Russian Party, Dawn to Dawn!

by Poli
(Budapest, Hungary)

My best friend is Russian, and I have attended several of her birthdays there. I enjoyed them extremely. Birthday parties in Russia are often celebrated with everyone you know, and several times a day!

One party is made with the colleagues. They are treated with chocolates, cake, juice and alcohol cocktails (if allowed during work).

Another party is made with the sports team (or the hobby / activity you practice) in the evening, usually. The relatives gather in the person’s house, and around late night the younger, merrier part of the party may go to the disco or local club. Often you are celebrating from morning to early the next day!

The popular food and drinks at the celebrations are cakes and lots of alcohol. In Russia, alcohol cocktails are very popular, mostly vodka-based. Of course, there are lots of dances: modern ones, some traditional ones, and even sometimes striptease.

On birthdays, people usually bring presents and flowers. Occasionally, parents or grandparents who can afford it give even a car, motorcycle, or jewelry. A popular and simple present is the cake, self-made or purchased.

For children's parties, the cake has a greeting carved into the cake’s top cover. For grownups, the cake may feature a picture of their favorite soccer team, sports car, or even a naked woman! (Sometimes a naked woman may pop out of the birthday cake – usually this happens in the night club, and is arranged by the friends of the celebrating person).

Occasionally after the party, the person is unable to go to work. But employers treat such situations favorably :)