On 26 December 2020, staff members of Bolgar Museum-Reserve Sabirova L. A., Sagirova L. Sh. and Gumerova G. T. held an interactive event on “Nardugan – Christmastide – Nartavan” for the children of after-school group of Bolgar Comprehensive School №2.
Christmastide was the main winter holiday in Rus. Christmastide, Holy days were two weeks of winter holidays beginning on Christmas Eve (6 January) and continuing until the Epiphany (19 January). On Christmastide, nobody got to work being afraid of misfortune. On the first day of the holiday, it was a tradition to visit near and dear ones, to pay attention to the poor. Many families in Rus helped the poor feeding them. People visited children’s homes, shelters and hospitals. Even tsars dressed as commoners, visited prisoners in jails and gave alms on the streets.
Nardugan in translation from Turkic means “born by the Sun” and symbolizes a pagan solar cult. The celebration began on the day of winter solstice and continued until the Nativity of Christ. You could say that Nardugan is the same Christmastide. The holiday symbolizes the nature’s awakening and triumph of life. On the holiday, mummers with ceremonial songs knocked on doors wishing all people happiness, health and wealth. This holiday under various names is famous among all peoples of the Volga region. Tatars, Bashkirs and Udmurts celebrate Nardugan, Chuvashes – Nartavan, Russians – Christmastide. This holiday is one of the main celebrations in the solar economy calendar of these peoples.
At the event, kids became familiar with traditions, customs and ceremonies related to these holidays. They actively participated in games, songs and dances. At the end, all children received New Year’s sweets.

 
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