It means New Year's holiday. How the new year appeared. New Year traditions of other countries

Valentina Seregina
"History of the holiday New Year» How to tell children about the New Year holiday

What is this New Year holiday?

On New Year's Eve, multi-colored lights on the beautiful forest Christmas tree are lit, sparkling Christmas decorations, and under the tree Grandfather Frost himself leaves various, expected gifts. But if you ask Santa Claus why under New year he appears in every home and arranges such a wonderful holiday to all of us and our children, then he will tell this story:

All countries on Earth celebrate this fabulous festival once a year. holiday, and all the children, without exception, love and look forward to it. Turns out, New the year does not come to different countries at the same time time: somewhere in the summer or autumn, and somewhere in the winter, like here in Russia.

New Year a holiday is a holiday solstice and originates from ancient times, when the sun was considered the main deity, giving life to plants, animals and humans.

When the shortest days of the year arrived and the sun barely rose above the horizon, people were afraid. That the sun will leave and never return. Therefore, they began to light fires, torches, bonfires, and spin burning tar barrels, imitating the movement of the sun across the sky, believing that they were giving the sun new forces, double his energy to return to people. This is how various rituals of celebrating the New Year appeared, born of beliefs and legends from different countries of the world.

Once upon a time in Russia New the year was celebrated twice - on the first of March church calendar and the first of September according to secular times. But one day Tsar Peter I issued a decree on December 15, 1699, in which everyone was ordered to count holiday New Year from the first of January. From that time on, the first common winter holiday in Russia.

On New Year's Eve they fired cannons, rode troikas, burned tar torches and barrels in the squares, and decorated houses and gates with spruce and juniper branches. “And as a sign of joy, congratulate each other on New Year» - ordered Peter I. Everyone liked this handsome and cheerful holiday.

Much time passed, and it was decorated with original Slavic images: Santa Claus and Snow Maiden, funny buffoon clowns, and a beautiful Christmas tree appeared in every house. Decorating the New Year tree is a joyful and troublesome ritual for parents and children.

It is believed that Santa Claus lives in an ice hut and gives gifts to those who drop by to see him, and to obedient children, he quietly comes into the house at night. How? It's a secret! The main thing is that he leaves gifts under the tree, under the pillow, or hides them in his shoe. Father Frost has a granddaughter, Snegurochka, a sweet, cheerful girl who helps him entertain the children. In Russia they believe that how you celebrate New Year's Eve is how you will spend it. Therefore in New Every year it is customary to have fun and give gifts. Let New the year will bring peace and happiness to everyone.

The history of the New Year is distinguished by many ancient Russian traditions, combined with borrowed customs and rituals from other countries. It is known that the holiday dates back to ancient times.

The incredible interweaving of ancient Slavic, European, Asian and Christian traditions makes this holiday truly unique. How did the New Year begin and what interesting facts lie behind its origins?

13 facts about the New Year holiday

New Year of the ancient Slavs. The ancient Slavs celebrated the arrival of the New Year in the spring. From March, the awakening of nature began, a new period of life for plants and animals. It is believed that New Year among the ancient Slavs- This Maslenitsa, and it is after seeing off winter that the New Year comes. According to other sources, the main winter holiday of ancestors is considered Kolyada. The winter solstice was celebrated in late December - early January. Echoes and customs of this holiday have merged with the modern New Year. It was from those times that fortune-telling began, the tradition of decorating your home and treating mummers. There is also a mention of an ancient winter holiday called Avsen. It was celebrated at the same time. According to legend, the ritual character Avsen lit the sun wheel, which symbolized the beginning of a new life.
New Year after the baptism of Rus'. With the adoption of Christianity, the New Year is celebrated March 1. A new chronology appears - the Julian calendar, according to which the year was divided into months and given names to them. Before the adoption of Christianity and the reckoning from the creation of the world, the account was kept by seasons. For several centuries in a row, March 1 was considered the beginning of the year. This was the case until 1492, when John III hasn't issued a decree since New Year began to be celebrated on September 1. The celebrations were held solemnly: every year in Moscow they held a magnificent celebration, at midnight a cannon shot sounded, and church bells rang. Despite the fact that the holiday was celebrated in the fall, it is quite similar to the modern New Year.
New Year twice a year. So, September 1 New Year was celebrated from 1492 to 1699. In 1700, Peter I issued a decree according to which the celebration of the New Year was to take place on January 1. Many did not like this decision - the winter New Year was not accepted by the people for a long time. Having fun and celebrating the holiday had to be forced literally by force. Thanks to the tough character of Peter and the ingenuity of Elizabeth I, who organized lavish festivities and masquerade balls, the tradition nevertheless took root. However, for many years the holiday was celebrated 2 times: according to the old custom - in September, and in winter - as prescribed by the decree of the Emperor. Many generations passed before the autumn New Year was finally abandoned.
New Year traditions until the 20th century. During the reign of Peter branches of birch or spruce were the symbol of the New Year. New Year's toys were also absent - they came to us much later, in the 19th century. Instead, apples, nuts, eggs and sweets served as decorations, that is, everything edible that could be found in the house, having rounded shape. The tradition of drinking champagne also came a little later, after the defeat of Napoleon. Since then, drinking French champagne has been a New Year's tradition. By the 19th century, the New Year became the most beloved and long-awaited holiday. Residents all over the country organize lavish balls and mass feasts, and roast pigs and radishes are invariably present on the festive table.
Soviet ban: New Year without a Christmas tree. According to scientists, decorating the Christmas tree began in the 16th century in Germany - this is where the tradition began throughout Europe. In Russia, this custom was introduced by Peter I, but the ritual became widespread only in the 19th century. With the coming to power of the Soviet government, it was forbidden to celebrate Christmas and decorate the Christmas tree. In the planned fight against religion and Orthodox holidays Christmas tree was called a “priestly” custom. The ban was lifted 17 years later, in 1935. And since 1947, January 1 was officially considered a holiday. During Soviet times, there was also a new custom that has survived to this day - Olivier salad. It was invented to replace the missing French ingredient with boiled sausage. During the same period, Father Frost and Snegurochka, two favorite folk characters, appeared.
How the old New Year appeared. The history of this holiday takes its toll beginning in 1918, when the Soviet government decided to keep up with progressive countries by issuing a decree on a new calendar - instead of the Julian Gregorian calendar became official. Since the 20th century, the difference between the two calendars is 13 days. Due to the refusal of the Russian Orthodox Church to accept new calendar 2 holidays appeared: New Year and Old New Year. According to the Gregorian calendar, January 14 corresponds to January 1 of the Julian calendar. Thus, Russians celebrate the New Year together with the rest of the world, without denying themselves the church holiday. The name Old New Year is the result of the fact that it appeared before the modern one.
Christian Church: irreconcilable contradictions. For Christian believers, celebrating the New Year according to Russian canons is problematic. Adhering to a strict 40-day fast, which lasts until Christmas, that is, until January 7, there is no way to feast at the festive table. According to religious rules, on January 1 you need to give up animal products, alcohol and fun. It turns out that the traditional New Year, which has been celebrated in Russia for more than 300 years, contradicts Orthodox traditions. Unlike the Orthodox, The Catholic Church celebrates Christmas on December 25, so Catholics celebrate the New Year without breaking fast.
As you meet, so will you spend. In Ancient Rus', on January 1, Vasiliev’s Day took place, which can be considered the New Year of our ancestors. All the best was always placed on the festive table, and it was always decorated with roasted piglets in honor of Vasily, the patron saint of swineherds. The celebrants wore only new clothes, not worn, and drank vodka, beer, and mead. According to ancient belief, the whole year will pass as you meet it, so you have to try, not sparing your belly. How could it be otherwise, since the whole year is at stake! You need to work hard at the table to make the year go well, so... Celebrating the New Year for 14 days is an ancient tradition, not a fad. Russians know that they need to celebrate the holiday according to ancient traditions, the modern way of life, and at the same time not to forget about the church.
Source of fun: crackers, sparklers and fireworks. Tradition is fun and bright celebrating the New Year with the help of firecrackers and fireworks came to us from Ancient China. Residents of China celebrate the New Year on a grand scale - shots and claps rattle throughout the day. But if for Russians this is just fun, then Asian countries believe that they exorcise evil spirits in this way. According to legend, evil spirits at this time are looking for shelter, and if they are not scared away properly, they will settle in the house and cause many different troubles to the owners. Despite the fact that we do not use firecrackers and crackers on such a scale, it is unlikely that any holiday today can do without this ritual. Bengal lights also come from Asia, more precisely from Indian Bengal. The history of their appearance is unknown, which does not prevent lighting a bright sparkling fire on your favorite holiday.
Snowmen and snow women. Another ancient Slavic tradition that has survived to this day is the modeling of a snowman and a snow woman. In the old days, the inhabitants believed that the winter would not be too severe if a snowman was made on the day of the winter solstice. And the snowman was considered the spirit of winter, from whom you can ask for help. With the help of a broom in their hands, snowmen could fly to the sky - it was there that they commanded snow and fog, therefore solemn rituals were held in honor of the heavenly inhabitants.
The story of Santa Claus. The first mentions of Santa Claus are found among the ancient Slavs: the winter spirit Morok, aka Morozko, sent severe frost and cold, and covered the rivers with ice. Unlike the modern Grandfather, who himself gives gifts, his ancestor, on the contrary, received gifts. Pancakes, jelly and other treats were put on the windows for a stern spirit to appease him. The first mention in the literature of Santa Claus is found in Odoevsky's "Tales of Grandfather Iriney" in 1840.
Father Frost's birthday. Writing a letter to Santa Claus before the New Year is an important ritual for every child. The absence of a birthday for a beloved character was very upsetting for the children, so Santa Claus came up with a date when you can wish him a happy birthday. Since 2005, children have celebrated this holiday on November 18 - this date was invented by the children themselves. The day was not chosen by chance. The birthplace of the birthday boy is Veliky Ustyug. In mid-November, cold weather comes to this region and the rivers become covered with ice. True, the exact age of Santa Claus is unknown - it is believed that he is over 2000 years old. Both local children and tourists can congratulate their favorite character. A mailbox is specially opened for these purposes. Santa Claus is so loved that the employees of the Pension Fund awarded him the title of "Veteran of fabulous work."
Snow Maiden. At the Snow Maiden's, like Santa Claus, I have a birthday that falls on April 5th. The Snow Maiden's homeland – the village of Shchelykovo, in the house-museum of the writer A. N. Ostrovsky, who created this fairy-tale character by writing the play of the same name. According to Ostrovsky's play, the Snow Maiden was Father Frost's daughter. In Soviet times, when the Kremlin Christmas trees were held, according to the scenarios of popular New Year's plays, the Snow Maiden and Father Frost are each other's granddaughter and grandfather. The Snow Maiden, as an integral part of the New Year, became widespread in the 50s of the XX century.

New Year is one of the most long-awaited and magical holidays. Its amazing story speaks of the great love of our ancestors for this holiday, which has come down to us hundreds of years later.

New Year is the most favorite holiday in our country! Weekends, fun, meetings with friends, elegant Christmas trees and the smell of pine needles, the sound of champagne glasses, the flickering of lights...

I wonder what this holiday looked like in ancient times? It turns out that the New Year holiday is the oldest of all existing holidays. The very first of the holidays consciously celebrated by humanity.

During excavations of the ancient Egyptian pyramids, archaeologists found a vessel on which it was written: "The beginning of a new year." IN Ancient Egypt The New Year was celebrated when the Nile River was in flood (around the end of September). The Nile flood was very important because... Only thanks to him did grain grow in the dry desert. On New Year's Day, statues of the god Amun, his wife and son were placed in a boat. The boat sailed on the Nile for a month, which was accompanied by singing, dancing and fun. Then the statues were brought back to the temple.

In Ancient Babylon, the New Year was celebrated in the spring. During the holiday, the king left the city for several days. While he was away, the people were having fun and could do whatever they wanted. A few days later, the king and his retinue in festive clothes solemnly returned to the city, and the people returned to work. So every year people started life anew.

The ancient Greeks did not seem to celebrate the new year in any way. In their calendars and in general relations with time, there was a fair amount of inconsistency. The New Year began differently in different policies: In Athens it began on the summer solstice (June 21 of the new century); in Delos, at the winter solstice (December 21, New Style), and in Boeotia, in October. Even the names of the months in different states were different. Each year in each city had its name according to the main official of that year - in Athens by the first archon, in Sparta by the first ephor, etc. The famous treaty of 421 BC. e. Between Athens and Sparta - the Peace of Nice - was dated as follows: “Under the Spartan ephor Plistol, 4 days before the end of the month of Artemisia, and under the Athenian archon Alcaeus, 6 days before the end of the month of Elaphebolion” And go figure when it was!

And the ancient Romans even before our era began to give new Year gifts and have fun all New Year's Eve, wishing each other happiness, good luck, prosperity.
For a long time, the Romans celebrated the New Year in early March, until Julius Caesar introduced a new calendar (now called the Julian). Thus, the date of the meeting of the New Year was the first day of January. The month of January was named after the Roman god Janus (two-faced). One face of Janus was supposedly turned back to the past year, the other - forward to the new one. The celebration of the meeting of the new year was called "kalends". During the holiday, people decorated their houses and gave each other gifts and coins with the image of the two-faced Janus; slaves and their owners ate and were merry together. The Romans made gifts to the emperor. At first this happened voluntarily, but over time the emperors began to demand gifts for the New Year.
They say that Julius Caesar gave one of his slaves freedom on New Year's Eve because he wished him to live longer in the new year than in the old one.
On the first day of the New Year, the Roman Emperor Caligula went out to the square in front of the palace and accepted gifts from his subjects, writing down who gave, how much and what...

The Celts, the inhabitants of Gaul (the territory of modern France and part of England) celebrated the New Year at the end of October. The holiday was called Samhain from “summer's end” (end of summer). On the New Year, the Celts decorated their homes with mistletoe to drive out ghosts. They believed that it was on the New Year that the spirits of the dead came to the living. The Celts inherited many Roman traditions, including the requirement New Year's gifts from subjects. Jewelry and gold were usually given. Centuries later, thanks to this tradition, Queen Elizabeth I amassed a huge collection of embroidered and bejeweled gloves. On New Year's Day, husbands gave their wives money for pins and other trinkets. This tradition was forgotten by 1800, but the term "pin money" is still used and refers to money for small expenses.

In the Middle Ages, there was complete confusion in the celebration of the New Year. Depending on the countries, the time the beginning of the year was different: for example, March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, celebrated the beginning of the year in Italy, and in Southern Italy and Byzantium, and in Russia, the beginning of the year is considered to be September 1, and in many countries the year began on holidays Christmas or Easter, and on the Iberian Peninsula the countdown time for the New Year was, as it is now, January 1. The Church was categorically against the last date, since it broke the cycle of the Christmas holidays. And only by the 18th century in Europe did they come to a single date (for example, the New Year in medieval England began in March, and only in 1752 was it decided by parliament to move the New Year to January 1). By this time, modern European traditions of celebrating the New Year began to take shape. year - but I’ll tell you about the traditions in another post

The celebration of the New Year in Rus' has the same complex fate as its history itself. First of all, all changes in the celebration of the new year were associated with the most important historical events that affected the entire state and each person individually. There is no doubt that folk tradition, even after officially introduced changes in the calendar, preserved ancient customs for a long time.
Celebrating the New Year in pagan Rus'.
How the New Year was celebrated in pagan ancient Rus' is one of the unresolved and controversial issues in historical science. The beginning of the New Year celebration should be sought in ancient times. Thus, among ancient peoples, the New Year usually coincided with the beginning of the revival of nature and was mainly confined to the month of March.
In Rus' there was a proleta for a long time, i.e. the first three months, and the summer month began in March. In honor of him, they celebrated Ausen, Ovsen or Tusen, which later moved to the new year. Summer itself in ancient times consisted of the current three spring and three summer months - the last six months included winter time. The transition from autumn to winter was blurred like the transition from summer to autumn. Presumably, initially in Rus' the New Year was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox on March 22. Maslenitsa and New Year were celebrated on the same day. Winter has been driven away, which means a new year has arrived. It was a holiday of Spring and new life.

But even in winter, at the time that we are celebrating now, the ancient Slavs had a holiday - Kolyada is celebrated from December 25 to January 6 (Veles Day). Thus, December 25 is the beginning of 10 whole days of the holiday. This time of the birth of the new Sun, as well as the “pass” of the year through the shortest and darkest days, has been celebrated since ancient times as a time of witchcraft and rampant evil spirits. Fortune telling at Christmas time is one of the echoes of the old Slavic holiday Carols. On December 25, as the day “like a sparrow’s toe” increased, people gathered to sing carols. This was supposed to be done in scary masks made from natural materials - fur, leather, bast, birch bark. Having put on masks, the mummers went home to carol. At the same time, so-called carols were sung, glorifying the owners and promising wealth, a happy marriage, etc. After caroling, they began to have a feast. In the hut, in the red corner, there was always a sheaf (didukh) with a wooden spoon stuck into it or a straw doll depicting Kolyada.
They drank honey, kvass, uzvar (a decoction of dried fruits, compote, in our opinion), ate kutya, bagels and loaves, after a feast with songs and dances they went outside to be sure to roll a burning wheel up the hill, personifying the sun, with the words “In Roll up the mountain, come back with spring.” The most persistent ones also met the real sun - on a cold winter morning.

Celebrating the New Year after the Baptism of Rus'
Together with Christianity in Rus' (988 - Baptism of Rus'), a new chronology appeared - from the creation of the world, as well as a new European calendar - the Julian, with a fixed name for the months. March 1st was considered the beginning of the new year
According to one version, at the end of the 15th century, and according to another in 1348, the Orthodox Church moved the beginning of the year to September 1, which corresponded to the definitions of the Council of Nicaea. The transfer must be put in connection with the growing importance of the Christian Church in the state life of ancient Rus'. The strengthening of Orthodoxy in medieval Rus', the establishment of Christianity as a religious ideology, naturally causes the use of “holy scripture” as a source of reform introduced into the existing calendar. The reform of the calendar system was carried out in Rus' without taking into account the working life of the people, without establishing a connection with agricultural work. The September New Year was approved by the church, following the word of the Holy Scriptures; establishing and justifying it with a biblical legend.
Thus, the New Year began on the first of September. This day became the feast of Simeon the First Stylite, which is still celebrated by our church and known among the common people under the name Semyon of the Summer Conductor, because on this day summer ended and the new year began. It was a solemn day of celebration for us, and the subject of analysis of urgent conditions, collection of quitrents, taxes and personal courts.

Innovations of Peter I in the celebration of the New Year
The tradition of celebrating the New Year was introduced in Russia by Peter I. The Tsar, wanting to keep pace with the West, forbade celebrating the New Year in the fall, by special decree moving the holiday to January 1. However, Peter the Great still preserved the traditional Julian calendar for Russia, so the New Year in Russia began several days later than in European countries. In those days, Christmas in Russia fell on December 25 (according to the Julian calendar), and the New Year was celebrated after Christmas. This meant that January 1 did not fall on the Nativity fast, which in those days was strictly observed by everyone, which means that on the holiday people could not limit themselves to food and drink. The first New Year in Russia was noisily celebrated with a parade and fireworks on the night of December 31 to January 1, 1700.

The capital then was Moscow, St. Petersburg had not yet been built, so all the celebrations took place on Red Square. However, starting from the new year 1704, the celebrations were moved to the northern capital. True, the main thing at the New Year's holiday in those days was not the feast, but mass festivities. St. Petersburg masquerades were held in the square near the Peter and Paul Fortress, and Peter not only himself took part in the festivities, but also obliged the nobles to do so. Those who did not attend the festivities under the pretext of illness were examined by doctors. If the reason turned out to be unconvincing, a fine was imposed on the offender: he had to drink a huge amount of vodka in front of everyone.
After the masquerade, the inexorable king invited a narrow circle of especially close associates (80 - 100 people) to his imperial palace. Traditionally, the doors of the dining room were locked with a key so that no one would try to leave the premises before 3 days later. This agreement was in force at the insistence of Peter. They reveled immensely these days: by the third day, most of the guests quietly slid under the bench, without disturbing the others. Only the strongest could withstand such a New Year's feast.

Winter New Year did not take root in Russia right away. However, Peter was persistent and mercilessly punished those who tried to celebrate the New Year on September 1 according to the old tradition. He also strictly ensured that by January 1, the houses of nobles and commoners were decorated with spruce, juniper or pine branches. These branches were supposed to be decorated not with toys, as now, but with fruits, nuts, vegetables and even eggs. Moreover, all these products served not just as decoration, but also as symbols: apples - a symbol of fertility, nuts - the incomprehensibility of divine providence, eggs - a symbol of developing life, harmony and complete well-being. Over time, Russians got used to the new winter holiday. The evening before the New Year began to be called “generous.” A bountiful festive table, according to popular belief, ensured well-being for the entire coming year and was considered a guarantee of family wealth. Therefore, they tried to decorate it with everything that they would like to have in abundance in their household.
Empress Elizabeth I continued the tradition of celebrating the New Year started by her father. New Year's Eve and New Year's celebrations have become an integral part of palace festivities. Elizabeth, a great lover of balls and entertainment, organized luxurious masquerades in the palace, which she herself loved to attend. men's suit. But unlike the riotous era of Peter the Great, in Elizabethan times court celebrations and feasts were given decorum.

Under Catherine II, the New Year was also celebrated on a grand scale, and the tradition of giving New Year's gifts became widespread. On New Year's Eve, a huge number of different offerings were brought to the imperial palace.

At the beginning of the 19th century, champagne became popular in Russia - a drink that today not a single New Year's feast can do without. True, at first Russians viewed sparkling wines with suspicion: they were called “the devil’s drink” because of the flying cork and foamy stream from the bottle. According to legend, champagne gained wide popularity after the victory over Napoleon. In 1813, upon entering Reims, Russian troops, as victors, devastated the wine cellars of the famous house of Madame Clicquot. However, Madame Clicquot did not even try to stop the robbery, wisely deciding that “Russia will cover the losses.” The insightful madam looked into the water: the fame of the quality of her products spread throughout Russia. Within three years, the enterprising widow received more orders from the Russian Empire than in her homeland.

The reign of Emperor Nicholas I dates back to the appearance of the first public New Year tree in Russia and St. Petersburg. Before this, as already mentioned, Russians decorated their houses only with pine branches. However, any tree was suitable for decoration: cherry, apple, birch. In the mid-19th century, only Christmas trees began to be decorated. The first dressed-up beauty lit up the room with lights in 1852. And by the end of the 19th century, this beautiful custom had already become familiar not only in Russian cities, but also in villages.

In the 60s of the 19th century, French chef Lucien Olivier invented the Olivier Salad. He was the owner of the Hermitage tavern, which at that time was located on Trubnaya Square. By all accounts, this was not a tavern, but the most high-class Parisian restaurant. The main attraction of the Hermitage cuisine immediately became the Olivier salad.
Lucien Olivier kept the method of preparing the salad a secret and with his death the secret of the recipe was considered lost. However, the main ingredients were known and in 1904 the salad recipe was reproduced. Here is its composition; 2 hazel grouse, veal tongue, a quarter pound of pressed caviar, half a pound of fresh lettuce, 25 pieces of boiled crayfish, half a jar of pickles, half a jar of kabul soybeans, two fresh cucumbers, a quarter of a pound of capers, 5 hard-boiled eggs. For the sauce: Provencal mayonnaise should be prepared with French vinegar from 2 eggs and 1 pound of Provencal (olive) oil, however, according to experts, this was not the case. But, try cooking.

With Christmas in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the twentieth century, the season of balls and festive festivities began. Numerous Christmas trees with obligatory gifts were organized for children, ice palaces and mountains were built for public entertainment, and free performances were given. The most solemn moment of the New Year's Eve was the appearance of the Highest Persons in the Winter Palace.

According to tradition, St. Petersburg residents celebrated Christmas and Christmas Eve at home, with their families. But on New Year's Eve they reserved tables in restaurants or entertainment venues. At that time there were a great variety of restaurants in St. Petersburg - for every taste and budget. There were aristocratic restaurants: “Kyuba” on Bolshaya Morskaya Street, or “Bear” on Bolshaya Konyushennaya. The more democratic “Donon” gathered writers, artists, scientists, and graduates of the School of Law at its tables.

The capital's elite - people of art and literature - held their evenings in the fashionable "Kontan", on the Moika. The evening's program includes a lyrical divertissement with the participation of the best Russian and foreign artists, a virtuoso Romanian orchestra; Ladies were presented with free flowers. Literary youth preferred artistic cabarets to ordinary restaurants. The most colorful of them was “Stray Dog” on Mikhailovskaya Square.

But along with such restaurants for the intelligent public, there were establishments of a completely different kind. The winter cafe "Villa Rode" appeared in St. Petersburg in 1908. Dancers and a gypsy choir performed on stage. Young ladies from respectable families were not recommended to visit this establishment.

New Year under Soviet rule. Change of calendar.
After the revolution, in 1918, by Lenin's decree, Russia switched to the Gregorian calendar, which by the 20th century overtook the Julian calendar by 13 days. February 1, 1918 was immediately declared the 14th. But the Orthodox Church did not accept this transition and announced that it would celebrate Christmas according to the old Julian calendar. Since then, Orthodox Christmas in Russia has been celebrated on January 7 (December 25, old style). In 1929, Christmas was abolished. With it, the Christmas tree, which was called a “priestly” custom, was also abolished. New Year was cancelled. Former holidays turned into ordinary working days. The Christmas tree was recognized as a “priestly” custom. “Only he who is a friend of the priests is ready to celebrate the Christmas tree!” - wrote children's magazines. But in many families they continued to celebrate the New Year, although they did it with great caution - they put up the Christmas tree secretly, tightly curtaining the windows. It was probably in those years that the New Year in Russia began to be celebrated not with masquerades and dances, but with a feast. After all, they had to celebrate secretly so as not to wake up the neighbors. This continued until 1935. However, at the end of 1935, an article by Pavel Petrovich Postyshev “Let's organize a good Christmas tree for the children for the New Year!” appeared in the Pravda newspaper. Society, which had not yet forgotten the beautiful and bright holiday, reacted quickly enough, and the “highest directive” changed. It turned out that the New Year is a wonderful holiday, which can also once again testify to the achievements of the country of the Soviets. - Christmas trees and Christmas tree decorations are now on sale. Pioneers and Komsomol members took upon themselves the organization and holding of New Year trees in schools, orphanages and clubs. On December 31, 1935, the Christmas tree re-entered the homes of our compatriots and became a holiday of “joyful and happy childhood in our country” - a wonderful New Year’s holiday that continues to delight us today.
Since 1936, the most important children's Christmas tree in Russia has been taking place in the Kremlin.
Since 1947, January 1 has again become a “red day of the calendar,” that is, a non-working day.

Dances and masquerades were almost completely excluded from New Year's program: in cramped apartments we had to choose: either a table or dancing. With the advent of televisions in Soviet families, the table finally won. The main event on New Year’s Day was the opening of a bottle of “Soviet champagne” to the sound of the Kremlin chimes.

For the New Year, television always prepared an extensive entertainment program: the annual “Blue Lights” were especially popular. Later, special “New Year” films began to appear.

In 1991, with the beginning of the Yeltsin era, after an almost 75-year break, Russia began to celebrate the Nativity of Christ again. January 7 was declared a non-working day: Christmas services were shown on TV and Russians were explained how to celebrate the holy holiday.

However, the traditions of celebrating Christmas in Russia have already been lost. Several generations of Soviet people, brought up in the spirit of atheism, did not understand either the essence or form of this holiday. However, the extra day off was accepted with pleasure. The revival of the celebration of Orthodox Christmas in Russia has, in a sense, jeopardized the long-standing “Soviet” tradition of celebrating the New Year. On December 31st, the last week before Christmas begins: according to Christian canons, this is a time of repentance, abstinence and prayer. And suddenly, in the middle of strict fasting, according to the established “secular” tradition, the most magnificent and most delicious tables are set. What "traditions of celebrating Christmas" can we talk about? It is unknown how this paradox will be resolved in the future, which arose due to the reluctance of the Russian Church to switch to “ a new style" So far, the confrontation between secular and church traditions is confidently winning the New Year, which has held the position of the favorite family holiday of Russians for many years.

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Interesting and useful information about the New Year holiday.

From the history of the New Year holiday

Our Slavic ancestors counted the years by seasons. The year began on the first day of spring - March 1, when nature came to life and it was necessary to think about the future harvest. In the 10th century, Ancient Rus' adopted Christianity, the Byzantine chronology and the Julian calendar. The year was divided into 12 months and given them names associated with natural phenomena. March 1 was considered the beginning of the new chronology.

In 1348, a Council was held in Moscow, at which they adopted the position of starting the year in September, and not in March. And since 1700, by decree of Peter I, the New Year in Russia is celebrated, as in other European countries, on January 1 (according to the Julian calendar). But only starting in 1919, the New Year holiday in Russia began to be celebrated in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. From 1930 to 1947, January 1 was a regular working day in the USSR. And since 1947, January 1 has become a holiday and a day off. Since 2005, in Russia, New Year holidays have been established from January 1 to January 5 (previously - only the 1st and 2nd) and these days are declared non-working days, and taking into account weekends and Christmas - official holiday— weekends last 10 days.

If you are asked what is your favorite holiday after your birthday, you will probably answer: New Year. This is a holiday when you are not forced to go to bed early, but are seated at the table with adults. This is a holiday when you eagerly wait for the chimes to end so you can throw yourself under the tree and see what surprise Santa Claus has prepared for you. New Year is a vacation with mom and dad, it's sweets and tangerines, it's winter fun. New Year is the most favorite holiday in our country. Both adults and children love him. New Year is a holiday with fluffy white snow outside the window, the smell of fir branches, the sparkle of multi-colored toys and tinsel, obligatory fireworks, gifts, as well as an elegant Santa Claus and the beautiful Snow Maiden. We have been waiting for it for a long time, and when the chimes strike at midnight on December 31, we rejoice in the coming year, hoping for better times, and we are sad as we say goodbye to the passing year.

The first day of the year is one of the main holidays among many peoples. In European countries, the new year begins on January 1. In countries where a lunar or lunisolar calendar is adopted, the New Year falls on different dates of the solar year.

New Year traditions from different countries

Now let's see how this fun holiday is celebrated in other countries.

England. In addition to the Christmas tree, the house is decorated with mistletoe sprigs. The English Santa Claus is called Santa Claus.

Italy. On New Year's Eve it is customary to get rid of old things, old furniture and other rubbish. New Year is a symbol of renewal.

France. The French Santa Claus - Père Noel - leaves gifts not under the tree, like ours, but in shoes hanging and standing by the fireplace. On New Year's Eve baked in a bean pie. And the one who gets it receives the title of “bean king”, and on the festive night everyone obeys his orders.

Sweden. On New Year's Eve, the children choose the queen of light, Lucia. She is dressed in a white dress and a crown with lit candles. Lucia brings gifts to the children and treats to the pets.

Bulgaria. When people gather around the festive table, the lights in all houses are turned off for three minutes. These minutes are called “minutes of New Year’s kisses,” the secret of which is preserved by darkness.

Cuba. Before the onset of the New Year, residents of the country fill all the jugs, buckets, basins and bowls that are in the house with water. At midnight, water is poured out of the windows. So they wish the outgoing year a path as bright as water. While the clock strikes 12 times, you need to eat 12 grapes, and then goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany a person all year.

Japan. Here on New Year's Eve the bells are rung 8 times. Each strike of the bell corresponds to one of the vices. According to the Japanese, there are six of them: greed, stupidity, anger, frivolity, indecision and envy, but each vice has 18 different shades. This adds up to 108 bell strikes.

New Year traditions in Russia

There are quite a lot of traditions for celebrating the New Year in Russia. From the times of Slavic paganism we inherited mummers, buffoons and jesters. The era of Peter the Great and subsequent centuries brought into the traditions of the holiday a New Year tree with toys, fireworks and a New Year's table with Olivier salad, vinaigrette, stuffed goose or duck, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden, the obligatory champagne with tangerines on the table and the chiming clock on the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower.

In your home, most likely, your mother or grandmother will take care of the New Year's table. It will be nice if you take part in preparing the festive table as much as you can. And participating in decorating the New Year tree and room is a great pleasure. When decorating a Christmas tree, first of all, hang an electric garland with light bulbs on it (but not a homemade one - they don’t joke with fire!), then toys: first large, then small. You should not hang decorations of the same shape and color next to each other. Lastly, they put a spire on the top of the tree and scatter a shiny “rain”.

Christmas tree. Story

It is not known exactly when the first Christmas tree appeared in Rus'. But, most likely, the first Christmas trees appeared in the middle of the 19th century in the houses of St. Petersburg Germans. Living in a foreign land, they did not forget their traditions and habits, rites and rituals.

Following the Germans, in the Russian houses of the St. Petersburg nobility they also began to put up Christmas trees for children. They were decorated with wax candles and lanterns, flowers and ribbons, nuts, apples and sweets. Initially, on New Year’s Day, the tree stood for one day, then these periods were increasingly lengthened: two days, three, until Epiphany or until the end of Christmastide. There was a period in our history when the Christmas tree was even banned. But on December 31, 1935, she re-entered the homes of Russians and to this day is a symbol of “a joyful and happy childhood in our country.”

DIY Christmas tree toys

You will need: needle and thread, scissors, awl, glue (it’s better to take PVA - when it dries, it becomes transparent), glitter, colored paper, wrapping paper, paints and brushes, felt-tip pens, cotton balls, threads, paper clips, multi-colored woolen threads.

Garland “Falling Snow” can be made from cotton wool. To do this, short threads are tied to a long thin thread at small intervals. Cotton balls are threaded onto each short thread. At the bottom, to prevent the balls from slipping, the thread is smeared with glue. Such a garland can be hung directly on a window or in a doorway.

Wonderful toys are made from eggshells. Using a thick needle or awl, carefully make holes in the washed raw egg on both sides. Blow the contents of the egg into a bowl. We wash the shells with running water and dry them. Now it can be used to make toys. The egg can be painted with paint or felt-tip pens, you can glue various parts cut out of paper to it: legs, ears, tails and hats, turning it into a funny little animal or person: a hare, chicken, fish, matryoshka, gnome, penguin. To make it more convenient to paint eggshells with paints, stick a piece of plasticine on a saucer and carefully place the eggshell on it. To prevent the paint from getting dirty, after finishing work, sprinkle the toy with glitter and spray it with hairspray.

If the Christmas tree is small, do not overload it with bulky toys.

The size of the decorations gradually decreases from the lower branches to the upper ones. You should not hang too many decorations on the tree - it looks tasteless.

In the old days, various edible decorations were hung on the Christmas tree. Why not revive this custom?

Try decorating the Christmas tree with edible toys - tangerines, apples, sweets in bright wrappers, walnuts wrapped in gold foil, chocolate medals and other chocolate figures.

Now let's try to decorate the tree branches and cones with snow. To do this, rub the foam on a grater, grease the branches of spruce, pine and cones on them with transparent glue and sprinkle with grains of foam.

We arrange branches in vases throughout the room.

This creates the atmosphere of a fabulous winter forest.

13. 12.2015

Catherine's blog
Bogdanova

Good afternoon, readers and guests of the “Family and Childhood” website. The New Year holiday is a magical holiday that both adults and children look forward to. It breathes magic, beckons with brilliance and bright lights into the fairy-tale world of unusual creatures. This holiday, like all others, has its own history, traditions and characteristics.

History of the New Year holiday

The history of the New Year goes back many centuries. It was celebrated even three thousand years before the birth of Christ. Julius Caesar, the well-known ruler of ancient Rome, set the beginning of the year on January 1 in 46 BC. This day belonged to the god Janus, and the first month of the year was named after him.
In Russia, January 1 began to be considered the first day of the year only under Tsar Peter I, who signed a corresponding decree in 1700. Thus, the emperor moved the celebration to the same day on which it was customary to celebrate the New Year in Europe. Before this, New Year's festivities took place in Rus' on September 1. Until the 15th century, it was believed that the year began on March 1.

If we talk about history closer to our days, then January 1 first became a holiday in 1897. In the period from 1930 to 1947, this was a normal working day in the USSR. And only in December 1947 it was again made a holiday and a day off, and since 1992 another day was added to it - January 2. And quite recently, in 2005, such a thing as the New Year holidays appeared, which lasted a whole 10 days, including weekends.

New Year's traditions are many and varied. Each of them carries a certain meaning and has its own history. Thus, the New Year tree is an integral attribute of the holiday. In Russia, houses were first decorated with fir branches by decree of Peter I, who imitated Europe in everything.

And the custom of placing and decorating a green beauty for Christmas appeared already at the end of the 19th century. He was taken from the Germans. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it was forbidden to put up a Christmas tree, but in 1936 this ban was lifted, and the green beauty again began to bring joy to children and adults.

It’s worth talking about separately. In ancient times, green trees were decorated simply. Usually they hung vegetables or fruits, usually apples, nuts and various products of labor. Moreover, each individual decoration carried a certain meaning. And only in the 17th century the first toys appeared, which served as a prototype for modern Christmas tree decorations. It was then that the first glass balls appeared in Germany.

This happened in the town of Thuringia in 1848. And in 1867, the first plant for the production of Christmas tree decorations was built in Lauscha, Germany. It is worth noting that the Germans rightfully held the lead in this matter for a long time.

And the tradition of decorating the top of the Christmas tree with a figurine of Christ originated in Scandinavia. Later, it was replaced by a golden angel. And closer to our time, they began to decorate with a spire. In the USSR, a red star burned at the top of the Christmas tree in every house.

Over time, not only the appearance of the toys changed, but also the styles in which the Christmas tree was decorated. Thus, bright sparkles and tinsel were replaced at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries (as in our days) by the fashion for a Christmas tree in restrained silver tones. Later, figures made of paper and cardboard gained popularity. But fashion is cyclical, and bright, sparkly jewelry soon returned to its place in homes.

It is interesting to note that the history of our state is directly reflected in Christmas tree decorations. In the USSR there were many figurines of vegetables and fruits during the time of Khrushchev. During the Second World War, figures of paratroopers were hung on branches.

Under Stalin, Christmas tree hockey players and figurines of circus characters were produced. In addition, toys with state symbols were widely distributed, for example, the already mentioned star on the top of the head.

Nowadays it is fashionable to make toys with your own hands. A variety of technologies and materials are used for this. They are knitted, glued, cut out and these different techniques are combined. Almost every home today has a toy or garland made by the hands of children and their parents.

Another tradition is New Year's gifts. Without them, a holiday is not a holiday. Boxes of different sizes, wrapped in multi-colored paper, are placed under the Christmas tree on New Year's Eve. And in the morning these gifts, discovered by children, will be a source of joy and Have a good mood. The obligatory guests of the New Year's holiday are Father Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka. According to legend, they are the ones who bring gifts to children in bags.

The image of the fairy-tale Santa Claus is collective. It is based on Saint Nicholas and the Slavic folklore character Moroz, who personifies winter frosts.

If prototypes of Father Frost exist in many national cultures, then the Snow Maiden is a purely Russian heritage. It appeared relatively recently. Most likely, it was first mentioned in fairy tales in the 18th century. And in 1873, A.N Ostrovsky composed the play “The Snow Maiden”, where she is depicted as the fair-haired daughter of Father Frost and Red Spring, dressed in a blue and white hat, fur coat and mittens.

And in 1936, the image of the Snow Maiden received its completed form, when, after the official permission of the holiday, in manuals for organizing New Year's parties she began to perform on a par with Santa Claus.

Features of the celebration

As you know, New Year is a family holiday. On this night, the whole family gathers at the table, various delicacies and treats are prepared. There is such a sign: “How you celebrate the New Year is how you will spend it.” Therefore, the table, as a rule, is bursting with a variety of dishes, so that in the coming 365 days such abundance will be on the table every day. This can also explain the desire to dress in new beautiful outfits.

In the last few years, New Year celebrations have increasingly begun to move from cozy houses and apartments to cafes and restaurants. In order to have a fun night, hosts are invited to organize competitions and offer other interesting entertainment. New Year's tours are also gaining popularity, which provide the opportunity to celebrate this holiday in other cities and even countries.

According to custom, at 23:00 on December 31, they say goodbye to the outgoing year. The celebration of the new year begins at midnight with the chiming of chimes and the clink of filled glasses. Many people believe that if you manage to write your cherished wish on a piece of paper while the chimes are ringing, burn it and sip champagne, then it will definitely come true.

New Year's mood is also given by television programs and programs dedicated to this holiday. As December 31 approaches, the airwaves are flooded with good old films about the New Year, music television programs, and fairy tales. Every resident of our country has seen “The Irony of Fate” at least once, without which not a single New Year goes by.

“Blue Light” and other music programs are shown on every channel. The whole country has the opportunity to watch the president’s speech and his congratulations. This tradition dates back to 1970, when Leonid Brezhnev spoke to the citizens of the country for the first time.

Nowadays it is impossible to imagine New Year's Eve without festive fireworks. They launch it both centrally and privately. From midnight until one o'clock in the morning, multi-colored stars and artificial lights scatter in the sky non-stop.

This action looks especially grandiose in big cities, where impressive pyrotechnic shows are staged. In addition to fireworks, sparklers are lit in every house and crackers explode. You can read about how to choose it correctly.

The use of fireworks, firecrackers, firecrackers and other pyrotechnics during the New Year holidays originates in China. It was believed that evil spirits that night, expelled from their former habitats, are looking for a new home.

Having found it, they will cause its owners various troubles and troubles all year long. And the loud noise and bright lights from gunpowder explosions can scare them away. This tradition gained wide popularity and spread throughout the world.

The celebration of the Old New Year is common only in Russia and some CIS countries. It is celebrated on the night of January 13-14. It was on this day that the new year began according to the Julian calendar. In fact, it represents an echo of the change in chronology during the transition to the Gregorian style. For Russian people, this is another reason to gather at the festive table.