January 25 is one of the noisiest days in Russia as students across the country celebrate Tatiana’s Day – the patron saint of scholars. They’ll join friends at college, drink with lecturers, sing songs and generally go crazy for a day.
Traditionally, Moscow University is the centre of the festivities.
Exam time for Russian students is finally over: no more sleepless nights boning up, preparing cheat sheets or drinking litres of coffee.
Examinations in Russia’s higher schools start at the beginning of the year and last until January 24.
And on January 25 – it’s time to celebrate Students’ Day, better known as ‘Tatiana’s Day’.
It’s also the birthday of Moscow State University (MGU) – the largest, oldest and the most prestigious college in the country. Most of the major celebrations usually take place there. Indeed, the future intellectual elite generally know how to work hard and party hard. This year won’t be an exception.
The day usually starts with an official meeting over tea, where rectors, professors and students chat about topics of mutual interest.
That’s followed by a show where the most talented students entertain with songs and sketches.
In the evening, Tatiana is toasted with a traditional fireworks display.
However, they are just the main events. Each year, organisers arrange an action-packed day to keep everyone entertained.
Students vs government – not a slam-dunk
On Sunday, members of the Russian government will change out their designer suits and silk ties, put on trainers and shorts and appear on a basketball court for a game with the MGU students.
According to the university press service, among those who accepted the challenge is Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov, First Deputy PM Sergey Ivanov, and Deputy PM Aleksandr Zhukov.
A cup of mead with the Rector
While a basketball match with ministers is something completely new, it’s often the good old traditions that students really look forward to.
One of the funniest and most eagerly awaited is the medovukha drinking session. It’s only on Tatiana’s Day that MGU Rector Viktor Sadovnichy treats students in person to this traditional Russian low-alcohol honey beverage, similar to mead.
The ‘ritual’ takes place at the university library where Sadovnichy will be pouring the drink from a large barrel into plastic glasses and handing them over to students. Up to 2,000 young men and women will queue up to sip the beverage, the recipe of which is kept secret.
The tradition appeared about 15 years ago, after Sadovnichy made a trip to Berlin to see his friend, the head of Humboldt University.
The two were wandering around the campus and came upon a group of local students near a beer stall. One of the cheeky youngsters jokingly asked the rector to buy him a pint, and, surprisingly Herr Klein agreed.
That’s when Sadovnichy decided it was actually not a bad way to foster informal relations with students. So, the idea was welcomed by MGU students.
Why January 25?
The history of Student’s Day dates back to January 25, 1755 (or January 12 according to the Julian calendar) when Empress Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great, signed a decree establishing a state university in Moscow.
The idea of founding a university belonged to an outstanding Russian scientist, Mikhail Lomonosov who was eager to improve education in the country. He asked Count Ivan Shuvalov, the Empress’s young favourite, to persuade her to sign the decree.
Elizabeth, really fond of her handsome lover, couldn’t resist, and to please her darling agreed to sign the document on Janury 25, Saint Tatiana’s Day.
It was also the day when Shuvalov’s mother, Tatiana Rotislavskaya, was born. Rumour has it that he told her: “I’m giving you a university”.
Since then Tatiana has been considered the patron saint of students and January 25 became Student’s Day.
Initially, Tatiana’s Day was celebrated in Moscow only. After a service in St. Tatiana’s chapel and a short ceremony, the true fun began – feasts, comedy and fireworks.
It’s the one day of the year that the barrier between professors and students is erased.
In past centuries, crowds of people singing songs would flood into restaurants and taverns. Owners often replaced expensive furniture, ceramics and mirrors with wooden benches, cheap plates and mugs – just in case.
Police were urged not to be too hard on drunk students who were likely to be staggering around expressing themselves at great volume.
In 1885, Russian writer Anton Chekhov jokingly wrote about Tatiana’s Day: “This year they’ve drunk off everything except for the Moskva River…and that’s only because it was frozen.”
In many ways, Tatiana’s Day hasn’t changed much. For many students it’s the best day of the year. It’s looked forward to with great anticipation by young scholars all across Russia.
After the Revolution of 1917, Tatiana’s Day was forgotten for several decades. The Communists didn’t approve. But in 1995 the holiday was officially revived.
Today, students will forget about exams and the pressures of making a success of their lives. There’ll be plenty of time for such worries in the days ahead.
