Did you know that the National Day of Russia is also the country's newest holiday? Russia Day didn't become an official holiday until 1994, four years after Russia became an independent Штат (shtat), or "state."
In this article, you'll learn how Russians celebrate this holiday, why it's such a significant (and sometimes controversial) day, and some useful vocabulary.
Let's get started!
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What is Russia Day?
Russia Day is the national day of Russia, marking the date in 1990 when Russia adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty, making Russia an independent state. In 1994, Russia began celebrating this as a national holiday, and in 2002, it received its official name: День России (Den'Rasii), or "Russia Day."
At one point, it was common for people to refer to the Russian national day as Russia Independence Day, though this later changed as there was some dispute over who Russia gained independence from.
The Russia Day holiday is a point of conflict for some Russians. Generally, the older population has negative or bitter feelings about the origins of this holiday, as it marked the Распад СССР (raspat SSSR), or "collapse of the USSR." The younger generation tends to think of it as the country's birthday and thus celebrate it more fervently.
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When is Russia Day Each Year?
Each year, Russia Day takes place on June 12, or 12 июня (12 iyunya).
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Russia Day Celebrations & Traditions
Красная Площадь (Krasnaya ploshad`), or "Red Square," may be the most popular place to visit during Russia Day. Each year, there's a special Концерт (kantsert), or "concert," here, in addition to a variety of other celebratory events. People enjoy spending time with friends and loved ones, visiting their country houses, and attending the many events that take place on this day.
Some cities may put on a Russian national day parade, and certain cities-called Master Cities-host events where people can gather to watch masters of ancient arts perform and demonstrate their prowess.
Another famous event on Russia's national day is the giving of National Awards at the Grand Kremlin Palace. The Russian president offers awards to Russians of high repute, such as renowned scientists or writers. There's also a large reception held at the Kremlin.
