What Happened When Stalin Took Over Christmas in Soviet Russia

[@elvirabary]

What do you celebrate? Christmas, New Years or Something else?

[@bustinnutsinslutsbutts]

We get drunk on the solstice, celebrate Christmas, and stay home new years eve

[@kiwiwifi]

I celebrate your new channel. I like this history episode. I'd like many more. Please explain your outfit. Looks like you have somewhere to go. Hair set nicely and l that...

[@michaelwilliams2337]

Merry Christmas Elvira!!

[@richardwilliamson1639]

I visited Leningrad and Moscow from Texas in January 1975 when the New Year celebration was just beginning. The "Santa" substitute was called "Father Winter" or something like that. The children were so charming. We were told not to give them chewing gum even though they all asked for it.

[@elvirabary]

LOL, and we, Soviet children were warned not to accept any gum from foreigners cuz the gum might be poisoned!

[@ane-louisestampe7939]

Tell me MORE, Elvira 🥰 I'm a history buff and I'm curious about Russia/Sovjetunion. And you narrate so wonderfully 🤩 Peace and love from Denmark

[@elvirabary]

Thank you for your support! I do have more videos coming out about every 3 days or so - so stay tuned! :)

[@TarasZpilot]

Elvira, interesting history. When my parents came to the US we celebrated American Christmas and Ukrainian Christmas on the old calendar. But now I understand that this was changed in Ukraine now. Also the New Year is definitely celebrated with champagne and caviar of course! Have a Merry Christmas and happy and healthy New Year!

[@elvirabary]

Thank you for your support and have a wonderful holiday season!

[@XiOjala]

Have you seen the movie 'Dr Zhivago' Elvira? I predict it is the sort of thing you will like. It was banned in The Soviet Union of course.

[@thomascrichton5007]

It s a British classic with beautiful music : Lara's theme , and a very romantic setting

[@elvirabary]

Yes I have! I already read the novel by that time, so it was an interesting experience - comparing the movie to the book.

[@kiwiwifi]

@@XiOjala it's in my list now

[@mrkiplingreallywasanexceed8311]

How very Russian! Even Christmas can be stolen! Each episode I see convinces me I am right to be deeply sceptical of Russia - yet, thanks to your delightful presence, I am reminded of the importance of keeping an open mind😏❤ And anyway, if there's ANYONE who has reason to be upset with your homeland, you're up there! I know times are tough for you thanks to finding yourself an exile. Happy Christmas my dear... Despite everything, I hope you have a happy one🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🇬🇧❤🎁❤🎁🎄

[@elvirabary]

Thank you for the wishes. Have a blessed holiday season! Christmas is now back in Russia, although it's celebrated on January 7th (according to the old 'Julian' calendar that Russian Orthodox Church uses for some reason). Although New Years is celebrated and acknowledge more to this day.

[@stork51]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, from Washougal Wa. USA!

[@elvirabary]

Thank you for the warm wishes and your support! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well!

[@gtd-sq2pj]

Merry Christmas to to all.

[@elvirabary]

And to you as well! Thanks for your support!

[@Dan-Einar]

We immigrated to the US from Norway/Denmark (complicated), and among the alien aspects of this country was the different Christmas celebration. We had Christmas Eve--Juleaften-- and danced around our tree before we had our feast. Then we shared presents and drank gløg (warm, spiced wine). There was no religion involved, though we did leave out treats for nissen (elves) when we retired. Christmas Day was just a day for rest, relaxing, and playing with our new toys. Thanks for sharing this, Elvira. History is so much more interesting when presented by someone with a passion for the subject. I look forward to your book(s).

[@elvirabary]

Thanks for sharing such as interesting story and your support!

[@GerFarrell-tm2ee]

A stillness would descend everywhere on Christmas eve, it was beautiful and holy

[@GerFarrell-tm2ee]

"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even the mouse"

[@kiwiwifi]

To be honest, the Soviet New Year looks way more fun.

[@elvirabary]

It was definitely fun for us, kids. The best delicatessen got saved for the special New Years Eve dinner, no expense was spared!

[@kiwiwifi]

@@elvirabary Love is love wherever you are on the Earth. It's how you feel around the people that Iove you.

[@GerFarrell-tm2ee]

We were very lucky here in Ireland, Christmas was a magical time.

[@elvirabary]

That's so awesome to hear!

[@allanjgray1]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@elvirabary]

Thank you for your support!

[@egrintarg230]

Christmas is the one day that almost everything is closed. Only gas stations will be open. It is a day for family gatherings. Hosting a Christmas party is a ton of work but it is worth it. We will watch a Christmas movie and have a gift exchange and a big Christmas meal at home. There is nothing available other than overpriced gas station food that day so we tend to eat until we no longer can. It takes planning and money but it is fun. Different families will have their own unique spin on it. What exactly they eat will vary. Ham and Turkey are the tradition, more suggestion than anything. Gift exchange is always fun. Wrapping gifts in fancy Christmas wrapping paper and putting them under a tree is as much fun as unwrapping them. We decorate the tree with colored lights and ornaments. It is quite a colorful sight to behold. The tree, the wrapped gifts, the stockings, it is stunning eye candy. New years eve is a time when even a religious person can have an all-nighter type party. Sometimes I would go to a bar. In 1989 we went to a church and had a new decade party. It was fun. We watched a movie. There is a tradition of making New Years resolutions. It went out the window a long time ago. Nobody ever could stick to them. Most bars on New Years Eve will open up their best sparkling wine. It is really good. And New Years day we will take the old calendar down and put the new one up on the wall. I am hosting our Christmas party this year so I will not be drinking alcohol until after it is over. I will most likely stay home on New Years Eve this year.

[@elvirabary]

Wow, thanks for such a detailed description. We are going to be away from home this holiday season, so I need to remember to stock up on food on Christmas Eve, since nothing will be opened on Christmas Day.

[@egrintarg230]

@@elvirabary I don't think I mentioned this but I never go out the day before Christmas unless I absolutely must. That day will be insane if you have to be out shopping. I got the food already, gifts wrapped, house is clean. Not much left to do but to wish you Happy holidays!

[@George-kr1de]

he did not only stole Christmas but took your soul and sold to devil.

[@thereisnosanctuary6184]

Stalin Claus sounds cool. Lives in Siberia with reindeer and Slavs running an arms factory. Good kids get a farmtool ,bad kids disappear.

[@elvirabary]

Good kids get to not go to Gulag, while bad kids are never heard from again.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

Wasn't religion officially banned?

[@elvirabary]

Religion wasn't as much banished, as it was frowned upon or even acknowledged by official sources. There were still operating churches in the Soviet Union, although not as many as before the Revolution or now.

[@YamadaSena]

You are like real queen, aristocracy, we should be born at that time, really, i do not belong to this evil time😢

[@mungothomas2274]

she is gorgeous

[@thomascrichton5007]

POWERFUL , GLAMOUROUS AND VERY ATTRACTIVE ....AS A WRITER AND INTELLECTUAL

[@YamadaSena]

@@mungothomas2274 I would like to marry her😊 But it's impossible because we are not in middle age 😊

[@kiwiwifi]

​@@YamadaSenasorry she is marry already

[@thomascrichton5007]

We are old and she still is young and looks and behaves so spritely and young !

[@pavel0900]

Our great leader Justin Trudeau is attempting to do the same thing here in Canada 🇨🇦

[@elvirabary]

Interesting - how so?

[@tedhazlett]

The definition of Christmas in the United States is literally the birth of Jesus Christ. I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. I celebrate the birthday of God’s son, who came to this earth 2000 years ago to save whoever believes in Him.

[@elvirabary]

Thanks for your comment. I believe the definition as the birth of Christ is the same across all of the Christian world. The dates might differ however (such as in Russia, which uses old Julian calendar and Christmas is on January 7th).

[@henrinune3505]

Merry Christmas 🎉 Elvira!

[@elvirabary]

Merry Christmas to you as well, and thank you for support!