Defender of the Fatherland Day - Russia

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a holiday observed in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and several other former republics of the Soviet Union. It is celebrated on February 23, except in Kazakhstan, where the date is May 7.

Men's Day:

On Feburary 23rd, Russia celebrates its men. Although this holiday has a military history, first celebrated around WWI, it has evolved to become Russia’s somewhat odd counterpart to Women’s Day on March 8th. On February 23rd, Russian women (and sometimes men) celebrate the important men in their lives – fathers, brothers, teachers and even co-workers. This holiday is also the Russian equivalent of Father’s Day in other Western countries (which has not traditionally been celebrated in Russia).

A brief history:

Defender of the Fatherland Day (or Men’s Day) is a truly Russian creation, first observed to mark the date of the creation of the Red (Soviet) Army in 1918. The holiday was originally known as Red Army Day, and then Soviet Army and Navy Day; in 2002 it was given its current name, Defender of the Fatherland Day by President Putin and declared an official public holiday.

Although some more feminist societies may find issue with the concept of celebrating a “Men’s Day”, in Russia it is not seen as strange, offensive or inappropriate. While Russian society can be quite (frustratingly) patriarchal, nonetheless it is widely accepted by both sexes that both men and women have put a lot of work into the prosperity and success of Russia. Men, in particular, helped to do so by fighting in the wars, and their military achievements are the reason for this day. However, even if the men in one’s life have not been involved in war, it is still seen as polite and important to at least recognize them on February 23rd. In part this is because Women’s Day (March 8^th) is so widely celebrated – to forget to celebrate Women’s Day is considered quite rude in Russia – and Men’s Day is a way to recognize that men and women are both important to one another.
Men’s Day celebrations are usually smaller and more perfunctory than Women’s Day ones – except the public celebrations and parades, which conversely are much bigger for Men’s Day.