On January 15, the Russian House in Brussels hosted an evening dedicated to Russian traditions titled “Old New Year with Folk Melodies of ‘Zolotoy Plyos’.” The event brought together music, visual arts, and folk creativity, creating the atmosphere of a true winter celebration.

The evening was opened by Vera Bunina, Director of the Russian House. In her welcoming address, she spoke about significant and anniversary dates that will be celebrated in Russia in 2026.

Guests were also introduced to the International Art Exhibition “Christmas Fairy Tale in Europe” from the “Art Seasons” series. The exhibition features works in a wide range of artistic styles and techniques, including painting and graphic art, collage and photography, light painting, cross-stitch embroidery, ceramics, crochet, contemporary textile art, soft toys, and other forms of artistic expression. The leading themes of the exhibition are “Christmas Fairy Tale in Europe” and “Russian Ballet.”

At the conclusion of her speech, Vera Bunina presented participants from Belgium and the Netherlands in the international author-designed Christmas ornament competition “Create an Exhibit for the Hermitage.” As a result of the competition, diplomas were awarded to Natalia Maraeva for her work “The Carriage of Catherine the Great” and to Anna Bryndza for “Fragments of Time” in the Top Best Works category. A separate public vote was held on the social network Odnoklassniki, where Natalia Maraeva also received the Audience Choice Award. The winning ornaments will remain in the Hermitage collection and will decorate the museum’s New Year tree in the years to come.

The musical part of the evening was presented by the folk music ensemble Zolotoy Plyos with a traditional New Year concert. The program featured songs from various regions of Russia, including the Volgograd Cossacks’ dance song “Zemlyanichka-Yagodka,” the Russian folk song “The Moon Is Shining,” the Belgorod region round dance song “Oh, You, Dunyushka,” “It Is Bright in My Chamber,” the Russian Gypsy song “Kayone,” the epic ballad of the Terek Cossacks “Not Across the Sea,” and many other works of Russia’s peoples. Audiences heard dance, Cossack, round dance, and calendar songs, as well as instrumental arrangements of popular melodies.

The ensemble presented more than 30 musical instruments, including rare antique examples and instruments crafted by masters as unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. The performers also sang ancient songs in traditional styles and regional dialects.

The interactive performance continued in the exhibition hall, where guests joyfully joined in dancing to the lively and heartfelt folk melodies.

The International Art Exhibition “Christmas Fairy Tale in Europe” will be open to visitors until March 5. Registration for visits is available via the link.