The Smirnov Saga: Return to Old Ways

The Smirnov family has been working to revive traditional Russian customs for over 20 years. Today, Alexander and Anna and their seven children are setting up a tent camp in the woods by a river. Along with other large families, they will spend several days experiencing traditional Russian ways of life, dressing in folk clothing, and working together to set up tents, build stoves, and prepare meals.

The children actively participate in these tasks alongside the adults. The parents believe that shared labor and responsibility are beneficial for their upbringing. They also build wooden fortifications for ‘principalities,’ so the children can go on ‘military campaigns’ and learn to defend their home. By negotiating mutual assistance with other ‘princes,’ they discover the meaning of friendship and trust. The girls engage in handicrafts and learn how to maintain a household. In the evenings, everyone gathers for prayer, songs, and storytelling.

All the members of this traditional camp believe that folklore is a key element in the Russian cultural code that has been forgotten. Through shared work and leisure, families aim to revive these traditions in the modern world.

Watch “The Smirnov Saga: Return to Old Ways” on RTD website and on RT’s live feed. The time of the broadcast is available on RT’s schedule page.