Holidays in Russia

HOLIDAYS IN RUSSIAThere are many national holidays in Russia,when people all over the country do not ,Twork and have special celebrations.The major holidays are New Year s Day,Women s Day, May Day, Victory Day, and Independence Day.The first holiday of the year is New Year sDay. People see the new year in atmidnight on the 31st of

December. Theygreet the new year with champagne and listen to the Kremlin chimes beating 12o clock.There are lots of New Year traditions inRussia. In every home there is a NewYear tree glittering with coloured lights and decorations. Children always wait for Father Frost to comeand give them a present.

Many peopleconsider New Year s Day to be a family holiday. But the young prefer to have New Year parties of their own.A renewed holiday in our country isChristmas. It is celebrated on the 7th ofJanuary. It s a religious holiday and alot of people go to church services on that day.On the 8th of March we celebrate Women sDay when men are supposed to do everything about the house and

cook all themeals.The greatest national holiday in our countryis Victory Day. On the 9th of May, 1945,the Soviet Army and its allies completely defeated the German fascists and theSecond World War and the Great Patriotic War ended. This year we celebrated the 54th anniversary of this great event. A magnificent memorial on Poklonnaya Gora has been built to commemoratethe

Victory. Many veterans took part inthe military parade and laid wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All stood in silence for a minute. Radio and television broadcast popular warsongs all day long. A lot of guests fromdifferent countries of the world came to Moscow to participate in thecelebrations.Independence

Day is a new holiday in ourcountry. On the 12th of June, 1992, thefirst President of Russia was elected.We also celebrate Day of the Defender ofMotherland on the 23d of February, Easter, Day of Knowledge and lots ofprofessional holidays which are not public holidays and banks, offices andschools do not close.