Culture

These Afghan girls have to reject their femininity and pretend to be male. They are called Bacha Posh. In Afghanistan’s traditional patriarchal society, many women can’t leave the house without a male accompanying them. For this reason, if a family has no son, a daughter is often appointed to play his role. Having tasted freedom, some of the girls never want to go back.

The International Tchaikovsky Competition, first held over 50 years ago, is a highly prestigious award in the classical music world. It attracts well-established and less well-known musicians from all over the world. They all come hoping for glory and international recognition though only one can win.

When these people perform stunning and extremely difficult stunts on tightrope it looks like it's as natural for them as walking on the ground. But while learning these skills, they had to learn how to fall.

Pianist Vladislav Teterin’s foundation, 'World of Art', is a very special charity for disabled children. It gives young singers and musicians a chance to shine on stage and to show the whole world that their physical disabilities are no barrier to them developing their talents.

RT takes an exclusive look at North Korea, the world’s most closed-off country. Life here is isolated from the outside world and every aspect of existence is regulated by order of the "Great Leader", from the art you’re allowed to see, the books you can read, even to your hairstyle.

On the shores of Lake Turkana lives the smallest of Kenya’s tribes – the El Molo. Skilled fishermen and hunters, they preserve their traditional, simple way of life. For centuries, this self-sufficient society lived in total isolation, but their shrinking numbers eventually forced them to allow marriages with members of neighbouring tribes.

The Dogon, an isolated tribe in West Africa, still maintain their ancient and unique belief system. They have no written language: their myths and legends have been passed down through the generations by oral tradition. For centuries, they insisted their ancestors came to Earth from a faraway star, but it was only in 1862 that scientists discovered Sirius B, the star the Dogon people call home.

The Dogon people, who call themselves “the children of the pale fox”, live on Mali's Bandiagara plateau, a UNESCO world heritage site. Their tribe was discovered by accident only in 1930. Centuries of isolation from the outside world have allowed them to preserve their unique rituals, lifestyle, and social order.

The famous salt caravan makes its way from Djibouti to Ethiopia through the hottest place in the world: the Danakil Desert in East Africa. This journey goes back to biblical times, as the salt trade has always played an important role in the economy of the region. The salt itself is mined at Lake Asal, a body of water that boasts higher salinity than the Dead Sea.

You are invited to a very special event: a traditional Afar wedding in Djibouti. This mesmerising ceremony is full of songs, dances, customs and rituals that today's mostly Muslim Afar people inherited from their nomadic ancestors.

A prominent politician turns traveller: in this new film cycle, Sergey Yastrzhembsky strays off the beaten path to explore traditional ways of life in tribes and small societies across Africa, Europe and South America. Join him as he discovers fascinating myths and legends, ancient traditions, and unique lifestyles of people in faraway lands. On this occasion, he visits the Republic of Djibouti and finds out about the surprising connections that link this Red Sea port with Russia.

Russia's State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is home to countless pieces of art from around the world. We go behind the scenes of the former imperial palace on the Neva River to meet volunteers of all kinds...including cats.

Take a trip to the heart of Russia! RTDoc’s Sophie Shevardnadze shows you parts of Moscow Kremlin hidden from public view, discovers the top secrets and visits the hidden rooms of one of the world's most iconic fortresses!

Becoming a professional ballerina is a journey that begins at a young age and is extremely competitive. We meet young girls devoting their lives to the profession, as well as the women, who end up on the very top, performing on stage at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg.

James Brown finds plenty to explore in the Perm Region: a thriving city that's making an artistic statement, a legendary ice cave and an industrial center steeped in history are just a few highlights of his eventful journey.

Meet China’s 'makers': inventors, engineers and visionaries whose innovations have the potential to shape the future of their country and the whole world. They let their imaginations fly and have fun with their creativity, making the process of building a business seem easy.