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World Service,27 Nov 2025,31 mins

What is the 'Russian cultural code'?

The Global Jigsaw

Available for over a year

Why the traditional kokoshnik headdress is en vogue in Russia, and how it has become a poster image for the Kremlin鈥檚 vision of national identity. When President Putin talks not of tanks but of tiaras, it鈥檚 a signal that symbolism matters. We unpick the dress code of the Russian 鈥減atriot鈥 to explore a deeper idea at the heart of everything from fashion and music to entertainment and literature. We go on a mission to decode the 鈥渃ultural code鈥 that, in the eyes of Russia鈥檚 leaders, makes the nation unique - and morally superior. Contributors: Veronika Malinboym, Yulia Volovik Producer: Kriszta Satori Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham

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