Seeing Off Winter, Omsk‑Style: Joyful and United in Spirit
On Saturday of the Pancake week, the Omsk House of Friendship threw a lively celebration, and there was something for everyone: pancakes to savor, folk rhymes to enjoy, dolls to craft, a pole to climb, and a chance to take part in every old‑time game possible.
At the Square
Buffoons set the tone for the entire three-hour celebration
The square by the House of Friendship is packed: everyone wants to see winter off as early as possible
Performing groups occupy the stage — and the “front rows” in front of the stage too
Cheerful spring folk songs fill the air
The program strikes a chord with everyone gathered
Between acts, the hosts run contests and other interactive activities
The Winter Farewell procession made its way around the entire festival grounds
In a few minutes, the mummers will be inviting guests to join in the games and fun
Separate stations will serve as spots for making traditional rag dolls
Folk characters can be spotted all around
The themed photo zones may look grotesque at first glance, but they look great in photos
And with extra props — simply picture-perfect!
Pancake Contest
At exactly 1 PM, the Pancake Festival rows opened: this event is hosted exclusively by the House of Friendship
Anyone was welcome to compete for the tastiest and most beautiful pancake
Skilled housewives from the national cultural centers know just how to draw a crowd
First, the contestants’ creations must be judged by the competition panel
No easy task: the variety of shapes, sizes, and fillings is staggering
A skillful use of traditions will make the judges’ job harder and the competition more exciting
For a small fee, the Pancake Festival treats are available to everyone
The best recipes are worth sharing with the press
Contestants even find a moment to applaud what’s happening nearby
Games and Fun
And right next to the pancake rows, a folk ensemble has set up
A spontaneous battle breaks out: the older generation knows hundreds of folk rhymes by heart
But the younger crowd can look up a few lyrics online and sing just as spiritedly
The fun and games appeal not only to little ones but to teenagers as well
At this station, they blindfold you, spin you around, and hand you a carrot
The carrot is meant to become the snowman’s nose — and many succeed
Throwing cotton “snowballs” at a target has been a fixture for several years now
Every Winter Farewell at the House of Friendship features photo zones for fun selfies
And there are always plenty of sports areas: from wrestling to barbell lifting
Fighting with soft “logs” tests your balance in both attack and defense
Or you can just lean on mom and “clobber” everyone in sight — until the “log” is taken away
Folk music sounds everywhere: new gathering spots keep popping up
Craftswomen invite everyone to assemble a rag doll from pre-cut parts in minutes
Such a doll can stand at home until the next Winter Farewell, bringing good luck
And fortune smiled on everyone who came to a celebration with so much going on
Cossack Bath
Meanwhile on stage, the buffoons start a skit about the bathhouse
The cat, it turns out, is no fan of steaming himself…
…but he invites to the stage those who know a thing or two about it
A daredevil shows up in no time: a real birch broom — not a prop — is waiting for him
This game called the “Cossack Bath” is another creative invention of the House of Friendship
Very soon the whole crowd wishes the brave fellow: “Have a light steam!”
Pole‑Climbing Challenge
The buffoons announce the last big challenge: conquering the pole
Contenders step up right away — and we’ve seen exactly the same guys last year
There are only four prize boxes: by the rules, they must be brought down or knocked off
Every challenger is strong and agile enough to reach the top in seconds
Looks like there’s no suspense: the fourth attempt is underway…
…and half a minute later — the fourth successful climb!
All that’s left for the buffoons is to lead the festive round dance
It’s time to burn the effigy — the culmination of the celebration
In the flames, all the hardships of the past year will burn away, and people will step into the new spring renewed
That’s how the House of Friendship’s Winter Farewell turned out in 2024
Lots of folk games and fun, lots of folklore and traditions
And, of course, lots of treats for everyone who’s tired of the long cold winter and glad to welcome spring!
