New Year’s Night
New Year is celebrated on December 31 and definitely the main holiday in Russia. It’s the holiday to prepare for, give the biggest podarki (pah-dahr-kee; gifts) for, and celebrate for more than a week.
Think Christmas, but bigger, not religious, less family-oriented, and more party fun.
Russian New Year combines traditions that Americans associate with other holidays. Russian Santa Claus, Dyed Moroz ( Father Frost) comes on New Year’s night. He brings along his granddaughter Snyegurochka , and neither reindeer nor elves are in the picture.
A Christmas tree in Russian is called a New Year’s Tree — novogodnyaya yolka ( Literally: New Year’s pine tree).
Russian New Year fur tree is not just a tree; it’s also the name of a New Year’s party for children, which is organized by all the schools, youth clubs, day care centers, and companies for their employees’ children. The celebration usually consists of an interactive performance, written and staged by teachers, older students, or company enthusiasts; the traditional dance khorovod , when everybody holds hands and moves around the tree in circle; contests; and presents. Another surprising fact: For New Year’s parties, Russians of all ages dress in costumes, just as Americans do for Halloween.
No one is supposed to stay home on New Year’s night. Russians of all ages get together for New Year’s parties, where they first celebrate at abundantly served tables, and then dance the night away. If the weather permits (and even if it doesn’t), city authorities organize celebrations in the parks and on the main squares.
You’re likely to see a lot of fireworks (which you can buy on every corner), improvised khorovody, and people dressed up as Dyed Moroz(Father Frost) riding public transportation.
Russians don’t have New Year’s resolutions. Instead, they make a New Year’s wish, which is believed to always come true. They make it at the stroke of midnight while raising a glass of shampanskoye — the official drink of the New Year.
If you have a chance to celebrate the New Year with Russians, do so — it’s sure to be a memorable experience.
Considering how much fun New Year’s night is, you can understand why having just one a year isn’t enough. The roots of Staryj Novyj God(New Year) go back in time to the epoch when Russia’s calendar was two weeks behind the European one, thus placing New Year’s day on contemporary January 14.
The celebration isn’t as extensive as that of December 31 (two celebrations of that caliber would be too much even for Russians), and businesses aren’t supposed to be closed on that day. Don’t hope to get anything done, though; it’s Staryj Novyj God, and no one is in the mood for work. Visit your friends, eat, and dance.
This fact may come as a surprise, but Christmas doesn’t automatically mean December 25. Most Russians are Orthodox Christians, and Orthodox Rozhdyestvo ( Christmas) is January 7. Orthodox Christianity was the first to split from the big Christian tree back in 1054. The most conspicuous features that distinguish Orthodox churches (not to go into theology) are highly ornate internal and external design, richly decorated ikony , and generous use of incense during services. On Christmas, all-night services are held in the most important Russian churches.
Those who follow the old traditions make kutya (koo-t’ya), a wheat porridge with honey, walnuts, and other ingredients, seven of them altogether; Russians believe seven to be an especially good number.
Speaking of religious holidays, Russian Orthodox Paskha (; Easter) doesn’t coincide with Western Easter, either. Paskha is not only the name of the holiday, but also a special cake that Russians bake (or, more realistically, buy) for Easter. They also dye boiled yajtsa (eggs) into cheerful colors and
exchange them. On the day of Easter, instead of “Hello,” Russians say to each other Khristos voskryes! ( Christ has arisen!) The appropriate response is Voistinu voskryes! ( He truly has!)
In spite of its official name, The International Day of Solidarity of Women, or, simply, 8 marta ( March 8), Women’s Day is as far from feminism as it gets. This official day off is the day when every Russian
female has a chance to “feel like a real woman.” It’s a mixture of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, but more inclusive: All women, from grandmothers to neighbors to colleagues, to say nothing of mothers and sweethearts, receive flowers, gifts, and abundant compliments. This day is also the only day of the year when Russian men awkwardly cook breakfast and clean the apartment.
February 23, was initially a holiday to note men who have served or are currently serving in the military. With time, it’s become a male counterpart to Women’s Day on March 8. Offices and organizations hold parties, women give presents to their male relatives and colleagues, all TV stations broadcast thematic concerts, and cities organize fireworks and open-air festivities.
Maslyenitsa ( is a week of celebration right before Lent, seven weeks before Russian Easter. Maslyenitsa goes back to the pagan tradition of greeting the spring. The main attributes include bliny (blee-nih; pancakes),which are symbols of the sun, and open-air festivals, during which straw figures symbolizing winter are burned in bonfires.
Pyervoye Maya , started as the International Day of Solidarity of Working People, but eventually it became just another celebration of spring. On the first day of this two-day holiday, various floats, political or not, navigate down the streets of every Russian town; on the second day, everybody leaves the city for a mayovka : a large-scale picnic in the lap of nature.
This fact is little known in the West, but the Russians took a very active part in World War II, and lost a huge number of people in it. On May 9, they celebrate Dyen’ Pobyedy (Victory Day) over Fascism with
parades, fireworks, and open-air festivals.
Created to replace the Day of the October Revolution (which used to be celebrated, ironically, on November 7), Dyen’ Narodnogo Yedinstva, celebrated on November 4, commemorates the events of 1612, when two Moscow merchants called for the unity of Russian citizens in the effort to liberate Moscow from Polish-Swedish troops. It’s another occasion for parades, fireworks, and open-air festivals.
New Year is celebrated on December 31 and definitely the main holiday in Russia. It’s the holiday to prepare for, give the biggest podarki (pah-dahr-kee; gifts) for, and celebrate for more than a week.
Think Christmas, but bigger, not religious, less family-oriented, and more party fun.
Russian New Year combines traditions that Americans associate with other holidays. Russian Santa Claus, Dyed Moroz ( Father Frost) comes on New Year’s night. He brings along his granddaughter Snyegurochka , and neither reindeer nor elves are in the picture.
A Christmas tree in Russian is called a New Year’s Tree — novogodnyaya yolka ( Literally: New Year’s pine tree).
Russian New Year fur tree is not just a tree; it’s also the name of a New Year’s party for children, which is organized by all the schools, youth clubs, day care centers, and companies for their employees’ children. The celebration usually consists of an interactive performance, written and staged by teachers, older students, or company enthusiasts; the traditional dance khorovod , when everybody holds hands and moves around the tree in circle; contests; and presents. Another surprising fact: For New Year’s parties, Russians of all ages dress in costumes, just as Americans do for Halloween.
No one is supposed to stay home on New Year’s night. Russians of all ages get together for New Year’s parties, where they first celebrate at abundantly served tables, and then dance the night away. If the weather permits (and even if it doesn’t), city authorities organize celebrations in the parks and on the main squares.
You’re likely to see a lot of fireworks (which you can buy on every corner), improvised khorovody, and people dressed up as Dyed Moroz(Father Frost) riding public transportation.
Russians don’t have New Year’s resolutions. Instead, they make a New Year’s wish, which is believed to always come true. They make it at the stroke of midnight while raising a glass of shampanskoye — the official drink of the New Year.
If you have a chance to celebrate the New Year with Russians, do so — it’s sure to be a memorable experience.
Old New Year’s
Considering how much fun New Year’s night is, you can understand why having just one a year isn’t enough. The roots of Staryj Novyj God(New Year) go back in time to the epoch when Russia’s calendar was two weeks behind the European one, thus placing New Year’s day on contemporary January 14.
The celebration isn’t as extensive as that of December 31 (two celebrations of that caliber would be too much even for Russians), and businesses aren’t supposed to be closed on that day. Don’t hope to get anything done, though; it’s Staryj Novyj God, and no one is in the mood for work. Visit your friends, eat, and dance.
Russian Christmas
This fact may come as a surprise, but Christmas doesn’t automatically mean December 25. Most Russians are Orthodox Christians, and Orthodox Rozhdyestvo ( Christmas) is January 7. Orthodox Christianity was the first to split from the big Christian tree back in 1054. The most conspicuous features that distinguish Orthodox churches (not to go into theology) are highly ornate internal and external design, richly decorated ikony , and generous use of incense during services. On Christmas, all-night services are held in the most important Russian churches.
Those who follow the old traditions make kutya (koo-t’ya), a wheat porridge with honey, walnuts, and other ingredients, seven of them altogether; Russians believe seven to be an especially good number.
Russian Easter
Speaking of religious holidays, Russian Orthodox Paskha (; Easter) doesn’t coincide with Western Easter, either. Paskha is not only the name of the holiday, but also a special cake that Russians bake (or, more realistically, buy) for Easter. They also dye boiled yajtsa (eggs) into cheerful colors and
exchange them. On the day of Easter, instead of “Hello,” Russians say to each other Khristos voskryes! ( Christ has arisen!) The appropriate response is Voistinu voskryes! ( He truly has!)
Women’s Day
female has a chance to “feel like a real woman.” It’s a mixture of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, but more inclusive: All women, from grandmothers to neighbors to colleagues, to say nothing of mothers and sweethearts, receive flowers, gifts, and abundant compliments. This day is also the only day of the year when Russian men awkwardly cook breakfast and clean the apartment.
The Day of the Defender of the Fatherland
February 23, was initially a holiday to note men who have served or are currently serving in the military. With time, it’s become a male counterpart to Women’s Day on March 8. Offices and organizations hold parties, women give presents to their male relatives and colleagues, all TV stations broadcast thematic concerts, and cities organize fireworks and open-air festivities.
Russian Mardi Gras
Maslyenitsa ( is a week of celebration right before Lent, seven weeks before Russian Easter. Maslyenitsa goes back to the pagan tradition of greeting the spring. The main attributes include bliny (blee-nih; pancakes),which are symbols of the sun, and open-air festivals, during which straw figures symbolizing winter are burned in bonfires.
May Day
Pyervoye Maya , started as the International Day of Solidarity of Working People, but eventually it became just another celebration of spring. On the first day of this two-day holiday, various floats, political or not, navigate down the streets of every Russian town; on the second day, everybody leaves the city for a mayovka : a large-scale picnic in the lap of nature.
Victory Day
This fact is little known in the West, but the Russians took a very active part in World War II, and lost a huge number of people in it. On May 9, they celebrate Dyen’ Pobyedy (Victory Day) over Fascism with
parades, fireworks, and open-air festivals.
National Unity Day
Created to replace the Day of the October Revolution (which used to be celebrated, ironically, on November 7), Dyen’ Narodnogo Yedinstva, celebrated on November 4, commemorates the events of 1612, when two Moscow merchants called for the unity of Russian citizens in the effort to liberate Moscow from Polish-Swedish troops. It’s another occasion for parades, fireworks, and open-air festivals.