Valeriya Tsay 201103889

Valeriya Tsay

201103889

 

A new beginning

 

Five minutes left. The popping sound of a champagne cork.. Everybody is trying to get a glass of champagne and the Bengal lights. People are waiting when the clock will show 12 am. They are counting last seconds together and finally, here it is. The New Year has come. Perhaps, many nations and cultures celebrate the New Year in such way. And it's familiar to you. But today I'm going to tell how Russians celebrate this special day.

First of all, the celebration of New Year is a good occasion to reunite with family, and not only that, friends can also join. This is a day of joy, happiness and new start. In Russia there is a proverb that as you meet the New Year as you spend it. That's why people are trying to forget past resentments, forgive each other, get rid of bad habits and memories – just start with a clean slate. Also during this celebration some people like to tell fortunes anticipating bright future. Some people even do sort of a rite: they write down their wish on the sheet of paper, burn it, put ashes into the glass of champagne and when clock's hands are pointing right at twelve, they drink it, hoping that their wish will be accomplished. But modern people are not that superstitious anymore. Therefore these small traditions are losing their importance.

Of course, there is no a good celebration without good food. Main components of Russian feast are fresh tangerines, salad oliv'e, a herring under a coat and champagne. The names of the salads sound funny, don't they? Oliv'e is a salad with mixed vegetables, eggs, sausages and mayonnaise. A herring under a coat is a salad with herring, beet and mayonnaise. Nobody knows what these salads actually symbolize. But if you look at the table which is decorated by these dishes, you will not be able to refrain yourself from temptation to try it.

And, last but not least, are decorations. Almost every house has a symbol of New Year is Elka. Elka is a sort of American Christmas tree. It is decorated with many-colored shining toys, tinsel and garlands. Also irreplaceable symbols of Russian New Year are Ded Moroz and Snegurochka. Ded Moroz is Russian Santa, and Snegurochka is his granddaughter who is helping him to give presents to children. In many kinder gardens and elementary schools teachers make a performance wearing costumes of Ded Moroz and Snegurochka. In order to get a present children have to sing or dance, or tell a poem.

New Year is my favorite holiday. It gives you a new hope, a new start. That's why people in Russia are so excited when that day comes. They think that it will give them a chance to change their life. And when five minutes left before New Year, they sing very famous Russian song "Five minutes", because during these five minutes you can do so many things which haven't been done yet.