2007-02-23 10:29:01 · 4 answers · asked by Intellithug 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Defenders Day (23 February) was originally a Soviet holiday where the women of the country thanked their men who served in the military as their defenders. It has been expanded so that women thank their men whether they are veterans or not. My Ukrainian fiancé sent me a wonderful message this morning thanking me for protecting her and for being her protector into the future. It is a very sweet holiday and plays into the basic biological level of men as the protectors of the tribe.
2007-02-23 15:56:00 · answer #1 · answered by Taivo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Taivo's answer is actually more culturally current. It has taken on the role of the Western "fathers day" in Ukraine, and is celebrated by the younger crowds, and those women who have been lucky enough to find relationships with Western men.
Although farenniko has a good historical view Defenders Day, his answer ignores the modernization of the holiday. Maybe it is sad that this occurs, but historically, all holidays develop this way.
I will also comment about Womens day - this is not a Ukrainian holdiay, rather it is a European holiday. How men there treat the women is true, but It is a great shame that Ukrainian men traditionally treat their women so shabily.
2007-02-24 07:40:48 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer above is a great answer, except the fact that this day is not really celebrated by many. It's one of the lesser holidays, and mostly what happens is women (and men) greet men. Technically this holiday only applies to men who server in the army (because the official name of the holiday is "Day of the Defender of the Homeland" (there's no holiday called "Happy Mens day"), implying that it's for the homeland defenders and not for every man. But in the past few decades this has been overlooked, so all men have a holiday. And also, I need to mention that Feb. 23 is NOT a day off.
In any case, what I want to say is that in my personal opinion the happy men day is actually "International women's day" on March 8. The reason I say this is that in reality even though it's a women's day, men have more fun on this holiday then women. Here are the reasons:
1) It's a day off - no work!!
2) Women clean
3) Women cook
4) Women clean after men eat
At the other hand all that men do on this day is:
1) (sometimes) give woman a flower, a card or some small gift
2) eat, drink and have fun
And I am not even joking, I know what happens on the "Womens day" - in reality as I said it's more of a fun day for men. I lived there 26 years so I know.
To Kevin: I think 26 years there (up until 2004) is long enough to get it right ))
2007-02-24 02:07:43 · answer #3 · answered by Infilia 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the first answer is great and really interesting. We do openly selebrate 23 of february and official meaning of this holiday is not important any more. We say warm words to all man and make small presents for our boyfriends, fathers, grandfathers. It is also very nice that this day man promise to take care of woman and to protect us. 8th of March is also great day.
2007-02-26 01:53:21 · answer #4 · answered by Natalie P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋