History. In the first few decades of the USSR dacha was a privilege only given to society’s elite. After that, in the 1960s, the party changed its mind, and then every family could apply for a piece of land and get it for free. This is why most families have a dacha now. Some have transformed theirs into fancy villas, but the real dacha is still very simple. 

The concept. It’s a small plot of land with a wooden house with no central water supply and facilities outside. What’s important is a vegetable patch, currant bushes and apple or apricot trees. The idea is to grow veggies, fruits and berries to preserve them for winter, when everything in the stores is quite expensive.

Going to dacha is a family activity, usually done every weekend in the warm season. It is the reason of regular traffic jams on Fridays and Sundays. Although, some people live there all year round. Many children stay at dachas under the care of their grandparents in summer to breathe fresh air and to be occupied in outside activities.