The traditional holiday “In Snow of Kirillov” took place over the last weekend. Kirillov has been hosting it for 14 years. This year’s program lasted for three days. Different events were organized in the museum and in the town.
The Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve received over 1500 guests on Saturday, February 21. The Festival “Winter Fortress” started with a merry and bright procession consisting of wandering minstrel-cum-clowns, life-size puppets and mummers.
The main events took place on the museum stage. The Song and Dance Ensemble “Cherepovets” under the direction of Yuri Tsepelev and the Cossack group “Silver Horseshoe” from Kirillov performed for people. Besides, the artists from Cherepovets arranged a playing program about Maslenitsa for adults and children.
Performances of local sportsmen were cheered by all guests. The kettlebell lifters from Kirillov showcased their skills and talents easily lifting heavy kettlebells. Every drill was commented in detail by Anatoly Babkin, famous athlete, winner of the European Cup in kettlebell lifting.
One more spectacular number of the program was the performance of the fist-fighting group “Busa”. Many people know it very well thanks to the winter festivals of historical reenactment in Kirillov. The members of the group organized competitions between men’s teams. Several spectators joined them. They found out who were stronger thanks to the ancient Russian amusement – wall-to-wall fight. The most courageous participants took part in individual fights. One more wall-to-wall fight was held between men and women. Representatives of the fair sex claimed a win thanks to one cunning, but efficient method. Then all spectators could see a fire show.
Participants of the traditional contest of snow figures were awarded during the festival. Its results were summed up by the jury the day before. The subject of this year’s event was “Cannons That Don’t Shoot”. Six teams created snow compositions about the Great Patriotic War and one – about the First World War. As a result, the “Sadko” team took the first place, “Female Council” placed in second and “Sivertsy” finished third. All guests were pleased to have their pictures taken against the background of the fragile sculptures.
Visitors of the museum joined in the charitable lottery “Heart Memory” marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people over fascism. They bought special tickets to participate in the drawing of prizes given by local businessmen. The funds derived from the action will be allocated for reconstruction of the Monument “Motherland” in Kirillov.
The festival was concluded with the tug-of-war contest with the use of a gigantic rope and with the storming of the snow fortress that symbolized the victory of spring over winter.
Moreover, the creative workshop was opened in the parvis of the Refectory at 14:00 on that day. Museum employees delivered four master-classes. Two of them were connected with Maslenitsa. Besides, participants mastered skills of folk chain-stitch embroidery during the master-class “Syrin Bird” and created angels using beads and glass beads at one more lesson.
The second part of the holiday “In Snow of Kirillov” was held on Sunday, February 22. People saw off winter and welcomed spring on the Tsypina Hill on Monday, February 23.
