Thousands of festive lights lit up the main Christmas tree in Vitebsk
Young mother Maria Kostina came to the event with her two little ones - five-year-old Varya and four-year-old Kirill. For their family, "lighting up" the tree is already a tradition. The day before, they decorate their own New Year's beauty at home, and they always come to Victory Square to watch the largest tree in the city light up. The children's joyful emotions are truly boundless here. "The children are delighted with this process and understand that a New Year's miracle really exists. And for any person, it exists, we believe in it. For example, a few years ago, on December 29, we found out that there would be a new addition to our family; at that time, the elder Varya was only 9 months old," the young mother says with a smile.
Participants and guests were greeted by costumed characters and snow symbols of the coming year – hares. Children eagerly took photos with the good-natured characters and danced to New Year's tunes. Later, Snegurochka, Emelya, and Baba Yaga invited everyone into the fairy tale, and together with the audience, they began to call for Ded Moroz. The main magician made an impressive appearance right on a fire truck and lamented that he had hurried too much to the celebration, exceeded the speed limit, and his sleigh had skidded into a thicket. Following the fire truck were 110 pairs of Ded Morozes and Snegurochkas, who had previously solemnly paraded through Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square, adorned with bright illumination. A small dream came true for Yulia Smirnova, an employee of kindergarten No. 12 in Vitebsk. Since childhood, she had played the roles of a Snowflake, a cat, and Malvina on New Year's, but had never been Snegurochka. "Now I've become Snegurochka, I've tried on this costume and image for the first time. Just like in childhood, we must believe in miracles. Both children and adults need it, especially on New Year's Eve," she assured. Ded Moroz, portrayed by Andrey Kimstach (also a kindergarten employee), noted that he would delight boys and girls with a good mood, lead round dances around the tree, sing, dance, and create a magical atmosphere. With the power of thought and word, the fairy tale characters and the audience lit the lights on the New Year tree – joyful smiles did not leave the faces of young and adult Vitebsk residents.
Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin addressed special wishes to the residents and guests of the city. "We have reached the home stretch of the celebration and are starting it by igniting our New Year's mood and, of course, the city and regional New Year tree. Everyone loves the New Year and expects something from it. Therefore, I suggest that we all look back this week at a challenging year, say thank you to it, and boldly step into the next one," said the governor. Congratulating everyone on the upcoming 2023, he wished them home comfort, peaceful skies, warmth, good relationships, health, and prosperity. The mayor of the city, Nikolai Orlov, also addressed the participants of the holiday with a welcoming speech, wishing everyone a good mood, joy from the approaching New Year's celebration, happiness, and kindness.
The holiday continued with performances by creative groups and an interactive quiz with prize drawings. Not far from the stage, there were children's attractions, trade pavilions, and New Year's photo zones – everything for a fun and memorable celebration.
"BELTA"