Russian Christmastide, known as Svyatki or Sviatki, is celebrated January 7 - January 19th. This holiday period is associated with pagan customs of fortune telling and caroling. Many fortune-telling customs revolved around unmarried womens' search for signs about their future husbands in wax, in mirrors, or in shadows.
Old Svyatki customs are referenced in some of the best-known Russian literature. Fortune-telling practices are described in Pushkin's Eugene Onegin, and costumed mummers are described in a Christmas scene from Tolstoy's War and Peace.
Moscow's Russian Winter Festival ends on the last day of Svyatki this year, Epiphany, when some individuals brave a swim in icy waters that are said to be given special powers on this day. The Russian Winter Festival is an annual event that allows visitors to experience the best of Russian culture and celebrate Russian holidays that take place during winter. This festival is a recommended Moscow winter activity for travelers.
More Russian Culture Monday
- Winter Activities in Moscow
- Russian Ice Sculpture
- Russian Winter Weather
- Russian Culture Monday Archive
Russian Winter Festival photo credit: Maarten (Superchango)