Russian language for foreigners has never been more enjoyable than to listen to this story.

Written and read in perfect Russian language by one of the most (if not the most) experienced teachers of Russian language to foreigners.

This is the story about the People’s Friendship University (Росcийский Университет Дружбы Народов; РУДН) and the pioneers of teaching Russian language to foreigners.

Stories in Russian Language – Story 15 (of 15) – Russian language – my love

Summary in English

Russian language – my love

Recently, Russia has got a new day of celebration, “Day of the Russian language.” Many writers and poets, musicians, artists, scientists, and we, teachers of Russian, dreamed of such day of celebration. Once one of the famous actor said: “We should thank God for what he has done such a fantastic gift to us – gave us an excellent Russian language. The great Russian scientist Lomonosov wrote that in Spanish you can speak with God, in French – with friends, in German –to the enemy, in Italian – with women, but in Russian we can speak with everyone. Really, it’s an amazing language – rich, handsome, lively and tuneful.

Of course you know that the founder of modern Russian language was Alexander Pushkin. Not surprisingly, the Day of the Russian language will be celebrated on the sixth of June, the birthday of the great Russian poet.

Peoples’ Friendship University

And today I want to go back and tell you about my good fortune – in fact my whole life is connected with the Russian language. It so happened that summer of 1960 I graduated from university and became a philologist. And on February 5, the head of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, while in Indonesia on an official visit, made an important announcement. The Soviet government decided to create a Peoples’ Friendship University specifically for young people in those countries where it was still difficult to obtain higher education.

It is clear that above all it was necessary to organize the Russian Language Department to teach foreign students to speak, understand and write in Russian. For this new case were called upon the young Russian teachers who know different languages. It was a happy coincidence in my life. I just graduated from university where I studied not only Russian but also English. I was very fortunate to, in big competition, became a teacher at this new University.

It took only seven months from the decision to establish a Moscow Peoples’ Friendship University, until the first bell sounded in its classrooms. From start, one hundred and twenty teachers worked in the Russian language department. At that time there were no textbooks or teaching methods. We were young, enthusiastic and keen to see foreigners come to love our country, our culture and our language. What a great time it was! To us came students from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Arab states – young people with different traditions, different religions and different languages. We became for them not only teachers, but also friends, sisters, and then after many years like their mothers.

Model for the future of the world

Let’s go back to the early years of the University. Imagine a future model of the world – a multi-ethnic society where Catholics lived together with Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus, white, black and yellow. We did not even notice the difference! Brazilian Carnival was a celebration for all of us, as were Indian, Arabic or African holidays. And the young people, who came from 105 countries, celebrated our Soviet holiday with the same interest and pleasure as they celebrated their own. We all had the respect and love for each other and, of course, for the Russian language.

One of the favorite events for our students was called “We speak and sing in Russian.” Together we prepare for each event, often ending with a rehearsal very late. And then all of us, teachers and students were happy – how much humor and fun was at these gatherings. And even now, after 50 years, this old tradition continues at the University.

Last year, was a great anniversary evening at the Kremlin, attended by very important guests. Many of our old students were there. They had become scientists and academics, lawyers and doctors, engineers and agronomists. Some of our first students are now well-known politicians and members of government in their countries. And just think! They all spoke perfect Russian. It is very difficult to put into words what we felt then.

Difficulties, joys and victories…

A long time ago, it’s frightening to think, half a century ago, it was hard to imagine that we could teach our students such a complex and interesting language. What should be done? Where to start? We started to work, forgetting about our young husbands and small children. The first joy – yes, they already understand and speak a little in Russian. And the first disappointment – the terrible six cases, the types of verbs, verbs of motion, etc. How to explain it all and make lessons productive and not boring? I remember our sleepless nights when we could think only of the Russian language and our students. Finally, the first fruits of our collective work. I can proudly say that we managed to create a new methodology, textbooks, and various educational materials to help foreigners learn this difficult language.

I will never forget some funny episodes from his university life – and there were so many! My first group of physics students from India. I was 22 and they were 23 – 25. I explain something. It is very trying for them to understand me. I asked: “Do you understand?”. They shake their heads. I explain again, the second, third time. They shake their heads again, looking at me with his intelligent eyes. And finally, I understood, that this gesture (shaking heads) means: “Yes, of course, everything is clear!”. How often then we laughed together, remembering that! The first group – this is my first love. All of my students (there were five) after a few years, spoke in Russian as if it were their native language. They all became well-known specialists in their respective countries.

I remember another other funny episode. It happened when my son was two and a half years old. One of the students from Africa (his name Isao) asked my son: “Are you afraid of me?”, and heard in response: “Why should I be afraid of you?”. “Because I’m black”, answered Isao. “Are you afraid of me?” – Asked little Pavlik. “Of course not – Isao surprised – why should I be afraid of you?”. “Because I’m white!” – Pavlik said. What a joy it was in the eyes of Isao. Then this story was told among the Africans for many years.  And my son, who was born together with the University of Peoples’ Friendship, forever remained an internationalist.

I can talk endlessly about our favorite students. But back to the hero of our story – the Russian language. Since Russian language was taught in all the countries of Eastern Europe, we were often sent there, so we could help the teachers of Russian language in these countries. Every summer, one month I worked in one of these countries. I met wonderful interesting people.

The Three British “Musketeers”

A few years later I was invited to teach Russian language at a university in England where I came to live for two years. About this period of my life, I can write a single novel – so many bright and wonderful things have happened in that time.

When I started working there, I was invited to conduct seminars on novels by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. In the Soviet Union his books were banned, so I could not have read them before. Therefore, I had to read Solzhenitsyn’s at night and learned a lot of new things about my country.

Of course, I was not easy to live and work in England without my husband and son. At that time, it was not possible to invite a family there. Yes, it was difficult, but very interesting! I am grateful to all my colleagues, friends and, of course, the students for their excellent attitude towards me.

I remember the farewell party. The next day I’m going away forever from England. Everyone is very sad. I go back to my apartment at three o’clock in the morning. I opened the door and start to cry: the whole apartment – floors, tables, bed – all covered with flowers. A few minutes later there are three of my students (I called them the Three Musketeers), excited and happy. Together we start to cry and laugh. Is it possible to forget this?

After graduating from the University one of them, Chris, was appointed at a very prestigious and important work thanks to his excellent knowledge of Russian. A few years later he came to Moscow, where he lived for 17 years, working as the president of a large company. A second British student, his name is Patrick, became a rector of an English university and professor of Russian language. A third, Stephen – known London banker. Maybe someday I’ll write a great story about my life in England and my English friends.

Russian language in space

Today, when the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first manned space flight, I remember with what interest we have taught Russian language to American astronauts, who were preparing to fly into space together with Soviet cosmonauts. It was a very important task. While in space, they should have a good understanding of each other.

China

In 1989, the University and the Ministry of Education sent me to work in China. I taught Russian language at Peking National University. My students were Chinese scientists of different specialties, who were preparing to go to the USSR for scientific work. It was a completely different country with different culture, and I was already an experienced teacher. Again, new difficulties, new methods, joys and sorrows.  Then finally the victory as they were able to overcome the difficulties of our Russian language. I had great colleagues – teachers of Chinese, some of whom have studied language in the USSR. In Beijing, I have friends that I will always remember. Interestingly, I went to China from the Soviet Union, and three years later, I returned to the new Russia.

Life goes on!

I thought that when I leave the University and become a pensioner, I’ll start a new life – I will have plenty of free time, and I can go to museums and theaters, concerts and exhibitions. Enough of teaching Russian language! But it turned out that I just cannot live without it. Without teaching Russian Language, I’m starting to slowly die. Russian language – that is my life and my love. Very soon I began to teach foreign diplomats and businessmen from different countries: Japan, England, India, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Finland and France. And again a new experience – from the literary and scientific language to business and politics. The new technique, individual work with each, which requires very thorough preparation. How exciting it! Again I sincerely love my “boys” and “girls” who are well-known politicians and businessmen. I rejoice with them in their success in work and in studying the Russian language.

Teaching Russian language – that is happiness

I can say that I am a very happy person. I have a wonderful family and a favorite work, it is even uncomfortable to call it work – because I’m getting such pleasure from it.

I go to visit friends in different countries, and everywhere I am asked to read poetry or prose in Russian. I have read Pushkin and Tolstoy in the heart of Paris, on Trafalgar Square in London and in the snowy mountains of Finland. And to my Norwegian friends on the beach in southern Norway, where I spent hours reading them Lermontov and Bulgakov, Pushkin and Chekhov. Is this not happiness? I love all my students and am infinitely grateful to them. They will always live in my heart. I continue with the same enthusiasm to teach the Russian language. I hope that until the last minute of my life, I will be continue to be surprised at the beauty and uniqueness of the Russian language. I often think how wonderful fate has been! I was born in a beautiful country, and Russian language – this is my native language.
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Here are a few examples of Russian grammar in this story.

глаголы “казалось” и “оказалось”

… мне казалось, что …

… но оказалось, что …

и глаголы “начинать – начать” + imperfective infinitive

… я начинаю умирать …

… я начала преподавать …

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This story in Russian language for foreigners will help you to drastically improve your Russian pronunciation and intonation. If you are a complete beginner who just started out speaking Russian, it will make you get a feeling for the beautiful Russian language and its musical variations. Even a fluent or native Russian speaker can enjoy the interesting story.

Listen to the recording and read the text in the PDF-document. Listening while speaking Russian, is one of the best ways to surprise your surroundings with the fast improvement of your Russian language.

Russian Language has a long history as the richest language in the world.

The opening of the iron-curtain has made Russian language attractive to learn for many foreigners.

Business and relationships are the two most common reasons why foreigners want to learn Russian.

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 Stories in Russian – Story 14 – A bit of old Moscow

Summary in English

Dear friends, we have already in previous stories visited different places in Moscow: Bolshoi Theatre, the Tretyakov Gallery, the gypsy theater “Romen” and we even went to Tchaikovsky’s house near Moscow.

Today we want to take you back to the old Moscow. Anyone who has not been here for several years, is amazed how much the Russian capital has changed. Moscow has become a new modern city with high buildings, shopping centers and concert halls.

Of course, our ancient capital has become even more beautiful, but unfortunately it has also lost its “face”. Therefore, we Muscovites are very pleased that to notice a gradually return of name of squares, streets, alleys, hotels and shops as they were before the Revolution.

We were especially delighted when one of the most beautiful and famous grocery stores got back its old name. I’m talking about Eliseevsky store, which is located in the heart of Moscow, on Tverskaya Street number 14. This store has an interesting story.

In 1898 the building was bought by a Moscow millionaire, Gregoriy Eliseev. After three years, he opened a large store. In honor of opening the store there gathered well-known guest: officials and merchants; artists; actors; writers and composers; foreign diplomats and businessmen. It was a real celebration. All guests were amazed when they saw the luxurious hall with beautiful mirrors and multi-colored lights in the shape of flowers. The walls were decorated with gold. Particular attention was attracted by the huge beautiful crystal chandelier.

On the counters  could be seen many products that were imported from abroad: French cheeses, Spanish olive oil, exotic fruits and vegetables, tea and coffee, spices from around the world and, of course, the best wines. In addition, there were the best grades of Russian fish, black and red caviar and much more.

Grigoriy Eliseev considered to be important not only the quality of products but also their appearance. Imagine that he, one of the richest people in Moscow, himself led the design of the shelves! He also selected personally all the people working in his store. All staff were educated people and they all knew several foreign languages. They all had high salaries. Their politeness and hospitable were outstanding. Soon this store became one of the favorite places for Muscovites …

In 1903, Eliseev opened a second store in St. Petersburg and then one in Kiev. He had plans to open a network of stores also in other countries …

But in October 1917 the revolution came. After the revolution, Eliseev emigrated to France, and his shop was renamed. Now it became “Gastronom Number 1″, but Muscovites continued to call it “Eliseevsky.”

During the Soviet era the shop changed completely, as did the whole country. Gone were the elegant smiling sellers and the range of products was also different.

1991 was the ninetieth year in the history of Eliseevsky and the shelves in the store had never been that empty. Soon Russia’s political and economic reform began and s year later the store got back its old name.

Again delicacies and a variety of foods from all over the world were displayed on the shelves. But the store was in great need of repairs.

The restoration of Eliseevsky lasted several years. Today, going there, you can feel the atmosphere of old Moscow. We believe that our Eliseevsky is a part of the national culture of Russia.

Next to the shop is located the famous Filippovsky bakery, which belonged to the merchant Filippov. Before the Revolution, the Filippovsky bakery was the most famous and most beautiful bakery in Moscow. The Governor-General of Moscow brought every morning, for breakfast, hot rolls from Filippov.

I want to tell you a true and funny story.

One morning at breakfast time Governor-General, as always, drinking tea and eating his favourite pastries. Suddenly he saw something strange in a bun. It was a cockroach. “What is this?!” – Shouted the governor and ordered the immediate Filippov to come and explain. A few minutes later Filippov was in front of the Governor.

- What is this?! – shouted the Governor again.

- What? This is a raisin – said Filippov and quickly ate the piece of the cake with the dead cockroach.

- No! That’s not true! There are no buns with raisins! – Cried the Governor.

The merchant immediately returned to the bakery and ordered to buy raisins and put it into the dough. An hour later, the Governor brought Filippov delicious hot bread with raisins, which was very much liked. Early the next day, outside the store was already a line of people. Everyone wanted to buy the new rolls with raisins.

We still love the scones with raisins, which have such an interesting origin.  The wonderful writer and historian Gilyarovsky, who, not only loved to Moscow, but also knew its history, wrote the book “Moscow and Muscovites”. From this book you can learn a great deal about Moscow as it once was.

We are also very fond of our beautiful city. Come to us! You should see with your own eyes its beauty – to Moscow, where you can feel the atmosphere of old time.
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Some examples (of many) of Russian grammar in this story:

” В 1903-ем году Елисеев открыл … как и изменилась вся страна”

… выражение времени (expression of time)

… В 1903-ем году  … (Prep. C.)

… в октябре 1917-го года (Gen. C.)

… в советское время (Acc. C.)

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This story in Russian language will help you to drastically improve your Russian pronunciation and intonation. If you are a complete beginner who just started out speaking Russian, it will make you get a feeling for the beautiful Russian language and its musical variations. Even a fluent or native Russian speaker can enjoy the interesting story.

Listen to the recording and read the text in the PDF-document. Listening while speaking Russian, is one of the best ways to surprise your surroundings with the fast improvement of your Russian language.

Speaking Russian is not always easy for foreign students of Russian language.

Even if you know many Russian words and master Russian Grammar, speaking Russian is just as important.

The Stories in Russian from Howtolearnrussianlanguage.com, are perfect companions to any other Russian language training.

Listening to the stories in Russian will drastically improve your pronunciation and, most of all, intonation, when you are speaking Russian.

Stories in Russian Language – Story 13 (of 15) – A Million scarlet roses

Summary in English

A Million scarlet roses – this is the title of a very popular Russian song. Several years ago, the poet Andrei Voznesensky wrote the poetry, and the Latvian-born composer Raimonds Pauls composed the music for these verses. The famous singer Alla Pugacheva, was the first who performed the song.

Here is the story of the writing of those poems.

One day the poet Voznesensky read a romantic love story about the artist Niko Pirosmani. This story made a deep impression on the poet who decided to wrote a poem about it.

So, now imagine a hot summer in Georgia. In the outskirts of Tbilisi, a beautiful garden. It was a favorite place for both young and old people. There they drank wine, danced and listened to music.

Among the singers who performed in the garden, was a beautiful woman. She had bronze hair and a wonderful, unique, voice. When she sang, the garden became so quiet that even the birds stopped singing and listened only to her voice. The woman’s name was Margaret. She spoke little, and she was not interested in that people admired her beauty and voice. Her eyes were always sad. Every time Margaret sang in the garden, a tall very thin man stood in the audience. He looked intensively at Margaret and saw no one but her. Any day, when he did not hear her voice, was for him empty.

People knew that he loved Margaret, but her heart was closed to everyone. This man was Niko Pirosmani. He was a poor artist. No one knew much about him, but from the biography that was written after his death, we know that the artist was born in 1862 in a poor peasant family in a Georgian village. Like many others, he tried to work in different places, but he was interested only in painting. Although he had never studied, his talent was equal to the talent of great artists. However, his paintings rarely sold because, as often happens, his contemporaries did not understand his talent. All that Pirosmani painted, he would give for a meal or to friends.

Today his name is known throughout the world, and his paintings are priceless. From them we can learn about Georgia, its people, history, and nature.

But our story is not about pictures, but about the love of Pirosmani, so let’s go back to the outskirts of Tbilisi, and to the garden with Margaret.

This early summer morning was the same as all the others. People went to work, the birds were singing. In a small house, the windows were open in Margarita’s room on the second floor. In general everything was as usual, except that it was the birthday of Niko Pirosmani. Early in the morning, peasants brought a mountain of flowers to the quiet street where was situated the house of Margarita. They began to throw the flowers in front of her house. Soon the whole street was covered with flowers of different colors, but most of all with roses – large and small, red and white, yellow and pink ….

Margaret looked out from the window with big surprise – the air was filled with the scent of celebration. Suddenly she realized – this festival was arranged for her. But by whom? And Why? Then she remembered that today, it seems, was the birthday of Pirosmani. Maybe he sent the flowers? But why on his birthday, not hers …?

At this time, a tall, thin man walked slowly among the flowers to the home of Margarita. People knew him. It was the poor painter Niko Pirosmani.

From where did he get enough money to buy these mountains of flowers? And they realized that Niko had sold everything he had – a house, painting, paints, brushes.

He went to the home of Margarita. Everyone saw how she left home and went to him. “Why – she asked – why you gave me a sea of ​​flowers on her birthday? I do not understand, Niko.” Pirosmani did not answer, but Margaret knew, and no response, how much he loves her. She had tears in his eyes. And for the first time she kissed Niko. People have watched and enjoyed. They thought that Niko’s love finally found its way to the cold heart of Margarita.

But they were wrong.

Next day, Margaret left the city with a rich man.

But she remembered all his life that love and the sea of ​​flowers, given to her by the poor artist Pirosmani.

Pirosmani died as he lived, poor and lonely. Unfortunately, he left no belongings behind. Nothing – no home, no clothes, no paint, nothing. Nobody even knows where is his grave. Only the beautiful pictures remains, in which we see the goodness and light.

In Moscow there is a restaurant called “Pirosmani”. There you can see copies of his paintings. Many famous people – presidents and prime ministers, artists, actors, writers and musicians from different countries, have visited this restaurant and watched with interest the pictures by this amazing artist. Experts believe that Pirosmani made over two thousand paintings, but no more than three hundred remains. The name of one of them – “Margarita”.

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Here are some examples of Russian Grammar in this story:

… глагол движения “идти” без предлога и с предлогами (verb of motion, with and without preposition)

… он пошёл по цветам…

… он шёл к дому Маргариты …

… она вышла из дома …

… и подошла к нему …

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This story in Russian will help you impress your friends when you are speaking Russian. If you are a complete beginner who just started out speaking Russian, it will make you get a feeling for the beautiful Russian language, its intonation and musical variations. Even a fluent or native Russian speaker can enjoy the interesting story.

Listen to the recording and read the text in the PDF-document. Listening while speaking Russian, is one of the best ways to surprise your surroundings with the fast improvement of your Russian speech.

Listening to Russian Audio recordings of stories in Russian is a perfect way to learn Russian language.

The Russian Audio recordings from How To Learn Russian Language are made especially for foreign students of Russian and are useful for any level of Russian language.

Russian Audio recordings of stories in Russian Language – Story 12 (of 15) – The great Russian compositor P I Tchaikovsky

Summary in English of Russian audio recording

In the previous story you visited the Bolshoi Theater, and watched the ballet “Sleeping Beauty”. Of course, you know that the music to this fairy-tale was written by the great Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Maybe you would like to know a little about his life?

So, imagine a rainy autumn evening in St. Petersburg. 16th October 1893. On the stage of the Imperial Mariinsky Theater, the orchestra performs the 6th Symphony by Tchaikovsky.  The composer conducts the orchestra himself. The symphony made a tremendous and tragic impression on the audience, which  heard in the music Tchaikovsky’s requiem for himself, a premonition of imminent death.

After finishing work on the 6th Symphony, Tchaikovsky told his brother: “After this symphony, I can never write anything more.” Indeed, Tchaikovsky never wrote another piece of music.

Eight days after the performance of the Sixth Symphony, in the night from 24th to 25th October, the composer died of cholera. A few days earlier, he drank a glass of unboiled water even if his brother had warned him of not to drink tap water – after a cholera epidemic in St. Petersburg. But Peter Ilich said that of all the diseases he was least afraid of cholera. Soon he fell ill. The best doctors fought for the life of Tchaikovsky, but they could not save him.

The next day, newspapers around the world reported on the untimely death of the great Russian composer …

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composer, conductor, teacher, music critic, was born on April 25, 1840 in a small town in the Urals. His father was a mining engineer. The family had six children: five boys and one girl. Their mother played the piano beautifully and sang. They all loved music. Peter began piano lessons at age 5 and was soon playing the piano as good as a grown up person.

In 1850, the year of the family moved to St. Petersburg. There’s Peter first studied at the Imperial School of Jurisprudence. (This is a legal institution). After graduation he worked in the Ministry of Justice, but all his spare time, Peter devoted to the music. Soon, he left a legal career and entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory. At age 25, Tchaikovsky became a teacher at Moscow Conservatory.

During this period he wrote his first concerto for piano and orchestra, the ballet “Swan Lake” (1876), the opera “Eugene Onegin” (1878) and other musical works.

At the same time began many years of friendship with the composer’s big admirer, Nadezhda von Meck. They never saw each other, but their fourteen-year correspondence tells us how close they were spiritually. More than once she helped him in hard times,not only morally but also financially.

Tchaikovsky’s dedicated his 4th Symphony to Nadezhda von Meck.

At 37, Peter Ilyich married, but very soon he finally realized that he could not live with a woman. He had a severe depression, and went abroad. There he continued to work hard and had big successes in different countries.

Living abroad, the composer said that he was from morning to evening and from evening to morning missing Russia, and that there were moments when he would drop everything for the possibility go back to Russia.

Pyotr Ilyich had for a long time had a dream of buying a house near Moscow. “To live in the countryside, work, walk a lot, breathe clean air – that the conditions necessary for me” – he wrote to Nadezhda von Meck.

And finally Tchaikovsky found a home in the small town of Klin where he spent the last nine years of his life. There he created the opera “The Queen of Spades” (1890), “Iolanta” (1891), the ballets “The Nutcracker” (1892), “Sleeping Beauty” (1889), symphonies, songs and concerts.

“Why simple Russian landscape, a walk in the summer on the field, the forests are so important to me that I was ready to cry … I love Russian people, Russian language, Russian beauty. I am angry on those who are willing to starve to death in Paris, that scold all Russian and can live a life abroad, because Russia is less comfortable “- wrote Tchaikovsky.

More than a hundred thousand visitors comes every year to the house of the compositor . Everything – music, books, portraits and furniture – are in the same places where they were when  Tchaikovsky was living there.

In this house in Klin, the music by the great composer continues to live. Twice a year – on his birthday and on the day of Tchaikovsky’s death – the sound of the old grand piano fills the house and its surrounding park. Those are the days when the best pianists in the world come to fulfill the immortal music of the Great Russian Compositor.
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Here are some examples (from many) of Russian Grammar in this story.

словосочетания (word combinations)

исполнить симфонию
дирижировать оркестром
симфония произвела потрясающее впечатление
услышать в музыке реквием
предчувствие близкой смерти

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This Russian audio recording will be useful for everyone. If you are a complete beginner who just started out studying Russian, it will make you get a feeling for the beautiful Russian language, its intonation and musical variations. Even a fluent or native Russian speaker can enjoy the interesting story in our Russian audio recordings.

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Russian Language is one of the richest languages in the world.

For every Russian word there is a queue of synonyms waiting to be used by any aspiring writer.

Nowhere else is this so apparent as at the theater. And in this story you will learn about the most famous of all Russian theaters.

Stories in Russian Language – Story 11 (of 15) – We go to the Bolshoi

Summary in English

This story takes place in Moscow in the autumn. The theater season has just started and we will pay a visit to the most famous theater in Russia, if not in the whole world.

Autumn is a special time in Russia. Many claims that this time of the year fits the Russian soul better than any other season.

The most famous Russian poet wrote like this about the autumn:

How quickly flew summer! Here come the golden autumn. Around the yellow and red leaves. Beautiful!

“Autumn Romance, enchantment of eyes,

Pleasing to me your farewell beauty … “

 Indeed, the nature is bidding farewell to summer with bright colors. And people are saying goodbye to summer and say, “Hello, Autumn!” We love this time of year. Why? – You ask. Yes, because all the theatrical troupe returned from a tour (tours) of different cities and countries, and begins a theatrical season.

The theater we will visit was opened on January 18, 1825

The architect of theater – Osip Bove was also the chief architect of Moscow. Under his leadership, was reconstructed Red Square, Alexander Garden was created and Theater Square.

So, we at Theater Square. Today, a quiet autumn evening. As always, the theater a lot of people. And we are among them …

Imagine (imagine), that we are entering the auditorium. How beautiful here! The very atmosphere of the theater creates a festive mood. We take its place. Artists are preparing for the show. The orchestra is ready to begin playing the immortal music of the great Russian composer Tchaikovsky.

Today we will look at one of the classics of the theater “Sleeping Beauty”. Music to the fairy tale by Charles Perrault was written by Tchaikovsky in 1889.

Slowly the lights go out. We hear the first sounds of music that transports us from the hall of the theater in a fairy tale.

We have before us a wonderful palace, where live the king and queen. They were kind and nice, but they were not happy because they had no children.

And then, finally, the long-awaited daughter was born. Her name is Aurora. The king and queen invited to the celebration of important guests. They all wish little princess happiness.

Good Fairies have prepared wonderful gifts. We hear merry holiday music. The youngest Fairy said that Princess Aurora will be the most beautiful girl. Another fairy gives her a good heart. The third, a great voice, and a fourth fairy promise that the princess would be the best dancer.

The fifth fairy says: “I want the princess to know how to play all musical instruments.”

And finally, the sixth fairy princess gives gift (a talent) to understand the language of birds and other animals.

Suddenly you can hear dramatic music. The door opens, in comes a seventh fairy, on old, evil, fairy. She had not been invited to the feast, and was very angry. She predicts: “When the princess turns 16, she will prick a finger and die.”

The king and queen start to cry. But at this point it is time for the youngest fairy who has not yet made a gift to the princess. She asks everyone to stop crying, because she will do so that Aurora will not die, just fall asleep and will sleep a hundred years. And then a handsome prince will come and wake her up.

The king orders the destruction of all sharp things possible to harm the princess, and soon everyone forgot about this terrible prediction.

After 16 happy years, the princess’s birthday is celebrated in the palace. All guests are having a good time. Aurora has a many friends and they have all come to celebrate.

Suddenly an old woman appears in the hall. She gives the princess a bouquet of flowers. The old woman is the wicked fairy an in the bouquet is hidden a needle. Aurora pricks her finger and immediately falls asleep. And along with her, the entire kingdom.

In a hundred years we are again near the palace. We see the prince. He came into the forest to hunt when he notices a palace. To get this palace is almost impossible – large trees are growing around. Finally, he manages to enter the palace, and finds the sleeping princess. She is so beautiful that the prince at once falls in love with her. He kisses the sleeping beauty, and she wakes up. And together with her the king, queen and the entire kingdom.

What a feast there is. Joyful music sounds. Everyone is happy.

The play is over. We are also happy. Beautiful music and talented artists have made a big impression. We will remember this night for a long time.

For sure, you have heard about the big famous theater before. But who was the greatest Russian poet that wrote about autumn?

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Here are some examples (from many) of Russian Grammar in this story.

… употребление творительного падежа          кем, чем?

… он был главным архитектором …

… под его руководством …

пассивные конструкции совершенного вида

… была проведена реконструкция …

… были созданы сад и площадь …

кроме того, обратите внимание, что рассказывая сказку, мы употребляем настоящее время (present tense)

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Suitable for any level of Russian language student, even enjoyable for native speaking Russians.

Stories in Russian Language – Story 10 (of 15) – The Master of short stories

Summary in English

2010 was the anniversary of one of the greatest of the great Russian writers.

This great writer was born 150 years ago in the town of Taganrog, which is located in southern Russia. His father was the owner of a small store where all the family members (there were 7 of them) worked.

The great writer began writing very early, even at school. However, after graduation, he entered the medical faculty of Moscow University and became a doctor a few years later.

His first comic stories were published when he was a student at the university.

This special novelist was not only a brilliant writer, but also a wonderful doctor. He treated the poor for free and helped everyone who asked for his help.

All his life he  dreamed of a better future for their homeland, dreaming of a time when Russia becomes a beautiful garden.

Sadly enough, the great writer died early, at age 44, but his works have played a huge role in the development of Russian and world literature. The famous Russian actress Olga Knipper – played in all his performances.

His books are published in many different languages. His plays: “The Seagull,” “Uncle Vanya,” “Three Sisters,” “The Cherry Orchard” and others are performed in theaters all over the world.

Today you will hear about one of his most known short humorous stories, “In the country.”

This story is about Pavel Ivanovich, a family man, who suddenly gets a love-letter from an unknown admirer.

The woman who wrote the letter proposes to meet Pavel Ivanovich at a certain place and time. Of course the combination of curiosity, ego and fantasies makes him decide to go to the meeting.

The story gets  an interesting twist when it turn out that it was not only Pavel Ivanovich that got such a letter but also his wife’s brother, Mitya.

So when they both show up for the meeting but no woman is to be seen, the situation gets a bit awkward.

Who was the great writer? Who was the woman writing the love letter in his famous story?

Find out by getting this story in this series of 15 Stories in Russian Language from How To Learn Russian Language.
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Here are some examples of Russian Grammar in this story:

… глаголы совершенного вида (эти действия произошли один раз) (verbs in Perfective, non-repetitive actions)

… я знаю, что получил …

… нужно было убрать дачу …

… как заставить тебя уйти из дома …

… я послала письмо …

… Митя улыбнулся …

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Stories in Russian Language – Story 8 (of 15) – A Moscow Patron

Summary in English

In this chapter of How to Learn Russian Language, Elena will take you to one of the most famous museums in Moscow – the Tretyakov Gallery.

This story, read in perfect Russian especially for international students of Russian language, tells about how the rich Moscow manufacturer, Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov, founded his Galley based upon his own art-collection.

Tretyakov understood the importance of art in the society. He was a real humanitarian Russian patriot. At a time when many others didn’t believe in “the Russian School of Art”, Pavel Mikhailovich decided to create his Gallery to show the world the wonders of real Russian art.

In 1856, 24 years old, he bought the first two paintings in his collection. At that time he didn’t think about a gallery. He just wanted to support talented Russian painters.

However, only four years later, his collection of Russian paintings had grown so much that he could open a Museum of Art.

Tretyakov dedicated 40 years and all his free capital to the support of Russian art and artists.

His goal was to create, through the paintings by young Russian artists, an “Encyclopaedia” of life in Russia.

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Here are some examples of Russian Grammar in this story:

Употребление и формы родительного падежа (Use of Genitive Case)

… сорок лет (родительный падеж, множественное число)

… энциклопедия русской жизни (singular)

… много сил (plural)

… популяризация русского искусства (singular)

… выставки картин (plural)

… из своей коллекции (singular)

… в городах России (singular)

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Stories in Russian Language – Story 9 (of 15) – The story of a painting.

Summary in English.

This chapter of How to Learn Russian Language, as always read in perfect Russian especially for international students of Russian language, is a story about one of the great Russian artists.

At age 20 he enrolled at the school of painting. He was from a poor family and had no food, no money, and no warm clothes in winter. He decided to leave to study away from school but one of the teachers offered to help him.

Lives of poor people became the main theme of his works. When he was sent abroad, to Paris, he lived among the poor and painted them.

Returning to Russia, he continued to paint pictures that tell about the life of the rural and urban poor people.

He also taught at the Moscow School of Painting and has had an enormous influence on younger artists.

Children were the heroes of many works of this artist. One of his most famous paintings, “Troika” was made by him in 1866.

Here is the story of this painting. The artist had been looking for a leading figure in the image of his painting. Once on the street he saw a poor woman with the boy, whom he wanted to paint in the centre of “Troika.” The artist asked his mother to allow a boy to pose for him.

The mother usually came to the artist along with his son. Her life was difficult. Her husband and other children had died from hunger and disease. All she had left was this one son.

Several years had passed when early one morning the mother again came to the artist. She told him that last year her son got sick and died. She had sold her house and all their belongings and worked all year just to buy the painting with her beloved son.

The artist explained to her that the painting did not belong to him anymore. It was bought by Pavel Tretyakov, and is now in his gallery.

Together they went to the Tretyakov Gallery. When they entered the hall, where hung the painting, she immediately saw her son. The woman stood before a painting for hours. In her eyes there were tears of gratitude to a man whose talent had retained the image of her son, not only for her but also for future generations.

This painting was a great success. It produced a deep impression on viewers. “Troika” was sent to the Paris World Exhibition. The artist was given for her the title of academician.

Who was the famous Russian Painter? Get this story in Russian now and find out for yourself.

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You will find, among many others, these examples of Grammatik in this story:

Деепричастия совершенного вида (use of participles perfective)

… Приехав в Париж, он жил …

… вернувшись в Россию, он продолжал …

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In this Story, number 7 of 15, you will listen to the touching story about the fate of a remarkable woman.

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Stories in Russian Language – Story 7 (of 15) – The Unnoticeable Heroine

Summary in English

You probably know that Russia recently marked the 65-years commemoration of the victory over fascistic Germany.

I am sure that you have also seen documentary and artistic films about the war and the sufferings of people during that time.

This story is about one ordinary woman’s extraordinary destiny.

It starts many years ago, in 1936, when a boy was born into a family where both his young parents still were students at the University of Leningrad.

The young father became mathematician and the mother, teacher of Russian language and literature.

They both was sent for work to Kursk, the city of Heroes. There they were, alone with a one year old child in an, for them, alien city. The main question was – where to leave their sun while they were at work.

A neighbor told them about a village, not far from Kursk, where almost everyone had died from typhus. One woman was strong enough to survive. She had nothing or no one left in her life and she could neither read nor write. And she spoke with a heavy village accent.

And so it happened that the young couple (their names were Fedor and Olga) brought the woman to the small room in Kursk that was assigned to the young specialists.

I this way the unfortunate village woman, with name Maria became the nanny to the small child, Yura. When he started to talk, Yura’s first three words were: “Mama”, “Papa” and … “baba Manya”. After that, everyone started to call Maria, “baba Manya”.

The careers of Fedor and Olga developed successfully and Fedor became a member of the local Government in Kursk. In 1939, the couples’ second son, Stanislav, was born.

How baba Manya loved those two boys! Like they were her own. Manya had no passport or any other documents and didn’t even know the date of her birth. All she knew was her age – 35.

Step by step, Maria became the Commander in the home of the young family. Everyone were very happy. At least until the 22^nd of June 1941 when, in the morning, the radio announced: “Today, at 4 o’clock, fascist Germany attacked the Soviet Union”. And so started the “Great Patriotic War”, which was to last in exactly 1418 days and which should make millions of young people die in their fight against fascism.

This story is about to remember the role this simple woman came to play in the war. In fact, it was only thanks to her the small boys Yura and Slava managed to survive the horrors of that difficult period.

As the fighting came closer to Kursk, women and children were evacuated. Although life was not easy, Olga continued to teach while “baba Manya” took care of the children.

The last pieces of redundant clothes were exchanged towards food at the market and together with the boys, Maria grew potatoes and vegetables on a small field outside the city were they stayed.

Often baba Manya gave all food there were to the family, which by now had become like her own, while she herself was starving.

In this way, four years passed.

The war finished and Fedor, wounded from the fighting in Kursk, was reunited with his family. They were moved to Moscow, where Fedor got a high position in the Ministry of Education and where they were assigned a nice flat, in which Maria once again took command of the housekeeping.

As the years went by, small Yura grew up and got married. When his and his wife’s son, Pavel, was born, Maria loved and took care of him too, just like she had with his father and uncle, maybe even more.

Pavel also loved his “baba Manya”. He taught her how to tell the time (she was very proud of that!) and called her “my beauty” (even if, by now, Maria was full of wrinkles and far from beautiful).

Baba Manya had since long became like a part of the family and she stayed with them all the time until her death at the age of more than 90 years old.

All the family participated in her funeral and followed her to her grave close to those of Fedor and Olga.

In this way ends the story of a real Heroine. A simple woman, who dedicated, and got a purpose in, her life by saving the young family during the hard times of the war.

Maybe thousands of other children were saved in the same way by similar “unnoticeable Heroines”.
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Here are some examples of Grammatik in this story:

… глаголы, близкие по звучанию, но разные по смыслу

… Фёдор оставался в Курске

… баба Маня не могла оставит Ольгу

оставаться – остаться    где? to stay

оставлять – оставить     кого? to leave

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Story 6 (of 15) – The Old Cook

Summary in English

The Russian writer Paustovsky (1892— 1968), has been an inspiration to many of the stories in this series of Stories in Russian.

One of his most famous tales is the one we used as model for one of our previous Stories. Its popularity can be seen if you happen to visit Paustovsky’s grave in Tarusa, outside of Moscow. There, by the grave, you will always find a basket with fir cones.

In this chapter, Paustovsky takes us to Vienna a winter evening in the year of 1786.

In a small house in the outskirts of the city, an old and blind cook is laying on his deathbed.

In earlier days, he used to be the cook in the house of a very rich man. He and his daughter, Maria, are however very poor. The only furniture in the house is the bed, a table, some chairs and an old harpsichord.

Maria, understanding that her father is dying, is sitting by his bed, watching him with love in her eyes. Suddenly her father says, “I have something I need to confess before I die. Please bring a priest or a monk.”

Maria is at loss of what to do. It is very late and they live far from any church or monastery.

“Go out on the street”, says the old man, “and when you see someone, ask him to come here to receive a confession from a dying man.”

Without much hope, but wanting to fulfil her father’s wish, Maria walks outside.

To her surprise, she meets almost instantly a young man who agrees to follow her to the house.

The stranger is elegantly and expensive dressed. Even if he is not a priest, he will listen to the confession and, since God has given him some unusual gifts, maybe be of some help.

The confession the old cook wants to make, is about when he once stole a gold-plate from the rich house where he was working. He did it to pay for medicine for his very sick wife whom he loved above everything. This crime had haunted him all his life.

“Was anyone punished for the theft?”, the young man asks seriously. “No, no”, answers the old cook. “And if I had known that the gold in any case wasn’t going to help my dear Marta to survive, I would never have done it.”

The stranger tells the old cook that he was not to blame since he did it out of love for his wife and since nobody else did suffer from the deed.

Then he asks if he can do something else for the dying man.

The old cook smiles and says dreamingly, “How I wish to once more see my Marta as she was when she was young. I wish I could see the sun, the flowers and the old garden in the springtime. Of course I know that it is not possible, forgive me.”

“Alright”, says the young man, and sits down by the old harpsichord. “Alright”, he says once more and starts to play. His face is serious and beautiful. Wonderful music fills the room and the garden outside.

“I can see. I can see the day I met my Marta. I can see the beautiful garden with white flowers, the sun and the blue sky”, whispers the old blind cook.

The stranger continues to play, quietly and slowly. Maria listens to the magical music and cries.

“I saw everything as clear as it was then. How can I thank you? I do not want to die without knowing who you are. What is your name, please, your name?

“————“ answered the stranger.

Maria took a deep bow for the famous musician. Her old father died with a calm and happy face.

To find out who the famous musician was, get this Story in Russian now. You can get it together with 14 other interesting and educating stories, written and read in perfect Russian language.

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Here are some examples of Russian Grammatik in this story:

… употребление частиц (particles) “- нибудь (-либо), “-то”

… там трудно встретить кого-либо

… надеясь, что кто-нибудь пройдёт мимо дома

(встретить кого-либо (одного из многих))

… кто-нибудь пройдёт (неважно, кто пройдёт)

она увидела какого-то человека

(конкретного человека, но она не знала, кто он)

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This story in Russian language will be useful for everyone. If you are a complete beginner who just started out studying Russian, it will make you get a feeling for the beautiful Russian language, its intonation and musical variations. Even a fluent or native Russian speaker can enjoy the content and beautiful Russian language.

Listen to the recording and read the text in the PDF-document. This is one of the best ways to get the correct pronunciation and intonation of your Russian language.