Dachas, Forests, and Mushrooms: Russia’s Deep Bond with Nature

Jun 16

Explore Russia’s unique connection with nature through dachas, forests, and mushroom-picking traditions. Learn how language and culture intertwine in this earthy Russian ritual.

🌿 A Nation Rooted in the Soil

There’s a Russian word that doesn’t quite exist in English: dacha (дача). It's not just a summer cottage. It’s a symbol of escape, simplicity, family, and reconnection with the natural world. Every summer, millions of Russians retreat from the cities to their dachas—to dig in the garden, sit under the birch trees, and wander into the woods for one of the country’s most beloved pastimes: mushroom hunting.

Nature isn’t just a pretty backdrop in Russian culture. It’s embedded deep in the psyche, in the language, and in the rituals of daily life. It’s where generations go to rest, reflect, and reconnect with something ancient. The forest (лес) is not wild or threatening—it’s sacred, alive, and generous. In fact, the mushroom (grib) holds a mythical status in the Russian imagination, occupying a cultural role that’s as much about identity and tradition as it is about food.

From Tolstoy’s gardens to Siberian taigas, from babushkas picking berries to children collecting pinecones, nature is an emotional homeland for Russians—regardless of whether they live in sprawling Moscow or tiny villages in Karelia. And this relationship is reflected in how they speak, joke, celebrate, and dream.

In this article, we’ll explore this deep-rooted bond with nature through three cultural lenses: the dacha, the forest, and the ritual of mushroom picking. We’ll dive into how these traditions shape Russian identity, what they reveal about national values, and how learning about them can enrich your understanding of the language itself.

Whether you’re a traveler, a student of Russian, or simply a curious cultural explorer, you’re about to discover how a weekend in the woods says more about Russia than any textbook ever could.

🏡 Part 1: The Dacha – Russia’s Second Soul

What Is a Dacha?

A dacha is a countryside cottage, usually with a vegetable garden and fruit trees. For Russians, it’s a place of peace, play, and productivity. It’s common for urban families to retreat to the dacha from May to September—sometimes every weekend, sometimes the whole summer. Children grow up swimming in cold lakes or planting potatoes with their grandparents.

A Cultural Institution

Dachas became widespread in the Soviet era as state-allotted plots for workers. What began as practical food production turned into a cultural tradition: home where people could build something of their own and feel free.

But it’s not just the place—it’s the ritual. Waking up early to weed the garden. Drinking tea under the apple tree. Cooking shashlik (kebabs) over a homemade grill. These acts form the rhythm of summer life and leave deep emotional imprints.

Language at the Dacha

You’ll hear phrases like:

“Поехали на дачу” – Let’s go to the dacha.
“Сорвём укроп с грядки” – Let’s pick dill from the garden bed.
“У нас на даче всё своё” – At our dacha, everything is homemade.

🌳 Part 2: The Forest – A Sacred Space

Not Just Trees

To Russians, the forest is a friend, teacher, and sometimes a magical character. In folklore, the forest is where witches like Baba Yaga live, but also where heroes find wisdom. It can be quiet and ominous—or kind and healing.

Many Russians talk about “breathing in the forest” (вдыхать лес) as a spiritual act. It’s common to walk among the birch or pine, listening to birds, picking berries, or simply feeling the silence.

Nature as Refuge

During hard times—wars, hunger, uncertainty—the forest has been a place of refuge. It provides food, shelter, and emotional peace. It’s seen as trustworthy, timeless, and free from corruption.

The cultural ideal of “simplicity in nature” plays a big role in the Russian worldview. Even city dwellers often dream of a quiet life v derevne (in a village), surrounded by woods.

Forest in the Language

Russian is rich in forest metaphors:

“С глаз долой – в лес другой” – Out of sight, into another forest (let go and move on).
“Заблудиться в трёх соснах” – To get lost among three pine trees (to be hopelessly confused).
“Тише едешь – дальше будешь” – The quieter you go, the further you’ll get (a folk value of patience and humility, often heard in the forest context).

🍄 Part 3: Mushroom Hunting – A National Obsession

A Cultural Ritual

Mushroom hunting (тихая охота or "the quiet hunt") is more than a hobby. It’s a generational tradition, a weekend activity, and a minor obsession for many families.

Every September, forests fill with people wearing boots and carrying baskets, scanning the moss with laser focus. The act is as much about meditation and family bonding as it is about food.

Children are taught from a young age to recognize edible species (like white mushroom or белый гриб) and avoid poisonous ones. Some families guard their secret mushroom spots for decades.

The Joy of the Find

There’s a peculiar joy in finding a perfect mushroom. People shout across the forest: “Я нашёл подосиновик!” (“I found a red-capped boletus!”). The find is shared, admired, sometimes even photographed.

After the hunt, mushrooms are cleaned, pickled, fried, or dried. It’s common to serve them at winter meals, retelling the stories of where they were found.

Useful Mushroom Phrases

“Идём по грибы” – Let’s go mushroom picking.
“Смотри под ёлкой!” – Look under the spruce!
“Это мухомор, не бери.” – That’s a fly agaric, don’t take it.
“Какая красота!” – What a beauty! (Said often about mushrooms.)

🧠 Why It Matters: Language, Identity, and Nature

When you understand Russia’s bond with nature, you begin to understand the heart of the culture. It's no coincidence that many Russian idioms, metaphors, and emotional expressions are rooted in the natural world.

Learning these cultural contexts enriches your language learning. Suddenly, the word лес (forest) is not just vocabulary—it’s a whole worldview. The phrase поехали на дачу isn’t about a trip; it’s about values of simplicity, family, and escape.

At Polyglottist Language Academy, we believe that language learning is incomplete without cultural immersion. And few cultural aspects are as revealing—or as enjoyable—as this earthy connection to Russia’s forests, dachas, and mushrooms.

❓FAQs: Russia’s Connection to Nature

Q: Do all Russians have a dacha?
A: Not all, but many do—especially families. It’s extremely common in cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg to have access to a relative’s dacha.

Q: Is mushroom hunting safe?
A: Yes, if you know what you’re doing. Russians take great care to learn which mushrooms are safe, and many carry illustrated guides.

Q: Why is nature so important in Russian culture?
A: Historically, nature provided both survival and spiritual peace. It’s also a space untouched by bureaucracy or politics—making it deeply comforting.

Q: Are there modern versions of the dacha?
A: Absolutely! Some are now luxury retreats with full amenities. But many still keep things simple—wood stoves, gardens, and outdoor toilets.

Q: Can tourists join in mushroom picking?
A: If you’re invited, yes! It’s considered a privilege to be taken along. Always listen to your guide and don’t pick anything you're unsure about.

🏫 Ready to Explore the Russian Language Through Culture?

At Polyglottist Language Academy, we don’t just teach you to translate words—we help you experience the culture behind them. Whether you’re drawn to Russia’s linguistic richness or its deep relationship with the land, our Russian courses will guide you through the forest of vocabulary, grammar, and culture.

🌲 Sign up today for our in-person Russian classes in Berkeley, accessible from Oakland, San Francisco, Marin or San Jose or online —and connect with language through nature, stories, and tradition.

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Olga Sylvia