Russian Holidays
about Russian holidays
Main Russian holidays: 1 January – New Year, 7 January – the Nativity (Orthodox Christmas), 23 February – Day of Motherland's Defender, 8 March – International Women's Day, 9 May - Victory Day, 12 June – Day of Independence, 7 November – Day of Accord and Conciliation 12 December – Day of Constitution of Russian Federation
The most cherished holiday in Russia is New Year, a family holiday celebrated at home beside a decorated New Year tree. Right at midnight, the peal of the famous chiming clock is broadcast all over the country, people congratulate each other, make wishes and drink champagne. During Christmas and New Year holidays there is Father Frost (Russian Santa Clause), a stately old man wearing valenki, a warm hat and a heel-long fur coat, and his daughter Lady Snow shows, as well as mass ice-skating and long chains downhill skating. During the Communist Party regime it was prohibited to bring home and decorate traditional Christmas tree, so people gathered here to celebrate New Year. They sang traditional Christmas carols called "kolyadki", made snow-men and enjoyed different funny games, which were held by Lady Christmas Carol. Pancake week is a purely Russian holiday. For seven days Moscow jingles with bells, sings with garmoshkas and glitters with gaily-painted faces and dresses. There are fat samovars with velvet tea, bunches of sweet-scented baranki, nuts and honey-pies, various fish, caviar and much more. But the essential element of course is blini (slapjack, pancake). The big attraction is final the year troika rides. It is said that there is no Russian who doesn't like fast horse-riding. The Pancake week is finished with the great fireworks seen from the whole little corner of Moscow. If you ever come to Russia in winter you'll never in your life forget it anymore. The next great holiday - Women’s Day March, 8 - a festival of womanhood and spring.
meeting Russian woman is a holiday
