December at the National Centre RUSSIA: A Month of Light, Family Stories, and New Year's Magic
The "New Year Russia" project has launched at the National Centre RUSSIA. This year, visitors will enjoy numerous festive events: the "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition, the "Winter Wizards" festival, showings of the original multi-genre production "Morozko", workshops for children and adults, the theatrical caroling performance "Fairy-Tale Path", and more.
The mission of this year's "New Year Russia" project is the popularisation of folk culture and the preservation of unique folklore traditions from the country's regions.
The space of the National Centre RUSSIA is decorated with numerous Christmas trees which create different thematic zones. At the Western entrance of the National Centre RUSSIA, traditional snow-covered fir trees stand alongside futuristic mirror roly-poly dolls in fur hats and chrome-plated silver baubles. At the "Journey Across Russia. Food" Gastronomic Rows, the fir trees are designed as an underwater kingdom — with three-dimensional corals, iridescent shells, and figures of sea creatures: seahorses, crabs, octopuses, and more. The central character at the Gastronomic Rows is the Golden Fish — the title marine character of Russian fairy tales. In the foyer of the Southern entrance, the trees combine red, blue, gold, and emerald colours, malachite geodes, and flat floral patterns, reflecting the mythology of the Urals. In the cosy café area on the second floor, the fir trees are complemented by baubles decorated with geometric patterns, creating an atmosphere of a circus celebration.
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 of our country have joined the project. The main idea is to unite millions of residents of the country ahead of the main holiday.
Specially created visual materials for the "New Year Russia" project are being placed on city streets, in public spaces, at transport infrastructure facilities, within the city transport system, on websites and official social media pages, in multifunctional centres, and other social platforms.
The symbol of the campaign's visual concept is the feather of the Firebird, which is a part of Russian fairytales familiar to everyone since childhood. It is inspired by the Firebird's feather from Pyotr Yershov's fairy tale "The Little Humpbacked Horse" — a symbol of light, hope, happiness, and the fulfilment of wishes. This image, known for its beauty and magical power, has become the unifying element of the project, capable of evoking a sense of unity and belonging to a common cultural tradition in people.
This magical image is intended to connect all corners of the country with a feeling of unity and shared joy, as well as to give the anticipation of a miracle, the expectation of wishes coming true. The feather will "fly around" all of Russia, reminding everyone: magic is close by, you just have to believe in it.
Regions exposition "Book of Fairy Tales"
From 13 December to 1 March, the journey-exposition "Book of Fairy Tales" will run at the National Centre RUSSIA. This is a world where legends, crafts, and fairy-tale archetypes come to life. Through an "open book" of the regions, the visitor will enter the Firebird's Library-Treasury — a space of the rarest wonders: museum and craft objects, which are looking like curiosities from its collection. Antique books, magazines, and fairy-tale illustrations — publications that have shaped the imaginative world of the Russian fairy tale and folk culture for centuries — will also be presented here.
From the treasury, the path will continue into the winter fairy-tale forest of Russia's regions, where each page comes alive as a story about the land, its people, and traditions. The eight participating regions — the Vologda region, the Stavropol region, the Ryazan region, the Republic of Mordovia, Karelia, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, the Komi Republic, and the Kaliningrad region — will create a living map of the country and its winter tales.
The "Book of Fairy Tales" will reveal the character's journey in the spirit of the ideas of the outstanding folklorist Vladimir Propp, author of the classic work "Morphology of the Folktale". Propp argued that the fairy tale transforms the world, orders chaos, and leads the character towards goodness and light, reminding us of the power of miracles and inner transformation.
Exposition Themes and Zones
Fairy-Tale Library — an exposition hall with rare books and show pieces, where plots from folk tales, myths, and the poems of Alexander Pushkin come to life.
Winter Fairy Tales — guests will be invited to help Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden) get to her grandparents, melt an ice cave to free the 12 Months, and solve the riddles of the Pike from the fairy tale "At the Pike's Behest", demonstrating perseverance and ingenuity.
Russian Izba (Peasant House) and Fairy-Tale Garden — symbols of homely warmth and the power of dreams. This exposition will feature an apple tree with golden apples, and guests will be able to realise their wishes, become part of a famous fairy tale, cook a dish in a Russian stove, showing responsiveness and diligence.
Deep Forest and Lukomorye — a space of trials for courage and dexterity, where Pushkin's characters are brought to life, and interactive tasks, and the opportunity to creatively interact with the world of the fairy tale are presented.
Terem (Tower House) and Dubrava (Oak Grove) — architectural installations where everyone will have a chance to shoot a magic bow, colour in and "bring to life" a chosen fairy-tale character. Interactive halls will reveal the kindness, trust, and hospitality of the Russian person.
Regional Pages of the "Book of Fairy Tales"
The Vologda Region — A Window into the Soul of the North
Guests will enter a space of northern lace, where the light from wooden-framed windows and the glow of the "Bird of Happiness" will create an atmosphere of quiet, northern harmony. The sounds of winter songs and the voices of craftsmen will complement the "Lace Forest" interactive, and "Cranberries in Sugar" berries will convey the aroma of the holiday.
Karelia — The World of the Kalevala
The Kalevala epic will come alive through the sound of the kantele, the singing of Väinämöinen, and ancient petroglyphs. Stone boulders, the rotating Sampo mill made of light, and the wise northern wind will create a sense of a fairy-tale world and natural harmony.
Mordovia — Ornaments of Memory
The woven world of embroidery and a shining headdress symbolise feminine memory and beauty. The "Following Fairy-Tale Traces" interactive will bring to life characters from Erzya and Moksha legends, and the scents of bog oak and apples will create complete immersion in the region's traditions.
The Ryazan Region — The New Year's Capital of Russia
A snowy, dancing forest, a "Well of Knowledge", chests with predictions, and talking books will help guests become part of a winter fairy tale. Ryazan welcomes wonders that become reality, and the atmosphere of celebration is felt in every detail.
The Stavropol Region — The Legend of the Eagle and the Serpent
Here, legends of the Caucasus, snowy mountains, and Lake Proval will come to life. The figure of an eagle defeating a serpent symbolises strength and healing, and water from seven springs gives vigour and joy. Sarmatian treasures remind us of the region's ancient tribes.
The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region — The Heart of the Arctic
The Northern Lights, the sounds of tambourines, bone-carving figures, and tales about the loon, the bear patron, and the blizzard, will create an Arctic world at the National Centre RUSSIA. The "Sever" (North) swamp vehicle will turn into a fairy-tale transport, and the "Symphony of Yamal" will connect the music of the wind and animals with images of resilience and creation.
The Komi Republic — Visiting Kodzyd Pol
The wise Winter Wizard will invite guests into a forest where folk legends will come alive. Interactive tasks develop kindness, courage, and curiosity, and every visitor will become part of a living fairy tale where traditions and magic intertwine with teachings about life.
The Kaliningrad Region — The Amber Glow of the Baltic
On the western edge of Russia, the Firebird's feather shimmers with amber light. The philosophy of Immanuel Kant and the fairy tales of Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann will meet with amber and mosaic crafts. The Curonian Spit inspires artists and holds the secrets of the Baltic, while modern myths about the Homlins will create an atmosphere of creativity and imagination.
A special place in the exposition will be taken by the Firebird itself — the keeper of light and magic. Only the most attentive guests will be able to find it. Along with this, they will be able to make their most cherished wishes.
The "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition will unite interactivity, art, crafts, and literature.
Workshops
The New Year's workshops at the National Centre RUSSIA will give participants a chance to create handmade items, including candle painting, making fabric Christmas tree decorations, decorating the New Year's table, and painting roly-poly dolls. Guests will take their finished work home with them. The sessions are aimed at studying Russian folk traditions, developing creative thinking, and fine motor skills. The format is designed for the whole family. Special attention will be paid to workshops on decorating the New Year's table using products from the Department Store RUSSIA.
The workshop format will allow every participant, regardless of age, to feel part of a magical New Year's fairy tale.
Workshops Dates and Venue
From 7 December to 11 January. The events will be held on weekends and public holidays at the National Centre RUSSIA.
Theatrical Caroling "Fairy-Tale Path"
An interactive guided tour and caroling, in which children will become fairy-tale characters: they will try on costumes, play games, sing carols, and complete interesting tasks. Each "route" station is a new story, a new ritual, and new impressions. All participants will receive commemorative gifts.
Young guests will follow a "fairy-tale path" through the regions of Russia together with eight character guides, learning about the culture, customs, traditions of caroling, and New Year celebrations in different corners of our country. The format combines entertainment, learning, and immersion in the atmosphere of folk holidays.
The goal of the event is to restore an authentic cultural tradition, from a young age uniting Russians around the distinctive cultural phenomenon of caroling.
Dates
Daily, from 6 to 11 January 2026, at the National Centre RUSSIA, "Book of Fairy Tales" exposition.
"Winter Wizards" Festival
The site of the National Centre RUSSIA will bring together 19 Winter Wizards from different regions of the country. Their stories and legends are presented in the format of 18 theatrical productions based on regional folklore, mythology, and spiritual and moral values. The festival is held with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.
After each performance from 15 November to 7 December, young guests can take part in a special tour of the "Journey Across Russia" exposition, and from 13 December — of the "Book of Fairy Tales" display. At the end of the tour, a quiz featuring riddles from the Winter Wizards will be held, and children who pass it will receive a sweet gift.
The goal is the preservation, popularisation, and passing on the New Year's cultural traditions of the peoples of Russia, fostering children's interest in the national heritage and values.
The following characters will take part in the "Winter Wizards" Festival: Hel Muchi (the Chuvash Republic), Sagaan Ubgen (the Republic of Buryatia), Kodzyd Pol (the Komi Republic), Ues-Dade (the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic), Yushto Kugyz (the Republic of Mari El), Chyskhaan and Ekhee Dyyl (the Republic of Sakha — Yakutia), Cossack Ded Moroz (Father Frost) from the Stavropol region, Mytyn Dada (the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania), Pakkayne, Talviukko and Halla (the Republic of Karelia), Yakshamo Atya (the Republic of Mordovia), Yamal Iri (the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region), Sook Irey (the Republic of Tyva), Ded Moroz (the Vologda region), Tol Babay (the Udmurt Republic), Ryazan Ded Moroz (the Ryazan region), and Kysh Babay (the Republic of Tatarstan).
Dates
From 15 November to 28 December. Programmes are held on Saturdays and Sundays at the National Centre RUSSIA. Schedule changes are possible. Detailed information is available on the website russia.ru.
The New Year Season at the Department Store RUSSIA
11 November 2025. A New Year's bazaar opened in the space of the Department Store. The main theme is a journey into childhood. The central art object is a roly-poly doll, one of the most recognisable symbols of Soviet and Russian childhood.
The Department Store presents an updated image of the roly-poly doll — a recognisable symbol, reinterpreted in contemporary design. The roly-poly doll is interpreted as a modern accessory — from a keychain to a decorative element, uniting tradition and fashion. Special collaborations with Russian brands have been prepared for the season.
Collaborations of the Department Store RUSSIA
A collection of fur roly-poly dolls is a result of a collaboration between the Kotovskaya children's toy manufacturing company, the Krasnoyarsk brand Far-Fur, and the Department Store RUSSIA. The classic toy has been transformed into a fashionable accessory. Each roly-poly doll combines the craftsmanship of Tambov toymakers and the creativity of Siberian designers, becoming not just a toy but also a stylish keychain.
DOMBO — a distinctive brand that has revived the traditional Buryat shape of tableware and presented a collection of tea sets and vases, created jointly with artists and inspired by images of the circus and the tumbler.
Designer Nina Ruchkina dedicated her collection of scarves to the image of the roly-poly doll, combining childish naivety and elegance in soft lines and pastel shades. The artists developed a special print that creates a laconic design. The concept is based on a combination of childish naivety and refined elegance. The roly-poly doll, as a symbol of stability and positivity, is embodied in soft lines and pastel tones.
New Year's Collections at the Department Store RUSSIA
Handmade Christmas decorations — painted baubles, lace pendants, ceramics, cotton wool toys, items with amber.
Tableware and textiles — Yelets lace, embroidery, crystal, items with circus motifs.
Fur items — slippers, bags, mittens, headbands, items made from Orenburg down, accessories with gold embroidery.
Regional delicacies — honey, taiga coffee, sets of sweets and tea with souvenirs.
The Department Store RUSSIA offers a wide choice of gifts — from warm traditional items to exclusive porcelain and designer accessories.
Dear visitors, from 1 to 5 December the National Centre RUSSIA will be closed to the public.
