In 2025, Russians Are Expected To Have Long Holidays For Easter But No Additional Days Off.
The upcoming Easter celebrations in Russia are expected to be highlighted by long weekends, but the prospect of a national public holiday following the event remains unclear. Easter, or the Light Resurrection of Christ, will be observed on April 20, 2025, according to church officials who calculate the date considering various religious and natural phenomena.
Despite many Russians expressing a desire for an additional day off following Easter, the Labor Code does not specify such provisions. As noted, “this norm is not foreseen,” adding to the confusion among citizens eager to enhance their celebrations, which are already rich in tradition. However, special rules exist in some regions declaring key Christian and Muslim holidays as non-working days, making the situation somewhat inconsistent.
While Orthodox Christians prepare to celebrate Easter, which boasts a long history in Russia following its revival post-Soviet Union, many citizens also commemorate the day by attending sunrise services and engaging in various customs, including baking kulichi (Easter cakes) and dyeing eggs. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the observance of Orthodox customs has become more prevalent in recent years.
The longing for an additional day off after Easter has sparked discussions. Members of the political sphere have brought up the relevance of formalizing a law to grant a post-Easter holiday. A deputy from the party "Fair Russia—For Truth" recently announced preparations to draft a bill aimed at providing Russians another day off. This initiative speaks to a broader effort to bolster national traditions, with aspirations of enriching their meaning for future generations.
Nevertheless, the parliamentary support for this proposed legislation remains uncertain. The dialogues surrounding this initiative reflect a growing interest in reinstating more days off in the calendar.
In contrast, the Labor Code of the Russian Federation outlines public holidays for 2025, which does not include an official day off for Easter. It sets holidays such as New Year from January 1 to January 5, Christmas on January 7, and well-known commemorative days like Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23, International Women’s Day on March 8, and Spring and Labor Day on May 1 through to May 9, among others.
In light of the upcoming spring celebrations, the Volgograd region is preparing for a different set of holidays. In 2025, there will be limited long weekends honoring Defender of the Fatherland Day and Women’s Day this March; instead, residents are looking ahead to May for an extended break.
Workers in Volgograd can anticipate a long weekend commencing from May 1, coinciding with the Spring and Labor Day holiday extending until the 4th of May. Following that, a notably brief workweek will occur, where employees will only have to work three days: the 5th, 6th, and 7th of May.
The second block of long weekends will occur around the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. From May 8 to May 11, residents will be able to enjoy extended time off, with May 8 being an extra holiday in recognition of Defender of the Fatherland Day. May 9 signifies Victory Day, marking an essential period in Russian history.
Despite some anticipated days off in the future when Russian citizens can celebrate their history and traditions, many continue to call for recognition and structure surrounding holidays such as Easter. The debate surrounding these holidays emphasizes a clash between cultural traditions and legislative regulations.
Ultimately, as Easter is poised to be celebrated amidst the growing discussions of national holidays in 2025, citizens remain hopeful for a change that might allow them to observe their cherished customs more thoroughly.
