"Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery within an enigma." These words of the famous British statesman Winston Churchill aptly sheds light on Russia's vibrant art and culture.
Russians are world famous for their unique art, along with awe inspiring architectural landmarks. Different aspects of Russian art and culture find their best expression in its rich heritage.
The origin of Russian culture dates back to the early Slavic roots. However, the Byzantine influence is also predominant in many of the Russian architecture. Through several decades, the art and culture of Russia has been under the influence of other French, German, Spanish European countries and even Mongolia as well.
However, the evolution of the avant-garde in Russia led to the emergence of modern art that flourished throughout leaving the country and remained that way until the second half of 1960. One of the most interesting characteristics of Russian art and culture lies in the fact that the emergence of Soviet art contributed significantly to the emergence of proletarian culture with the help of the new wave of political boom during that time.
If you are in Russia, you cannot afford to miss out on the chain of entertainment activities that are an essential part of Russian art and culture. In 1920, the cinema became widely used to motivate and inspire people to take active part in national politics, this form of entertainment continues to serve as a source of entertainment for all sectors of Russian society.
A complete analysis of Russian art and culture remains incomplete without mentioning the Russian ballets and the majestic Russian opera. From the earliest times, the forms of native Russian music have undergone major changes and today they are invariably a fusion of varied rock and pop music. The scitilaating nightlife in Russia's major cities also offers a variety of gastronomic delights, which are hard to ignore.
It is important to note that Russian icon painting was inspired by Byzantine churches, and later transformed into mosaic and fresco art forms. An overview of Russian art and culture is its rich literature and its various forms. Russia has more than 50.000 state public libraries and more than a thousand art galleries.
Russian literature has undergone significant changes in different periods, each with different characteristics from the time of its own. Popular Russian writers include - Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Joseph Brodsky, Sergei Dovlatov, etc.