Celebrating Russian Holidays

Have you ever thought about how Russians celebrate their holidays? Celebrating traditional Russian holidays can be a wonderful experience that will give you a glimpse into life in the land of the Tsars. Here we will look at some of the most popular holidays and discuss their traditions and customs.

Christmas

Although the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, the majority of Russians still celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January. This is because, for over 50 years during communist rule, the Orthodox holiday was not celebrated or even acknowledged. The main activities of Orthodox Christmas day in Russia involve going to a church service followed by a big feast that includes some traditional dishes, such as kutia (the main course) and meats. Christmas decorations are also a big part of the celebration and are usually made from natural materials such as straw, branches and berries.

Easter

Like Christmas, the celebration of Easter in Russia typically involves going to church, this time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. However, Easter traditions also involve another activity – painting eggs. Real eggs are used to create a variety of intricate designs while hard-boiled eggs are exchanged as gifts. Russian Easter food consists of dishes such as kulich (a type of sweet bread) and paska (a cheese-based cake). All these dishes are usually symbolic and are served to give thanks to God for his blessings.

Victory Day

Victory Day is a special day of remembrance that marks the anniversary of the surrender of German forces in the Second World War. Every year on the 9th of May, Russia celebrates this important day in its history with a huge parade in Moscow's Red Square. In Canals, people also light candles in memory of those who died during the war. There are also celebrations such as fireworks, festive decorations and concerts that take place throughout the country.
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New Year

New Year is a nationwide celebration of the start of the year and is perhaps the most popular of the traditional Russian holidays. Preparations for the festivities start several weeks in advance and involve setting up a traditional Russian Christmas tree, called a yolka, in the home. People also exchange gifts on New Year's Eve and participate in many other activities such as going to the movies, eating a special dinner and attending concerts.

Maslenitsa

Maslenitsa is a pagan holiday that marks the end of winter and celebrates the arrival of spring. On the Sunday closest to the beginning of March, people make traditional pancakes, known as bliny, and eat them with their friends and family. This is usually done while setting off fireworks and celebrating with music. After the holiday, people traditionally pour water on each other, celebrating the arrival of spring.

Celebrating traditional Russian holidays is a unique experience that can give you a glimpse into the culture and customs of this fascinating country. The festivals are often vibrant and full of life, making them a great way to learn about different aspects of life in Russia.
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