From calendar novelty to folk tradition: how Mother's Day won the hearts of Russians

In just a few decades, Mother's Day has transformed from a calendar novelty for Russians into a significant and spiritual holiday, the scale of which continues to grow. Its rapid integration into the cultural code of society is explained by a number of reasons, from deep social demands to consistent government support. Izvestia figured out how the Mother's Day holiday won popular love and became part of the gospel.

Mother's Day in Russia: history and date of celebration

Mother's Day in Russia was officially established by decree of President Boris Yeltsin in 1998. Compared to other public holidays, it is relatively young, but it has already become one of the most recognizable and sought-after. The holiday is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of November, which allows it to be celebrated during the calm autumn period, close to the end of the year. In 2025, Mother's Day falls on November 30th, creating an additional emotional backdrop for family gatherings and showing attention to loved ones.

One of the factors of popularity is that Mother's Day unites personal and social dimensions. At the family level, it is an opportunity to express gratitude and attention, at the social level, to recall the role of the mother in the upbringing and development of future generations, to pay attention to social and demographic issues. Due to this combination, the holiday is perceived as a natural and significant element of the cultural calendar of Russia.

The social significance of Mother's Day and public support

The holiday quickly gained popularity due to the public demand for the family theme. In today's world, where people are often overloaded with work and household responsibilities, Mother's Day provides an opportunity to stop, pay attention to loved ones and express gratitude to mothers for their contribution to the upbringing of children.

— The holiday has organically integrated into the state policy of supporting traditional family values, which has further strengthened its public profile. People perceive this day sincerely, not as a formality, but as an opportunity to emphasize respect and gratitude to those who play a key role in the emotional and social development of future generations," said the managing partner of the analytical agency VMT in an interview with Izvestia. Consult Ekaterina Kosareva.

In turn, state and regional programs also help to consolidate the holiday in the minds of citizens. Schools, kindergartens and municipal institutions organize themed events, class hours and creative actions, which increases the recognition of the holiday among children and parents. Public and charitable organizations create platforms for expressing gratitude to mothers, including charity events and volunteer projects. All this creates a stable foundation for consolidating the holiday in a cultural and social context.

The emotional aspect and the role of Mother's Day in the family

Mother's Day quickly became a family tradition. It allows you to express gratitude, attention and love to mothers through postcards, flowers, memorable gifts and joint family photos. Digital forms of congratulations have become an important part of the holiday — video messages, social media posts and joint photo stories that create a collective memory and strengthen cultural tradition.

The emotional component of the holiday has become important for its popularization. The holiday allows people to stop, pay attention to their mother, remember important family moments and create a special emotional ritual. Unlike formal state dates, Mother's Day is perceived as a personal, significant event that annually unites families and creates a sense of unity and care.

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