The motto of the Airborne Troops: "Nobody but us!" It reflects the fighting spirit, strength, reliability and courage of the paratroopers. Every year on August 2, Uncle Vasya’s troops celebrate their holiday. Streets are filled with strong men in blue berets and vests. Why does the Airborne Forces have a tradition of swimming in the fountain? Where did it come from?
A little bit about the history of the holiday
The holiday of the airborne troops originates in 1930, when on August 2, a small unit of 12 people successfully landed near the city of Voronezh and completed its combat mission. The division was led by military pilots L.G. Minov and Ya. D. Mogavsky.
Well, now let's move on to a question that excites many: why are the Airborne Forces swimming in fountains on August 2?
This strange tradition
The tradition of swimming in the fountain on Airborne Forces Day has several very different versions of origin: from the serious and romantic to the ridiculous and ridiculous. Let's look at them.
Connection with the church holiday
August 2 is also Ilyin’s day. Ilya the Prophet was considered among the Slavs the lord of rain and thunder. Paratroopers consider this saint to be their patron, suggesting that he clears them the sky for a successful jump. Washing of spring water on August 2 was considered a tribute to the saint, and at the same time a rite of protection against all sorts of failures. After the Great Patriotic War, the tradition of washing was transformed into a full dip in water, and then flowed smoothly into bathing in the fountain.
Demonstration of own invulnerability
According to an old legend, everyone who dared to enter the water on August 2 was dragged to the bottom by water and mermaids. It was also said earlier that if you swim in Ilyin’s day, then a serious illness cannot be avoided. The paratroopers, famous for their good health, courage and willingness to face danger, challenged this sign and showed that they were not afraid of any diseases, and that Aquarius and mermaids themselves were afraid of them.
Lucky shot
The next version about why on the day of the Airborne Forces bathe in fountains is connected with a funny story. Once, having celebrated their holiday too tightly, several pretty tipsy paratroopers fell into the fountain. Their friends naturally rushed to the rescue. Onlookers immediately began to pay attention to the onlookers, then the police joined in, as we are used to call them today. Among the passers-by was an amateur photographer who, without thinking twice, captured what was happening on his camera. In order not to fall into the mud, the paratroopers announced the tradition of swimming in the fountains, which attracted many foreign business travelers.
Love
Another explanation is that the sky reflects in the water. Therefore, for paratroopers to swim in the fountains, the day of the airborne forces means to express boundless love for their element.
Do not miss the chance
In Russia, it was also believed that Ilyin’s day was the end of summer. This day you can swim for the last time. And the paratroopers are not used to miss the last chance, so here they could not stay away.
Why a fountain?
Many explanations, which make it possible to understand why swimming in the fountain on the day of the Airborne Forces, say that the process of dipping into the water is important. Why do paratroopers prefer to swim in fountains without fail?
It all started with Moscow. The capital has always been and remains the most progressive city in our country today. The number of its inhabitants is enormous, and, of course, among them there are many paratroopers. Naturally, many of them knew about the ablution tradition on August 2, and the water was not in all the apartments, so the paratroopers went with their colleagues and paratrooper friends in the baths, and then gradually "climbed" into the fountains, because they do not need to be paid anymore.
Other holiday traditions
Why the Airborne Forces bathe in fountains, it seems, sorted out. But there are a number of other traditions, less well-known, but seem to be more important.
Watermelons
Paratroopers on August 2 prefer to treat themselves to watermelons, and this is no accident. This tradition appeared in the early 90s of the last century. Paratroopers returning from Afghanistan celebrated the holiday with watermelons. Firstly, it was possible to quench your thirst, and secondly, at this time, watermelons are very tasty.
In touch
For each business traveler, the morning of the holiday begins with a call to colleagues. Today, however, it can be an SMS message or a message on a social network. In general, this does not matter much, because the main thing is to show that the airborne brotherhood does not tolerate insults, betrayals and never forgets each other.
Third toast
The tradition originated in the 80-90s of the last century. Until this time, a second toast rose for all the dead, they drank a second glass for them. But the understanding that “living is living” came precisely at that time.
In the third toast, no one clinks, the right to declare it belongs either to the oldest or the most respected person, and no one supplements his words. Drinking a third glass while standing as a tribute to memory and respect.
Festive events
Not a single Day of the Airborne Forces can do without festive events. Usually, the beginning is a visit by paratroopers to military memorials and laying flowers on them. Then various demonstrations are held, which clearly demonstrate the strength and power of the Russian paratroopers, and military equipment is also demonstrated. Concerts and charity events dedicated to this day are held in many cities.
Why has the airborne tradition of swimming in the fountain become one of the main? Maybe the fact is that their joy on this day knows no bounds? Then the question arises of how worthy the behavior of the "blue berets" on this day is.
Decent behavior
Often people wondering why the Airborne Forces bathe in fountains think of it as an unnecessary and ugly tradition. Indeed, the behavior of some paratroopers or people who have never served in the Airborne Forces, but simply donned a vest and took it (no matter how shameful it may sound), casts doubt on the strength and dignity of the Blue Berets.
However, no one wants the authority of such important troops to fall in the eyes of the nation, so the Union of Russian Paratroopers even created a list of recommendations for the paratrooper to celebrate Airborne Forces, which includes such provisions:
- On August 1, agree with the friends the place and time of the collection, prepare the uniform, because the paratrooper should look neat.
- Rise on August 2 to accompany charging. Do not forget to bring your documents with you.
- On the way to the collection point, buy flowers to be laid at the memorials.
- Congratulate all familiar and unfamiliar paratroopers on the holiday.
- In case of detection of "mummers" in the paratroopers, drunk or rowdy, transfer them to the hands of the police.
- If you plan to pass the formation, take a place in it and participate in the passage of the march and all the memorable events.
- Do not deprive the attention of a festive show or concert, because this is done primarily for you.
- Participate in the competition program, demonstrate your strength there (raise the weight, push out, etc.)
- Visit a cultural institution with fellow paratroopers, where alcohol can be limited to 3 toasts: 1st for the Airborne Forces, 2nd for the commanders, 3rd for those who are not with us.
- It is imperative to sing in a chorus “The Blue Spilled”.
- Bathing in fountains is not forbidden, but this should happen with dignity.
- Accompany a friend to the house, if there is such a need.
- Arrive at home, tidy up your uniform and store it carefully until the next holiday.
- On August 3, arrive at the place of work without delay and in tidy form.
Some recommendations seem frivolous and comic, but there is some truth in every joke.
Why are the Airborne Troops swimming in fountains? Because it is a tribute to tradition. A real paratrooper will not dive there with a “hippo”, but simply make a bath with cold water. And the rest is not worth mentioning.