ASTANA – The main children’s New Year’s show on behalf of President Nursultan Nazarbayev was held on December 26 in the new building of the Palace of Scholars on Astana’s left bank.
This annual children’s show is organized for orphans, children from low-income families, excellent pupils and champions of school competitions. For this event, children dress up in fancy clothes, learn poems and receive gifts from Santa Claus.
The Presidential New Year Show, now 21 years old, has become a heart-warming tradition. The first New Year’s show for children was held in 1991 in Almaty at the Republican Palace with the participation of President Nazarbayev. Since 2001, the show has been held in Astana.
The event is also held simultaneously in all regional centers, allowing more children to take part. Most of the children in the nation’s orphanages were able to take part. Around the country, 3,500 children participated in the event.
In his video address, President Nazarbayev congratulated the children on the holiday.
“I want all Kazakhstan’s children to grow strong, healthy, intelligent and inquisitive. You were born in the years of Kazakhstan’s independence. Our country has sought to create for you, dear children, the best conditions for learning, development and recreation. And I believe that all of you will grow up to be educated children who will love their homeland—the Republic of Kazakhstan. I hope that this show and the gifts you receive will be a bright and unforgettable event in your life. I wish you a New Year of health and happiness and for all of you to study well, engage in sports activities, participate in group hobbies and find other interesting and rewarding activities that will serve you well later in adult life. Happy New Year, dear children!” he said.
The organizers arranged for children to tour the new Scholars Palace and to see the planetarium. This year’s show had the patriotic theme, “The Star Steps of Kazakhstan”.
Children saw a documentary film showing the success of independent Kazakhstan, the positive changes occurring in the country and the achievements of the country’s sportsmen. There was also a 3D cartoon and, of course, sweets to taste.
Fairy tale characters from Kazakh folk tales Altyn Batyr (Golden Warrior) and Aldar Kose (Beardless Trickster) invited children to travel across the country. They visited Medeu, the deck of a ship in the Caspian Sea, the spacious plains and finally arrived in Astana, where they were received by a girl representing the beauty of Astana. During this theatrical trip, the children met Barys (Snow Leopard), a mountain inhabitant and symbol of the Asian Games; the Caspian Sea king and the queen of the steppes, Ken Dala (Spacious Steppe). There were also games and dancing.
According to tradition, the children and their friends gathered in a ring around the Christmas tree and called Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden. The children recited poems and sang songs. Together with Olympic boxing champion Serik Sapiyev, they lit a garland on the Christmas tree. Then, each participant received a New Year’s photo to remember the event by – as well as a laptop or an iPad.
Earlier in December, the biggest Christmas tree in the country was set in square in front of Akorda. This year, the tree represents a Kazakh girl. Its upper part is made in the shape of the Kazakh national headdress, the saukele, and the bottom is designed in traditional patterns. The lights on the 25-meter Christmas tree were lit by Olympic bronze medal boxer Marina Volnova.
