by janinehealy
8 March is traditionally a wonderful celebration of a WOMAN in Russia (would be interesting to know how people in other countries relate to this day?).
It is an official holiday and the celebration looks like Valentine`s Day and Mother`s Day together, but it is much more! Originally politically coloured it became an Ode to Womanhood.
All women: beloved and not, wives, sisters, mothers, girlfriends, grandmothers and just colleagues get their flowers, warm words and kind attention from the masculine half of the society.
Being a spring day, 8 March generously presents fresh spring flowers like tulips, mimosa and – of course! – roses…
The attitude to a woman has been rather contradictory in Russia through centuries. Although, living in the West I must admit that I find more respect, adoration and appreciation for a woman in Russia than in Europe (never been to USA, but I guess it is pretty much the same as in Europe).
Russian women never shout much about emancipation – they just don`t need any. They have been working equally with men long before the European ladies learned an office job.
At the same time officially a man was “the head” of the family, but we knew who was “the neck” turning this head!
I feel it`s a pity that the Western women lost a solid part of their femenity willing to “be equal” with men.
Every man deep inside is a noble knight, but only a princess can awaken it in him…
Let men carry your heavy bags, open the door for you, help you into a coat, give you flowers – they will love it! They love to be noble knights, it is built within them.
I wish you a happy, flowery and fragrant WOMAN`S DAY today, on the 8th of March, and every other day!
LOVE, axinia
axinia
1000 petals by axinia 
Happy Woman’s day – this world would have been less beautiful if not you ladies!
Our whole city (a Russian one) was so beautiful yesterday – flowers were everywhere, even at the vegetable market instead of vegetables :). And I think it was as much a holiday for men as for women. There was special fragrance in the whole atmosphere of tenderness and respect. And saying nice words to women men really felt that what they said was so much true. This day, even though once a year, helps to put people’s attention to some true values.
I have just read that in France this holiday is celebrated, too.
Anastasia, many thanks for the lovely report from Russia!
“Every man deep inside is a noble knight, but only a princess can awaken it in him…”
Don’t about the noble knight, but they can really bring out the humble photographer in us 🙂
swaps, I confirm. And not only a photographer…:)