Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet

Welcome to Ural Federal University!

Dear Students,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you at our University. Studying abroad is not only a challenging but also an extremely rewarding and exciting experience which you will never forget.

You probably have many questions about coming to study in a new country. This practical guide has been specially designed to answer your questions and help you prepare for your journey to Ural Federal University. We want to assure you that both the university staff and students will be happy to assist you.

Good luck!

UrFU International Service

Russia

The Russian Federation is a unique country occupying a vast territory populated by millions of people. Russia is known for being a big country with a great history and rich cultural heritage, and we are delighted that you have decided to explore it. The lifestyle in Russia is different from European or American, so we have a lot to surprise you with! Russia might seem to you a very cold country where you have to wear a fur hat not to get frozen. Yes, winter is really cold here, but low temperatures outside are compensated by kindness and warmth of the Russian soul.

Russia is the largest country in the world, covering 17.1 mln sq.km, which is more than one-eighth of the Earth's inhabited land area Russia is considered to be a European country, although two-thirds of its territory are located in Asia. Extending from West to East, Russia spans 10 time zones. The climate is characterized by a clear distinction of two seasons - cold and warm. Most of the country's territory lies within the zone of temperate climate.

Ekaterinburg

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Ekaterinburg - the city which was named after Ekaterina I – the wife of the greatest Russian tsar Peter I.

The two founders of the city were Vasily Tatishchev, a Russian statesman and historian, and Georg Villim de Gennin (originally, Wilhelm de Hennin), a military officer and engineer, who was, according to different sources, either German or Dutch. Ekaterinburg's official birthday is on 18 November 1723, but for convenience, city residents celebrate it in summer, in August.

Ekaterinburg is one of the major transportation and logistic hubs in the country, an important industrial centre and, of course, the main administrative, cultural, research and educational centre of the whole Ural region. The city's most interesting feature is that geographically it is the first city in Asia and the last in Europe, so we live in the place where East meets West.

Ekaterinburg ranks fourth in Russia in terms of population and is the largest Ural city. The permanent population of the municipal unit "Ekaterinburg City" is 1,429,433 people (2013). However, unofficially, the local mass media refer to it as Russia’s third capital.

Ekaterinburg is located in the zone of moderate-continental climate characterised by the variability of weather conditions and distinct seasons of the year, which explains sharp temperature fluctuations and weather anomalies: in winter - weather may vary from hard frosts to thaws and rains, in summer - from scorching heat above +35 °C to chills.

However, we, residents of the Ural region, are not afraid of such changeable weather, because we love walking around our beautiful city!

Here are the main sightseeing spots you can visit in Ekaterinburg:

Ekaterinburg is often referred to as "The Capital of Constructivism." Constructivism is a style in architecture that was popular in the Soviet Union in the 1920-1930's. In Ekaterinburg, you can find buildings that look like a tractor, ship, hammer and sickle.

Monument to the founders of Ekaterinburg with the inscription saying: 'To the glorious sons of Russia V.N.Tatishev and V.I. de Gennin. From grateful Ekaterinburg, 1998'. Among the city youth this monument is commonly referred to as 'Beavis and Butt-head'. It is a popular place with skaters, bmxers, rollers and other sport-loving youngsters, who practise here and show various tricks.

The Square of 1905 ('Ploshad 1905 goda') The Square of 1905 is the main square in the heart of Ekaterinburg. The Square acquired its modern look in 1930, when two smaller squares merged into one after the demolition of Bogoyavlensky Cathedral .

Sevastyanov' s House The house was built in the early 19th century on the bank of the Iset River and is a unique architectural monument combining Moresque and Gothic styles. Sevastyanov's House is included into the national cultural heritage list.

Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet

Ekaterinburg's Theatre of Opera and Ballet is one of the oldest in Russia. It opened in 1912.