In this episode of The Soviet Life, host Kate Saba delves into the unique holiday traditions of the former Soviet Union, contrasting them with Western celebrations. She begins by discussing the Old New Year, celebrated on January 13th, which stems from the Julian calendar and serves as a quieter continuation of New Year festivities. Kate highlights how Soviet holidays were not just about fun but were deeply intertwined with state ideology, education, and family traditions. She shares personal stories and reflections on how these holidays shaped her upbringing and continue to influence her life today.

The episode further explores significant holidays such as International Women's Day, May Day, Victory Day, and the October Revolution anniversary. Kate emphasizes the emotional weight these holidays carry, particularly Victory Day, which honors the sacrifices made during World War II. She also notes the absence of many Western holidays in the Soviet calendar, such as Valentine's Day and Christmas, and how this has shaped the cultural experiences of those from the former Soviet Union. Through her storytelling, Kate provides listeners with a deeper understanding of the cultural values and traditions that persist in the post-Soviet space.

Takeaways

1. Holidays in the USSR were not about fun but served a purpose.
2. The Old New Year is celebrated on January 13th, stemming from the Julian calendar.
3. International Women's Day was a significant celebration for women in the Soviet Union.
4. Victory Day honors the sacrifices of World War II and is deeply emotional for many families.
5. Many Western holidays like Valentine's Day and Christmas did not exist in the USSR.

Sound Bites

1. "Holidays in the USSR were very different."
2. "Holidays were meant to educate, unite people."
3. "Victory Day is one of the most emotionally powerful holidays."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Soviet Holidays

02:39 The Old New Year and Its Significance

08:42 Understanding the Purpose of Holidays in the USSR

10:28 Celebrating International Women's Day

14:01 May Day: A Celebration of Labor

16:17 Victory Day: Remembering the Great Patriotic War

18:35 The October Revolution Anniversary

20:04 Holidays That Did Not Exist in the USSR

20:53 Conclusion and Reflection on Soviet Traditions

Connect with us:

Please share your thoughts and stories, reach out at kate@thesovietlife.com. Follow us and leave a review to support the podcast!

In this episode of The Soviet Life, host Kate Saba shares a deeply personal look at winter holidays in the Soviet Union. She explores what it meant to celebrate during a time when Christmas was not officially allowed, and how New Year quietly became the most important and magical holiday of the year.

Kate reflects on family gatherings, familiar foods, and the figure many Soviet children grew up believing in—Grandpa Frost, who arrived not on Christmas, but on New Year’s Eve. Through memories and cultural context, she highlights how people found warmth, joy, and connection even within a system filled with restrictions, and how these traditions helped preserve family bonds and cultural identity.

The episode also looks at how holiday traditions began to evolve after the collapse of the Soviet Union, as Christmas slowly returned to public life. This reflection-filled episode reminds listeners that holidays, no matter the political system, reveal the universal human need for meaning, hope, and togetherness.

Key Takeaways

1. The Soviet Union officially discouraged religious celebrations, including Christmas.
2. New Year became the main winter holiday, taking on many Christmas traditions.
3. Grandpa Frost served as the Soviet version of Santa Claus and visited on New Year’s Eve.
4. Families gathered late into the night to celebrate, exchange gifts, and welcome the New Year together.
5. Traditional foods like caviar and herring under a fur coat played a central role at the holiday table.
6. Children truly believed in Grandpa Frost and looked forward to his visit.
7. Despite restrictions, some families continued to celebrate Christmas quietly at home.
8. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Christmas gradually returned to public and religious life.
9. Holidays reflect a society’s values and the universal human need for celebration.
10. Winter holidays in the Soviet Union were both joyful and constrained.

Sound Bites

1. “The Soviet Union was officially atheist.”
2. “Christmas disappeared, but celebration didn’t.”
3. “Grandpa Frost came on New Year’s Eve.”
4. “New Year’s Eve was absolutely magical.”

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to The Soviet Life

01:09 – What winter holidays looked like in the Soviet Union

02:33 – Why Christmas wasn’t celebrated

06:15 – How New Year became the main holiday

07:09 – Grandpa Frost: the Soviet Santa Claus

10:19 – New Year’s Eve traditions and family memories

14:15 – Questions Americans often ask

16:02 – The return of Christmas after the Soviet Union

17:16 – Reflections on holidays, freedom, and meaning

Connect with...

In this heartfelt episode of The Soviet Life, host Kate Saba sits down with Elizabeth Milner — an American who has absolutely no personal ties to the Soviet Union — to explore what Soviet life looks like through fresh, unfiltered eyes.

What happens when someone raised in a completely different culture hears about childhood, family life, holidays, and day-to-day realities behind the Iron Curtain?

The result is a deeply honest and often surprising conversation that reveals how much of our worldview is shaped by the stories we’ve been told… and how much we miss when we don’t look deeper.

Kate walks Elizabeth through the realities of Soviet job security, the structure of education, the rhythm of family life, and the cultural norms that shaped an entire generation. With curiosity and compassion, Elizabeth reflects on everything — from scarcity and communal values to sauna traditions and why New Year celebration replaced Christmas.

Together, they explore what it truly felt like to grow up in a system that promised stability but offered little room for personal expression. They uncover the humor, the hardships, the nostalgia, and the resilience that defined everyday Soviet life.

This episode isn’t just about history — it’s about identity, perception, and the stories that shape how we understand one another. Whether you have memories of the USSR or you're hearing these experiences for the first time, this conversation is a reminder of how important it is to listen, to question, and to bridge cultures with empathy.

You'll hear about:

• The Soviet Union offered job stability — but often at the cost of personal choice.
• Education was rigid, structured, and deeply tied to national purpose.
• Sports in the USSR weren’t just activities — they were a system of early specialization.
• American perceptions of the USSR focus heavily on control, scarcity, and fear.
• Soviet cultural values emphasized community, togetherness, and collective responsibility.
• Money was not celebrated — and sometimes viewed with suspicion.
• Holidays were reshaped to reflect socialist ideology, making New Year’s the biggest celebration.
• Family life was shaped by economic limits and shared social expectations.
• Sauna culture wasn’t just relaxation — it was tradition, community, and health.
• Understanding history requires listening to perspectives from both inside and outside the experience.

Sound Bites:

• “There was no understanding of money.”
• “There were not a lot of choices.”
• “It was a privilege to get soap.”

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to Soviet Life and Perspectives

02:38 – Job Stability in the Soviet Union vs. Today

05:34 – Education Systems: A Comparative Analysis

10:45 – Sports and Extracurricular Activities in the USSR

13:35 – Cultural Perceptions of the Soviet Union

19:58 – Scarcity and Resilience in Soviet Life

25:28 – The Role of Music and Arts in Soviet Society

27:31 – Money, Control, and Social Values in the USSR

34:08 – Cultural Perceptions of the Soviet Union

35:55 – Weather and Climate in Russia

37:19 – Celebrating New Year's in the Soviet Union

40:13 – Holidays and Traditions Under Soviet Rule

44:35 – Marriage and Family Dynamics

50:35 – Sauna Culture and Hygiene Practices

58:23 – Reflections on the Conversation

Connect with us:

Please share your thoughts and stories, reach out at kate@thesovietlife.com. Follow us and leave a review to support the podcast!