Reflecting on the Final Year of the 20th Century's Rabbit: Nostalgia, Change, and Enduring Traditions

Over more than two decades, the world has transformed dramatically, yet some cherished traditions remain unchanged. We still decorate Christmas trees with tinsel, prepare classic salads while the TV plays, and light sparklers to celebrate the season.

Although many celebrate the New Year on December 31st, the Eastern calendar follows a different timeline. The Year of the Black Water Rabbit, symbolizing 2023, officially begins on January 22nd. Welcoming this sign with a grand feast or at least a hearty dinner is believed to invite good fortune.

The Rabbit is among the most beloved zodiac signs in Chinese astrology, symbolizing longevity and peace. Experts anticipate that 2023 will be calmer compared to recent turbulent years, a prospect welcomed by many weary of uncertainty and troubling news.

However, we will only know if these predictions hold true after 12 months, which are sure to bring their own surprises—both pleasant and challenging. For now, let's rewind to the late 1990s, revisit another Year of the Rabbit, and reflect on how life has evolved since then.

What Was 1999 Like?

1999, the closing chapter of the 20th century, was also a Year of the Rabbit, specifically the Yellow Earth Rabbit. This cheerful color, associated with the sun, was thought to bring relaxation and happiness, though, as often happens, the year held its share of unpredictability.

The year began routinely, with no hint of the significant upheaval December would bring—one that would shape the country's future profoundly.

On January 1st, families woke up, enjoyed traditional salads and sandwiches, then went out for walks. Back then, long New Year holidays were unheard of; only January 1st, 2nd, and 7th were official days off. Everyone else was expected to work, with no exceptions. Amendments to labor laws allowing longer holidays came only in 2004, making New Year celebrations a true mini-vacation today.

Winter travel was not yet a widespread tradition; most people took summer vacations by the sea. However, the Iron Curtain had fallen, making travel between countries feasible, albeit with challenges.

Tickets for trains or flights abroad were expensive due to sharp rises in the US dollar exchange rate, and purchasing them meant standing in long queues. The internet was not widespread, and online booking was nonexistent. Travelers had to carry cash, visit ticket offices in person, and secure physical tickets with departure details.

Accommodation was typically found upon arrival by seeking trustworthy hosts, making travel a test of resilience that not everyone was eager to undertake. Many preferred gathering with loved ones for barbecues, a beloved pastime popular in both summer and winter.

The late 1990s perfectly illustrate the saying "Everyone sees the world through their own lens": while some recall it as a time of scarcity, financial struggle, and survival, others remember significant technological leaps, new travel opportunities, and the boom of shuttle trading.

• "Two slices of sausage": Life in the challenging yet unforgettable 1990s

Remarkably, some already owned computers and mobile phones, while others relied on landlines, devised clever methods to call other cities, and maintained connections through traditional paper letters and greeting cards.

If you ask Generation Z about the late 1990s, many might mention ration cards, three-liter jars of tomato juice, and long lines in stores, but the reality was not entirely bleak.

That year saw the opening of Russia’s first "Pyaterochka" supermarket in Saint Petersburg. Experts doubted the success of this format—minimalist decor, affordable equipment—but it flourished. Weekend family trips to markets gradually declined as self-service shopping became the norm.

Twenty-three years later, history comes full circle. Markets regain popularity, while neighborhood stores grow quieter. Shopping among stalls is unnecessary when almost everything can be ordered online with delivery, saving time and effort.

In April 1999, the US dollar was valued at approximately 24 rubles. For those watching today's volatile exchange rates, this may seem ideal, yet life then was far from perfect. Before the 1998 financial crisis, the rate was 5.99 rubles per dollar—hard to imagine for those who didn’t live through that era.

Despite challenges, life in 1999 followed its course. People worked, fell in love, married, had children, vacationed at summer homes, harvested crops in autumn, and skied in local parks during winter. As the holidays approached, excitement mingled with nervous anticipation.

Those following politics had logical explanations for the tense atmosphere, bracing for significant change, while others feared uncertainty and believed in omens. Many across Russia and beyond anticipated the world’s end in 2000. Though panic was not widespread, a subtle tension lingered.

New Year's Eve Traditions

As often happens, the first snowfall in December transformed the world, inspiring people to set aside worries and embrace festive preparations. Memories of the Soviet era were still fresh, so many preferred to prepare early. Why queue for canned peas on December 30th when you could buy them in advance and store them in the fridge?

• "Don't touch, it's for New Year!": Celebrating during times of scarcity

This approach applied to all long-lasting products: champagne patiently waited on balconies, chocolates hid on high shelves to keep them away from children.

Christmas trees were mostly real and decorated with glass ornaments. The true highlight was silver tinsel, which, despite tangling pets, shimmered with a magical glow.

By the early 2010s, tinsel fell out of favor but has since made a stylish comeback. Many celebrities now adorn their trees with it, so if you haven’t tried it yet, it’s a perfect time to consider.

There were also cultural shifts: while in earlier years people quietly hummed "January Blizzard," 1999 introduced a new winter anthem thanks to singer Alsou. At just 16, she released "Winter Dream," accompanied by a music video featuring her hugging a gray teddy bear, marking the start of her career.

By December, the video was on heavy rotation across channels, leading to some fatigue. Thankfully, New Year's Eve offered the comfort of "Old Songs About the Important," a beloved classic.

In the late 1990s, this show became the most popular on national television. Traditional "Blue Lights" programs, aired for decades, were losing appeal as audiences craved fresh formats.

• Sofia Rotaru as a glam rock star and Pugacheva before her iconic style: The early days of "Blue Lights"

"Old Songs About the Important" was Konstantin Ernst's first major project. Though not yet CEO, he was the general producer of Channel One. The show was more than a concert—it was a musical with a storyline set in a 1950s Soviet village, starring well-known artists like Alla Pugacheva, Philipp Kirkorov, Lada Dance, and Leonid Agutin.

The film ran for several hours, culminating in a festive gathering that invited viewers to share the joy.

Ernst later recalled achieving the impossible during those years. Despite scarce funds, the budget was never cut. Depriving people of joy before the main holiday was unthinkable, and the show's budget could rival that of a blockbuster.

"What happened during filming at Mosfilm was every singer’s dream. We united into an amazing group," recalled Philipp Kirkorov.

Ernst produced four editions of "Old Songs About the Important," with the 1999 episode being the most popular. This was no surprise, as after the performances, Boris Yeltsin appeared on screen.

Unlike his usual carefree demeanor, Yeltsin delivered a solemn speech announcing his resignation as president.

"Today I address you with my New Year's greetings for the last time. But this is not all: today I speak to you as President of Russia for the last time. I have made a decision. I pondered it long and painfully. Today, on the last day of the outgoing century, I resign," he declared.

In May 2000, Vladimir Putin became president.

For many, this news was a shock. With no internet or instant communication, people rushed outside to discuss with neighbors. Attempts to call loved ones on landlines were met with busy signals due to overloaded lines.

Remarkably, such communication challenges were common in that era, highlighting how much connectivity has evolved since then.

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