Mother Russia 2
I started a lifelong love affair with Russia years ago.
Moscow is a favourite city of mine. I travel a lot, but rarely do I come across a city as magnificent and happening as Moscow.
You may not be aware of this, but Christmas is not such a big deal in Russia. The calendar is different. So Christmas actually happens on 7 January. That being the case, new year's eve is a huge celebration.
Father frost, a close cousin of Santa Clause pops around then. Russians celebrate new year's eve as a mixture of what we have as Christmas in the UK, collectively with the equivalent of Guy Fawks (Independence day in the States) and any other annual reason to celebrate.
It is a time of great partying and festivities. If ever you are looking for something different to do over the holidays, believe me, this is for you!
So, for my very first time, I have switched Russian lovers and come to St Petersburg for new year. And I am at a loss to describe the grandness of this city.
Just take a look at the famous Winter Palace at night to get an indication of the splendour the city offers.
The darkened figures to the right of center are my wife and our friend Alexandra. The Winter palace and Hermitage are breathtaking. My wife and I have been invited to dinner in the finest restaurant in St Petersburg, this evening.
After this and with more time tomorrow, I will explain a Russian new year, in full.
I started a lifelong love affair with Russia years ago.
Moscow is a favourite city of mine. I travel a lot, but rarely do I come across a city as magnificent and happening as Moscow.
You may not be aware of this, but Christmas is not such a big deal in Russia. The calendar is different. So Christmas actually happens on 7 January. That being the case, new year's eve is a huge celebration.
Father frost, a close cousin of Santa Clause pops around then. Russians celebrate new year's eve as a mixture of what we have as Christmas in the UK, collectively with the equivalent of Guy Fawks (Independence day in the States) and any other annual reason to celebrate.
It is a time of great partying and festivities. If ever you are looking for something different to do over the holidays, believe me, this is for you!
So, for my very first time, I have switched Russian lovers and come to St Petersburg for new year. And I am at a loss to describe the grandness of this city.
Just take a look at the famous Winter Palace at night to get an indication of the splendour the city offers.
The darkened figures to the right of center are my wife and our friend Alexandra. The Winter palace and Hermitage are breathtaking. My wife and I have been invited to dinner in the finest restaurant in St Petersburg, this evening.
After this and with more time tomorrow, I will explain a Russian new year, in full.
posted by MikeG @ 3:35 PM
4 Comments:
At 7:27 PM,
qwerty said…
If you get a chance (it can certainly wait until you're back in the UK) see the film Russian Ark. It's sort of the history of the Russian people told entirely in one long, incredibly choreographed take, and the whole thing takes place in the Hermitage.
Art as life, life as art, historical periods mixing with eachother. It's amazing.
At 12:29 PM,
MikeG said…
qwerty,
Thanks for the tip. I have a feeling that my wife has already seen that movie. And I did read a review of it some while ago.
I just can't remember whether it was my wife who siad she wasn't impressed, or the magazine reviewer!
Happy new year to you.
At 5:46 PM,
Nick Wilsdon said…
Hi Mike,
We've just finished 'Old New Year' here (14th Jan). So that finally means the end of the party season! If you ever need another contact here in Russia, feel free to email me.
If you want to see some pictures of a typical Russian New Year party - you can check out these :)
http://www.wilsdon.co.uk/pictures/Russian-New-Year-2006
Happy New Year to you and yours!
At 6:27 AM,
HRM Queen Melissa said…
Hey Mike,
Several friends of mine are talking about traveling to Russia Dec 16th 2009. This will be my first time traveling out of the USA. How do Russians treat Americans and is there any places we should stay away or other things we should NOT DO?
Thanks
Melissa
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