Each era finds it’s characteristic order of things the only possible and correct. And the first holiday of the year - New Year's Eve did not escape this relationship. Much of what seems familiar and natural, and sometimes very ancient, in fact, by historical standards appeared recently. New Year's Eve for the modern Russians is winter, snow, children's holidays, the New Year tree with toys, Father Frost (russian Santa Claus) ... But is it so ancient tradition?
Over the centuries of Russian history, New Year's changed his position repeatedly. Before the rule of Peter the Great, it had started on March 1, then , from the XV century, it had started on September 1 (and until now the Orthodox Church celebrates an old style holiday “novoletie” on the first day of September). Celebrating the new year in winter in the Russian tradition was introduced by Peter I, who is known in the history of Russia as a great reformer. This custom, along with many others, he had brought from Europe, where the beginning of the year it was customary to celebrate on the first of January.
Christmas tree - it would seem an essential attribute of the winter holidays - also arrived in Russia together with the Peter’s reforms. By the middle of the XIX century Christmas tree has become familiar to the townspeople, although in the villages it was not yet known. But this tree was not yet New Year - it was called Christmas tree, and was decorated with sweets, toys, intended as a gift for guests, and candles, and the crown of her eight-crowned Christmas star - silver or gold.
At the beginning of XX century, after the October revolution, all traditional holidays were declared the bourgeois relics , including the New Year, Christmas and New Year Tree. Only in 1930, the New Year Tree had received a permission to return. But the star on the tree became red and five-point. Gradually, natural treats were replaced by a sham - toys. Toys, with time, had become more complex, but the most popular toill nowadays are the balls - a reminder of apples, not stars, not the bells or other toys. The candles were replaced by electric lights. Even the trees have become synthetic. However, a live trees are still very popular, despite of the inconvenience of peeling off pine needles. That is, how a Russian New Year Tree looks today.
Most Russians consider the New Year as their main holiday of the year. Catholic and Orthodox Christmas are much less important. for the Russians. However, more recently, on 7 January - Orthodox Christmas Day was declared as an official state holiday and public day-off.
Since the mid XX century, most Russians celebrate the New Year at home, meeting with family or guests at the dinner table. New Year's holiday menu, has its own traditions and canons too. The main feast at the holiday table is the large number of salads and snacks, as well as traditional pickles and marinades. Beautifully decorated snacks are placed in the center of the table, so that every guest could try what he likes. Russian salads are significantly different from their European counterparts - many of them are made from the boiled vegetables and mayonnaise. The most favorite salad of Russians and the main dish on New Year's table is, of course, Olivier. It is made from boiled beef or chicken, with boiled potatoes, carrots, onions, pickles, boiled egg, green peas and mayonnaise. Many housewives substitute meat for sausage or ham in this salad. This is due to the fact that in Soviet times, in the stores it was not always possible to buy meat.
There is no special tradition for drinks on New Year's table, with the exception of the traditional glass of champagne at midnight.
On the day before the new year, TV channels show the best and most interesting movies, both Russian and foreign manufacture, and during the New Year's night, the main Russian television channels show the special TV shows, where the most famous artists, musicians and TV presenters congratulate Russians on holiday. Many companies and businesses give their employees a day off or reduced working hours in this day, to give people the opportunity to make a New Year treat.
Russians, traditionally present gifts to the family members, relatives, friends and colleagues for the New Year, and never for the Orthodox Christmas.
10 minutes before the New Year, television shows the President of the Russian Federation. In his speech, he sums up briefly the results of the year and congratulates the country with a holiday. After that, all TV channels broadcast the Kremlin chimes - the main clock of Russia, that, by their bells, herald the beginning of next year.
After midnight, many Russians take off to the streets, salute and congratulate each other. In recent years, it has also become very fashionable to launch fireworks. Walking and celebration continues until 2 - 4 am. From 1 to 10 January the country has the New Year holidays.
