What is Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia?
You’ve probably head about the International Women’s Day celebrated on March 8… And what is peculiar about February the 23rd? This unusual holiday celebrated in Russia and other states of the former USSR symbolizes dedicated service to the native country (fatherland) and acknowledgment of its chiefly military achievements.
In Russian letters it is pronounced as: “Den zashchitnika Otechestva” and is quite popular.
It’s a public holiday in spite of the fact that the date itself has no great historical significance.
February 23, 1918 was significant by the first mass draft into the Red Army which took place in Petrograd and Moscow during the Civil War.
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This holiday focuses on both current and past achievements, particularly military achievements of many Russian soldiers including the leader of the Red Army – Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov.
It’s the modern version of the Red Army and Navy Day or the Day of the Soviet Army that emerged in the former Soviet Union. It’s originally pronounced as “Dyen’ Krasnoy Armii”. In 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the holiday got its current name.
Being the public holiday it gives most Russians an opportunity to have rest and enjoy day off. If it comes to Sunday or Saturday, it’s usually extended to Monday. It’s a usual practice in Russia to extend the public holiday to the next day. Russians love to get maximum pleasure from their rest! Most of the official buildings, organizations, schools, universities and banks are closed on this holiday. The public parades and processions are being hold in some cities each year.
Such symbols as a soldier and the Russian flag illustrate this day in the best way.They can often be observed on postcards and holiday banners in the cities and towns of Russian on February, 23.
The holiday of the Defender of the Fatherland defenders has been originally the day of the Soviet Army foundation. But what’s the most interesting it has quickly become the day of men. We can analogy this with the Women’s day on March,8.
The holiday supposes congratulating people who are or were serving in the Russian Army (both men and women), but currently it’s accepted like a celebration of men as a whole.Finally men got their own holiday when they could twiddle their thumbs, relax and pamper themselves with various pleasures. And other pleasant thing is that women’s attention incredibly grows on this day.
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Russian women get prepaired for this holiday very thoroughly! They dress up in sexy manner, give presents, prepare surprises and shows, say best wishes, cook delicacies and congratulate all male relatives, friends and colleagues! At work Russian ladies often organize exciting contests and play games with their male colleagues. Strip-tease if considered to be the best gift for men on this holiday!
Men feel very special, pampered and beloved on this day!
Would you like to have such a holiday in your country? What similar holidays do you have?
You are free to comment on this in the commentary field below!
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An now we’d like to pamper you with the pics of women’s sexy military clothing.
Such a manner of clothing is especially suitable for this holiday:
