New Year New Year and and

Christmas Christmas in Russiain Russia

Winter Winter celebrations.celebrations. In Russia there are a lot of different

holidays but the favourite ones are New Year (on the 1st of January) and Christmas

(on the 7th of January). So in our country we have winter celebrations

from December, 31st to January, 8th.

ChristmasChristmas Christmas is one of the main Christian

holidays, established in honor of Jesus Christ birth. It is celebrated on January, 7th according to a Gregorian calendar.

New New YearYearFirst New Year was celebrated on September,

1st but in 1700 Peter the Great has transferred it on January, 1st.

This holiday is celebrated with a decorated fur-tree, ornaments, carnivals and Russian

people like it very much. Now it is one of the most favourite holidays.

The main hero of Russian winter

holidays is Father Frost. He is a high, broad-shouldered man with a loud deep voice. He carries a warm

coat, a cap and a staff. He has

dense gray-haired moustaches, a

long beard and a severe look.

Father FrostFather Frost

• Russian Father Frost has a wife – Winter and the granddaughter - the Snow Maiden.

• He loves obedient children and brings them gifts.

This is the Father Frost’s house. It is situated in the city of Velikiy Ustyug

in the Vologda area.Russian children usually write him

letters or visit him there.

New Year New Year traditions.traditions. Russian peopleRussian people like to meet the New Year at like to meet the New Year at

home with home with theirtheir relatives relatives or to go out or to go out somewhere with friendssomewhere with friends. .

At 12 o'clock At 12 o'clock they usuallythey usually sit at the table and sit at the table and say best wishes for the New Year. say best wishes for the New Year.

The New Year is always connected with new The New Year is always connected with new plans and dreams. It is a pleasant moment to plans and dreams. It is a pleasant moment to

get presents on the New Year. get presents on the New Year. At night At night peoplepeople watch TV, dance, make jokes watch TV, dance, make jokes

and go for a walk with friends.and go for a walk with friends.