2022 will be remembered as the year of the war in Ukraine and a slew of sanctions against Russia. Have these sanctions affected everyday life in Moscow? Let’s take a look at the country’s capital during the holiday break to see if this year things are any different.
The seasonal holidays in Russia are among the longest in the world and last over ten days. First Russians celebrate the New Year and then move on to the Orthodox Christmas (January 7). Departing from the well-established tradition, this year there were no grandiose fireworks or huge street concerts organized by the authorities. But other than that, there seem to be little changes compared to previous years – streets are full of lights and as packed as ever with families enjoying the celebrations.
For young Moscovites, the place to be is the skating rink at the All-Russian Exhibition Center. First launched under Stalin in 1939, the Center is still one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. And each winter it becomes the site of the world’s largest skating rink with more than 20 thousand sq meters [200 thousand sq ft] of artificial ice.
But the most picture perfect of the more than 150 public skating rinks in Moscow is the one on the Red Square, in front of the Kremlin. It is surrounded by a Christmas Fair with food stands featuring traditional national food and souvenir shops that sell holiday items ranging from handmade scarfs to Christmas tree decorations and toys.
The main square inside Kremlin is the place where the country’s national Christmas tree is set up in late December each year, and this year was no different. As always, the tree was carefully selected for its height and quality, and has been decorated with more than 1.5 thousand toys over three thousand meters [ten thousand feet] of lighted garlands. The tradition for decorating fir-trees for the holidays goes back to the 18th century when it was first introduced in Russia by Peter the Great.
Another holiday tradition is concerts and celebrations for children featuring Father Frost and Snow Maiden (local version of Santa Claus with his deer). Kids dress up in costumes, play, sing and dance and of course, receive presents. From late December till early January such performances are organized in concert halls and in the streets, and bring together children and their families.
None of these traditions seem to have been affected by sanctions this year. The gaily decorated streets are as crowded as ever, and cafes, restaurants, theatres and concert halls are as packed as any other year. A visitor would not be able to detect any changes in the appearances or in the public spirit of Moscow and Moscovites, and would have to dig deeper for any effects of Western pressure.
