A pre-New Year fairy tale told to young guests of the National Centre RUSSIA by winter wizards from Yakutia

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A vibrant performance full of adventures, challenges, and real miracles was held at the National Centre RUSSIA by two winter wizards from Yakutia: the majestic Chyskhaan, the Bull of Winter, and the wise Ekhee Dyyl, the lord and guardian of time, New Year magic, and family values.

Love that melted the ice

The performance opened with Chyskhaan’s sorrowful song: for many winters he has been searching for his beloved, the beautiful Cholbon Kuo. It seemed that nothing could help the stern ruler of the cold, but, as often happens in fairy tales, kindness and wisdom became the key to a happy ending.

Help came from where it was least expected — from the mischievous and seemingly troublesome Yakut Baba Yaga, Dyegee-Baaba. It was she who showed Chyskhaan the path to reuniting with his beloved. He had to pass trials set by the ancient Yakut spirits: Serge, the Spirit of the Ancestral Pillar, and Uot, the Lord of Fire.

Serge, the Spirit of the Pillar, taught the winter wizard and the audience how to read the stars and look within themselves: "You were born of the cold ocean, and there is much cold within you. But only by warming your soul can you bring your love back." Meanwhile, Uot, the Spirit of Fire, ignited a spark of hope in Chyskhaan’s heart — a spark the audience helped rekindle by calling out their "warm" words. "To return love, you must not only search — you must also fight," he said.

The lost winter and lessons of friendship

The protagonist of the second fairy-tale story, Ekhee Dyyl, anxiously announced that he had lost the magical Bead of Time, responsible for the cycle of the seasons. The world was threatened with eternal autumn — and the "culprit" turned out to be Dyegee-Baaba, who had accidentally boiled the bead in soup.

To repair the magical artefact, the heroes again had to seek help from Serge and Uot — and once more, the keys to success were not magical spells, but simple human warmth and friendship. The host of the performance, the Wizard, Ekhee Dyyl, and even Dyegee-Baaba herself, moved by the moment, exchanged warm words — and this filled the bead with strength.

"I thought that if you were born a Baba Yaga, you would remain a Baba Yaga forever. But your striving for goodness is priceless," said Ekhee Dyyl as he forgave his new friend.

The main lessons of the Yakut wizards

The audience became full participants in the interactive performance. They guessed constellations, played snowball games, supported the characters with warm words — and, of course, took away important lessons: any sadness can be melted by heartfelt warmth, and a person’s true strength lies in kind deeds, smiles of friends, family values, and happy memories.

The "Winter Wizards" festival runs until the end of December on weekends in the Gastronomic Rows area of the National Centre RUSSIA. Through theatrical performances, the main New Year fairy-tale characters introduce audiences to ancient legends and traditions of celebrating the holiday in the regions they represent.

This Sunday, 30 November, the pre-New Year fairy tale will be presented by Yushto Kugyza, the winter wizard from the Republic of Mari El.

Further performances will follow this schedule:

07.12 — theatrical performance based on the legend of the Cossack Ded Moroz from the Stavropol region;

07.12 — theatrical performance based on the legend of Mytyn Dada from the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania;

13.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legends of Pakkayne, Talvi Ukko and Halla from the Republic of Karelia;

14.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Yakshamo Atya from the Republic of Mordovia;

20.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Yamal Iri from the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area;

20.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Sook Irey from the Republic of Tuva;

21.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Ded Moroz from the Vologda region;

27.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Tol Babay from the Udmurt Republic;

27.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of the Ryazan Ded Moroz from the Ryazan region;

28.12 – Theatrical performance based on the legend of Kysh Babay from the Republic of Tatarstan.

At the end of all performances, young guests will enjoy a tour of the "Journey Across Russia" exposition and receive sweet gifts.

The "Winter Wizards" festival is held with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.