Mother's Day: the symbol of the most tender holiday, family traditions, warm wishes
Today, November 24, the whole of Russia celebrates one of the most heartfelt and kindest holidays of the year - Mother's Day. This important day has analogs all over the world, but the dates of celebration are different everywhere. Often it is celebrated in the springtime. The history of the holiday goes back to ancient times, where thousands of years ago there was a cult of mothers. It was especially bright in the art of ancient Greece. More about the holiday, its history, gift ideas and traditions - in the material "Izvestia".
Mother's Day: history and essence of the holiday
For Russia, Mother's Day is a relatively new holiday. Its history dates back to the 1990s, when the Union of Women of Russia actively advocated the establishment of the All-Russian Mother's Day and educated citizens about the experience of the holiday in the regions.
For the first time the holiday was organized in one of Baku schools on October 30, 1988. The initiator was the teacher of Russian language and literature Elmira Huseynova. Then a call was voiced to schoolchildren, which was widely disseminated in the media, to celebrate Mother's Day annually. Already in 1993, Mother's Day appeared in the republics of Bashkortostan and Sakha (Yakutia), as well as in the Chelyabinsk Oblast.
In Russia, Mother's Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of November, in accordance with the decree of President Boris Yeltsin of January 30, 1998 "On Mother's Day". The holiday has no fixed date. Thus, in 2024, Mother's Day fell on the 24th day. Since the date is not included in the list of non-working holidays, an additional day off is not provided.
The analog of this holiday exists in almost all countries of the world, but it is celebrated on different days. Thus, in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Canada, USA and other countries it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, and in Spain, Hungary, Portugal and Lithuania - on the first. There are also fixed dates: in Greece Mother's Day is celebrated on May 9, in Egypt - on March 21, and in Belarus - on October 14.
It is difficult to say when the holiday was first celebrated. So, in ancient Greece there was a day dedicated to the goddess of fertility Persephone, and in honor of the Great Mother of the gods Cybele rituals were arranged. In England in the Middle Ages there was Mothering Sunday, which got its name because children who had gone to work could return home on the fourth Sunday of Lent, visit the church where they were baptized, and visit their mothers.
The prototype of the modern holiday was American Mother's Day, the establishment of which was advocated by several people at once:
- In 1872, abolitionist (a movement to abolish slavery) and women's rights advocate Julia Ward Howe advocated the creation of an international community of women who would fight for peace and oppose wars. But the initiative did not resonate in the United States at the time;
- Ann Jarvis of West Virginia, after the Civil War, organized Mother's Friendship Day in 1868 to restore a sense of community among a divided people. After the woman's death, her daughter Anne advocated for the creation of a National Mother's Day that would be celebrated on the second Sunday in May, the day Ann Jarvis died. Anna succeeded in getting her way: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first National Mother's Day in 1914.
Traditions of celebrating Mother's Day in Russia
Mother's Day in Russia everyone celebrates in different ways. Someone spends this day at home, without too much noise, others, on the contrary, celebrate actively, going out to events. Regardless of how to spend Mother's Day, it is still a reason to express gratitude to the most important person in the world - mom. It is she who from birth becomes the center of the child's universe, gives her boundless love and care. It is not for nothing that many famous people paid tribute to their mothers in their speeches:
- U.S. President Abraham Lincoln: "Everything I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."
- U.S. President George Washington: "I owe everything in my life to my mother."
- Princess Diana: "A mother's hands are more soothing than anyone else's."
- Agatha Christie: "A mother's love for her child is like nothing else. It knows neither law nor compassion and ruthlessly crushes everything that stands in its way."
- Erich Maria Remarque: "A mother is the most touching of all things on earth. A mother means to forgive and to sacrifice."
- Karl Lagerfeld: "The only love I believe in is a mother's love for her child."
- Guy de Maupassant: "We love our mothers almost without thinking about it, and we do not realize the depth of that love until we are parted forever."
Although Mother's Day is a family holiday, concerts and mass events on this holiday are held all over Russia. In Moscow today, November 24, the Joy Center will organize a festive concert "Talk to me, Mom". During the concert it will be possible to listen to classical, modern and pop music, as well as to watch dance numbers. Anyone can attend the concert free of charge by appointment.
This year women with children up to 14 years old will be able to visit the Victory Museum on November 24 for free. For this purpose it is necessary only to show a passport and a birth certificate of the child. Excursions, master classes and movie screening are waiting for visitors. In addition, there will be a "Big Autumn Cadet Ball", which will include a heartwarming action - a dance of mothers with their cadet sons. Children aged from five to 10 years old will be able to take part in a master class to create a gift.
From year to year, Moscow also organizes an open day in maternity hospitals, where doctors hold thematic lectures and consultations.
In St. Petersburg, in addition to concerts, the festival "Special" will be held. It is held for the first time and should unite moms of special and ordinary children. It is reported that the aim of the project is "to reveal and support the potential of creative moms who create goods with their own hands, despite life limitations and the need to invest a lot of effort in the development of their special children".
Mother's Day is actively celebrated in kindergartens and schools. They prepare for the holiday in advance - children make drawings or crafts with their own hands and present them to their mothers by the holiday.
It should be noted that in the times of the Soviet Union there were various medals, which were awarded to mothers who brought up five-six, seven-nine and more than 10 children. The last of them, "Heroine Mother", was reintroduced in Russia in 2022. Within its framework, a lump-sum payment of 1 million rubles is entitled.
Throughout the country there are various benefits that are entitled to both families and single parents, including mothers. In particular:
- a single parent can receive a double personal income tax deduction, its amount depends on the number of children;
- a single mother or father cannot be dismissed by the employer's decision if she has a child under 14 or a child under 18 with a disability;
- they are entitled to an additional 14 days of vacation at their own expense at any time, as well as out of turn;
- in the event of company liquidation, a single parent qualifies for guaranteed employment.
They can also count on regional social benefits. So, a benefit can be compensation for rising food prices, a subsidy for utilities, an extraordinary and priority right to a place for a child in kindergarten, etc.
What to wish mom on Mother's Day
It is important for every woman that her child shows attention. One of the most common signs of attention is a bouquet of flowers as a gift.
The symbol of the holiday became forget-me-nots - small, mostly blue or blue flowers that symbolize love, tenderness, memory and nostalgia. By the way, in Christian symbolism, the forget-me-not is associated with the Virgin Mary. Since these flowers have become associated with Mother's Day, you can give your mom a bouquet of forget-me-nots or a card with their image on November 24.
Maxim Kiryanov, Marketing and Communications Director of modi gift store, told about other gifts that can be given to mom.
- Mother's Day is a special holiday when we can express our love and gratitude to the most important women in our lives. Of course, nothing beats sincere words: you can write a warm greeting from your heart and attach it to the main gift. It is also extremely important to choose a gift that will reflect your mom's interests and hobbies," explains the Izvestia interlocutor.
He added that a gift made by one's own hands will be especially nice for every mom. You can also arrange a small family holiday, which will definitely be remembered by mom for a long time.
- The most important thing is that the chosen gift gave positive emotions and a smile to your favorite mom, because that's what such holidays are for, - says Maxim Kiryanov.
Experts modi collected ideas for gifts, they are divided into several categories:
- Emotionally significant. These can be photo books, albums or beautiful frames in which mom can keep photos of the most important moments of life. With such a gift, you can give not only a physical object, but also sincere emotions;
- home decor. To create a cozy and stylish atmosphere at home, you can always choose interior accessories: paintings, candles, vases, textiles. It is important that all this reflects the tastes of mom. Such gifts will not only decorate the interior, but will also remind of care and attention;
- grooming gifts. These can be sets for spa procedures, high-quality creams and oils for face and body. Such gifts will not only help mom to get some privacy and relaxation, but will also remind her of the importance of taking care of herself;
- kitchen accessories. Sets of kitchen knives, beautiful cutting boards, dishes, original molds for baking will not only improve the cooking process, but also add coziness to the kitchen space;
- stylish jewelry. As a gift, bracelets, pendants or earrings are suitable. Such accessories can emphasize individuality and add elegance to any image. In addition, jewelry is always a symbol of attention and love, because they can become not only a beautiful addition to the style, but also a valuable reminder of care from the children;
- a gift with your own hands. It can be a greeting card, an applique or a fake. A more unconventional idea is a collage. You can collect family photos in one large collage, which will remind you of warm moments. Another gift made with their own hands can be prepared dishes. Children can bake a cake or mom's favorite buns - such a gesture is sure to please her. Ideas can be very diverse, but the main thing is that they were made with a soul and reflected care.
When is Mother's Day in Russia in 2025
Since from year to year Mother's Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of November, in the coming year the celebration falls on the 30th day.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
