There are various New Year traditions in Russia as the country celebrates an official and unofficial New Year. Earlier Russians used to celebrate it in September. But in 1699, Czar Peter the Great issued an order for the New Year to be celebrated on January 1st according to the Julian calendar. From 1918, Russians celebrated the New Year on 1st January according to the Gregorian calendar and again on 14th January which is 1st January according to the Julian calendar.
Russian New Year traditions include a New Year's Tree known as Novogodnaya Yolka. It is decorated with sweets and has a bright star on top. Another tradition is the arrival of Father Frost or Ded Moroz along with his granddaughter Snegurochka, the snow girl. Children wait for them as they bring New Year presents and keep them under the New Year's Tree. To make Father Frost happy, children sing songs.
Of course, no New Year is complete without a family get together and delicious meals and fireworks. People have a sumptuous dinner with a glass of bubbling champagne. Another tradition is the listening to the New Year Speech by the President of Russia on New Year's Day. One famous New Year tradition in Russia is fortune telling. Most unmarried girls and women follow this tradition.
The celebrations for New Year end on January 13th when Russia celebrates the Old - Style New Year. This day marks the start of the Julian calendar.
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