Yes, you heard me correctly - the season of parties. What am I implying? I think you know. The Russian New Year is coming. How is this different you ask? Are you kidding? This is like the best party of the whole year.
Since Soviet times when Christmas was banned due to it being a religious holiday, Russians have celebrated the New Year, Christmas style. Yes, now that there is no Soviet Union anymore, Christmas is observed, but not in the same sense. Christmas happens on January 7th every year. You see, January 7th is the same day as December 25th on the old Julian calendar which was in use until 1918 when the Soviets took over Russia. The big holiday is New Year’s. While celebrating the incoming year, it is also their Christmas. As well, many Russians celebrate the ‘Old New Year’ on January 14th. Just like Christmas, the old New Year is 14 days later with the Julian calendar.
Interesting fact - every New Year’s Eve in Russia, the movie Irony of Fate is played on the TV. It’s an old Soviet era movie that is actually fun to watch and easy for us Americans to understand even though we can’t understand…
So, back to the parties. We seem to go to many Russian parties throughout the year, but the big deal to everyone is the New Year’s Eve party. Even if you somehow don’t go to a party, you still celebrate with champagne. Very important. You might even exchange a gift or two on this eve for traditions sake.
But back to the parties. Very important - drink vodka. I said drink vodka. Did I say it clear enough? Drink vodka. And for your own sake, drink the good stuff! You’ll be very very sorry if you don’t drink good vodka. Have you ever worshiped the porcelain god? There’s no doubt you will if you drink cheap vodka. And the headache. Just buy the good stuff. You’ll be thanking me later - I promise. Oh, you are allowed to drink Baltika beer in between the vodka - sparingly. I of course prefer Baltika 9.
What happens at a Russian New Year’s party you ask? Any number of things. But mostly it’s a social event. Last year we threw a party and we ate dinner, drank vodka, played charades, sung karaoke and just had a good time. Of course we drank champagne at midnight. And I can’t vouch for anyone else, but after much beer, vodka and champagne I puked my guts out about 2AM. Yes, I over partied. But what the heck, I only do it once a year Russian style!
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