Every year, International Women's Day (Международный женский день) is celebrated in Russia and around the world. It’s a holiday dedicated to promoting women’s rights (права женщин), fighting for gender equality (равенство полов), and celebrating the achievements (достижения) of women. In this article, you’ll learn about the history of Международного женского дня, and Russia's unique celebrations for it.
What is International Women’s Day?
While the main focus of Международного женского дня can vary from country to country, there are three things that are commonly observed on this day:
Women’s right to vote (право голосовать)
Women’s right to work (право на труд)
The promotion of равенство полов
History of International Women’s Day
Международный женский день started in 1909 when the Socialist Party of America put together the first observance in New York City. It was Luise Zietz, Clara Zetkin, and Käte Duncker who began to spread the idea to Europe — and ultimately to many other countries. In 1911, Europe had its very first events and celebrations (празднование) of Международного женского дня.
Observing Международного женского дня at first tended to hold onto its socialist roots (социалистические корни). Women often marched and demonstrated (устраивать марши и демонстрации) to promote “feminism” (феминизм) and “права женщин”, and the holiday quickly caught on in more socialist or communist countries like Russia and China.
Russian women first observed Международный женский день on March 2, 1913. They held a demonstration in St Petersburg demanding право голосовать. On March 8, 1917, women устроили another демонстрацию. Many historians believe this became the start of the Russian Revolution. Four days after демонстрации, Russian Emperor Nicholas II abdicated from the throne, and the provisional government granted women право голосовать.
How to Celebrate International Women’s Day in Russia
Since 1918, Russians have celebrated Международный женский день as a national holiday. It became a non-labour day (нерабочий день) in 1965. International Women’s Day remained a public holiday in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union (распад Советского Союза). Today, March 8 is a day to celebrate and honour women of all ages (чествовать женщин всех возрастов). It has become a symbol of motherhood (материнство), beauty (красота), and spring (весна).
International Women’s Day is often celebrated among family or friends with a festive meal (праздничная еда) and drinks. Many women receive flowers, cards (открытки) and other gifts (подарок). Many television programmes pay tribute to (отдавать дань уважения) достижениям of famous Russian women from the past and the present.
The most common symbols of International Women's Day in Russia are spring flowers (весенние цветы), particularly tulips and lilies of the valley (тюльпаны и ландыши), and images of a mother with a child (изображение матери с ребёнком). These symbols often appear on открытках that men traditionally give women on March 8.
Do you celebrate International Women's Day in your country? Do you have any traditions that go along with it? Share your answer in the comments below.
Happy International Women’s Day from To Russian Horizons!
Feel free to share these cards with your loved ones.
Want more blog posts like this? Never miss one by joining my mailing list at the bottom of this page.
Please be kind by clicking on the heart and sharing below.
Comments