What achievements of your country are you proud of?

Our motherland, Russia, has great achievements in all fields: technology, science, culture and education. It is almost impossible to name the branch of science in the development of which Russian scientists haven’t played the greatest role.

M. Lomonosov was one of the most learned men in Europe. He was an outstanding innovator both in the humanities and sciences. He founded the first Russian University. Mendeleev’s greatest discovery was the Periodic System of Elements. Popov invented radio. Sechenov and Pavlov were the world’s greatest physiologists.

Russia is rightly called the mother of aviation and interplanetary navigation. Tsiolkovsky is the father of rocket flying. He formulated the principles of jet propeller flying machines for interplanetary communication. Mozhaisky’s aeroplane was the first of the world.

One more great achievement of Russian science is Gagarin’s flight in space. He was the first man in space. People all over the world know his smile. Our scientists and technologists build modern spaceships of highest quality. They keep the traditions of Tsiolkovsky and Korolyov.

Our scientists build many combat machines of highest quality and very quickly during the Great Patriotic War. The courage of the soldiers was astonishing.

It is very interesting that Nobel, the Swedish inventor, and his sons built several mechanical plants in Russia. As well as science and technology, the culture of Russia is famous all over the world. When we speak about Russian culture, we must speak about opera and ballet, music, fine arts, literature, and circus.

As for the ballet, the Russian school of ballet is known for its well-trained and beautiful dancers, such as Anna Pavlova, Maya Plisetskaya, Ilse Liepa, Rudolf Nuriev, and beautiful ballets, such as “The Nutcracker” and “Swans’ Lake” by Tchaikovsky, “Spartak” by Hachaturyan. Russian ballet-dancers do very difficult elements.

Russian opera is well-known, too. Such masterpieces as “Ivan Sousanin” and “Ruslan and Ludmila” by Glinka are in the collection of the best operas of the world. Every year thousands of Russian citizens and tourists enjoy “Evgene Onegin” and “The Queen of Spades” by Tchaikovsky.

Russian composers Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Dunaevsky, Pakhmutova and others have created beautiful music. Russian modern composers follow their traditions.

Russian painters and schools of painting started centuries ago, beginning with icon- painting. Well-known icon-painters Pheophan Greek and Andrey Rublyov, as well as unknown artists, created masterpieces which attract tourists from all over the world. Russian painters always wanted to express the Russian soul and the beauty of Russia in their pictures. Landscapes of Levitan and Shishkin, historical canvases of Suricov and Repin, mythological pictures of Vrubel and Vasnetsov charm the visitors of the museums.

Russian literature is known as an example of good style. Since the first printing-house of Ivan Fyodorov began to work, the Russian people have never stopped to read. Our writers of the XIX century – Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, and Fyodor Dostoevsky – are studied at all Russian schools. The modern writers are appreciated not only in Russia, but in many countries. Michail Sholokhov was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1965. Modern detective novels by Vainer brothers, and Marinina are entertaining, their characters look like real people. Science fiction by Strugatsky brothers gives much food for thought. Nowadays, when our civilization is at cross-roads, their novels show us where we can come.

Verse of Russian poets, such as Pushkin, Lermontov, Krylov, Yesenin, Mayakovsky, and Rozhdestvensky, are translated into many languages. Russian poet Joseph Brodsky (1940-1996) was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1987.

Russian circus was and is famous. Russian animal trainers the Durovs created a new school of animal training, which is called “emotional”, or “pain-free”. Since then Russian animal trainers have put up many difficult shows, for example, with elephants and tigers, who are natural enemies. Kuklachov has a great cat show, though, you know, it is believed, cats can not be trained. Russian conjurers Kio and Akopyan have created miracles on the stage.

Russian achievements in sport are great. Just remember the world chess champions Karpov, Kasparov and Kramnik, Russian figure skaters such as: Irena Sluzhkay, Evgene Plutchenko, and others; the Russian school of athletics and weight-lifting.

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