The Russian Speaking Student Association is celebrating a holiday this weekend that has existed in Russia for nearly a century.

International Women’s Day is celebrated across the globe, but in Russia the day is a national holiday. It is a celebration of women and the role women have played throughout history.

“This is a very beautiful holiday for people in our culture,” said theater instructor Mila Baskayeva.

There are parties, decorations, traditional food and a concert that is broadcast across Russia.

Maria Cochran, graduate assistant in English, said on Saturday, even the television programming reflects women’s issues and interests.

Kate Judge, graduate student in sociology, said almost every organization does something.

Often the male employees of organizations and businesses will pool their money to give gifts to the female workers.

“You can give to any woman around you,” Cochran said.

Unlike Valentine’s Day, which often focuses on one woman, International Women’s Day “is not about a specific woman but women in general,” she said.

Judge, who is originally from Moscow, said, “It’s expected men will give you something nice just because you are a woman.”

The reverse of this holiday in Russia, where men are celebrated, is called Defenders of the Fatherland Day, she said.

Larisa Zheludkova, junior in political science, said the Russian Student Speaking Association is celebrating International Women’s Day at Iowa State because the day helps to form a connection among the members of the group. She said the students that form the association come from a wide variety of backgrounds but the holiday is something they all share.

The celebration is helping to keep a tradition going, as well as providing a fun time for participants, Zheludkova said.

Judge said the event also helps to promote diversity on campus.

“People that live in America aren’t always aware of other traditions,” she said. The event is designed to help introduce a new cultural tradition to Iowa State.

She said the original day dedicated to women occurred first in the United States, and the day quickly spread to Europe then Russia, even as it died out in the United States.

Cochran said the day is not just celebrated by feminist circles but that “it’s become a very widespread holiday.”

Last year the Russian Student Speaking Association informally observed the holiday, but this is the first year there are formal plans for a celebration. Baskayeva said one of the features of the event will be Russian entertainment. Although she said the details of the entertainment are still being worked out, it will be “both funny and enjoyable.”

Judge said the food at the event “will be the same people back home [in Russia] are making.”

She said the event is open to anyone who is interested in celebrating the tradition.

The festivities will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Campanile room of the Memorial Union.