Thanks to All Our Guests!

We would love to thank all our guests who visited “Nasha Yolka” – the first Russian Community event for children of all ages celebrating a New Year in rich traditions of Russian fairy tales.

We are glad and proud of the tremendous success of “Nasha Yolka”. A creative group of organizers, actors, and volunteers have thoroughly worked on every step of the event for a year and as a result there are so many “thanks letters and positive comments”. Still, we look closely into every segment of this event analyzing on what can be done better and what we must improve upon. We are open for all the suggestions and ideas that can help us in achieving the next level in a quality that our guests will enjoy next year.

The biggest joy, of course, was to see happy faces of our little guests. Almost every kid showed up in a gorgeous costume based on a theme of “viktorina” (Quiz "Visiting a Fairy Tale") that had been conducted for a few months before the performance. “Ded Moroz and Snegurochka” were really challenged to pick out the best costume for a reward! Children’s active participation and involvement in every act of the performance was a way beyond any bold expectations of the creative group.

Again, thank you for your genuine interest and continuous support of “Nasha Yolka”. We sincerely hope that “Nasha Yolka” has become a family event in a warm, welcoming atmosphere of the mysterious, exciting world of the New Year where so many wishes come true.

Truly yours,
Nadia Petrova

Interactive Holiday Performance
gives Russian Kids a Taste of Their Heritage

The Lower Mainland’s first ever Russian Yolka  production took place at the Scandinavian Cultural Centre on December 29th.

Four hundred children gathered for music, laughter and a special treat from Father Frost (Russia’s St. Nick).

The Yolka, which means Christmas tree, is traditionally the focal point of all New Years celebrations in Russia.

This musical spin-off pits the evil Snow Queen against Father Frost, the Snow Maiden, Baba Yaga the good witch, and of course, the children—all against a background of a gorgeous Christmas Tree.

The cast for the play is a wonderful mix of amateur and professional actors, says Yuliya Talmazan, who plays the Snow Maiden. She also mentions professional director Igor Morozov, who is “incredible”, and “such a blessing” to have on the team. And Morozov is more than happy to be there. “It’s huge in Russia,” Morozov says about the Yolka celebration, “It’s bigger than Christmas. I want [Russian-Canadian children] to have it, to have a taste of it.”

Preparations for next year’s play are already in the works.

Organizer Nadia Petrova hopes to have the play performed in not only Russian, but eventually English, Polish and other languages. She is also offering a prize for the person who submits the Yolka script to be used for next year’s performance.

Think you have a great idea? Make sure to include Santa Claus and Father Frost, other winter characters such a penguins or snowflakes, and to gear the play for kids. Then, send in your script to nadia_medspa@hotmail.com  

For more information about volunteer opportunities, please call  (604) 439-1604 (MedSpa Health Center)

By Cailey Bennett