April 17 was parents day in Russia. It's not like any day we have in America. It is a day to remember your deceased parents and relatives. Nearly everyone goes to the cemetary and spends the day there. Cemetaries are very different in Russia. The gravesite has a stone picnic table and benches and it is usually enclosed by a fence. When you visit you can sit and have a picnic and make toasts to those who have passed on. It is Russian tradition. Some say that the souls of the dead come back for Holy Week and then leave again a week later. That is why people go to the cemetary on April 17, they are saying good bye again to their loved ones.
I was at our field forum on this day of rememberance. I wasn't able to witness any of the activities. Yesterday in class we talked about what happened. We also talked quite a bit about death and burrial. I happened to ask what would happen if a Russian president died. Where would they hold the funeral and show the body? Typically Russians do this at their home. They almost never go to a church. My teacher said she thought either the Kremlin or Red Square. Now there is no more questioning what would happen. The first president of the Russian Federation, Boris Yelstin, died yesterday. His body will be placed in the largest church in Russia for the viewing and the service. Tomorrow is yet another official day of morning for Russia.
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