New Year in Russia

When we talk about following customs and rituals, no one can beat the natives and citizens of Russia. And this holds true during New Year celebrations as well, which are observed with much pomp and glory in the region. It is often said that if you have not celebrated New Year in the Russian style, you have never really celebrated it at all. For Russians, the occasion is all about sharing and giving love to one another. It involves get-togethers, parties and lots of good food. To add to it, the myriad beauty of the country leaves every visitor spellbound and awe-struck.

New Year Celebrations In Russia
Just kike in most other parts of the world, Russians now observe New Year on 1st January, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. However, earlier, the natives used to celebrate the event in the month of September. This practice was later abolished by Czar Peter, the Great. Later, in the year 1699, a verdict announcing January 1 as the New Year was passed. It was only after this that Russians started celebrating this day with their near and dear ones. Russians have their own set of customs and rituals, when it comes to celebrating the New Year, with certain symbols playing a major part in the festivities.

The most popular New Year symbol is the festive tree called Novogodnaya Yolka. The natives decorate this tree with various shiny trinkets and tinsels, with a dazzling star to go at the top. You can also find goodies like sweets and chocolates hanging down from the branches of the tree. A New Year custom that is widely followed all over Russia is the coming of Father Frost or Ded Moroz, with granddaughter Snegurochka or the snow girl. This is a particular attraction for the kids, as they receive beautiful gifts, placed under the New Year trees. They also sing melodious festive songs to make Father Frost and his granddaughter happy. Fortune telling is another popular custom followed by many unmarried girls and women in Russia, on New Year.

New Year celebrations in Russia are incomplete without friends and family members getting together, bursting crackers and having a gala time. Scrumptious and delicious meals are prepared, consisting of meat, carrots, onions, potatoes, mayonnaise, pickles and green peas. For those who love to freak out and have fun, there are innumerous pubs and club houses that remains almost jammed during this time of the year. At the stroke of midnight, bottles of champagnes and other liquors are opened and everybody wishes their near and dear ones a happy and prosperous New Year, full of fulfilled dreams and ambitions.