ХЛЕБ ВСЕМУ ГОЛОВА - BREAD IS THE STAFF OF LIFE

People in different parts of the globe start their day with a breakfast bread. In the past, the rules of composition and bread were a real family secret. There are families who still hold their own recipe. As its role was significant, there are a lot of customs and rituals connected with bread.

The Russian word 'KHLEB' – хлеб comes from old-slavic form *xlěbъ which is a loan word from old-germanic герм. *xlaiƀaz. Being a chief food in many cultures, it is considered as a source of life and symbol of labour

According to the Slavic hospitality traditions, round bread with salt cellar in the middle of the loaf ('bread-and-salt' tradition) on the embroidered towel is presented to dear guests.

In Christianity bread plays an important role during the Liturgy when celebrate the Eucharist, a rite derived from the narrative of the Last Supper when Jesus broke bread with his disciples

The Lord's Prayer, for example, contains the line "Give us this day our daily bread"; here, "bread" is commonly understood to mean necessities in general.

As for the types of bread, we should mention The karavai (каравай) is a traditional Ukrainian and Russian bread, most often used at weddings, where it has great symbolic meaning, and has remained part of the wedding tradition in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus.

The bride and groom were given the  karavai as a blessing before the wedding ceremony. The  karavai was shared by all the wedding guests, and this was considered the culmination of the wedding.

Some  types of bread products

1. lavash 5. lepeshka	2. kalach 6.  kolobok	3. plushka 7. karavay	4. pechenie
8. vatrushka	9. sukharik	10. bublik	11. bulka





12. pryanik	13. pirozhok	14. krendel	15. kalitka
16. bukhanka \ 'black bread'	17. baton\ 'white bread'	18. khala	19. black 'round' bread

The process of making bread is far from being easy. Besides, it requires special attitude. For example, some people who bake bread told me that you should love it, talk to it while preparing and never start doing it being angry or irritated – otherwise you won't manage. Still if you are ready to this deed, you may use one of the following recipes – to enjoy home-made fresh delicious and healthy bread!

One of the basic recipes of bread in oven

You'd need 30 grams of yeast; 50 grams of sunflower oil; 50 grams of margarine; 1 egg; 80 grams of sugar; salt; flour.

To prepare the dough , take 20 grams of yeast, add some salt, sugar, 0.6 liters of milk and flour, then the softened margarine and oil. The dough should not be too thick, so control the amount of the flour, Properly mix it, knead, and leave the dough in a warm place for 12 hours.

0.7 liters of boiled cool milk; Then add the remaining milk, yeast, salt and flour and stir well. On a greased baking sheet lay out the dough for half an hour or more, to make the dough 'come'. Then make the loaves of dough and bake in the oven until lightly browned 

more recipes here

http://hlebosol.info/category/gotovim/vypechka-hleba/

http://rial-hleb.ru/moy-opit/kak-ispech-hleb-na-zakvaske-legko-i-byistro#ixzz2EN7l4nu4

Some idioms about BREAD

1) as for the kind of bread

чёрный хлеб — brown bread, rye bread

бе́лый хлеб — white bread

дома́шний хлеб — homemade bread

чёрствый хлеб — stale bread

све́жий хлеб — fresh-baked / newly-baked bread

хлеб с ма́слом — bread and butter

сажа́ть хлеб (в пе́чку) — put the bread into the oven

2) colloq.'bread' in the meaning 'living; means of subsistence', daily bread

зараба́тывать себе́ на хлеб — make one's bread, earn (ɜːn) one's living

лиши́ть кого́-л куска́ хлеба — deprive smb of a livelihood

отби́ть у кого́-л хлеб — take the bread out of smb's mouth

Some set phrases

• хлеб да соль! (hleb da sol', 'bread and salt')— 1)enjoy your meal! 2) welcome!
• хлеба и зре́лищ! — (give us) bread and circuses!
• хлеб наш насу́щный дай нам на сей день (даждь нам днесь уст.) библ. — give us this day our daily bread
• его́ хлебом не корми́ - (то́лько) дай (+ инф.)  — there's nothing he likes better than (+ ger)
• да́ром хлеб есть — ≈ not to be worth one's salt
• и то́ хлеб — that's at least something; that's better than nothing
• не хлебом еди́ным жив челове́к библ. — man cannot live by bread alone
• (от)пуска́ть хлеб по во́дам библ. — cast one's bread upon the waters
• перебива́ться с хлеба на во́ду / квас — ≈ live from hand to mouth
• посади́ть на хлеб и во́ду кого́-л — put smb on bread and water
• э́то наш хлеб — it's our bread and butter

Sources

http://kraushka.ru/poslovici.html

http://www.multitran.ru/c/m.exe?a=4&MessNum=133677&l1=1&l2=2

wikipedia
main photo from www.vk.com, group 'Воины света'

Sources of photos 

1. http://produkti-online.ru/engine/glossary/armyanskii_lavash.html, 2. http://www.oao-zhk.ru/bulka.html, 3. calorizator.ru, 4.http://kuharka.com/rassypchatoe-pechene-recept.html, 5. moikompas.ru, 6.skyclipart.ru, 7. chenonceau.ru, 8. calorizator.ru, 9. fitfan.ru, 10.24open.ru, 11. gotovim-doma.ru, 13. moikompas.ru, 14. recepty1.ru, 15.texnologi-omut.ucoz.ru, 17.nnm.ru, 18.http://kuharka.com/xala.html, 

'Against the current'

There is a very interesing project created by a photographer Alla Solovskaya. In Russian it is entitles 'Против течения' ('Protiv techeniya') which literally means 'Against the current'.  The idea of the project name is Noncomformism. Some people still want to be who they are, who they were born, follow the forefathers style of life no matter how the contemporary world opresses their free will and right to be themselves. (pinterest)

 

 

 

some more photos here 
the photos are taken from the group in www.vk.com

New Year cinema club in the RLC

«Все люди братья. Ну хорошо, не все. Некоторые сестры. Так или иначе раз в году все мы становимся удивительно похожими друг на друга…» ©

Soon is coming the holiday greatly loved by many Russians. We will buy and bring home christmas trees, smell the tangerines, prepare special presents for the family and heaps of small funny things for all we can meet these days, then cook lots of stuff including so boring but so dear 'Stolichniy' salad, watch famous films, drink champaign, listen to the president...  Every year is all the same, but we are not tired! more than that - we are looking forward to this sweet new year buzz!

This year in our cinema club we watch a new film but again - about New Year, joy, christmas trees and love!

December, 11, (Tuesday) at 7 pm, CHRISTMAS TREES 2

(Comedy, Russia, 2011, 96 min)

About the film: Please read the attached letter
VENUE: the classroom of RLC, 701, 7/F, Arion Commercial Centre, No. 2-12 Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan
Admission is free, however please write to us (2teacher@rlc.hk) or call us (  2598 8389) to book a seat.  

Some famous quotations: 

• Это ж закон подлости. Только с остановки уйдешь, автобус сразу и приходит.
• Под курантами сорок лет!
• 42% разводов связаны с психологической и практической неподготовленностью супругов к семейной жизни.
• Господи, в таком красивом пакете человеку продали испорченные продукты!Спокойно! Якутская ветеринарная академия работает!
• Новый год отменяется, сядь.
• — Вы знаете, когда сердитесь, Вы такая сексуальная! — А Вы находчивый. И деньги тоже найдете.

Cast 

Irina Alfyorova

Sergey Svetlakov

  

Ivan Urgant 



Vera Brezhneva

resourses

Few words about ... Russian rock and rock'n'roll music

Chaif

A song which has become a 'must-sing' during every kitchen-party with a guitar 

Zemfira

A genius woman who 'opened' a new current in our music - 'female rock'. Fresh strong music, extravagant words, excentric appearance and divine voice - this is all about her

Bi-2

His strange voice can irritate, but as once you listen to their song, you will fall in love with some mystery they bring with them

Nochnie snaiperi

Emotional female rock music, interesting videos and men-like ladies

Splean 

DDT

Legend of Russian rock, authority and harisma of their leader Jury Schevchuk, and more than 20 year of truimph 

Few words about ... Russian pop-music

T.a.t.u

girls band that was like a flash in early 2000's, excentric and shocking. Still they gain popularity not only in Russia, but also in China and Europe. The band took part in the Eurovision and were 2nd. Now the group doesn't exist anymore, girls are busy with families and solo projects.

Alsou 

Appeared at the age of 16, she was fresh and new and almost symbolised the 'renaissance' of Russian pop-music. She took part in the Eurovision and took the 2nd position, it was a real Victory after many years of Russia's failure in this music comeptition

Dima Bilan

Very famous and very pop. Rare case, when a singer participated twice in Eurovision, but he did and even won the competition. 

Otpetie moshenniki

The 'hoologan' band, popular in late 90's and early 2000's

Zvery 

Pop-rock group was on the peak of popularity in late 90's - early 2000s

Top Fifteen Russian Dairy Products – a Dairy Guide

Very interesting text and useful guide from The Moscow News

Top Fifteen Russian Dairy Products – a Dairy Guide

at 11/09/2008 20:02

Russia is a dairy lover's heaven. Any Russian would tell you that their milk and dairy products are the best in the world, and they do not exaggerate - the Russians have more names for dairy products than one can translate. Only in Russia can one make a list of ten great dairy. Actually, I got a bit carried away and decided that ten is not enough. So enjoy the following fifteen reasons to stay in Russia!

■ 1. Smetana (sour cream) - no Russian food is complete without spoonfuls of this gooey stuff. It can be generously added to soup, used to dress salads, slathered on bliny and liberally poured on pelmeni or vareniki. Smetana is such a staple element of Russian life that my guess is Russians would sooner live without potatoes. I am a smetana fan myself; it lends itself so accommodatingly to any dish.

■ 2. Kefir - dear to Russian hearts and often disliked by foreigners, kefir is made of a complex mixture of yeast and bacteria, left overnight in milk at room temperature. It can be consumed in lieu of milk by itself, with cereals, and even cooked in soups. It has a small but dedicated following outside Russia due to its health benefits.

■ 3. Tvorog (curd cheese) - I don't know what life would be like without tvorog. I use it mainly to make zape­kanka; it is the Russian version of a cheese cake and in no way inferior to that made of Philadelphia cream cheese. You can even buy it conveniently sweetened and mixed with raisins or apricots. Take one packet of sweetened tvorog (tvorozhnaya massa), an egg, two tablespoons of flour, mix, and bake. Simplicity itself.

■ 4. Toplyonoye moloko (baked milk) - this is a non-fermented product, made by simmering milk on low heat for more than eight hours. The resulting milk is beige in color, creamy without being high in fat content, and very, very good. I prefer this to normal milk; it goes well with coffee, cereals and on its own.

■ 5. Syrok - although an offspring of the aforementioned tvorog, I felt I had to give it a place of its own, considering the space it takes up on  supermarket shelves. This healthy snack is packed with sugar and fat and a ton of calories, so limit the quantity you consume, even if it comes in many appealing variations - with jam, condensed milk, chocolate flavored, covered in white chocolate, or on a biscuit.

■ 6. Ryazhenka - a fermented version of the above-mentioned baked milk; it has a milder, more rounded flavor compared to other fermented drinks, and I was once told that it's the best stuff to use when making Indian lassi at home; I haven't tried that one yet but maybe someday. 

■ 7. Vologod Butter - this method of production was invented in the middle of the nineteenth century by an individual named Vereshchagin, an instructor of artisans in the Vologod region, thus giving the butter its name. This brand differs from other butters in its rich fragrance and slightly nutty flavor. If you've never tried this particular kind of butter, I strongly recommend you to do so. Once you've made the switch, you'll never go back.

■ 8. Prostokvasha (soured milk) - highly digestible and smooth to drink, it is another yoghurt variation. It's a bit more sour than other brands, so some might find it not to their taste. Per­sonally, I think it goes great with sweetened cereals and bananas.

■ 9. Sgushchyonoye moloko (condensed milk with sugar) - sold in a blue and white can which hasn't changed design over the decades, this sticky syrup is deathly sweet. I've seen  addicts drinking it straight out of the can, but shudder at the thought. My only use for sgushchyonoye moloko is for baking sweets, but this may just hit the spot for someone with a sweet tooth. Also, you can make cara­melized condensed milk by simmering an opened can of the stuff inside of a pot for several hours. The result is a gooey brown paste, which is absolutely delicious.

■ 10. Ice cream - Russians love their ice cream no less than other people. Flavors unique to Russia are creme brulee and sgushchyoenoye moloko, both of which are very popular.

■ 11. Cheese - although Russians love cheese, I find it curious that most shoppers opt for cheeses imported from Europe. Perhaps one reason may be that Russian cheeses are fairly young - usually aged only a month or two, therefore the taste is not so complex or focused.

■ 12. Ayran - made of yoghurt, water and salt, this drink comes from the Caucasus and the Middle East, and is so popular in Turkey that their McDonald's has it. In Russia, it is usually found on the menu in Azer­baizhan restaurants. It often comes seasoned with chopped herbs such as dill or mint. Some people don't like it, but it's an intriguing, odd taste that has few analogues. The water may be replaced with cucumber juice - a Russian guy once told me that this is the best cure for a hangover, so let me know if you try it.

■ 13. Brynza - an East European version of feta, this can be used in salads, or is great on a hot potato with a dash of dill. This it is usually made of sheep's milk, in Russia the cow milk version is prevalent. It is much softer and creamier than feta. You can buy it packaged like milk in a carton or buy it by the weight - you will find it in large supermarkets, submerged in its whey on one end of the cheese section.

■ 14. Snezhok - a drink made from yoghurt sweetened with sugar or fruit puree, it's rather sweet, and a good idea for mornings when you don't have time for a real breakfast.

■ 15. Plavleny syr (processed cheese) - the most common sort is  cheese spread, which comes in a variety of flavors: dill, garlic, ham, and mushrooms, to name a few. It is often sold conveniently packaged in small triangles, and makes a satisfying snack when smeared on a cripy piece of bread. Although not a natural product, its accessibility makes it popular, and a sizeable chunk of supermarket shelves are devoted to this kind of cheese. 

In the city, experiment in St-Petersburg

Check up your Russian!
Here is an experiment held in St-Petersburg. Three gentlemen asked the way in the city. First one is from Azerbaijan, second is a londoner, the third is a Russian guy from province.
They had to ask the following
1) как доехать до нужной станции метро (in the metro)
2) как пройти от Гостиного двора до Исаакиевской площади (in the street)
3) взять такси до нужного места (take the taxi)

Несмотря ни на что, туристов в Петербурге все равно достаточно много. И не ко всем, как мы выяснили, местные жители относятся одинаково гостеприимно. Например, в Москве найти нужную ветку в метро или кратчайший путь на улице -- очень сложно. Многие прохожие сами, как говорится, не местные, а москвичи, то ли из нежелания, то ли по другим причинам на вопросы отвечают так абстрактно, что приходится еще не раз обращаться за помощью.
Питерские журналисты решили это проверить и выбрали три туристских типажа: западноевропеец, представитель южных регионов СНГ и россиянин из провинции...

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