Christmas in Russia is marked by the beauty of late-night parties and the lights of giant Christmas trees. From the touching carol services in Orthodox churches to the bustling outdoor festivals, everything in this birch country exudes a strange charm, like an endless love song of winter. Let's explore with Vietravel the unique features of Christmas in Russia!
1. Christmas atmosphere fills big cities
Christmas atmosphere fills Red Square, Moscow (Photo source: Collected)
During the Christmas season, major Russian cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk are brilliantly decorated, filled with lights and Christmas trees. Large squares become prominent highlights with giant pine trees and colorful Christmas stalls. Moscow stands out with Red Square, where visitors can admire the beauty of St. Basil's Cathedral amidst the misty white snow and sparkling lights.
Saint Petersburg is no less prominent with many light festivals and outdoor parties. In particular, the Hermitage Palace and the Russian Museum are both lit up, creating a brilliant and warm space in the cold of winter. Exploring the Christmas atmosphere in major cities in Russia is a great experience that helps you immerse yourself in the unique culture and customs of the Russian people.
2. Religious Rituals and Traditions During Christmas
Traditional Russian Christmas Eve dinner (Photo source: Collected)
Christmas in Russia is not only a day of fun and festivities but also an occasion for solemn religious rituals. Russians usually prepare for Christmas with a 40-day Lent, ending on Christmas Eve (January 6). During this time, they abstain from meat, eggs, and milk to purify their souls and bodies. On Christmas Eve, families attend prayer services at churches, especially Orthodox churches in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
A special tradition is the Christmas Eve dinner, called the "Holy Supper". This meal consists of 12 dishes symbolizing the 12 apostles of Christ. Popular dishes include fish, borscht, bread and vegetables. In particular, kutya - a wheat porridge cooked with honey and nuts, symbolizing prosperity and health - is an indispensable dish in the Russian Christmas meal.
3. Experience the traditional Christmas market
A Christmas market in Moscow (Photo source: Collected)
Christmas markets in Russia are a must-visit destination if you want to enjoy the typical festive atmosphere. Christmas markets are usually open from late December to early January, offering many traditional handicrafts such as decorations, gifts, and special dishes. The famous Christmas market in Moscow is the one on Red Square, where you can find sparkling decorations and countless attractive products.
Some of the popular foods at the Christmas market are pirozhki, blini, and hot chocolate, which help keep the body warm in the cold of Russian winter. The Christmas market is not only a place for shopping but also a space for cultural exchange, where locals and tourists can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, listen to Christmas songs and enjoy street art performances.
4. Join the unique ice and snow festival
Winter in Russia is cold but also brings the opportunity to participate in unique ice and snow festivals. The ice and snow festivals in Yekaterinburg or cities in Siberia are great experiences for tourists. During this time, sculptors from all over the world gather in Russia to create unique works of art from ice and snow.
Visitors can admire beautiful sculptures, go ice skating, skiing or try their hand at the traditional Russian ski sport - troika. These festivals are not only the highlight of the Christmas season but also provide an opportunity to experience the snow and ice culture of the cold and harsh Russian land.
5. Discover traditional Christmas cuisine
Typical Russian Christmas cuisine (Photo source: Collected)
Christmas cuisine in Russia is very diverse and rich, reflecting the unique culinary culture of this country. Some indispensable dishes in the Russian Christmas feast are black bread, Russian salad (Olivier), salted salmon and traditional pastries. In particular, red borscht soup made from red beets and beef is a traditional dish that is indispensable in family meals during this holiday.
Russians also love baked goods such as pirozhki (meat or vegetable pies) and blini (Russian pancakes). These dishes not only help keep people warm in the cold winter but also demonstrate the hospitality and solidarity of the Russian people during the festive season.
6. Immerse yourself in concerts and performing arts
Concerts in Russia (Photo source: Collected)
During the Christmas season, many major theaters in Russia host special concerts and performances. The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and the Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg are famous places to enjoy classic ballets such as "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake." These performances not only create a festive atmosphere but also give tourists and locals a chance to admire the pinnacle of Russian art.
In addition, many Orthodox churches in Russia also organize Christmas carol concerts, creating a sacred and emotional space for attendees. Ancient carols combined with flickering candlelight create a warm and solemn space, bringing listeners a sense of peace and joy on a mysterious Christmas night.
Christmas in Russia is a special occasion for tourists to explore a vast and mysterious country. Whether you stay in Moscow, Saint Petersburg or explore the Siberian countryside, Christmas in Russia always brings you unforgettable experiences, warm memories with family and friends, in a mysterious and joyful setting. Let's experience a Christmas season in Russia this year with Vietravel!
Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/giang-sinh-o-nga-v16055.aspx
Comment (0)