Comments | spiritofsorrow: Twenty-Sixth Drop: New Year's Day, the Russian way!

spiritofsorrow

Twenty-Sixth Drop: New Year's Day, the Russian way!

Jan 01, 2010 02:20

As we enter the new year, I wish to give the entire City a wish of peace and joy as January begins. In Russia, my homeland, New Year's Day is a large celebration, since the national leaders forbade religion. With no Christmas, New Year's Day grew to epic proportions, complete with Father Frost -- not quite Santa Claus, but a wintry old man who is ( Read more... )

new year's day, russian holidays

Comments 23

sapanwood January 1 2010, 07:34:42 UTC

They forbade religion during your time? We must not be from the same decade.

spiritofsorrow January 1 2010, 11:29:48 UTC

Ah, then you are from the motherland as well? When are you from?

Yes, most unfortunately. I am from the 1960s decade, the time of the Soviet Union and Stalin. We are a Communist nation that explicitly forbids the practice of any religion. All citizens must be declared atheists.

Of course, this practice only holds in theory, because many families attended religious gatherings and observed holidays in secret. But it produced a dramatic difference in citizens; my family was underground Eastern Orthodox Christian, while Major Raikov had never even heard of Christmas.

spiritofsorrow January 3 2010, 02:27:44 UTC

(ooc: You should show up to the New Year's Russian Party Thing! There's a long on Tampered. :) )

hidesinrestroom January 1 2010, 09:34:28 UTC

How could I NOT come out for New Years?

spiritofsorrow January 1 2010, 11:32:09 UTC

I am not sure, but I felt it needed saying. This will be a breath of fresh air in all these strange cultures. Not that I mind all the foreign citizens, of course, but it is good to have a piece of home here.

hidesinrestroom January 2 2010, 05:34:45 UTC

Definitely. And I'll have your New Years present done later.

spiritofsorrow January 3 2010, 02:26:49 UTC

(ooc: I figured it could be fun to log a hangout -- Penny and Sorrow and Raikov could futz about and chat or something and drink :P Log is up if you wish to contribute!)

roseblooms January 1 2010, 13:25:20 UTC

That's quite a nice message, Mr. Sorrow. Russia was... returning to celebrating religious holidays, from where I was.

spiritofsorrow January 1 2010, 18:01:32 UTC

Where and when are you from, madam?

roseblooms January 3 2010, 02:29:38 UTC

The early 1990's, from England. It was... a rather interesting time, if I do say so myself!

spiritofsorrow January 3 2010, 05:12:45 UTC

The 1990's...ah, not so far away. Have Russia and America stopped playing "whose toys are better" and started cooperating yet? The Cold War, I believe it is called?

Thread 8

horrible_penny January 2 2010, 02:48:09 UTC

That's a really nice wish.

I really, really don't mind cooking. You'll let me know if you need a hand?

spiritofsorrow January 2 2010, 03:41:54 UTC

Yes, of course...well, if you truly do not mind, I actually haven't cooked in years...

horrible_penny January 2 2010, 04:27:02 UTC

Of course I don't mind! I'll keep a fire extinguisher on hand, too.

spiritofsorrow January 2 2010, 05:28:37 UTC

Ah, Penny. Ever prepared. I promise I will try not to set your kitchen on fire.

I hope Raikov does not drink too much of my vodka. It seems a vice that isn't beyond him. Still, it is a time for revelry and anticipating the best in the new year. Perhaps you will sing for us!

S novym godom, Penny -- (Happy) New Year!

Thread 7

der_freischuetz January 3 2010, 15:42:57 UTC

Solidarity, hm. Perhaps you should rethink who of us still lingers in the past.