Russian Holidays
by Alexey. V. Kutuzoff
There were no Christmas holidays until seven years ago. Few Russians celebrated it. There was the “ New Year Holiday”. Now there is the “Christmas holidays” but it's one day only (the 6 of January). The Communist Government did not like the Christian holidays and I must say that the “Christmas holidays” are not the main holiday of the Russian Christian people unlike Catholic (Roman) or Lutheran. The main Russian Christian holiday is “ Easter”. On this holiday a lot of Russians celebrate, even during the communist government. Thus the Russians celebrate the “ New Year Holiday”. In this holiday (the 31 of December), the people give a present to their relations and friends. They decorate the New-Year tree (the fir), and they prefer then genuine fir from the forest. In Siberia there are a lot of firs in the woods (“tagia”). But I think that it's not good custom and I have a big artificial fir. There is a Russian “Santa Claus” named “Ded Moroz”. He in not single. He has a daughter 16-25 y/o usually. She is named “Snegurochka”. “Snow girl”, in English. They are always together. The children like “Snow girls” more and she is more active on fancy-dress balls and other children holidays. There are many fancy-dress balls for children from the 25 of December to the 7 of January in the school, theaters and others. On the night of 31st of December, all people do not sleep. They have a long holiday supper all night. A lot of people walk and go on small ice mountains all night. As temperature is low (about -22 F or -30 C in night in Siberia) it's hard for them without Russian vodka. The many small ice mountains are built in the towns for this holiday. The “Christmas holiday” on the 6 of January is not a big holiday now. But there is one interesting holiday in the 14 of January. This is “Old New Year” holiday. A lot of people celebrate one. This holiday is “New Year Holiday” by old Julian calender. |
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