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December 31
The biggest Russian holiday is New Year. During the Soviet era, people were not allowed to celebrate Christmas (Russian Christmas is 7th of January). Since that time, New Years has become the most popular and cheerful holiday in Russia. This holiday is widely celebrated by the whole country.
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January 7
Christmas is a religious holiday, which is celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church on January 7th. Russian's celebrate the birth of Christ on this day. With In Russia, this holiday is becoming more popular as religion is an important part of Russian people's life.
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January 13
The next holiday is the Old New Year. Russians had a different calendar before February of 1918. The difference between Julian (the Old Russian) and Gregorian (European) calendars was 13 days. After the Soviet government adopted the Gregorian calendar, Russians started to celebrate many holidays twice: both to the new style and the old one.
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January 25
Students' Day /Tatiana's Day. A religious day named after St.Tatyana. This day is also considered to be the Students' Day. On January 25, 1755, Russian ruler "Elizaveta" signed a decree on the campus of Moscow State University.
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February 14
St. Valentine's Day is becoming more popular as a day when all people celebrate the day of love. People usually give their beloved small gifts on this day which symbolizes their love.
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February 23
Non-official "Men's Day" is February 23rd. the Day of Army. All men in Russia are liable for call-up (including reservists), so they all are celebrities. On this day, women usually give men small gifts.
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March 8
Official "Women's Day" is March, 8th. On this day, men give women gifts, (usually flowers). Men also are supposed to do all of the homework. This is pretty nice because at least once a year, women can have some rest and forget about dishes, cooking and kids. Women can rest and read a magazine while relaxing on the coach.
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April 1
April 1st. is a non-official "the Day of Laugh". People make jokes with each other. Newspapers publish and Television stations broadcast funny stories and jokes. The motto of this day is: "Do not trust anybody on 1 April" ("Pervoye aprelya - nikomu ne veryu").
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May 1
May 1st is the "Day of Labor". During Soviet time there were huge demonstrations on this day, as everybody was obligated to show his loyalty to the state. Now only communists organize meetings on this date.
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May 9
On May 9th Russia celebrates the victory over Nazi Germany while remembering those who fell in order to achieve it. The 9th of May was chosen because it was around midnight on May 8th, 1945 when the German military surrendered to the Soviet Union and the Allies in Berlin (Karlshorst). Due to the time difference between the countries, the surrender therefore took place on the 9th in Russia. A military parade is held in Moscow to celebrate the day.
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June 12
June 12 is "Independence Day". This is an official holiday, but Russians are not used to it yet. This Holiday is not widely celebrated at this time.
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1 September
September 1st.is the "Day of Knowledge" This is the beginning of the school year. Children go to their schools with flowers for the teachers. Usually there are meetings before the classes get started. This is nice and exciting at the same time.
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