We will tell you what the Russian new year celebration was like in the 19th century in Russia
How many days are the vacations?
In Russia, New Year’s holidays last quite a long time, this tradition has existed for a long time.
In the 19th century, the most important days of the end of the year and New Year began to be celebrated in this order:
- Christmas Eve on December 24 of the Julian calendar (January 6 according to the new calendar or the Gregorian calendar).
- On December 25 (January 7) Christmas шыs celebrated.
- The new year (January 14 in the Gregorian calendar).
- Also on January 6 (January 19) Baptism is celebrated.
Officially, there were only four days off, but in reality, the Russians always celebrated for almost two weeks.
How was the Russian new year celebration ?
Family and Church
In those times of the 19th century, the ecclesiastical and secular traditions were closely linked, so on Christmas night there were carol songs and the exchange of gifts, gift for gift, and in the morning it was celebrated in the church with the cult. Also one of the traditions of those times was visiting friends and relatives, so in one day they could visit several houses and try many Christmas dishes.
During these holidays, rich families organized dinners, beautiful dances and lavish dinners in expensive restaurants.
The common people rode ice slides and sleds in the most important squares and parks of the cities.
In Moscow, for example, fireworks were launched on the hill of sparrows.
Postcards as an important element
At the end of the 19th century Christmas cards appeared, Russians liked to send them not only to relatives living in other cities, but also to neighbors. Particular attention was paid to the text, they tried to write it as beautifully as possible.
The theme of congratulations was so important that books with recommendations on how to best congratulate family, friends or colleagues began to be published.
Christmas trees
Until the middle of the XIX century Christmas trees were not placed in Russian houses, this tradition began to spread in Russia only in the middle of the XIX century.
Although Christmas trees were already very popular with nobles and wealthy merchants, they were not put up by peasants until the mid-1930s.
Сhristmas table
Usually, Christmas dinner began to be prepared in advance, there are dishes that begin to be prepared days before the celebration.
On Christmas Eve they stuffed pigs and birds, baked special gingerbread in the form of a goat or cow, and there was never a lack of the main New Year’s fruit – Mandarin orange – which appeared in Russian homes only in the 19th century.
Reviewing the history of the celebration of the end of the year and new year in Russia; there are many similarities in the concept, but in terms of dates and content there are many differences.
Have you thought about celebrating new year in Russia in the future? Contact us and we will make it easier for you.
