Men's Day in Russia

 

Defender of the Fatherland Day (Den' Zashchitnika Otechestva) national Russian holiday celebrated on February 23.

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After Soviet Union epoch, the holiday got its current name. In 2002 Russian President Vladimir Putin decreed Defender of the Fatherland Day as a state holiday with official day off.

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Today in Russia this holiday celebrates people who are serving or have been serving in Russian Armed Forces while unofficially, this date includes the celebration of men as a whole.

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Traditionally the holiday is celebrated with parades, special cultural and entertainment programs and official ceremony when first governmental officials lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (famous memorial in Moscow, dedicated to the Soviet soldiers killed during World War II). During the day you can attend different leisure and entertainment programs across the country in various public places, such as parks and squares. In the evening citizens and guests of the city are able to enjoy great holiday fireworks. 

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At this holiday, in accordance with informal Russian traditions, women give gifts to men: their husbands, boyfriends, fathers, sons, brothers, friends and male co-workers.  More and more in modern life among Russians this holiday is transforming from military holiday into a Men's Day. as a counterpart of International Women's Day, which is on March 8.