Figure 1.--This is a mineral water spring in Borzhomi which was located in Georgia. There were hotels located in Borzhomi for those desiring to enjoy the springs. Borzhomi mineral water is marketed in modern Russia. Notice the boy in the military cap and belted white tunic. This was presumably a school uniform. Another boy to the left also wears a belted tunic. The photograph was taken by Prokudin-Gorskii about 1910.

We have begun to collect information on popular outings in Russia. Until the Revolution they followed the general European pattern within the constraints of geography and socio-economic structure. An exception was the large rural serf and former-serf population which were only barely participating in the money economy. The growing urban industrial work force was not well paid less able to take vactions especilly seaside vacations. Here geography was also a factor. Tsarist Russia had a relatively small middle class compared to America and the industrial European countrues. This all affected the outings that the Russian people were able to take. The Bolshevik Revolution fundamentally changed Russia. The middle-class expanded, but workers continued to be poorly paid, earming only a fracrion of their ciounterparts in the western capitalist countries. . There was an effirt for industrial enterprizes to reward workers with expense-paid vacations. We have, however, very limited information on this. Such trips were mostly by rail. Vert few Russians had cars until the demise if the Soviet Union (1991). We notice a range of outings popular in Russia, often as part of family activities. One such outing was to parks, although we do not yet know much about Russian parks. The Soviet regime placed some emphasis on building city parks to provide some afordable recreation for the epnding industrial proleterit. Beach outings were less common because of the climate, geograophy, and economic system. Russia has an extensive coastline, but as most of it is along the Arctic Ocean and Bearing Sea was not exactly condusive for beach going. There were some beaches on the Baltic. The Baltic republics were part of the Tsarist Empire and during World War II, Stalin seized them. There were also Black Sea resorts such as Yalta, but until the Revolution, they were only available for the well-to-do. One popular venue during the Tsarist era as in the rest of Europe was warm mineral spring spa (figure 1). Some of the European resorts were world famous. We know less about the Russian springs. Perhaps the best known outings for Russians was spending the summer in dachas--summer country cotages. Some were year round second homes. But only the well-to-do could aford dachas.

Chronological Changes

We have begun to collect information on popular outings in Russia. Until the Revolution they followed the general European pattern within the constraints of geography and socio-economic structure. An exception was the large rural serf and former-serf population which were only barely participating in the money economy. The growing urban industrial work force was not well paid less able to take vactions especilly seaside vacations. Here geography was also a factor. Tsarist Russia had a relatively small middle class compared to America and the industrial European countrues. This all affected the outings that the Russian people were able to take. The Bolshevik Revolution fundamentally changed Russia. The middle-class expanded, but workers continued to be poorly paid, earming only a fracrion of their ciounterparts in the western capitalist countries. . There was an effirt for industrial enterprizes to reward workers with expense-paid vacations. We have, however, very limited information on this. Such trips were mostly by rail. Very few Russians had cars until the demise if the Soviet Union (1991). Russia has changed a great deal since the dusolution of the Soviet Union. As a result of decisions taken by post-Soviet Russian leaders, especially Vladamir Putin, Russia has not develooed a modern economy based on the rule of law. Thus the Russian people have not achieved the prosperity we see in Western Europe. This ultimately impacts the nature of the outings that Russian families can enjoy.

Specific Outings

We notice a range of outings popular in Russia, often as part of family activities. One such outing was to parks, although we do not yet know much about Russian parks. The Soviet regime placed some emphasis on building city parks to provide some afordable recreation for the epnding industrial proleterit. Many of the parks were standard European parks with varying attractions. We also see many patriotic memorials. The most important is Moscow's Red Square in the Kremlin with Lenin's tomb. We see many military themed menorials after the climatic World War II Great Patriotics War. Beach outings were less common because of the climate, geograophy, and economic system. Russia has an extensive coastline, but as most of it is along the Arctic Ocean and Bearing Sea was not exactly condusive for beach going. There were some beaches on the Baltic. The Baltic republics were part of the Tsarist Empire and during World War II, Stalin seized them. There were also Black Sea resorts such as Yalta, but until the Revolution, they were only available for the well-to-do. One popular venue during the Tsarist era as in the rest of Europe was warm mineral spring spa (figure 1). Some of the European resorts were world famous. We know less about the Russian springs. A Russian source suggests that spa were especilly popular in Russia. The sauna tends to be a rellated activity. A Russian source writes, "No Russian can imagine life without sauna, or banya, as we call it. Banya is an ancient cultural and social phenomenon that is much more than just a way to stay clean. In fact, banya is a way to stay healthy and to socialize with friends." Perhaps the best known outings for Russians was spending the summer in dachas--summer country cotages. Some were year round second homes. But only the well-to-do could aford dachas.

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Created: 8:24 PM 4/14/2009
Last updated: 9:33 PM 9/2/2018