Last March of the Bolsheviks

[The Commissar]

Known as Red Banner Day, Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution, Day of Accord and Reconciliation as well as other names, November 7th is celebrated in Russia as a national holiday remembering the Bolshevik revolution. The Holiday has special meaning to some, little meaning to others, and is universally feared by the Russian government. Its a holiday that is divisive in nature, and is the launching point for communist rallies everywhere each year. As usual, there was a massive turn out in cities all across Russia with the largest by far being in Moscow and St Petersburg. Tens of thousands marched around with Red Banners and anti government signs. But will this be the last march of the Bolsheviks?

Here and here it talks some about the holiday and whats been going on. The Government is trying to ditch the holiday in favor of a more politically correct and "unifying" one.

I am curious, as most of the people here are not Russian, what you all think of this Holiday and the prospect of changing it. Is it day of proud tradition? Or is it a divisive and archaic holiday that only weakens the country as a whole?

 

[Sander]

I think it's a bit odd to celebrate the creation of a state that has ceased to exist. However, it is a very important part of Russian history, so for that matter, it should at the least be remembered, though celebrating it is a different matter.

 

[4too]

Born On The Fourth Of July

Born On The Fourth Of July

S.:

I think it's a bit odd to celebrate the creation of a state that has ceased to exist. ....

In all the congratulatory victory laps, the Republican Hierarchy has stated they want to reach out beyond their base.
To make the "majority" --- "permanent".



Supposing this alternate, future for "The Republic".

In a congruent spirit of "unity" with planet earth's poster child for single party democracy ...... culling out the obsolete and divisive .....

Which national holiday will be jettisoned from the ""Lifeboat"" drama of the "Republic of the Majority" .

Columbus Day?

Martin Luther King Day?

Fourth Of July?



4too

.........................
Edit:

Culled out a preposition .......

Training for that new tommorrow?


4too --2

 

[DJ Slamák]

I think it's a bit odd to celebrate the creation of a state that has ceased to exist.

That depends. Here, we still observe October 28th (1918, the foundation of Czechoslovakia). The idea is that we became free from Austria-Hungary, which is still a very legitimate reason IMO. Slovakia doesn't officially observe it anymore though; I can't exactly say why. They probably think Czechoslovakia wasn't fully "theirs" because it was mostly the Czechs running the place (which, at least originally, was a simple consequence of the Slovaks getting the shortest end of the stick -- 1000 years of being treated as subhuman recluse in the ass end of Hungary vs. our 300 years of being still relatively well off with the Austrians -- but I can't rule out that the Czechs got bossy and Havel was simply incompetent).

Anyway, it would be pretty weird if Russia celebrated its liberation from Russia, but that's not even the case. The Soviet Union officially existed since sometime in the 1920s I think (can't remember when exactly), it was still "Russia" for some time after the revolution.

What do I think about it? (Not that I KNOW anything about it, but n/m...) I think Communism has been with the Russians for so long that it's been integrated into national folklore. Even if the holiday is officially abolished, it won't disappear for quite some time. Also, the Communists scare me as our very own Communist party (unreformed) is slowly creeping back to power because the ruling Social Democrats are consistently screwing up everything they look at and the commies are the only major left-wing alternative.

 

[calculon000]

Take Christmas for example: many atheists still celebrate christmas because the holiday has become a simple custom for many people.

So I think the holiday should be kept because it is a part of Russian tradition and culture. I think that if they keep it, it will become less and less of a divising power in the county as the spirit in which it was founded fades year after year untill it becomes merely a custom.

 

[Dapper Dan Man]

Keep it, for the simple reason that cracking down on something inevitably makes it more popular to use as a rallying point to revolt. As others before me said, every year it will become less and less a contention, and more of a remembrance. While I am NOT a big fan of the Bolsheviks, it doesnt deserve to be erased and named something stupid it would in the U.S. like Democracy Day or something.

 

[Dapper Dan Man]

I think it's a bit odd to celebrate the creation of a state that has ceased to exist.

That depends. Here, we still observe October 28th (1918, the foundation of Czechoslovakia). The idea is that we became free from Austria-Hungary, which is still a very legitimate reason IMO. Slovakia doesn't officially observe it anymore though; I can't exactly say why. They probably think Czechoslovakia wasn't fully "theirs" because it was mostly the Czechs running the place (which, at least originally, was a simple consequence of the Slovaks getting the shortest end of the stick -- 1000 years of being treated as subhuman recluse in the ass end of Hungary vs. our 300 years of being still relatively well off with the Austrians -- but I can't rule out that the Czechs got bossy and Havel was simply incompetent).

Anyway, it would be pretty weird if Russia celebrated its liberation from Russia, but that's not even the case. The Soviet Union officially existed since sometime in the 1920s I think (can't remember when exactly), it was still "Russia" for some time after the revolution.

What do I think about it? (Not that I KNOW anything about it, but n/m...) I think Communism has been with the Russians for so long that it's been integrated into national folklore. Even if the holiday is officially abolished, it won't disappear for quite some time. Also, the Communists scare me as our very own Communist party (unreformed) is slowly creeping back to power because the ruling Social Democrats are consistently screwing up everything they look at and the commies are the only major left-wing alternative.

To be fair, Hungary was pretty much treated as the ass end of the Hapsburg Empire itself. Then when the communists took over and the Hungarian people revolted, it was promptly crushed by the Soviets. A pity Hungary didnt have oil at the time and merited liberation...

 

[DJ Slamák]

To be fair, Hungary was pretty much treated as the ass end of the Hapsburg Empire itself.

Oh, that's true. Most of the time, at least. Didn't it improve after the austro-hungarian equalization or whatchamacallitinenglish?

Then when the communists took over and the Hungarian people revolted, it was promptly crushed by the Soviets.

Verily. 1956, was that? Imré Nagy had some balls, I tell you. More so than Dubček (the prime minister of the Prague Spring), he was actually pretty spineless.

You Hungarian?
[/offtopic]

 

[Big T]

I am curious, as most of the people here are not Russian, what you all think of this Holiday and the prospect of changing it. Is it day of proud tradition? Or is it a divisive and archaic holiday that only weakens the country as a whole?

I tend towards the latter, though I wouldn't say it weakens the country. To give an analogy, I view it a little bit like the observation of the the Queens Official Birthday (note - this isn't actually celebrated) only moreso, it's not really that relevant any more, but still inspires strong feelings in some.

I think the decision to change it is pretty moronic. Putin will inspire anger from some and ridicule from others, plus, people will continue to use the old name anyway. The new names for these days sound terrible to me, but maybe they sound better in Russian.

 

[Dapper Dan Man]

To be fair, Hungary was pretty much treated as the ass end of the Hapsburg Empire itself.

Oh, that's true. Most of the time, at least. Didn't it improve after the austro-hungarian equalization or whatchamacallitinenglish?

Then when the communists took over and the Hungarian people revolted, it was promptly crushed by the Soviets.

Verily. 1956, was that? Imré Nagy had some balls, I tell you. More so than Dubček (the prime minister of the Prague Spring), he was actually pretty spineless.

You Hungarian?
[/offtopic]

About half-Hungarian. My grandparents and uncle fled Hungary through the swamps right before the Hungarian uprising. Resettled in the US, my mother was born here, etc. Still have relatives I have yet to meet in Hungary, though I desperately want to visit.

Also part German and Austrian.......and Irish.

As for the earlier part, the reason the Czechs had it easier with the Austrians (this is only a hypothesis) is that the Czech Republic has a good minority of German speaking people. As Austria's national language is for all intensive purposes German, it would seem relatively easy to blend those cultures instead of the Hungarian speaking people. The tongue of the Magyar (Hungarians to those who dont know) doesnt resemble any other European tongue, so that could also affect problems with the Czech people blending with the Hungarians.

 

[Wooz]

It resembles the Finnish language.

I knew those sneaky Magyars were up to something.

 

[Dapper Dan Man]

It resembles the Finnish language.

I knew those sneaky Magyars were up to something.

Finnish is the closest, but there is still very little commonality. As for what we are up to...why..nothing...those arent missiles, grain, grain for the silos....

 

[Wooz]

...and Palinka, of course.

 

[Big T]

all intensive purposes

Bwahahaha!
All intents and purposes.

Always makes me laugh when people say that. Reminds me of my brother saying "He didn't take it to the fence." Priceless.

 

[Colt]

Take Christmas for example: many atheists still celebrate christmas because the holiday has become a simple custom for many people.

The only difference being people didn't get shot on the first Christmas and didn't start 70 years of oppresive rule...

As far as it goes though, yes, I agree that it should be allowed to fade rather than simply being stamped out and relabeled. As the others said, it could be a point of contention later on. - Colt

 

[The Vault Dweller]

Considering the massive impact it had one Russian history and culture it must be celecrated. I cant imagine them not celebrating or at least remembering it.

I dont really know the fracturing of Russia by this holiday as much as Lauren does, but I suppose remembering it is for the better. I suppose its backwards to look so favorably upon the past, but then again it can teach.

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

 

[Dapper Dan Man]

all intensive purposes

Bwahahaha!
All intents and purposes.

Always makes me laugh when people say that. Reminds me of my brother saying "He didn't take it to the fence." Priceless.

Im glad I made you laugh. Bit tired at the moment, but yes, you are correct. Though I've certainly seen worse typoes. A comma is supposed to be after "saying"

 

[John Uskglass]

It resembles the Finnish language.

I knew those sneaky Magyars were up to something.

It's in the Finno-Urghaic group, an actually pretty big group, with some big similarities to both Indoeuropean and Altaic groups, with possible links to both.

They probably think Czechoslovakia wasn't fully "theirs" because it was mostly the Czechs running the place

So then do they celebrate the Nazi invasion instead?

 

[caban]

Thought I am againts communism I think it can be a day of proud tradition since there are no eternal rights. Some people like a chicken other prefer a duck :<.

 

[DJ Slamák]

So then do they celebrate the Nazi invasion instead?

I'm sure the skinheads do. To be frank, I haven't discussed details with any Slovaks, but I think most are aware that the "Slovenský štát" (the WW2 "Slovak State") was, for all intents and purposes , a puppet state.