21/02: Defenders of the Fatherland Day
Friday February 23rd is a public holiday - Defenders of the Fatherland Day. The holiday is supposed to be geared towards those who served in the armed forces, though it serves more as a day to celebrate men in general – a counterpart to March 8th's Women’s Day in the interests of gender equality. Of course, a celebration of men and a celebration of those who served in the armed forces should technically be synonymous in Russia. But with many parents doing everything from doctoring medical records from when their sons are toddlers to paying large sums of money to save their children the rigors of conscription, this is not the case. And, in fact, it's even acceptable for foreigners to get in on the act and reap the benefits of the day.
Defenders of the Fatherland Day was originally celebrated as Red Army Day. The holiday commemorated the mass recruitment of soldiers to the Red Army in St Petersburg on February 23rd, 1918. By 1922 it had become a major holiday complete with military parades and much fanfare. In 1946 it was renamed Soviet Army and Navy Day and was celebrated as such until the fall of the Soviet Union.
So what does it mean these days? Like most holidays, it’s an excuse to get very drunk. But on this holiday women should tolerate this behaviour from men. In fact women are supposed to be extra nice and say some kind words to all the important men in their life, perhaps also giving presents. Meanwhile, if you’re in Russia you’ll probably be able to see a military parade of some description. And often on this day the Communists pull themselves together and go strolling down some main streets shouting slogans and waving banners which is always entertaining. Finally, the nightclubs ought to have a little something extra for men on the night of February 23rd as well.
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Defenders of the Fatherland Day was originally celebrated as Red Army Day. The holiday commemorated the mass recruitment of soldiers to the Red Army in St Petersburg on February 23rd, 1918. By 1922 it had become a major holiday complete with military parades and much fanfare. In 1946 it was renamed Soviet Army and Navy Day and was celebrated as such until the fall of the Soviet Union.
So what does it mean these days? Like most holidays, it’s an excuse to get very drunk. But on this holiday women should tolerate this behaviour from men. In fact women are supposed to be extra nice and say some kind words to all the important men in their life, perhaps also giving presents. Meanwhile, if you’re in Russia you’ll probably be able to see a military parade of some description. And often on this day the Communists pull themselves together and go strolling down some main streets shouting slogans and waving banners which is always entertaining. Finally, the nightclubs ought to have a little something extra for men on the night of February 23rd as well.
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