By Katherine Krakhmal

Mothers have always been respected and considered the central figure in Russian culture, responsible for passing on traditions from generation to generation.  Officially, however, Mother’s Day  in Russia is a relatively new celebration.

On January 30, 1998 Boris Yeltsin, then President of the Russian Federation, decreed that a new holiday, “Mother’s Day,” would be celebrated on the last Sunday of November from that day forth, following an initiative by the State Duma Committee on Women, Family and Youth Affairs.  The purpose of this holiday was to celebrate women, particularly mothers.  On this day, mothers’ selfless sacrifice, unconditional love and kindness was to be remembered and celebrated.

According to Russian tradition, a woman reveals her best attributes—kindness, love and concern—when she becomes a mother.  And so it is that on Mother’s Day, children of all ages take this opportunity to thank their mothers for everything a mother does.  Typically, mothers are showered with flowers and cards and congratulated with heart-full wishes.  Of course, as in any other place of the world, what mom most enjoys is to be with her children and grandchildren.

Mothers play a special role in Russian families and there are many proverbs that allude to the fact, such as:   “Not having a husband is like not having a head…but not having a wife is like not having a mind.” or “The morning is wiser than the evening  and so is the wife.” or “All the bits in the family come from the mother.”  In Russia the mother is considered responsible for the ethical and moral education of her children, and is a responsibility which she takes very seriously.

Although Mother’s Day in Russia is held in November, it truly feels like a spring day.  Cheerfulness and joy abounds and you can almost hear all the mothers’ hearts sing…

“Счастливого Дня Матери!”

By Katherine Krakhmal

Lithuania  is celebrating its 1000^th official year in 2009, commemorating the first time  Lithuania was mentioned in the annals of history.  However, its cultural roots go far deeper than that.  The mother figure has always been revered in Lithuania and is central to the Lithuanian culture.

Mothers Day in Lithuania, “Motinos diena” takes place every first Sunday in May and it is a very significant holiday.  Lithuanians congratulate their mothers and grandmothers during this touching spring holiday, generally presenting them with flowers.  It is typical for children to prepare special programs with poems and songs dedicated to their mothers.    

Lithuanians primarily observe the Roman Catholic faith and many attend church services on Mother’s Day.  It is also common to visit cemeteries and lay flowers on the graves of deceased mothers and grandmothers.  The rest of the day is spent with family, honoring all the mothers.

Lithuania places a great significance on culture, and throughout the country there are many events dedicated to Mother’s Day, which include concerts, art exhibits and poetry readings.

The President of Lithuania usually congratulates all the mothers on this holiday and presents medals to those mothers who have born seven or more children.

Lithuanians believe that a mother’s love, self-sacrifice and kindness are the most powerful forces in the world.

“Laimingos motinos diena!”

By Katherine Krakhmal

Mother’s Day is probably one of the most significant and touching holidays around the world. Our mother is most likely the first image we see, and whose image we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. No wonder that in Belarus, Mother’s Day is a day set aside for the most important woman: Mother.

Mother’s Day has been celebrated in Belarus on October 14th since 1996. The Belarusian government is very just in honoring the generous, tender and wise Belarusian women to whom the highest level of gratitude is given.

Belarusians typically organize children’s matinees, concerts, competitions and exhibitions to celebrate this event. They generally take place in sport centers, or educations and cultural institutions. The festivities also hope to point out the importance of women within the Belarusian society. Belarusians are poets by nature, delving into the richness of the language to create prose and poetry that will long be remembered by those who listened to it.

Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity for poets to flourish, describing mothers’ sacrifice and devotion. At the same time, works expressing gratitude and colorfully describing admiration for mothers, are often heard. Mothers who raise many children– often called “Superhero Moms” –are honored with a special commemorative medal presented to them by the City of Mink’s Executive Committee or the separate provincial executive committees.

On Mothers Day, many people choose to attend Orthodox churches to not only pray for them, but to revere her and wish “Health to all Belarusian Mothers!”

Belarus has many songs dedicated to mothers and the happiness and beauty of motherhood. Many of these songs are also popular in other Eastern European post-Soviet countries. Examples of such songs are, “The Ballad About Mother,” “Vasiliy’s Mother,” and “Oh, Mommy!”

“The beauty of your soul, dear Mother, is always with me. Wherever I happen to be under the Milky Way, I’ll never forget your kind words. They will always be in my mind.” These words y a famous Belarusian songwriter, brilliantly demonstrate how Belarusians feel about their mothers.

By Katherine Krakhmal

Motherhood has always been honored in Estonia, but it wasn’t until July 3rd, 1923, that the first official Mother’s Day was celebrated. The custom continued until 1940 when Estonia was annexed by the Soviet Union. The holiday shifted from a mother’s day celebration to a woman’s day festivity, International Woman’s Day, which is typically celebrated on March 8th . In 1988, upon regaining their independence, Estonians began celebrating Mother’s Day again and in 1992 the official date was set to the second Sunday of May.

In as much as Woman’s Day is still commemorated, Mother’s Day in May is set aside to celebrate mothers and soon to be mothers. On this day, Estonians express their gratitude and love for their mothers, while recollecting old customs and traditions.

Streets are decorated for Mother’s Day and houses display bright flags and flowers. No mother is forgotten on that day, and many special events and celebrations take place throughout the country. Children’s matinees and concerts are held in kindergartens and schools, where children present their moms with hand-made gifts and cards and sing traditional and children’s songs dedicated to their mothers. It is said that children in Estonia aim to act as “grown up” as possible, being attentive and chivalrous, and often—if at least for that day—incredibly obedient.

Mother’s Day gives Estonian mothers a chance to relax, rejoice and be reminded of how much they are loved.

“Head emadepäeva!”

By Katherine Krakhmal

Have you ever noticed how a mother often has angel-like features? Look at her gentle smile as she cuddles her baby, or her soft hands as she holds him…yet her superhuman endurance and valiant courage is constantly present to come to the aid of her child at a moment’s notice.

Ukrainians really believe that mothers are the guardian angels of their homes. Their love never fades nor dies. An old Ukrainian proverb states: “The highest love is the love of God; the best love is the love of a mother.”

The second Sunday of May is Mother’s Day in Ukraine. It is said that it was during the month of May that the Blessed Virgin Mary blessed her son to pursue His mission, and so it is befitting that all mothers be honoured in May as well.

On this day every child, regardless of age, congratulates his or her mother, presents her with spring flowers, and gratefully kisses her hands. Some Ukrainians believe this custom takes root in May Flower celebrations. Officially, however, Mother’s Day was first organized by the Ukranian Women of Halychyna in 1886. Later, in 1929, it was popularized by Olena Kirilivska, the famous editor of the weekly paper ‘Woman’s Fate.” As unstable times arouse, Mother’s Day celebrations faded from Ukrainians’ minds. It was only on the 10th of May of 1999 that Ukranian President Leonid Kuchma signed an official Mother’s Day Celebration Decree commemorating that special day.

The Mothers Day holiday has become very popular in Western Ukraine. Every 10th of May Ukrainians usually organize evenings events, exhibitions and concerts devoted to mothers.  The main goal is to honour all Ukrainian mothers no matter how far away they might be.

To honour the Woman/Mother figure is an old tradition in Ukraine. She is considered the protector of the hearth and the home. No wonder that even the word “Mother” evokes feelings of warmth and security in the minds of all Ukrainians. Figuratively, the Woman/Mother figure not only represents she who gives life to a chid, but also symbolizes the Blessed Virgin Mary, protector of the country, and Ukraine itself–the Motherland.

Year after year, Mother’s Day becomes more popular among Ukrainians, as they celebrate the love they feel for their own mothers, the Blessed Virgin and their country.

“Вітаю з Днем Матері!”