literary blog

All about books and readers

21 04, 2026

Literacy was tested once again in Brussels: “Total Dictation” at the Russian House.

2026-04-21T14:58:43+02:00April 21st, 2026|Categories: Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Russian House News, Russian language|

This Saturday, the capital of Belgium once again joined the large-scale international campaign “Total Dictation.” For the second consecutive year after a long break, the main venue for everyone wishing to test their knowledge was the Russian House in Brussels. The dictation was read by Irina Panteleeva, just as last year. A special atmosphere this year was created by the presence of young participants. While adults worried about difficult rules, the younger generation boldly accepted the challenge! The youngest participant was 11 years old, and another brave contestant was 13. The fact that these children decided to write a difficult [...]

14 04, 2026

Family Club: Popykhi – who or what is it?

2026-04-14T14:43:40+02:00April 14th, 2026|Categories: History Club, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Russian House News, Russian language|

An engaging quiz dedicated to the traditions of the peoples of Russia took place at the Russian House. The event was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, bringing together participants of different ages and interests. Four teams of five people took part in the game. The first team was formed by the Parents’ Committee of the Russian House. For those who may not know: many guests have repeatedly attended events organized in the spirit of amateur artistic performance, where children and parents perform together — singing, dancing, and taking part in theatrical productions. It was from such active, creative, [...]

9 04, 2026

Literary Blog: About the Master and His Margarita. Through the Pages of M. Bulgakov’s Novel

2026-04-09T15:01:47+02:00April 9th, 2026|Categories: History Club, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Russian House News, Victory80|

On March 26 of this year, a literary salon dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the publication of Mikhail Bulgakov’s famous novel The Master and Margarita took place. It is impossible to discuss the novel without mentioning the author’s life and creative journey. Although all participants were well prepared for the event, the “main lecturer” was Natalia. Her article is presented below. On the 60th anniversary of the publication of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita The novel was first published twenty-six years after the author’s death in the magazine Moskva, issue No. 11 (1966), where the first [...]

7 04, 2026

Cinema + Family : “So, it turns out the tinderbox is a most curious thing — I can have anything I wish!”

2026-04-07T17:39:16+02:00April 7th, 2026|Categories: Cinema Club, Kids Club, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Russian House News|

At the end of March, adults and children once again gathered together — continuing a wonderful tradition — for a family screening of the fantasy film “The tinderbox.” “The tinderbox” is a vibrant Russian fantasy film directed by Alexander Voytinsky, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale, yet telling a completely new and captivating story. Viewers embarked on a magical adventure with the young hero Ivan, who helps Princess Dasha lift a mysterious curse placed upon her mother. To ensure everyone could fully enjoy the experience, English subtitles were provided for guests who do not speak Russian. The hall [...]

23 03, 2026

Everything Begins with Love!

2026-03-23T12:17:29+01:00March 23rd, 2026|Categories: Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Russian House News|

Dear friends, not long ago, a community talent concert dedicated to March 8th took place on the stage of the Russian House. This format, well-known to the Soviet generation, drew a full house. Poets, singers, and musicians performed their own works before the audience. The concert was opened by sisters Lilit and Ani Melkonyan. The piece "Providence" for piano and guitar, composed by Lilit, was performed on stage. Lilit has been composing music since the age of 7 and has already become a favorite among visitors to the Russian House. Afterwards, Lilit read her poem dedicated to the memory of [...]

3 03, 2026

Literary Blog: His poems are more than just rhymes…

2026-03-03T17:37:23+01:00March 3rd, 2026|Categories: History Club, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Russian House News|

For the title of this blog, I chose a line from a poem dedicated to the memory of Musa Cälil, written by our compatriot Maria Alkova. With the author's permission, I am publishing the poem in full. His poems are more than just rhymes, Not just images or words. In every sound, a heart is heard, A whole chapter of life unfolds! And that word, saving a life, Held those nearby until the end! Possessing an unseen power, It was a pillar for the soldier! A spiritual support for everyone nearby, His verse rang out as a salvation. With [...]

19 02, 2026

Family Maslenitsa: Fun, Heartfelt, and Truly Russian

2026-02-19T17:47:44+01:00February 19th, 2026|Categories: Kids Club, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Russian House News, Russian language|

This year, for the first time in several years, a family Maslenitsa celebration was held within the walls of the Russian House. It was organized with the support of a group of parents known as the "Parents' Committee." While this is not the first event involving our compatriots, it was this collaboration that made the holiday especially warm, soulful, and truly family-oriented. It all started with busy preparations: baking pancakes (blini). The kitchen was a whirlwind of creative energy—the aroma of fresh pancakes filled the room, creating an atmosphere of comfort and anticipation. Moms, a dad, and young Roma [...]

9 02, 2026

Literary Blog. Creativity of Our Readers. A Letter to Santa Claus

2026-02-10T10:42:16+01:00February 9th, 2026|Categories: Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Our Compatriots, Russian House News, Russian language|

Dear friends! Our literary salon is known not only for its readings and discussions of classical works. Among our participants there are writers, poets, singers… And their recognition goes far beyond just the local circle. One of our salon members, Irina Mikhailova, became a prize winner of the literary contest “Letter to Santa Claus” in the nomination “Most Touching Letter,” organized by masterskaya_a_f and LadaFM. You can read more about the contest results here: READ And we invite you to read the letter itself. A Letter to Santa Claus Dear Santa Claus — my [...]

5 02, 2026

Literary Blog: A Lonely Sail Gleams White…

2026-02-05T13:09:45+01:00February 5th, 2026|Categories: Kids Club, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Russian House News|

Dear readers and admirers, members of the Literary Salon and subscribers of the Russian House. On January 24, within the walls of the Russian House, the first candlelit evening took place — a камерный (as we thought) event — dedicated to the work of the remarkable Russian poet, writer, and translator Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov. We had already discussed the works of this great master of words at one of the Literary Salon meetings. And in the autumn of this year, we held literary readings devoted to the work of Sergei Yesenin. It was then that the idea was born to [...]

19 12, 2025

When a Real New Year’s Miracle Comes to Belgium

2025-12-19T15:13:43+01:00December 19th, 2025|Categories: Kids Club, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Russian House News|

This winter, Belgium turned into a true fairy tale for a few days. Ded Moroz (the Russian Father Frost) arrived from distant Veliky Ustyug, traveling thousands of kilometers to visit children. He is the very one from Russian folk tales, with kind eyes, a magic staff, and a warmth that knows no borders or languages. The celebration brought together over 250 children and their families. Three New Year's "Yolka" parties were held—vibrant, noisy, filled with laughter, and the anticipation of a miracle. Brussels and Antwerp were temporarily transformed into real fairy-tale cities, where anything is possible if you believe [...]

19 12, 2025

Literary Blog: Yuletide Miracles

2025-12-19T14:30:43+01:00December 19th, 2025|Categories: Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Russian House News|

The final literary salon of this calendar year was dedicated to a special genre — Yuletide and Christmas stories. These are tales where miracles do not necessarily happen loudly or visibly, but always quietly transform the human heart. The evening became a leisurely conversation about kindness, forgiveness, and love — the things without which neither Christmas nor life itself is possible. We began, rightfully so, with Nikolai Semyonovich Leskov — a writer who did not just create Yuletide stories but gave this genre a precise and profound definition. It is in his novella "The Pearl Necklace" that the Yuletide story [...]

19 12, 2025

Children’s Club: A New Year’s Miracle of Children’s Hearts — Creativity, Traditions, and a Living Fairy Tale at the Russian House

2025-12-19T14:01:23+01:00December 19th, 2025|Categories: Kids Club, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Our Compatriots, Russian House News|

Within the walls of the Russian House, an exhibition of children’s artwork dedicated to the New Year holidays took place. This event became a true celebration for children, parents, and all guests who value the sincerity and imagination of young talents. The young artists not only presented their works, filled with winter moods, fairy-tale images, and the anticipation of miracles, but also spoke about their paintings themselves. Each author shared the idea, the mood, and the story behind the drawing, which made the exhibition especially lively and heartfelt. The mothers of the participants played a major role in [...]

8 12, 2025

Literary Blog. Alexander Blok: Life, Works and St. Petersburg as Destiny

2025-12-08T13:14:38+01:00December 8th, 2025|Categories: Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Russian House News, Russian language|

The recent literary salon was rich and emotionally vivid. Its participants discussed Blok’s biography, shared interesting facts from his life, talked about his relationship with St. Petersburg and about the symbolism of the epoch. Poems were recited — from early “mystical” works to anxious, historically dramatic pieces. Alexander Alexandrovich Blok (1880–1921) is one of the central figures of the Silver Age of Russian literature, a poet whose name became a symbol of the era and of the spiritual quests of the early twentieth century. His life, works and worldview are closely connected with St. Petersburg — the city where he [...]

20 11, 2025

Preserving the Threads of Tradition: The Ethnographic Dictation successfully held at the Russian House

2025-11-20T16:07:42+01:00November 20th, 2025|Categories: Contests&Olympiads, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Russian House News, Russian language, Science|

A significant event took place at the Russian House, paying tribute to the centuries-old heritage and cultural diversity of our world—the educational campaign Ethnographic Dictation (Etnografichesky Diktant). This event, designed to assess and, most importantly, raise the level of ethnocultural literacy, attracts more and more people each year who seek to delve deeper into the uniqueness of peoples and explore the treasury of traditions. The Dictation is not just a test of knowledge; it is a symbol of living interest in the great mosaic canvas woven from a multitude of cultures, languages, and customs. It is an opportunity to feel [...]

18 11, 2025

A Family Celebration for the Day of National Unity: A Grand Journey Across Russia!

2025-11-18T16:02:56+01:00November 18th, 2025|Categories: Kids Club, Library, literary blog, Literary Blogs, Meet Russia, Our Compatriots, Russian House News, Russian language|

An incredibly successful family celebration dedicated to the Day of National Unity, which has been celebrated in Russia since 2005, took place at the Russian House. This event, entirely prepared by the efforts of our compatriots, became a vibrant symbol of the solidarity and richness of multinational Russian culture. The event's script, inspired by the historical events of 1612, when the People's Militia united to defend the Motherland regardless of nationality or faith, turned into a grand two-hour journey across the regions of Russia. More than 30 children of various ages, as well as their parents and educators, [...]

Go to Top