Krasnaia Gorka

an ancient Russian spring festival. With the spread of Christianity, the folk festival was made to coincide with the first Sunday after Easter, St. Thomas’ Day. Sometimes it was celebrated on the following day, a Monday; sometimes, on St. George’s Day, the day when cattle were first driven out to pasture after winter.

Krasnaia Gorka was a festival for the young. It began with children’s games, round dances, and songs. It was the first spring festivity for maidens. The games and promenades were held on knolls where the snow melted away first, hence the name of the festival (“beautiful hill” in old Russian). In some localities of Russia, weddings were scheduled for Krasnaia Gorka; in other areas, the day began with remembrance of the dead at the cemetery and only afterward became festive.