BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Polish Culture Another Russian Christmas tradition

A Russian Christmas tradition of more modern extraction is one that many Russians have enjoyed throughout the years. Superstar # 1 Alla Pugachova's Christmas concert airs on Russian TV on Orthodox Christmas, January 7th.

Begun in 1989, they quickly became one of the most popular holiday TV programs in the whole country. People were eager to buy tickets even during the worst years of perestroika and post-Soviet economic collapse. Even despite her own serious health problems, Pugachova has always perservered to give the concerts, which also have traditionally been one of the ways for new stars to gain instant popularity and fame.

Because she is now focused more on producing for other performers, she hasn't given a Christmas concert since 2002. However, TV stations still pay homage to the tradition... a couple of years ago a well-known Russian commentator made a documentary serial about Pugachova's Christmas concerts, which aired throughout the whole week of Christmas.

It is a pity that Pugachova does not continue Christams tradition concerts. I believe that this is really a very good tradition. Maybe somebody could replace her?

Nobody could ever replace Alla Pugachova! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Watching 5 minutes of Russian TV, or reading any newspaper, or listening to any radio station could tell you that! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Actually, she is giving concerts this holiday season, but right now, in Germany, not in Russia. Her first tour in Eastern Germany was in 1975, and in Western Germany in 1987, and she's always been loved there. Ironically, West Germans liked her more than East Germans, where she played more for Soviets living there than for Germans themselves.

Also, Pugachova was on TV a lot recently, since she was the host of the Russian version of "Pop Idol", called "Star Factory". And, of course, she was on all the New Year's musical shows. For New Year's 2004 she was the star of the movie "After two hares", a remake of an older film. She played, of course, the biggest drama queen in the world... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Eric and Jaga. I wish there were some Christmas programming during the Holidays. We did have a couple of old classic movies but no original Christmas programs. I watched some of the Christmas programs from Spain and they were just great. I guess that here in the States Holiday programming has no commercial value. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Holiday programming has no value because everyone is too busy shopping to bother to turn on the TV!

Listen to Russian Christmas chants:
http://www.rbcmp3.com/store/product.asp?dept%5Fid=231&sku=34954