Unlike Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day in the U.S., International Women’s Day is a national holiday in Russia! On this day, women are repeatedly wished a happy holiday by men, even by strangers passing by on the sidewalk. Men smile and say: С праздником! (Happy Holiday!) Women also receive flowers, chocolates, and are honored and pampered at family get-togethers.
Over the years, PKSCA has celebrated this happy holiday in various ways–sometimes with a special event, sometimes by plugging into events held by Russian cultural organizations in the community – but always providing flowers and a happy holiday greeting for women in attendance.