MOTHER’S DAY IN RUSSIA

Russian women deserve more than one holiday a year!

Was your Black Friday hunting successful enough? For students who learn Russian in Petrozavodsk it definitely was! Although their shopping list was a bit different – they were looking for presents and souvenirs from Russia for their moms because the occasion was special. On the last Sunday of November people in Russia celebrate the Mother’s Day. Russian women (mothers in particular) get flowers, presents and sincere congratulations on this day. They say one should be considerate towards his/her mother all the time (not only on special holidays) but that is a perfect opportunity to show once again our gratefulness and to the beloved ones.

How do people in Russia celebrate Mother’s Day

The holiday is celebrated on various days all over the world and inherently it’s idea was in honoring motherhood and maternal bonds. Trying to emphasize family values and to recall the significance of mother in everyone’s life Russian State Duma put forward an initiative to establish the holiday. Starting with the year 1998 (by President Boris Yeltsin edict) Russian people celebrate both International Women’s Day and Mother’s day.

On this day mothers in many Russian regions are awarded medals, diplomas, badges of honor and ranks for special merits. Festivals and performances are organized all over the country, Despite the fact that forget-me-not is a symbol of this holiday, mothers are given all kind of presents starting from hand-made postcards and poems to teddy bears and bottles of favorite wine. But the greatest present is gathering together with the family.

Enjoy Russian Host moms are moms in double measure

On behalf of Enjoy Russian language school we would like to congratulate our caring, open-minded and friendly host mothers who support the students and always try to create warm and cordial atmosphere for them. Even if they have their own children they become mothers for our  students and keep in touch with them after Russian language course ends. Thank you so much for your patience and tenderness!

For those of you who wants to experience Russian host moms’ hospitality we offer various Russian language courses. Come to Petrozavodsk and you will see!

БЛИНЫ И ПОЦЕЛУИ СЧЕТА НЕ ЛЮБЯТ! ONE SHOULD NOT COUNT KISSES AND PANCAKES!

Russian spring holidays. Maslenitsa

To many students who come to learn Russian language in Petrozavodsk becoming a part of main Russian holidays seems to be the most exciting opportunity.  Russian New Year and Russian Old New year (to be discussed later), Orthodox Christmas and Victory day are well-known in comparison to some other Russian holidays like Maslenitsa (Масленица). The spring holiday is devoted to bidding farewell to winter and welcoming spring. And to solve out this uneasy double task people in Russia need the whole week. Pancake week (also known as Butter week)! It is one of the most colorful, bright and tasty Russian holidays which has its origins in Russian pre-Chrisitian times.

How do Russian people celebrate Maslenitsa?

The holiday is celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. For the whole Maslenitsa week all dairy products are permitted and because of that it’s also known as “cheese-fare week”. What is more, Russian people can not imagine living these 7 days without pancakes. Traditionally it was a symbol of sun and warmth and even in modern days people bake a lot of pancakes  especially from Thursday to Sunday. The last day is devoted to asking for each other forgiveness and is called “Forgiveness Sunday”. That last day is the time when the full-scale celebration starts: with sledding and ice-skating, snowball competitions and sleigh rides, outdoor competitions and performances. The key element here is burning Maslenitsa Lady (made of straw and fabric) on a bonfire. Ashes might be thrown in the snow to fertilize the soil.

Maslenitsa was praised in songs and masterpieces of many Russian artists and poets. Alexander Pushkin, Michail Lermontov, Pyotr Vyazemsky were describing the holiday as one of the most favorite, exciting and desirable for Slavic people.

Russian proverbs about Maslenitsa and  Pancake week

• Масленица семь дней гуляет (Maslenitsa is being celebrated for 7 days)
• И самый хладнокровный человек любит горячие блины (Even the most dispassionate person loves pancakes)
• Не житье, а Масленица! (life is Maslenitsa/ life is a bed of roses)
• На горах покататься, в блинах поваляться  (To go downhill sledding, to have a roll on the pancakes)
  
  To celebrate Maslenitsa in Russia In 2018 choose  group or individual course and come to Petrozavodsk in spring!