cheerleading stereotypes essays

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Cheerleaders face a lot of stereotypes

Emily Book, Ciara Phonsana October 6, 2021

Big bows. “Scooby dooby dooby doo.” Glittery pom poms. People hear these words and quickly jump into the world of misinformation about cheerleading. As two cheerleaders, we find it difficult when peers make fun of our sport, but give every other sport kind recognition. 

   We’re being left out, and there is no good reason behind it.

Cheerleaders are accurately portrayed in Hollywood

  There’s a big stigma around cheerleading because of the media and how cheerleaders are represented. Soph. Jack Reynolds said, “In movies, they portray cheerleaders as mean, snobby, rich people.” Sadly, Reynolds is right. The media doesn’t portray us well. 

   For example, in the 2000 movie Bring It On , the captains of the cheerleading team are very snooty, short-tempered, and dumb. While this movie may be entertaining, one must know that this behavior is very far from the truth. 

   To add, Senior  Kenya Garza is also a member of the varsity cheerleading team here at WO. Kenya takes International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, some of the hardest classes West Ottawa High School has to offer. Kenya maintains her good grades, and is a very sweet individual.

   Mariah and Kenya are great examples as to why Hollywood portrays cheerleaders wrong. Hollywood is certainly helping put the stigma into people’s heads that cheerleading isn’t a sport. 

Cheerleading isn’t a sport 

    While the media is a big influence on people’s minds, our peers in life arguably have the biggest influence. When trying out for West Ottawa’s musical this year, the West Ottawa Theater Department had theater students list conflicts with the upcoming theater schedule. 

   In a bullet-pointed list listing example conflicts students could write down on the theater schedule, one of the bullet points said, “other extracurricular activities (sports, cheer, etc).” Sports and cheer are listed as two separate categories. Even our own theater department here at school doesn’t define cheer as a sport, that’s hurtful. 

   The authoritative figures who wrote the bullet-pointed list undoubtedly have an influence on students’ minds whether students realize that or not. When reading the list, students will unconsciously be putting the thought into their heads that cheer isn’t a sport and that it’s just another extracurricular activity. 

   Cheerleading is not just another extracurricular activity, cheerleading is a sport. 

   The definition of a sport is ‘an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.’ Cheerleading involves physical exertion and skill, such as stunting, tumbling, jumps, and motions. 

Cheerleading does not take a lot of strategy

   While reading the article “ Why Is Cheerleading Not A Sport” By Jennifer L. Betts, she claims, “cheerleading is not a sport because it does not involve a defined strategy.” This statement is simply false. Every single aspect of cheerleading involves a defined strategy.

   For example, do people actually know how stunting works? Stunting uses muscles in our bodies that we didn’t know existed. Stunting certainly uses strategy.

   In order for a stunt to hit, everything has to be precise, everything has to be perfect, and everyone has to be determined.

   We either have to throw people in the air or be the one who has to be thrown in the air. Full trust from each individual is necessary to accomplish the stunt. Our coaches always tell us, “If any person in a stunt doesn’t believe the stunt will hit, then it won’t.” 

   Cheerleading is a mentally and physically strategic sport that makes everything more challenging. Betts said, “yelling into the crowds, does not require a great deal of skill. Anyone can learn routines and yell into the crowd as long as they smile a lot.” This remark is invalid. Learning routines and yelling is not what cheerleading is just about, it’s so frustrating that many people think that way. 

   Cheerleading involves physical exercise and a lot of skill, just like any other sport. Maybe sideline cheer seems to not involve intense physical exertion or a strategy, but competitive season sure does.

Competitive cheer doesn’t take a lot of practice

   The competitive cheer season happens in the winter. During competitive, cheerleaders will compete in three different rounds during every competition against many other teams. Round one focuses on motions and jumps, round 2 focuses on motions, jumps, and tumbling, and round 3 focuses on stunting and some tumbling. Every round has to be perfect. If anything isn’t perfect, then our points will get deducted. 

   These 3 rounds require everyone on the team’s full focus and dedication. They also require 2 ½ hour practices every single weekday for 4 months and counting. During the competitive season, we’re not able to go on vacation because we always have practices over break periods. 

   Perfection is a big word, but it is the only word cheerleaders know during the competitive season.

Cheerleading is all about makeup, hair bows, and glitter 

The website Rank & File created an article called “Why cheerleading is not a sport” they start off their article by saying “Pop quiz: what equipment do you need to play a sport?  If you’re like me, a few things probably came to mind: a ball, net, or something similar, depending on what sport you play; a uniform; good sneakers, and a water bottle. A few things that didn’t make the list: makeup, hair bows, glitter–all essential parts of cheerleading.” 

   The sad part is that there are so many people that agree with this quote. What they don’t realize is that makeup, hair bows, and glitter are not even half of what cheerleading is. Yes, we do show up in makeup, hair bows, and glitter, but we are there to compete. Although makeup is not required, makeup is highly recommended. 

   We wear makeup to highlight the features of our faces that will help enhance our performances and bring on our expression. Fashion presentation may not be a part of your sport, but it is certainly a part of cheerleading. 

Cheerleading shouldn’t have stigmas

   At the end of the day, there will always be a stigma around cheerleading. After hearing our point of view, our hope is that we cheerleaders could help change the commonly shared stigmas around cheerleading and all its parts.

   Cheerleading is not just about yelling, dancing, and wearing makeup. Cheerleading is about perfection, determination, mental and physical strength, and most importantly, teamwork. With this knowledge, there shouldn’t even be stigmas surrounding cheerleading. 

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cheer1234 • May 2, 2023 at 6:06 pm

I totally agree. I face this problem everyday. If you say cheer is easy then you are saying doing 5 back-flips in a row is easy and then going straight to lifting hundred pound girls. While I wish I was in their world where cheer was easy. The world needs to see that what cheerleaders do is hard.

candycane • Aug 17, 2022 at 7:51 pm

yassss queeeeen

Angel L Derksen • Oct 7, 2021 at 8:51 am

This is a very good article very good job

Terry Pollard • Oct 6, 2021 at 5:41 pm

Cheerleading requires dedication, perfection, team building, and a high degree of passion in order to achieve a high level of success. WO has this and more which makes the program a very successful team sport year after year.

Cheerleading could help challenge gender stereotypes, study says

New research from the University of East Anglia (UEA) suggests that cheerleading has the potential to challenge traditional ideas about gender and to be an inclusive activity for both boys and girls.

The study examined the educational and transformative potential of mixed-sex sports and what the obstacles might be in practice. It focused on cheerleading, often considered a 'feminised' activity, and in particular UK university-level competitive cheerleading, which exists in both mixed and single sex formats.

Dr Esther Priyadharshani and Dr Amy Pressland, of UEA's School of Education and Lifelong Learning, argue that mixed-sex team membership can have a progressive influence on ideas about gender and the performances of both male and female participants, for example by encouraging teamwork and respect.

However, they warn that the existence of mixed-sex teams on their own is not a solution to correcting gender stereotypes and inequalities in sport, and if the transformative potential of cheerleading is to be realised, organisational, promotional and structural changes to the sport itself are also needed.

The study is published in the journal Sport in Society: Cultures, Commerce, Media, Politics . The authors suggest that the relative rarity of mixed-sex sporting events means they are under researched and there are few that require participants to work so closely together.

"It seems imperative to consider how the sport can be shaped in socially progressive ways," said Dr Pressland. "Cheerleading is very much viewed as an activity for girls, a safe activity where they can remain girls and women. We were really interested in what happens when boys and girls take part it in it together, for boys in terms of their masculinity and how the gender relationships work within the team.

"We think this would be a fantastic, inclusive, activity for young people to work together at and a place where gender norms could be challenged and played with, particularly as sport becomes very segregated when young people get to a certain age, for example when their bodies are developing.

"Girls tend to drop out of sport between the ages of 14 and 16, but if you normalise girls and boys taking part together then as they become aware of their bodies changing, it's not going to be as big a deal. It is also about building teamwork and having respect among players, being social rather than having this aura of sexuality between the genders."

Dr Pressland added: "With many sports the focus often ends up being on who is the fastest or strongest. Cheerleading is a very physical, and potentially dangerous, activity where skill is just as important as strength. We found that because of the specific safety issues, people rallied round and were very protective of each other, which you don't find in other sports."

The study follows a growth in the popularity of cheerleading in the UK in recent years, with national competitions and schools offering the activity in PE lessons. The researchers looked at four cheerleading teams: one national level, non-university, mixed-sex competitive team and three university teams -- two mixed-sex stunt groups and an all-female dance one. They observed the teams and interviewed members about their experiences.

The authors found that the male participants were very protective of the females and their team mates. There was no inappropriateness or sexualisation of bodies in the team and even when they felt uncomfortable doing things they might not consider masculine, such as wearing 'sparkles' for competitions or performing certain dance moves, they did it for the team.

"For the boys the team was of most importance, more than the masculinity," said Dr Pressland. "If it was important to the team they would do it. From the girls we got contrasting views. Those in the dance team did not think the boys added anything, from their perspective they were a strong as the boys. Other girls were very pro men being in the sport and for making it more inclusive and welcoming for both genders."

Dr Pressland and Dr Priyadharshani said there remained room for coaches, trainers, teachers and professional associations to address how the activity is promoted in schools and universities.

"Because cheerleading in the UK has developed so quickly, we think the regulations behind it need to catch up with what is happening on the ground," said Dr Pressland. "Cheerleading rules need to be more explicit about expectations from both genders and roles in the team, which would make it more transparent and inclusive. For example, there needs to be more clarity about who does the 'decorative' aspects of a routine, such as 'cheer faces', winking at judges and the 'sassiness' that our participants talked about."

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Materials provided by University of East Anglia . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

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• Esther Priyadharshani and Amy Pressland. Doing femininities and masculinities in a \ . Sport in Society: Cultures, Commerce, Media, Politics , November 2015 DOI: 10.1080/17430437.2015.1096253

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Cheerleading — Being A Cheerleader

Being a Cheerleader

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Published: Mar 19, 2024

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Athleticism and physical fitness, teamwork and collaboration, discipline, time management, and perseverance, self-expression and empowerment, leadership and responsibility, the transformative nature of cheerleading, in conclusion.

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• Cheerleading
• My Big Brother

Cheerleading Stereotypes 1 Pages 334 Words

             "She's ditzy," "They're snobs," "What an airhead," and the list of unflattering traits goes on - when referring to cheerleaders, chances are you've probably heard them all. Just a social club of good-looking girls who wouldn't give the average Joe the time of day, right? Wrong. Cheerleaders are athletes. In years past, high school cheerleaders needed only to be pretty, perky and popular. However, over the last decade, cheerleading has been recognized as a competitive sport more each day. Blood, sweat and tears are revealed through their hard work, determination and dedication. They workout, they lift weights, they sweat, the get injured, they practice and they perform. Therefore, why do they have to constantly defend their sport and themselves?              Stereotyping is so common in our society that when you meet someone for the first time you are often stereotyped before you even reach, "hello". The way people perceive us can have a profound effect on how we see ourselves. Stereotyping is most often someone's perception of an individual or a group based on social status, educational level, race or even looks. Everybody is guilty of it, and everybody has been subjected to it sometime in his or her life. It is easier to put a label on someone and place them in a niche we feel they fit in, rather than to get to know them as a person.              In recent years, prejudgment is something I've experienced first-handedly. As a result, I have learned to educate people when an opportunity arises to explain what my life; my sport, is all about. Granted that, there will be some people who you'll never be able to change their way of thinking. That's okay! As long as they respect your opinion and, in turn, you respect them for theirs. Even my big brother, the star football player in his high school years, teases me to this day. Now, I just smile and say, "Brennon, you throw a...

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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Kuznetski Most area in Moscow

Kuznetski Most is a small area between Tverskaya street, Kremlin, and Kitai Gorod (Lubyanka) and it's a downtown of Moscow. First of all, 'Kuznya' is a great place to walk: it is a real Moscow area, not a postcard at all, hectic busy streets neighbour tranquil lanes and courtyards with traditional architecture. There are also many very nice cafes, restaurants, clubs, and shops. If you want a cool place to meet people, go for a walk and to get the real feeling of the city, check out this area.

Long time ago there were only half-broken low wooden houses in Kuznetski Most area, and it was the place where poor blacksmithes lived. Blacksmith is 'Kuznets' in Russia, hence the name. In the beginning of the street (on top) there was a bridge over a small river, later this river was put underground, so there's no bridge anymore. About 200 years ago there was a rich Moscovitan noble buying this area. He immediately put away all the blacksmiths' houses and started to build a fancy new district. Just in few years he built up beautiful houses, with impressive ornaments, rich decoration, pools in the courtyards. Also, he opened some French boutiques in the area. That's when Kuznetski Most started to become fashionable. In a short time all the elite moved to this  area, and those who wasn't so fast were coming here to make some shopping and to sit in many of the restaurants and cafes around.  In the 20th century, when the communist times arrived, most of the buildings were given to government offices, some were given to soviet shops. The area became boring, the architecture was slowly deteriorating , but nobody seemed to care. In the beginning of the 90s  the area was revived again: the buildings were  restored , there was many new cafes being opened, boutiques, and shops. One important landmark of Kuznetsky Most is that it's home to FSB (Federal Security Bureau - former KGB) offices, and if you walk along Kuznetsky Most street you can get to the FSB reception, which is open 24 hours (in case you have something to report).  

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