14 "magical" residences will open in the Vitebsk region for the winter holidays
Vitebsk District / The Crowned Sorcerer
We asked Vadim Sekretyarev, the director of the Staroselskaya Secondary School named after V. Kraev, who has been working as Ded Moroz since 2010, what qualities the master of the New Year should possess.
– Kindness, attentiveness, patience, resourcefulness, generosity, agility, acting skills, – Vadim Sekretyarev replied with a smile. – Every child should leave the holiday satisfied and inspired. Little ones, as before, believe in miracles, can we disappoint them?
However, with older children, you need to be on your guard, especially if the actor plays a villain. Vadim Sekretyarev recalled how he once played a Bear. The children tried so hard to take snowballs from him that, by piling on at once, they broke his arm.
– Perhaps I shouldn't have changed my usual role, – the interlocutor joked. – Sometimes, actors forget their lines, and they have to improvise. But in general, over the years of working together, we have formed an excellent team from the staff of the district Center for Children and Youth. It's no coincidence that we were prize-winners of the final stage of the republican competition "Yolka-fest". This year, we are performing with several teams; otherwise, it's difficult to handle a dozen and a half performances.
The premiere of another festive program at the "Spartakovets" health camp near the village of Barvin, just 5 km from Vitebsk, will take place on December 18.
Tolokhin / Ded Moroz on a "Niva"
Wonderful news for the children from Tolokhin! After a break, the local Ded Moroz estate is resuming its work.
An atmosphere comparable to that of the residence in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha is promised to be created in the Tolochin district at the "Niva" sports and tourist base in the village of Zagorye. The grand opening of the residence is scheduled for December 27. All organizations in the district are involved in the final preparations: they are arranging illuminations and purchasing gifts. Cultural and educational institutions are presenting a creative program. The forest area is eagerly awaiting snow to organize sleigh, ski, and snowmobile rides.
Orsha / Show in the Dendropark
In the Kopyssky Dendropark in the Orsha district, guests are expected from December 22. The program of the joint project of cultural institutions of the district center and Kopys includes theatrical and dance performances, games, and master classes with an emphasis on folk traditions. Local enterprises will offer tastings of their products.
Dokszyce / Zimnik and "Patsi ў khadze"
A similar approach will be applied at the "Usadba Veter" ethno-cultural center in the Dokszyce district. The peculiarity of this residence is that it is managed by Ded Zimnik. He is also a cheerful magician and entertainer. It's no wonder: a photo zone is organized right by the stove, and the theatrical game program is called "Patsi ў khadze" (Guests at Home).
Treskun from Verkhnedvinsk
It's not only in Dokszyce that they've been original with names – a Ded Treskun residence has been set up in the dendropark of the Verkhnedvinsk forestry. It will start receiving guests from December 25.
Postavy / And Zyuzya walks barefoot
Zyuzya Poozersky has returned to the Postavy region three years ago. Some say he is the great-great-grandfather of Ded Moroz, while others consider him the Belarusian god of winter. It is also known that this brand is patented by Yegor Shushkevich, the director of ODO "Center for Tourist Services," who embodies Zyuzya Poozersky year after year.
– According to Belarusian mythology, this character walks barefoot and with his head uncovered, – explained Yegor Shushkevich. – In his hands, he holds a magic mace with which he brings snow and blizzards, tapping on the corners of houses. I try to conform to these representations. True, it doesn't work out very well with the snow and cold (laughs. – Ed. note).
The premiere of the New Year's performance "We are all waiting for Dzyadzi with Bay" will take place at the "Ozerki" sports and tourist complex on the shore of Lake Beloye on December 14. The Belarusian-language program includes an excursion along a fairy-tale trail, meeting unusual characters, round dances, contests, and gifts.
Lepel / Zapovedny Moroz
The residence of Ded Moroz in the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve is extremely popular. "New Year's Fairy Tale in Berezinsky" starts on December 14. Its highlight is the opportunity to admire the inhabitants of the forest zoo and the domestic animal zoo. You can spend the whole day here. Animators will organize round dances, entertainment, creative workshops, and horse riding. A complex lunch or pancakes would be very appropriate. Every visitor leaves with a sweet gift.
Polotsk / Simply Space
The Polotsk Ded Moroz residence set a attendance record last year: over 2,000 people.
This, the 10th anniversary year, the organizers are determined to break it.
The program "New Year – Simply Space" starts on December 13. Almost daily until January 5, two performances per day will be organized. The main part of the program takes place outdoors, in the forest area on the outskirts of Polotsk. Then Ded Moroz and Snegurochka invite guests to warm up and play in their apartments.
– We are on trend, – boldly states the director of the Center for Children and Youth, Irina Gavrilchik. – We were able to be convinced of this when last year our creative team was invited to perform at the main residence of the Belarusian Ded Moroz – Belovezhskaya Pushcha. We worthily presented our interactive author's program.
Beshenkovichi, Senno, Ushachi, Shumilino / Where and When?
New Year's wizards are waiting for children at the Ded Moroz estate in Beshenkovichi. It will open on December 20 in the exhibition hall – a merchant house of the late 19th century. In Senno – in the park of the 40th Anniversary of Victory on December 26, in the dendrological park of the Ushachi forestry – on the 21st. At the central stadium in Shumilino – on the 29th.
Gorodok / The Only Snegurochka
The only residence of Snegurochka is located near the ski track in Gorodok, on the mysterious Bas Island between two lakes. The fairytale atmosphere here is created by employees of cultural institutions. This year, new decorations, illuminations, and photo zones will appear on the way to the hostess's house.
– The first performance "Lost PIN-code, or In Search of the New Year" will take place on December 16, – said the performer of the role of Snegurochka, head of the methodological department of the Center for Folk Art and National Culture, Tatyana Ovsyanko. – The program is an exciting quest with original characters. You are cordially invited!
In most cases, performances in Ded Moroz's residences are organized in picturesque outdoor locations. They take place in the run-up to and during the winter holidays. As a rule, you can attend them by prior appointment as part of organized groups. Residents not only from our region but also from the neighboring Minsk and Mogilev regions, as well as from Russia and Latvia, come to visit the wizards.