During Soviet Times religion was outlawed and with it religious holidays and religious holiday customs. At some point during the soviet years in order to present a face of happiness and prosperity it was decided that New Year's Day would become the new Christmas. Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka would deliver gifts to soviet children, families would gather round a New Year's Tree and decorate their homes and cities for New Year's Day. The holiday greeting is Happy New Year. Reading horoscopes and following the Chinese Zodiac signs are very popular in Russia, and many of the New Year's Decorations are representative of the animal of the year. It is customary for companies to send a candy gift home for the employee's children. R brought these gifts home for the children from his office. As you can see 2015 is the year of the goat/sheep. Russian chocolate is very good. But Russian and American tastes in other candy are quite different. Much of their candy has fruit in it. And I've yet to find chocolate mint in this country! Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter traditionally dressed in blue and traveled by troika, but Western Christmas ideas have crept (back?) into Russian customs. Many Russians are Orthodox believers and do celebrate Christmas, but that holiday revolves around church.
No comments:
Post a Comment