New Year Holidays and Christmas

New Year is the first on the calendar and in popularity. New Year holidays in Russia last for 10 calendar days from the 1st of January until the 10th. Currently the New Year is a more important holiday than Christmas in Russia. Since 1992 Christmas has been openly observed in Russia and now the New Year’s celebration usually flows into the celebration of the Russian Orthodox Christmas. Russian Christmas comes two weeks later than in other countries, on January 7. This difference is due to the Russian Orthodox Church following the Julian calendar. Read more here ->Russian Old New Year, New Years Eve (New New Years), and Russian Christmas (Orthodox traditions).

Defender of the Fatherland Day

On February 23rd, during the Defender of the Fatherland Day, Russia honors those who are presently serving in the Armed Forces and those who have served in the past. During the era of the Soviet Union, it was called the Red Army Day or the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy (celebrating the day of the first mass draft of the Red Army in Petrograd and Moscow, or of the first combat action against the invading German forces).

International Women’s Day

Every March 8^th the United Nations declares as International Women’s Day to celebrate women and the accomplishments they have made to society. Other than in the former Soviet Republics, it is not celebrated much throughout the world. It is traditional on this holiday to present women with gifts and flowers to express appreciation for their work, love, and devotion. It can be regarded as the equivalent of Mother’s Day combined with some aspects of Valentine’s Day.

Spring and Labor Day

In the former Soviet Union, May 1^st was International Workers’ Day and was celebrated with huge parades in cities such as Moscow. Though the celebrations are low-key nowadays, several groups march on that day to protest grievances the workers have.

Victory Day

On May 9th Russia celebrates the victory over Nazi Germany, while remembering those who died in order to achieve it. On May 9^th, 1945 (by Moscow time) the German military surrendered to the Soviet Union and the Allies of World War II in Berlin. A military parade is held in Moscow to celebrate the day. Victory Day is by far one of the biggest Russian holidays. It commemorates those who died in WWII and pays tribute to survivors and veterans. Flowers and wreaths are laid on wartime graves and special parties and concerts are organized for veterans. In the evening there is a firework display. A huge military parade, hosted by the President of the Russian Federation, is annually organized in Moscow on Red Square. Similar parades are organized in all major Russian cities.

Russia Day

Russia Day is a holiday somewhat similar to Independence Day, celebrated on June 12^th. On this day in 1990 the Russian Parliament formally declared Russian sovereignty over Russia (RSFSR). The holiday was officially established in 1992. Initially it was named Day of the Adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Russian Federation, but on February 1^st 2002 it was officially renamed to Russia Day (in 1998 Boris Yeltsin offered this name socially).

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This entry was posted on May 10, 2010 at 2:35 pm.

Posted in the All About Russia category