Profits of Russian flower shops soar ahead of International Women’s Day, widely celebrated on March 8 in Russia and in some former Soviet republics.
Profits of Russian flower shops soar ahead of International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8.
For example, in Omsk (western Siberia) one rose costs $3-$4 on average.
The holiday is widely celebrated only in Russia and in some former Soviet republics.
March 8 became a public holiday after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev declared March 8 a day off work in 1966.
Although some call March 8 a communist anachronism, it remains one of the most popular holidays in Russia, having turned into a mixture of St. Valentine's and Mother's Day.
On March 8, which is often referred to as the holiday of spring, love and beauty, women of all ages receive flowers, candy, perfumes, jewelry and other gifts from their husbands, children, male colleagues, fellow students and classmates.
Even traffic policemen go easy on female drivers on this holiday, pardon minor traffic violations and even give them flowers.
Yellow mimosas are among the most common March 8 gifts in Russia.
