Russia is unusual in the fact that it has at least two new year’s days per year! But why is this the case, how can the calendar turn the page twice? Please allow us to explain…

A tale of two calendars

The existence of Old New Year’s Day in Russia is a direct result of the calendar change enacted in the early 20th century. Prior to 1918, Russia followed the Julian calendar, which was 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used by most of Europe. When the Bolshevik government officially adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918, January 1st on the new calendar fell 13 days after the traditional Julian New Year’s Day.

This discrepancy created a second, unofficial date for the New Year celebration according to the old style calendar. The Russian Orthodox Church also maintained the Julian calendar for its liturgical year, solidifying the continued recognition of the old date, especially for religious observances.

Images above: Online greeting cards for Old New Year’s Eve

Modern Popularity and Meaning

The Old New Year, celebrated on the night of January 13th to 14th, remains a genuinely popular and beloved informal holiday in Russia and other post-Soviet states. Its popularity stems from its unique position in the cultural calendar. It is not an official public holiday with days off work, but rather a quiet, family- and friend-oriented celebration. It serves as a gentle epilogue to the long and festive holiday season that begins with Western New Year on December 31st and includes Orthodox Christmas on January 7th. This long winter break gives Russians roughly 10 days of time off of work.

A Voluntary Celebration

The holiday’s charm lies in its lack of formal obligation. There is no pressure for grand feasts or expensive gifts, allowing for a more relaxed and heartfelt gathering. It is a time to finish leftover holiday food, visit close friends, and extend the warmth of the season. For the observant, it also marks the end of the strict Orthodox Christmas fast, permitting a fuller celebration. Furthermore, many Russians associate the Old New Year with traditional folk customs and fortune-telling rituals, particularly among young women, linking it to a sense of national heritage and pre-Christian traditions tied to the winter solstice.

Other possible New Years in Russia

Since the Russian Federation comprises many ethnicities local additional celebrations for a new year can happen in certain regions. Some ethnicities enjoy Nowruz or the Iranian New Year which happens at some point in march right when the snow across Russia starts to melt. Tatars and Bashkirs often celebrate Sabantuy during the first lovely weather of June. These can be very big celebrations as well. In Chechnya the Islamic New Year is observed by many unofficially. As you can see it is possible that some more diverse regions of Russia could see many new year’s celebrations one-after-another!

In Conclusion

In essence, the Old New Year is a living historical artifact, a testament to Russia’s complex journey between tradition and modernization. Its enduring popularity is less about lavish celebration and more about the human desire to prolong joy, cherish tradition, and enjoy a moment of calm reflection before the return to ordinary life. It occupies a special, nostalgic place in the Russian heart, a warm and peaceful finale to the winter festivities.