читать дальшеSince ancient times many countries had a tradition of celebrating the beginning of a new year. The dates of it were connected to the history of calendar and closely intertwined with pagan and Christian holidays. The tradition of celebrating it, as well, had a very strong influence of pagan believes. For example, its main character Ded Moroz has his prototype in the guise of East Slavic spirit of cold Treskun (known as well as Studenets or Moroz) - master of the snowy fields and forests, which brought on the ground cold, snow, and blizzards. People who believed in his power, gave gifts for him to become kinder. About 100 years ago under the influence of French Per Noel and American Santa Claus the stern old man turned into a good Grandfather Frost, beloved by children, who generously welcome them with toys.
In the Western world New Year is now celebrated not so grand as Christmas. It is just a secular holiday, although elegant and very cheerful. In Russia, after an interrupted tradition of celebration of Christmas for 70 years during the Soviet time, New Year has great importance. This is a special celebration of hope for the future. New Year in Russia is one of a very rare occasions in our every day life when all the family and friends get together, when they can exchange gifts and wish each other luck and happiness. It is a day when all people together listen to the chiming of the Kremlin clock at midnight and make the most desired wish. This day is usually full of activities and evening is full of joy and faces of our beloved ones.
A beautifully dressed New Year tree, Ded Moroz and Snegurochka, children's events and performances of New Year’s tales, gifts and good wishes to each other, parties, family feasts, fireworks on the streets and Christmas balls, sparkling snow, ice skating, plenty of light and humorous programs on television... is a nice end of the year and the promising start of a new one. As many holidays, New Year nowadays is meant to unite people and help them dream and wish, think about the past and fulfill with hopes for the better future. Its a unique opportunity to get together and spend time with all the friends and family. I think we should not only appreciate it but use this occasion to get closer to each other, to summarize our successes and leave all the bad in the past, to build plans for a new year and start dreaming again. New Year holiday as a door to a new better life opens at midnight and everyone drinks a glass of champagne, closes his or her eyes and makes a wish, believing that it will come true. And even if it don't, we will not know about it for the next 365 days. Hence, we can dream for the next year and nobody could blame us for it. That is a magic of New Year.