On spring, communism, and Ukrainian holidays.

Here in(is) Ukraine, we have a pair of two(many) very special holidays, not widely known or celebrated elsewhere (except for former USSR and, maybe, a few other countries). Those are the Defender`s Day and the Women`s Day.
The first one was originally the day of the Soviet army, and had been established to mark the date of the Red Army`s creation – February 23. Although the Soviet Army does not exist anymore, and in Ukraine there is no more official holiday like this (in Russia, they have wisely restrained from cancelling it, changing the name to a “Defender`s Day” instead changing its name of "Defender's Day" to instead), it is still celebrated nationwide as a Men`s day. It`s still connected with military motifs (the gift cards usually include weapons, tanks and such so on), but now it`s more about the idea of masculinity and protection than actual military service.
The second one is celebrated on March 8. At the beginning, this one was meant to promote and celebrate the women`s struggle for their political rights. This is why it was originally introduced and promoted by the politically focused communist government. Later, though, it lost its political meaning, having turned into a bright celebration of femininity and spring. This is the day when all men congratulate their mothers, spouses, and lovers, female friends and colleagues. There is an even deeper meaning, and feeling, about it – the feeling of revival. At the beginning of March, it`s still cold and snowy, but it smells spring already, and all those flowers – in these days, the cities are all crowded by flower merchants – give the wonderful feeling that the long and tiresome winter is coming to an end, and the new life arises, as it should.
If you think about these two, it`s pretty fascinating – we can see how the historical events and political ideas get intertwined with deeper, primal human features, and how the latter remain when the first become obsolete. What started with women`s suffrage and communism, appeared to address the basic archetypes of femininity and masculinity, and to appeal to the basic natural rhythms – and so the governments come and go, the ideas fade, but the holidays do remain.

Actually China is a communist country.We also have some holidays for Red Army and state establish.Women's Day was also celebrated in China.We usually work half day and leave company for shopping.If some company do not have half day holiday,they will provide some gifts(such as shampoo,towel,scarf and so on) for female employee.By the way,I got some shopping vouchers this year.