Autumn, or Harvest Festival, in Russia has been celebrated for a long time on September 21. It is dedicated to family well-being, fertility and symbolizes the thanksgiving of the people for the harvest. Similar holidays of the new harvest are celebrated in different countries:
- in Germany on the last Sunday in October - Thanksgiving Day;
- in Israel is called the Feast of Tabernacles and begins on September 19, there is a week;
- in Korea, the festival of Chusok - the day of harvest and family, on the full moon is celebrated for three days;
- In England, the Day of the Roast Goose is also celebrated on September 21;
- in France - the Feast of the Last Stop.
Holiday Harvest Day
The harvest day falls on September 21 - the Nativity of the Virgin. It is celebrated after the end of the tragedy, when the harvest is all in the bins. In the harvest festival, it was customary, with caravans and kissels, to meet Mother Matushka (the Mother of God herself) near the water, to thank her for fertility, a rich harvest and well-being in the families. It is believed that it protects agriculture. At the river people were entertained with games and songs.
The Harvest Festival originates from the ancient Slavs, who on the day of the autumnal equinox celebrated the transfer of power from summer to autumn. On this day you need to bake pies, visit your parents, thank God for fertility, remember the kind word of ancestors. On the day of the harvest, it was necessary to organize a treat and bring all of its relatives. The last sheaf was tied up on the field, they dressed and danced round with songs. In the evening on the Harvest Festival, people arranged events for the bratchina - they made it up, held a general feast. For a great meal they cooked kutya, beer , cottage cheese , ordered a bull or a sheep.
The Harvest Festival means a meeting of autumn, a farewell to the summer heat and the expectation of cold weather. From that time the people could rest from their labors, and nature itself is preparing for a winter sleep.