Holidays from Afar: How Russian Expats Celebrate New Year’s While Living Abroad

As New Year’s Eve approaches, the most significant holiday in Russia, Sergei, a 30-year-old IT professional currently residing in Romania, expressed his intention to watch «The Irony of Fate,» the quintessential 1975 romantic comedy synonymous with New Year celebrations in Russia, from start to finish for the first time.

«It’s a quirky tradition that traces back to the Soviet era, but there’s a certain warmth about it,» Sergei remarked.

Sergei is among the estimated 650,000 Russians who emigrated after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many have remained outside Russia due to fears of persecution for opposing the war, severed family connections, or a moral divide from a country that continues its military actions in Ukraine.

For these individuals, the classic Russian New Year traditions serve as a bridge to their homeland and as a means to share aspects of their culture with new communities abroad.

The Moscow Times spoke with seven Russian émigrés who relocated after the invasion to find out how they are welcoming the new year across different countries.

The interviews revealed a diaspora community that celebrates the New Year with a blend of nostalgia for their lives before the war, a willingness to adapt to their new surroundings, and comfort in cherished traditions—all while enjoying ample servings of Olivier salad.

Some names and identifying details have been omitted for reasons of safety. The interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.

Manya Koneva, 28, Dubai

«This year marks my first Christmas celebration on December 25. I’ve made new friends from Europe here in Dubai, and they invited me to join their Christmas dinner. I find it quite similar to our New Year festivities, except for the date—there were no chimes on the screen and no Putin’s address.

Most of my friends, who are primarily French, had never tasted Olivier salad, so it was my personal mission to prepare a big batch. Sourcing doctor’s sausage poses a challenge in Dubai due to pork restrictions. I had to explore several shops that sell non-halal items to find it. My friends loved the salad; we even enjoyed the leftovers for breakfast the following day, which reminded me of home, where my family has Olivier salad for breakfast on January 1. It tastes even better then.

New Year’s Eve in Dubai feels a bit surreal: warm, sunny weather and sand instead of snow. Still, it’s a chance for me to gather with friends from Russia, sip champagne, and feel at home for a moment. On January 1, I plan to watch the Soviet film ‘Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession’ again, but this time with French subtitles.»

Sergei, 30, IT Specialist, Bucharest, Romania

«Olivier salad is essential for every New Year’s celebration. For me, the combination of Olivier, mandarins, and salmon roe embodies the essence of the holiday. While I’m currently in Bucharest, this year I will celebrate New Year’s in Serbia with my partner. I still plan to host a traditional New Year’s Eve—cooking up salads and finally watching ‘The Irony of Fate’ in its entirety. It’s a peculiar tradition from the USSR, yet it brings a sense of comfort. Will I manage it? I can’t be certain…

I must confess, ever since leaving Russia, I’ve started to value New Year’s more. It feels like a way to maintain a connection to my culture and traditions while abroad. At the same time, part of me thinks, ‘Well, we won’t perish if we skip it and just go to bed,’ a thought I often had back in Russia.»

Anfisa, 29, Animator, Paris

«This is my first Christmas and New Year’s in France. For New Year’s Eve, I’m gathering with a large group of friends to make Olivier salad. My mother used to prepare baguette sandwiches with pesto and melted Camembert for the New Year, and I’d like to recreate that. While those ingredients are distinctly French, they also evoke fond memories of family gatherings. There’s a Russian shop near my place, and I want to grab some red caviar to share with my friends.

Most likely, I’ll watch ‘Home Alone,’ as it resonates more with my childhood and home than Soviet films do. I never particularly liked ‘The Irony of Fate.’ At midnight, we’ll celebrate with chimes, but without Putin’s address; instead, we’ll tune in to Yekaterina Schulmann’s New Year message.»

Lena, 34, Tbilisi, Georgia

«For me, having a live Christmas tree is a cherished tradition. It was a staple in my parents’ home when I was a child. I thought I would let go of this custom when I moved from my small town to Moscow since searching for the perfect tree in a big city without a car isn’t easy. However, I couldn’t abandon the tradition. The very act of searching and the joy of finding the right tree to haul across the city on the bus in the cold became part of the ritual.

In Tbilisi, they don’t sell my favorite type of tree. The trees here lack the scent of pine that we associate with Russia. I had to sniff every tree at the markets to find the right aroma, and I ended up paying a premium for it. But as soon as I bring that fragrant tree into my apartment, it instantly feels like home. I decorate it with garlands and relive childhood memories, immersing myself in a carefree world of wonder, reminiscent of my parents’ house, and I feel safe.»

Dasha, 30, Canada

«This will be my third New Year’s Eve in Canada, where I live with my Lebanese husband. For him, and for many Canadians, New Year’s isn’t the main holiday—Christmas holds much more significance.

I try to cling to my New Year traditions by preparing Olivier salad, stocking up on mandarins, and hunting for red caviar in Russian stores. This helps recreate that festive atmosphere I cherish.

This year, my friends and I attended a screening of the Soviet cartoon ‘The Snow Queen.’ To my surprise, it was shown in a small independent cinema, in Russian with English subtitles. For an immigrant, this opportunity to share a piece of my culture is especially precious.

At times, though, I realize how absurd some cultural elements seem from an outside perspective. When I tried to explain the plot of ‘The Irony of Fate’ to my husband—how a group of men gets drunk in a banya, sends the wrong guy on a plane, and he accidentally bursts into a stranger’s apartment and ends up falling in love—it’s baffling that an entire country watches this film every New Year.»

Yekaterina, 29, Valencia, Spain

«I don’t sense the New Year’s spirit in southern Spain. The sight of a palm tree next to a Christmas tree creates a strong feeling of dissonance. This is my second New Year’s here. Salads, sparkling wine, and 2000s musicals are essential for getting into the mood.

This year, we’re hosting a small gathering with Russian-speaking friends, along with some international guests. Salads like herring under fur coat and Olivier are the mainstay—only on New Year’s Eve do I allow myself to consume so much mayonnaise. I haven’t fully embraced Spanish customs yet, especially since they lack many traditional New Year practices.

I wouldn’t say I miss my previous New Year celebrations all that much, but I do long for the days of my childhood when I celebrated with my parents. Back then, everyone was healthy and full of energy; I received plenty of gifts and had no worries. I remember the excitement before 2005 began, when I would visit the Christmas tree and even ride a pony on January 1. I’d watch cartoons like ‘Shrek’ and ‘Ice Age’ and all the New Year’s shows until January 7. Everything seemed different back then. Perhaps it was just my youthful innocence or perhaps life really was simpler. Who knows?»

Dima, Berlin

«My girlfriend and I left Russia about a month after the war began, right after I spent 15 days in a detention center near St. Petersburg for participating in an anti-war protest.

My feelings about celebrating New Year’s abroad are mixed. On one hand, there’s the excitement of a new experience each year. On the other hand, it’s challenging to accept that I’m no longer marking midnight alongside my family and friends.

The easiest approach is to maintain my Russian identity and celebrate in the traditional way. Typically, we purchase the same foods we would have in Russia, but it’s a more complicated and time-consuming task to organize. Regardless, even if we don’t watch Russian channels, we still enjoy classic Soviet films, as that too is part of the tradition. We might even tune into Zelensky’s message instead of Putin’s.

If we meet these conditions, it becomes feasible to recreate the atmosphere of a Russian New Year and feel less isolated. Yet, there are small discrepancies—time zones, political stances, differing tastes, and being away from friends—that serve as constant reminders that we’re far from home.

Still, I’m willing to deal with the inconveniences of celebrating New Year’s abroad if it means I avoid returning to Russia. Nowadays, the narrative on Russian television focuses on how our soldiers are fighting on the front lines and how we should express solidarity with them. I have no desire to feel this unity; I don’t see them as part of my community, and I have no interest in how they celebrate the New Year. On the contrary, I prefer to distance myself from them as much as possible.»