The main characters of the New Year. Where did Father Frost and Snow Maiden come from?

When allocating living space, the authorities thought and decided that she should live where she was born - in the glorious town of Kostroma. The choice fell on him, for the simple and compelling reason that the Snow Maiden was born in Kostroma, from the image created by the Russian writer and playwright N. Ostrovsky. Subsequently, the ballet of the same name to the music of P.I. was staged on the stages of the most famous ballet theaters. Tchaikovsky. The filmed play won the hearts of millions of children and adults.

It was decided not to send the star to the forest, but to provide her with a palace in the very center of the city. Of course, the Snow Maiden’s mansion is more modest than that of Father Frost, but he is also older and more respectable.

Unlike the mansion of Father Frost, where more is told about the months, the Snow Maidens live in the mansion fairy-tale heroes- Kikimora, Leshy, Brownie, Cat Bayun. The gods of the ancient Slavs are also interestingly presented. A lot of interesting and unexpected things await the guests of the tower. You can feel where the Snow Maiden is most comfortable in the Ice Room, where even drinks are served in ice glasses and glasses.

A cheerful performance will diversify the tour of the Snow Maiden's house. And, of course, photographs with the mistress of the tower and fairy-tale characters, souvenirs.

You can come to visit the Snow Maiden at any time of the year, but only winter can convey the whole feeling of fairy tales and reality at the same time.

Tip 2: The Snow Maiden's Tower in Kostroma: description, history, excursions, exact address

Family holiday involves visiting places where both adults and children are interested, and all year round. There is an idea - to visit the Snow Maiden. Or go if you don’t live in Kostroma

Where does the Snow Maiden live?

In the same place where she was born - in Kostroma. This city has a local attraction - the house of a fairy-tale heroine, a favorite of adults and children. It is located in the center of an ancient city, which is interesting in itself. And when there is still such a miracle in it, it is impossible to pass by.

The Snow Maiden's Tower in Kostroma is a hospitable place where those who want to touch a fairy tale are always welcome. After all, guests are greeted here fairy tale characters: cat Bayun, Brownie and his wife - Domovikha. Various fairy-tale heroes often drop by here, talk about old customs, surprise with interesting legends and tales, and perform wonderful miracles. And then they start playing with the kids and their parents - so much so that everyone falls off their feet. And if someone gets hot, they can retire to the ice room, where the Snow Maiden escapes from the summer heat.

We can say that this is a real fairy-tale museum where anyone who wants can come. And even newlyweds can arrive to celebrate the wedding - also with fairy-tale characters and the Snow Maiden, and all this is captured in photos and videos. The territory of the museum allows you to have a lot of fun. This wedding will definitely be remembered for a lifetime!

The history of the Snow Maiden's house

It begins with a spring fairy tale by Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky, where he talked about how the Snow Maiden searched for her love and how she found it. This happened precisely on Kostroma soil, so these places are considered the birthplace of the fairy-tale heroine. Perhaps someone has seen the film “The Snow Maiden” directed by Pavel Kadochnikov - this film is also about her, our beloved sorceress.

For a long time it was possible to meet the Snow Maiden only in fairy tales or at New Year's holidays, and then she disappeared for a whole year. But in 2008 it was decided that the Snow Maiden should have her own home. Yes, not simple, but in Russian traditions – painted. And then, on the banks of the Volga, in the very center of the city, the log tower of the Snow Maiden appeared in Kostroma, tall and beautiful.

None of us can imagine a New Year's holiday without the participation of its main characters - Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter Snow Maiden. If you believe that Father Frost is a native Russian character whose main concern is new Year gifts, then you are very mistaken. In legends ancient Rus' there were similar figures: for example, the ruler winter cold Moroz, Morozko. It was believed that Frost wanders through the forests and knocks with his mighty staff, causing bitter frosts to begin in these places, rushing through the streets, which is why simple snow-frost patterns appear on the windows. Our ancestors imagined Moroz as an old man with a long gray beard. However, New Year's gifts were by no means Frost's main task. It was believed that all winter, from November to March, Frost had a lot to do, he carried his patrol through forests and fields, helping plants and animals adapt to the harsh, cold winter. We can find especially many prototypes of Grandfather in Russian folk tales: this is Morozko, Moroz Ivanovich, and Grandfather Studenets. However, these characters were not associated with the New Year celebrations. Their main concern is to help nature and people. Suffice it to recall the wonderful fairy tale “Twelve Months” by Samuil Yakovlevich Marshak.

But today's Grandfather Frost, that same New Year's character, has his own prototype. They consider him a man named Nicholas, who lived in the 3rd century AD on the shore Mediterranean Sea. According to legend, Nikolai came from a fairly wealthy family and happily helped the poor and needy, and also showed special care about kids. After his death, Nicholas was canonized and canonized.

There is a legend according to which Nikolai, quite by chance, overheard the complaints of one poor peasant, who had such a hard time that he was going to give away his daughters. The poor man was very sad, but did not see any way out, as he suffered from extreme poverty. Nikolai snuck into the peasant's house and stuffed a large bag of coins into the chimney. At that time, the stockings and shoes of the poor peasant's daughters were drying in the oven. You can imagine the indescribable joy of the girls when the next morning they discovered their stockings and shoes filled to the brim with gold coins in the oven... Since then, in many European countries, the custom has developed of hiding little surprises “from St. Nicholas” in stockings for their children. We have a tradition of hiding “Nicholas” gifts under the pillow. Children always look forward to such gifts and rejoice at them. However, gradually the tradition of giving gifts moved to Christmas in Western countries and to the New Year in the countries of the former Soviet Union. It is noteworthy that in most Western countries New Year is a holiday less significant than Christmas. It is not celebrated on such a grand scale, nor is there a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year's Eve. And some people don’t celebrate it at all.

In our country, on the contrary, New Year is considered the main holiday. And on this day, Father Frost and his assistant Snegurochka give all the children New Year's surprises. It is known that it is very common among children to write so-called “letters to Santa Claus”, in which children promise to behave well and ask Santa Claus for what they want most at the moment.

It is known that in almost every country Frost is called differently. For the Americans and the British it is Santa Claus who comes at Christmas, in France it is Père Noel. In Finland - Jollupuk.

However, there is one feature that makes the Russian Father Frost stand out from the most advantageous side. Only he has a granddaughter and she is called Snegurochka. The Snow Maiden appeared at the end of the 19th century, thanks to A.N. Ostrovsky and his fairy tale "The Snow Maiden". However, in the fairy tale of the same name, the Snow Maiden acted as the daughter of Frost. The Snow Maiden lived in the forest and came out to people, enchanted by the beautiful music she heard from them. Later, the famous philanthropist Savva Mamontov, fascinated by the image of the Snow Maiden, staged the play on the stage of his home theater.

Also, the following people had a hand in the image of the Snow Maiden: famous artists like M.A. Vrubel, N.K. Roerich, V.M. Vasnetsov. The famous Russian composer N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov dedicated an entire opera to this attractive fairy-tale character.

Nowadays, Father Frost and Snow Maiden are the favorites of all children. They are looking forward to the cherished moment when Father Frost and Snow Maiden will enter their house and give everyone long-awaited gifts.

Interesting things about Grandfather Frost. Story.

A small percentage of people know that Grandfather Frost became who he is because of the existence of a very specific and living prototype. In the 4th century, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker (in Catholic and Lutheran versions - Saint Nicholas or Claus) lived and performed godly deeds in Asia Minor.

Grandfather Frost was originally an evil and cruel pagan deity, the Great Old Man of the North, the lord of icy cold and blizzards, who froze people, this was reflected in Nekrasov’s poem “Frost - the Red Nose”, where Frost kills a poor young peasant widow in the forest, leaving her young orphans children. Santa Claus first appeared at Christmas in 1910, but he did not become widespread.

IN Soviet time was widespread new image: he appeared to children on New Year's Eve and gave gifts; this image was created by Soviet filmmakers in the 1930s.

In December 1935, Stalin's comrade-in-arms, member of the Presidium of the USSR Central Executive Committee, Pavel Postyshev, published an article in the Pravda newspaper in which he proposed organizing a New Year celebration for children. In Kharkov, a children's New Year's party. Father Frost comes to the holiday with his granddaughter, the girl Snegurochka. The collective image of Grandfather Frost is based on the biography of St. Nicholas, as well as descriptions of the ancient Slavic deities Zimnik, Pozvezda, and Karochun.

The unique character of pagan deities gave rise to the behavior of Grandfather Frost - at first he collected sacrifices, stole children and carried them away in a sack. However, over time - as it happens - everything changed, and under the influence of Orthodox traditions, Grandfather Frost became kinder and began to give gifts to the children himself. This image was finally formalized in Soviet Russia: Grandfather Frost became a symbol of the New Year celebration, replacing the one most beloved by children in the ideology of atheism. pre-revolutionary Russia holiday of the Nativity of Christ. Professional holiday Santa Claus is celebrated every last Sunday in August.

Where does the Snow Maiden live, and how to visit her home?

Many people know that Father Frost's birthday is traditionally celebrated on November 18th. The exact number of years is unknown, but no less than 2000. After the birthday of Santa Claus, very coldy, and winter takes on its fabulous shape. But few people know about his granddaughter. If you want to find out where the Snow Maiden lives and receives guests, read our article from beginning to end.

The Snow Maiden was born in the Kostroma region, where her fabulous Berendey kingdom is located. It is believed that she is forever young - always 16 years old. Why Kostroma? Because the Snow Maiden owes its appearance to Alexander Ostrovsky, who indicated Kostroma as the place of her birth.

On every New Year's holiday, the Snow Maiden appears with Father Frost, and this leads many to believe that they have family ties. Some even consider them a couple in love, and others consider them a grandfather and an eternally young granddaughter. But this is not at all true. In fact, Father Frost is the father of the Snow Maiden.

Snow Maiden and Father Frost

In general, the Snow Maiden’s father has already been determined, but who is the mother? According to unproven information, this is Spring. If you continue to search for the family tree, then you can find your grandmother, Zima, and your paternal uncle, Morozko. He belongs to Santa Claus younger brother. There are also distant relatives. Bannik is the spirit of the bathhouse in Rus', the brownie and many other fairy-tale characters.

How to go to visit the Snow Maiden?

So we figured out where the Snow Maiden lives, and now we’ll find out how to visit her home. The Snegurochka apartments are located in Kostroma and amaze with their splendor both inside and outside. There are light rooms, upper rooms, many rooms with various decorated characters and incredibly decorated Christmas trees. Also in her house you can admire a hall made of ice, where the constant temperature is -15 degrees.

Ice Hall

Much is made there from ice, starting from the bar counter, table with chairs, floor, ceiling and ending with dishes and mugs with a samovar. These amazing ice masterpieces were created by the hands of the masters of the Urals.
It is not recommended to enter the house where the Snow Maiden lives in Kostroma all year round without outerwear- you can get sick. To make the excursion more comfortable, people are given homemade felt boots and a colored coat to rent. In addition, frozen visitors are treated to alcoholic beverages poured into glasses made of ice. Sweet treats and milkshakes are available for children. Guests are entertained with jokes, games, dancing and other entertainment.

Where does the Snow Maiden live?

Many of the guests bring with them various gifts for the Snow Maiden: souvenirs, congratulatory fakes, homemade Christmas trees and much more. Thanks to the numerous gifts, the tower where the Snow Maiden lives in Russia resembles a real museum.

To make these New Year holidays memorable for you for a long time, we advise you to go to Kostroma, to visit the Snow Maiden

There is no doubt that the most favorite characters of the New Year holiday are Father Frost and Snow Maiden. The image of Father Frost in Russian folklore has evolved over many centuries. Historians are inclined to believe that the prototype of our Father Frost was the East Slavic spirit of cold Treskun, or, as he was also called, Studenets. The character of ancient fairy tales Morozko is more like our Father Frost, in later versions - Moroz Ivanovich, Moroz Yelkich. This is the Spirit of Winter - strict, sometimes angry, grumpy, but fair. To good people favors and bestows, and can freeze the bad ones with his magic staff. By the 1880s, a certain character with a bag of gifts near the Christmas tree had established itself in the public consciousness. True, they called him differently: the Christmas old man, the Christmas grandfather, or simply the Christmas tree grandfather. In literary adaptation, Moroz Ivanovich appeared in 1840 in the collection “Children's Tales of Grandfather Iriney” by V.F. Odoevsky. This kind gray-haired old man gifts the Needlewoman for Good work“a handful of silver coins,” and teaches Sloth a lesson by giving her an icicle instead of silver. In Nekrasov’s poem “Red Nose Frost” main character evil, who loves to “freeze the blood in the veins and freeze the brain in the head.” In children's poetry of the late 19th century, Father Frost is a good wizard. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the image of Father Frost as a kind giver of Christmas trees and gifts was finally established. Traditionally, Father Frost is dressed in a long, ankle-length red fur coat trimmed with white fur. At first his fur coat was blue (indicating the northern, cold origin of the character); on pre-revolutionary postcards you can also find a white Santa Claus. Nowadays, Santa Claus most often comes in a red suit. His hat is semi-oval to match his fur coat. The children's favorite has mittens on his hands. In one hand he holds a staff and in the other a bag of gifts.

The image of the Snow Maiden also took shape in the 19th century. In 1860, G.P. Danilevsky published a poetic version of a Russian folk tale about a revived snow girl. The official date of birth of the Snow Maiden was 1873, when A.N. Ostrovsky transferred this folk tale in his own way in the play “The Snow Maiden”. So the Kostroma region began to be considered the birthplace of the winter beauty, where, on the Shchelykovo estate, the writer came up with a new plot for an old fairy tale. In 1874, “The Snow Maiden” was published in “Bulletin of Europe”, then an opera appeared, the music for which was written by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov. It is interesting that upon first reading, Ostrovsky’s poetic dramatic tale did not inspire the composer. Five years later, in the winter of 1879, Rimsky-Korsakov “read The Snow Maiden again” and clearly saw its amazing beauty. I immediately wanted to write an opera based on this plot, and as I thought about this intention, I felt more and more in love with Ostrovsky’s fairy tale. The attraction to ancient Russian customs and pagan pantheism that had gradually manifested itself in me now flared up with a bright flame. There was no better plot for me in the world, there were no better poetic images for me than the Snow Maiden, Lel or Spring, there was no better kingdom of the Berendeys with their wonderful king...” The first performance of The Snow Maiden took place on January 29, 1882 at the Mariinsky Theater during a benefit performance of the Russian Opera Choir. Soon “The Snow Maiden” was staged in Moscow, at the Russian Private Opera of S.I. Mamontov, and in 1893 at the Bolshoi Theater. The opera was a huge success.

The image of the Snow Maiden both as a daughter and as a granddaughter of Frost was developed in children's and adult literature, in fine arts. But precisely thanks to a beautiful fairy tale Ostrovsky, the Snow Maiden fell in love with many and soon became the constant companion of Father Frost. Only their family ties underwent some changes over time - from a daughter she turned into a granddaughter, but she did not lose her charm because of this. The appearance of the Snow Maiden was created thanks to three great artists: Vasnetsov, Vrubel and Roerich. It was in their paintings that the Snow Maiden “found” her famous outfits: a light sundress and a headband; a long white snow robe, lined with ermine, a small fur coat. Before the revolution, the Snow Maiden never acted as a presenter at the Christmas tree festival.

In the twenties of the last century, the country embarked on the path of combating “religious prejudices.” Since 1929, all church holidays. The Christmas day off became a working day, but “secret” Christmas trees were sometimes held. Santa Claus has become “a product of the anti-people activities of capitalists” and “religious trash.” The Christmas tree holiday was allowed again only on New Year's Eve 1936, after Stalin uttered a significant phrase: “Life has become good, comrades. Life has become more fun." Christmas tree, having lost its religious context, has become a symbol of the holiday of happy childhood in our country. From that time on, Santa Claus was fully restored to his rights. The Soviet Father Frost brought bags in a bag with the same gifts for all children. In 1937, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden first appeared together at the Christmas tree celebration in the Moscow House of Unions. The Snow Maiden became Father Frost's permanent companion, helping him in everything (the tradition was broken only in the 1960s, when the Snow Maiden's place on the Kremlin Christmas tree was taken several times by an astronaut). So then it happened: a girl, sometimes older, sometimes younger, with or without pigtails, wearing a kokoshnik or a hat, sometimes surrounded by little animals, sometimes singing, sometimes dancing. She asks questions to Santa Claus, leads round dances with the children, and helps distribute gifts. For many years now, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden have been decorating any New Year's holiday, be it corporate party or children's party. These fairy-tale characters are an integral part of the New Year, just like a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and gifts.

Unlike the main New Year's wizard, the “granddaughter” does not drink, does not bring gifts, but rather endures Santa Claus, who is oversaturated with “magic.”

But who exactly is the Snow Maiden and what secrets does this New Year’s image hide?

The first and most amazing secret of the Snow Maiden lies in its absolute uniqueness. Of course, the modern Russian Snow Maiden may have Belarusian, Ukrainian and even Kazakh sisters, however, in essence, they are all a continuation of one image, which was finally formed along with the Soviet tradition of celebrating the New Year.

So, there are no analogues of the Snow Maiden in the world, except for the dubious image of the wife of Santa Claus.

Moreover, unlike Father Frost, the Snow Maiden is not recorded in Russian folk ritual.

Despite this, the Snow Maiden has been with us for a long time - from the very moment when a fairy tale about a girl made of snow who came to life appeared in Russian folklore.

The film “The Snow Maiden” directed by Pavel Kadochnikov. Lenfilm. 1969 THE USSR. In the photo: Evgenia Filonova as the Snow Maiden. Photo: www.russianlook.com

Of course, at that time this girl had nothing to do with the New Year or gifts.

According to one version, the story of the Snow Maiden directly comes from the Kostroma funeral ritual.

The Slavic funeral rite of Kostroma represented a farewell to winter and at the same time a request to the forces of nature for the fertility of the lands. According to one version of the ritual, the effigy of the girl was drowned in the river, according to the second, it was burned at the stake, like Maslenitsa. In another version, Kostroma got drunk to death with wine at a merry feast, which makes it very close to all lovers of New Year's table gatherings.

One way or another, the forerunner of the Snow Maiden, Kostroma, was dealt with quite deliberately. And the death of a girl made of snow while jumping over a fire is, if you like, a lighter version of the ritual story.

If Kostroma, who was also the goddess of fertility, had, according to the Slavs, a rather contradictory character, then Snegurochka initially looked like a kind and naive girl.

History of the ascent

The Snow Maiden was translated from folklore into literary characters by a Russian folklore collector Alexander Afanasyev, who in 1867 placed fairy tales about the Snow Maiden in the second volume of his study “Poetic views of the Slavs on nature.”

In 1873, playwright Alexander Ostrovsky, impressed by the work of Afanasyev, wrote the play “The Snow Maiden”. In this story, the Snow Maiden appears in the image familiar to us today - a pale blonde in blue and white winter clothes. This is where the Snow Maiden first encounters Father Frost, who turns out to be her... dad. And the mother is Vesna-Krasna, who cannot resist the male charisma of the gray-bearded magician. However, Ostrovsky’s story of the Snow Maiden is not a happy one: left in people’s care, she becomes a victim of misunderstanding and jumping over the fire.

It is interesting that Ostrovsky’s play was received very coldly, and it is unknown what kind of career would have awaited the Snow Maiden if the composer had not gotten involved in the matter in 1882 Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. His opera based on the play “The Snow Maiden” was a wild success, after which the ice girl began to move towards the status of the second New Year’s face.

Even in the pre-revolutionary period, Russian teachers began to use the image of the Snow Maiden in Christmas tree scenarios. True, as a rule, we are talking about staging certain scenes from Ostrovsky’s play with her participation. Also, Snow Maiden figurines are beginning to be hung on the Christmas tree as decoration.

And yet, at that time, the Snow Maiden remained exclusively a minor character. The decisive transformation came in 1935, when the Soviet Union began to officially celebrate the New Year.

Now the Snow Maiden has become " right hand» Santa Claus, a mediator in communication between him and children at matinees. At the same time, for a reason that is not entirely clear, their relationship status changed. If Ostrovsky had the Snow Maiden as the daughter of Father Frost, then in the new version she appeared as his granddaughter.

Father Frost and Snow Maiden with children at the New Year tree. Photo: RIA Novosti

Although it cannot be ruled out that this Snow Maiden is actually the daughter of the one who melted while jumping over the fire. In any case, the Soviet Snow Maiden had no tendency to melt.

At the celebration of the New Year, 1937, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden appeared together for the first time at the Christmas tree in the Moscow House of Unions. It is interesting that at that time the Snow Maiden appeared in the form of a little girl and only after some time she “grew up”.

Tower on Lagernaya street

It is quite possible that this change in texture was caused solely by practical considerations - after all, students of theater schools and aspiring theater performers coped with the roles of hostesses of children's matinees much better than elementary school students.

Unlike Father Frost, the fate of the Snow Maiden hung in the balance for some time - for example, during the war period this image from New Year's holidays disappeared.

Two famous Soviet writers saved the Snow Maiden - Lev Kassil And Sergey Mikhalkov. It was they who wrote the scripts for the Kremlin Christmas trees in the early 1950s, and made the granddaughter of Father Frost a mandatory participant in the performances. Only after this did the Snow Maiden finally “stake out” a place for herself near the Christmas tree.

The Snow Maiden is so kind and harmless that she constantly finds herself hostage to various evil spirits who have material claims against Santa Claus. In my memory, the Snow Maiden only once took the initiative, helping out her grandfather. In the cartoon “When the Christmas Trees Light Up,” the atypically determined Snow Maiden went on a sleigh to the capital in order to bring gifts lost by Santa Claus. And she coped with her task perfectly.

The Snow Maiden is now an independent girl, and she has her own residence located in Kostroma. It was in these parts, in the Shchelykovo estate, that the playwright Alexander Ostrovsky and wrote a play about the Snow Maiden. In terms of the number of visitors, “Terem Snegurochka” may well give a head start to the residence of Father Frost in Veliky Ustyug.

The only oddity regarding the Snow Maiden’s habitat is her Kostroma address - the granddaughter of Father Frost lives on Lagernaya Street, house 38.

Distant relatives or just acquaintances?

The most stubborn seekers of Western analogues believe that the Snow Maiden has something in common with Saint Lucia, who in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, during the ban on the cult of saints and, in particular, Saint Nicholas, acted as a Christmas giver of gifts to children. In the countries of Scandinavia and Finland, the feast of St. Lucia, celebrated on December 13, has survived to this day, and serves as a kind of prelude to Christmas.

There is also the Italian Befana, either an old woman or a young woman, who appears to children on the night of Epiphany and places gifts for obedient children in pre-prepared socks. Befana puts ash in the socks of bad children. By the way, this lady is also well known to Russian children - a slightly modified image of her was described by Gianni Rodari in his “Journey of the Blue Arrow.”

Malanka is also mentioned, participating in the New Year's rituals of Bassarabia, Podolia and Galicia.

However, all these ladies, of course, cannot be compared with our unique and inimitable Snow Maiden, who every year saves children from embarrassment in front of the gray-bearded magical old man, and then meekly delivers the spoiled Santa Claus to his abode. That is why Snegurochka is exclusively our character, in which every Russian woman can see herself.