Since 1972 Ireland annually celebrates the day of its patron - Patrick. Such a glorious tradition long ago crossed the borders of the emerald island and spread to many countries of the world. The Slavs also welcomed it cordially on their territory. In Russia, St. Patrick's Day 2016 is already the seventeenth anniversary, and for that there are reasons.
When is St. Patrick's Day? history of the holiday
More than 2,000 years ago, an ordinary boy was born in Britain, who was destined to become the patron of a great nation. At the age of 16, the teenager was taken prisoner. Being the son of wealthy parents and living in prosperity and luxury, he was able to endure poverty and terrible torment. Six years later Patrick, with God's permission, fled from a hated Ireland, in search of salvation.
Many years passed, the man became a deeply religious man and returned to the land where he suffered severe suffering. But this time Patrick was not a captive teenager, but a Christian missionary. For over 10 years he successfully preached the Christian faith and worked miracles previously unknown.
Now not only the Irishmen zealously celebrate the date devoted to the great patron. Many people praise St. Patrick and annually honor it with traditional rituals and symbols. Citizens of Russia also know when St. Patrick's Day. Every year on March 17, the townspeople change into green leprechaun costumes, decorate houses and streets with shamrock twigs and drink different kinds of beer.
How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2016 in Russia
On March 17, St. Patrick's Day, even Russia becomes slightly Irish. In Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yakutsk and other cities will conduct wonderful fairy-tale parades with leprechauns and other "green men." As a rule, the festival lasts days and is called the "Week of Irish Culture".
A cheerful upbeat mood and festive spirit accompanies everyone and everyone on loud concerts with Celtic music, traditional films, interesting performances. In entertaining public places, visitors dance Irish dances, and the hosts of the events are reincarnated in those same St. Patrick's. Celebrations in the home are held in noisy companies of friends with fun games and an abundance of beer (ale). St. Patrick's Day 2016 is eagerly awaited even by the inhabitants of small towns to visit the nearest city during the festival, have fun and get acquainted with interesting Irish culture.