Sunday, 15 December 2024

Merry Christmas and Happy New 2025 Year! All photos and videos are available on the "Bukovka" Google Drive via this link.         Make sure that you watch videos and photos taken on the 15th of December as well as on previous school days during the preparation for the display.

Each year, just before the arrival of the New Year, the mischievous spirits of the forests and bogs gather together, either as a group or individually, deep within the woods. What is their goal? To ambush Grandfather Frost, seize the presents he is hurrying to deliver to the children at the festive Yolka celebration, and ruin the New Year’s merriment.

This means finding all sorts of ways to negotiate — sometimes with Baba Yaga, sometimes with Leshy, the forest spirit, or Kikimora from the bog, or even Koschei the Deathless — to persuade them to return the stolen gifts and to stop meddling with the fun around the beautifully decorated Yolka tree.

This year, however, the task turned out to be far more challenging. Why? Because none other than Chudo-Yudo, the trickster, wandered into the part of the forest where jolly Grandfather Frost was trudging through the snowdrifts, making his way to the children. The moment Grandfather Frost got distracted, sprinkling snow over bare fir trees and dusting the fields, Chudo-Yudo swooped in and stole his sack of gifts. To add insult to injury, Chudo-Yudo even turned up at the children’s celebration to gleefully announce the theft!

The children had quite the ordeal trying to reason with the invisible and cunning Chudo-Yudo. Oh, but how delighted they were as they explained and demonstrated to Chudo-Yudo how one ought to celebrate by the New Year’s Yolka tree! Of course, Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden) and the parents lent a hand too, their lively New Year’s dance giving Chudo-Yudo pause for thought… Together, they managed to convince the monster to return the presents to Grandfather Frost so the festivities could continue.

Indeed, how could anyone resist the enchanting dances and songs? Even the villain softened, promising to return the sack of gifts immediately. And guess what? Chudo-Yudo even asked to be invited to their next celebration. The children were a bit hesitant at first, but in the end, they agreed and invited Chudo-Yudo to join them for the Maslenitsa festivities.

Meanwhile, Grandfather Frost was busily covering everything in a layer of snow and remained blissfully unaware of the mysterious disappearance and subsequent return of his sack of presents. What a stroke of luck for Chudo-Yudo! Otherwise, our Frost might have used his magic, and Chudo-Yudo would surely have remembered the consequences for years to come...

After sorting out the forest troubles, Grandfather Frost finally arrived at the “Bukovka” celebration, bringing endless joy to the children. He played games with them, sang songs, danced, took them for a ride on a magical train, and even whisked them off to the forest to visit the animals and birds for some fun. Of course, he handed out the long-awaited presents as well. The children, full of enthusiasm, recited poems for Grandfather Frost, sang songs about him and the Yolka tree, and danced their hearts out. Words cannot truly capture the excitement—it was something you had to see to believe!

No one wanted the celebration to end. But Grandfather Frost and Snegurochka had other children to visit. After posing for photos to capture the memories, they bid farewell, promising to return next year. They also reminded the children to remain as clever, nimble, curious, and cheerful as they are now, to listen to their parents, help them out, and study well!

And so it shall be, Grandfather Frost and Snegurochka! See you both again in December 2025!

Our warm welcome to Lara who joined us recently. Wish you enjoyable and efficient learning.

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