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It's Festival Time! Goto page 1, 2  Next

Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Russian People

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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 3:43 am    Post subject: It's Festival Time! Well here in the states at least! The transition from Summer to Autumn and the harvest is an important cultural component in the US and other countries. I suspec t that this derives from pagan traditions. But whatever, it is very nice to take time to celebrate and be a little more aware of seasonal change etc. In New England where I live, we have many local community fairs that are quite wonderful, historical and show case such rural life activities as animals,(horses, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, poultry). There is also great display and judging of fine domestic crafts including, baking, canning, quilting, embroidery, sewing, etc. Of course there is much entertainment such as music, circus/acrobatics, magic acts, amusement rides and carnival games, food booths, beer etc., horse or car demolitian racing etc. It is nice to celebrate changes in life and that is why I suspect humans created such festivities. We need such occassions to lift our spirits and pay homage to nature/God or what ever divine source that moves us. Enough from me,please share anything you know re Russian festivals especially this time of year.
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:17 pm    Post subject: I don't remember anything like that happening in St Petersburg when I lived there. Most festive things were happening during the holidays. The most fgestive one was The New Year's celebrations. It was a huge holiday, people were very excited when it was coming up. It was a tradition to buy a tree and decorate it, just like Christinas do it here with Christmas trees. Some people were singing songs on the streets, groups of people, especially students hanging out on the streets, singings (and often drunk). Sort of like Christmas here. But people gathered close to midnight January 1st in their homes to celebrate the upcoming New Year with shampaigne and food. And Russians here in the US are still doing it. The funny thing is that many Italians here in Brooklyn throw out their Christmas trees after Christmas and russians often pick them up for their New Year's celebrations for free :)
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:20 pm    Post subject: Regarding circus: it is a big deal in Russia. Children loved circus in St Petersburg. It's located in an beautiful, historic building in the city center. Unlike the US where circus usually comes to town, the circuses in St Petersburg and Moscow and probably other large cities are a permanent fixture and one can see performances with acrobats, clowns and animals all year long. Here one has to go to Las Vegas and pay big bucks to see it. I paid $95 for Circue De Soleil in Vegas. It was good but there were no animals, and since the tiger ate one of the performers in Vegas (Roy), I did not see tigers there.
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 9:07 pm    Post subject: Thanks for the reply Mr. Spice. Seasonal festivals aside from the big New Years festival seem not to be a big part of Russian community life. I suspect if it were, it would be in rural areas and not the big cities. Here in the US and I know that France, Italy, Mexico and many other countries do have seasonal festivals they are a welcome tradition. Perhaps the summer harvest is most popular unless you are in Quebec City for the amazing winter carnival. I think its nice for communities to celebrate and seasonal festivals do bring us together. It is also nice to regognize the agricultural community which certainly is so vital to us all. And I hope that people will refrain from making ignorant comments about rural life. Farmers feed the world and we should be grateful. Lastly, good for the Russians in NYC who recycle XMAS trees!
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mediashark Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 9:10 pm    Post subject: Hey, you forgot Pancake Week!
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 9:17 pm    Post subject: I would of thought it would be named Blini Week! In May, here in Springfield, MA we also have a huge pancake breakfast. The tables extend for blocks! We also have an even bigger competition with General Mills, Kellogg Cereal in Michigan. Eat and munch til ya drop!
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 10:55 pm    Post subject: <removed it myself> Last edited by MrSpice on Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:23 pm; edited 1 time in total
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:06 pm    Post subject: Mr. Spice, With due respect have you ever heard the term as a "kill joy"? Why do you feel the need to bring up agricultural economics here? My intent in starting this conversation was on lighter grounds!
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:06 pm    Post subject: http://www.freetrade.org/pubs/speeches/dg-050203.htm
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:10 pm    Post subject: Oh yeah, Maybe you should shop for local agricultural products and be a local hero as we say in western MA!
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:15 pm    Post subject: <removed> Last edited by MrSpice on Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:24 pm; edited 1 time in total
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:42 pm    Post subject: Just to be exact about the extent of "vitality", here are the official figures on the US GDP for 2005: agriculture: 0.9% industry: 19.7% services: 79.4%
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:22 am    Post subject: You really are a kill joy not only to this thread which was not at all meant to be political but light hearted! Do you ever lighten up Mr. Spice? I hope so especially for the sake of your fiancee and prospective children.
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cyndy22 Lounge Wizard Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 1076 Location: massachusetts	Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:24 am    Post subject: Maybe you might benefit from a few glasses of vino a week instead of your scheduled and predictable one!
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MrSpice Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431	Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:34 am    Post subject: <removed> Last edited by MrSpice on Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:25 pm; edited 1 time in total
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