Russia New Year's Eve

most russians celebrate new year s eve families , close friends. origin of holiday in russia derives christmas. christmas major holiday in russia until banned, other religious holidays, communist party. compensate absence of christmas, new year s celebrated as christmas was, without religious aspect of holiday , lot of christmas attributes stolen, such christmas tree, became new year tree. after fall of soviet union, new year s still celebrated in russia , has become russian tradition. there old superstition if first visitor (especially unexpected one) on january 1 man, year good. people try start new year without debts.

the kremlin clock chimes , singing of russian national anthem bring in new year (2012).

the celebration starts 1 or 2 hours before midnight. common tradition farewell old year remembering important events of last twelve months. @ 5 minutes midnight people watch president s new year speech on tv , watch popular films or new year tv shows before , after midnight. there tradition listen kremlin clock bell ringing twelve times on radio or on tv, followed national anthem. during these last twelve seconds of year people keep silence , make secret wishes next year. after clock strikes, drink champagne , have rich dinner, watching tv concerts , having fun. people light fireworks outside , visit friends , neighbors. december 30 , 31 working days, lot of people have parties @ work (so-called corporatives ), though december 31 spent @ home or friends. grandfather frost , granddaughter snowmaiden bring presents on new year s eve.

on january 13, of people celebrates old new year , according julian calendar.