DEFENDER OF THE FATHERLAND DAY
is a holiday on February 23 and focuses on the achievements of military forces and veterans.
Defender of the Fatherland Day (or Men’s Day) is a truly Russian creation, first observed to mark the date of the creation of the Red (Soviet) Army in 1918.
Public Celebrations
Although the day has become a way to celebrate men as a whole, the public celebrations of February 23rd remain centered around Russian soldiers and military achievements. Particularly, parades and ceremonies throughout Russia honor soldiers past and present and war veterans; military stories and films are shown on television. In this way the holiday is similar to Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans’ Day in the U.S.
Private Celebrations
In contrast to the public (military-centric) celebrations, private celebrations of “Defender of the Fatherland” Day are mostly not at all related to military achievements, unless an important man in one’s life is or has been a soldier.
CONGRATULATIONS!