Russian Blog - blog about Russia

Holidays in Russia

There are quite a few official holidays in Russia, all of which are usually moved to the nearest Monday or Friday, so people can enjoy a longer weekend.

The two biggest holidays are New Year (January 1st) and Victory Day (May 9th), both of which are celebrated with fireworks, heavy drinking, and official parties. New Year is the Russian equivalent to western Christmas. A tree is lighted and children receive presents from Father Frost, the Russian equivalent to Santa Claus. Victory Day is a much respected holiday that conmmemorates the Nazi defeat at the hands of the Russian army. Over 20 million Russians died in WWII and the memory is still alive in the new generations.

Russia: The Kremlin, the Palace of Russia

Few structures in the world create thoughts of wonder, fear, and awe the way the Kremlin in Moscow provides. Since its inception in the 14th century, the Kremlin has been the home of the leaders of Russia. Representing the heart of Russian politics, the Kremlin is the driving force of life within this country.

Russia: St. Basil's Cathedral

Built on the eastern edge of the Red Square in the mid 16th century, St. Basils Cathedral raises with colorful exuberance upon the landscape. The cathedral was commissioned to commemorate Ivan the Terrible's winning campaign against the Mongols at Kazan. Finished in just six years St. Basils was opened in 1561. Legend has it that Ivan had the architect, Postnik Yakovlev, blinded so he would not be able to build a structure more beautiful than this cathedral.

Exploring the Taiga: Russia's Frozen Forest

The taiga (from a Mongolian word meaning "cold jungle") is the world's largest ecosystem, covering most of northern Russia, from the Ural mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Together with the Brazilian rain forest, the Russian taiga is the major source of oxygen in the planet. The fact that is taiga is mostly unexplored and untouched by human development has contributed to its preservation. The area is extremely susceptible to fire, however, and large sections of the taiga have been lost to the flames throughout the years.

Some Thoughts About Daily Life in Russia

Daily life for the majority of Russians is not much different to life in other western countries, at least when it comes to the big cities. Most people work from 8 to 9 in the morning until 5:00 to 6:00 in the evenings and use public transportation. (All the major Russian cities have an excellent transportation system comprised of buses and metro lines. Most Russians dress with the latest European labels.