Afortochka (Russian: фо́рточка, IPA: [ˈfortətɕkə] ⓘ) is a small ventilation window generally not greater than 35x45 cm.[1] It usually spans the frame of one window pane and opens on hinges independently of the whole window. Fortochkas are in common use in Russia, other post-Soviet states (Ukrainian: кватирка, kvatyrka), and Finland (Finnish: tuuletusikkuna).
A fortochka can be used for ventilation during cold winters, when opening a whole window would be impractical for heat conservation purposes.[2]
The window was designed by Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli for the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg in 1754.[3]
The true origin of the word appears lost, but its nearest relative appears to be the German "pforte," for "gate" or "gap".[4] Someone referred to as a "fortochnik" is a criminal specializing in the challenging art of sneaking into and out of a fortochka.[5] In the realm of dream interpretation, fortochkas have at least 4 roles – a broken one indicates a wasted effort; a dusty one indicates someone is spreading ill rumors about you; if you look through one, your dreams will come true; if you open one, your life will take a positive turn.[citation needed]
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