<\/p>\n
The Russian New Year season is well under way. Yes, that\u2019s right, New Year is more than a day, it\u2019s a season. \u00ab<\/strong>\u041f\u0440\u0438\u0433\u043e\u0442\u043e\u0432\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [preparations] start early. Not as early as the Christmas frenzy in the US, but definitely by early December.<\/p>\n There\u2019s so much to figure out! \u00ab<\/strong>\u0413\u0434\u0435 <\/strong>\u0431\u0443<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u043c <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u0434\u043d\u043e\u0432\u0430\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [Where are (we) going to celebrate?] is probably one of the most frequently asked questions of the season.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00ab\u0412\u044b \u0433\u0434\u0435 \u0431\u0443<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u0442\u0435 \u041d\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u0439 \u0413\u043e\u0434 \u0432\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c?\u00bb<\/strong> [Where are you spending the New Year\u2019s?]<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00ab\u041c\u044b \u0441 \u043c\u0443<\/span>\u0436\u0435\u043c \u0435<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u043c \u043d\u0430 \u041a\u0438\u043f\u0440, \u0430 \u0432\u044b \u043a\u0430\u043a?\u00bb<\/strong> [My husband and I are travelling to Cyprus and what about you?]<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00ab\u0410 \u043c\u044b – \u0443 \u0421\u0438<\/span>\u0434\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0432\u044b\u0445, \u043a\u0430\u043a \u043e\u0431\u044b<\/span>\u0447\u043d\u043e. \u0412\u044b<\/span>\u043f\u044c\u0435\u043c \u0448\u0430\u043c\u043f\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e, \u043f\u043e\u0442\u0430\u043d\u0446\u0443<\/span>\u0435\u043c, \u043f\u043e\u0441\u043b\u0443<\/span>\u0448\u0430\u0435\u043c \u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0449\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u041f\u0440\u0435\u0437\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [As usual, we\u2019re going to the Sidorovs’. We\u2019ll drink some Champaign, dance a bit, will tune into the president\u2019s address.]<\/p>\n Frankly, as someone who\u2019s gets very nostalgic about this most nostalgic of the Russian holidays, \u00a0I\u2019d rather go to the said Sidorovs\u2019 to celebrate \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e-<\/strong>\u0434\u043e\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u043d\u0435\u043c\u0443\u00bb<\/strong> [home style]. There\u2019s something \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u0431\u043d\u0430\u0434\u0451<\/span>\u0436\u0438\u0432\u0430\u044e\u0449\u0435\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [heartening] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u043e\u043e\u0434\u0443\u0448\u0435\u0432\u043b\u044f\u044e\u0449\u0435\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [inspiring] in the unpretentious rituals of Soviet-Russian New Year celebration that not even Cyprus can compete with.<\/p>\n We already talked about many of these \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u0442\u0440\u0430\u0434\u0438<\/span>\u0446\u0438\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [New Year traditions] on this blog over the years. So here\u2019s a little checklist if you\u2019d like to create \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u0434\u043d\u0438\u0447\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u0441\u0442\u0440\u043e\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e-<\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [Russian-style festive atmosphere]:<\/p>\n Watch \u00ab<\/strong>\u0418\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f <\/strong>\u0441\u0443\u0434\u044c\u0431\u044b<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [The Irony of Fate<\/a>]. To paraphrase a famous saying, \u00ab\u043a\u0430\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0439 \u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u043d\u0435 \u0441\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u0442\u0440\u0438\u0442 \u0418\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044e \u0441\u0443\u0434\u044c\u0431\u044b<\/span>!\u00bb<\/strong> [What kind of a Russian doesn\u2019t watch \u201cThe Irony of Fate!\u201d]. \u00ab<\/strong>\u0415<\/span><\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u0438 <\/strong>\u0443\u0436\u0435<\/span> <\/strong>\u0442\u043e\u0448\u043d\u0438<\/span>\u0442 <\/strong>\u043e\u0442 <\/strong>\u044d<\/span><\/strong>\u0442\u043e\u0433\u043e <\/strong>\u0444\u0438<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u043c\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [If you are sick to your stomach from watching this movie (too many times)], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0435<\/span><\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u0438 <\/strong>\u043e\u043d <\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u0434\u043e\u0435<\/span>\u043b <\/strong>\u0445\u0443<\/span>\u0436\u0435 <\/strong>\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u044c\u043a\u043e\u0439 <\/strong>\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u044c\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [if it bores you silly; lit. it bores you more than a bitter radish] then there\u2019s \u00ab<\/strong>\u0418\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u044f <\/strong>\u0441\u0443\u0434\u044c\u0431\u044b<\/span> 2\u00bb<\/strong> [Irony of Fate, Part 2] and a no-less wonderful and wintery \u00ab<\/strong>\u0427\u0430\u0440\u043e\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [The Magicians<\/a>].<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Stock up on \u00ab<\/strong>\u0421\u043e\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0428\u0430\u043c\u043f\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [Soviet Champaign]. It\u2019s extra sweet, even \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u0443-<\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u043e\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [semi-sweet] and bubbly, just like happy memories. You\u2019ll need lots of it for all the toasts, but the good news is it\u2019s cheap with a capital \u00ab<\/strong>\u0414\u00bb<\/strong> (for \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0435\u0448\u0451<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [cheap]).<\/p>\n Set up and decorate a real \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u044f\u044f <\/strong>\u0451<\/span><\/strong>\u043b\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [New Year Tree]. It\u2019s not that much different from a traditional Christmas tree. If you can score some vintage Soviet tree ornaments<\/a>, then more power to you. If not, the usual glass orbs will do, but nothing too fancy. Instead, rely extensively on \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u0438\u0448\u0443\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [tinsel], foil-wrapped \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0446\u043a\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u043e\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0445\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [walnuts], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0443\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0445\u043b\u043e\u043f\u0443<\/span>\u0448\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [paper crackers<\/a>], and whatever other home-made toys your kids make this year. Use red star for a topper.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Get \u00ab<\/strong>\u0414\u0435\u0434 <\/strong>\u041c\u043e\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0437\u00bb<\/strong> [Father Frost] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0421\u043d\u0435\u0433\u0443<\/span>\u0440\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [Snow Maiden]. I\u2019m not talking about playing dress up (although if you or your friends are up to that, you score major points). But at least put the pair of small dolls or figurines under your New Year Tree. Don\u2019t worry about a tree skirt though. Just use a white bed sheet.<\/p>\n Put mandarin oranges or tangerines under the tree on top of the make-shift tree skirt. They used to be a special winter treat in Soviet Union and are still symbols of New Year and prosperity.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Get gifts<\/a> for children, family and close friends who are going to be at your party, but don\u2019t wrap gifts and instead hide them \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0434 <\/strong>\u0451<\/span><\/strong>\u043b\u043a\u043e\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [under the tree, actually – under the tree skirt].<\/p>\n Set up a big table in the middle of the living room (most Russian apartments do not have a formal dining room and kitchens are far too small and too mundane for the occasion). Cover it completely with plates of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u043a\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [appetizers<\/a>]. \u00ab<\/strong>\u041e\u0431\u044f\u0437\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u0433\u043e\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u044c\u0442\u0435 <\/strong>\u0441\u0430\u043b\u0430<\/span>\u0442 <\/strong>\u041e\u043b\u0438\u0432\u044c\u0435<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [You must make Olivier salad<\/a>] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0435\u043b\u0451<\/span>\u0434\u043a\u0430 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0434 <\/strong>\u0448\u0443<\/span>\u0431\u043e\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [\u201cherring under a fir coat\u201d layered salad]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This one is mostly for women\u00a0– make sure that your outfit is in line with the coming year\u2019s Zodiac sign, element and color. \u00ab\u0412 \u0447\u0451\u043c \u0432\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c \u041d\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u0439 \u0413\u043e\u0434 – \u0432\u043e\u043f\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0441 \u043d\u0435 \u043c\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0435\u0435 \u0430\u043a\u0442\u0443\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b\u0439, \u0447\u0435\u043c \u0433\u0434\u0435 \u0438 \u0441 \u043a\u0435\u043c \u0432\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c \u0435\u0433\u043e.\u00bb<\/strong> [What to wear for the New Year celebration is a question no less important than where to celebrate or with whom to celebrate]. 2011 is the year of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0411\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u041c\u0435\u0442\u0430\u043b\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u041a\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u0438\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [the White and Metal Rabbit] according to Russian interpretations of Chinese calendar, so:<\/p>\n \u00ab\u041d\u0430\u0438\u0431\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u0435\u0435 \u0431\u043b\u0430\u0433\u043e\u043f\u0440\u0438\u044f<\/span>\u0442\u043d\u044b\u0435 \u0446\u0432\u0435\u0442\u0430<\/span> – \u0431\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u044b\u0439, \u0437\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0439 \u0438 \u0436\u0451<\/span>\u043b\u0442\u044b\u0439. \u0410 \u0442\u0430\u043a \u043a\u0430\u043a \u041a\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u0438\u043a – \u043c\u0435\u0442\u0430\u043b\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439, \u0442\u043e \u0431\u043b\u0435\u0441\u043a \u0443\u043a\u0440\u0430\u0448\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0439 \u0438\u0437 \u043c\u0435\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u043b\u043e\u0432 \u0431\u0443<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u0442 \u043a\u0430\u043a \u043d\u0435\u043b\u044c\u0437\u044f<\/span> \u043a\u0441\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u0438.\u00bb<\/strong> \u00a0[The most favorable colors are white, gold and yellow. And since the Rabbit is a metal one, \u201cbling\u201d of shiny metal accessories will fit right in.]<\/p>\n At about 10 minutes to midnight turn the TV on to watch the \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u0435\u0435 <\/strong>\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0449\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0437\u0438\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [President\u2019s New Year\u2019s Address]. Apparently, this short holiday address is one of the \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0430<\/span>\u043c\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0439\u0442\u0438\u043d\u0433\u043e\u0432\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0433\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u043c\u043c\u044b <\/strong>\u043d\u0430 <\/strong>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0435\u0432\u0438<\/span>\u0434\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [most popular TV programs]. Now is time to move very quickly – uncork and pour a fresh bottle of Sovetsky Champaign – you\u2019re only seconds away from greeting the New Year. Listen to \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u043e\u0439 <\/strong>\u043a\u0440\u0435\u043c\u043b\u0451<\/span>\u0432\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0445 <\/strong>\u043a\u0443\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0442\u043e\u0432\u00bb<\/strong> [the Kremlin\u2019s carillon], make a wish with each strike, then drink up and heartily wish everyone \u00ab<\/strong>\u0421 <\/strong>\u041d\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u043c <\/strong>\u0413\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u043e\u043c! <\/strong>\u0421 <\/strong>\u041d\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u043c <\/strong>\u0441\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u0442\u044c\u0435\u043c!\u00bb<\/strong> [Happy New Year! Lots of Happiness to You!]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Watch New Year programming on TV which, although different every year, is some permutation of a concert<\/a> by the country\u2019s most popular pop stars. Stay up as late as you can manage for bragging rights the next day. Have fun and keep in mind that \u00ab\u043a\u0430\u043a \u041d\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u0439 \u0413\u043e\u0434 \u0432\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0438\u0448\u044c, \u0442\u0430\u043a \u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span> \u0438 \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0451<\/span>\u0448\u044c.\u00bb<\/strong> [The way you greet the New Year is the way you live through it.]<\/p>\n