Thread: Russian Traditions that You Love!?

Originally Posted by Sibiriak

Чувствую что потеряна ниточка связывающая нас с самобытными традициями. Уходим мы от традиций, потому как не имеем мы надобности в их соблюдении в современном потребительском обществе. Всё меньше и меньше в России людей, которые не только помнят, но и осознают смыслы Русских праздников. И как это не печально осознавать, меня можно поставить в первые ряды именно таких людей, которые не помнят традиции.

I read your observation with interest.
We have the same phenomenon in Western Europe -- you have LESS of it in Russia, unless you count Soviet traditions as foreign to Russian tradition. At least they were invented in Russia.

In Western Europe all the national traditions are grinding out into nothing, or even replaced by American holidays.
I am here in England at the moment, and all the little kids just celebrated "Halloween" an American holiday. Forgetting completely that Fawkes night, an English holiday is coming up very soon and much more relevant for the UK. Sweden has the same tendency, although people are more fond of national holidays and traditions. But things like the completely made-up and commercialised "Valentine's Day" is celebrated more than some of our national holidays.

Also you mentioned the phenomenon of people WATCHING the celebrations on TV, rather than participating themselves. Very sad.
It's not a memory for a child to watch something on TV; the genuine memory which builds his identity is to participate himself.
Very good post though - and I totally sympathise with what you are saying - interesting to hear that you are experiencing this in Russia too.

Originally Posted by Medved

Hanna why are you hiding?

Sorry I was stressed out and tired with work... I forgot that I started the thread!

Originally Posted by Юрка

Вот так уже гораздо лучше. И чеснее. А то втирал что-то про Пасху, якобы этот христианский праздник является твоей любимой традицией. Нашей настоящей русской традицией является хамство несусветное. А христианство мы восприняли как поедание куличей и формальное выполнение ритуалов. Такое восприятие веры Лев Гумилёв называл лицемерным. С чем тебя и поздравляю, Медвед.

Personally I am Christian too, so I wouldn't complain about Christian holiday, even though technically they are foreign....
Anyway, many of them are a mix between something that existed before Christianity, and a Christian event being celebrated. Like Christmas: Midwinter celebration, light festival + Birth of Christ.....

Which pre- Christian holidays have Russia actually kept? Midsummer right? (Ivan Kupala) anything else? Oh wait, "Ivan Kupala" = John the Baptist.... But dancing around a pole or having a fire (if you do that...) is pre-Christian...


So far, this thread has convinced me that I have to go to a Banya when I visit Russia.
What are the exact reasons people visit a Banya, now that everybody has shower/bath at home?
Or does it simply refer to the Sauna? In that case I am not bothered, I've never liked them after some guys locked me and some friends in them, at school. What a scary horrible experience. I can't relax in a sauna after that.