Today, February 23, is a country-wide holiday , the Day of the Defenders of the Homeland. That, at least, has been its name since 1991; it was formerly the holiday in honor of the Soviet army. The Russians do love their holidays, however, so after 1991 they just made a little revision to the name, and voila, a four-day weekend. At least this year, since it falls on a Tuesday.
If nationalism has replaced religion as the common bond between members of multi-ethnic states, then Russia, like the United States, has entered a post-secular age (at least with respect to holidays). Here in Elista, there were no parades, and the town was empty when I took a late-afternoon walk. The only examples of celebrating were on television, where this morning there was a somewhat hokey variety show in honor of the military. One tradition that has held on is the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; that is something that is usually done at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Nobody got you a present for the holiday? You just make sure you don't forget to give gifts to every woman the you know in Russia on International Women's Day (March 8).
Post a Comment