Happy Old New Year!
This weekend Russians celebrate the Old New Year. Here's the information on the holiday from Wikipedia:
The Old New Year (Russian: Старый Новый год) is an informal traditional East Slavic holiday celebrated as the start of the New Year by the Julian calendar. In the 20th and 21st centuries the Old New Year falls on January 13/14.
Although Soviet Russia officially adopted the Gregorian calendar back in 1918, the Russian Orthodox Church continued using the Julian calendar. The New Year became the only holiday which is celebrated by both calendars.
Like in most countries that use the Gregorian calendar, the New Year's Day in Russia is a public holiday and is celebrated on January 1. On that day, lots of joyous entertainment and fireworks and other festivities, and elaborate and often large meals are common.
The New Year by the Julian calendar is still informally observed and the tradition of celebrating the coming of the New Year twice is widely enjoyed.
Usually not as festive as the true New Year, for many this is a nostalgic family holiday ending the New Year holiday cycle.
Most of Russians keep New Year tree and decorations until this day. On Sunday you will see thousands of useless fir trees in and around garbage bins. Holidays that started on the "Catholic" Christmas are now semi-officially ended.
The Old New Year (Russian: Старый Новый год) is an informal traditional East Slavic holiday celebrated as the start of the New Year by the Julian calendar. In the 20th and 21st centuries the Old New Year falls on January 13/14.
Although Soviet Russia officially adopted the Gregorian calendar back in 1918, the Russian Orthodox Church continued using the Julian calendar. The New Year became the only holiday which is celebrated by both calendars.
Like in most countries that use the Gregorian calendar, the New Year's Day in Russia is a public holiday and is celebrated on January 1. On that day, lots of joyous entertainment and fireworks and other festivities, and elaborate and often large meals are common.
The New Year by the Julian calendar is still informally observed and the tradition of celebrating the coming of the New Year twice is widely enjoyed.
Usually not as festive as the true New Year, for many this is a nostalgic family holiday ending the New Year holiday cycle.
Most of Russians keep New Year tree and decorations until this day. On Sunday you will see thousands of useless fir trees in and around garbage bins. Holidays that started on the "Catholic" Christmas are now semi-officially ended.
posted by Konstantin at Friday, January 12, 2007
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