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Ded Moroz and Snegurochka. The kindly grandfather-wizard Father Frost (Ded Moroz), according to the Russians, is much “cooler” than Santa Claus, despite the superficial resemblance. Unlike his American-European counterpart, Russia’s Father Frost does not wear glasses, dresses much warmer, his beard is longer and he has a stricter temperament (though fair all the same). His main attribute is his ice staff. One strike of it on the ground and it’s winter everywhere!Ded Moroz’s companion is the Snow Maiden (Snegurochka), his granddaughter, a cheerful and intelligent girl. This positive female figure radiates joy and provides children with an example of good behaviour.
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Christmas tree. The focus of the festivities in every home. It’s richly decorated with shiny toys, garlands and lanterns. Around the Christmas tree, children lead the dancing, and in the morning under it are the gifts which Ded Moroz has left.The Christmas tree can be real (you can buy them in special “Christmas tree markets”) or artificial. In recent years, due to environmental concerns and the high cost of trees, more and more Russians prefer artificial Christmas trees.City squares play host to huge, richly decorated Christmas trees. Christmas illuminations in Russian cities are impressive: trees and houses are decorated with garlands of coloured lights, sometimes creating luminous figures or messages. All this allows us to get in the holiday mood perfectly and take memorable photos. Decoration of houses and streets starts in mid-December.
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Salad “Olivie”. This hearty salad of boiled potatoes, meat or ham with boiled carrots, onions and pickles, invented by a French cook, became a “hit” on the New Year’s table back in the Soviet Union. Even today, every self-respecting hostess prepare an “Olivier” for the New Year. It can be enjoyed in a restaurant, too.
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President’s speech and clock chimes10 minutes before midnight, even apolitical Russians freeze in front of the TV to watch the pre-New Year address by the President. After this, all the channels show the Chimes – the clock on the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin. First, they play a solemn melody (at that time, to triumphant cheers, a bottle of champagne is usually open and poured out by the glass), and then midnight strikes. This is how the change of date takes place – upon the last stroke you can clink your glass with the rest and congratulate everyone with the words: “Happy New Year, with renewed happiness!”
