Martenitsa

Postcard ID: BG-44746
Country: Bulgaria

Wow, this is the first Bulgarian postcard in my blog. Big luck! :)

This postcard shows a spring symbol or, more familiar for me - Martsishor (in Romanian).

A Martenitsa is a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and usually in the form of two dolls, a male and a female. Martenitsi are worn from Baba Marta Day (March 1) until the wearer first sees a stork, swallow, or budding tree (or until late March). The name of the holiday means "Grandma March" in Bulgarian and the holiday and the wearing of Martenitsi are a Bulgarian tradition related to welcoming the spring, which according to Bulgarian folklore begins in March.

The stamp is from series Wild roses issued in 2006:

Be Merry and Bright!

Postcard ID: CA-491924
Country: Canada

Here is a great example of card with beautiful pattern! So colourful congratulations with great holiday :)

This pattern looks similar to khokhloma for me, but it's assotiated with Russia for me, not with Canada :)

Here is also nice Christmas stamp:

International Women's Day

Postcard ID: RU-2492461
Country: Russia

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political, and social achievements. Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily in Europe, including Russia. In some regions, the day lost its political flavor, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. In other regions, however, the political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner. 

Belarus and Russia as well belong to the first regions. It's a national holiday, when men gift tulips, roses and different gifts to their mothers, wifes, girlfriends and colleagues :)