KNOWLEDGE DAY - ДЕНЬ ЗНАНИЙ
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The beginning of September is not just about the coming of autumn. As August comes to a close, Russian children return from holidays away at summer camps, dachas or their grandmothers’ homes in the countryside, and families set about preparing for the new academic year.
Knowledge Day often simply called 1 September, is the day when the school year starts in Russia.
The distinct feature of September 1st in Russia – lots of kids, carrying large bouquets of flowers to school. Custom is to give flowers to teachers. Since the typical class in secondary school is 25-30 people – in the end of the day you can see teachers, carrying huge bunches of flowers home.
On this day, schools put on a special celebration to mark the start of the year – teachers and students assemble to listen to songs and poetry; congratulatory and inspirational speeches are given by the schools’ head teachers and, sometimes, by members of the local administration.
At the end of the ceremony, a girl in the first grade will sit atop the shoulders of a boy in his senior year (aged 17-18). This little girl is then given a bell, which she will ring loudly as she is carried past a crowd of spectators. Ringing this bell officially starts the new school year.
After students have gathered and have been introduced to the teachers, most schools then hold open lessons for guests and parents. As a rule, September 1 is not a full school day and children can return home once the celebrations have finished. However, on the following day the school routine starts and parents return to school only for parent-teacher meetings.
Knowledge Day often simply called 1 September, is the day when the school year starts in Russia.
The distinct feature of September 1st in Russia – lots of kids, carrying large bouquets of flowers to school. Custom is to give flowers to teachers. Since the typical class in secondary school is 25-30 people – in the end of the day you can see teachers, carrying huge bunches of flowers home.
On this day, schools put on a special celebration to mark the start of the year – teachers and students assemble to listen to songs and poetry; congratulatory and inspirational speeches are given by the schools’ head teachers and, sometimes, by members of the local administration.
At the end of the ceremony, a girl in the first grade will sit atop the shoulders of a boy in his senior year (aged 17-18). This little girl is then given a bell, which she will ring loudly as she is carried past a crowd of spectators. Ringing this bell officially starts the new school year.
After students have gathered and have been introduced to the teachers, most schools then hold open lessons for guests and parents. As a rule, September 1 is not a full school day and children can return home once the celebrations have finished. However, on the following day the school routine starts and parents return to school only for parent-teacher meetings.
Mоscow City Day - ДЕНЬ ГОРОДА МОСКВЫ
Моscow is the capital of Russia. Moscow is the largest city in the country and one of the top ten largest cities in the world.
Moscow was first mentioned in 1147 by Yuri Dolgorukiy. Mongols burned the city and killed its habitants during the sack of 1237-1238, but the city recovered and rose as the capital in 1327. Though Moscow is the capital city of Russia today, it wasn't always so. From 1712 to 1918, St. Petersburg acted as the capital of Russia. Peter the Great had moved the capital in his efforts to westernize the Russian Empire. The Bolshevik Revolution in prompted the capital's move back to Moscow. This year Moscow will mark its 873 anniversary in September! There will be different events and activities including parades, fairs, street entertainments, sports contests, laser shows, live music concerts and fireworks. Watch a concert here: https://youtu.be/RpDi7-JRdYc |
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
С НОВЫМ ГОДОМ! С НОВЫМ СЧАСТЬЕМ!
Russian people love to celebrate New Year! They decorate New Year Tree, dress nice, cook food , invite friends, dance, sing and just have fun time all night. They believe that if you celebrate this way-the next year will be happy! Have you heard about Dedushka Moroz and Snegurochka? They come on New Year’s Eve with presents for children! Dedushka Moroz means Grandfather Frost and Snegurochka is his Granddaughter. She helps him to deliver presents to children. If you see Dedushka Moroz you need to be ready to sing a song, dance, recite a poem or play a game to get presents! He wants you to be nice to him and show him what talents you have and only then….. He will surprise you with a special present!
To say “Happy New Year!” you need to say “S Nowim Godom!”
С НОВЫМ ГОДОМ! С НОВЫМ СЧАСТЬЕМ!
Russian people love to celebrate New Year! They decorate New Year Tree, dress nice, cook food , invite friends, dance, sing and just have fun time all night. They believe that if you celebrate this way-the next year will be happy! Have you heard about Dedushka Moroz and Snegurochka? They come on New Year’s Eve with presents for children! Dedushka Moroz means Grandfather Frost and Snegurochka is his Granddaughter. She helps him to deliver presents to children. If you see Dedushka Moroz you need to be ready to sing a song, dance, recite a poem or play a game to get presents! He wants you to be nice to him and show him what talents you have and only then….. He will surprise you with a special present!
To say “Happy New Year!” you need to say “S Nowim Godom!”
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
С РОЖДЕСТВОМ!
Did you know that Christmas in Russia is celebrated on January 7th? Usually people go to church and pray that day. To say “Merry Christmas” – you say “S Rozdestwom!”
С РОЖДЕСТВОМ!
Did you know that Christmas in Russia is celebrated on January 7th? Usually people go to church and pray that day. To say “Merry Christmas” – you say “S Rozdestwom!”
DEFENDER OF THE FATHERLAND DAY -
ДЕНЬ ЗАЩИТНИКА ОТЕЧЕСТВА - 23 ФЕВРАЛЯ
Russia inherited several public holidays from the era of the Soviet Union. For example, Defender of the Fatherland Day (originally known as Red Army Day) is celebrated on February 23rd. This holiday celebrates people who are serving or were serving the Russian Armed Forces. Due to a common Russian stereotype that the role of the defender is reserved for males, the holiday has more recently come to celebrate Russia's men as a whole.
Many Russians observe February 23 as men’s day because military service is obligatory for most men in Russia. Women often give presents and postcards to their male relatives, including those who never served in the military. On a workday before or after the holiday, many women also congratulate their male colleagues and schoolboys may receive small presents from their female classmates. Russian authorities may organize local parades to honor the military and veterans on this day. Defender of the Fatherland Day, which is on February 23, is a public holiday throughout the Russian Federation. Most schools, banks and official buildings are closed on this day. Common symbols of Defender of the Fatherland Day are a soldier and the Russian flag. These symbols often appear on postcards and congratulatory banners in Russian cities on this day. |
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY- МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЙ ЖЕНСКИЙ ДЕНЬ 8 МАРТА
International Women’s Day has been a national holiday in Russia since 1918. It became a non-labor day in 1965. International Women’s Day remained a public holiday in the Russia after the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
Interestingly, the holiday originated in New York in 1908 when women went on a strike to demand equal rights, voting rights, shorter hours and better pay. The first National Women’s Day was celebrated on 28th February 1909 following the declaration of Socialist Party of America. Since then and up until 1913, International Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States of America on the last Sunday of February.
Today, International Women’s Day (Международный Женский День) is celebrated on March 8th, is a public holiday and is one of the favorite holidays in Russia. Over the years, International Women’s Day in Russian culture has lost its political notion and has become a mixture of St. Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. This day is associated with the first days of spring, warmth, first sunny rays and the most wonderful emotions. On March 8th men and women express their love and care to important females in their lives. When it comes to gifts, it’s more about the gesture. It is not a secret that women like attention, and even a small thing like a card, flowers and a box of chocolates will put a smile on your lady’s face.
International Women’s Day is a holiday to honor motherhood, beauty, and spring.
International Women’s Day has been a national holiday in Russia since 1918. It became a non-labor day in 1965. International Women’s Day remained a public holiday in the Russia after the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
Interestingly, the holiday originated in New York in 1908 when women went on a strike to demand equal rights, voting rights, shorter hours and better pay. The first National Women’s Day was celebrated on 28th February 1909 following the declaration of Socialist Party of America. Since then and up until 1913, International Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States of America on the last Sunday of February.
Today, International Women’s Day (Международный Женский День) is celebrated on March 8th, is a public holiday and is one of the favorite holidays in Russia. Over the years, International Women’s Day in Russian culture has lost its political notion and has become a mixture of St. Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. This day is associated with the first days of spring, warmth, first sunny rays and the most wonderful emotions. On March 8th men and women express their love and care to important females in their lives. When it comes to gifts, it’s more about the gesture. It is not a secret that women like attention, and even a small thing like a card, flowers and a box of chocolates will put a smile on your lady’s face.
International Women’s Day is a holiday to honor motherhood, beauty, and spring.
MASLENITSA-МАСЛЕНИЦА
Maslenitsa is the Russian equivalent of Mardi Gras - the last period for feasting before the fasting of the traditional Lent season. Blini are a type of Russian pancake which is eaten smothered in jam, sour cream, honey or other sweet foodstuffs. Maslenitsa lasts for up to one week ending on 'Blini Day'.
Cosmonautics Day-День Космонавтики
Cosmonautics Day (also known as Cosmonauts Day) is a Russian holiday celebrated each year on 12 April. This holiday was established in 1962 to commemorate the first manned space flight. On April 12, 1961, a booster rocket took into orbit the Vostok 1 spacecraft with the first cosmonaut on board — 27-year-old Russian Soviet citizen Yuri Gagarin. Gagarin circled the Earth for 1 hour and 48 minutes aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. Having travelled around the Earth once, the reentry module landed on the territory of the Soviet Union. At an altitude of several miles from the surface of the Earth, Gagarin ejected with a parachute and landed on a field near the Volga River outside the village of Smelovka in Russia's Saratov Region, at 10:55 a.m. Moscow time. This historic event paved the way for space exploration for the benefit of humankind.
In 2011, 12 April was declared as the International Day of Human Day Space Flight in dedication of the first manned space flight made on 12 April 1961.
In 2011, 12 April was declared as the International Day of Human Day Space Flight in dedication of the first manned space flight made on 12 April 1961.
ЮРИЙ ГАГАРИН
YURI GAGARIN
(1934-1968)
VICTORY DAY-ДЕНЬ ПОБЕДЫ
Russian people celebrate the victory in World War II on the 9th of May. It is called VICTORY DAY! It is one of the biggest celebrations in Russia. World War II lasted for 4 years (1941-1945) in Russia and it took lives of over 25 million Russian people. When Russian troops entered Berlin and put the Soviet flag on the top of the government building, the war was over. This event happened on May 9th, 1945.
Watch Russia's Victor Day Parade in Moscow here: https://youtu.be/Ihjm1HX0DEE