When Is Russian New Year? Discover the Date and Traditions of this Festive Holiday
Have you ever wondered when Russians celebrate New Year? Is it on January 1st like the rest of the world or is it at a different time? Well, the answer is both yes and no. Russians do celebrate New Year on January 1st but they also have another significant New Year celebration.
The Russian New Year is celebrated twice actually, and the second celebration is known as the Old New Year. The Old New Year is celebrated on January 14th according to the Julian calendar which is different from the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world.
This may leave you wondering why Russians celebrate two New Years in the first place. It all dates back to the 16th century when the Russian Orthodox Church split from the Catholic Church and adopted the Julian calendar which was in use at that time.
The Julian calendar was later replaced by the Gregorian calendar in 1918 which is why the rest of the world now celebrates New Year on January 1st. However, the Russian Orthodox Church has continued using the Julian calendar to this day, and thus the Old New Year is still celebrated.
The Old New Year is not as widely celebrated as the regular New Year, but it is still an important holiday for Russians. It is usually celebrated with traditional foods, drinks, and gatherings with family and friends. Some people also exchange gifts and play games.
Interestingly, Russians also celebrate New Year’s Eve more than Christmas. This is because during the Soviet era, Christmas celebrations were discouraged, but New Year’s Eve was still allowed and even promoted as a holiday for everyone to enjoy.
So, when exactly do Russians celebrate New Year’s Eve? The festivities usually begin on December 31st with fireworks displays, concerts, and parties. It is customary to exchange gifts, make resolutions for the coming year, and eat traditional foods like salads, caviar, and champagne.
Another interesting fact about Russian New Year is that a fictional character known as Ded Moroz or Father Frost is the equivalent of Santa Claus in Russia. Ded Moroz wears a long coat and hat, and has a granddaughter named Snegurochka or Snow Maiden who helps him deliver gifts to children.
In conclusion, Russian New Year is celebrated twice – once on January 1st like the rest of the world and again on January 14th according to the Julian calendar. The Old New Year is not as widely celebrated as the regular New Year but it is still an important holiday for Russians. Now that you know all about Russian New Year, why not join in on the festivities and celebrate like a Russian?
"When Is Russian New Year" ~ bbaz
When is Russian New Year?
Russian New Year or Novyi God falls on January 14-15th which is different from the typical New Year celebration that occurs on December 31st. New Year's Eve in Russia is still celebrated but it is considered more of a prelude to the bigger and grander Novyi God which is a public holiday and celebrated with much fanfare all over the country.
History of Russian New Year
The Julian calendar was prevalent in Russia until the 20th century which meant that the new year began on January 1, 1900, at the stroke of midnight. However, in 1918, the Bolsheviks adopted the Gregorian calendar which advanced the date by 13 days. This meant that January 14th in the old Julian calendar equalled January 1 in the new Gregorian calendar.
Russian New Year’s Eve celebrations embody not just the Soviet past but also the Russian culture and traditions, which have been celebrated for decades. According to customs, New Year’s Eve festivities begin at the stroke of midnight.
How is Russian New Year Celebrated?
The New Year holiday season officially starts on December 30th and runs through January 10th around the country. Russians often prepare for this period by doing major cleaning, decorating their homes, sending New Year’s cards to family and friends, buying and wrapping presents, and shopping for food. The celebrations include feasting, festive lighting, traditional songs, dance, and other forms of entertainment.
One of the most popular traditions is the Russian Santa Claus known as Ded Moroz or Father Frost, who plays an important role in the New Year celebration. He wears a long coat and hat with fur trimmings and carries a staff.
On New Year's Eve, a traditional dinner table is set with zakuski, which are Russian appetizers, salads, meats, and fish dishes. Russians also drink champagne, vodka, or other favorite beverages to celebrate. During the meal, fireworks may be heard in the streets, and colorful lighting illuminates majestic trees and holiday-related symbols.
Conclusion
Russian New Year is an important holiday for Russians and is celebrated with much pomp and show all over the country. The day falls on January 14th and 15th and involves a series of customs and traditions that date back decades. The holiday season begins on December 30th and celebrations run until January 10th. Russian New Year festivities are a fine mix of food, music, dance, and entertainment which makes it a must-have experience for anyone visiting Russia during this time.
When Is Russian New Year?
Introduction
The world celebrations of the new year are on January 1st, and that is considered to be the universal beginning of the next year. However, Russia has its way of celebrating the new year, and it's a bit different from the rest of the world.Russian New Year compared to New Year celebrations in the rest of the world
In the western countries, the celebration of New Year's Eve happens at midnight on January 1st. The night involves gatherings, parties, fireworks, drinking, and wishing each other for the coming year. In contrast, Russian New Year is celebrated on January 14th, and the celebrations are more religious and family-oriented.Different Start of New Year
The difference in the start of the new year between Russia and the rest of the world is mainly due to the calendars they follow. While most of the world follows the Gregorian calendar, which is a solar calendar, the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar. As per the Julian calendar, the new year starts on January 14th.Religious and Traditional
In Russia, New Year is a massive event and is celebrated with grandeur and joy. Interestingly, the Russians go all out for the new year celebrations because the restrictions of the Christmas festival fall directly afterward. So the nation tries to pack everything in before the fasts start.The significance of the Christmas holiday in Russia
In Russia, the Christmas holiday holds great importance, and days leading up to Christmas are popular for carol singing. Unlike in western countries, where Christmas is considered to be a one-day affair, Russians celebrate it for twelve days. This period is known as the Holy Twelve Days, and during this time, work is forbidden, and people come together in joy, worship, and fellowship.Orthodox Christianity
Orthodox Christianity played a significant role here as well. The Orthodox Church celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on January 7th, which coincides with Christmas Day for countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Macedonia, and others.The significance of New Year's Eve in Russia
New Year's Eve is also essential in Russia, where people have grand dinners with friends and family. The Russian New Year celebration is completed by the arrival of Father Frost and Snegurochka, who are vital to the Russian celebrations.Russian New Year Traditions and Customs
Russian New Year customs and traditions are very different from those around the world. During New Year's Eve, people decorate trees with garlands, colorful bulbs, and figurines of frost and snowflakes. They also leave Santa Claus or Father Frost a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. The use of fir tree for decoration remains traditional, and it also signifies good luck and prosperity.The superstitions Russians follow during the New Year's Eve
Russians are also highly superstitious, and many practices revolve around making the new year happier than the last one. Some examples of these include sitting in complete darkness until the chimes strike twelve times midnight and keeping one golden ring under your pillow overnight, which is supposed to bring you happiness.The Big Feast for the New Year's Eve
Another tradition is the big feast. People prepare lavish meals for the New Year festivities and believe that eating a lot of it will bring them wealth and happiness for the coming year.Conclusion
In conclusion, the Russian New Year's celebrations might seem unfamiliar and peculiar to some. However, given its religious significance and customs, it is a ritual that Russians look forward to every year. It provides them with an occasion to come together, celebrate joyfully, and hope for a happy new year. The cultural uniqueness of Russian New Year makes it a one-of-a-kind celebration in the world.When Is Russian New Year?
Introduction
Russian New Year is a significant celebration for many citizens of Russia and is widely celebrated around the world. It is a festival filled with traditions, customs, and delicious food. However, if you are not aware of when it is celebrated, it may come as a surprise to know that Russian New Year is actually celebrated on a different date than New Year's Eve in other parts of the world. So when is Russian New Year exactly?When is Russian New Year Celebrated?
Russian New Year, also known as Novy God, is usually celebrated on January 1st, the same day as the rest of the world. However, in Russia, there is a holiday period called the Old New Year, which is celebrated on January 14th, according to the Julian calendar. The reason behind this tradition is because Russia used the Julian calendar until the early 20th century and then switched to the Gregorian calendar used by most western countries. Despite the change in calendars, the Old New Year is still celebrated in Russia as an important holiday.Preparations
The preparations for Russian New Year begin well before December 31st. Russians clean their homes, decorate their Christmas trees, and prepare traditional foods like Olivier salad, pickled herring, caviar, and blinis. Some people go to church services on New Year's Eve while others make plans to gather with family and friends to countdown to midnight.The Celebration
On New Year's Eve, Russians watch the President's speech, which is broadcasted on TV every year. When the clock strikes midnight, fireworks light up the sky, and people gather outside to sing songs and toast champagne. The celebration continues into the wee hours of the morning with dancing, singing, and enjoying a feast of traditional dishes.Traditions
One famous tradition that is observed during Russian New Year is the arrival of Father Frost and his granddaughter, Snegurochka. They visit homes and bring gifts for children, making the festivities even more special. In addition, some Russians celebrate 'Sveyaki,' where they light candles and wish for fortune and happiness in the coming year.Gifts and Exchanges
In Russia, it's common to exchange gifts and wishes with loved ones during New Year. Gifting is considered an important gesture to show appreciation and love for someone. People usually exchange gifts with their family and friends on the evening of December 31st or the morning of January 1st.Unusual Celebrations
While most of the world celebrates New Year's Eve on December 31st, people living in Russia's far east region of Kamchatka actually celebrate it twice. This is because the region is so close to the International Date Line that they are technically behind the rest of Russia. As a result, they celebrate the New Year at their own local midnight and then again when the clock strikes 12 am among their fellow Russians.Soviet Influence
The Soviet Union greatly impacted the way Russians celebrate New Year. Even today, many common traditions like decorating fir trees, exchanging gifts, and watching Kremlin speeches, originated from the Soviet era. The Soviet Union also declared New Year's Day as a public holiday, much like Christmas, even though Christmas was banned during communist rule.Conclusion
Russian New Year is a unique and vibrant celebration, with a mix of modern and traditional customs that have been passed down over generations. While it may be celebrated in different ways by different people, one thing is for sure; it carries a significant meaning for all Russians and is a cherished time to reunite with family and friends. So, now that you know when Russian New Year is celebrated, you can plan to enjoy the holiday festivities accordingly. Happy New Year!When Is Russian New Year?
Greetings to all our readers! With the holiday season approaching, many of us are eager to learn about the different celebrations and traditions around the world. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating history and customs of Russian New Year.
The New Year is perhaps the most widely celebrated holiday in Russia, with festivities that extend over several days. The official date for the celebration is January 1st, which is similar to most countries around the world. However, the Russian New Year has a long and complex history that makes it unique from other countries.
In the Gregorian calendar used by many western countries, the New Year starts on January 1st. However, Russia adopted the Julian calendar in the 16th century, which places the start of the year on September 1st. This discrepancy meant that until 1918, Russians celebrated New Year twice - once on January 1st and again on January 14th, which was called Old New Year.
After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the country adopted the Gregorian calendar, but the tradition of celebrating New Year on January 14th continued in some regions and communities. Today, people in Russia and some other countries such as Ukraine and Belarus, still celebrate the Old New Year with special foods, drinks and fireworks.
In modern times, Russian New Year celebrations usually start on December 31st and continue until January 10th. This period is marked by public holidays, family gatherings, and festive events such as concerts and shows. Some of the most popular customs include decorating fir trees with colorful ornaments and lights, exchanging gifts, and preparing elaborate meals with traditional dishes like Olivier salad and borscht soup.
The highlight of the New Year's celebration is the ringing of the Kremlin bells at midnight, which has been a tradition since the 17th century. Crowds of people gather in Red square to watch the fireworks and listen to the music that accompanies the bell ringing.
Another unique tradition on Russian New Year is Grandfather Frost, or Ded Moroz, who is the Russian counterpart of Santa Claus. According to folklore, Ded Moroz lives in the forest and brings gifts to children on New Year's Eve. He is usually depicted as a tall, bearded man wearing a fur coat and carrying a magic staff. Children write letters to Ded Moroz, telling him their wishes for the New Year, and leave them under the Christmas tree.
Russian New Year is also associated with various superstitions and beliefs, many of which are linked to predicting future events. For example, it is said that if you see a shooting star on New Year's Eve, you will have good luck for the next year. Another popular belief is that the first person to enter your house after midnight will bring luck or misfortune, depending on their gender and appearance.
In conclusion, the Russian New Year is a fascinating holiday that combines ancient traditions with modern customs. By understanding the history and culture behind this celebration, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and richness of our world's traditions. We hope this article has been informative and inspiring as you prepare for your own New Year's celebrations!
Thank you for reading, and we wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year!
People Also Ask: When Is Russian New Year?
What is Russian New Year?
Russian New Year is the annual celebration of the beginning of the new calendar year in Russia. It is observed on January 1, which marks the first day of the Gregorian calendar.
How is Russian New Year celebrated?
Russian New Year is celebrated with festive activities that include fireworks, concerts, parties, and traditional feasts. The celebrations are lavish and usually last for several days, extending until January 14, which also holds significant cultural and religious importance for the Russian Orthodox Church.
Is Russian New Year the same as the Chinese New Year?
No. While both celebrations occur around the same time of the year, they are different holidays with distinct cultural roots. Russian New Year is a secular holiday that marks the beginning of the new calendar year, while Chinese New Year is a traditional celebration based on the lunar calendar and steeped in cultural symbolism.
When is Russian New Year?
As mentioned earlier, Russian New Year is celebrated on January 1, which falls on the first day of the Gregorian calendar. This date is recognized as a national public holiday throughout Russia.
Why do Russians celebrate New Year's on January 1 if Christmas is celebrated on January 7?
The difference in dates is due to the use of different calendars. While the Gregorian calendar is used for secular purposes such as New Year's Day, the Julian calendar is used by the Russian Orthodox Church for religious festivals like Christmas.
Additionally, during Soviet times, the government discouraged the celebration of Christmas and actively worked to suppress religious observances. As a result, New Year's Day became the major secular holiday for Russians, and it continues to hold cultural and social significance today.
In summary, Russian New Year is celebrated on January 1 and is marked by lavish celebrations that include fireworks, parties, and traditional feasts. It is a secular holiday that holds cultural and social significance for the people of Russia.