How to Celebrate Women’s Day in Russia
International Women’s Day celebrated in the first month of spring on March 8th is a very special holiday for every woman in Russia and other Russian speaking countries. It honors motherhood, femininity, beauty, and spring. International Women’s Day is a day when men express love and appreciation to all women in their lives and shower them with love, affection, and gifts. One might compare March 8 in Russia with Mother’s Day in US, although the Russian holiday celebrates women in general, including mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, wives, and girlfriends.
International Women’s Day History
International Women’s Day has emerged as a political celebration to symbolize the fight of women from all over the world for their rights, equality with men, democracy and peace. International Women’s Day has been a national holiday in Russia since 1918 and became a non-labor day in 1965.
As the time passed, the political motives of the holiday were forgotten and March 8th simply became a women’s holiday in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union that honors motherhood, beauty, and spring. March 8th today is first of all the day of warm feelings and excitement.
Holiday Symbols
International Women’s Day is a first spring festival in Russia that’s why spring flowers became the main symbol of the holiday. Colorful tulips, pure white lilies of the valley, sunny mimosas and daffodils are the most popular flowers for the occasion. You will notice a lot of women of all ages walking around with beautiful spring bouquets on this day. The other common symbol of March 8th is an image of a mother with a child that often appears on postcards that are traditionally given on this day.
Celebrating March 8 in Russia
March 8th is an official public holiday in Russia. This beautiful spring festival is usually celebrated twice, first with co-workers at the office and then with family and friends.
Since International Women’s Day is a day off in Russia, people celebrate it at work the day before. All women receive flowers and small memorable gifts from their fellow co-workers and employers. It is also common to have a small office party with cake and a glass of wine or champagne after work.
To create the festive mood a lot of entertaining concerts and performances are organized on March 8th. The best singers and actors perform on stage with songs and poems about love and beautiful women. However, not many Russians celebrate the holiday by going to concerts. The traditional way of observing the holiday is at home among friends and family.
March 8 Gifts
Traditionally, both men and women give gifts for International Women’s Day to the women they love and respect. The gifts that Russians give on March 8th depend on several things. The first to consider is how closely you are related to a woman (whether she’s your grandmother, mother, wife, teacher, or a girlfriend) and what kind of a gift you can afford.
Flowers are the most popular gift for March 8. Tulips, yellow mimosas, daffodils and roses are not only the symbol but also the most popular choice for the occasion. Sweet gift baskets and chocolate complemented by cute plush toys are the next popular choice, followed by perfume and beauty products.
Women’s Day Wishes
Wish a happy Women’s day to a Russia woman in your life using one of these phrases:
- Happy March 8th – С 8 Марта! [s vahs’-MIHM MAHR-ta]
- Best wishes for March 8th – Поздравлем с восьмым марта! [puhz-drahv-LYAH-yoo s vahs’-MIHM MAHR-ta]
- Happy International Women’s Day – C Международным женским днём! [s mehzh-doo-nuh-ROHD-nim ZHENS-keem dnyom]
For more Women’s Day Gifts to Russia please visit www.RussianFlora.com
