Holidays in Russia

the country do not work and have special celebrations. .The

major holidays are: New Year's Day, Women's Day, May Day, Victory Day, and Independence Day.

People see the new year in at midnight on the

31st of December. They greet the new year with champagne and listen to the Kremlin chimes beating at12 o'clock.There are lots of New Year traditions in Russia. In every home there is a New Year tree glittering with coloured lights and decorations. Children always wait for Father Frost to come and give them a present. Many people consider New Year's Day to be a family holiday. But the young prefer to have New Year parties of their own.

New Year's Day.

celebrated on the 7th of January. Christmas is the holiday

of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is celebrated on the 7th of January. Before Christmas Eve, people tidy their houses. The food for Christmas is prepared some days in advance, with turkey, stuffed pork, pies, pastries and sweets for children.It's a religious holiday and a lot of people go to church services on that day.

Christmas.

when men are supposed to do everything about the house.

They give presents and flowers to their mothers, sisters and doughters.

Day. On the 9th of May, 1945, the Soviet Army

and its allies completely defeated the German fascists and the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War ended. Many veterans take part in the military parade and lay wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Radio and television broadcast popular war songs. A lot of guests from different countries of the . world come to Moscow to participate in the celebrations.

the 12th of June, 1992, the first President of Russia

was elected.

holiday of the year. On Saturday children dye Easter eggs

to add to the Easter basket which will be blessed in church. It also includes pysanka, salt, paska, sausage and ham. In the evening people go to church for the Easter mass, which lasts all night.

Russian Shrovetide is called Maslyenitsa. It is one of the

most ancient festivals of Slavonic people.
They wore different costumes. Some people were on the stage and showed other people a funny performance. They sang Russian songs, organized different competitions like - who can lift a weight up. People also could dance, ride a horse. And of course all people ate a lot of tasty pancakes that were round and golden like the sun. At the end of the celebration, people burnt a straw dummy of the Shrovetide Maid.