23 February is a public holiday in Russia

Tomorrow, February 23, Russia is celebrating the Defenders of Motherland Day. It is a public holiday and most Russians are going to enjoy three days off in a row - February 23, 24 and 25 and start to work on February 26 (Sunday). It is a common practice in Russia to extend the public holiday to the following day and work on Saturday or Sunday instead. Russians love to have a rest to the fullest!

February 23 is originally the date of the foundation of the Soviet Army. However, with time it has become the day of all men. On this day, all Russian girls and women say their best wishes, make surprises and give presents to all the men they know - brothers, fathers, grandfathers, husbands, boyfriends and male colleagues. In kindergartens, girls usually make greeting cards and performances for boys. Schoolchildren have so-called “tea-drinking” and dance parties. Girls and women usually organize contests and games for their male colleagues and cook special dishes for their husbands and boyfriends.