Russia Day is a national holiday observed annually on June 12. Sputnik gives an insight into its history and traditions.
On June 12, 1990, the first Assembly of the deputies of the Supreme Soviet of Russia adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Federation.
Above: Girls in traditional costumes give passers-by pieces of a 2 by 1.5 meter cherry and apply pie during Russia Day celebrations in Moscow.
Above: Girls in traditional costumes give passers-by pieces of a 2 by 1.5 meter cherry and apply pie during Russia Day celebrations in Moscow.
On the same day a year later, Boris Yeltsin won the first Russian presidency. He secured a landslide victory in this presidential race winning over 57 percent of the votes cast.
Above: A participant in an air show at the Krasnodar Central aerodrome during the promotional event "Military Service in the Russian Armed Forces Is Your Choice" in Krasnodar.
Above: A participant in an air show at the Krasnodar Central aerodrome during the promotional event "Military Service in the Russian Armed Forces Is Your Choice" in Krasnodar.
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© AP Photo / Sergey Ponomarev
The June 12 became a national holiday in 1992 as the Day of Adopting the Declaration of State Sovereignty. It gained its contemporary name – Russia Day – upon Boris Yeltsin’s initiative.
Above: People sit at the Lobnoye Mestoat Red Square enjoying a sunny day in downtown Moscow.
Above: People sit at the Lobnoye Mestoat Red Square enjoying a sunny day in downtown Moscow.
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© AP Photo / Musa Sadulayev
In 2001, new president Vladimir Putin said referring to the Declaration of State Sovereignty: “This document marks the beginning of our new history – the history of a democratic state established on the principles of public liberties and the rule of law. Its main sense is the success, prosperity and welfare of citizens.”
Above: A young Chechen woman holds a portrait of president Vladimir Putin and covers her head with Russian national flag during a rally marking the Day of Russia in the regional capital of Grozny.
Above: A young Chechen woman holds a portrait of president Vladimir Putin and covers her head with Russian national flag during a rally marking the Day of Russia in the regional capital of Grozny.
Traditionally, on June 12 the President of Russia presents seven State Prizes in the fields of science, technology, literature, arts and humanitarian work. The ceremony is held in the Kremlin.
Above: A child holding his father's hand during the celebration of Day of Russia in Kazan.
Above: A child holding his father's hand during the celebration of Day of Russia in Kazan.
The day is marked with all kinds of outdoor activities: open air celebrations, concerts, patriotic shows, culture, sports and entertainment programs, and fireworks.
Above: A young man paints a small Russian flag on the cheek of a Russian girl.
Above: A young man paints a small Russian flag on the cheek of a Russian girl.
In 2003, the festivities took place on the Red Square for the first time. The celebrations culminated with an air show of aerobatic teams “Strizhi” and “Russian Knights” that whizzed over the Red Square with their MiG-29s and Su-27s leaving a trace of the colors of the Russian flag.
Above: Su-25 jet aircraft at the final rehearsal of the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War.
Above: Su-25 jet aircraft at the final rehearsal of the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War.
A year later, the Red Square hosted a military historical parade. The participants from 89 regions, dressed in their national clothes, reproduced the most significant periods of Russian military glory.
Above: Russians in traditional Russian costumes dance during a parade at the Red Square in Moscow.
Above: Russians in traditional Russian costumes dance during a parade at the Red Square in Moscow.
In 2007, in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, several thousand people dressed in white, blue and red clothes formed a Russian flag that exceeded a kilometer in length.
In 2009, the residents of Volgograd (former Stalingrad) created a 35 m2 map of Russia with puzzles.
Above: Staff of the Emergencies Ministry at a ceremonial unfolding of the largest Russian flag at Poklonnaya Hill memorial in Moscow.
Above: Staff of the Emergencies Ministry at a ceremonial unfolding of the largest Russian flag at Poklonnaya Hill memorial in Moscow.
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© AP Photo / Sergey Ponomarev
The holiday is usually called “The independence day” by Russians, though it has never had this name. The attitude towards the new holiday varies.
Above: Fireworks explode over the Kremlin, with St. Basil's cathedral, center, marking the Day of Russia in Moscow.
Above: Fireworks explode over the Kremlin, with St. Basil's cathedral, center, marking the Day of Russia in Moscow.
A great many of Russians do not understand the sense of the holiday, as it evokes the memories of the Soviet Union’s collapse and the following harsh socio-economic reality of the 1990s.
Above: Street artists spray-paint the Russian flag in the city of Yekaterinburg.
Above: Street artists spray-paint the Russian flag in the city of Yekaterinburg.
For many people it is just a day-off when they can spend time with their families, enjoy the warm summer weather and go to the countryside.
But despite these controversial sentiments, Russians gladly show their love to their country on this day.
Above: A child holds a ribbon in Russia's national colors.
Above: A woman holding a child with a Russian flag-colored ribbon at the Day of Russia celebration in Kazan.
Above: A child holds a ribbon in Russia's national colors.
Above: A woman holding a child with a Russian flag-colored ribbon at the Day of Russia celebration in Kazan.
