Holiday in Russia

HOLIDAYS IN RUSSIA

There 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's Day. People see the new

year in at midnight on the 31st of December. They greet the new year with

champagne and listen to the Kremlin chimes beating 12 o'clock.

There are lots of New Year traditions in Russia. In every home there is

a New Year tree glittering with coloured lights and decorations. Children

always wait for Father Frost to come and give them a present. Many people

consider 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 is Christmas. It is celebrated on the

7th of January. It's a religious holiday and a lot of people go to church

services on that day.

On the 8th of March we celebrate Women's Day when men are supposed to do

everything about the house and cook all the meals.

The greatest national holiday in our country is Victory Day. On the 9th

of May, 1945, the Soviet Army and its allies completely defeated the

German fascists and the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War

ended. This year we celebrated the 54th anniversary(годовщина) of this

great event. A magnificent memorial on Poklonnaya Gora has been built to

commemorate the Victory. Many veterans took part in the military parade

and laid wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All stood in silence

for a minute. Radio and television broadcast popular war songs all day

long. A lot of guests from different countries of the world came to

Moscow to participate in the celebrations.

Independence Day is a new holiday in our country. On the 12th of June,

1992, the first President of Russia was elected.

We also celebrate Day of the Defender of Motherland on the 23d of

February, Easter, Day of Knowledge and lots of professional holidays which

are not public holidays and banks, offices and schools do not close.