On the picture, Russian Ambassador to the Netherlands Mr Alexander Shulgin.
13 January 2017 Celebrating Old Russian New Year at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Netherlands
By Shirley Cottaar.
The tradition of celebrating the Old New Year was born in Russia after the Julian Calendar was replaced by the Gregorian Calendar in 1918, which resulted in 13 day-difference between the two calendars. It brings the possibility to celebrate the New Year twice.
Ambassador Mr. Alexander Shulgin and Ms. Natalia Shulgina delightfully open the reception with music: Maksim Paster, a great voice of Russia from the famous Bolshoi Theater, and a brilliant piano player Dmitri Sibirtsev.
Nostalgic holiday
Maksim Paster, singing typical Russian folk songs at this reception like ‘Golden-Domed Moscow’, ‘Dark Eyes’ and ‘Polyshko-Pole’, makes it easy to imagine this warm family gathering in Russia where traditional food is served and carols are sung.
Since the Old New Year falls in the winter, many families celebrate it outdoors with various games. The ambassador explains that altough the Old New Year has a special place in the modern Russian Culture it is not the only country where it is recognised.
Many of the countries where the Orthodox Church is the prevailing faith also observe the holiday. “And”, tells the ambassador, “surprisingly this day is also celebrated in Wales. The New Year’s Eve celebration on 13 January is known in Wales as ‘Hen Galan’ (the old New Year’s day).”
Counting the last minutes
Tasting typical Russian dishes when suddenly a live connection to the Kremlin Spasskaya Clock Tower in Moscow appears on a screen in the embassy. The excited countdown has begun until the clock strikes the New Year.
Ambassador Shulgin and Ms Shulgina wish the New Year to bring peace, accomplishment, harmony, trust and prosperity to all. On this occasion the ambassador also announces the winners of the annual RusPrix as a new tradition for the Old New Year reception. The Organizing Committee has decided to distinguish companies and organizations for their outstanding contribution to the development of the Russian Dutch cooperation.
Ambassador Shulgin began by thanking the organisers as follows:
“I would like to thank all those who have made it possible for us once again to gather here and celebrate this traditional Russian holiday – our sponsors of today’s cultural program: ING Bank, AKZO Nobel Russia, GasTerra, Van Oord, Linx Telecommunications, Lukoil.
Our special thanks to Konstantin Makarenko, an old good friend who promotes this event. He definitely deserves our applause. Konstantin is already busy organizing another annual event, which is supported by the Russian Embassy, – RusPrix Award, which will be held on 16 June. For the 14th time, prizes will be given to organizations and individuals that have made significant contributions to the development of Russian-Dutch business, cultural and economic relations.
This year we would like to establish a new tradition – to announce the winners of our annual RusPrix Award at the Old New Year reception. The Organizing Committee has decided to distinguish the following companies and organizations for their outstanding contribution to the development of the Russian-Dutch cooperation:
- ING Bank Eurasia – for its social projects in Russia.
- De Lage Landen and the Rostselmash Group – for their fruitful cooperation for the development of the Russian agricultural sector.
- Joep Athmer, Area Director Offsore, Van Oord – for his personal contribution to the development of the Russian-Dutch economic cooperation.
- Alexander Taratynov, sculptor, Director of the cultural center «Artland» – for his cultural project.
- Sjeng Scheijen of the cultural agency «Dutch Culture» – for his contribution to the development of Russian-Dutch cultural relations.
Congratulations to all.”
