Russian winter ritual “Shchedry” is being reconstructed in the Bryansk region
The evening on the eve of the old New Year – Vasilyev’s Day, popularly called “generous”, was once the brightest winter holiday in Russia. And the beautiful, spectacular ceremony itself, dating back to the pre-Christian period, was called “Shyodry”. It strongly resembled the Yuletide actions, but now it began to be felt, its structure and density were lost.
In December 2021, an ethnographic expedition took place in the village of Yalovka, Krasnogorsk District, Bryansk Region. Its purpose is to study the old Russian winter ritual “Shchedry”. This became possible thanks to the active population of the branch of the All-Russian Popular Front. It is this organization that implements the “Generous Evening, Gentlemen, Open the Gates” project by the President in the Bryansk region, supported by the Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.
On January 13 and 14, when the New Year is celebrated according to the old style, in the village of Yalovka, a reconstruction of the “Shchedry” calendar rite is carried out. It will be attended by teachers and pupils of the Kalinushka children’s folklore school of the Bryansk Regional Governor’s Palace of Children’s and Youth Creativity named after Y. A. Gagarin, as well as all natural landscapes.
The collected material, after processing and systematization, is planned to be published in a special collection dedicated to the village of Yalovka. Folklore groups will be invited to include it in their repertoires. There will also be developed a series of lessons on the history of the “Shchedra” ritual, which will study the national costume, the construction of the ceremony, household items, symbols, songs, dances, instrumental tunes, and the kitchen.