Once a Branch Is Brown Can It Turn Green Again

While traveling for a long time abroad, a Russian frequently misses his "native birches". To hold a birch tree tight and weep... that's the only thing a Russian wants to do in a melancholic mood. Why, you lot ask? It's all because of the ancient Slavs.

Russian national tree

As the birch tree was i of the about widespread trees across Central Russia, it was considered every bit a tree of "Russian nationality". Ancient Slavs didn't come across the massive Siberian fir forests until the 16th century expansion to Siberia - and a fir tree is really non and then piece of cake to hug!

Sometimes even modern Russians are surprised that birches not only abound in Russia. How is it possible? Our birches!?

Co-ordinate to multiple folk proverbs and beliefs (described in Alexander Strizhev's 'Agenda of Russian Nature' volume), aboriginal pagan Slavs considered hugging a birch tree every bit a sign of skilful luck - information technology would also requite you ability and joy. Moreover, a birch tree was considered magical.

Birches were compared to humans - its thin trunk was oftentimes associated with a sparse body of a immature lady, while its spread boughs reminded of a daughter'southward braids. A birch also has catkins, or flowers, that are called 'earrings' in Russian, simply considering it reminded ancient Russians about girl'southward accessories.

A Russian peasant's household was based on birches until the Soviet era

Aboriginal Russians also considered that the birch tree had curative features - they drank "broth" squeezed out of its leaves and flower buds.

This is how a Russian's paradise looks similar: Birches and churches

Legion Media

They made besoms from leafy birch branches and used them in the banya for scent and therapeutic beating (which was actually an ancient spa procedure that is nevertheless popular today). At the same fourth dimension, birch tar was used for cleaning earlier soap came to Russian federation - and is still used in natural cosmetics.

Birch besom in banya

Legion Media

Still, lots of Russians are allergic to the birch tree's spring blossoming. Well, maybe they one time smelled it likewise heavily!

Slavs burned birches in their stoves for heating, they produced boats, crockery and article of furniture from it. Birch barks were used widely - they were soft enough for etching and braiding, so it suited perfectly for decoration and design.

Birch bark 'beresta' handmade items

Legion Media

Birch bark souvenirs are still very popular in many ancient Russian cities. It was besides used as manuscripts in 11-15th centuries before the mass production of paper began.

And finally: Russian peasants would brand their bast shoes from birch barks up until as recently every bit the 1930s!

Birch tree juice is tasty!

A special identify in Russians' hearts belongs to the birch'due south juice. It's extracted past making small cuts in the birch bark and, one time cut open, it can drip for several weeks. It is transparent and has a sweet taste, so it is commonly preserved and used as conservant, also.

Collecting birch tree juice

Legion Media

Birch juice got a new wave of popularity in Soviet Matrimony, peculiarly later on the Second Globe State of war, every bit it was an affordable source of sugar for people who suffered from hunger for a long time.

Read more how Russians collect and drink juice.

'White birches' is popular prototype in literature and fine art

"A white birch" was praised a lot in Russian literature. In sociology, there were usually lots of riddles devoted to birches. "It doesn't bother virtually the weather but wears a white dress"; "Green only not meadow, information technology's white merely non snowfall, curly but not head", "Russian beauty stands on a glade, birds were flying by and sat on her braids".

There is besides a popular folk song chosen 'Little birch then lonely was standing' - 'Во поле березка стояла' ("Vo polye biryozka stoyala")

Little birch so lonely was continuing
In the field a curly one was standing
Alone lonely was continuing
Lonely lonely was standing

And in that location's likewise a man who simply canonized the birch tree in Russian literature. It was Sergei Yesenin, usually referred to every bit a "main peasant poet". He was built-in in the state of birches - in the village of Konstantinovo in Ryazan Region (200 km due south of Moscow) and when he left home, he felt a strong nostalgia for his native fields and birches. So he wrote a dozen poems about birches and nature, and called Russia "the land of birch calico".

Here's his almost well-known poem virtually the birch tree he wrote in 1913 - that every Russian knows by centre:

Under my window
Tucked in the snow
White birch retired
Clad in silverish glow.

On the fluffy branches
Snowy-trim with silvery-tinge
Melted around catkins
Forming white fringe.

Like golden fires
Snow-flakes blazed
While birch stood still
Asleep, or amazed.

Meanwhile, lazily
Strolling around,
Dawn threw more "silver"
On the twigs (and basis).

Translation by Thousand.M.West.Klara

So in that location were numerous artists who painted endless paintings with birch trees showing landscapes with sad, solitary birches…

Alexei Savrasov. Early spring, birches nigh the river

Tretyakov gallery

...or beautiful and lush groves, where y'all can find shade from the summertime dominicus (past the way, birch barks always remain common cold! Even if it'south very hot outside.).

Isaac Levitan. Birch Forest

Tretyakov gallery

Finally, birches make for a perfectly golden autumn, which all poets and artists adored, praising all those aureate and cherry-red leaves.

Also, a birch is a perfect symbol of life period. Information technology'southward fresh and greenish in spring, so it fades and turns gilded, and finally, it dies (like everything else), but in spring comes to life again again (non like everything else).

Birches in modern Russian music bands and memes

Modern Russians would never confess they hug birch trees on a daily footing. However, some of us have washed it or at least thought of it. And for sure, when nosotros encounter those leaves and branches trembling by the wind, our harsh northern hearts melt.

And the one certain sign that Russians dearest birches is the fact that they brand fun of it, even creating "get hug a birch" memes and jokes.

Popular Russian actor Sergei Bezrukov is jokingly considered to be the chief birch lover and hugger. He has portrayed Yesenin in telly shows, theater performances and has given numerous concerts reading his poems (featuring birches, of course) and singing songs based on them.

There is also a famous Russian music ring called LUBE (apparently, Putin's favorite ring, no less!) who sing patriotic songs and 1 of their most popular is 'Why are birches so rustling in Russia'.

Here is a philharmonic - a music video where Bezrukov sings a LUBE song in a serial where he plays a policeman in a Russian village. Everything is just perfect here. But beware! A Russian can spontaneously start crying listening to this!

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Source: https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/331832-russians-birch-tree