at curioussisterspodcast@gmail.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Follow the show on social media: @curioussisterspodcast

What's the big deal with tea? Join us (Kat and Nastia) as we discuss the origins of tea, how it made its way to Russia, became very popular, and what distinguishes Russian tea traditions from other cultures. Learn with us and enjoy funny-sounding Russian words along the way.

The word of the episode is chai (Russian: чай) - tea.

Please rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen. Thank you for listening!

Email us at curioussisterspodcast@gmail.com with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Follow the show on social media: @curioussisterspodcast