Traditions-and-Folk-Festivals-in-Russia

1.

Traditions and Folk
Festivals in Russia
Russia has a rich history and culture reflected
in the diversity of traditional festivals. From
ancient winter rituals related to the veneration
of natural forces and ancestors, to vibrant
summer festivals accompanied by songs,
dances, and public celebrations - these
festivals are an integral part of the national
identity, passing down the values, customs,
and beliefs of the Russian people from
generation to generation. They reflect a
connection to nature, family values, and
spiritual heritage, forming a unique cultural
code of the country. Each celebration, be it
Christmas, Maslenitsa, Easter, or Ivan Kupala,
carries a special meaning and is accompanied
by unique traditions that are still preserved
today, giving a distinctive character to the lives
of Russians.

2.

Svyatki: Christmas; Old New Year; Epiphany
Svyatki is a special period in the Russian folk calendar; which begins with Christmas and continues until EpiphanyA This
is a time of miracles; family traditions; and public celebrationsA
Christmas Q the main holiday of Svyatki; celebrated on January 7thA This is the birthday of Jesus Christ; which Christians
around the world celebrate with special solemnity and joyA People decorate beautiful Christmas trees; prepare festive treats;
exchange gifts; and gather with their familiesA
Two weeks after Christmas; on January 14th; comes the Old New YearA This holiday is associated with the transition to the
new calendar style; but it remains an important event in the lives of RussiansA On this night; people divine the future;
believe in miracles; and make wishesA
The Svyatki period concludes with the Epiphany of the Lord; celebrated on January 19thA On this day; believers
commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan RiverA Traditionally; on Epiphany; water is blessed; which is
considered healing; and many people perform a ritual bathing in the ice holeA
Svyatki is a time when ancient traditions come alive; family ties are strengthened; and people believe in miraclesA This
period carries a special atmosphere of warmth; kindness; and hope for the bestA
Festive Christmas
Celebrating the Old
New Year in a festive
atmosphere
Epiphany: a symbol
of spiritual rebirth
families together; filling
The sacred day of January
holiday of the baptism of
the home with joy and
14th Q according to the old
Jesus Christ; when people
warmth; and offering the
Julian calendarA This is a
boldly immerse
taste of traditional dishesA
time that reminds us of
themselves in the ice hole;
ancient customs and
symbolizing the
historical traditionsA
restoration and renewal of
The magical Christmas
holiday that brings
We celebrate the special
the soulA

3.

Maslenitsa:
Farewell to
Winter;
Welcome to
Spring
Farewell to Winter
Symbols of the Holiday
Maslenitsa is a week of
Pancakes; a symbol of the sun
merriment and feasting;
and warmth; play a central
dedicated to bidding farewell
role in the Maslenitsa
to winter and welcoming
celebrationsA Traditional
springA During this period;
songs; dances; and
people bake pancakes;
amusements are also
organize games; and hold
characteristic of the holidayA
festivitiesA
Burning of the Effigy
At the conclusion of Maslenitsa; an effigy of winter is burned;
symbolizing the victory of spring over the coldA This joyous event
serves as a reminder of the cycle of lifeA

4.

Easter: the Resurrection of
Christ; decorated eggs;
Easter cakes
Decorated eggs
Easter cakes
Symbolise new life and the
Sweet Easter breads; baked with
Resurrection of ChristA Eggs are
raisins and candied fruitsA Easter
dyed in bright colours using
cakes symbolise abundance and
natural dyes and given to one
prosperity; they are blessed in
another as a sign of love and wellQ
church and shared with loved
beingA
onesA
Resurrection of Christ
Easter is the main Christian
festival; celebrating the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead; a symbol of hope and
eternal lifeA

5.

Ivan Kupala: Summer
Solstice; Water and Fire
1
On the night of Ivan Kupala; July 7th; the summer
2
The holiday is rich in rituals and traditions related to
solstice; the longest day of the year; is celebratedA
water and fireA Water symbolizes purification and
fertility; while fire represents protection from evil forcesA
3
On this day; people weave wreaths from wildflowers;
throw them into the water; and divine their fateA They
also jump over bonfires to cleanse themselves of negative
energyA

6.

Day of Peter and Fevronia:
Family Love and Fidelity
Patrons of the Family
1
The Day of Peter and Fevronia; celebrated on July 8; is
dedicated to the patron saints of family; love; and fidelityA
Love Story
2
According to legend; Peter and Fevronia; a prince and a
peasant woman; loved each other deeply; overcoming any
difficultiesA Their story has become a symbol of ideal love
and loyaltyA
Family Values
3
On this day; people congratulate each other; give flowers;
organize festive lunches; and celebrate the importance of
family; love; and fidelityA

7.

Embrace the Harvest Magic:
Honey Spas; Apple Spas; and
Semen Letoprovodets
Autumn is a special time of year in Russia; when we celebrate a series of
vibrant and colorful folk festivalsA Among them; three important events
stand out: Honey Spas; Apple Spas; and Semen LetoprovodetsA
Honey Spas; or Makovey; falls on August 14thA This is the time for the
first honey harvest and the blessing of the beehivesA Families gather
together to taste the fresh honey; prepare honey treats; and give thanks
to nature for its bountyA
A week later; on August 19th; comes Apple SpasA This festival marks the
beginning of the apple and fruit harvestA People bring baskets of apples
to the church to be blessedA After this; they can confidently start their
winter preparations Q making jams; drying apples; and baking piesA
The autumn festival cycle concludes with Semen Letoprovodets;
celebrated on September 14thA This is the time when nature begins to
prepare for winter: birds gather in flocks; and people finish their
seasonal work in the garden and on the farmA Semen Letoprovodets
symbolizes the transition from summer to autumn and winterA
These three autumn festivals are deeply rooted in Russian cultureA They
remind us of our connection to nature; our gratitude for its generous
gifts; and the importance of family traditionsA By celebrating them; we
continue to preserve the legacy of our ancestorsA
1
2
Honey Spas
Apple Spas
Celebrated on August 14th;
Celebrated on August 19th;
dedicated to the honey harvestA
dedicated to the apple harvestA
On this day; it is customary to
Apples are blessed in the church;
bless the honey and enjoy itA
pies are baked; and festive feasts
are heldA
3
Semen Letoprovodets
Celebrated on August 29th; the
day of farewell to summerA On this
day; it is customary to harvest the
crop and prepare for winterA

8.

New Year: A Family Celebration; Reflection; and
New Beginnings
New Year is a special holiday celebrated around the worldA For many people; it is a time to gather with their loved ones;
celebrate; and reflect on the past yearA
In Russia; New Year holds a special significanceA It is one of the most beloved and anticipated holidaysA Preparations for New
Year begin long before December 31st Q people decorate their homes; trim Christmas trees; and buy giftsA
During the New YearEs celebration; families come together around the festive tableA People make wishes; raise glasses of
champagne; and congratulate each otherA Children eagerly await the arrival of Ded Moroz MFather FrostN; who brings them
presentsA
New Year is a time for reflection and new beginningsA People review the past year; reminisce about their achievements; and
set new goals for the futureA It is a holiday of hope and belief in a better tomorrowA
Family is an important part of the New YearEs celebrationA Traditionally; people prepare festive dishes; decorate their
homes; and exchange giftsA It is a time to spend together; reminisce about the good things that happened during the year;
and share plans for the futureA
New Year also symbolizes new beginningsA People make plans for the upcoming year; set goals and tasks for themselvesA It is
a time when one can start something new; change their life for the betterA New Year gives hope for the best and inspires
people to make positive changesA
Celebrating New Year is a tradition passed down from generation to generationA Many family customs and rituals associated
with this holiday have been preserved for centuriesA For example; decorating the Christmas tree; preparing festive dishes;
and exchanging giftsA
Children especially cherish the New YearEs celebrationA For them; it is a time of miracles and magicA They eagerly await the
arrival of Ded Moroz and Snegurochka MSnow MaidenN; believing that their wishes will come trueA Parents strive to make this
holiday unforgettable for their little onesA
Celebrating New Year in Russia is not only a family ritual; but also a national traditionA Many cities in the country host largeQ
scale public festivities; concerts; and fireworksA People take to the streets to congratulate each other and welcome the new
year togetherA
Overall; New Year is a special holiday that unites people; brings them joy; hope; and belief in a better futureA It is a time to
look back; reflect on the past; and set the stage for positive changes in the years to comeA