When bridges "divorce" in Russian
Each language has it’s own curious words and expressions, and Russian is not an exception to this rule. A good example is the verb "to divorce" or разводиться/razvodit’sia. You may be wondering why such an expression could be interesting for you and the answer is that разводиться/razvodit’sia has also a poetic meaning.
In fact, when Russians pronounce the word « to divorce » you should have in mind that this verb has 2 different meanings. This is particularly True in cities like St Petersburg, known as the northern Venice, because of its numerous canals and bridges. In summer, during the White Nights, the St. Petersburg’s bridges open and give a magical spectacle to many tourists. When this happens, and the bridges start to rise, Russians say that the bridges are "getting divorced ».
The city bridges have inspired many artists and writers, as Alexandre Pushkin, who once wrote:
В гранит оделася Нева;
Мосты повисли над водами;
Темно-зелеными садами
Ее покрылись острова,
English translation:
The Neva-river’s dressed with rocks;
Bridges hang o’er the waters proud;
Abundantly her isles are covered
With dark-green gardens’ gorgeous locks…
A. Pushkin, "The Bronze Horseman"