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The Moscow Times Moscow Guide – Winter 2008

Since the middle of autumn one of the most important topics of discussion, could only be … no, not the financial crisis… New Year! The winter issue of The Moscow Times Moscow Guide is entirely devoted to New Years celebrations. Seven great ideas for celebrating the “Night of Nights” will help readers finalise their plans and choose how and where to party, give fresh ideas and lots of practical advice.

And don’t forget – problems will come by themselves, but happiness and luck need an invitation. That why the more cheerful and light-hearted your celebration of the coming holiday is, the happier and more successful 2009 will be for you.

The Crisis: Signs of a Kremlin Fearful Of Unrest
Sociologist Yevgeny Gontmakher has painted a disturbing picture of what might emerge from the financial crisis, forecasting continued unemployment, huge protests and spreading violence.

Market Matters: Huge Grain Harvest No Boon for Farmers
This year Russia is enjoying the biggest grain harvest it has ever seen -- and farmers couldn't be more worried.



Thursday, January 08, 2009 Updated at 31 December 2008 22:36 Moscow Time.

The Moscow Times » Issue 3805 » Consumer News

Vladimir Filonov / MT

A man carrying his newly purchased tree at one of the city's yolki bazaars.

Treasure Hunt: Christmas and New Year's Trees

12 December 2007By James Marson / Special to The Moscow TimesChristmas or New Year's tree bazaars are set to open throughout Moscow on Dec. 20. Russian yolki are not expected to cost much more than last year, starting at around 400 rubles a meter. But if you want to get hold of a sought-after fir from Denmark, expect to part with rather more of your money.

Danish trees are particularly popular because their needles remain on the branches for a long time. But not everyone likes them because they are mass-produced, grown quickly and, some say, just don't smell of New Year's.

The modern Western custom of putting up a Christmas tree began in Germany in the 16th century and soon became popular throughout Europe. The tradition was brought to Russia by Peter the Great in the 17th century, but as a New Year's, rather than a Christmas, celebration.

New Year's trees were banned in the Soviet Union as bourgeois and religious, but reintroduced into schools, children's clubs and cinemas in 1935 following a letter by the politician Pavel Postyshev to the Pravda newspaper.

Selling fir trees has become a real business in recent years, and the Moscow government now lays down strict rules to control the bazaars -- the areas must be fenced off, well lit and a price list must be displayed.

There are to be more than 300 yolki bazaars across the city -- plenty of places to get hold of that essential Christmas and New Year's decoration.