Kysh Babay from Tatarstan brought the "Winter Wizards" festival to a close at the National Centre RUSSIA
On 28 December, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the final performance of the "Winter Wizards" festival.
Moscow welcomed the last, nineteenth winter fairytale character — the kind and
wise Kysh Babay from Tatarstan — who arrived to fully restore the power of New
Year magic that had nearly been lost in the run-up to the holiday season.
"Nineteen different stories and nineteen distinct
characters were brought together by our 'Winter Wizards' festival. Each winter
fairytale character became a reflection of the New Year traditions of their
region and taught us invaluable lessons of friendship, kindness, and
compassion. But the festival’s main magic lies in the fact that our audience
were not just guests — they became true co-creators of this pre-New Year
miracle. The festival has come to an end, but the magic we awakened together
will stay with us. Thank you to all participants and viewers for this
remarkable journey, for continuing to dream and believe in miracles. May the
warmth we created together during these festive days continue to warm our
families," said the Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA,
Anastasia Zvyagina.
The celebration was almost disrupted. Immediately
after young viewers and their parents were introduced to the traditions of the
Tatar holiday Yana Yel (New Year) and joined in a collective dance, Kar Kyzy —
the Snow Daughter of the winter wizard, responsible for snow and ice — suddenly
disappeared without a trace. The abductors turned out to be the notorious
tricksters: the cunning Tatar forest spirit Shurale and the evil Ubyr, a forest
witch in the guise of an old woman. They kidnapped the girl so that she would
make ice cream for them.
"They bring nothing but trouble. I have never been able
to deal with either of them, but this has never happened before! There is no
way out — everything is lost! Without my Kar Kyzy, there will be no winter. I
think it is already getting warmer, and the snowdrifts are beginning to melt…,"
Kysh Babay exclaimed in despair.
A nimble and courageous warrior named Batyr stepped forward
to help. Armed with the Wizard’s magical feather, he set off into the dark
forest, where difficult trials awaited him. Shurale confused the paths with a
snowstorm, while Ubyr tried to lull the hero to sleep with a potion. But with
the help of the Firebird — and, most importantly, the prompts of the young
audience — the brave fairy-tale hero overcame every challenge. He crossed a
melting river on drifting ice floes, found the abductors in a game of blind
man’s buff, and even softened their hardened hearts with a beautiful New Year
song, which he sang together with the children.
"We did it together. Thank you, my helpers!" Batyr
addressed the audience.
The freed Kar Kyzy was frozen in a stream of her own tears,
which had turned into icicles, but the warm breath of the children melted the
ice. In the finale of the performance, Kysh Babay showed generosity of spirit
and chose not to punish the mischief-makers. Instead, he welcomed Shurale and
Ubyr into his retinue, redirecting their playful energy towards doing good
deeds and creating a festive atmosphere.
"It is time for us to put an end to quarrels and
disputes. You will help me and play mischievous games with the children, since
that is your nature. We will celebrate the New Year together!" the wizard
declared.
The performance concluded with a shared treat — the
traditional Tatar sweet chak-chak — and words of gratitude to the Firebird, who
announced that belief in miracles had been fully restored.
"Nothing threatens winter magic now — its strength has
returned. I have flown over many cities, looked into windows, and seen that
people have learned once again to dream and believe in miracles. They give each
other gifts, write letters to winter wizards, and even make wishes when they
see a falling star. That means it is time for me to rest as well. I am flying
home. Happy New Year!" said the Firebird.
Festival audiences warmly welcomed the happy conclusion of
the series of theatrical performances.
"A truly wonderful finale! Throughout the entire performance, the children were shouting together, helping Batyr find where the Tatar forest spirit and Baba Yaga were hiding, and then joined in warming the winter wizard’s daughter. They did not just watch the fairy tale — they truly saved it. And most importantly, even the negative characters were not simply defeated, but reformed, which is a very valuable lesson for both children and adults," said Alyona, a mother of two.
The festival "Winter Wizards" was held at the National Centre RUSSIA with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives (PFCI). Colourful theatrical performances introduced Moscow residents and visitors to the capital to the legends of Russia’s peoples. From 15 November to 28 December, the space of the National Centre RUSSIA welcomed 19 Winter Wizards from different regions of the country — from Mityn Dada from North Ossetia to Yakutia’s Chyshaan. They brought engaging pre‑New Year stories, revealed the peculiarities of celebrating the main winter holiday in various parts of Russia, and united the audience in a shared aspiration for friendship and harmony, good deeds, dreams and magical transformations.
The festival "Winter Wizards" opened with an introduction to Sagaan Ubgen from the Republic of Buryatia and concluded with the story of Kysh Babay from the Republic of Tatarstan. All the characters of Russian winter presented in the festival’s programme are part of their regions’ unique cultural code — guardians of distinctive traditions and bearers of special symbolism. This not only helps create a New Year mood but also fosters people’s engagement with traditional spiritual and moral values.
Many of the Winter Wizards who took part in the festival have roots in ancient folklore, but there are also more modern characters. For example, Ekhee Dyyl from Yakutia was created by writer and biologist Gavriil Ugarov in 1999, based on folk tales about the old man Dyyle, who comes together with the Yakut mythological character the Bull of Cold. Other "younger" participants in the festival included the Cossack Father Frost from Stavropol, Pakkayne from Karelia, Yamal Iri from Yamal, Tol Babai from Udmurtia, and the universally familiar "classic" Ded Moroz from Veliky Ustyug.
Event photobank
One of the leading roles in the production was performed by Bolshoi Theatre prima ballerina Kristina Kretova.
The "Morozko" performance is designed for audiences of all ages and will be engaging for children, grandparents, mothers, and fathers alike.
Alexander Alimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, shared his impressions of the production.
