OLD NEW YEAR... HOW’S THAT?

14 January 2021

On the 13th of January, the Old New Year is celebrated in Russia - a holiday with the traditions of old times and modern habits. The Old New Year appeared in our calendar because of a change in chronology, when the Bolsheviks transferred the country from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian one. The difference between the calendars was 13 days. Old New Year is not an official holiday in our country. Nevertheless, it is very much loved by millions of Russians. For most, this is a great occasion to celebrate their favorite holiday for the second time. On Old New Year's Eve, the whole family gathers together for dinner. And after, it is customary to ask everyone for forgiveness for possible offenses in order to celebrate the New Year in harmony. In some regions of Russia there is a tradition to serve dumplings with a special filling, according to which predictions for the next year were made:

with a coin - predicts wealth;
with a ring - predicts an imminent wedding;
with sugar - predicts good luck in the new year;
with pepper - promises something exciting;
with beans - predicts a child

Nowadays it is customary to celebrate it in the same way as the New Year. It is believed that on the Old New Year, one can do something that didn't manage to do on the 1st of January. It is also a great occasion to once again congratulate family and friends and just have a great time with the beloved ones.