Anyone Russian here or know anything about Russian culture?

[happystory]

Work related query, but does anyone know if Russian people celebrate birthdays or is celebrating namedays more usual? Perhaps it varies from family to family?
And what about Christmas? Is it a big deal (if you are Christian that is) or as in some countries, is New Year a bigger occasion?
excuse my ignorance. haven't been able to find a clearcut answer from the internet.

I work with quite a few Russians and as far as I can tell they make a big deal out of birthdays. The team in the Russian office made a video for one of my colleagues, bought a cake, sang & all sorts - for a chap they don't even know particularly well. My boss, who couldn't give a toss about birthdays - always makes an effort to remember the birthday of his Russian associates.
Don't know about Christmas.

thanks bugsy that's helpful

I think Russian Orthodox Christmas is on a different date - 6th January iirc.

Whoops - it would appear it's on 7th January .

From what I know - may be out of date since the country is changing fast):

In communist times, religious festivals were discouraged/banned. Hence a lot of emphasis on new year rather than christmas. New year very like our christmas - have a decorated tree, and a white bearded gentelman (grandfather frost) bring presents for children. Christmas is mainly a religious festival when people go to church. It is celebrated 7th Jan - though in old russian tradition celebrations always start night before.

Likewise, under communism , name days were discouraged as religious. I'd still say birthdays are the bigger celebration.

Under old russian/church tradition it is true that the name day is supposed to be more important. For religious people traditional to give their kids presents on this day.

Also, in terms of 'traditional' russia/church traditions, the biggest festival of the year is actually easter, not christmas.

Hope that helps.

For fun - try this link and listen to crocodile gena's birthday song! this

Any excuse for a party! I worked out there teaching English for a while. Orthodox Christmas is Jan 7th but of course during communism religious festivals discouraged. New year is much bigger, my students said that after all the New Year celebrations they can't really be bothered with big Christmas parties. Although trees and decorations are everywhere they are actually all for New Year and all the cards etc say Happy New Year not Merry Christmas. People might go to church or have a family meal for Christmas but it would be just as normal to spend it with your mates. They celebrate Old New Year too (can't remember when that is....dates from the calender change over so a few days after New Year) No reason for it other than a good excuse to drink more champagne really.