Embracing Slavic heritage: traditions that warm up cold winters
January 17, 2024
In winter, most of Eastern Europe transforms into a silvery wonderland, where every tree is a sculpture, and each breath is a frosty whisper on the magnificent white canvas. “I love the beginning of winter in Russia when the snow is really bright and sparkling and it’s on all the birch trees,” Taya Sibichenkova (‘24) said. However, in the gentle Southern Californian climate, winter does not require the fortitude needed in Eastern Europe, but it does call for a different kind of resilience—the perseverance to keep our traditions thriving in a vastly different environment.
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About the Contributor
Elena Petrova, Copy Editor
Elena Petrova (‘25) calls Moscow home, knowing every street and every pigeon, and yet she has been chased through the city for holding a piece of paper questioning the authority of her country's president. Always wanting her voice heard, she fights for her future and her community, hoping for a day when Russia can be free. As such, Elena looks forward to indulging her fascination with Russian and Soviet history and culture in Advanced Studies Cold War class. She also gives others a voice: as a passionate learner of many languages, she helps six students, including a Webb alum, embark on their linguistic journeys by teaching them English and Russian. As a Webbie, Elena serves this community as a prefect in Appleby, and a stage manager for this year’s fall play. Though she is very busy, you can also find her cooking new recipes, including her favorite dish: ratatouille. This year, Elena hopes to balance her urge to serve others with protecting her mental health and well-being. At the Webb Canyon Chronicle, she hopes to continue making the student community’s voice heard through more opinion articles, understanding that authority shall be questioned.
Favorite song: ОГНЕЙ by SALUKI
