Russians love to celebrate, no matter whether it's an ancient custom, official or religious holiday. They adopted some Western holidays as well: St. Valentine's Day and Halloween. They also appreciate Chinese New Year, Muslim and Jewish holidays - Russians are very tolerant to other religions. We joke here - it doesn't matter what holiday, because it's always a good reason to have a rest.

Here I'll tell you about the most popular holidays in Russia. There are some official holidays which are boring to describe, so I omit them.

The New Year is first on the calendar and in popularity. We got accustomed to celebrate it twice - on January 1 and 14 (which corresponds to January 1 in the Julian calendar, used in Russia before 1918). But, of course, the celebration on January 14 is much more unpretentious :-) it's just a remembrance of January 1.

"Christmas"!!! January 7 - Merry Christmas to everyone! See the page "Christmas" which is coming soon

"Men's Day" is February 23, the Army Day. All men in Russia are liable for call-up (including reservists). On this day women usually give men small gifts. It's strange, but the holiday is not so widely and cheerfully celebrated as "Women's Day". (it's for women to realize their significance :-)

"Women's Day" is March 8. It's an official holiday. On this day men give women gifts, usually flowers. Men are supposed to do all the housework, this is pretty nice - at least once a year women can have some rest and forget about dishes, cooking, kids, take a magazine and relax on the coach... But I won't ever forget that it's only one day a year!!! Silly men, the more you help your wife around the house, the more she loves and cherishes you! Of course, it's all is different if she is a housewife. Then it's ok, go and earn, she will do all the household duties.

April 1 is non-official "Day of Laugh" (Western "April Fool's Day). You know this joyful holiday - people tell jokes to each other, newspapers publish funny stories and jokes, TV broadcasts humorous programs.

Easter (date is always unknown beforehand) - nice holiday. See "Easter" page.

May 1 is "Labour Day". During Soviet time there were bright demonstrations on this day, as everybody was obliged to show his loyalty to the state (and the people had only a few holidays else to celebrate). I remember those demonstrations - we were waiting to go there from the early morning, we didn't think of our living under the communist rule. All we wanted is to have a celebration, and when you are in a big crowd of merry people, you can't but catch this feeling of happiness, joy and solidarity. Now only communists organize meetings on this date.

May 9 - "Victory Day". 2-day public holiday (May 8-9), the day when Nazi Germany capitulated in 1945. Soviet Union lost 20 million people in the war (now historians say much more than 20). The minute of silence announced on the Central TV in the memory of deceased at 9:00 P.M., then we enjoy great fireworks. I still can't understand - other countries seem to omit the importance of USSR participation in this great war. Not even the importance, but the fact it was Russia that won the war! Russians destroyed the enemy, helped other countries to cope with Nazi. Pity, they don't know it...

June 12 - "Independence Day". It's an official holiday but Russians are not accustomed to it yet. We spend this day on our "dachas" - small wooden houses in countryside where we plant some vegetables, enjoy nature and live simple life being close to nature.

September 1 is "Day of Knowledge" - it's the beginning of a school year. Children go to schools with flowers for teachers. I won't lie that they expect this day the whole summer, may be few of them. As for me - it was hard to realize that again school, home tasks, brrrrr, just awful, however interesting.

November 7 - "Day of Accord and Reconciliation", former Day of October revolution (25 October according to the old calendar). It's an official holiday though 50% of the population even don't know what holiday it is now.

December 12 - "Constitution Day" - I don't even know when it was accepted :-O