Happy new year to everyone.
Think you missed it?
No, you didn't!
It may be 2008 already, but there is still "Old New Year" coming up on the 13th.
Like "Russian Christmas" is on January 7, New Year comes around (by the "Old" calendar) on January 13.
"Give congratulations" to all your Russian friends. They will be pleasantly surprised by your knowledge and thoughtfulness!
What are the biggest days of the year for a Russian girl?
If you guessed "her birthday" and "Christmas day", you'd be part right, but mostly wrong.
Of course her birthday (and everyone else's for that matter) is a great cause for celebration, but there are other days that are also very big on the calendar!
Firstly, as I've mentioned before, "Women's Day" (March 8), is a major event!
See:
Your Russian Girlfriend and Women's Day
The Beauty of Women's Day
Christmas Day is celebrated, although on January 7th, not on December 25th as you may be accustomed to.
But it is eclipsed by another near-by event...
New Years Eve!!
There's no way to describe it as anything less than HUGE!
One thing you will notice is for "New-Years" celebrations to contain what you might see as "Christmas" traditions, including a "New Years Tree", which looks exactly like what most of you would call a "Christmas Tree" - a fur tree with colorful decorations.
How did this come about?
For Russia and the FSU republics, it comes down to the effect of the Soviet times, when religion was virtually banished, and "Christmas" traditions basically transferred to New-Years celebrations. It became entrenched, and it remains to this day.
Of course "NYE" is a big celebration around most parts of the world, but for Russian people, it is particularly special.
It's a time for seeing and congratulating (or "giving congratulations") to all your family, friends, work colleagues, neighbors, and acquaintances.
It's a time for feasting, (and for the men - drinking!), and a very special time for families to get together.
It's also a time to get hold of some fireworks and "go nuts"!
NYE can go quite crazy (and resemble a war-zone!) when the fireworks really start going - and for several hours!
So remember the BIG days, celebrate, and "give congratulations"...
The most important day of the year is almost upon us!
March 8 - International Women's Day.
Many people around the world may be unaware of this day, but in Russian culture it is a huge event.
Bigger than Valentines Day or even Christmas Day.
Despite the political origins of Women's Day, for Russian women it holds no political significance, only beauty and celebration.
Not only it is a celebration of women and femininity, but it also celebrates the start of Spring.
And what connects the two?
Flowers, of course!
Women's day is a day where all men should give flowers and gifts to the women in their life. Not just wives or girlfriends, but also family members, even work colleagues.
Men should also not allow their women to do any work of any kind. For Russian women, this is a rare day! No going to work (it's a public holiday anyway), no housework, no cooking. It's all to be done by men.
This is not another Valentines Day, which is more a private celebration for couples. This is a day for ALL women. A day of thanks, appreciation, respect and admiration.
Women's Day is an official public holiday in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (along with a few other countries).
It is also well-celebrated in Hungary, Poland and Romania (although it is not a public holiday).
Impress any Russian women in your life with a card, gift, or flowers.
If you are just starting to get-to-know a Russian lady by correspondence, at least send an electronic card. If you know her a little better, organize a flower delivery. It's easy to do. Include a box of chocolates for that little something extra.
For more information on flower-giving to Russian women (VERY important):
Russian Women - Flowers 101
To miss this opportunity is unforgivable!
So get to it!
Today, January 13, is time to have "New Year" celebrations again!
Like most of us, Russians celebrate New Years Eve, on the 31st of December. In fact, they celebrate it even more so! But there is also "Old New Year" celebrations, which is what today is all about. Prior to 1917, what we are now terming "Old New Year" was really THE new year.
Confused yet? Don't be...
It all comes down to the use of calendars. This is also why "Russian Christmas" falls on January 7, again, 13 days after December 25th Christmas. These dates are due to the tradition of still following the "Julian" calendar for these dates, which was in full use in Russia prior to 1917. Russia switched to the international "Gregorian" calendar (which we all use), that year, however the Church decided not to follow suit, and still followed the "Julian" calendar, hence the strength of the tradition continuing on.
So if you haven't already done so - wish your Russian friends (or "special" friend) a "Happy Old New Year" by extending "congratulations" on the Old New Year.
Interestingly, in London, there is an "Old New Year" celebration organized as part of the third annual "Russian Winter Festival", a free event open to all, held in Trafalgar Square.
http://halldor2.blogspot.com/2006/12/russian-winter-festival-in-london.html
