Magic and kindness: what the winter bazaar at the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA is like
This winter, the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA was transformed into a magical space. Here, gifts made from simple things turned into stories to remember, filled with warmth and beauty. The winter bazaar offers everything needed to welcome the New Year, from Christmas tree decorations and tableware to designer candles, cosmetics and sweets. Yet the main value lies in the atmosphere — infused with a childlike belief in miracles, family values and kind traditions.
One of the central symbols of the winter bazaar became the roly-poly toy. It welcomes guests as an art object, becomes part of the festive décor and reminds visitors that every celebration carries meaning. At first glance, the roly-poly may seem like a simple toy, but its smile and bright outfit speak of optimism and vital energy. Its ability to return to an upright position after any push made it a symbol of resilience and faith in a better future. In Soviet times, it embodied the will to overcome, strength of character and an unbreakable spirit. Today, the toy has acquired new meanings as well — a connection between generations, respect for childhood and family values.
Inside the Department Store, one feels less like being in a shop and more like visiting a small museum of New Year stories. The display cases feature atmospheric vintage-style toys created by artisans from Moscow, the Primorye region and the Vladimir region. Glass and textile decorations seem as if they have come straight from family Christmas trees of the 20th century, yet they are crafted today with great attention to detail and materials. Nearby are delicate porcelain ornaments from Irkutsk — skates, mittens, sweets, baubles and snowflakes. They appear fragile and almost weightless, the kind of decorations one wants to pass from hand to hand, from generation to generation.
The festive story continues in the table setting. The Department Store presents a holiday porcelain collection: tea sets with fairy-tale characters, plates with ornamental designs and, of course, tableware featuring the symbol of the year — the red horse. Each piece seems to invite visitors to slow down, spend more time with loved ones and recall another warm family story. Designer candles complete the ensemble: their soft light and thoughtfully designed forms work as decorative objects, enhancing both the festive table and the interior as a whole.
One of the most important elements of the winter bazaar is the display titled "From the Land of Creators". It features works made by beneficiaries of non-profit organisations — winners of contests held by the Presidential Grants Foundation. Specially for the Department Store, they prepared a circus-themed collection including bone-china jewellery boxes, decorative panels, Christmas ornaments and ceramics. By purchasing such gifts, guests of the Department Store support communities of artisans who, despite challenges, have found strength through creativity and making.
The magical atmosphere of the winter bazaar is further enhanced by the "Fairytale Legacy" project by artist Liza Anisimova. The Department Store space is adorned with her works, created at the intersection of painting, theatre, fashion and decorative art. Her inspiration comes from national culture, folk crafts, legends and folklore. Among the characters depicted are the Swan Princess, Baba Yaga, Prince Yelisei and others, who appear as if they have stepped out of childhood fairy tales while still looking modern and vivid. These images shape the emotional backdrop of the entire bazaar, reminding visitors that the celebration is rooted in a rich cultural tradition and that every detail carries a part of this story.
To make gifts truly personal, a wrapping station operates within the Department Store. Decorator-craftspeople select paper, ribbons and decorative elements, helping to design packaging that highlights the character of both the gift and its recipient. Sometimes, a single detail — a sprig, a wax seal or an unusual tag — is enough to create the feeling of a small miracle.
The winter bazaar at the Department Store of the National Centre RUSSIA offers more than shopping. It is a genuine kind of magic, made up of small, deeply human gestures: choosing a toy with character, tableware with a story, an accessory that brings warmth, or a handcrafted piece whose creator values support. It is a space where kindness and beauty become the main meaningful decorations of the holiday.
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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.
