Defender of the Fatherland Day – Men’s Day
Every February 23, Russia celebrates “Men’s Day”, also known as “Defender of the Fatherland Day”. Today, this holiday originally for soldiers has become a holiday for all men. On this day, women congratulate men and give them gifts, while men can enjoy life and drink to their heart’s content on their own holiday. Department stores in Russia are filled with posters for “Men’s Day” to promote various products. Interestingly, the most popular gifts for “Men’s Day” in Russia in 2017 were not traditional men’s products such as electric shavers or high-end ties, but men’s perfume and men’s skin care products. In a cosmetics store, a lady bought 30 sets of men’s perfumes at once. It turned out that she was purchasing gifts for the male employees of her company. “Every year we prepare gifts for men. Last year, the company bought shirts, but this year we gave them perfumes instead, so that they can better show the company’s image when they go out.”
2. International Women’s Day
March 8th Women’s Day is one of the most important festivals for Russians. They give this festival the elements of Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Children’s Day. Therefore, it is not a pure women’s festival. Every March 8th, Russia has a one-day holiday. According to Russian customs, men will send holiday greetings to female relatives, friends, colleagues, etc. on the eve of the festival, and buy gifts for their mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. Flowers, perfumes, candies, clothing, accessories, etc. are all very popular holiday gifts. Among them, flowers occupy a special position and can be said to be a must-give gift. Women’s Day cannot be without flowers. A bouquet of flowers can bring great joy to women.
3. Knowledge Day
Russian schools also start on September 1st, just like China. Russian primary school students (Russians call all students who are still in school but have not graduated from high school primary school students) have to dress formally on the first day of school #holding flowers. The Russian president visits the school and delivers a congratulatory speech, which has become a fine tradition of “Knowledge Day”, just like the head of state congratulating the people of the country before the New Year. It is indispensable. To celebrate “Knowledge Day”, senior students from all Russian schools bring first-year students into the first class of their lives. In addition, there are rich welcoming activities such as welcome assemblies, principals’ speeches, performances by student art groups, school introduction exhibitions, and new students reading oaths. On this day, first-year primary school students holding flowers can be seen everywhere in Russia. This is an important beginning in their lives. They have to present flowers to their teachers on the first day of school to express their respect.
Russian schools do not require students to wear uniform school uniforms, and they can dress themselves up handsomely, beautifully, and uniquely. Therefore, in the beginning of the school season, in addition to school bags and stationery, clothing, accessories, etc. are in great demand.