Poltavka: a Pumpkin Style Hospitality
The Lady Pumpkin — a vegetable in the kitchen and a berry in the books — takes center stage at Poltavka’s October harvest festival. The first folk pumpkin event at “Rus” Cultural Center brought together fans of traditional cuisine and folk culture.
For visitors, it’s not just a program of performances and treats — it’s also a chance to walk through the tidy streets of this Omsk Region village and to feel the warmth of local hospitality.
Walking Around
Poltavka greets visitors with a monument honoring the conquerors of the virgin lands
The well‑maintained Glory Park, shaped like a five‑pointed star, is the heart of the village
The bas‑reliefs on the stele tell the local history without a single word
The park’s focal point is the memorial to Poltavka’s soldiers of World War 2, unveiled in 1967
The inscription about courage and valor reflects the style of its era
Figures sculptured by Anatoly Tsymbal symbolize 3 generations of the homeland’s defenders
In 2020, a monument to home front workers by Oksana Boyko was installed nearby
The sculptor worked with collective images: women, elders, and children
With no guide, the history of the district unfolds on the stands along the park’s alleys
One street is decorated with sculptures made from car and agricultural machinery parts
For example, there’s a striking Fire Horse with a mane made of metal cable
Local artist Alexander Demchenko creates these unusual animal‑themed pieces
A guardian like this would become handy in any rural yard
The rugged bull looks like an overseas buffalo, but his spirit is purely local!
Poltavka’s crafty tinker manages to turn spare parts into distinctive works of art
The art installation “Dock of Dreams” was built as a place to celebrate the school graduations
The lake must be beautiful in spring, but the autumn landscape has its own charm
And right by the lake is the very cultural center where the festival is about to begin
Harvest Festival
Visitors are welcomed here with pumpkin dishes exclusively
The recipes aren’t just local — they also come from the net, and all is available for tasting
By the way, pumpkin preserves wonderfully — with carrots, oranges, and apples
The photo zones celebrate rural life, the beauty, and the bounty of golden autumn
An exhibition of artisans’ wares is a must‑have part of the folk festival
Grand cabbage and other gifts of nature fill a cart styled to look like an old‑time wagon
The program opens with performances by Poltavka’s folk ensembles
They sing about dark‑browed Fedora and a fine young lad
Folk songs warm the soul, and the passionate performers delight the eye!
As the music plays, tastings continue and pumpkin‑themed games get underway
Raisa Kravchenko has 6 children and 13 grandchildren — she knows well what treats will please the kids
Knocking down pins with a small pumpkin is something new — and that’s what makes it exciting
Pumpkin‑themed craft workshops take center stage
Both adults and children gather to make themed souvenirs
In skilled hands, even recycled materials turn into charming little toys
Now it’s time for pumpkin‑themed ditties: you can read from a sheet, but the main thing is to do it with spirit
A traditional game is announced: folklore enthusiasts invite guests to join the circle
It’s fun to dance to the Russian song “The Moon Shines,” repeating the simple steps
These are the giant pumpkins entered by locals in the “Queen of the Garden” contest
Only a final measurement stands between the lucky gardeners and their diploma
Let everyone know: the record‑breaking pumpkin was grown by the Vagenleitner family!
The colorful photo zones are never empty
Even the organizers want to take a keepsake photo
This event format is being held for the first time, and after just an hour, it’s drawing to a close
The program ends with the Orthodox chant “Many Years”
“Lyubavushka” ensemble wishes the audience long life and prosperity
This solemn blessing is usually performed beneath church vaults
Orthodox Church
By the way, the Church of the Royal Passion‑Bearers stands near “Rus” Cultural Center
Father Sergiy welcomes guests — a baptism ceremony is scheduled here today
The cross, painted by him personally, will be installed at the site of the wooden church that burned down
The stunning frescoes follow the traditions of Belarusian monastery icon painting
They were created by the Belarusian artist Roman Alekseenko
The fresco paints have a special composition: these murals are not only beautiful but also long‑lasting
This is how the first pumpkin festival in Poltavka will be remembered
Generous‑hearted people managed to grow a bountiful harvest and show it to the world
We’ll say goodbye to this hospitable village — to return again in another season
