Russian Holidays and Anniversaries
January 1 + 2 - New Year
The last week in December is quite festive, culminating with New Year's Eve. Presents are given on New Year's Day
January 7 - Russian Orthodox Christmas
An official holiday celebrated by Russian Orthodox Church. (The Orthodox Church still follows the old calendar, which differs from the Gregorian by 13 days.) Churches throughout the country hold services
January 13 - Old New Year
The difference between Julian (the old Russian) and Gregorian (European) calendars was 13 days, and after the Soviet government adopted Gregorian calendar Russians started to celebrate many holidays twice: according to the new style and the old one
January 25 - Tatyana's Day
On this day in 1775 the Moscow University was founded. The opening of the University was after Ivan Shuvalov's mother who was a famous favorite of the Empress of Russia Elisabeth. She was a patroness of Art and Culture. The students chose this day to glorify students' life - life of free spirit, energy and community (collective)
February 14 - Valentine's Day
Russians only started celebrating Valentine's Day 7-9 years ago and it has become very popular
February 23 - Men's Day or The Day of Army
On this day all males, from boys to old men, receive congratulations and presents and the military men greet each other. Holiday tables are laid and there are toasts for the Army and for men. Women take tis happy opportunity to say the warmest and sweetest words to their lovers
March 8 - Women's Day
Men give women gifts, usually flowers. Men are also supposed to do all the housework - at least once a year women can have some rest and forget about dishes, cooking and kids and relax themselves. Established after the Second International Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen in 1910
First week in March - Maslenitsa or Blini Day
Pancake week comes right before Lent, it is also called a "cheese week". Through the whole week people cook pancakes served with honey, caviar, fresh cream and butter. In Russia, Pancake week is called Maslenitsa, this word means "butter" in English. It means that many different foods, including butter, may be eaten before Lent. Normally it is divided into three parts - The beginning of Maslenitsa on Monday - broad Maslenitsa, the festive peak on Thursday, - the good-bye day, which comes on Sunday morning
April 1 - April Fools Day
"The Day of Laugh". People tell jokes to each other, newspapers and TV publish funny stories and jokes
April 12 - Cosmonaut's Day
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End of April / Beginning of May - Easter
As in all Christian countries the Easter Holiday is also celebrated in Russia. Special round-shaped sweet bread (Easter cakes) are baked. On Easter's Eve the Easter cakes are on sale in nearly all bakeries. Pasha (a rich mixture of sweetened curds, butter and raisins) is also prepared on Easter and eggs are painted in different bright colors. On Easter people usually visit their relatives. The traditional greeting, if translated from Russian, says: "Christ is alive", the answer is "Christ is truly alive"
May 1 + 2 - International Labor Day
During Soviet time there were huge demonstrations on this day, as everybody was obliged to show his loyalty to the state; now only communists organize meetings on this date
May 9 - Victory Day (1945)
Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 to commemorate the millions fallen in World War II. Flowers and wreaths are laid on wartime graves and veterans wear their military orders and medals
June 6 - Pushkin's Birthday
Poetry is read next to Pushkin monuments
June 12 - The Independence Day
An official holiday. Independence Day commemorates the adoption in 1991 of the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Russian Federation
Last Sunday in July - Navy Day
In St Petersburg, the Russian fleet, including ships and submarines are on display and sailors parade though the city
August 22 - Day of the Russian Federation State Flag
September 1 - The Day of Knowledge
The beginning of a school year. Children go to the schools with flowers for teachers, where they meet before classes start
December 12 - Constitution Day
