December at the National Centre RUSSIA: A Month of Light, Family Stories, and New Year's Magic
The "New Year Russia" project – the main winter event cycle dedicated to folk traditions, family values, and New Year's inspiration, has launched at the National Centre RUSSIA. It unites culture, crafts, fairy-tale characters, and modern creative formats.
Visitors to the National Centre RUSSIA will be able to enjoy a rich programme: the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition, the "Winter Wizards" festival, showings of the original multi-genre spectacle "Morozko", family workshops, the theatrical caroling "Fairy-Tale Path", and more.
The project's mission is to popularise the folk culture and preserve the folklore traditions of Russia's regions.
All details regarding registration for events within the "New Year Russia" project can be found on the National Centre RUSSIA website in the "Events" section.
The New Year's Space of the National Centre RUSSIA
With the arrival of December, the Centre has been transformed into a gallery of thematic and atmospheric New Year's zones.
At the western entrance, snow-covered fir trees stand alongside futuristic mirror roly-poly dolls in fur hats, chrome-plated baubles, and elements of contemporary winter aesthetics.
At the "Journey Across Russia. Food" Gastronomic Rows, the Christmas trees present an image of an underwater kingdom: three-dimensional corals, shells, seahorses, crabs, and other deep-sea inhabitants create an immersive effect. The title character of the zone is the Golden Fish, a symbol of wish-fulfilment and a marine character of Russian fairy tales.
The foyer of the southern entrance is decorated with the mythology of the Urals in mind: malachite geodes, emerald hues, red and gold colours create an atmosphere of Pavel Bazhov's fairy tales.
On the second floor, in the cozy café area, the fir trees are decorated with baubles featuring bright geometric patterns, alluding to circus art and festive aesthetics.
The All-Russian Campaign "New Year Russia"
The National Centre RUSSIA has launched the annual nationwide campaign "New Year Russia". This year, over 70 regions have joined the project. Special visual materials have been placed in cities across the country: in streets, in transport, in public places, in multifunctional centres, on websites, and in social media.
The symbol of the campaign is the feather of the Firebird (Zhar-ptitsa), inspired by the famous image from Pyotr Yershov's fairy tale "The Little Humpbacked Horse". This feather has become a sign of light, hope, and the anticipation of a miracle. It connects the regions with a common cultural thread and creates a feeling of unity ahead of the New Year.
Regions Exposition "Book of Fairy Tales"
From 13 December to 1 March, the journey-exposition "Book of Fairy Tales" will be held at the National Centre RUSSIA. It connects legends, crafts, folk culture narratives, and contemporary artistic solutions.
The route will begin in the Firebird's Library-Treasury, which features rare books, unique items from museum and craftsmen's collections, antique illustrations, and publications that have shaped the image of the fairy tale over the centuries.
Next, guests will enter the winter forest of Russia's regions, with each territory unfolding as a separate living story. In the eight regional halls – representing the Vologda, Stavropol and Ryazan regions, as well as Mordovia, Karelia, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, the Komi Republic, and the Kaliningrad region – the images, ideas, and archetypes that make up the country's cultural code will be presented.
The route is presented as the hero's journey in the spirit of folklorist Vladimir Propp’s ideas. He considered the fairy tale a tool for inner transformation, strength, and light.
Thematic Zones of the Exposition
– "Fairy-Tale Library" – plots from folk tales and Pushkin's poems, rare books, unique show pieces are presented.
– "Winter Fairy Tales" – a journey with Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden), trials from the 12 Months, riddles from the Pike.
– "Russian Izba (Peasant House) and Fairy-Tale Garden" – an apple tree with golden fruits, craft-based tasks, the warm atmosphere of a homely fairy tale.
– "Deep Forest and Lukomorye" – Pushkin's characters, a forest of trials, and interactive tasks.
– "Terem" (House Tower) and "Dubrava" (Oak Grove) – architectural installations, a magic bow, creative tasks, and kind winter stories.
Regional Pages of the "Book of Fairy Tales"
Each region is presented in an expressive, imaginative form:
– The Vologda region – northern lace and the light from wooden-framed windows;
– Karelia – the epic "Kalevala" and the music of the kantele;
– Mordovia – a world of ornaments and the scent of bog oak;
– The Ryazan region – the New Year's capital and a dancing winter forest;
– The Stavropol region – the legend of the eagle and the serpent, the strength of Caucasian nature;
– The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region – an Arctic world, the Northern Lights, and the "Symphony of Yamal";
– The Komi republic – the hospitality of Kodzyd Pol the Winter Wizard;
– The Kaliningrad region – the amber glow of the Baltic, myths, and philosophy.
A special place is occupied by the image of the Firebird – the keeper of light, which the most attentive guests will be able to find.
Workshops
New Year's workshops at the National Centre RUSSIA are designed for participants of all ages. Guests will create candle paintings, Christmas tree decorations, festive decor, paint roly-poly dolls, and make items for the New Year's table using products from the Department Store RUSSIA. Each participant will take home their own creative work.
Dates: from 7 December to 11 January (weekends and public holidays).
"Winter Wizards" Festival
The site of the National Centre RUSSIA will bring together 19 winter wizards from Russia's regions.The programme includes 18 theatrical productions based on the folklore, legends, and spiritual and moral values of the peoples of Russia.
The festival is held with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.
After each performance, guided tours of the expositions and quizzes for children to be held.
Dates: from 15 November to 28 December (Saturdays and Sundays).
New Year Season at the Department Store RUSSIA
On 11 November, the New Year's bazaar of the Department Store RUSSIA opened. Its central art object is a contemporary interpretation of the roly-poly doll – a symbol of childhood, resilience, and joy.
Designer collaborations have been prepared:
– Fur roly-poly dolls from Far-Fur and the Kotovsk toy factory;
– The DOMBO tableware collection, inspired by circus aesthetics and the image of the roly-poly doll;
– Scarves by Nina Ruchkina with author prints.
Available for purchase: Christmas decorations, tableware, textiles, fur products, accessories, regional gifts, and New Year's delicacies.
Morozko: A Family New Year's Premiere at the National Centre RUSSIA
This winter, the National Centre RUSSIA will present the original multi-genre show-spectacle "Morozko", staged specifically for the New Year holidays and the opening of the new exposition "Book of Fairy Tales".
From 27 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, guests to the centre will be able to enjoy a cycle of vibrant family showings – a large-scale journey through the world of Russian fairy tales, where the classic story of Nastenka and Morozko receives a new, contemporary reading.
Story: When a Fairy Tale Brings a Family Back Together
At the heart of the story is Nastenka's family, where a warm tradition once lived: on the eve of New Year's, to stage home plays based on Russian fairy tales and gather relatives and friends around one table. Over time, everyone became absorbed in personal matters and smartphones, and the tradition dissolved into everyday life.
On the eve of the holiday, Nastenka makes a wish to bring back the lost homely comfort – and a miracle happens: her smartphone turns into a portal, transporting the girl into the magical world of Russian fairy tales. Morozko becomes her guide, and the family sets off in search of their daughter, racing to bring her back before the portal closes.
Each family member will face a personal challenge on the way to bring Nastenka back, to re-find each other again, and to understand that family warmth is more valuable than any bustle.
The Audience Will Enjoy:
1. A multi-genre performance
Opera, ballet, folk and contemporary choreography. Different genres will bring the story to life, creating a multi-faceted artistic language.
2. Cinematic Graphics
The journey through Russian fairy tales is presented through unique visual content created by a team of artists.
References: works by I.Y. Bilibin, V.M. Vasnetsov, Soviet and contemporary animation.
3. Humor and Lively Characters
The smart speaker Anfisa and the granny-storyteller will add warmth, irony, and lightness.
4. A Contemporary Look at Traditions:
The spectacle will reinterpret folklore motifs, connecting symbols of folk culture with the language of the 21st century.
5. Designer Costumes
The costumes will become part of the dramaturgy and reflect the characters' inner journey – from bustle to genuine communication and love.
6. Cast
The event will feature:
– Leading artists of the Bolshoi Theatre
– Artists of the "Kremlin Ballet"
– Soloists of the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre
– The Russian National Ballet "Kostroma"
– The Country's Main Baba Yaga presented BY BABAYAGA
– The musical folklore group "Buranovskie Babushki" (The Buranovo Grannies)
– Actors of the "U Nikitskikh Vorot" (By the Nikitskie Gates) Theatre
– The "Ledyakh" Choreographic College
A Kind New Year's Story for the Whole Family
The show-spectacle "Morozko" is a spectacular, large-scale, and touching adventure for audiences of all ages.
The journey through the world of Russian fairy tales will remind the audiences of what matters most: the strength of family traditions, the love that is important to cherish, and the miracle that is always close by – if you believe in it.
Theatrical Caroling "Fairy-Tale Path"
An interactive guided tour and caroling will introduce children to the rituals of celebrating the New Year in different regions of the country. Young guests will try on costumes, sing carols, complete tasks, and follow the route together with eight fairy-tale characters. The goal of the programme is to restore the authentic tradition of caroling and pass on cultural legacy to children.
Dates: daily from 6 to 11 January 2026.
All details regarding registration for events within the "New Year Russia" project can be found on the National Centre RUSSIA website in the "Events" section.
