New Year in Russia These are the last days of October so in two months we'll be celebrating New Year. This is probably one of two or three the main holidays here, in Russia. I'll try to uncover what it's like to be a Russian as the New Year holiday is going on. The first thing I should mention is the duration of it. A schedule approved by the government sets 9 days as the holiday - from the 31st of December till the 8th of January. Thus, the majority of ordinary people, for example, people who have 5/2 shift schedule, can make plans up according to their wishes. However, nearly all Russians prefer putting in this time with relatives, especially those who they haven't met with for a long time. The last day of the year makes probably into the most "cooking" day of the year. Since an owner of a chosen home (it's frequently a parent's home) waits for many guests, she/he (or they) starts making dishes from the exact beginning of the day. There are special dishes on our tables which all families in Russia make for this occasion. Sorry, but it's hard to explain for me as my vocabulary there is poor. At 22.00 December 31st, people are gathered around the festive table. They eat and speak to each other exchanging things that have happened to them this year. The culmination is showing on TV the exceptional (for Russians) clock, hanging on the Kremlin, and at the time of year changing, people have a glass of champagne and make wishes. The next days are for popping into friends and playing different games in the streets which covered snow.