Officially, as the name suggests, the holiday celebrates people who are serving or were serving the
Russian Armed Forces or the
Soviet Armed Forces (both men and women, both military and civilian personnel), but unofficially, nationally it has also come to include the celebration of men as a whole, and to act as a counterpart of
International Women's Day on 8 March. The holiday is celebrated with parades and processions in honor of veterans, and women also give small gifts to men in their lives, especially husbands (or boyfriends, fiances), fathers, sons and brothers. As a part of the
workplace culture, women often give small gifts to their male co-workers. Consequently, in colloquial usage, the holiday is often referred to as "Men's Day" (). One of the holiday traditions in Moscow is a ceremony near the Kremlin, the laying of wreaths at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The
Russian president, the heads of
both chambers of
parliament,
military leaders, representatives of other branches of government, heads of
political parties as well as
Russian Orthodox Church officials arrive at the
Alexander Garden which is located near the
Moscow Kremlin walls. After a
moment of silence, the
national anthem is played and a solemn march of an honour guard unit passes. In the evening, the country's leadership is present at a concert dedicated to the holiday on the
State Kremlin Palace. Also in the evening in Moscow and in many other cities of Russia,
fireworks are displayed.
In other countries In Belarus In
Belarus, the holiday (known as
Дзень абаронцы Айчыны in the
Belarusian language) celebrates the date of 23 February 1918, the date of the formation of the armed forces of modern day Belarus. It was made an official holiday by President
Alexander Lukashenko on 25 March 2004. Traditionally, on 23 February, the
president of Belarus lays a wreath at the monument on
Victory Square in
Minsk. Being that they both celebrate the holiday, soldiers of the
Armed Forces of Belarus and
Russian Armed Forces soldiers also hold joint festive events on 23 February.
In Kazakhstan , Kazakhstan, in 2015. In
Kazakhstan, Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated on 7 May. The
Kazakh Armed Forces was established on this date 1992 and was only made national holiday in October 2012. The holiday often coincides with the
Victory Day celebrations on 9 May.
In Kyrgyzstan , Kyrgyzstan, 2018. In
Kyrgyzstan, Defender of the Fatherland Day is a non-working holiday. In Bishkek, there is a military parade of the Bishkek Garrison. The holiday was first introduced in the country by the Government of Kyrgyzstan on 20 January 2003. Personnel of the
Kyrgyz Army have their own professional holiday on 29 May, which is the
Day of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan.
In Tajikistan In
Tajikistan, the holiday is known as "Tajik National Army Day" (), celebrating the
Tajik National Army. However, it has been known that other military units, such as the
Tajik Air Force, have taken part in the celebration.
In Turkmenistan Defender of the Fatherland Day () in
Turkmenistan is celebrated on 27 January, celebrating the anniversary of the founding of the
Armed Forces of Turkmenistan. It was previously celebrated as Army Day until President
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow changed its name in 2009. The
Ministry of Defense organizes festive concerts and activities in military units on this day. The current military doctrine was adopted on the eve of the holiday in 2016.
In Ukraine In
Ukraine, Defender of the Fatherland Day (/ ) was never celebrated as a state holiday. In 1999 President
Leonid Kuchma recognized 23 February as Defenders of the Fatherland Day without, however, granting it any official status. President
Petro Poroshenko made a statement on
24 August 2014, according to which, Ukraine "should not celebrate the holidays of the military-historical calendar of Russia, but will honor the defenders of our homeland, not someone else's". On 14 October 2014, a decree by Poroshenko instated the
Defender of Ukraine Day, with its official holiday status.
Armed Forces Day for the entire
Armed Forces is celebrated yearly on 6 December with special programs and nationwide gun salutes and fireworks displays.
In states with limited recognition In Transnistria In the unrecognized state of
Transnistria, Defender of the Fatherland Day is a public holiday. The main celebrations are held in
Tiraspol. They are attended by the President of the republic and the heads of defence/law enforcement agencies. By decree of President
Igor Smirnov on 13 June 2001, it was included in the list of professional holidays and is a non-working holiday.
In South Ossetia 23 February is an official holiday in the partially recognized
Republic of South Ossetia. The country's leadership pay to veterans who served in the Soviet Army as well as all those who served in the
Armed Forces of South Ossetia and died in the
1991–1992 South Ossetia War and the
Russo-Georgian War. The holiday also coincide with festive events that surround the creation of the
Ministry of Defense of the republic. ==See also==