Calendar of events

1. City Day (June, 12th)

The history of this day is really unique in many ways. In 1760 a simple covered wagon and two saddle-horses rode out from Kazanskaya road to an almost invisible country track. It was a mining engineer Alexei Stepanovich Moskvin - the founder of the town by the river Izh. He was sent to Kazan to plan a dam and ironworks building. The 10th of April, 1760 was the date of Izhevsk foundation. From that time 1760 has been considered the year Izhevsk city was founded.

In 1761 peasant riots flared up and the plant had stopped working. The second birth of the town was in 1807. In the same year a weapon plant was built under the direction of Andrei Fedorovich Deryabin. Izhevsk appeared on the Russian map two centuries ago as a settlement by the plant. But it developed so quickly that the population had been more than in many towns in the neighborhood. Revolutionary events of the 20th century radically changedlocal political life. In 1918 Izhevsk plant was reorganized to the town. In November 1920 residents acquired the autonomy, transformed later to the Udmurt republic. On the 12th of June 1921 Izhevsk became the center of Udmurtia. This day is considered to be the official city day. During 15 years this holiday has been celebrated as the city holiday when thousands of people gather at the Central Square. Like many other cities after setting up the national day of Russia Izhevsk combined two holidays in one. Ever since the City Day has been celebrated on the 12th of June.

2. Sabantuj

You may know that among the majority of the population there are more Tatar people than the Udmurt, that's why Tatar holidays also are celebrated in our republic. There is traditional Tatar harvest holiday every summer. This tradition was started by the Tatar population in the southern village of Sosmak. Behind the village fence in a green meadow near the river there were festive congratulations of farm production leaders. Jolly amusements and sport contests, amateur performances, horse riding - were only a part of the big folk festival which lasted until late at night. Old people spend the evening at the table, standing a national treat for guests. Young people dance at the market place and some people gather around the accordion.

The core of the SABANTUJ is the national wrestling "kuresh". Winners of that wrestling get the most expensive gifts.

3. Victory Day (May, 9th)

The history of this day is rooted on the 8th of May. The day of the capitulation of fascist Germany, when fascist Germany signed the capitulation document. Many years later antifascists marched along Saint Petersburg's streets. The goal of this action was to remember the horrors of World War II horrors and to make protest against modern attempts to revive fascism. The day of capitulation of WWII is Victory day in all of Europe. But in Russia the Victory day is celebrated on the 9th of May, the day after the capitulation. We should remember about this war as a symbol of fascist existence, because joy and sorrow exist hand in hand this day. On Victory day every family recalls those who were left at the Great Patriotic War battlefields. Flowers and gifts are given to war veterans and home front workers who brought victory by their heroic labor. On this day it is accepted to be at battlefields and cenotaphs and to lay a wreath on a grave. War veterans meet with brother-soldiers and with students at schools, telling war stories and recalling those who had died.

4. The day of consent and reconciliation (November,7th)

The 7th of November is remaining a memorable date in the history not only of Russia but also of the whole world. The October revolution was the event, which initiated global changes on the map of the world, in the history of countries and continents, in fates of large social population lays and individuals. For many people this holiday is the day of life reorganization, memory about the enthusiasm of the first Soviet constructions, admiration of who fight for the Motherland and believed in the future and was ready for feat of arms. Whatever attitude towards this day you have, this is the fact of our country history, the part of old generation life that believed in the Communistic ideals.

5. The day of spring and labor (May,1st)

The very title of this holiday is very symbolic because in this period nature wakes up and revives and brings hope and belief to every person. And all this we connect with constructive labor, which is the base of our well being. This day is the day of celebration in honor of workers, professional stories and festival of spring flowers. People like to go to picnics, cook shashlik (barbeque-like), or invite friends to home party.

6. New Year (January,1st)

The New Year is one of the most favorite family holidays in Russia. It is connected with peace, love and mutual understanding. This holiday has its origin in the great antiquity. In Russia it has been celebrated since the day when Peter the Great issued an edict on January 1,1700. Before that it had been celebrated on the 1st of September.
The culmination of the holiday is the night of the 31st of December, but usually people start preparing for this particular moment long before it. Everyone strives to buy special presents for one`s family, friends, and beloved. On the New Year`s Eve - on December 31st - women visit lots of markets so that to buy up all the products necessary for New Year`s dishes. In Izhevsk families and friends go for long walks in parks (Kirov park, M. Gorkij park, Astronauts` park) where lots of entertainment and festal shows are organized. The Central Square is also one of the most interesting places to visit. A tall beautiful Christmas Tree stands in the center of the Square, an ice city, amusing ice statues, and various fascinating sideshows entertain the audience. Generally on the squares at almost all the movie-theaters in Izhevsk (f.e."Russia", "Izhstal", "Aurora" etc.) New Year`s shows with Father Frost and other fairy-tale heroes are organized. In the theaters ("The State Russian Drama Theater", "The State Opera and Ballet House", "The Puppet-show" and others) have festal programs in the repertoire.
When everything is ready: a Christmas tree decorated with lights and toys and big festive tables are put in a sitting room - the whole family gathers around and the actual celebration starts. People congratulate each other, make toasts and wishes. Traditional New Year`s cuisine has pies, fish dishes and chicken, meat in aspic, salads among which "Olivie" (also called a "Winter" salad) is the most favorable one. The classical drink of this holiday is champagne.
Children have lots of fun and wait for Father Frost to come. Beforehand they write letters describing their wishes and truly believe the dreams will come true. Then parents send their children`s letters to Father Frost to Lapland. Father Frost sometimes comes (if parents "invite" him and arrange the meeting), but even if he doesn`t come, children receive the things they were dreaming about. It often happens that people and even children do not go to sleep the whole night and after tasting delicious dishes they set off for a night walk. In Izhevsk the most popular place of New Year`s festivals is the Central Square.
First two or three days of January are days off.

7.Christmas (January,7th)

Christmas is one of the major Christian holidays established after Jesus Christ\\\\\\\'s birthday. It is celebrated on the 25th of December according to the Gregorian calendar (a new style) or on the 7th of January -Julian calendar (the old style).
Christmas as well as New Year Holiday is one of the most popular traditional family holidays. The very night before the Christmas is believed to be magic. In general the whole week from the 7th of January till January 14th is supposed to be magic and everyone makes wishes and asks God for help to fulfill them.
Christmas is the holiday when families gather at the Christmas table. The traditional Christmas dish is that of made of chicken. But in general people cook the same dishes as for New Year Holiday.

8. St Valentine's Day(February,14th)

St Valentine's Day is celebrated on February, 14th of each year, it is celebrated on this day because this was the day that in the Ancient Rome the Patron Saint of Lovers St Valentine was supposedly executed on. On this day lovers all around the world mark this occasion as a day for sending poems, cards, flowers or candy, etc.
This holiday is worth being mentioned among the other celebrations though it has not yet become as popular as it is in other European countries.

9. The day of a homeland defender (February, 23th)

This holiday appeared in 1918 as the Workers` and Peasants` Red Army birthday and as a symbol of the victory over German conquerors. Since 1946 Red Army had been called the Soviet Army and since 1991 -Russian Army. Today February, 23th is celebrated as the day of a homeland defender or simply Mens` day contrary to Women`s day. On this day girl-friends, wives, daughters and female-coworkers congratulate men and give presents: perfume, shirts and ties or souvenirs. This day is a family holiday when families spend time, meeting with friends, walking, going to the countryside for barbecue.

10. International Women`s day (March, 8th)

March 8th is the International Women`s Day. It had its origin on the East Side of New York in 1908. Just as May Day was born in the heart of the class struggle so was Women`s Day in the struggle for the rights of working women.
The International Women`s Day has become one of the most romantic and pleasant holidays in Russia. It is the day of all mothers, grandmothers and sisters. It is the day when men try to be extremely caring and loving, attentive and generous so that to make women feel loved and unique.
On this day husbands and male-coworkers congratulate women and traditionally present them flowers and candy. Sweethearts besides flowers and candy prefer to gift something special: jewelry, perfume, for instance-it`s an individual choice of a man and it`s up to him to decide what to give his beloved one.