Holidays and traditions in Russia: New Year’s Day X-mas Maslenitsa Army Day Women's Day Victory Day Teacher’s Day

Traditions Russia is well known for its long-living traditions. Russian people are hard-working, friendly, open and creative and they enjoy celebrating holidays…

….for example, New Year`s Day. It is sure to be a favourite festival of the year, when people see the old year off and the New Year in… …On this day every house puts a fir-tree decorated with toys… …Little children wait for presents which are supposed to be sent by Father Frost… …When the clock strikes 12 people raise their wine glasses with champagne and congratulate each other… …The New Year`s Day, is likely to be connected with our new hopes and dreams.

The Russian X-mas is celebrated on the 7 th of January. The holiday is connected with the wonderful birth of Jesus Christ as it is described in the Holy Bible. People try to please their friends and relatives giving them X- mas presents, they go to churches. It is the main religious holiday. People honour and respect it.

Maslenitsa On this holiday people celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. People are tired of severe frost, strong cold wind and heavy snowballs. So they make scarecrows of winter – winter is going away and the spring is coming. The best-knowing tradition is making and eating pancakes. A fried pancake symbolizes the Sun and reminds people of coming warm spring days. Pancakes are known to be eaten with sour cream, honey, jam, butter or caviar.

Army Day is held on 23 February On this day all the masculine representatives from boys to old men receive congratulations and presents and the military men greet each other. The holiday is celebrated with parades and processions in honor of veterans, and women also give small gifts to the Russian men in their lives, especially a boyfriend or husband.

One more holiday which is traditionally observed on the 8 th of March is Women’s Day. This is the day of paying tribute to women. On March 8 th men give women flowers and presents, do all the house work. Besides this holiday is considered to be Mother’s day off.

Victory Day We pay tribute to the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for the people’s happiness. This holiday is marked by parades and special ceremonies with a short period of silence. People put flowers and wreaths on the Tombs of the Unknown Soldiers and to the monuments to those who died during the Great Patriotic War. It is also the day when fireworks display fill the sky in the evening.

Teacher's Day is celebrated in Russia on 5 October. It's big holiday for all people, because even adult people who don't go to school anymore, they were students for a long period in their life in the past. Teachers receive many presents and flowers from students and parents. Before lessons students stand near door of the school and give flowers and presents to teachers. But in building surprises also wait for them. On walls they see many congratulations.

So now, I’d like to congratulate you with: New Year’s Day X-mas Maslenitsa Women's Day Victory Day Army Day Teacher’s Day Easter Mother’s Day Child Protection Day Independence Day National Unity Day Birthday Student Day Fool Day Cosmonautics Day Spring Festival and Labor

THE END))) By Poleva Alyona, 9a. January,2008.