Russian Words and Images

 

In Russian apartments, the entryway, bathroom, and kitchen do not count in the number of rooms. Only the family room (“large room”) and bedroom(s) are counted. A common phenomenon during much of the Soviet period -- and one that is still encountered today in a number of cities -- is that of the communal apartment. In the communal apartment, more than one family would live together in the same apartment; each family had one room and shared the kitchen and toilet facilities. Some newer apartment buildings now being built -- as well as some being renovated -- often feature some Western-style appliances, which were not present in older apartments.

 

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Last updated 14-Apr-2005