The "Winter Wizards" festival at the National Centre RUSSIA: a journey that taught us to believe in wonders
In advance of the New Year, the main winter wizards from different regions of the country, together with the young guests of the National Centre RUSSIA and their parents, managed to save magic during the large-scale "Winter Wizards" festival. Let’s recall the brightest moments of this kind, pre-New Year initiative, which gave the spectators warmth, inspiration, and a belief in wonders.
The winter magic, which provides the energy to festivity and the granting of wishes, began to fade because people had forgotten how to truly dream. To improve the situation, the fairytale Firebird set off on a journey across the country. It needed to gather the guardians of winter from different corners of Russia on one stage, and to restore the lost magic together. This was the unifying plot of the theatrical performances of the "Winter Wizards" festival, held at the National Centre RUSSIA with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives. On weekends, from 15 November to 28 December, guests of the pre-New Year National Centre RUSSIA were introduced to the main winter characters from different regions of the country. Each winter wizard brought their unique traditions of celebrating the New Year, shared them in colourful family performances, and reminded the audience that the most important magic is within ourselves.
The first of the nineteen heroes of the pre-New Year parade of winter wizards was Hel Muchi from the Chuvash Republic. The only main fairytale character of the Russian winter who can play musical instruments, he taught young spectators to show sensitivity and attention to others. Next, Sagan Ubgen from the Republic of Buryatia hurried to the audience, showing how friendship can overcome all obstacles.
The winter wizard Kodzyd Pol from the Komi Republic, with the help of attendees, even managed to "reform" the evil Baba Yaga. And Ues-Dade from the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic focused his story on respect for traditions and courage in facing difficulties.
Yushto Kugyza from the Republic of Mari El and his granddaughter introduced the children and their parents to ancient regional rituals for luck and a bountiful harvest, while the wizards Chyskhaan and Ekhee Dyyl from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) reminded everyone that the key to success is not magical spells, but simple human warmth and friendship.
Cossack Ded Moroz from the Stavropol region taught children lessons in environmental awareness and caring for nature, and Mytyn Dada from the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania complemented the collective wisdom of the winter wizards with a story about the importance of family, respect for elders, and the true meaning of preparing for the New Year celebration.
Three winter wizards at once — Pakkayne, Talvi Ukko, and Halla — came to Moscow from the Republic of Karelia and, together with young visitors, managed to defeat evil multimedia reflections that threatened to ruin the holiday. Yakshamo Atya from the Republic of Mordovia showed how, through personal experience and trials, one can travel a path from disorderly to repentance and positive change. The main winter wizard of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, Yamal Iri, reminded everyone that any magical object without the energy of good is just an empty shell, while his colleagues in winter magic, Sook Irey from the Republic of Tuva and Tol Babay from the Udmurt Republic, taught children sensitivity, gratitude, hospitality, and purity of thought.
Ded Moroz from Ryazan shared how New Year traditions help family members become closer, and introduced traditional folk crafts, while the country’s leading winter wizard — Ded Moroz from Veliky Ustyug in the Vologda region — told an instructive story about how harmful it is to hold onto childhood grievances in one's heart. The festival programme was concluded by Kysh Babay from the Republic of Tatarstan, who taught guests generosity of spirit and the magic of sincerely forgiving those who had once done wrong.
Together with the audience, the 19 winter wizards managed to fully restore the magic of the New Year, which the Firebird joyfully announced in the final performance. And every guest of the festival took with them not just memories of bright New Year performances, but also the firm knowledge that anyone can become a hero, and the most important magic is born in family, friendship, everyday good deeds, open hearts, and the readiness to offer a helping hand to a person in need. But most importantly, the guests took with them the confidence that this magic cannot be lost as long as we are willing to share it sincerely with one another.
Kolyadki (Carols) are an ancient Russian custom associated with the winter Christmastide and New Year.
Singer, model, winner of "The Voice. Kids" project and other well-known national TV shows, Adelya Zagrebinа, sends her greetings for the upcoming New Year.
Blogger, host, and musical performer Maxim Lutchak, addressed the venue's guests with creative wishes.
