THE DRAW - DEAL?

It is clear that our leaders  ARE Nastya and Masha.

Dear ladies, 

our competition is for fun, let's not turn it into a farce.

Please, no more comments for you, just Christmas Quiz 5.

Let's agree to the draw, i.e. you both win and share Places 1-2.

Deal?

History of Russian New Year celebration

In Russia, after adoption of Christianity people, following traditions of forefathers, who believed that new year began in spring, when all nature was resuscitating, celebrated New Year in March or at Eastertide. In 1492  Ioann III approved a decision to consider 1st September as the beginning of new  ecclesiastical and civil year. At this day people rendered tributes, duties and other taxes to the power. To make this  more ceremonial and pompeous, the tzar came to Kremlin where everyone, a simple peasant or a decent boyar could come to him and beg for his mercy. Tzar gave an apple to every man and called him "brother". 

The last time when New Year, celebrated with tzar pomp, was in 1698. 

    From 1700, when Peter the Great, looking at Europe, issued an edict by which New Year was moved to Christmas. It was forbidden to celebrate New Year in September and on 15 December 1969 drum-roll announced the beginning of the new century to people on the Red Square. The priest said that having thanked God and listened to service choral, it was ordered to rich people to decorate the streets with fir-, pine- and juniper- trees and to poor people to put some branches over the house gates. New Year Trees must be ready by 1 Jan and kept until 7 Jan. On the first day people must congratulate each other with New Year and  go to the Red Square where fireworks and shooting would begin. It was recommended to shoot from little canons or guns in yards three times and make little fires outside  every night. 

   It was Peter the Great who fired first salute announcing the beginning of the new year. Every toast of Peter the Great was accompanied by 25 canon shots. The sky was illuminated and painted in all colors, people congratulated each other, had fun, danced and made presents to each other. Peter the 1st watched steadily that our holiday was not worse or poorer than in European countries. 

  For the first time the celebration of New Year wasn't religious. Henceforward, this holiday has been the most favorite and popular one in Russia. 

So New Year has come to us with New Year Tree decorations, fires and lights, snow scratching under feet, children games and entertainments - sledge, ski, skate, snowmen, Father Frost and gifts.... 

It was easy to absorb new traditions, as Slavic people had another holiday "Svyatki" at this winter time, when there were sledge driving, fortune telling, jokes of masked youth and round dancing. 

Although it was very cold and frosty, people were not afraid of cold. The dancing around fires could warm anyone. 

    In the time of Peter, the Trees were not put in the houses, just decorated with branches. But what was before the New Year Tree?  There was a beautiful tradition to grow a cherry tree in the house by the beginning of new year in March. Blossoming tree and candles of "peace" round, isn't it marvelous picture? White cherry with tender petals like an elegant bride exhaled fragrance in houses. 

You know, the tradition to decorate  New Year Tree is more 2 000 years old. Why have people began tree decorating? Because of great magic of tree. In Druid horoscope the destiny of every man is connected with his tree. Different spirits live in your tree, so you need to please them by fruits, sweets and other gifts and evil will go away. It was considered fir branches drew away evil spirit and that's why they were hung near the door. 

    The firs came into our homes much later, only in 1830-s. At first firs were only in houses of rich Germans in Saint Petersburg (it was the capital of Russia at this time). By the end of the century the fir became the principal home attribute of New Year holiday. But after Revolution in 1918 the decoration of the fir was forbidden as "it belonged to Christmas holiday, so to religion as well". 

And only in 1949 1 January became a day off for all people again. 

New Year Pyrotechnics

One of the most common Russian traditions on New Yaer is to set off fireworks as well as different firecrackers, petards, Bengal lights and other pyrotechnics. This tradition have a millenial history and came from China. According to Chinese tradition, on New Year's Eve there appeared a lot of evil spirits which searched for refuges in people's houses in order to bring misfortune to them. So fireworks were used to banish evil spirits by means of great noise.

Sparklers. (bengal lights.)
Invention of bengal lights dates back to the 5-6 centiries AD. They first appeared in India or more exactlly in Bengal. During religious services and ceremonies priests could set a bright but short fire on the temple's altar. This fire became an "ancestor" of the modern sparkler.  

Russian New Year Movies

Winter with all the holidays during this time of the year is very important part in lives of all Russian people. So no wonder that Russian cinematograph has created so many good movies dedicated to this period. Today we'll tell you about the best examples. Some of them are about New Year, some about Christmas, some are just classical fairy tales in winter decorations. But all these films create good and warm mood in every snowy and frosty day.

Ironiya Sudby ili s Legkim Parom (The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!) is a cult Soviet comedy-drama film directed by Eldar Ryazanov and based on his play "Odnazhdy v Novogodnyuyu Noch" (Once on New Year's Eve"). It is a traditional New Year movie, which is viewed by Russians every year during winter holidays. By its popularity, it can be compared with the American film It’s a Wonderful Life.
It is an unhurried romantic comedy, which looks more like theatrical play screened for TV. Great actors, interesting plot twists, notes of sadness and loneliness and unique atmosphere of holiday create wonderful movie, which is interesting to watch for many many times and which is as necessary for Russian New Year and Christmas, as Christmas tree or champagne.

Karnavalnaya Noch (The Carnival Night) is a 1956 Soviet musical film, the first big-screen film of the great Russian film director Eldar Ryazanov. The main role in this film made Lyudmila Gurchenko one of the most well-known actresses on the Soviet scene.
Members of the Economics Institute prepares for the New Year entartainment program, which includes a lot of funny performances, singing and dancing. Suddenly, a new director arrives and disapproves the scheduled entertainment, as he wants to make it more serious, something with annual reports and long speeches. Obviously, nobody agree with his plans, so the fight for the merry New Year is started.

Charodei (Magicians) is a 1982 Soviet film directed by Konstantin Bromberg, loosely based on the science fantasy novel Monday Begins on Saturday by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky. It is one of classic Soviet New Year's Eve romantic comedies, such as Irony of Fate and The Carnival Night.

Sirota Kazanskaya (Kazan Orphan) is a lyrical New Year comedy. Village teacher Nastya decides to find her father, who she knows nothing about. She sends a letter in the newspaper. On December 31, three different men come to her house, each of them is absolutely sure that he is real father of Nastya.

Dzhentelmeny Udachi (Gentlemen Of Fortune) is a classical Soviet comedy, not related to winter holidays very closely, but still it is a necessary part of Russian New Year TV-programme.
The movie follows the story of an amiable kindergarten director named Troshkin who looks exactly like a criminal called Docent, who has stolen Alexander the Great's helmet at an archaeological excavation. Docent and his gang are caught by police, but Docent is imprisoned in a different jail than his mates. Since Troshkin looks identical to Docent, the police send him undercover to prison with the real criminals to get information about the stolen helmet.

Eta Vesyolaya Planeta (This Funny Planet) is a fantastic musical comedy, which tells about aliens who came to the Earth on New Year's night and find themselves at the merry party. As everybody around in carnival costumes, aliens are considered as normal people.

Prikhodi na Menya Posmotret (Come to Look at Me)
Lyrical and touching story about a spinster woman, who tends her disabled mother. The old lady desperately wants her daughter to marry, and the daughter, driven by the supposed imminent death of her mother, invites a total stranger home on the New Year's night and introduces him as her boyfriend.
The best choice for those who want to watch a romantic holiday film, but just can't see "The Irony of Fate" on the screen anymore.

Morozko ("Father Frost")
This beautifully costumed film for children is based on a popular Russian fairy tale. The film's director is Alexander Row, who pioneered the genre of a fairy-tale screen adaptation. Even Steven Spilberg paid tribute to Row's enchanting fairy tales.
The story tells about a kind girl Nastenka who works very hard and suffers from her stepmother. One day the cruel woman decided to get rid of her stepdaughter by sending her to a winter forest for her to freeze to death there. Luckily, Nastenka is saved by the Father Frost, but this is only the beginning of her adventures.

Stary Novy God (The Old New Year)
Two families move into the new house and become neighbours. One family is from cerebral society, the other is from
working class. In the unique Russian holiday "The Old New Year" (January 13) heads of the both families
decide to change their lives cardinally.
This is a very significant movie, as it tells about such a unique Russian tradition as celebrating New Year according to old calendary. Besides, it is a good material on psychology of Russian people, their interesting view of the world. And it is just a great comedy.

Snezhnaya Koroleva (The Snow Queen)
The film is based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, the original script is written by the Russian well-known writer Yevgheny Schwartz.
It is a story about little, but kind and brave girl Gerda, who goes to a wonderful and dangerous journey to find her friend, Kai, who was kidnapped by a powerful wicked fairy, the Snow Queen, and taken to her kingdom.
This film looks really great even in our times, as it's made with great attention to the characters of the original fairy-tale. There are a lot of complicated filming tricks, the best actors and wonderful decorations. And it's just a a touching story of great love and fiendship.

Vechera na Khutore Bliz Dikanki (Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka Village)
The film is based on the story "Christmas Eve" by Russian and Ukranian writer Nikolai Gogol. The film's director and scriptwriter is Alexander Row (Morozko). This story is an unique combination of old Russian and Ukranian traditions, legends and myths. It has wonderful atmosphere of winter Christmas nights in Slavic villages and stories which are often told on these nights.
The action takes place both in a village of Dikanka in the Ukraine and at the palace of a Russian Empress. Blacksmith Vacula loves a haughty girl Oksana, who demands for a Christmas present a pair of tcherevichki (shoes) that the Empress wears. Only then she will agree to marry Vacula. Devil promises to help Vacula if on condition that the blacksmith sells him his soul. But Vacula was no fool.

Snegurochka (Snow Maiden)
A classical fairy tale film based on the play of the same name by Ostrovsky from his cicle "Spring Tales". This film is probably closer to ancient Slavic and pagan traditions than all the other films. It is highly recommended to those who are interested in Russian ancient legends and those who just want to watch a film about a strange girl and an unusual love mixed with mysticism.
Snegurochka suddenly appears in some Russian village, people say she is a daughter of Father Frost and Spring. The girl is so beautiful that many young men fell in love with her, but she is also cold and indifferent, which brings some love tragedies to the calm village. Trying to find feelings, Snegurochka comes to Mother Spring.

The "Holy Supper"

                                                          The "Holy Supper"

  Christmas is one of the most joyous traditions for the celebration of Eve comes from the Russian tradition. On the Eve of Christmas, it is traditional for all family members to gather to share a special meal. The various foods and customs surrounding this meal differed in Holy Russia from village to village and from family to family, but certain aspects remained the same.

  Once the first star has appeared in the sky, the festivities begin. Although all of the food served is strictly Lenten, it is served in an unusually festive and anticipatory manner and style. The Russians call this meal: "The Holy Supper." The family gathers around the table to honor the coming Christ Child.

   Christmas Eve dinner is meatless but festive. The most important ingredient is a special porridge called kutya. It is made of wheatberries or other grains which symbolize hope and immortality, and honey and poppy seeds which ensure happiness, success, and untroubled rest. A ceremony involving the blessing of the home is frequently observed. The kutya is eaten from a common dish to symbolize unity. Some families used to throw a spoonful of kutya up to the ceiling. According to tradition, if the kutya stuck, there would be a plentiful honey harvest.

Traditionally, the "Holy Supper" consists of 12 different foods, symbolic of the 12 Apostles. 

1) Mushroom soup with zaprashka; this is often replaced with Sauerkraut soup

2) Lenten bread ("pagach")

3) Grated garlic

4) Bowl of honey

 5) Baked cod

6) Fresh Apricots, Oranges, Figs and Dates

7) Nuts

8) Kidney beans (slow cooked all day) seasoned with shredded potatoes, lots of garlic, salt and pepper to taste

9) Peas

 10) Parsley Potatoes (boiled new potatoes with chopped parsley and margarine)

11) Bobal'ki (small biscuits combined with sauerkraut or poppyseed with honey)

12) Red Wine

 

 

 

Ded Moroz & Snegurochka

Ded Moroz is a fictional character who in some Slavic cultures plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. The literal translation of the name would be "Old Man Frost", although the name is often translated as "Father Frost" in light of the modern usage of "ded" to refer to a grandfather. Ded Moroz is said to bring presents to children, however, unlike the secretive Santa Claus, the gifts are often delivered "in person", at New Year's Eve parties and other New Year celebrations. The "in-person" gifts usually occur at organized celebrations at kindergartens or schools and at circus performances around New Year time where the gifts can be standardized. Various agencies provide Ded Moroz visits to families and offices. In such cases specific gifts can be chosen for particular members at the parties. The clandestine placing of gifts under a New Year tree occurs when a Ded Moroz visit is not arranged for some reason.
The traditional appearance of Ded Moroz resembles that of Santa Claus, with his coat, boots and long white beard. Specifically, Ded Moroz is often shown wearing a heel-length fur coat, a semi-round fur hat, and valenki or jackboots on his feet. Unlike Santa Claus, he is often depicted as walking with a long magical staff.
The official residence of Ded Moroz in Russia is considered to be the town of Veliky Ustyug.
Depictions of Ded Moroz commonly show him accompanied by Snegurochka.  His granddaughter and helper, who is often depicted in long silver-blue robes and a furry cap or a snowflake-like crown. She is a unique attribute of Ded Moroz; no traditional gift-givers from other cultures are portrayed with a similar companion. Just as Ded Moroz appears in various interpretations during the holiday season impersonated by men in costume, so does Snegurochka assume new guises around Russia to help distribute gifts. Snegurochka's name is derived from the Russian word for snow, sneg. 

Russian New Year Table

Since the mid XX century, most Russians celebrate the New Year at home, meeting with family or guests at the dinner table. New Year's holiday menu, has its own traditions and canons too. The main feast at the holiday table is the large number of salads and snacks, as well as traditional pickles and marinades. Beautifully decorated snacks are placed in the center of the table, so that every guest could try what he likes. Russian salads are significantly different from their European counterparts - many of them are made from the boiled vegetables and mayonnaise. The most favorite salad of Russians and the main dish on New Year's table is, of course, Olivier. It is made from boiled beef or chicken, with boiled potatoes, carrots, onions, pickles, boiled egg, green peas and mayonnaise. Many housewives substitute meat for sausage or ham in this salad. This is due to the fact that in Soviet times, in the stores it was not always possible to buy meat.

Rich Festive Table

Though there are a lot of different ways to celebrate New Year in Russia, most people still prefer to gather around the rich festive table accompanied by their relatives and close friends. There are no any traditional New Year and Christmas dishes on Russian tables (expect the ones, we'll tell you later about), so every family cooks snacks, salads, meat and deserts in accordance with its own domestic traditions. But the general tradition is to make the festive table rich and plentiful, using interesting recipes and delicacies. So you won't be disappointed if you be invited to celebrate New Year at somebody's Russian house.  

Tangerines 
In the Soviet time tangerines were a sort of hard-to-get thing, so that fruit was served on the Soviet peoples' tables only once a year - during New Year holidays. No wonder that several generations linked the taste and scent of tangerines with New Year holidays. Now Russian people don't know such a word as "deficit" and tangerines can be bought everywhere. But their scent still reminds people about merry winter holidays, so that fruit is a mandatory attribute on the feast tables in Russia.

Russian Salad (Salade Olivier)Classical Salade Olivier was invented in the 1860s by Lucien Olivier, the chef of the Hermitage restaurant, one of Moscow's most celebrated restaurants. Later the recipe was simplified, some rare ingredients were swapped for something more accessible in the Soviet Union. The modern version of the popular salad, named "Russian Salad" includes meat (cow tongue or red beef meet or bologna sausage or non-spicy ham or white chicken meat), eggs, carrots, potatoes, apple, pickles, cucumber, green peas, onion and mayonnaise with sour cream as a souse. This salad is the main and necessary dish at ever holiday and especially on New Year's night. It is quite easy to cook and also very tasty and filling.