Old New Year in Russia

Date: January 14th

History: The Old New Year in Russia is a traditional holiday that is celebrated as a remnant of the old Julian calendar, which was used before Russia adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918. When the Soviet government officially switched calendars, there was a 13-day difference, with the Julian calendar lagging behind. This discrepancy led to the unusual situation of having two New Year celebrations: January 1st according to the Gregorian calendar and January 14th by Julian reckoning.

Traditions:

• Festive Meals: Just like on January 1st, families gather for festive meals. Traditional Russian dishes such as salads (like Olivier), herring under a fur coat, and pies may be served.
• Yolka (Christmas Tree): The Christmas tree, or Yolka, which is put up for the New Year's celebrations, usually remains in place until after the Old New Year.
• Fortune-Telling: Some people engage in traditional fortune-telling rituals on this night, which were more common before the October Revolution.
• Caroling: In some regions, especially in rural areas, caroling and other folk traditions are kept alive.

What People Do:

• Many treat it as an informal holiday to extend the festivities of the season.
• Friends and families may have gatherings or parties.
• It's often seen as an opportunity for those who were unable to meet on December 31st or January 1st to celebrate together.
• Some people might attend church services as it aligns with the Orthodox Christian celebration of St. Basil's Day.