Russian public holidays, their meaning, history and role in modern society

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Every soul is glad for the holiday. So says one of the most famous Russian proverbs! And indeed, let's see with what awe, with what respect and reverence the Russian people treat the holidays. With what scope and breadth of soul Russians celebrate national holidays.

Do you know all the public holidays in Russia? In this article, I will give you a list of state and national Russian holidays.

January 1st. Initially, from the time of the introduction of the Christian religion, the chronology began from the month of March or from the day of the feast of Easter. In 1942, during the reign of John III, the chronology began to count from September 1st. In December 1699, the royal clerk announced to the people that the tsar wished, as a sign of the beginning of a new 100th anniversary, after prayer singing and thanksgiving to God, that all the people decorate the large passing streets, the houses of noble persons with pine and spruce trees until January 1. And that the decorations remain in their places until January 7th. And January 1 should be considered the very beginning of the New Year.

New Year's customs took root among the people quickly enough, over timeonly new ones were added.

January 7th. Nativity. The most important holiday for every Orthodox Christian, if we consider the public holidays in Russia.

This celebration is celebrated on the night of January from the 6th to the 7th. Until 1918, the holiday was considered more important than New Year's. But under the power of the Soviets, the state holidays of Russia have changed places in importance. The Soviet Union at that time became the only state in which the New Year in the country absorbed the paraphernalia of the Nativity of Christ, while remaining a national holiday.

In the last years of Russian history, more and more people visit churches and temples on January 7, remembering the religious meaning of the holiday.

23 February. Day of military glory of the Russian Federation or Defender of the Fatherland Day. On this day, it is usually customary to express their congratulations to the entire male half of the country. But initially, the public holidays of Russia did not include the day of all men in their ranks, and February 23 was the birthday of the Soviet Red Army, otherwise the Birthday of the Navy.

8 March. International day of the beautiful half of humanity. Russian national holidays have included this day since 1914.

May 1st. Spring Labor Day. First recorded in Russia in 1890.

9 May. Victory Day. The holiday is dedicated to the victory of the Soviet people over Nazi Germany and the German invaders in the Great Patriotic War. On this day, numerous parades are held in Russia, the main of whichis a parade on Red Square in Moscow. They honor and express words of gratitude to veterans and combatants since 1943.

June 12 is the day of Russia. On this day, the country adopted the Declaration on the Independence of the Russian Federation, on its sovereignty. Until 2002, the holiday was called "Independence Day". It is one of the freshest or youngest national commemorative days. In 1994, Yeltsin B. N. included June 12 in the number of public holidays, and a little later, in 2001, Putin V. V. renamed the holiday on the occasion of the adoption of the declaration, explaining that the countdown of the new history of Russia begins with this most important document.

4 November. Day of military glory of the Russian Federation. Day of unity of the Russian people. The holiday is dedicated to such an event as the liberation of Moscow in 1812 from the Polish invaders.

The list of national holidays is much longer than the list of state holidays, because in addition to significant dates for the history of the country, it contains others.

In general, public holidays in Russia are very important for every inhabitant of the country, absolutely everyone puts their own meaning into a certain holiday and attaches its own significance. While the history of Russia is alive, the country itself and its people are alive!