New Year celebrations are popular all over the world, but in Russia they are the main national holiday.

For the Russians, there is no holiday more important than New Year. It is the first on the calendar and in popularity.

New Year in Russia

Авторы:

Адиянова Анастасия,

Журбенко Дарья,

8-А класс,

МАОУ СОШ №19 п Пироговский

Учитель-руководитель:

учитель английского языка Цвык Анна

Зиновьевна

Russia, like all European countries, started to celebrate the New Year holiday on the 1st of January only since 1700 by order Peter the Great. Before 1700 the beginning of the year was celebrated on the 1st of September but even much earlier, it was celebrated on the 1st of March as the beginning of spring.

Some Facts from the History of New Year Celebrations

The festival preparations start from the middle of December and the streets are decorated with toys, posters, flags, garlands and lights.

New Year Traditions

Among the most popular New Year symbols is a New Year's Tree called Novogodnaya Yolka which is topped with a bright star and decorated with coloured lights, toys and balls.

New Year Traditions

Another popularly celebrated New Year tradition is the arrival of Ded Moroz or Father Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka the snow girl. They bring in New Year presents for the good children and keep them under the New Year's Tree.

New Year Traditions

Most Russians believe that the way you meet the New Year will grant the well-being the next year. So the New Year menu is supposed to be rich and contain different meals.

Traditional New Year meals

The top meals for the Russian holiday table are famous Russian salad “Olivie salad” and “Shuba”. The New Year menu includes cold meat and fish starters, various pickles and marinated vegetables and mushrooms. For hot meal Russian people cook roast goose or turkey with apples.

Traditional New Year meals

For the Russians, the New Year is a family holiday. People think about friends and relatives.

They love to spend the special time of the year with the members of their family and close friends.

Russian families gather around the table.

Traditional New Year meals

Just before midnight, the Russian President addresses the nation with a short speech in which he reflects on the past year and thanks the people for their support.

The President’s speech

Right after the speech, the chiming clock on the Kremlin’s Spasskaya Tower counts down the final seconds of the outgoing “Old Year”, and then chimes into the New Year. The Russians welcome the New Year, making wishes, saying “S Novim Godom!” (Happy New Year!) and giving presents to each other.

The President’s speech

The main New Year celebration is held in Kremlin. Other public celebrations take place in the Red Square in Moscow. Visitors may listen to a musical concert and watch fireworks show.

Outdoor celebrations

There is a special New Year song about little fir tree. Kids usually sing it and dance around the tree. This dance is called Chorovod. It’s very old and popular. Usually not only kids but also parents dance it outside after dinner at New Year’s Night.

Outdoor celebrations

Apart from saying “S Novim Godom” to everyone you meet, there’s a nice New Year’s tradition that will bring you good luck. It goes like this: when the bells start announcing the New Year, during those few seconds, you have to write down a wish in a piece of paper, burn it, take the ashes, put them in a cup and drink it up! All that in a few seconds.

New Year and new wishes

Like in every tradition, it doesn’t matter whether your wish will come true or not, you just have to do it. So, if you are in Russia, burn a wish!

We wish you a Happy New Year! Love, Peace and Joy!

New Year and new wishes

1) www.russkie-prostori.com2) www.russianuniverse.org3) www.learningrussian.net4) www.english-topics.ucoz.ru5) www.ruscuisine.com

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