Where’s the Buzz: Russia celebrates the day of family, love & loyalty

July 11th, 2008 by Apurba Sen

Filed under anti trend, bloggers, buzz word, where's the buzz

July 8th Russia celebrated a new holiday, the Day of Family, Love, and Loyalty. In order to replace the western inspired St. Valentines Day, Russia’s first lady Svetlana joined up with the country’s Orthodox Church to organise a fidelity festival.

“Family, Love and Loyalty Day” on July 8 marks the 780th anniversary of the death of Saints Pyotr and Fevronia, a married couple persecuted for their love and, according to legend, buried in the same coffin. From this year onward Russia will celebrate this as shared holiday.

“Despite of the fact that the new holiday has Orthodox roots, ..I believe that this day will help Russians to learn more about family values and rely on our traditions in their married life” – Says Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and aliningrad

Last year, as president, Mr. Putin declared 2008 the Year of the Family.The new holiday emerges as an important attempt towards boosting the country’s drastically declining population by promoting family values.

While medals were presented to couples who made it through 25 or 50 years (..and were still together) at ceremonies held across Russia, bloggers took the holiday buzz to an astronomical high.

Yandex blog buzz for “Day of Family, Love and Loyalty” (???? ????? ????? ? ????????) & “Family Day” (???? ?????).