Need a vacation?

Holiday Russian 101...

January 1: New Year's Day. This is the biggest holiday in Russia. It would be comparable to the size and scope of Christmas in the US. It is celebrated a lot like of people celebrate Christmas in the West. The children look for Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter Snow Maiden to arrive and leave presents under the tree. Grownups traditionally stay up all night long. At midnight, every one listens to the Kremlin bells either by TV or actually standing in Red Square.

January 7: Christmas. This is celebrated 2 weeks later than we do in the West because the Russian Orthodox Church recognizes the Julian Calendar. On this holiday they sing carols, play games, enjoy sweets. It was banned in 1925 with the atheist government but was reinstituted in 1992. It has yet to gain its popularity it had before 1925. Many people don't celebrate it at all. The Russians enjoy an official vacation from December 31 to January 8 or so every year. (Sounds like a teacher!:))

February 23: Protector of the Motherland. This is celebrated like our Memorial and Veteran's Day.

Spring: Easter. (Date celebrated changes with the calendar.) This one is much bigger than Christmas in Russia. Traditionally they hide eggs and exchange gifts.

April 12: Cosmonaut Day. This celebrates the sending of humans into space. Russians visit the grave of Yuri Gargain (1st man in space) and visit other landmarks related to space travel.

May 9: Victory Day. This is celebrated by lots of parades to commemorate Russia's victory over Germany in WWII.

June 12: Russia Day. This would be similar to our 4th of July.

November 4: Day of National Unity. This is a relative new holiday that resembles an original holiday celebrated for centuries before Bolsheviks came into power. It now replaces the November 7 holiday called Revolution Day which celebrated the Bolsheviks October Revolution.

This is some, but not all of Russia's official holidays.

On a side note, our girls were at the pediatrician's office yesterday for their well check-ups. Their doctor said she was so excited for us to get our little guy home. Then she said, "This has been a very long pregnancy--I think you're overdue!" I noticed the ticker on the blog...we're working on 11 months now. That is amazing!!