Defenders Day in Russia

[viking]

I received this from Elena's models. Anyone familiar with this 'holiday'?

Do you know 23 February is a Men's Day in Russia?

Yes, Russian men have their very own holiday!

It's the day of "Defender of Fatherland", which became an unofficial holiday for all Russian men: all Russian men must serve in the Army, it's compulsory - so they all are part of the 'National Defending Force', either former or future soldiers.

On this day women make small gifts to men in their lives, and to the men at their place of work/study.

So, what do you do with this information?

You cannot openly request a gift or greeting from your Russian sweetheart, but you can ask her about "The Defender Day 23 February", and how she celebrated it - she will appreciate your knowledge of Russian history.

Please note that this holiday is only officially celebrated in RUSSIA - although it used to be a holiday in all countries of the Soviet Union during Soviet times. If your girlfriend is from another country (Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan etc), ask her if they still celebrate "The Defender's Day 23 February" (the date "23 February" was actually for a long time used as the official name of the holiday, so when you ask about it, you can simply ask if they still celebrate 23 February).

Countries like Romania and Bulgaria, which were not part of Soviet Union, do not celebrate this holiday

[catzenmouse]

Yup, that is our version of Women's Day/Valentine's Day. Anyone with a Russian wife knows about this one.

Ken

[DKMM]

Uhh might want to correct a slight typo there.  Its defenders of the Motherland not fatherland.  Motherland = Rodina = Russia.  Fatherland = Vaterland = Nazi Germany.

[Elen]

You cannot openly request a gift or greeting from your Russian sweetheart, but you can ask her about "The Defender Day 23 February", and how she celebrated it - she will appreciate your knowledge of Russian history.

 For sure you foreigners can  NOT request any gift or greeting because it's not equivalent to Valentine's Day at all It's RED Army Day  first of all wich you have nothing in common with. Russian women are just too kind creatures to greet all males in Russia in order that those males who didn't serve in Army at all would not feel deprived of "something"

[Rvrwind]

Elen is Correct it is actually Red Army Day but Russian women being the dedicated & lovely ladies they are decided out of the goodness of their hearts to allow those who never participated in the forces to be included & so it has evolved into Man's Day.  I am going to be enjoying it with a few friends & family in about an hour.

[Admin]

I received this from Elena's models. Anyone familiar with this 'holiday'?

Do you know 23 February is a Men's Day in Russia?

Yes, Russian men have their very own holiday!

It's the day of "Defender of Fatherland", which became an unofficial holiday for all Russian men: all Russian men must serve in the Army, it's compulsory - so they all are part of the 'National Defending Force', either former or future soldiers.

On this day women make small gifts to men in their lives, and to the men at their place of work/study.

So, what do you do with this information?

You cannot openly request a gift or greeting from your Russian sweetheart, but you can ask her about "The Defender Day 23 February", and how she celebrated it - she will appreciate your knowledge of Russian history.

Please note that this holiday is only officially celebrated in RUSSIA - although it used to be a holiday in all countries of the Soviet Union during Soviet times. If your girlfriend is from another country (Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan etc), ask her if they still celebrate "The Defender's Day 23 February" (the date "23 February" was actually for a long time used as the official name of the holiday, so when you ask about it, you can simply ask if they still celebrate 23 February).

Countries like Romania and Bulgaria, which were not part of Soviet Union, do not celebrate this holiday

You will find this holiday, and many others, in the RWD Calendar - along with a link to this description -- http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=1666.msg34299#msg34299

- Dan