Answer:The cultural background affects Vaarlam Shalamov because it helps him get food and also not get caught with the other guys, because he gets Sheskotav to give him the condensed milk and then he turns his back of him so he gets food and doesn't risk getting a longer sentence.
I think they are watching a match. They do not have enough money to buy the tickets. So, they are watching the match by climbing on their cycles, because the stadium boundary wall is very high.