Mother's Day in the world: when it is celebrated in different countries

Mother's Day is celebrated in more than 50 countries, but it is celebrated on different dates. The traditions of its celebration go back to ancient times, when the ancient Greeks held spring celebrations in honor of the goddess Rhea, the mother of all the gods. Today, this day is dedicated to the closest people — mothers who give life, love and care to their children. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Mother's Day in the CIS countries: dates of celebration

In the countries of the former Soviet Union, Mother's Day is celebrated in different periods. Russia established this holiday in 1998, setting the date for the last Sunday in November. In 2025, Russian Mother's Day falls on November 30th. Before that, mothers in the Soviet Union were congratulated on March 8, International Women's Day.

Belarus celebrates Mother's Day on October 14th. This fixed date does not change from year to year.

Other CIS countries have chosen spring dates. In Georgia, Mother's Day is celebrated on March 3. Armenia celebrates this day on April 7. In Kazakhstan, the holiday is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Kyrgyzstan has established a holiday on the third Sunday of May, joining the May tradition.

In which countries is Mother's Day celebrated in autumn and winter

The November date of the celebration is relatively rare in world practice. Russia is one of the few countries where Mother's Day falls on the last Sunday in November. Since this is a floating date, the holiday always falls on a day off.

A special feature of the Russian celebration is its comparative youth — the holiday has existed since 1998. Every family celebrates this day in their own way. Children make gift cards and crafts to express their gratitude to their mothers for their love and care.

Some other countries celebrate Mother's Day in December. For example, Indonesia celebrates Mother's Day on December 22. This day originally celebrated the spirit of all Indonesian women, but today it is dedicated exclusively to mothers.

When to celebrate Mother's Day in the USA and Europe

Most countries in America and Europe celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May. In the United States, this day received official status in 1914 thanks to the efforts of activist Anna Jarvis, who, after her mother's death, took the initiative to establish a national holiday. President Woodrow Wilson signed a decree fixing the date — the second Sunday in May.

Countries celebrating the holiday during the same period include Germany, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and Turkey. European traditions of celebration have deep historical roots. Since the 17th century, there has been a Mother's Sunday in England, which fell on the fourth Sunday of Lent. On this day, the servants got a day off to visit their mothers and give them a special motherly cake.

In modern Europe, Mother's Day is not a public holiday, but it ranks third after Christmas and Easter in terms of importance and income from the sale of gifts. In Italy, this holiday is a time for family dinners and spending time together. In Sweden, the Red Cross sells plastic flowers, and the proceeds are used to help mothers and children in need.

Why is Mother's Day in May in most countries?

The choice of the May date is associated with the ancient spring festivals of fertility and motherhood. The ancient Greeks dedicated spring celebrations to the goddess Rhea, who personified motherhood and natural rebirth. After the spread of Christianity in Europe, holidays appeared in honor of the Mother Church, a symbol of the spiritual power that gives life and protection.

The experience of the United States at the beginning of the 20th century became a model for other countries. More than two dozen countries followed the American example and set the celebration on the second Sunday in May. May is associated with the beginning of summer, the warmth and flowering of nature, which symbolically corresponds to the idea of maternal love and care.​

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