The Buryat winter wizard Sagaan Ubgen shared his story with visitors at the National Centre RUSSIA

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Children learned about loving their family, helping others, and living in harmony with their fears from Sagaan Ubgen, the winter wizard from the Republic of Buryatia, on 16 November. The National Centre RUSSIA continues the "Winter Wizards" festival. Nineteen main winter characters from different regions of Russia have ceremonially arrived in Moscow for the festive season. Each of them has prepared a unique theatrical performance revealing the distinctive traditions of celebrating the New Year in their home regions.

The name Sagaan Ubgen translates as "White Elder". In the Buddhist mythology of the Kalmyk and Buryat peoples, he is a revered deity of fertility, longevity and wellbeing. He is considered the guardian of order and moral principles, who rewards good deeds and fairly punishes wrongdoing. Sagaan Ubgen traditionally wears a white fur coat and a fur hat adorned with Buryat national patterns.

"White is the most important colour in the world. Snow falling from the sky is white. Kind thoughts and pure souls are white. The flour used to bake the most delicious pie is white. A beautiful swan’s feather is also white. In the Republic of Buryatia, we call the New Year the ‘white month’. So it is only natural that I, too, am dressed in white," Sagaan Ubgen explained.

During his performance, he told young visitors a cautionary story from his youth. Three friends, including Sagaan Ubgen himself, set off on a dangerous journey across Lake Baikal. On their way they got stuck in a swamp and met a bear, yet escaped all dangers unharmed. According to the winter wizard, this happened because the boys managed to overcome their fear, held hands and faced all obstacles together.

"What is fear? Fear is our constant companion. At times it acts as our guard and helper, and at times there is so much fear that it overshadows our peace and kindness. If you allow it to rule you, it will make you lose your way. But if you take fear with you as an equal, as your helper, it will allow you to perform great magic," said the wizard from the Republic of Buryatia.

During the hour-long performance, Sagaan Ubgen organised games and competitions for children, while his assistants playfully threw improvised snowballs into the audience. The winter wizard also taught children how to greet and say goodbye in Buryat. At the end of the celebration, Sagaan Ubgen led the yokhor – a traditional Buryat round dance – joined by more than 150 young guests.

"I really liked the boys’ journey to Baikal. I know it’s a huge and beautiful lake, and I really want to visit it. Sagaan Ubgen seemed very kind to me, almost like a relative. And now I know how to say ‘goodbye’ in Buryat – ‘bayartai’," said young spectator Ivan Marinichev.

The "Winter Wizards" festival will run from 15 November until the end of December at weekends. The project is supported by the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.

The extensive programme includes 18 theatrical performances that tell the stories of each winter wizard and the regional traditions of celebrating the New Year. After the performances, young visitors are invited to join a tour of the "Journey Across Russia" exposition, take part in a quiz and receive a sweet gift. Children wearing New Year costumes are in for special surprises.

The next winter wizard to share his story at the National Centre RUSSIA on 22 November will be Kodzyd Pol from the Komi Republic.

Further theatrical performances will be held according to the following schedule:

23.11 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Ues-Dade from the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic;

29.11 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Yushto Kugyza from the Republic of Mari El;

29.11 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Chyskhaan from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia);

29.11 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Ekhee Dyila from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia);

30.11 – Theatrical performance based on the legends of Chyskhaan and Ekhee Dyila from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia);

07.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of the Cossack Ded Moroz from the Stavropol region;

07.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Mytyn Dada from the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania;

13.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legends of Pakkayne, Talvi Ukko and Halla from the Republic of Karelia;

14.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Yakshamo Atya from the Republic of Mordovia;

20.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Yamal Iri from the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area;

20.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Sook Irey from the Republic of Tuva;

21.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Ded Moroz from the Vologda region;

27.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Tol Babay from the Udmurt Republic;

27.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of the Ryazan Ded Moroz from the Ryazan region;

28.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Kysh Babay from the Republic of Tatarstan.