On January 17, 2025, an employee of the Bolgar Museum-Reserve Sabirova L.A. together with specialists of the State Autonomous Educational Institution “Rassvet” for 18 students of Bolgar boarding school held an interactive and playful event “Ancient and merry holiday Svyatki”.
The holiday Svyatki begins with the night of Christmas Eve on January 6 when the first star lights up in the sky. From this moment the Christmas fasting ends. The celebration lasts 12 days and ends with Epiphany. Svyatki are festive weeks, which were to be spent cheerfully. This time was devoted to rest, and every believer had to attend a church service at least once. It was customary to help the poor, visit shelters, distribute clothes and food, because this holiday was dedicated to the most important event of every Christian – the birth of Jesus Christ. It was customary to celebrate Holy Days joyfully and with a good mood. That is why on these days, several fun and cheerful rituals – caroling, fortune-telling were held.
At the beginning of the event, for the children was conducted a tour of the museum of history of the Assumption Church. Then the pupils became acquainted with the history of the holiday, traditions and customs. They actively participated in a quiz, games, fortune-telling and received memorable gifts.
Our ancestors carried rites and rituals of winter holy days through millennia and bans. They are worth preserving, if not as a practical guide, then at least as a cultural and historical heritage.

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