New Year’s Day in Russia ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of New Year’s Day in Russia and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of New Year’s Day in Russia and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
In Russia, New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1st in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. This holiday has its roots in pagan times, when people would celebrate the winter solstice. Over time, this celebration became more focused on the new year, and eventually morphed into the holiday that we now know as New Year’s Day.
Russians typically celebrate New Year’s Day with a large feast, which may include traditional Russian dishes such as Olivier salad, herring, and blini. Alcohol is also often consumed during this holiday. After the feast, many Russians will head out to watch the fireworks or attend a New Year’s Eve party.
On New Year’s Day, it is customary to exchange gifts with loved ones. The most common gift to give is a decorated fir tree branch, which symbolizes good luck for the coming year.