Magical lessons of Christmas: what children learned from theatrical carollings at the National Centre RUSSIA

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Young visitors to the National Centre RUSSIA were able to take part in festive kolyadki (carols) performances accompanied by fairytale characters from different parts of the country during the New Year holidays. The interactive theatrical tour "A Fairytale Path" introduced children to the unique traditions of folk festivities and Christmas celebrations in eight regions of Russia. Colourful and content-rich performances for young visitors were held daily from 6 January in the journey-style exposition "Book of Fairy Tales" and concluded on 11 January, the official final day of the extended New Year holidays.

The theatrical carols performances "A Fairytale Path" is a unique original project of the National Centre RUSSIA implemented with the participation. Around two hundred young visitors joined the magical journey through regional Christmas traditions during the New Year holidays.

"Young guests of our carollings visited the journey-style exposition "Book of Fairy Tales" and met the Cossack Ded Moroz, the Karelian Morozets Pakkaynen, the Polar Giant from Yamal, and other magical characters from different regions of the country. Fairytale characters told and showed how Christmas is traditionally celebrated in their regions. Through our carol singing, we sought to create an atmosphere of unity and a sense of shared traditions. This is especially important in the year 2026, which has been declared by our President as the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia," said Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.

In each fairytale "izba" ("hut"), children were sequentially welcomed by eight folklore guide characters, including homlin Grandfather from Kaliningrad, Morozets (Little Frost) Pakkaynen from Karelia, Snow Maiden Lovnyaske from Mordovia, Snezhanushka, the mascot of Russia’s New Year Capital 2026, and other characters. The festive procession was accompanied by performers, dancers, and masters of traditional folk musical instruments.

"I really liked all the characters, and especially Snezhanushka, because I am already familiar with the Ryazan region — my grandmother lives there. I am absolutely delighted with this tour; it is incredible, fun and interesting," shared nine-year-old participant Kira Mashkova.

Children learned to sing carols as they moved from one "izba" to another, with new regional legends, traditional games and ritual practices awaiting them at each location — from kneading dough for a Christmas pie to catching fish with a net. However, the main goal of the theatrical tours was not entertainment, but education through culture. Each character conveyed traditional values to young guests in a playful form. Children received lessons in generosity, hospitality and respectful attitudes towards nature, became familiar with the symbolism of folk ornaments, discovered the deeper meanings embedded in ancient crafts and made wishes with delight at regional "places of power".

"I had a chance to observe what was happening and was pleasantly surprised. Traditions from different regions in one place — I have never seen anything like this before. I am sure that such tours will make children happier and help them love our homeland even more deeply," said Maria, the mother of one of the young visitors.

The journey concluded with a meeting with Ded Moroz himself from Veliky Ustyug, a cheerful round dance in the main terem of "A Fairytale Path" and, of course, traditional New Year gifts.

"The most important thing for us is the child’s look and reaction. When you catch that connection, you realise that our task is not to impress with special effects or complicated plots. We speak directly from the heart, through simple and kind images. If children’s eyes light up in response, it means we have managed to touch something real. And this kindness sown in childhood will help them, as they grow older, to distinguish true values from false ones," said Artyom Orlov, who performed the role of the main Ded Moroz.