Womens' Day in Russia -- an Ever Important Holiday
Frauentag war in Russland ein Wichtiger Feiertag
"Womens' Day in Russia -- an Ever Important Holiday in Russia." Badische Zeitung, 13 March 2002.
Translation from German to English by Alex Herzog, Boulder,
Subtitle: [Der Verein "Buerger aktiv Lahr" und das Buergerzentrum
K2 der Stadt hatten zu einem unterhaltsamen (Frauen)Abend eingeladen]
or The "Buerger aktiv Lahr" [Active Citizens of Lahr]
Society and the Citizens Center K2 had extended an invitation to
an entertaining (Women's) Evening"
Lahr (sch). In honor of the International Women's Day, the Citizens
Center K2 of the city of Lahr, together with the Society "Buerger
aktiv Lahr," had invited everyone to a colorful evening of
music, singing and dancing at the Evangelical Community House Dinglingen.
Guests spent several hours in a relaxed atmosphere and nibbling
off the rich and extensive buffet.
Russian folk songs by Viktor Rehberg on the keyboard and Katharina
Goerlitz' expressive singing provided for good entertainment. At
the outset of the event, Nelli Schmidt, who guided the evening's
program in expert fashion, reported on the meaning of March 8, an
important holiday in Russia that stressed the value and significance
of womanhood. The same day was not only Women's Day, but Valentine's
Day and Mothers Day as well. In addition to traditional flower gifts
presented by the men, school children would craft their own gifts,
firms would pay their respects, and the men would do the housework.
And politicians would emphasize the equality and independence of
women, by then accepted as a matter of course.
The Society "Buerger aktiv Lahr," founded in the year
2000 currently numbering 76 members, had chosen this date in order
to bring the new citizens and the native locals a little closer.
The evenings' program was designed to familiarize the guests with
traditional customs of Russian culture. For this purpose female
"envoys from foreign lands" had been asked to appear in
their magnificent traditional costumes and to extend congratulatory
messages and toasts from Ukraine, from Kazakstan, from Russia and
all other countries. With their songs, Katharina Goerlitz, Viktor
Miller and Irina Lagernaya were able to capture the audience's interest
and attention. The program was completed by a "gypsy dance"
choreographed by Hilda Pfeiffer, by two traditional dances performed
by a women's group dressed in Russian costumes, as well as by a
dance presentation from Kazakstan. Olinde Pismenny, chairwoman of
"Buerger aktiv Lahr," expressed satisfaction with the
event, even though the majority of those attending were new citizens
and it was therefore apparent that the native locals had not answered
the invitation in hoped-for numbers.
Our apprecation is extended to Alex Herzog for translation
of this article.
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