Udmurt Tol Babay and young guests of the National Centre RUSSIA saved the New Year from forest fiends
On 27 December, the "Winter Wizards" festival programme at the National Centre RUSSIA continued with two vibrant New Year performances, one of which was a theatrical production based on the legend of Tol Babay from the Udmurt Republic. Together with his assistant, the Snow Girl Lymy Nyl, the kind wizard invited the audience on an exciting journey that nearly resulted in the loss of pre-New Year magic.
From the very first moments of the festive performance, Tol Babay dispelled any concerns guests might have had about his character.
"Hello, children, hello, adults! I should say right away that many people are frightened when they hear my name and say: 'Babay, we know you — you scare naughty children at night.' But my name is not Babay, it is Tol Babay, and I have nothing to do with that evil Babay," he admitted with a smile, immediately proving his words by inviting the children to take part in his favourite pastime — a snowball fight.
After catching his breath, the wizard shared the remarkable story of his birth. He explained that he was once the smallest among the giant alangasars, but was left alone on earth when his kin disappeared into a crevice. His fate changed after he met children who were not frightened of the giant at all, but instead smiled and began to play with him. In gratitude, he decided to give people gifts and miracles, and later gained a granddaughter and helper, whom the Blizzard wove from snowflakes. He named her Lymy Nyl and accepted her as his own.
Fairytale stories and pre-holiday bustle were interrupted by a cunning plot. Evil forest creatures — the kikimora Obida, the water spirit Vumurt, and the forest spirit Nyulesmurt — decided to spoil the New Year. Their "brainstorming session" was full of malicious ideas, and in the end they chose to kidnap Lymy Nyl, luring the trusting Snow Girl with a trick by sending her to rescue a non-existent bullfinch.
"You’re caught, Snow Girl. I will not let the New Year happen — I will ruin it! You are in the deep forest, and there is no way out. Wait for my friends, the Forest Spirit and the Water Spirit. You will celebrate the New Year with them," Obida gloated.
When he discovered the disappearance, Tol Babay did not give in to anger but accepted the challenge. To find his granddaughter, he and the Wizard, with the help of the young audience members, had to complete three trials: weave a web of friendship, solve the forest riddles, and even obtain a mosquito’s tear. The heroes completed the final task with particular triumph.
"Your task is simple. There are plenty of mosquitoes by the swamp, and tears come not only from sadness, but also from joy. Now the children and I will dance in such a way that all your mosquitoes will be crying tears of happiness," the winter wizard declared to the Water Spirit.
When the path to the invisible house in the swamp was finally opened, it turned out to be concealed by a magical web. It was here that Tol Babay revealed the main secret of magic: "If your heart is kind and your thoughts are pure and clear, everything around you becomes clear as well." United, the characters of the performance and the audience thought of something good and joyful, and the evil spell was broken.
The astonished and defeated forest spirits awaited punishment, but instead heard Tol Babay’s wise words: "Is anyone punished during a holiday? Let New Year joy soften your hearts, and let shared celebration make us friends." His sincere words melted the last traces of ice, and together — heroes, former villains and spectators alike — everyone joined in a great circle dance of friendship. In this way, the interactive performance not only introduced guests of the National Centre RUSSIA to the cultural traditions of the Udmurt Republic, but also became a vivid illustration of the idea that the greatest magic lies within us.
The "Winter Wizards" festival is organised by the National Centre RUSSIA with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives. Theatrical performances for Moscow residents and guests of the capital have been held on weekends since 15 November. The final performance will take place on Sunday, 28 December, when guests will see a theatrical production based on the legend of Kysh Babay from the Republic of Tatarstan.
Event photobank
This winter, the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA was transformed into a magical space.
Sweet watermelons, the mesmerising bloom of lotus flowers, magnificent views of the Volga and, of course, exceptionally kind and welcoming people — this is the Astrakhan region.
The multi-genre performance invites audiences to view a classic story through the lens of family values.
