The Banya
When I first envision a banya, it looks something like this. Humble. Weathered. Even ramshackle. (see extensive photo gallery – and banya-related music!)
26 May
Veniki
Veniki
Venik is a word that doesn’t translate well into English. A venik (VYE-nik) is a broom, or whisk broom. It also is a bundle of …
19 Apr
Banya Folklore
Banya Folklore
For centuries Russian folklore has spoken of the bathhouse possessing a spirit. More to the point, the bathhouse is possessed by a spirit. For a …
02 Apr
Veniki Gathering
Veniki Gathering
Every spring, during the “green holy days” that follow the Trinity, the Russian Orthodox holiday marking the appearance of Jesus to the Apostles after his …
24 Apr
The Steam Room
The Steam Room
Dark. Dingy. A bit dirty, even. Steam rooms in rural banyas like this aren’t the well-lit, unblemished steam rooms of the saunas heated by electric stoves …
Tag: veniki