symbolic presence in traditional russia
As in most of Russian culture, wedding rituals are very traditional and celebrations often last two days to even a week. Symbolism is ever-present, from the shattering of glass to represent the many years of happiness in every shard to the releasing of balloons, often with the bride’s maiden name scripted on one, to signify new beginnings. I was lucky enough to witness the tour of the city, a portion of the couple’s celebration where the bride and groom, along with close friends and family, travel around their city (in this case, St. Petersburg) in a limousine to take in the historical sites and have their photographs taken. Afterwards, they will head to one of many reception halls for a night of dancing, drinking and celebration. The first of many toasts will be to the new couple, where “Gorko, Gorko!” is chanted, a Russian word meaning “bitter”, referring to the strong vodka they must drink before a lengthy kiss.
a russian tradition evolves into a medieval masterpiece
It’s hard to describe Russia without mentioning the cathedrals that scatter the landscape. The familiar medieval-style façade of the Church of the Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg didn’t prepare me for what I would discover inside – floor to ceiling intricate mosaics sparkling in the low candlelight. A tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church was instrumental in creating this masterpiece, erecting a memorial cathedral on the grounds where Tsar Alexander II was killed by a grenade explosion in 1881. A section of the church is dedicated to his legacy, dripping with precious stones in stark contrast to the rugged cobblestones on which the blood was spilled. Containing more mosaics than any other church in the world, this spot is one of those that sustains a dropped jaw for visitors the moment you step inside. Surprisingly enough, the interior was badly damaged during World War II but impeccable restorations were done to showcase the painstaking work of this top tourist site in the city.
