GRANDFATHER Frost’s granddaughter had to summon Christmas presents using magic, after he forgot to bring them.
That was the traditional Russian Christmas tale performed to about 150 members of Oxford’s Russian community on Sunday.
They gathered to celebrate the festive period together by singing and dancing to traditional music.
Christmas events were banned in Soviet Russia, so for Russian Orthodox Church members new year celebrations are the biggest of the year.
But that did not stop Grandfather Frost – the Russian equivalent of Father Christmas – paying a visit and handing out presents.
The event took place at North Oxford Community Centre in Summertown. Organiser Tanya Gordon-Gill said: “The children were very happy and everyone was smiling, singing and dancing. It was very good.”
Yekaterina Kidd, pictured above with her four-year-old daughter Anastasia, played the granddaughter. She said: “My favourite part was playing, dancing and singing with the children and seeing them so happy.”
The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7.
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