Christmas and New Year - Russian Style

Christmas is just not the same in Russia.  I know that Christmas is celebrated in different ways around the globe, but in Russia, it barely features.  For Orthodox Christians, it is truly a religious celebration and is held on 7th January, according to the Orthodox calendar.  For the majority of Russians, who aren't religious, New Year's is the main holiday of the season.  And how do Russians celebrate New Year's?  Of course, with a sit-down meal with the family.  Okay, that sounds familiar, but what do they eat?  Turkey?  Chicken?  No!  How about some juicy roast pork instead?  Definitely not!  Hmm, okay.  Are they like their Slavic brethren in the Czech Republic and opt for carp with a potato salad?  Nope - wrong again!  So, what do the Russians eat on Новый Год  (New Year's)?  Olivier salad (Салат Оливье) - that's what!  It surpised me, because I imagined that it would be at least something meaty or fishy.

Russian Olivier salad



Here's a link for a meat version of Olivier Salad:

http://www.ruscuisine.com/recipes/appetizers/meat/n--50

But, when it comes to Christmas and New Year in Russia, there is at least one familiar face (apart from baby Jesus) - Santa Claus!  Well, he looks like Santa, and does similar things that our red and white beardy friend does.  It's just that he is called Father Frost  - Дед Мороз  - pronounced Ded Moroz (a bit like Dead Morose...yeah).  And he arrives on his sleigh with his granddaughter Снегурочка  - Snegurochka, which means The Snow Maiden.  And together, the duo hand out presents. 




As far as my Christmas and New Year went, it was pretty tame.  There was the company Christmas party with a 'Secret Santa.'  Thank you to whoever gave me some lovely gifts, including a copy of The Master and Margarita, some death metal cds, chocolates and a pimp hat and bling...less said about that the better.  And where was the pimp stick?  I think Ded Moroz kept that for himself!  Biatch!  And my flatmates and I had a few guests round on 25th December for some traditional Anglo-American Christmas food.  The full works, including brussel sprouts.  Yummy!