Soviet Christmas?

By Madina Burkhanova

Christmas is undoubtedly one of the most popular holidays of the year. For most, it entails gathering with loved ones, presents being exchanged, and a tree to tie the whole event together. Growing up, I had the loved ones and the presents and the tree, but on New Year’s Eve. It took me a long time to realise that that wasn’t the way everyone celebrated this much-anticipated holiday.

Being from Uzbekistan, Christmas isn’t a traditional holiday - at least, not a dated one. So much of Uzbekistan’s time as a part of the USSR is still manifest in the context of education, lifestyle, and cuisine. However, as an Uzbek living abroad, the most influential Soviet presence in my life comes in the form of New Year’s Eve (or Soviet Christmas).

Think of every facet of Christmas that makes it Christmas. A grand, sit down dinner; Santa Claus (Father Frost, as we call him); gifts laid out under the tree. My Soviet Christmas has all of these elements, except there’s a six day delay. I happen to think that this is very advantageous. I am well acquainted with the post-Christmas blues. Whilst everyone else wallows after the conclusion of the festive period, I am still brimming with anticipation for my favourite holiday. All this just to illustrate my little corner of nuance and variety in the holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy new Year, and с новым годом!