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The revolutionary spirit is crossing paths with the festive spirit here in the capital. However, for a dose of the latter you’re spoiled for choice.
Ice Show
Ukraine’s Main Christmas Tree 2013–2014, hosted at Palace Ukraine (V Vasylkivska 103), tops not only our list, it is justly tagged as the number one children’s show nationwide, demonstrating the joint effort of Kyiv’s best scriptwriters, directors, musicians and composers, as organisers say.
This year they will present the story of an ordinary boy – a computer game addict – who hates having to walk the dog and playing flute, but instead spends all his time in the virtual world. He doesn’t know yet that this world has something in store for him – on New Year’s Eve our hero will plunge into a whirlwind of amazing and dangerous adventures. The boy will rush to help Santa Claus save the Kingdom of Time (to make sure the new year arrives, of course), which has been captured by the queen of monsters.
Dragons, sorcerers, princesses, cartoon characters and Cossacks all play a crucial part in the show, as do acrobats, conjurers, dancers, actors as well as stunning video projections and visual effects. The action begins as soon as children enter Palace Ukraine – they will be immediately entertained right in the lobby, an hour prior to the big show itself. Kids can also take part in fun contests and sing and dance around the Christmas tree together with traditional Ukrainian Did Moroz his granddaughter Snihuronka, and other fairytale creatures.
Ukraine’s Main Christmas Tree 2013–2014 will run from 25 December until 10 January at 11.00 and 14.00. Tickets: 150 –290hrv.
A Frozen Classic
 We can’t imagine the holidays without the beloved Christmas tale The Nutcracker. Though going through many interpretations, the story never fails to strike a chord with audiences young and old. In addition to the ballet performed at various theatres around town (see below), this year’s incarnation is an ice show Nutcracker XXI Century, featuring the Russian Ice Miniatures Theatre.
Set up in 1986 by the legendary Igor Bobrin, former figure skater and European champion, he created a brand new genre combining ballet with its ice equivalent. His theatre offers unique performances that have no cultural, language or age barriers and it has won the hearts of millions around the globe.
So, the story begins on Christmas Eve, when everybody is in a rush to buy gifts. What is the best holiday present? A book? Or, possibly, a toy Nutcracker? Though not the most handsome chap, he is kind, resolute and brave, and will fight against the Mouse King and his grey army to protect his beloved Masha (Clara, in the original). When the drama of battle ends, the audience can take a breath and make a trip to the Land of Sweets. The Nutcracker and Masha meet new friends – dancing bonbons from Spain, Arabia, Asia, Russia and more. The spell is broken with good triumphing over evil and the Nutcracker transforms to a young and handsome prince.
Featuring gorgeous costumes, magnificent settings, favourite characters, wonderful music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and modern choreography – it will definitely have the whole family in awe.
Catch Nutcracker XXI Century at Palace Sport (Sportyvna Pl 1), on 22 December at 16.00 and 19.00. Tickets: 60 –270hrv.
You can never have enough of The Nutcracker – there are at least four more performances running in Kyiv during the Christmas season. The first is a classical take – a ballet-fairytale hosted by National Opera Theatre of Ukraine (Volodymyrska 50) through 28 –31 December at various times (check the calendar). Tickets: 30 – 600hrv. The second is presented by the Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Horodetskoho 1-3/11) on 28 December at 11.00, 14.00, tickets: 120 –350hrv. The third performance will be staged at Kyiv Theatre of Opera and Ballet for Children and Youth (Mezhyhirska 2) on 27, 29, 31 December and 2, 8, 10, 12 January, tickets: 40 –200hrv. Last but not least, comes a musical show at Ivan Franko Drama Theatre (Ploscha I Franka) on 28 December and 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 12 January at different times. Tickets: 15–70hrv.
Live Puppet Show
 The Tchaikovsky Conservatory will also accommodate a series of seasonal treats for families – for the first time ever, the Moscow-based comic theatre To Li Luidi, To Li Kukly (Whether People or Puppets) comes to Kyiv to present their show Super Christmas Tree on Clowns’ Island.
The performance has been highly acclaimed in many countries worldwide, winning numerous prizes and awards – the best Moscow New Year Programme 2009, first prize a the Beijing Comedy Festival 2010, special prize of the Odesa Clown Festival – Comediada 2011, just to name a few. The show, the creators say, is like a resort in the Canary Islands where you are promised relaxation and a plunge into a sea...of laughter. You are invited to a wonderland, featuring gigantic “live” puppets – Did Moroz, Snihuronka, Santa Claus, clowns Lily and Jojo, merry gnomes, dragons, snowmen, and kindly tigers – that sing and dance to entertain the crowds. Clowns’ Island boasts another miracle – a unique Christmas tree that can dance and speak. Apart from lots of fun, children will take home sweets and candies.
The show runs from 2 to 8 January at 12.00 and 15.00. Tickets: 60 –380hrv.
The list of Christmas family events is endless and caters to every taste – decide for yourself:
Happy New Year Party or Masha’s and Vitya’s Adventures
Musical fairytale
21–30 December (except 25 December) at 11.00, 15.00
Tickets: 50–270hrv, free – children up to 3
House of Officers (Hrushevskoho 30/1)
253-8072
Christmas with Pippi Longstocking
Interactive theatrical play
21–30 December, 2–5 January at various times
Tickets: 100–300hrv
Premier Palace (Shevchenko Blvd/Pushkinska 5-7/29)
www.premier-palace.com
Galactic Adventures
New Year interactive show for children
21–30 December, 2–6 January at 11.00, 13.30
Tickets: 250hrv
State Aviation Museum of Ukraine (Medova 1)
www.aviamuseum.com.ua
School of New Year Wonders
Popular science show
21 December at 13.00 and 8 January at 15.00
Tickets: 80–150hrv, free – children up to 5
Central Artist House (Artema 5)
272-0547
New Year Miracles by Baron Munchausen and Did Moroz
Performance
27–30 December, 2–8 January at 11.00, 13,00
Tickets: 40–120hrv
Central Artist House (Artema 5)
272-0547
Grand New Year Show
27 December – 9 January at 10.00, 13.00, 16.00
Tickets: 50–180hrv, 44hrv – fan-zone
October Palace (Instytutska 1)
www.icca.kiev.ua
 Fiksiki New Year Show
28–31 December at various times
Tickets: 80–200hrv, free – children up to 5
Central Artist House (Artema 5)
272-0547
Narnia Legends – Sequel
New Year 3D interactive show
New Year Security Agents
Fairytale
2–5 January at 14.00
Tickets: 60–230hrv, free – children up to 5
House of Officers (Hrushevskoho 30/1)
253-8072
Grand New Year Bubble Show
Soap-bubble theatre
2–3 January at 15.00, 17.00
Tickets: 80–150hrv, free – children up to 5
Central Artist House (Artema 5)
272-05-47
Masha and the Bear. Here Comes the New Year!
Show based on a popular cartoon
4–7 January at 15.00, 17.30
Tickets: 80–200hrv, free – children up to 5
Central Artist House (Artema 5)
272-0547
Grand New Year and Christmas Feast for Adults and Children
7–12 January at 18.00 (folk festivities start at 17.00)
Tickets: 50–140hrv
Palace Ukraine (V Vasylkivska 103)
www.palace-ukraine.com
Cinderella
New Year fairytale
8 December at 14.00 and 10 December at 11.00, 14.00
Tickets: 15–70hrv
I Franka Drama Theatre (Ploscha I Franka)
www.ft.org.ua
by Anna Azarova
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