Russia and the Republics: Society and Culture

Students explore a range of examples of Russian art: architecture, music, visual and folk art, literature, and ballet. Then, they learn about Soviet defectors and analyze the influence of totalitarianism on the arts.

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Here are the teacher pack items for Russia and the Republics: Society and Culture:

Attributions

Russia has a rich cultural history, with artists, musicians, writers, and dancers who have made an impact on global culture. The Golden Age of Russian art began in the early 1700s, when Russians became familiar with European culture and began to focus on nonreligious themes.

This golden age came to an end with the rise of the Soviet Union and its totalitarian control of society. Soviet artists continued to work, although many had their work censored or had to move underground or to foreign countries. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russian art scene has begun to rebuild itself.

In this experience you will learn about some specific examples of Russian art.

Objectives:

Recognize examples of Russian arts and architecture.
Explain the impact of Russian arts and architecture on Russian society.

The Kremlin Church in Moscow

The church in the image above shows architecture typical for Russian Orthodox churches, which are recognizable all over the world because of their distinctive domes.

What do you think of when you look at the domes?

Post your answer

St. Basil Cathedral, Moscow

In the days of imperial Russia, Russian architects were influenced by these churches, and they adopted this architectural style for the palaces and public buildings that they designed.

Find out more about the elements of this style of architecture by watching this video about St. Basil's Cathedral. Be sure to explore the popup links on the image of the cathedral.

Where is St. Basil’s Cathedral located?

A) Kazan
B) Siberia
C) St. Petersburg
D) Moscow

The central spire sits on a brick tower with how many sides?

A) 8
B) 6
C) 4
D) 10

Which of the following words or phrases best describe the cathedral? Choose all that apply.

A) colorful
B) primitive
C) white and gold
D) ornate

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