New Year: Traditions of the Peoples of Russia

How is New Year’s Eve in the Muslim world connected to Zoroastrianism, and why do only Slavs celebrate Old New Year? What color clothes do the Bashkir Father Frost and Snow Maiden wear, and how do you prepare traditional Chuvash flatbreads shaped like little ducks and cows?

Almost every people in the world has its own holidays and rituals related to the coming of a new year, but the time and format of celebration can differ greatly. Even the Slavs acquired their winter holiday relatively recently, for ages marking the change of the year in autumn or spring. The Islamic world, in general, does not recognize this holiday; however, Tatars, Bashkirs, Chechens, and other Muslim peoples of Russia have their own equivalents of New Year and celebrate it with pleasure.

This book gathers the most interesting facts about the origin of the beloved holiday among different peoples of Russia, and also describes the traditions of celebrating 12 peoples living in our country. Expand your horizons and diversify the familiar holiday by surprising your guests with multinational cuisine and traditions from all across the country.