On Cheese In Russia | Alison Smith | Russian History Blog | 21st August 2015

The public burning of foreign cheese in Vladimir Putin’s Russia is strange but not absurd. “Cheese was and is hugely symbolic, and particularly symbolic of Russia’s relationship with Europe”. Strongly-flavoured foreign cheeses first came to Russia in the 18C as an acquired taste for the upper classes who identified with French culture. They disappeared under communism, and returned with its collapse. Now, they disappear again