Carols from Kuban to Siberia: one celebration, many traditions
Kolyadki or carolling is an ancient custom that was widespread in Rus’ and has survived to this day. Each region has its own carols: the songs, characters, costumes, and even the timing of the rounds differ. Yet some things remain unchanged — wishes of health and prosperity for the householders, the exchange of treats, and shared festive joy.
Central Russia: disguises and a star at every gate
In the central provinces — the Tver, Smolensk, Vladimir, and Yaroslavl regions, as well as parts of the Moscow and Ryazan regions — carolling was an integral part of village life. Disguises were especially popular: "goats", "bears", "Gypsies", and "barynyas" ("ladies") went from house to house, sang, joked, and performed short skits. At times, carollers scattered grain across the floor as a symbol of abundant bread and a well-fed household.
A special figure was the star bearer ("zvezdar"), carrying a star mounted on a pole. It was made of wood or cardboard, decorated with paper and tinsel, and sometimes illuminated with a candle. The star recalled the Nativity and gave a Christian meaning to a ritual pagan in origin. Hosts welcomed the carollers as honoured guests: they baked pies and ring-shaped rolls, prepared kutya and kissel, and set aside treats for the children.
The North: "vinogradye" and baked kozuli
In the Arkhangelsk and Vologda regions, as well as in Karelia, carols sound in a distinctive way. They were often called "vinogradye" — a unique genre characteristic mainly of the Russian North, with a shared refrain formula.
Instead of ordinary baked goods, people made kozuli — decorative biscuits shaped like deer, sheep, cows, and horses. They symbolised prosperity in the household and served both as treats and protective charms. Disguising was less common in the North: only a few dressed up, while the main focus was on polyphonic, drawn-out singing.
The South and the Black Earth Region: shchedrovki, stars, and shaped biscuits
In southern Russia and the Black Earth Region (Kuban, the Rostov, Belgorod, Voronezh, and Kursk regions, as well as neighbouring areas) carolling is closely associated with the idea of generosity. In Kuban, carollers carrying a handmade star made of foil or coloured paper went from yard to yard. At the gate, they politely asked permission to sing before beginning their carol.
In return, hosts gave shaped biscuits in the form of domestic animals — cows, sheep, and birds — as symbols of household well-being. At times, male carollers were seated on feather pillows "for order" in the poultry yard. Southern carols and shchedrovki are usually livelier and more passionate, with dance elements and bright melodies.
Siberia and the Urals: Christmas hymns and New Year sowing
In Siberia and the Urals, carolling adapted to severe frosts and long distances between settlements. Among Russian Siberians, there were two main types of rounds.
From early morning, children and teenagers went from house to house, sang greetings, and tried not to miss a single yard. New Year sowing rituals date back to more ancient, pre-Christian beliefs. Children sang short wishes and scattered grains of oats, rye, millet, buckwheat, or wheat around the house — for a good harvest and prosperity. These rounds took place not at night, but at dawn or during the day, both to bring the first light into the home and to avoid extreme cold.
The Far East: the bell ringer and the goat by the Pacific Ocean
In the Primorye region, children and young people go from house to house, sing Christmas songs, and wish the hosts well. In return, they receive sweets and even small sums of money. The group is led by a star bearer with a guiding star on a pole; a bell ringer with a small bell and a bag carrier with a sack for treats are also essential participants — gifts and money are not handed directly to the carollers. An important character is the goat: a participant in costume dances and jokes, bringing joy and good fortune into the home.
In the Sakhalin region, children and teenagers wearing masks and costumes sing Christmas troparia and carols around the neighbourhood, receiving sweets, biscuits, fruit, and small sums in return. Here, too, there is a playful ritual involving the "Goat", symbolising vital force. In the Kamchatka region, due to the harsh climate, rounds take place during the day or in the early evening, most often among relatives and neighbours. The celebration becomes more home-centred, with an intimate atmosphere.
The National Centre RUSSIA is reviving the tradition of kolyadki singing or carolling. During the New Year holidays, from 6 to 11 January, theatrical carolling performances titled "A Fairytale Path" take place daily in the space of the exposition "Book of Fairy Tales". Young visitors are invited to learn about the culture and traditions of eight regions of the country — from the Cossack Ded Moroz from the Stavropol region and the Karelian Morozets (Little Frost) Pakkaynen to the Polar Giant from Yamal and the homlin Grandpa Karl from Kaliningrad. You can find out more and register for the carolling performances on the website russia.ru in the "Events" section.
